Indian Antiquary Vol 17

Author(s): John Faithfull Fleet, Richard Carnac Temple
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 60

52
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
FEBRUARY, 1888.
in the sword, and consequently he could not Rajâchâ Masthiâ said: "I am that Rajachá dispenge with it. So taking his sword and his Masthiâ, who lifted that iron ball twice twelve horse, RAjâchá Masthiâ left his honge, without mans in weight and threw it at a distance of informing his father or any one else. They all twice twelve kon." saw him going away, but they thought that he On this the carpenter said: "Well, then, I was only going on his daily excursion, and will go with you wherever you go. Even to that he would return as was his wont, little death will I follow you." suspecting that he was going for good.
Now these three, Rajachâ Masthia, the So away he rode, through jungles and forests, bunter and the carpenter, all travelled togeand had travelled some distance when he met ther. After many days they came to a city late a hunter who was carrying a gun on his shoal- in the evening, but they were surprised to find der. Rajâchê Masthill called out to him: "Hallo that it was deserted, and not a single soul to hunter, what is the weight of your gun p" be seon. All the houses and shops were open. "Fifteen mans," the hunter replied.
Rajáchå Masthià said: "What can be the "You must be a very strong man to carry a cause of this? We will remain here for some gun fifteen mans in weight, continually on your days and find out what it all means." shoulder !” said Rajâchâ Masthia.
So they pat up in a large house. They went "Oh, no!" replied the hanter. "Rajáchå to one of the shops, and took what was necessary, Masthia is the only strong man, who lifted an laying the proper money on the counter. They iron ball twice twelve mans in weight, and then cooked their food, ate it and went to sleep. threw it a distance of twelve kós."
Next day Rajáchå Masthiâ said to the car"I am he," Rajáchâ Masthiâ replied. penter: "The hunter and myself are going
On this the hunter said ! "Then I must round the village; you stay at home and prefollow you. I will go with you wherever you pare the dinner to-day." go. I will live and die with Rajáchê Masthia." The carpenter agreed and set about his work,
Rájachi Masthiâ now pursued his way fol-while Râjâchâ Masthiâ and the hunter went to lowed by his new friend, the hunter ; Rajáchå inspect the village. In due time the rice was Masthiâ riding his horse, while the hunter fol. ready and the carpenter poured it out on a lowed on foot. They travelled in this way for a pathravel, when lo! a rankhes, three palmyras long time when it struck Rijâch& Masthis that in height, made his appearance and asked for it was unbecoming that he, though a prince, the rice or he said he would swallow the car. should ride a horse, while his friend, the hunter, penter. The poor carpenter was at a loss to walked. So he let his horse loose to go where he know what to do; but seeing that if he did not liked, and both made their way on foot. When give up the rice his life was at stake, he gave it they had travelled for several days they came on up. The rankhas having done justice to the rice a carpenter who was carrying his saw on his disappeared, The carpenter net about cooking shoulder, and other tools in a bag swang on
rice again, but before it was done Rajâchâ his back. Rajachâ Masthiâ called out to him: Masthià and the hunter came in and asked if "Hallo carpenter! what is the weight of
the dinnor was ready. The carpenter did not your saw and the other tools ?"
like to incur the displeasure of R&jach Mas. The carpenter replied: "The weight of my thiâ, nor did he wish him to know that a gaw is ten mans and that of the other tools is rankhas had come and swallowed the rice he five mans, in all fifteen mans."
had previously cooked, for fear of being called Râjâchå Masthid said: “Indeed, you are coward, and so he made some excuse for very strong man, to carry tools fifteen man in the delay in making the dinner ready. All weight continnally about you."
three set about it and when it was prepared "Oh no!" said the carpenter. "My strength they all had their fill and rested. is nothing compared to that of Rajáchâ On the following day Râjâcba Masthiâ told Masthi, who lifted up an iron ball twice the hanter that it was his turn that day to stay twelve mans in weight, and threw it at dis at home and prepare dinner, while the carpentance of twice twelve kos. He is really strong." ter and himself went out. Thus saying they
A plato made of leaves.