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THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[NOVEMBER, 1887.
him he thought best to give them some money for six; and on one side slept the girls with and send them about their business to find their white nightoaps on, and on the other the three own living, with strict injunctions never to princes with red caps on. For it should be return again. As for Pequeno João, of course, said that the rdnkhas wanted to kill them in he was to remain and succeed him as king. the night and therefore he gave them red caps It so happened that Pequeno João was strongly to distinguish them in the dark. No sooner attached to his brothers, and could not part had the two elder brothers laid their heads on with them, and therefore asked the king to their pillows than they were fast asleep, but permit him also to go with them. The king Pequeno João, knowing what would otherwise and queen tried very hard to make him dis- become of them, kept awake. In the dead of suade from his intention to go, but to no purpose. the night when the rankh as was asleep he got The hopes of a bright futuro, namely of be- up, changed caps and places with the girls; of coming king after his father, even that had no course, without their knowledge. After mideffect with him. He was determined to go night the rankhas woke up, sharpened his and go he must. So he set off a day or two sword and not suspecting the trick of Pequeno after his brothers, and borne, as it were, by João cut off the heads of the girls and went to the wings of love, he came up with them on the sleep, thinking he was quite sure of a hearty third or fourth day. It was in a densely breakfast off the boys. covered forest they met, where do living Now there was a very broad and deep rivor creature was to be seen, and it was pitoh dark. flowing past the ránkhas' house. So before
Pequeno João suggested that one of them dawn Pequeno Joko woke up his brothers and should climb the tallest tree and see if they safely got over to the other side of it, where the could spy a human dwelling anywhere. The rankhas could not come, owing to his inability two others cared very little for him and told to swim. He also took the six caps with him. him to do it himself. He saw no alternative In the morning when the rankhas' awoke, and soon went up a tree and when he came what was his dismay! To his horror and great down said that he saw a light in a certain grief he found that he had killed his own direction, and they all bent their steps towards daughters and that his victims had escaped. that place. They had to travel long, and He ran out of the house to see if he could get when they reached it they saw an old woman catch them, and saw them coolly seated on the seated at the door, to whom Pequeno Joko opposite side of the river, quite out of hissaid: "Mother, allow us to stay in your house reach. He was mad with fury, but seeing he for the night."
could do nothing cried out: "Ho! Pequeno The old woman answered : “My sons, I João, is this your gratitude for my entertaining should be only too glad to entertain yon for the you? You have caused the death of my night, but am sorry I cannot, for my son, who daughters, and are now carrying away my caps ? is a rankhas', will soon be at home, and he
Well, well, I will make you pay for it." But will surely make a meal of you."
Pequeno João fearing nothing, said: "Never But Pequeno João said: “Never mind, mind, rönkhas, your wicked designs bave mother, I will arrange matters with your son," turned on yourself."
The old woman, pitying the folly of the Thus saying they started to and their forprinces, could not but agree to accommodate tune in some other place. After many hours' them. It was not long before the ránkhas travelling they came to a splendid city and returned home, and as soon as he saw the presented themselves before the king of that three princes he thought what a fine supper place and asked for service. The king seeing they would make, but seeing they were hungry that they appeared to be of noble birth at once he determined to feed them well in the night engaged the eldest as kárbari, and the second and reserve them for breakfast.
as overseer, but thinking the youngest unNow it happened that the ránkhas had three educated, sent him to graze sheep, and so he daughters. After supper he had a bed prepared was appointed a dhangár! * potbhar. rakahasa.
A shepherd.
