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16
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
[ JUNE, 1021
me, brethren of the Sials, what use have we for a cowherd like this? I did not engage him to be a bull among my cows. I meant him to take buffaloes and not girls into the forest; We eat taunts all day long on his account."
Thereupon Ranjha threw down his shepherd's crook and blanket and quitted Chûchak's herd of cattle, even as a thief leaves the hole in the wall when he hears the watchman's footsteps. And he spake to Chûchak in his anger :-"May thieves take away your buffaloes and dacoits run away with your calves. What do I care for your buffaloes or your daughter? For twelve years I have been grazing your buffaloes and now you turn me away without wages. You are looting me like a bdnia (Hindu trader) whose ledger stays quietly in his shop while the interest swells into a mountain. So your daughter stayed in her house and you got my services for nothing." So Ranjha in a rage shook the dust of the Sials off his feet and gave up the service of Chachak.
But as soon as Ranjha had gone, the buffaloes refused to graze any longer. Some were lost, some were drowned : others were devoured by tigers or got lost on the further bank of the river. The Şials made attempt to recover their cattle but to no purpose, so Chûchak repented of his decision saying "The buffaloes will not graze. We are worn out with our exertions." And Hir said to her mother :-"My father has turned the cowherd away and see the poor condition into which the cattle have fallen. People do not think my father has dealt fairly with the cowherd."
And Milkî said to Chûchak "All the people curse us for having turned the cowherd out without paying him his wages. Had he asked for his wages you would have had to pay him a whole bag full of money. Go and beseech him to come back. Tell him Hir is disquieted by his absence."
Chûchak said to Milki, his wife :-"Go you and pacify him. Tell him to graze the buffaloes till Hir's marriage. Let him enjoy happiness. Who knows what may befall between now and then? We Jaţs are known to be sharp customers. We must get him by hook or by crook."
So Milki went to her brothers' and their wives' courtyard and enquired where Ranjha had gone, and having found him she entreated him saying Do not fret over much about the quarrel you had with Chûchak. Parents and children often fall out in such small matters. Come back and milk our buffaloes, and spread Hîr's couch. Since you have gone she has been much displeased with us. Only you can pacify her. Our cattle, our wealth, the Sials and Hir herself are all yours." And Hîr said to Ranjha -"You should hearken to my mother for is she not the mother of your beloved ? My parents have not yet decided on my betrothal, and marriage is a long way off. Who knows which side the camel will sit down?"3
So Ranjha hearkened to the words of Hir's mother, and once more became Chúchak's herdsman, and he drove the cattle into the forest; and he bathed and called on the name of God. And Hir brought him roasted barley and wheat flour mixed with sherbet, and she bowed herself before him. Love in person ministered to Ranjha.
One day the Five Pirs appeared before him, and Ranjha bowed himself to the ground, and Hir was with him. And the Pirs said "Children, we salute you. Remember God. Do not tarnish the word of Love. Ranjha you are Hir's, and Hîr is yours. A pearl and a ruby have come together. Your Love will cause trouble and strife in the world. The world will taunt you, but be brave and steadfast. Do not abandon love and remember God day and night."
3 I.e., Which way the wind will blow.
