THE STORY OF LITTLE TSAR NOVISHNY. 55

not with my leave I have been brought hither, but
against my leave, as thou mayest see for thyself.”—
“Then sit on my back,” said the bee, “and I'll carry
you away.”—‘‘ But, dear little humble-bumble-bee,
if a horse couldn’t save us, how will you ?”—« J
cannot tell till I try,” said the humble-bee. “But if
I cannot save you, I'll let you fall.”—* Well, then,”
said the little Tsar, “well try. For we two must
perish in any case, but thou perhaps mayest get off
scot free.” So they embraced each other, sat on the
humble-bee, and off they went. When the serpent
awoke he missed them, and raising his head above
the reeds and rushes, saw them flying far away,
and set off after them at full speed. ‘Alas! little
humble-bumble-bee,” cried little Tsar Novishny,
“how burning hot ’tis getting. We shall all three
perish!” Then the humble-bee turned his wing and
shook them off. They fell to the earth, and he flew
away. Then the serpent came flying up and fell
upon them with open jaws. ‘“ Ah-ha!” eried he, with
a snort, “you've come to grief again, eh? Didn't I
tell you to listen to nobody but me!” Then they
fell to weeping and entreating: “ We'll listen to you
alone and to nobody else!” and they wept and
entreated so much, that at last he forgave them.
So he took them up and carried them off once
more, Again he sat down to rest and fell asleep,