IMPERISHABLE 257

the air, swift as an arrow; and so by the second day they
had passed over ten kingdoms, and finding themselves
beyond the ocean, halted on the shore. Here the horse
said to Niezguinek, “Do you see that silver ship with golden
masts that rides on the waves yonder? That beautiful
vessel is the home of Princess Sudolisu, youngest daughter
of old Yaga. For after the witch had lost the guzla and
magic sword she feared to lose her daughter too: so she
shut her up in that vessel, and having thrown the key
thereof into the ocean, sat herself in her oaken trough, where
with the help of the iron crutches she rows round and
round the silver ship, warding off tempests, and keeping at
a distance all other ships that would approach it.

“The first thing to be done is to get the diamond key
that opens the ship. In order to procure this you must kill
me, and then throw into the water one end of my entrails,
by which bait you will trap the King of the Lobsters. Do
not set him free until he has promised to get you the key,
for it is this key that draws the vessel to you of its own
accord.”

“Ah, my beloved steed,” cried Niezguinek, “how can
I kill you when I love you as my own brother, and when
my fate depends upon you entirely?”

“Do as I tell you; you can bring me to life again, as
you did before.”

Niezguinek caressed his horse, kissed him and wept over
him; then, raising his mighty club, struck him full on the
forehead. The poor creature staggered and fell down
dead. Niezguinek cut him open, and putting an end of
his entrails in the water, he kept hold of it and hid

R