44 COSSACK FAIRY TALES.

of these apples or die; but the wakeful huntsman
rushed up and cut down the apple-tree, whereupon
apples and apple-tree turned to ashes. But the
huntsman galloped on before and hid himself.

They went on a little further till they came to a
spring, and the water of that spring was so pure and
clear that words cannot describe it. Then the noble-
man felt that he must drink of that water or die; but
the huntsman rushed up and splashed in the spring
with his sword, and immediately the water turned to
blood. The nobleman was wrath, and eried: “ Cut
me down that son of a dog!” But the huntsman
rode on in front and hid himself.

They went on still further till they came upon a
golden bed in the highway, full of white feathers so
soft and cosy that words cannot describe it. The
nobleman felt that he must rest in that bed or die.
Then the huntsman rushed up and struck the bed
with his sword, and it turned to coal. But the
nobleman was very wrath, and cried: “Shoot me

1?

down that son of a dog But the huntsman rode
on before and hid himself.

When they got home the nobleman commanded
them to bring the huntsman before him. “ What
hast thou done, thou son of Satan?” he cried. “I

22)

must needs slay thee But the huntsman said:

“My master, bid them bring hither into the courtyard