Page:Once a Week Dec 1861 to June 1862.pdf/584

574 daughters of Baba Yagá. As soon as they perceived Yvashka with the Bear's Ear, they said:

"Good youth, what has brought you hither? Here lives Baba Yagá, our mother, and as soon as she comes home you are a dead man, for she will certainly kill you. However, if you will deliver us from this place we will inform you how you may save your life."

On his promising to conduct them out of that abyss, they said to him:

"As soon as our mother arrives, she will rush at you and begin to fight you; but after a while she will desist and will run into the cellar, where she has two pitchers standing filled with water; in the blue pitcher is the water of strength, and in the white that of weakness."

Scarcely had the daughters of Baba Yagá. concluded their discourse when they told Yvashka that they heard their mother coming; and presently she appeared riding in the iron mortar, driving with the pestle, whilst with her tongue lolling out of her mouth she drew a mark as she went. Baba Yagá on arriving screamed out:

"For what are you come hither, Yvashka with the Bear's Ear? Do you think to disturb me here also?"

Then, casting herself suddenly upon him, she began to fight. They fought together for a considerable time, and at length they fell upon the earth. Baba Yagá, after lying for some time, jumped up and ran into the cellar, and Yvashka rushed after her. Babs Yagá, without examination, seized the white pitcher, and Yvashka the blue one. Both having drunk, they left the cellar and renewed their combat. Yvashka, however, presently overpowered Baba Yagá. He then seized her by the hair and beat her with her own pestle till she entreated him to take pity upon her, promising never to do him any injury, and to leave the place that very moment. Whereupon Yvashka with the Bear's Ear took pity on Baba Yagá, and left off beating her.

As soon as she was gone he went to her daughters, thanked them for the information they had given him, and told them to prepare to leave the place. Whilst they were packing up their things he went to the rope, and having pulled it his comrades instantly let down the canoe, in which he placed the eldest sister, and by her sent word to them to draw them all up. Yvashka's comrades having drawn up the damsel were much astonished at the sight of her, but having learnt from her the whole affair, they hoisted up her other sisters. At last they let down the canoe for Yvashka, but he having this time stowed into the canoe many clothes and a great deal of money, as well as put himself therein, his comrades, feeling the weight, imagined that Baba Yagá must have got into the canoe, so they cut the rope, and left poor Yvashka in the abyss. They then agreed to marry the damsels, and lost no time in doing so.

Meanwhile Yvashka with the Bear's Ear walked for a long time about the abyss seeking for an outlet. At last by good fortune he found an iron door in that gloomy place, and having broken it open, he proceeded for a long time in the same darkness; he then beheld a light in the distance, and directing his course straight towards it, he emerged from the cavern. He then determined to seek his comrades, whom he soon found, but not until all three were married. On seeing them he began to ask why they had left him in the hole. His comrades, in great terror, told him that Moustachio had cut the rope; whereupon Yvashka immediately slew him, and took his wife to be his own. They then all lived together in the greatest comfort and prosperity. .

a given point to draw a straight line equal to a given straight line—let A—. Exactly. We know all about that. Problems of that kind are not so very difficult. But what do you say to a problem of this kind? Upon two lent wigs, a pair of spurs, several Indian shawls, and a few other articles, to prepare a play ready to be acted upon a given night. That might require some little ingenuity, I think. And yet Bob did it. Bob was equal to the occasion. He had assistance, certainly. His cousin Polly helped him. But Polly is such an uncommonly pretty girl, that it is difficult for a fellow to keep his eyes off her. In fact, to compose yourself is hard enough in her presence; but to compose a play must be almost impossible, I should have thought. But, as I said before, Bob was equal to the occasion. You see it was all because of Polly's godmother. Polly's godmother's will is law in the household at Smalley Back. And quite right that it should be so. Things are coming to a pretty pass: society is going to the dogs, indeed, if the Dowager Lady Bitters's wishes are to be considered no more than if her name was plain Jones. What is the good of being able to trace back to William Rufus, and of having red hair to this day, in proof of that high descent, if people are to treat you with no more respect than they treat other people? Has society no laws! Of course it has. Well, then! Is no reverence to be paid to rank? Of course there is. Well! then of course the Dowager Lady Bitters's will was law in the household at Smalley Back. So when Polly told her godmamma that they were going to have some private theatricals at Christmas, Lady Bitters (dear, kind old lady) said she would send them from the Grange some dresses, and things of that sort, which they would find very useful.

"Oh! thank you, godmarnma," said Polly; "but Bob comes down on Monday with the play, and he will manage all those things. Bob understands theatricals spendidlysplendidly [sic]."

"I don't think that Mr. Bob will refuse any assistance that I may please to render you," replied Lady Bitters, rather loftily. "I have too good an opinion of him to suppose so for an instant."

"Oh! no, godmamma," said Polly, earnestly (for very particular reasons, Polly wished her godmother to like Bob)—"I'm sure he would not refuse anything."