Page:Tales and Legends from the Land of the Tzar.djvu/220

204 come here on my way because I wish to marry your sister, Princess Olga,"

"Very well," answered King Vladimir. "If you love my sister, I do not see why you should not have her. What do you say, Olga?"

Princess Olga, like her eldest sister, made no objection, but married the eagle, and returned with him to his native land, wherever that might be.

Another year went by.

"Come, sister!" said King Vladimir, "let us go for a walk in the garden."

They strolled about for some time, when again a dark cloud was seen in the sky. Again the thunder rolled and the lightning flashed.

"Let us make haste and return to the palace, or we shall soon be wet through," the king exclaimed.

They just got inside when the hail came down, and the storm became greater than ever. Then a tremendous crash was heard above them; the ceiling parted in two, and in flew a big black crow, which, however, immediately changed itself into a wonderfully handsome youth, far better looking than either of the two others.

"Well, King Vladimir, how are you?" asked the youth. "I have been enjoying myself all over the world, and now I am on my way to my own country, where I intend to settle down comfortably; but, first of all, I have come here to ask your sister, Princess Anna, to marry me."

"I think I can answer for my sister," King Vladimir replied; "for you are young and handsome, and likely to make her a good husband; so, if you really