Ivan now mounted his good steed and rode to his father, and with tears
in his eyes, took leave of him; then, taking with him his squire, he
rode forth into foreign lands. And after they had ridden for some time
they came to a wood; the day was bright and hot, and Ivan Tsarevich
grew thirsty. So they wandered all about the wood, seeking water, but
could find none. At length they found a deep well, in which there was
some water; and Ivan said to his squire: "Go down the well and fetch
me up some water; I will hold you by a rope to prevent you being
drowned."
"Nay, Ivan Tsarevich," said the squire, "I am heavier than you, and
you cannot hold me up; you had better descend, for I can support you."
So Ivan followed his squire's advice, and let himself down into the
well. And when Ivan had drunk enough, he told the squire to draw him
up; but the squire answered: "Nay, I will not draw you out until you
give me your word in writing that you are my servant and I am your
master, and that my name is Ivan Tsarevich; if you refuse this I will
drown you in the well."
"My dear squire," cried Ivan, "do not drown me, but draw me up, and I
will do all you desire." "No, I don't believe you," said the squire;
"swear me an oath." So Ivan swore that he would be true.
Thereupon the squire drew him out, and Ivan Tsarevich took a piece of
paper, wrote the writing, and gave it to the squire. Then he took off
his own cloak, and exchanged it for the squire's, and they went on
their way. After some days they came to the kingdom of the Tsar
Panthui. And when the Tsar heard of the arrival of Ivan Tsarevich he
went out to meet him; and, greeting the false Tsarevich, he took him
by the white hands, conducted him into his marble halls, seated him at
his oaken table, and they feasted and made merry. Then Tsar Panthui
asked the false Tsarevich what had brought him to his kingdom, and he
answered: "My gracious lord, I am come to sue for the hand of your
daughter, the fair Princess Tseria."
"Gladly will I give you my daughter to wife," replied Panthui.
In the course of their talk the false Ivan said to the Tsar Panthui:
"Let my servant, I pray, do the lowest work in the kitchen, for he has
greatly annoyed me on my journey." So the Tsar immediately commanded
Ivan to be set to do the most menial work, whilst his squire feasted
and made merry with the Tsar.
A few days after this an army was seen marching against the kingdom of
Panthui, threatening to lay it waste and take the Tsar prisoner.
Thereupon Panthui called the false Ivan and said: "My dear future
son-in-law, a hostile army has come to attack my dominions: drive the
enemy back and I will give you my daughter, but only on this
condition." And the squire answered; "Well and good, I will do as you
desire; but only by night--in the day I have no luck in fight."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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