Page:Tales and Legends from the Land of the Tzar.djvu/199

Rh "Well," said one, "it happens that we possess three dens, an invisible cloak, a cap, and a club. Now, as we are only two, we do not know how we can best divide them between us. We began to dispute, but that does not seem to help us. Now you, who are a learned man, might perhaps be able to give us some good advice, and tell us how we had best divide these things and avoid fighting."

The prince thought for a moment, arid then said,—

"I will let fly an arrow, and you must both run after it; he who first gets to the place where the arrow falls shall have which two of the dens he likes best, and also the cap, cloak, and club. Do you consent?"

"Yes, yes!" they cried, and stood side by side ready to start.

Prince John shot forth an arrow, and off went the wolves after it, leaving the cloak, cap, and club behind them. The moment Prince John was left by the wer-wolves he put on the cloak and cap, and he and his horse became at once invisible and rode away, leaving the two wolves either to become friends again or go on fighting as long as they pleased.

Early on the following morning the big horse came to the dark and dreary forest where the witch lived.

The old hag was very condescending to the prince, and told him how to get at the deceased she-skeleton.

"In the middle of the mighty ocean," said she, "in the Island of Booyan, stands an old, old oak, and under this oak is an iron box buried in the