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NOVEMBER, 1837.)
FOLKLORE IN SALSETTE.
331
the ránkchas' house by dark, and slid under he refuse he will incur the displeasure of the his couch unperceived. During the night as king and lose his pay and position and will be the ránkhas lay in bed with his wife, Pequeno turned out. If he attempt to catch and bring João went to the side where the wife was sleep- the ránlchas he is sure to fall into his hands, ing and gave a hard pull at the blanket. The and the ránkhas will wreak his full venrúnkhas woke up and reprimanded his wife geance on him for all the mischief done him." for taking the blanket all to herself, calling So they went to the king and said: "May her selfish. When he fell asleep again Pequeno it please your Majesty. We have come to you João pulled from his side; this time the
with our last proposal,. which, we feel confi. wife scolded him. And so it went on in turn dent, will bring about your cure; and we ask, from one side and the other till at last in & as a last measure, to try a ride on the rankhas!" rage the rankshas took the blanket and threw The king was terror-stricken at the idea of it under the couch, to the secret joy of our hero, having to ride on the ránkhas, but after a saying: “If you keep worrying me like this long discussion he was persuaded. His next neither of us shall have the blanket."
trouble was who on earth would attempt such When they were both asleep again Pequeno a thing, however brave and strong he might be. João quietly took the blanket, opened the door Surely he thought, it might be easy enough to and orossing the river, sat down, cover- bring the parrot, and the mare, and the ring ing himself with the blanket. At dawn the and the sword and the blanket, but to bring ránkhas was mad with rage to see Pequeno the ránkchas was an atter impossibility. However João covered with the blanket and across the he told his wazir, Pequeno João, of his trouble river, but what was to be done? To catch him and anxiety of mind, but Pequeno João was was a sheer impossibility, for as we know he only too glad to be of service, even at the risk could not get to the other side of the river; and of his life, and calmed the king by undertaking he cried : “Very well, Pequeno João you came to bring the rankhas. He asked the king to to my house, feasted, caused the death of my make him a pinzru' of iron with seven sides daughters, took away my caps, took my parrot and seven locks and fitted with wheels to faciand my mare, took my ring and my sword, and litate hauling; and one was at once ordered. now you are taking away my blanket ! How In due time the cage was ready, and disguis. long will you rob me? How often will you ed as a mharvio and clothed with rags Pequeno triumph ? Never mind, I will get you into my João proceeded to the ránkhas' house. As soon clutches some day and then I will teach you." us he was near enough to be heard by the
Bat Pequeno João with his asual sauciness, ránkhas he cried out at the top of his voice : said :
"Listen all ye people, at a certain place, at a " Barani, barani, dusrån mik air,
certain time, Pequeno Jodo, for having comÁni khanchit túlá pán nain."
mitted very grievous offences against the king,
is to be hanged. Any one wishing to witness Oh ! another journey yet will I make,
the sight will be provided with free conveyance When with me for certain you I will take."
to and from that place." He soon reached home, and presented the
As soon as the rankhas heard that Pequeno king with the blanket, and was raised to the João was about to be hanged he jumped for joy. highest position in the state, namely, of wazir. “After all," he thought," he has come to his The blanket, however, did no good at all. It
end. I must go and see. I shall have some had no charm for the malady!
satisfaction at least by seeing him die." Ho The envy of the brothers at Pequeno João
then asked the pretended mharví where the conbeing made a wazir, knew no bounds, and they veyance was, and was led to the cage and was were at a loss to know what they should do made to sit in the middle of it, Pequeno João next. Said they: "We will ask the king, as a taking care to lock each of the seven doors. last measure, to ride the rankhas. No one but when he saw the rankshas was quite secure Pequeno João will be told to go for him and if Pequeno João discovered to him his true self A cage.
"A town-crier.
