Page:Russian Wonder Tales.djvu/167

Rh "Didst them, O Kastchey," asked Maria Morevna, "gain thy horse by these means?"

"Not I," the Wizard answered. "Across three times nine lands, in the thirtieth Tzardom, on the further side of the River of Fire, there lives an old Baba-Yaga. She follows the mare and snatches away each she-colt which bears on its forehead the white star. She thus has many wonderful horses. I once spent three days tending them, and for reward she gave me a little foal which became the good horse I ride."

"But how didst thou cross the River of Fire?" asked Maria Morevna.

"As to that," replied the Wizard, "I have in my chest a fine handkerchief. I have only to wave it three times to my right side to have a strong bridge so high that the fire cannot reach it."

Maria Morevna listened attentively, and when Kastchey was asleep she took the fine handkerchief from the chest, brought it to Tzarevich Alexis, and told him all the Wizard had said.

The Tzarevich hastened away, crossed three times nine countries, and in the thirtieth Tzardom came to the River of Fire. By means of the magic handkerchief he crossed it and went on to find the old Baba-Yaga.