a back to shore; but he drew a sword from under his cloak, laid
about him, and slew them right and left. At the sight of this the rest
fell on their knees before him, and promised to sail with him wherever
he wished. Then Bova ordered them to set sail and steer for the open
sea. And after a voyage of three months they came to the kingdom over
the Don; and not knowing it he enquired of a fisherman what country it
was he saw in the distance. "Yonder lies the Sadonic kingdom," replied
the fisherman, "and the king of it is named Marcobrun." Then Bova
asked: "Can it be the same Marcobrun who went to seek the hand of the
daughter of King Sensibri?" "The same," replied the fisherman, "and he
has not long returned home with his betrothed, the Princess
Drushnevna; their wedding is speedily to be celebrated."

When Bova Korolevich heard this, he staggered, and for a time could
not utter a word. At length he came to himself, and said to the
fisherman: "Land me on the other side, my good fellow, and I will
reward you handsomely." Then he divided among the ship's crew the
property of the merchants he had slain, took leave of them, and went
to the Sadonic kingdom. On landing, Bova directed his steps towards
Marcobrun's chief city. For two days he went on and on without meeting
anyone. On the third day he met the pilgrim who had given him the
sleeping powder and robbed him of his sword, his battle-axe, and
steed. Then Bova seized and flung him on the ground, saying: "Villain!
you robbed me with a pitcher of water, carried off my brave steed, and
left me helpless in a desert, to be torn to pieces by wild beasts. Now
take your reward and die."

Then the pilgrim entreated Bova for mercy: "Brave knight, have pity
and grant my life! I will give back your horse, your sword, and
battle-axe, and, for my crime, three powders besides. Wash yourself
with one of these and you will become old, so that no one will
recognize you; if you wash with the second, you will grow young as
before; and if you put the third powder into any person's drink he
will sleep as soundly as if he were dead for nine days."

When Bova Korolevich heard this, he took the powders, the battle
sword, and the battle-axe; but gave back the horse and his clothes to
the pilgrim. Thereupon he washed himself with the first powder, and
went to the royal court and began to beg alms in the kitchen, in the
name of Bova Korolevich. One of the cooks, hearing this, seized a
brand from