Page:Russian Fairy Book (N. H. Dole).djvu/154

 courtyard your arrows fall, there will you find your brides."

The oldest brother shot his arrow, and it fell into the yard of a rich noble, right over against the room occupied by the daughter of the house.

The second son shot his arrow, and it flew into the courtyard of a rich merchant, and remained sticking in the red stairway, and on the stairway stood the merchant's daughter.

Prince Ivan shot his arrow. It soared high, it fell out of sight, and though he hunted for it long he could not find it. So his heart grew heavy, and he was sad. For two whole days he wandered over the meadows and through the forests, but on the third day he made his way into a miry swamp, and he saw there a Frog, and the Frog had his arrow.

Prince Ivan was on the point of running away and leaving his arrow, but the Frog cried out:

"Kwa! kwa! Prince Ivan! Come to me and take your arrow, else you will never escape from the bog!"

There was no choice. Prince Ivan took the Frog, put her in the folds of his coat, and wended his way home. He went to his father and said:

"How can I marry a Frog? A Frog isn't my equal."