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APRIL, 1896.)
GULLALA SHAH.
101
I will go once more and restore my darling. Henceforth the charms of this hard, wicked father shall have no influence over her."
However, Gullala Shah did not immediately start. He thought it better to wait a while, until all excitement and interest about the princess had passed away. For several months he patiently waited, and then one day he asked the Wazir's wife to allow him to go and visit certain places, that he wished very much to see, and to get also the Wazír's permission for the journey. He added that he was now of an age to take care of himself, and he did not like to hear only of the countries about which the Wazir, his father, had so fully informed him. The Wazir's wife was much pleased to notice this spirit in the youth, but she hesitated to give her sanction to the request, because the way to some of the places was exceedingly dangerous and the hardships unendurable; and especially so to one who had been brought up so gently as her adopted son. Gullala Shah was respectfully indignant at this reply. Drawing himself up to his full height he said with intense carnestness, “What, my mother, shall the chief Wasir's son be deterred by difficulties and hardships? A sorry youth must I be, if auch I show myself. Better far that I perish by them, than that I should venture hereafter to attain to the post of chief Wasir of this mighty and grand kingdom, as my father bids mo do. Fear not, my mother, but let me go. However, if you have any talisman, I pray you give it mo, for why should I unnecessarily suffer P"
Encouraged by her son's noble reply the Wazir's wife consented to his going, and gave him hor signet-ring, saying, “Sbow this ring to the fire, whenever you may be in any diffculty, and two Jinns will appear and help you out of it. She gave him, also, abundant money for the expenses of the proposed journey. The Wazir too, was pleased, when ho heard from his wife of his son's enterprising and inquiring disposition, and acceded to his wishes.
As will be supposed Gallâlâ Shâh started as quickly as possible. After travelling for some time, one day he found himself being paddled along in a river boat, in which was the golden nail. His quick eye soon discovered it though it was much tarnished and almost excluded from sight by a great beam, that ran along the side of the boat. Disguising his real character
Gullala Shih begged the owner of the boat to make him one of his hired servants. The man agreed, and soon Gullala Shâh was working the paddle as if he had been accustomed to that sort of thing all his life. Thus he continued for several weeks, until one day he told his master that he had had a dream during the night. In this dream two men appeared and pierced the bottom of the boat with spears, so that it was broken. "I know," he added, "the interpretation of dreams. Some enemy of yours has placed a charm here P and if that charm is allowed to remain it will sink the boat." The master of the boat was very frightened when he heard this, and entreated GullAli Shah to try and discover the malignant charm. Gullâlá Shah said that it was a very difficult task, nevertheless he would attempt it if the owner of the boat would promise not to inform any one of the matter. The owner promised. And then GullAli Shah went to a lonely place, and kindled a fire, and when the flames arose, he showed them the signet-ring of the Wasir's wife. Immediately two Jinns appeared, ready to do whatever might be his bidding. Gullâlâ Shah bade them to bring the boat up on land. They obeyed, and then GullAli Shah pulled out the golden nail, after which he ordered the two Jinns to put the boat back into the water. He now went and secretly showed the golden nail to his master. On seeing it the owner of the boat was greatly astonished, and thanked God for granting him such a useful and clever servant. Gull Shah kept the golden nail by him, and in a little while, having assured his master that all would go well with the boat, he asked for leave of absence, which was readily granted. He then returned by the help of the charmed signet-ring to the house of his adopted father, the chief Wazir. The Wazir's wife only was at home, because it was the time of the Darbár, and she welcomed him like a fond mother. Soon afterwards the Wazir came home, and then there were great rejoicings in the house The wholo city, also, seemed interested, and accounts of Gullala Shah and his exploits, and the great trials and difficulties which he had overcome by virtue of the signet-ring, were apon the lips of every one.
In a day or two Gullâla Shih rubbed the golden nail into the thinnest of filings, which
