hem two alternatives:--to enter into his service, in
which they would have good pay, clothing, and fair treatment; or to be
allowed to return to Russia. Without the slightest hesitation they, to a
man, chose the latter, though well aware that their beloved Tsar, the
cruel Ivan Basilowits, would put them all to death, amidst tortures the
most horrible, for not doing what was impossible--preserving the town.

_Myself_. You speak Russian?

_Hungarian_. A little. I was born in the vicinity of a Sclavonian
tribe; the servants of our house were Sclavonians, and I early acquired
something of their language, which differs not much from that of Russia;
when in that country I quickly understood what was said.

_Myself_. Have the Russians any literature?

_Hungarian_. Doubtless; but I am not acquainted with it, as I do not
read their language; but I know something of their popular tales, to
which I used to listen in their izbushkas; a principal personage in these
is a creation quite original--called Baba Yaga.

_Myself_. Who is Baba Yaga?

_Hungarian_. A female phantom, who is described as hurrying along the
puszta, or steppe, in a mortar, pounding with a pestle at a tremendous
rate, and leaving a long trace on the ground behind her with her tongue,
which is three yards long, and with which she seizes any men and horses
coming in her way, swallowing them down into her capacious belly. She
has several daughters, very handsome, and with plenty of money; happy the
young Mujik who catches and marries one of them, for they make excellent
wives.

"Many thanks," said I, "for the information you have afforded me: this is
rather poor wine," I observed, as I poured out a glass--"I suppose you
have better wine in Hungary?"

"Yes, we have better wine in Hungary. First of all there is Tokay, the
most celebrated in the world, though I confess I prefer the wine of
Eger--Tokay is too sweet."

"Have you ever been at Tokay?"

"I have," said the Hungarian.

"What kind of place is Tokay?"

"A small town situated on the Tyzza, a rapid river descending from the
north; the Tokay Mountain is just behind the town, which stands on the
right bank. The top of the mountain is called Kopacs Teto, or the bald
tip; the hill is so steep that during thunderstorms pieces of it
frequently fall down upon the roofs of the houses. It was planted with
vines by King Lajos, who ascended the throne in the year 1342. The best
wine called Tokay is