Page:Russian Wonder Tales.djvu/359

Rh die but once!" And he thanked him and made to ride on, but the old man stopped him.

"Thou art both brave and courteous too," he said, "and perchance thou mayest cross the three rivers. If thou dost, ride straight on till thou reachest a high mountain, on whose top are the four Palaces of Kastchey. At the base of the mountain is a cave with an iron door. Enter it and thou wilt find four iron claws. Bind these to thy hands and feet and it may be thou wilt be able to reach the top."

The Tzarevich bade the old man and the old woman farewell, rode to the first river, and demanded to be ferried over.

"Wilt thou pay me my price?" asked the huge ferryman.

"Time enough to talk of price when thou hast served me thy service," said the Tzarevich, and rode his horse into the boat. So they crossed and when they came to the other side he asked: "What is there to pay?"

"Stretch forth thy right hand," said the ferry-man, and drew his sword.

"Nay," answered Tzarevich Petr. "I need my hand myself." And he whipped out his own blade and struck the ferryman such a blow that the steel pierced through the copper armor and killed him.