Page:Russian Fairy Book (N. H. Dole).djvu/141

 she flies around the world. And she has many other splendid mares. I served her as a herdsman for three days, and as I did not let one single mare escape, the Baba Yaga gave me one little colt."

"How did you cross the fiery river?"

"Oh, I have such and such a handkerchief, and when I wave it three times toward the right it grows into a high, high bridge, and the fire cannot reach it."

Marya Morevna listened to what he said, and she told it all to Prince Ivan, and she got the handkerchief and gave it to him.

Prince Ivan managed to cross the fiery river, and he went to find the Baba Yaga. Long, long he travelled without eating or drinking. A strange bird happened to meet him with her little ones. Prince Ivan said: "I will eat one of her fledglings."

"Do not eat it, Prince Ivan," besought the strange bird; "sometime I may be able to help you." He went on and on. In the forest he saw a hive of bees. Said he: "I guess I will take a little honey." The little bee-mother begged him not to. "Do not touch my honey, Prince Ivan! Sometime I may be able to help you."