Prince Ivan agreed to these terms. The Baba Yaga gave him
food and drink, and bade him set about his business. But the
moment he had driven the mares afield, they cocked up their tails,
and away they tore across the meadows in all directions. Before
the Prince had time to look round they were all out of sight.
Thereupon he began to weep and to disquiet himself, and then he
sat down upon a stone and went to sleep. But when the sun was
near its setting the outlandish bird came flying up to him, and
awakened him, saying:

`Arise, Prince Ivan! The mares are at home now.'

The Prince arose and returned home. There the Baba Yaga
was storming and raging at her mares, and shrieking:

`Whatever did ye come home for?'

`How could we help coming home?' said they. `There came
flying birds from every part of the world, and all but pecked our
eyes out.'

`Well, well! to-morrow don't go galloping over the meadows,
but disperse amid the thick forests.'

Prince Ivan slept all night. In the morning the Baba Yaga says
to him:

`Mind, Prince! if you don't take good care of the mares, if
you lose merely one of them--your bold head will be stuck on