ooner did the man come up
to him than he fell on his knees and thanked Sila for having saved
him. And Sila asked the man what he had done to deserve his thanks.
Then the stranger stood up and answered: "Ah, Sila Tsarevich, how can
I thank you enough? There I lay in the coffin, which you picked up at
sea and buried; and had it not been for you I might have remained
floating about for a hundred years." "But how did you get into the
coffin?" asked Sila. "Listen, and I will tell you the whole story,"
replied Ivashka. "I was a great magician; my mother was told that I
did great mischief to mankind by my arts, and therefore ordered me to
be put into this coffin and set adrift on the open sea: for more than
a hundred years I have been floating about, and no one has ever picked
me up; but to you I owe my rescue, and I will therefore serve you, and
render you all the help in my power. Let me ask you whether you have
not a wish to marry: I know the beautiful Queen Truda, who is worthy
of being your wife." Sila replied that if this Queen were indeed
beautiful, he was willing to marry her; and Ivashka told him she was
the most beautiful woman in the world. When Sila heard this, he begged
Ivashka to accompany him to her kingdom; so they set out and travelled
on and on till they reached that country. Now, Queen Truda's kingdom
was surrounded by a palisade; and upon every stake was stuck a man's
head, except one, which had no head. When Sila saw this, he was
terrified, and asked Ivashka what it meant; and Ivashka told him that
these were the heads of heroes who had been suitors to Queen Truda.
Sila shuddered on hearing this, and wished to return home without
showing himself to the father of Truda; but Ivashka told him to fear
nothing and go with him boldly; so Sila went on.

When they entered the kingdom, Ivashka said: "Hearken, Sila Tsarevich,
I will be your servant, and when you enter the royal halls, salute
King Salom humbly: then he will ask you whence you came, and whose son
you are, what is your name and business. Tell him everything and
conceal nothing; but say that you are come to sue for his daughter's
hand; he will give her to you with great joy." So Sila Tsarevich went
into the palace, and, as soon as Prince Salom saw him, he went himself
to meet him, took him by his white hands, led him into the marble
halls, and asked him: "Fair youth, from what country do you come,
whose son are you, what is your name, and what is your b