Page:Russian Fairy Book (N. H. Dole).djvu/129

 Princess Olga consented and became the Eagle's wife. The Eagle caught her up and bore her away to his kingdom.

Still another year passed. Prince Ivan said to his youngest sister: "Come, let us walk in the green garden."

They had been strolling about a little while when again a cloud appeared with a fierce wind and with lightning.

"Come, sister, let us go home," he said. They went into the house, and hardly had they sat down when there was a crash of thunder, the ceiling split, and a Raven flew down to them. As soon as the Raven touched the floor it turned into a fine young man. The other birds had been fine, but this was the finest of all.

"Well, Prince Ivan," he said, "hitherto I have come as a guest, but now I am here as a suitor. Give me Princess Anna."

"I do not control my sister's will; if you are in love with her, let her go with you."

Princess Anna followed the Raven and he took her to his realm. Prince Ivan remained alone. A whole year he lived without his sisters, and his life became dull to him. Said he: "I am going to find my sisters."