Page:Tales and Legends from the Land of the Tzar.djvu/325

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sun was just beginning to set, when, towards the great river of Saffat, came galloping seven adventurous Russian champions: the seven famous warriors, Godenko Bludovitch, Vasselie Kazemirovitch, Vasselie Buslaevitch, Ivan, the innkeeper's son, Aleyosha Papovitch, junior, Dobrenin the Youthful, and last, but not least, the stout labourer, Nikita Gregorevitch.

Right in front of them lay a level plain, in the midst of which stood an ancient oak; from this tree went three roads, the one leading to Novgorod the Great, the second to the sacred city of Kiev, and the third, which was very long and straight, led to the dark blue sea; but this road was dangerous, as it had for the last thirty-three years been in the possession of a savage giant Mussulman, who killed every one that dared to come near him, whether on horseback or on foot.

The warriors halted when they reached the oak, and pitched their white canvas tents. After allowing their steeds to walk about and eat the long green grass at their leisure, they went into their tents to seek repose.

Dobrenin the Youthful rose early with the sun, while his companions were still sleeping peacefully.