Page:Tales and Legends from the Land of the Tzar.djvu/38

22 luck; perhaps I can do something for the princess, and maybe the king will give me the means for my journey home if I am successful."

So saying, he took off his cloak, cleaned his buttons, and marched off to the king.

"Good day, soldier," said the king; "what news have you brought?"

"I wish your daughter better, your Majesty. I hear that Princess Martha is very ill; perhaps I can do something for her, and get rid of the demons in some way."

"Very well, brother; if you do that you shall be handsomely rewarded."

"But I can do nothing unless your Majesty will promise to supply me with certain things that I may want."

"Say what it is you require, soldier, and I shall take care that you have it."

"Well, your Majesty, I shall first of all want a bushel of iron bullets, a bushel of nuts, a pound of candles, two packs of cards, an iron rod, and last, but not least, a figure of a man in iron, on springs. That is all I require."

"All, indeed! Quite enough too, I can tell you. However, if you really think you can save my daughter, you shall have everything you wish, and more."

Next day everything was ready, the soldier, after closing all the windows and all the doors, with the exception of one which he left open, made the sign of the cross over them; he then illuminated the princess's room with the candles; on the table he put