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Is it not in your handwriting?" Niezguinek read: "In a certain country, within the house of old Yaga, is a marvellous guzla: if the king wish I will fetch it for him. "It is true," said he, "that this writing resembles mine, but it is a forgery, for I never wrote it."
When the father bird returned, carrying with him the bottles filled with the marvellous waters, he wanted to have his nestling back. "One moment more," said Niezguinek, "I want to be sure that they are of the right sort."
"Fetch me then three kinds of water, the Life-giving, the Curing, and the Strengthening." The old raven started off, and while awaiting his return Niezguinek, who still held the ravenling, questioned him as to where he had come from and what he had seen on his travels, and in this way heard news of his brothers.
So they again imitated his handwriting and composed another letter, which they left at the king's door. When his majesty had read it he called Niezguinek to him and said, "I should much like to have the marvellous sword you speak of in your letter." "Sire, I have not written anything about a sword," said Niezguinek. "Well, read it for yourself."
Not being able to cross it she stopped on the banks, and howling savagely began to drink it up. "Before you have swallowed all that river you will burst, you wicked old witch," cried Niezguinek. Then he rejoined his brothers. But the old woman drank all the water, crossed the bed of the river in her trough, and soon came near the young people.
At midnight there was a tremendous noise which seemed to come from the east, while in that direction appeared a bright light. Then a white mare, with twelve colts as white as herself, trotted up to the haycock and began to eat it. Niezguinek came out of his hiding-place, and throwing the noose over the mare's neck, jumped on her back and struck her with his heavy club.
The terrified creature gave the signal to the colts to escape, but she herself, hindered by the noose, out of breath, and wounded by the club, could not follow, but sank down on the earth saying, "Do not choke me, Niezguinek." He marvelled to hear her speak human language, and loosened the noose. When she had taken breath she said, "Knight, if you give me my liberty you shall never repent it.
Then Niezguinek softly aroused his brothers, and they all went out without making any noise. Each mounted his horse, and when they had broken open the yard gate they made their escape at full speed. Old Yaga, thinking she heard footsteps, got up and ran into the room where her daughters lay dead.
The twelve boys went on growing at the rate of six weeks every hour, and at the end of two years were fine strong young men. Niezguinek, especially, was of extraordinary size and strength. The good old people lived happily and peacefully at home while their sons worked in the fields.
At that moment an old raven, followed by all his nestlings, happened to pass, and attracted by the horse's carcase, he called to his young ones to come and feast with him. Niezguinek seized the smallest of the birds and held it firmly. "Let my birdling go," said the old raven, "I will give you in return anything you like to ask."
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