led to the Tsar Saltan,
and said to him: "Our Lord Tsar Saltan Saltanovich, after we had taken
prisoners Tsars Sensibri and Marcobrun, and had overthrown all their
enemies, a young fellow of handsome look rushed out of Sensibri's
city, who slew your brave son Lukoper in single combat, and routed our
whole army. He is even now in pursuit of us, slaying all whom he can
overtake, and will presently attack you."

On hearing this, Tsar Saltan was seized with terror, and hastened with
his troops on board his ships, leaving all his tents and treasures
behind, cut the cable, and instantly set sail from the Armenian
kingdom. But hardly had he left the shore when Bova rode into the
camp, and found not a single living soul except the Kings Marcobrun
and Sensibri, who lay bound hand and foot beside Saltan's tent. Bova
Korolevich freed them from their bonds, and rode with them back to the
Armenian kingdom.

On the way Sensibri Andronovich said to Bova: "My trusty servant
Anhusei, I see your fidelity and valour; I owe my liberty to you, and
I know not how to reward you: ask of me whatsoever you desire--my
treasures are at your command." Then Bova answered: "My gracious lord
King, I am rewarded by your royal favour, and ask no more; but I will
serve you faithfully to the best of my power." And as they conversed
thus they came to the Armenian city, where they feasted and made
merry. Then Bova lay down to sleep, and slept nine days and nine
nights.

At length Kings Sensibri and Marcobrun, tired of feasting, rode out
into the fields to hunt for three days. And meanwhile it happened that
the Chamberlain, jealous of the favour that the King showed to Bova,
called to him thirty young fellows and said: "My friends, you see that
this rascal Anhusei has deceived our King and the Princess Drushnevna,
and, turning their favour from us, drives us from their presence. Come
with me into the stable where he sleeps; let us put him to death, and
I will reward you with gold and silver, with jewels and fine clothes."
When Orlop had told his plan, one of the thirty answered: "We are not
strong enough to slay Anhusei in his sleep; should he awake he would
kill us all. A better plan would be for one of us to lie in the King's
bed, whilst he is out at the chase, to summon Anhusei, and give him a
letter to the Tsar Saltan Saltanovich desiring him to put Anhusei to
death."

When the Chamberlain Orlop heard this he leaped for joy, embraced the
fellow who