en off; and, stepping up to him, she
saw her handkerchief bound on his left hand; and now she knew that he
it had been who had three times defeated and at last slain Polkan.
Then she ran instantly to her father, led him into the apartment, and
said: "See, my father! You told me I had married a fool; look closely
at his hair, and at this wound which he received from Polkan." Then
the Tsar saw that it had been he who had thrice delivered his empire,
and he rejoiced greatly.

When Ivan the peasant's son awoke, the Emperor took him by his white
hands, led him into the palace, thanked him for the services he had
rendered; and being himself far advanced in years, he placed the crown
upon Ivan's head. Then Ivan mounted the throne, and ruled happily, and
lived with his wife for many years in the greatest harmony and love.

STORY OF THE GOLDEN MOUNTAIN

In a certain country there lived a Tsar with his wife, who had three
handsome sons; the eldest was named Vasili Tsarevich, and the second
Fedor Tsarevich, and the youngest son Ivan Tsarevich. One day the Tsar
went out with his Tsarina for a walk in the garden, and on a sudden a
violent storm came on, which carried off the Tsarina from his sight.
The Tsar was very much grieved, and mourned a long time for his wife;
and the two eldest sons, seeing their father's sorrow, begged his
blessing and permission to go forth and wander in search of their
mother. So he consented, and dismissed them.

The two sons travelled for a long time, until at length they came to a
wide desert, where they pitched their tents, and waited until some one
should pass who might show them the way. For three whole years they
waited, but saw no one.

Meanwhile the youngest brother, Ivan Tsarevich, grew up, and went
likewise to his father, begged his blessing, and took leave. And he
wandered for a long time, until at length he discerned in the
distance some tents, up to which he rode; and there he discovered his
brothers. "What brings you to such a desolate place, brothers?" said
he; "let us join company and travel in search of our mother." The
others followed his advice, and they all journeyed on together.

They rode on and on for many days, until at length they saw afar off a
palace, built of crystal, and surrounded by a fence of the same
material. So they rode up to the palace, and Ivan Tsarevich opened the
gate, and entered the courtyard; and at the entrance-door he saw a
pillar, into which we