Page:Russian Wonder Tales.djvu/157

Rh fetched a jugful. The Wizard took it at a single gulp. "My thirst is too great for a single draught to quench," he said. "I pray thee give me another, and when danger threatens thee I will give thee thy life."

Tzarevich Alexis brought a second jugful and this also Kastchey drank at a draught. "In mercy, give me but one more," he pleaded, "and twice will I give thee thy life when otherwise thou must perish."

The Tzarevich brought him the third jugful, which Kastchey also drank at a draught, but as soon as he had swallowed it all the Wizard's former strength returned; he strained at the twelve chains and broke them asunder like rotten rope. "My thanks to thee, Tzarevich!" he shouted. "Thou art as likely now to possess thy Maria Morevna again as to see thine own ears!" He flew out of the window in a whirlwind, overtook the beautiful Tzar's daughter on her way to the war, seized her from the midst of her army and carried her away across three times nine Tzardoms to his own land.

Tzarevich Alexis, seeing the misfortune his disobedience had wrought, wept bitterly and long. At length he wiped away his tears, and saying to himself, "Whatever may befall I shall not return