Page:Tales and Legends from the Land of the Tzar.djvu/82

66 lying on the stove as usual. They told their parents all the news, and said that the handsome young prince was there, and that he had evidently taken a great fancy to them, as he had again touched them with his whip. Ivan chuckled, but said not a word.

On the third day the brothers set off as before to the king's palace, while Ivan went to meet the chestnut horse. He looked far handsomer than ever as he sat his steed proudly, and rode off to the palace, determined to be successful this time, come what might, and putting spurs to the horse he jumped to the balcony, and actually seized the ring from the princess's finger, and even kissed the beautiful face!

Another shout of applause arose from the crowd, who had been watching him eagerly. Away rode Ivan with the ring on his finger, touching his brothers again as he passed. But when the assembled crowd saw him depart, they tried to stop him, crying, "Hold him! hold him! stop him! stop him!" But in vain. Ivan was too quick for them, thanks to the chestnut horse.

Before he returned home he wrapped a piece of rag round the finger on which the ring was.

"What is the matter with your finger?" asked his mother, when he came home.

"Oh, I went out to get you some more mushrooms, and hurt my finger. That's all."

His parents laughed, and told him that he was the greatest donkey they had ever come across; but he did not mind them. He crept up on to the stove, and waited for his brothers, who had more than usual to tell this time. At last Ivan, wishing very much to