Page:Tales and Legends from the Land of the Tzar.djvu/112

96 it whithersoever it goes, and stop when it stops. Farewell!"

The silver-haired old man had vanished before Prince Akem had time to thank him for his kindness. On went the prince, following the little ball, which, strange to say, rolled on and on without stopping until it came to a little hut standing on chickens' legs, and which was turning round and round like a weather-cock, only much faster, so that it was impossible for any one to get in. Before the wonderful hut the ball came to a sudden standstill. The prince, who was getting hungry as well as tired, was glad to find a place where he would be sure to have something to eat and drink; but the question was, how on earth was he to get in? After waiting a moment to think, he at last called out,—

"Little hut! little hut, stand still, if you can, with your front to me and your back to the forest!"

And the little hut actually obeyed.

Prince Akem entered, and found a very old, old witch, with wooden legs, sitting on a bench sharpening her iron teeth. She seemed very much astonished to see the hut come to a standstill.

"I smell the blood of a Russian! Who is there?" Then, looking towards the door, she beheld Prince Akem.

"Oh, it is you. Prince Akem!" she said in a kinder tone. "And what, may I ask, brought you here?"

"Ah! you old, grey, wooden-legged, iron-toothed old witch, could you not have the politeness to get me something to eat and drink before asking me