96 COSSACK FAIRY TALES.

man, “for so sure as I’ve a sword, I'll slice thy head
off like a gourd an thou bring her not.”—Then
Tremsin went out to his horse and fell a-weeping.—
“Wherefore dost thou weep 2” asked the faithful steed,
—‘“‘ Wherefore should I not weep?” he replied. “ My
master has given me a task that cannot be done.?—
“What task is that ?”—« Why, to fetch him the
thrice-lovely Nastasia of the sea!”—Oh-ho!”
laughed the horse, “that is not a task, but a trifle.
Go to thy master and say: Cause white tents to be
raised by the sea-shore, and buy wares of sundry kinds,
and wine and spirits in bottles and flasks, and the
thrice-lovely Nastasia will come and: purchase thy
wares, and then thou mayest take her,”

And the nobleman did so. He caused white tents
to be pitched by the sea-shore, and bought kerchiefs
and scarves and spread them out gaily, and made
great store of wine and brandy in bottles and flasks,
Then Tremsin rode towards the tents, and while he
was on the way, his horse said to him: “Now when
I g0 to graze, do thou lie down and feign to sleep.
Then the thrice-lovely Nastasia will appear and say :
‘What for thy wares?’ but do thou keep silence. But
when she begins to taste of the wine and the brandy,
then she will go to sleep in the tent, and thou canst
catch her easily and hold her fast!” Then Tremsin
lay down and feigned to sleep, and forth from the