THE SPIRIT OF THE STEPPES 197

have assembled to follow him. He is now moving towards
Kostey’s palace, and intends to punish him. But all this will
be of no avail, and Kostey will gain the victory, if the prince
does not make use of other means which I am now on my
way to provide him with. Farewell; be brave, he whom you
love will come to your aid and save you from Kostey and his
sorceries ; happiness is in store for you both.”

The sun then rose upon a distant land where Prince Junak,
mounted on a powerful.steed and clad in golden armour,
assembled his forces to fight against the giant Kostey. Thrice
he had dreamt of the beautiful princess shut up in the Sleeping
Palace, for the fame of her loveliness had reached him, and he
loved without having seen.

‘Leave your army where it is,’”’ said the sun, “it will not
be of the slightest use in fighting against Kostey, he is proof
against all weapons. ‘The only way to rescue the princess is
to kill him, and there is but one who can tell you how to do
it, and that is the witch, old Yaga. I will show you how to
find the horse that will carry you straight to her. First take
the road to the east, and walk on till you come to a wide
plain: there, right in the middle of the plain, are three
oaks, and in the centre of these, lying close to the ground,
is an iron door with a copper handle. Behind the door is
the horse, also an invisible club; both are necessary for
the work you have to do. You will learn the rest afterwards.
Farewell.”

This advice astonished the prince greatly ; he hardly knew
what to do. After deep reflection he crossed himself, took the
magic ring from his finger and cast it into the sea. Instantly
the army vanished like mist before the wind, and when not a