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322 !" said the gray-beard. "Now I rejoice also, for he was my greatest enemy." He gave them four noble steeds, a milk-white mare to bear the Tzaritza and stallions of gold, of silver and of copper-color for the three Tzarevnas, and in this wise they rode to the Tzardom of Tzar Bel-Belianin.

When they drew near to the capital, the Tzarevich sent in advance a swift messenger to the Tzar with this message: "Little father! I, thy son Petr, am returning home, bringing with me my mother the Tzaritza, my own bride to be, who is a maiden as lovely as the stars, and Tzarevnas for my two brothers. Come thou out to meet us."

The Tzar, hearing the message, could not believe his ears. He mounted and rode out of the capital at the head of all his Ministers and Boyars and his army, and when he saw that it was indeed true and that his well-loved Tzaritza was alive, his joy knew no bounds. He ordered the musicians to play their instruments and the drummers to beat their drums, and bringing them to the Palace decreed a great festival whose splendor made the whole Tzardom wonder.

When the feastings were ended, Tzarevich Petr wedded the lovely damsel of the golden Palace, and the maidens of the silver and copper Palaces were