Page:Slavonic Fairy Tales.djvu/44

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Story of Gol Voyansky.
29

"Is it of the same size as ours?" asked Gol. "Our bottles contain barely a glassful."

"Try it," said the Princess. She ordered the bottle to be brought in, together with a golden cup.

Gol filled the cup, and drank the water; his strength greatly increased. The Princess wished to know how he liked it.

"I've hardly tasted it," said Gol. He then drank three cups of the water, one after another.

"You have drunk enough," cried the Princess; "there will be none left for me."

"Glorious Water of Heroes!" exclaimed Gol, walking about and spreading out his arms. "Now let me try my strength."

He ordered a thick rope, like a ship's cable, and twisted it into an open noose. Then he mounted a splendid charger from the Princess's stable, galloped about for a time, and jumped headlong into the middle of the noose. The cable burst asunder into fragments.

From that day Gol became a valiant knight. He assumed the manners suitable to his high position, and married the Princess. They had two daughters, whose names were "Daring," and "Success." Gol felt very proud whenever he looked at them; and there was no one living who ever doubted that he had killed thirty-three knights at a blow.