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224
JAIN RAMAYAN
Then the soldiers took away the arms from the other two and tied their hands behind their backs. The burning torch lay on the ground. Anjali took it up and went near them. The bodies of the two bore a number of stab-wounds. They were groaning with pain.
"Who are you?” Anjali's voice was powerful and strong. “We belong to Magadha”. "Are you soldiers or ordinary citizens ?” “We are soldiers”. “Are there any other soldiers in this vicinity”. "No; not even one”.
“Look here; if you utter a single lie, you will have to share the lot of your friends”.
“Kill those two dogs. They should not be allowed to live”, Virdev said roaring.
"What do you desire ? Life or death? If you co-operate with us, you will be allowed to live; otherwise you will die". Anjali said rebuking them.
“We surrender ourselves to you. Oh Lord !” The soldiers of Magadha said humbly.
"Ah! What are you doing? Throw them into a corner. Later, we shall think of them". Virdev said angrily. Then Anjali went to the soldier who was wounded. Blood was surging out profusely from his stomach. She sprinkled upon the wound some herbal juice; bandaged it and made him lie down on the ground.
Two soldiers took the torch and began searching inside and outside the choultry for any soldier that might be lurking there. When they carefully examined the place. they found that one room in the choultry was locked up. They tried to open it but
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