Page:Russian Fairy Book (N. H. Dole).djvu/78

 the Gray Wolf's back, and tell me where you want to go and why!"

Ivan told the Gray Wolf where he wanted to go, and the Gray Wolf galloped off with him faster than the horse, and after some time, toward nightfall, he brought him to a stone wall not so very high, and there the Wolf stopped and said:

"Now, Prince Ivan, get down from my back, from the Gray Wolf's back, and climb over this stone wall. There on the other side of the stone wall is a garden, and in that garden sits the Magic Bird in a golden cage. You may take the bird, but do not touch the cage. If you do they will seize you instantly."

Prince Ivan climbed over the wall into the garden, and there he saw the Magic Bird in a golden cage, and he was greatly charmed by her. He took the bird out of the cage and started back, but then he recollected himself and said in his heart:

"Here I have taken the Magic Bird, but what have I got to put her in?"

So he returned on his steps; but hardly had he taken up the golden cage ere there was a sudden noise and commotion throughout the whole garden, because strings were attached to the golden cage. The guards instantly woke up and came running