went straight and told the Tsar, who ordered Ivan the peasant's son to
be called. And the Tsar said to him: "My friend, is what you have said
to the doorkeeper true?"

"Quite true," replied Ivan; "but I ask for no other reward than that
your Majesty gives me whatever is the cause of the noise." At this the
Tsar laughed, and said: "Take it by all means, if it is of any use to
you." So Ivan the peasant's son made his bow to the Tsar and took his
leave.

Then Ivan went to the doorkeeper and demanded of him a hundred
workmen, who were instantly given him; and Ivan ordered them to dig a
hole in front of the palace. And when the men had thrown up the earth,
they saw an iron door, with a copper ring. So Ivan lifted up this door
with one hand, and beheld a steed fully caparisoned, and a suit of
knightly armour. When the horse perceived Ivan, he fell on his knees
before him, and said with a human voice: "Ah, thou brave youth! Ivan
the peasant's son! the famous knight Lukopero placed me here; and for
three-and-thirty years have I been impatiently awaiting you. Seat
yourself on my back, and ride whithersoever you will: I will serve you
faithfully, as I once served the brave Lukopero."

Ivan saddled his good steed, gave him a bridle of embroidered ribands,
put a Tcherkess saddle on his back, and buckled ten rich silken girths
around him. Then he vaulted into the saddle, struck him on the flank,
and the horse chafed at the bit, and rose from the ground higher than
the forest; he left hill and dale swiftly under his feet, covered
large rivers with his tail, sent forth a thick steam from his ears,
and flames from his nostrils.

At length Ivan the peasant's son came to an unknown country, and rode
through it for thirty days and thirty nights, until at length he
arrived at the Chinese Empire. There he dismounted, and turned his
good steed out into the open fields, while he went into the city and
bought himself a bladder, drew it over his head, and went round the
Tsar's palace. Then the folks asked him whence he came, and what kind
of man he was, and what were his father and mother's names. But Ivan
only replied to their questions, "I don't know." So they all took him
for a fool, and went and told the Chinese Tsar about him. Then the
Tsar ordered Ivan to be called, and asked where he came from and what
was his name; but he only answered as before, "I don't know." So the
Tsar ordered him to be driven out of the Court. But it happened