d journeyed on.

After a time Ivan came to a third tent, made of silk, upon which was
embroidered a golden kingdom, and on its top was placed a ball of pure
gold. The tent was fastened to a laurel tree with golden cords, from
which hung knobs of diamonds. Before the entrance lay two huge
crocodiles, which breathed forth flames of fire. The Tsarevich gave
them some water to drink, and thus gained an entrance into the tent,
in which he beheld a Queen, who in beauty far surpassed the former
ones. At her feet lay a dragon with twelve heads, all of which Ivan
Tsarevich struck off at two blows. The Queen, in return for this
service, gave him a golden egg, which contained a golden kingdom; and
with the egg she gave him also her heart. As they were conversing
together, Ivan asked the Queen whether she knew where his mother was;
then she showed Ivan her dwelling, and wished him success in his
enterprise.

After travelling a great distance, Ivan Tsarevich came to a castle; he
entered, and went through many apartments, but without finding anyone.
At length he came to a spacious hall, where he beheld his mother
sitting, arrayed in royal robes. Ivan embraced her tenderly, telling
her how he had travelled far and wide with his brothers in search of
her. Then the Tsarina told Ivan Tsarevich that a spirit would soon
appear, and bade him hide himself in the folds of her cloak. "When the
spirit comes and tries to embrace me," she added, "try all you can to
seize his magic wand with both hands: he will then rise up with you
from the earth; fear not, but remain quiet, for he will presently fall
down again, and be dashed to pieces. These you must collect and burn,
and strew the ashes in the field."

Scarcely had the Tsarina spoken, and wrapped Ivan in her cloak, when
the Spirit appeared and offered to embrace her. Then Ivan Tsarevich
started up, as his mother had directed, and seized the magic wand. In
a furious rage the Spirit flew with him high up into the air, but soon
fell to the ground and was dashed in pieces. Then the Tsarevich
gathered up the remains and burned them, and kept the magic wand;
after which he took with him his mother and the three Queens he had
rescued, came to an oak tree, and let them all slide down the mountain
in a linen cloth. When his brothers saw him left alone on the
mountain, they pulled the cloth from his hands, conducted their mother
and the Queens back to their own kingdom, and made them promise
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