280 COSSACK FAIRY TALES.

whereupon the prince said: “She is mine!” and led
her to the serpent.

The serpent was amazed, but said: “Since thou
hast found out thy bride, we'll wed thee to-day, and
all be merry together.”

So they made them merry, and that very evening
the young couple got their bridal crowns. And they
feasted and fired guns, and what else did they not
do? But as they were going to bed, Ivan Golik took
the prince aside, and said to him: “ Now, prince, see
that we go home to-morrow, for they mean us no good
here. And now, listen tome! I beg thee tell not
thy wife the truth of the matter for seven years.
However caressing she may be, thou shalt not let her
ears know the truth, for if thou dost tell her the truth,
both thou and [ shall perish !” :

“Good!” said he. “T will not tell my wife the
truth.”

Next morning the young men arose and went to
the serpent, and the prince took leave of his father-in-
law, and said he must be going home.

“But why off so soon ?” said the serpent.

“Nay, but I must go,” said he.

Then the serpent gave the youth a banquet, and
they sat down and ate and made merry, and after
that he departed to his own tsardom. And the prince
thanked Ivan Golik for all that he had done for him,