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OCTOBER, 1922]
HIR AND RANJHA
53
lion and put his nails and flesh in his wallet. And they set forth and came into the country of Raja Adali, and slumber overoame Ranjha, and despite the warnings of Hîr he fell asleep. And sleep overcame Hir also.
Destiny overwhelmed both the lovers. For the Kheras came in pursuit and found Ranjha asleep, bis head resting on Hîr. They took Hir away and beat Ranjha unmercifully with whips until his body was swollen.
And Hîr advised Ranjha to seek for justice from Raja Adali. And Ranjha cried out aloud, and the Raja heard it and said: “What is this noise ?" And the Raja's servants said: "A jogi has come asking for justice."
CHAPTER 31.
(Ranjha and Her before the Raja.) Ranjha came before the Raja and his body was sore with the blows of the Kheras' whipe and he said: “May you and your kingdom live long. The fame of your justice has spread even to Turkey and Syria. I have been besten in your kingdom and have committed no fault.”
So the Raja issued orders to his armies and they overtook the Kheras and brought them before the Darbar of the Raja.
And Ranjba said: "I am a poor fakir and these dacoits and robbers have taken away my wife from me."
And the Kheras replied: "This Thug 10 of the Manjha is very clever; he knows all kinds of powerful enchantments. One day our daughter-in-law was bitten by a snake, and Sehti told us there was a Jogi in the garden of Kalabagh who was cunning in spells and could cure her; and O Rajah, this saint and fakir of God decamped with both of the women one night. He is a thief and should be killed. You should not be deceived by his rosaries and beads. He is a cunning rogue and clever in disguises."
And Ranjha said: “They saw she was beautiful and they took her away. Hir is mine? and I am Hir's. The five Pirs gave us in marriage. I have been dealt with in a tyrannous fashion and ask for justice."
And the Raja was angry with the Kheras and said: “You have committed & great sin in troubling this holy fakir. I will cut your nose and ears off and hang you all, if the Kazi says you are liars. I will crucify you on the stake".
So they came before the Kati, and the Kazi said: "Lot each side make a statement on oath and I will administer the Justice of Amar Khatib".
So the Kheras spake saying : "Hîr was the daughter of Chuchak the Sial. Many were the suitors for her hand, but her father betrothed her to the son of Ajju. We took & marriage procession and brought back our bride and spent much money. Thousands of people, Hindus and Muhammadans, were present at the marriage ceremony. The proper rites were performed. The Mullah read the Koran and witnesses were present. The whole country side knows she was given to us in marriage. This swindler took her away as Raman ran away with Sita. He came when there was a great famine and grain was very dear. He grazed Chuchak's buffaloes and then claimed the hand of his daughter. His hom and beggar's bowl are all lies. He is & swindler who can bring down the very stalls with spells. .
10 Robber.
