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THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[NOVEMBER, 1896.
consented. Then Sama Alwa took leave of the Ballal and returned home. As soon as he reached home, he called his nephew Sayana Beidya to him and shewed him the twelve pagodas which the Ballal had presented to him. The nephew seeing the gold was delighted and said :"The Ballal gave us such a present. What have we given to him?"
At this the uncle said: "I intend to give him a pair of racing-buffaloes as a present. What do you say to that?"
To this the nephew said: "I agree to whatever you do."
Then he called a servant and told him to bring the pair of racing-buffaloes. When they were brought, he told the servant to give them food and drink. So they ate their food and drank as much as they wanted; and afterwards Sama Alwa and his nephew Sayana Beidya and a servant took the pair of racing-buffaloes to the palace of the Balla of Parmale. The ornaments of the buffaloes were tied in a cloth and given to the servant, and he carried them on his head. The buffaloes went first, and the servant with the ornaments followed. Then Sama Alwa and Sayana Beidya went behind. So they reached the palace of the Ballal. The Balla was in the verandah. They went with the buffaloes and stood in the open space before the verandah; and when the Ballâl came towards them, they prostrated themselves before him and said:"My lord, we have brought the racing-buffaloes."
Then he came down from the verandah and saw the buffaloes, and was very much pleased, and said:"O Sama Alwa, how did you make up your mind to part with such a fine pair of racing-buffaloes ?"
At this, he replied: "When I once make up my mind, I stick to my resolution. We are eating your salt, and to whom else should we bring presents but to you?"
At this the Ballâl said: "I am very much pleased with you. These buffaloes must be sent to the first race that takes place." And then he asked a question:-"O Sama Alwa, have you any more pairs of racing-buffaloes ?"
He said: "Yes, Sir."
Afterwards the Ballal said to Sama Alwa:-"O Sama Alwa, in a few days, during the month of Kanya, I wish to go on a hunt,"
Sama Alwa said: "O Sir, before you go, please inform me; we37 will accompany you." He said: "Yes, I will inform you."
Afterwards the uncle and nephew asked permission to return home. "No, you must not go away on an empty stomach. It is now late. meals here in my budu and then go."
But the Ball said :You must take your
But they said:"O Sir, we are eating your salt, whether we eat here or at home." But he said:"Never mind; come into the verandah."
When they went to the verandah and sat down, plantain-leaves were placed before them, and food was served upon the leaves. So they took their meals, and came out and sat down. Betel-leaves and nuts were given to them. So they ate betel-leaves and nuts, and afterwards took permission of the Ballal, and returned home. Some time afterwards the day appointed for the hunt approached. Then the Ballâl called his clerk and told him to notify to all his tenants his intention of going on a hunt, that they might be present at his buḍa on such and such a day. All were ordered to bring their weapons and come prepared for the hunt. So they came on the appointed day. The Ballâ saw them. They were about two hundred able-bodied men that assembled before the budu. When the Ballal came out to see them, they all prostrated themselves before him. He was pleased with them and said :-"This evening you will take your meal in my budu."
57 I, e., many of my relations and friends.
