Page:Russian Wonder Tales.djvu/158

122 until I have found Maria Morevna," he set out across three times nine Tzardoms.

He rode one day, he rode two days, and at dawn on the third day he came to a beautiful Palace of white stone whose roof shone like a rainbow. Before the Palace stood an oak-tree, on whose topmost branch perched a Hawk. As soon as it saw him, the Hawk flew down from the tree, alighted on the ground and became a handsome youth. "Welcome, my dear brother-in-law," he cried; "how hath God dealt with thee these past three years?" The next moment Tzarevna Anna came running from the Palace, and kissing her brother began to ask him many questions and to tell him of what had befallen her.

Tzarevich Alexis spent three little days with them, at the end of which time he said: "I can remain no longer, but must go on my search for my wife, Maria Morevna."

His brother-in-law, the Hawk, answered: "It is a far journey. Leave with us thy silver spoon, that we may look upon it and be reminded of thee."

The Tzarevich left with him the silver spoon and rode on. He rode one day, he rode a second, and on the third, at daybreak, he came to a Palace of gray marble even finer than the Hawk's, whose