THE SERPENT-TSAREVICH AND HIS WIVES. 195

of her husband—he had departed to another kingdom
in the uttermost parts of the world.

Then the poor bride sat her down and wept and
wept, and when she had no more tears to weep, she
went forth into the wide world to seek her husband.
She went on till she came to a lonely little house,
and she went and begged a night’s lodging from the
old woman who dwelt there, who was the Mother
of the Winds. But the Mother of the Winds would
not let her in. “God preserve thee, child!” gaid she.
“My son is already winging his way hither. In
another moment thou wilt hear the rustling of his
bones, in another moment he will slay thee, and
scatter thy bones to the four winds.” But the bride
besought the old woman till she had her desire, and
the old woman hid her behind a huge chest. A
moment afterwards the son of the Mother of the
Winds came flyine up, and he smelt out the bride,
and said: “ What’s this, mother? there is an evil
smell of Cossack bones about the house !”—‘ No, it
is not that,” said his mother, “ but a young woman
has taken shelter here, who says that she is going in
search of her husband.”—“ Then, mother, give her
the little silver apple, and let her go, for her husband
is in another kingdom.” So they sent her away with
the little silver apple.

She went on and on till night descended upon her,