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After describing some heroic combats the stranger at last remarked, ‘And what may be the doughty deeds that you young heroes have set to your credit?’

At this the eldest brother told how he had slain the alligator; and, to vouch for the truth of his story, showed the two ears he had preserved, placing them before the stranger.

When the unknown had applauded his story the younger brother told how he had slain the alligator with two heads, and threw down on the table the four ears as evidence.

The stranger applauded more loudly than before, and then turned to the youngest brother; but he remained silent.

‘Come,’ said the stranger, coaxing him; ‘your brothers have performed great exploits: have you not followed their example?’

Then the young Prince replied: ‘I am only young; but, now I think of it, I did kill an alligator once, myself. It was a rather ferocious beast in its way, and had three heads; but I managed to–well, here are its ears.’ And he threw the six ears on the table.

At this his two brothers were as much astonished as the stranger; for, though he was the youngest, he had done the bravest deed. The official–for such was the stranger–then begged the young Prince to tell of his other exploits. So the hero told how he had slain the giants. This was enough for the official: he sprang up and hastened away to the palace, where he informed the Tsar that he had found the mighty hero for whom every one was searching.

‘O Prince,’ he said, ‘I give you your choice: will you die by arrow or sabre?’

‘By sabre,’ said the Prince, feeling for his own.

‘Nay, nay!’ returned Bashtchelik, relenting. ‘Because I gave you three lives, I pardon you a second time; but, if you attempt to steal your wife again, I shall slay you without a thought.’

But the Prince, as he watched Bashtchelik fly away with his wife, was not daunted. ‘I wish he would stay to fight, said he; ‘but maybe he will next time, for I shall certainly take her again.’

And he did. And again they were overtaken. On this occasion it was nowise different, save that when Bashtchelik forgave the Prince it was in angry and threatening tones, before bearing the Princess away.

Having failed three times, the Prince rode sadly homewards. But he had not gone far when he bethought him of the three feathers given him by his brothers-in-law, and of their promises of help. He reined in his steed, and turned and galloped back. He would beard Bashtchelik in his cave, and then give battle, with three armies at his call, if, perchance, this powerful foe should seem to prevail.

When he reached the cave it was an hour after sunrise. He leapt from his steed and entered without knocking. There was a fire burning within, and his wife sat by it with her head on her hand, thinking. She sprang up at the sound of his footstep.

‘You!’ she cried. ‘Ah! my beloved, you are in unseemly haste to quit this life, since you come for me a fourth time.’

‘Listen to me,’ he said; ‘for you are my wife, and none shall keep you from me.’ Then he showed her the three feathers, and explained to her that they were pledges of help in time of need. He placed them in her hand, and gave her also the burning-glass he used for kindling a fire, and said: ‘Do not burn them until you see the combat is going against me. He will certainly follow us, but, this time, I think he will fight.’

The Princess seemed to agree to his wish, and, soon afterwards, they set out and rode rapidly away.

It was high noon when they heard the whir of wings and knew they were followed. Bashtchelik approached at a great speed, and they saw his sabre flashing in the sun. The Prince drew rein and dismounted; then, drawing his weapon, he advanced to meet his foe. But, ere their sabres clashed, the Princess, fearful for her husband’s life, had taken the burning-glass and pinned the sun’s rays to the feathers. A tiny curl of blue smoke arose, and then they burst into flame.