"I've had only
flies for a congregation. But I do remember that while the chapel was
building two such people did go by. But now I must beg you, good sir,
to go out, for you are letting in so much cold that my congregation is
freezing."

At that the old man mounted his steed and flew back home on the gray
cloud.

Old Yezibaba was waiting for him. When she saw him coming she called
out:

"Again you bring no one, you good-for-nothing! Where did you leave
them this time?"

"Where did I leave them?" the old man said. "How could I leave them
when I didn't even see them? All I saw was a little chapel and a
hermit preaching to a congregation of flies. I almost froze the
congregation to death!"

"Oh, what a booby you are!" Yezibaba cried. "Raduz was the hermit and
Ludmila one of the flies! Why didn't you bring me just one shingle
from the roof of the chapel? I see I'll have to go after them myself!"

In a rage she mounted the third magic steed and flew off.

In the meantime Raduz and Ludmila were hurrying on. Suddenly Ludmila
said:

"I wonder why my left cheek burns? Look back, dear Raduz, again, and
see if there is any one following us."

Raduz turned and looked. "There's nothing following us but a red cloud
in the sky."

"A red cloud? That must be Yezibaba herself on the steed of fire. Now
indeed we must be careful. Up to this it has been easy enough but it
won't be easy to deceive her. Here we are beside a lake. I will change
myself into a golden duck and float on the water. Do you dive into the
water so that she can't burn you. When she alights and tries to catch
me, do you jump up and get the horse by the bridle. Don't be afraid at
what will happen."

The fiery cloud descended, burning up everything it touched. At the
edge of the water Yezibaba alighted from her steed and tried to catch
the golden duck. The duck fluttered on and on just out of her reach
and Yezibaba went farther and farther from her horse.

Then Raduz leaped out of the water and caught the horse by its bridle.
At once the duck rose on its wings and flew to Raduz and became again
Ludmila. Together they mounted the fiery steed and flew off over the
lake.

Yezibaba, helpless with rage and dismay, called after them a bitter
curse:

"If you, Raduz, are kissed by woman before you wed Ludmila, then will
you forget Ludmila! And you, ungrateful girl, if once Raduz forgets
you then he shall not remember you again until seven long years have
co