blood in vain."

Then Iliya of Murom took leave of his parents, and journeyed on, far
into the depths of a dark forest, until he came to a camp of robbers.
When the robbers saw him they longed to possess his noble steed, and
conspired together to kill Iliya and seize the horse. So they fell
upon Iliya of Murom, five-and-twenty men. But Iliya of Murom reined in
his steed, drew an arrow from his quiver, laid it on his bow, and
shot the shaft deep into the ground till it scattered the earth far
and wide over three acres. When the robbers saw this, they were struck
dumb with terror, fell on their knees, and said: "Our lord and father,
dear good youth, we have done you wrong: in punishment for our crime,
take all our treasures and rich dresses, and as many steeds as you
desire." Iliya laughed and said: "What should I do with your
treasures? But if you have any regard for your lives, beware in future
how you run such risks." And so saying he journeyed on to the famous
city of Kiev.

On his way, Iliya came to the city of Chernigov, which was besieged by
a countless Pagan army, threatening to destroy its houses and
churches, and to carry off into slavery all the princes and voyevodes.
Iliya of Murom was terrified at the sight of such an army;
nevertheless, at last he summoned courage, and resolved to die for his
religion. So with a brave heart and a stout spear he attacked the
unbelieving host, scattered them to the winds, took their leader
prisoner, and carried him in triumph to Chernigov. Then the citizens
came out to meet him, headed by the governor and nobles, and offered
him thanks for their deliverance; whereupon they conducted Iliya to
the palace and gave him a grand banquet.

After this, Iliya of Murom followed the straight road to Kiev, which
the Robber Nightingale had held for thirty years, and on which he
suffered no traveller to pass, on foot or horse; putting them all to
death, not with the sword, but with his robber's whistle. When Iliya
came into the open fields, he rode into the Brianski forest, passing
over swamps, on bridges of elder, to the river Smarodienka. Then the
Robber Nightingale, seeing him approach at a distance, sounded his
robber whistle. The hero's heart quailed not, but when he was within
ten versts the Nightingale whistled so loud that Iliya's steed fell
down upon his knees. Then Iliya of Murom went straight up to the nest,
which was built upon twelve oaks, and the Robber Nightingale looked