Page:Russian Wonder Tales.djvu/316

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RUSSIAN WONDER TALES

the three giants had built. A little way within the forest he saw a green lawn and on it a lovely girl was tending cows. He drew near and found to his surprise that she was none other than the damsel he had rescued from the hut of the Baba-Yaga.

She greeted him with joy and told him all that had befallen her: how the giants had quarreled over her, how they had fought each day for an hour, but as no one of them was stronger than another, had not been able to decide and had made her tend their cattle till one should prevail. Then he kissed her on the mouth and said he: "Thou shalt wed no one of those faithless brothers of mine, but I will wed thee myself."

Little Bear's-Son sent her on before him, and coming to the hut where the three giants sat at the window drinking, pulled his cap over his face and in a humble tone asked for a drink of kwas.

"Be off with thee!" grunted Usynia, without turning his head.

"We want no beggars here!" snarled Gorynia.

"Kwas, forsooth!" shouted Dubynia. "Thou shalt have a taste of my club instead!"

Then Little Bear's-Son took off his cap and they recognized him. They turned pale with fright and making for the door, ran away as if the Tartars