Page:The Russian Garland of Fairy Tales.djvu/132

 length halted in a meadow, and pitched their white tent to rest. Drushnevna had two sons born here, and Bova named one Litcharda and the other Simbalda.

One day, as Bova was walking with Polkan around his tent, they beheld in the distance a thick cloud of dust; then said Bova to Polkan: "Hasten and see whether an army is advancing, or a bold knight comes riding this way, or a merchant's caravan is on the road." When Polkan heard this request, he rode forth and presently brought back some warriors bound. And Bova asked: Tell me, you warriors, freely and without resistance, what power comes yonder, and from what country, who is your King, and wherefore are you sent out?" The soldiers answered: "Brave Knight, we are sent with a great army by King Dadon to the kingdom of Armenia to demand the stepson of our King who ran away in his youth, to be given up by the Tsar Sensibri Andronovich; his name is Bova."

"Face about, and tell the commander of your army not to march into the Armenian kingdom, but await me on the spot where you meet him. I am Bova Korolevich, and will soon follow you to inspect your army."

So saying, Bova dismissed the prisoners, and