re fastened two rings, one of gold and the other
of silver. Then drawing his bridle through both these rings, he tied
up his steed, and went up the stairs. At the head of the stairs the
King himself came to meet him; and, after a long conversation, he
found out that Ivan Tsarevich was his nephew. So he conducted him into
his hall, and invited in his brothers also.

After remaining in the palace a long time, the King gave the brothers
a magic ball, which they bowled away, and then rode after it, until
they came to a mountain, so high and steep that they could not ascend
it. Ivan Tsarevich rode round and round the mountain, until at last he
found a cleft. He stepped into it and beheld an iron door, with a
copper ring; and on opening this he perceived some iron hooks, which
he fastened to his hands and feet, and by their aid he climbed up the
mountain. On reaching the top he was very tired, and sat down to rest;
but no sooner had he taken off the hooks than they disappeared.

In the distance upon the mountain Ivan beheld a tent of fine cambric,
upon which was represented a copper kingdom, and on its top was a
copper ball. Then he approached the tent; but at its entrance there
lay two huge lions, which allowed no one to enter. Ivan Tsarevich
seeing two copper basins standing close by, poured some water into
them, and quenched the thirst of the lions, who then let him freely
enter the tent. And when he got in, Ivan beheld a beautiful Queen
lying on a sofa, and sleeping at her feet a dragon with three heads,
which he cut off at a single blow. The Queen thanked him for this
service, and gave him a copper egg, in which was contained a copper
kingdom, whereupon the Tsarevich took his leave and went his way
further.

After travelling for a long time, he descried a tent of fine gauze,
fastened to a cedar tree by silver cords, with knobs of emeralds; upon
the tent was represented a silver kingdom, and on the top was a silver
ball. At the entrance lay two immense tigers, to which he in like
manner gave to drink, and they permitted him to pass. On entering the
tent he beheld, seated on a sofa, a Queen richly attired, who far
surpassed the first one in beauty. At her feet lay a six-headed
dragon, as large again as the other. Then Ivan Tsarevich struck off
all the heads at a blow, and, as a reward for his valor, the Queen
presented him with a silver egg, in which was enclosed a silver
kingdom. Thereupon he took leave of the Queen an