once that it was nothing else than Homen who had done him so much injury; and thanking Heaven that at least his life was spared, he went further on in search of food and shelter.

STORY OF GOL VOYANSKY.

(FROM THE RUSSIAN.)

A MOUJIK* was once ploughing a field with a miserable, lame mare. The poor beast was greatly tormented by gadflies and gnats. The moujik raised his whip, and with one stroke of the thong killed thirty-three gadflies, and a great number of gnats. The moujik reflected a little, and said to himself:

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:

"O-ho! I've become a hero. At one blow I've killed thirty-three knights and no end of common soldiers."

The moujik was called Gol (the naked, or needy). Gol began to think himself a great man; he unharnessed his mare, scrambled on to her back, and rode on till he came to a high road. There he dismounted, cut down a tree, and set it up as a sign-post with the following inscription: "Here passed Gol Voyansky. He en

countered the infidels, and at one blow killed thirty-three knights and a countless multitude of common soldiers. Should any knight pass this way, let him read this inscription, and follow Gol Voyansky." He then remounted his mare and started off afresh.

Soon afterwards, Churila Plenkovich passed by the post, and, having read the inscription, was greatly surprised at the announcement of such astonishing prowess.* Although he had never heard of Gol before, he was very anxious to make friends with so valiant a knight. Churila galloped after Gol, and soon overtook him.

"Did not a knight called Gol Voyansky pass this way?" he cried.

"I am Gol," answered the moujik. "And who may you be?"

"Churila Plenkovich," the young knight replied, with a bow, saying to himself as he did so, "Well, this is something wonderful! A common moujik on a sorry horse! Why, it is really disgraceful to be found in such company!"

"Go on my left side," said Gol.

Churila, full of wonder, did so, staring all the time at our hero and his miserable steed.

Meanwhile Eruslan Lazarevich came to the post, and having also read the inscription, galloped after Gol. He soon came up with him, and seeing his friend Churila,

asked him whether he had seen Knight Gol. Churila pointed to his companion. Eruslan Lazarevich bowed to Gol. He, too, was greatly surprised at the appearance of the self-made knight!

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Go on my right side," said Gol to him.

At that moment another knight approached; it was Prince Bova, who, having read the inscription, was anxious to find Gol, the famous conqueror of the infidels. He, also, was much astonished at the sight of a moujik on a wretched beast, and two valiant knights riding by his side, and conversing with him. Gol was saying to them,

"You are welcome, companions in arms!"

Prince Bova bowed to Gol, and asked his name.

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Gol Voyansky," answered the moujik. “And your

name?"

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'I am Prince Bova,” replied the knight.

"Come and join us in our adventures," said Gol; "you are neither too soon nor too late. Ride by the side of Eruslan.”

The knights followed Gol, and soon reached some forbidden meadows belonging to a heroine princess.

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We must not enter here," said Eruslan.

"Nonsense!" cried Gol. "Let the horses go on into the field."

* Royal preserves-rigidly exclusive.

"Gol Voyansky," said Eruslan, "the Princess is very powerful. She has at her command twenty-two knights and a dragon called Zilant, the brother of Tugarin."

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"That's a mere trifle for me," said Gol. "You are not afraid of them? I could kill them all as easily as flies."

"Very well," said Eruslan; "if that is the case, let us go into the meadows. We shall soon have to fight."

They entered the field, dismounted, and let their horses loose to graze. Seeing a white, empty tent, they went into it, sat down at the opening, and began to look about them. Gol, being tired, took off his jacket, lay down on the ground, and was soon fast asleep.

"Gol has great confidence in himself," remarked Prince Bova.

Meanwhile the alarm was raised in the Princess's castle; bells rang and trumpets sounded. A company of soldiers was despatched, headed by three knights fully armed, to fight the trespassers.

"Get up, Gol!" cried Churila, "the enemy is upon

us!"

Gol opened his eyes, and gaping, cried,

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What's the matter? Three knights-three gadflies; a company of soldiers gnats. They won't let me sleep, eh? Here, Churila, go you and fight them. Kill them all but one; send him to the Princess, and let him tell