Page:Tales and Legends from the Land of the Tzar.djvu/262

246 "These Russian warriors do not defeat us with strength, but only by cunning; so whatever you see the Russian warriors do, you must at once imitate!"

Elie Muromitch and Aleyosha Papovitch, junior, again came to Foma Berennekoff, and asked as before,—

"Are you yourself going to fight this time, or will you send us?"

"I shall go myself; bring me my horse."

The three horses were in the fields grazing. Elie Muromitch went up to Foma's horse, which was kicking and biting itself. Elie Muromitch felt vexed when he saw the wretched animal. So taking it by its tail, he threw the creature over his shoulder.

"Suppose Foma Berennekoff had seen you," whispered Aleyosha Papovitch, junior; "wouldn't he have given it you?"

"I don't think he cares so very much for his old horse," replied Elie Muromitch. "The animal is not of much use to him. All the power lies in the man, and not in the horse!"

So saying he led the sorry beast to Foma Berennekoff, who at once seated himself on the animal, and rode away. Suddenly he stopped.

"I think I had better tie up my eyes!" he thought; "things will not seem half so dreadful and cruel then!"

He tied up his eyes with his handkerchief, and lay forward on his horse.

When the enemy's powerful warrior saw Foma with his eyes tied up, he thought,—

"Ah, that shows that he has perfect confidence in