244 SLAV TALES

warned beforehand by his horse of the danger that threatened
them, and now he got up quietly and changed the positions
of the twenty-four beds, so that the brothers lay to the left
side of the room, and Yaga’s daughters to the right. At
midnight, old Yaga cried out in a hoarse voice, “ Guzla, play.
Sword, strike.”

Then were heard strains of sweet music, to which the old
woman beat time from her oaken trough. At the same
moment a slender sword descended into the room, and
passing over to the beds on the right, cut off the heads of
the girls one by one: after which it danced about and
flashed in the darkness.

When the dawn broke the guzla ceased playing, the
sword disappeared, and silence reigned. Then Niezguinek
softly aroused his brothers, and they aH went out without
making any noise. Each mounted his horse, and when they
had broken open the yard gate they made their escape at full
speed. Old Yaga, thinking she heard footsteps, got up and ran
into the room where her daughters lay dead. At the dreadful
sight she gnashed her teeth, barked like a dog, tore out her
hair by handfuls, and seating herself in her trough as in a car,
set off after the fugitives. She had nearly reached them, and
was already stretching out her hand to seize them, when
Niezguinek unrolled his magic scarf, and instantly a deep
river flowed between her and the horsemen. Not being able
to cross it she stopped on the banks, and howling savagely
began to drink it up.

“Before you have swallowed all that river you will burst,
you wicked old witch,” cried Niezguinek. Then he rejoined
his brothers.