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THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[DECEMBER, 1896.
dition; and then they returned home. On account of this wicked deed of theirs, every man in their country became their enemy; so they resolved to go to some foreign land.
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So they first went to their uncle's house to pay him their last visit. Their aunt saw them coming from afar, and told her husband that his nephews were coming. He went ont to meet them and brought them into his house. As soon as they came in, their aunt spread. out a bed of flowers on a swinging-cot and asked them to sit down. So they sat down, and their uncle also sat there with them. "Children," said their uncle, "you have not been here for a long time, and now with what object have you visited us to-day? And what are those stains on your faces? And why does your dagger shine so brightly ?"
"Our mother has not been able to wash away those stains, and our dagger having been whetted, the polish on it still continues," replied the brothers.
"Tell me the story as it is, will you, my children ?" asked their uncle.
The younger brother said:"The tone of Buddyanta's words rose to a high pitch and so he met his death at my hands."
"Now you will be hated by one and all of the people of this country," said their uncle.
"We will leave our country and go to a foreign one. with a handful of food, after our death you would have ashes," said one of the brothers.
Up to this time you have supplied as reduced our bodies into two seers of
"When you were seven years old, land was given to you by the Parmale Ball]. Do not go away when you possess land and the love of woman. Make the throne (i. e., the Ballal) the cause of your departure. Consider this well," said the uncle.
They then asked him to tell them the means by which they were to carry his advice.
into execution.
"O you children, listen to me. The pancholi betel creeper that has climbed up the areca-nut tree and mundoli betel creeper that has climbed up the mango tree. Fetch some leaves of both the creepers, tie them in bundles, put them into the skirts of your garments, and beg of the Ballal to give you food and clothing according to the promise which he had made to your mother. Then he will become terribly angry. At that time catch him at his very word, put the blame upon him, and go away." Thus did he advise the two brothers.
Afterwards they took their meals, and chewed betel-nut and departed. And then did according to their uncle's advice and went to the Ballil's hall, and found him seated on his throne in great pomp. To him thus seated they humbly bowed. "Come, children, take your seats," said he, and ordered seats to be given to them. So they sat down, and the Ballâ asked them to tell him the object of their visit.
"We have become tired of living by cultivation, and our purses have become empty; therefore, give us something substantial that will always bring us an income sufficient to meet all our expenses," said the brothers.
"What do you want, my children? Tell me and I will give it yon," said the Ballil.
"In front of the bidu, there is a field called Bakimar, sowing five seers of seed and producing five hundred mudis; give us that," asked the brothers.
"That field meets all the expenses of the bidu; leave that alone and ask something else," said the Ballal.
"There is a field named Bertali below your bidu, sowing three seers of seed and producing three hundred mudis; give us that," asked the brothers.
"Let that alone and ask me something else," said the Balla].
