Page:Tales and Legends from the Land of the Tzar.djvu/96

80 wish to save your life and become a great man, you must go to the king, your father, and tell him what you have just heard—but you need not mention my name—and ask him for a certain horse, which runs faster than any bird can fly; get upon this horse and go whithersoever your eyes take you. That is all I have to say, so go at once to the king and lose not a moment. Farewell!"

After that the wonderful groom disappeared, and no one ever saw him again.

Meanwhile Prince Nekita went to the king, his father, and told him everything, not forgetting to ask for the flying horse. The king was delighted at the idea of having a daughter, but could not believe that she could turn out to be a wicked old witch; he ordered the flying horse to be brought and given to the prince, wished his handsome young son luck, and left him to mount the splendid animal, but forgot to ask whither he intended going.

The prince mounted his horse, bid all the courtiers and servants farewell, and away he flew.

Long, long, did he ride, until it suddenly struck him that he could not possibly go on riding for ever, besides he was hungry and sleepy. What was he to do? Suddenly he came upon a little hut, at the door of which sat two old women, busy embroidering. He stopped his horse and asked them whether they would let him stay with them for a day or two to rest, but they shook their old heads, saying,—

"Nay, prince, though we should be very glad indeed to let you stay with us and rest for awhile, we cannot possibly ask you in, for we have unfortunately