________________
MARCA, 1893.]
A FOLKTALE OF THE LUSHAIS.
79
The little bird cried to Hrangehál: " He is catching yon up," so they scattered the water-Beed, and a great river widened between them and their pursuer).
However, Kúngóri's husband waited for the water to go down, and when the water went down he followed after them as before. The bird said to Hrangchál, "He is after you again, he is fast gaining on you, sprinkle the thorn-seed," said the bird. So they sprinkled the thorn-seed and thorns sprouted in thickets so that Kungöri's husband could not get on. By biting and tearing the thorns he at length made a way, and again he followed after them. Hrangchål became dazed, ils one in a dream, (at this persistence of pursuit), and crouching down among the roots of some reeds, watched. Phothir cut the tiger down dead with a blow of his dao. "I am Phthira," said he. So the tiger died.
Hrangchel and the others went on again, until they came to the three cross roads of Kuavang, and there they stopped. Phöthir and Hranychål were to keep guard turn about. Hrangchala went to sleep first, while Phótbîr stayed awake watching). At night Kuavang came. "Who is staying at my cross-roads!” he said. Phöthira (spoke out holdly): "Phöthira and Hrangchala (are berel," said he; crouching under the reeds, we cut off the tiger's bead without much ado.” On this Kuavang understood (with whom he had to deal), and, becoming afraid, he ran off. So Phôthira (woke up Hrangchal saying), "Hrangehala, get np; you stay awake now; I am very sleepy; I will lie down. If Kuavang comes you must not be afraid." Having said this, he lay down (and went to sleep). II rangchala stayed awake. Presently Kuayang returned. "Who is this staying at my cross-roads" he said. Hraungchala was frightened. (However), he replied: "Phòthira and Hrangchala (are here) they killed the tiger that followed them among the reed-roots." But Knavang was not to be frightened by this; so he took Kungöri (and carried her off). Kangori marked the road, trailing behind her a line of coston thread. They entered into a hole in the earth, and so arrived at Kuarang's village. The hole in the earth, by which they entered, was stopped up by a great stone. In the inorning Phôthira and Hrangchala began to abuse each other. Spake Phóhtira to Hrangchala, "Fool ! a man," said he, "where has Kungôci gone? On nccount of your faint-heartedness Kuavang has carried her off. Away! you will have to go to Kuavang's village." So they followed Kangöri's line of white threod, and found that the thread, entered (the earth) under a big rock. They moved a way the rock, and there lay Kuavang'a village before them! Phôhtira called out! " Ahoy! give me back my Küngöri." Kravarg replied, "We know nothing about your Küngöri. They have taken her away." "If you do not immediately) give me Küngöri I will use my dáo," said Phóhtir." Hit away," answered Kuavang. With one cut of the dco a whole village died right off! Again Phöhtir cried, "Give me my Kaugõri. Kuavang said, "Your Kungöri is not here." On this Phớthir and Hrangchål said, “We will come in." "Come along," suid Kaavang. So they went in and came to Kuavang's house. Kuavang's daughter, who was a very pretty girl, wag pointed out 18 Kungöri. "Here is Kangøri," said they. "This is not she," said Pbothir, really now, give me Küngöri." So (at last) they gave her to him.
They took her away. Küngöri said, "I have forgotten my comb." "Go, Hrangchâl and fetch it," said Photbir, but Hrangchala dared not venture. "I am afraid," said he. So Phôthir went (bimself) to fetch (the comb). While he was gone, Hrangchal took Kungöri out, and closed the hole with the great stone. After this, they arrived at the horse of Kungöri's father. "You have been able to release my daughter," said he," so take her." Kaugôri however, did not wish to be taken, Said Kangôri's father, "Hrangchål is here, but where is Phöthira " "We do not know Photbira's dwelling-place," was the reply.
So Hrangehala and Küngöri were united. Kangøri was altogether averse to the marriage. but she was coupled with Hrangchal whether she would or no.
Phothirs was married to Kuavang's daughter. Beside the house he sowed a koy-Beed. It sprouted and & creeper sprang (apwards like a ladder). Phôthira, when he was at Kuavang's, had a child (born to him); and he cooked some small stones (in place of rice), and, when his wife was absent, he gave the stones, which he had cooked, to the child, saying, “Eat." While it was eating Phôthir climbed up the stalks of the creeper (that had sprang up near the house), and got out (into the upper world). He went on and arrived at the house of the Kongöri's father. They had killed # gaydl, and were dancing and making merry. With one blow Phôthira cut off the head of Hrangchâl! Kangøri's father cried, "Why, Phôthira, do you cut off Hrangchala's head P" "I was obliged to cut it off," said Phôthir. "It was I who released Kangöri from Keimi's village ;
1 The good spirit of the Lushais. Ho does not however out a very fine figure in this tale.
