Page:Tales and Legends from the Land of the Tzar.djvu/261

Rh great many times, he at last made it out, and looking at the messenger, said,—

"All right!"

A few days later the false king drew nearer, and encamped quite close to the town.

"The king and his army are going off to the war," said both Elie Muromitch and Aleyosha Papovitch, coming up to Foma Berennekoff, "and he must be protected. Will you go yourself, or shall one of us go?"

"Go you, Elie Muromitch!" said Foma.

Away galloped Elie Muromitch, and killed all the six powerful warriors in a very short time. Still the false king was not to be subdued, so he brought out six other warriors, more powerful than the last, and a large army besides.

Elie Muromitch and Aleyosha Papovitch came up to Foma Berennekoff and said,—

"Tell us, great Foma! Will you go yourself this time, or send us?"

"Go you, brother Aleyosha Papovitch, junior!"

Away went Aleyosha Papovitch, junior, and in a very short time killed the whole of the large army, and the six powerful warriors besides, and then rode back to his tent.

"Well!" said the false king, "I have fortunately still another warrior left, and he is more powerful than all the others put together. I have hitherto kept him with his people; but now, I shall allow him to go and fight!"

So he sent a large army and his one powerful warrior, to whom he said secretly,—