“Can we overtake them?”
“Thou mightest sow wheat, wait till it should ripen, reap it, thresh it, make flour, bake five ovens of bread, eat that bread, go in pursuit, and overtake them.”
Koshchéi galloped on, overtook Ivan Tsarevich. “Well,” said he, “I forgive thee the first time for thy kindness, because thou didst give me water to drink; and a second time I’ll forgive thee: but for the third have a care; I will hew thee to pieces.”
He took Marya Morevna and led her away. Ivan Tsarevich sat on a stone and wept; he cried and cried, went back for Marya Morevna. Koshchéi Without-Death did not happen to be at home.
“Let us go, Marya Morevna.”
“Ah, Ivan Tsarevich, he will overtake us!”
“Let him overtake us; anyhow, we shall pass a couple of hours together.” They made ready and started away.
Koshchéi Without-Death was coming home; his good steed stumbled under him. “Why dost thou stumble, hungry crowbait; or feelest thou evil?”
“Ivan Tsarevich came and carried Marya Morevna away.”
“Can they be overtaken?”