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And after they had reached the shore, and beheld the sea stretching before them, and the isle of Dhiurradh in the midst of it, the soul of Ian sank, and he turned to Gille Mairtean and asked why he had brought him thither, for the giant, when he had sent him, had known full well that without a boat he could never find the Big Women. 'Do not be cast down, answered the fox, 'it is quite easy!
Quickly the fox took his own shape again, and galloped away to the sea shore, where Ian Direach and the princess and the bay colt awaited him. 'I will become a ship, cried Gille Mairtean, 'and you shall go on board me. And so he did, and Ian Direach let the bay colt into the ship and the princess went after them, and they set sail for Dhiurradh.
I will change myself into a boat, and you shall go on board me, and I will carry you over the sea to the Seven Big Women of Dhiurradh. Tell them that you are skilled in brightening silver and gold, and in the end they will take you as servant, and if you are careful to please them they will give you the White Sword of Light to make bright and shining.
The wind was behind them, and very soon they saw the rocks of Dhiurradh in front. Then spoke Gille Mairtean the fox: 'Let the bay colt and the king's daughter hide in these rocks, and I will change myself into the colt, and go with you to the house of the Seven Big Women. Joy filed the hearts of the Big Women when they beheld the bay colt led up to their door by Ian Direach.
But when you seek to steal it, take heed that its sheath touches nothing inside the house, or ill will befall you. So Ian Direach did all things as the fox had told him, and the Seven Big Women of Dhiurradh took him for their servant, and for six weeks he worked so hard that his seven mistresses said to each other: 'Never has a servant had the skill to make all bright and shining like this one.
What is this that you have done, and whither are we going? 'It is a queen you will be, answered Ian Direach, 'for the king of Erin has sent me for you, and in return he will give me his bay colt, that I may take him to the Seven Big Women of Dhiurradh, in exchange for the White Sword of Light.
Ian Direach trembled as he saw him; but the giant only said: 'If you wish for my falcon you must first bring me the White Sword of Light that is in the house of the Big Women of Dhiurradh. 'And where do they live? asked Ian. But the giant answered: 'Ah, that is for you to discover. And Ian dared say no more, and hastened down to the waste.
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