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SEPTEMBER, 1884.)
FOLKLORE IN SOUTHERN INDIA.
265
viewing the town. The dusk of evening was just throwing her mantle over the city. People in their several vocations were at that time consing work, and returning home. In the eastern division of the town the prince saw a big mansion, and just to break the silence asked his friends what that was. “That is the Rajasthanik Kachêri, a place you ought to have been sitting in for the last two years. The wretched minister, Kharavadana, has already usurped your seat; for if he had intended to give you back the kingdom he would have done it two years ago when you reached your sixteenth year. Let us now console ourselves that God has spared your life till now, notwithstanding all the awards promised to the taker of your head. Even that proclamation is dying out of the memory of the people now." So said one of his friends and ceased.
These words fell like arrows in the ear of Sundara and troubled him. The shame that he had been neglected brought a change of colour over his face which all his friends perceived, and they felt sorry for having tonched upon the subject. The prince, perceiving that he had played a woman's part among his friends, resumed or pretended to resume his former cheerful countenance, and changed the conversation to some pleasanter topics. They separated very late that night. Before doing so, Sundars asked them all to present themselves in the durbar hall early next morning. At the same time he also ordered Ranavirasing to keep horses ready for himself and his friends for a morning ride throngh the town the next day. "I was only waiting to hear such an order from your own mouth, Mai Báb Chakravarti; I was thinking from your retired disposition that you were not an energetic man. I will have the horses ready" Raņavirasing at once issued orders to his servants to keep ready saddled and decked twenty-one horses for the prince and his companions. He also appointed a certain number of his men to ride in front of the party.
The morning came. The friends assembled as promised the previous evening. The prince and they, after a light breakfast, mounted their horses. The horsemen rode in front and behind. The prince with his friends marched in the middle. Ranavirasing with drawn sword rode side by side with him. The party went
through the four main streets of the town. Every one rose up and paid due respect to their old king's son. When passing through the street where the minister's mansion was, Ranavirasing perceived that Kharavadana paid no respect to the royal march. This seemed a most unbearable insult to Raņavfrasing. He bit his lips, gnashed his teeth, and wrung his hands. The prince observed all the mental pains of his faithful guardian, and laughed to himself at his simplicity. About mid-day the party returned to the palace. The friends dispersed, and Sandara after the ceremonies of the new-moon day had a slight dinner, and retired to rest.
The morning ride was deep in the mind of the prince. Though he langhed to himself at the simplicity of Ranavirasing when the latter gnashed his teeth in the morning, the insult had left a stronger and deeper impression in his heart. The day was almost spent. Sandara took & very light supper, and shut himself op in his bed-room before the first watch was quite over. Ranavirasiūg, as usual, watched outside. The prince found his wife sound asleep in her bed, and without disturbing her he went up and down the room. A threadlike substance attracted his attention in a corner of the bed-chamber. On examination he found it to be a thread ladder. He had not even time to think how it came into the bedchamber. Just then Ranavirasing had retired for a few minutes to take his supper. “The old fool is off now to eat; and Paraméévar has thrown this ladder in my way. Let me now escape." Thus thinking, Sundars came out unobserved by his old guardian, and ascended to the top of the seventh mansion. From that place he cast his ladder towards a big tree in the East Main street. On pulling it he found it tight. “Let me get down, and Paramosvar will assist me." So praying, before the first watch was over, the prince got down from his palace, and was in a few minutes in the East street. Tho severe watch kept over him by Raņåvirasing made it very difficult for him to go out when he likod, and now by the grace of God, as he thought, he escaped that dark new-moon night.
"Life is dear to every one. What can I do if any of the minister's men find me out now and murder me? Na daivam Sankarát param. No god but Sankara, and he will now help me."
