Page:Tales and Legends from the Land of the Tzar.djvu/131

Rh knowing this, kept on nagging him till, finding there was no help for it, he harnessed his horse to the cart, and consented to take Mary to the forest.

They drove and drove for some time without finding a suitable place to leave Mary in. At last they came to a little mud hut which they thought would be just the thing.

They made a log fire, and brought in a bag of oatmeal and a spinning-wheel, which the old man had thoughtfully provided for his daughter.

"You must not let the fire go out, Mary, so that when you feel hungry, you can make yourself some porridge. Don't attempt to leave the hut, but sit down and spin; to-morrow I will come and see how you are getting on."

So saying, the old man kissed his daughter, and drove away.

When Mary was left alone she sat down to spin until evening, then she made some porridge and put it on the fire. When it began to boil, Mary was greatly astonished to see a little mouse come out from under the floor.

"Please give me a little porridge, Mary," it said.

She did so, and after thanking her, the mouse ran away again.

When Mary had finished her supper, she went on with her spinning. Suddenly, just at midnight, she heard a noise at the door, and on looking up was horrified at seeing a bear come in.

"Put the light out, girl," said he, "and let us have a game at blind-man's buff. Take this bell and run