THE SPIRIT OF THE STEPPES 199

them, and went so lightly along the roads that he did not raise
one grain of dust.

Towards sunset Junak found himself close to an immense
forest, in the centre of which stood Yaga’s house. All around
were oaks and pines hundreds of years old, untouched by the
axe of man. These enormous trees, lit up by the rays of the
setting sun, seemed to look with astonishment at their strange
guest. The silence was absolute; not a bird sang in the
branches, not an insect hummed in the air, not a worm
crawled upon the ground. The only sound was that made
by the horse as he broke through the underwood. Then they
came in sight of a small house supported by a cock’s foot,
round which it turned as on a movable pivot. Prince Junak
cried :

“Turn round, little house, turn round,
I want to come inside ;
Let thy back to the forest be found,
Thy door to me open wide.”

The little house turned round, and the prince entering saw
old Yaga, who immediately cried out, “ What, Prince Junak!
How have you come here, where no one ever enters?”

“You are a silly old witch, to worry me with questions
instead of making me welcome,” said the prince,

At these words old Yaga jumped up and hastened to
attend to his needs. She prepared food and drink, made him
a soft bed where he could sleep comfortably, and then leaving
the house passed the night out of doors. On her return in
the morning the prince related all his adventures and confided
his plans.

“Prince Junak,” said she, “you have undertaken a very