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 126 Ivan threw it down, and there arose behind them steep rocky mountains, which sheltered Ivan as with a wall.

After some time Ivan reached another kingdom. Having entered a beautiful field, he let the horse loose to graze, and said,—

"My faithful friend and companion, come to me again at the sound of my whistle."

He then went into a garden which was not far off. In that garden, behind silver bars, stood an apple tree full of beautiful fruit. Ivan was tempted, and plucked one of the finest of them. But to that apple tree were fastened golden wires, and as soon as Ivan had plucked the apple, bells began to ring. The servants rushed into the garden, seized Ivan, and took him to their czar.

The czar asked Ivan for his name and country, and whether he left it of his own free will. He was pleased with Ivan's simplicity, took him into his own service, and ordered him to look after the garden. He nicknamed him Ivan the Unknown.

The czar had three daughters, two of whom were already married. One day the maiden princess, who was exceedingly beautiful, came into the garden, and seeing a young handsome gardener there, she said to him,—

"How is it, gardener, that you have not brought me any flowers yet?"