Princess Miliheria was very angry at Bova's answer; she went
instantly to her father and said: "My lord and father, I confess to
you my wrong in having interceded for the life of this unbelieving
prisoner, in the hope of converting him to our faith, and making him a
good subject of your Majesty. But now I see his obstinacy and hard
heart, I no longer plead for him, but give him back into your hands;
do with him as you will." And so saying she went out.

Saltan Saltanovich, on hearing this, called to him thirty bold
knights, and sent them to Bova's prison; but when they came thither
they could not remove the sand from the door as the Tsar's daughter,
in her anger, had heaped up too much; and they thought of taking off
the roof and dragging Bova out. Then Bova Korolevich was sad at heart,
and said, weeping: "Alas, I am the most unfortunate of men! I have
neither sword nor battle-axe, while my foes are numberless, and I am
moreover weakened by five days' hunger and confinement." Then he sat
down in a corner of the prison and felt close to him on the ground a
sword of steel. He seized it, overjoyed, turned it round and round,
and scarcely trusted his unlooked-for prize. Then he went to the spot
where Saltan's knights were letting themselves down into the prison;
and cutting off their heads, one after the other as they came down, he
laid them in a heap.

Meanwhile Saltan was awaiting the return of the knights whom he had
sent after Bova; at last he was angered at their long delay, and sent
as many more to their help; but Bova slew these likewise, and piled up
their bodies in a heap; and climbing up this he escaped from prison
and hastened to the harbour, where he saw a ship lying at anchor. Then
he cried with a loud voice: "Ho, masters! take an honest young fellow
on board your ship! Save me from a cruel death, and I will reward you
richly."

When the merchants heard this they sent a boat to the shore and took
Bova Korolevich on board the ship. Presently his pursuers came
galloping up in pursuit of Bova, and with them the Tsar Saltan
Saltanovich himself. Then Saltan cried aloud to the sailors: "Ho! you
foreign merchants, surrender instantly yon malefactor, who has
escaped from my prison and taken refuge in your ship! Deliver him up
or I will never again allow you to trade in my kingdom, but command
you to be seized and put to a miserable death."

The merchants were terrified by these threats, and were about to send
Bov