mares to the open field. He opened the stockade, but the instant they were free they whisked their tails and galloped off in different directions, so that they disappeared before he had scarce time to lift his eyes.
Then the Tzarevich began to weep and to lament. He sat down on a stone and after weeping for a long time fell asleep.
When the sun was setting a bird woke him by pecking at his sleeve. "Rise, Tzarevich Alexis," said the bird; "the mares are all in the stockade. I have served thee the service I promised when thou didst loose my little fledgling."
He thanked the bird and went back to the witch's hut, where the Baba-Yaga was shouting to her she-horses. "Why did ye come home?" she cried to them angrily.
"Why should we not?" they answered. "We did thy bidding. We galloped far and further, but flocks of birds came flying from the whole world and came near to pecking out our eyes!"
"Well," she bade them, "to-morrow run not on the meadow, but scatter throughout the thick wood."
Tzarevich Alexis slept soundly. In the morning the old witch sent him out again, saying: "Mind
