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Then the two ladies said to Sumitra : “This, greathearted sir, is our history: the device of collyrium has been arranged by that Rákshasa. By the application of the white collyrium human beings become camels; by the application of the black they again become human beings. This is our history. So it is owing to our good luck that you have arrived ; we are tired of dwelling in this uninhabited forest; release us from this affliction.”
When Sumitra, who was tender-hearted and incapable of refusing a request, heard this, he said : “ Where is the Rákshasa now? At what time does he come to visit you ?" The girls said : “He comes here from the island of the Rákshasas, sometimes after two days, sometimes after three-just as he likes. Sometimes he stays a fortnight, sometimes a month, but he will certainly come to-day. So during the night-time you must go into the splendid tank adorned with jewels on the ground-floor, and so save your life. In the morning you must act as seems expedient.” Then Sumitra made the two girls camels again, and remained concealed in that very place. So at eventide the Rákshasa arrived, exclaiming: “How is it that there is a smell of humanity* here to-day ?" The two ladies said : “We are human beings, and it is our smell that is diffused through the air.” So the Rákshasa remained there that night. In the morning the two girls said to the Rákshasa : “Sir, we are terrified at remaining alone, so you must come back quickly. ...”+ Having said this, the Rákshasa went away. Then Sumitra took the vessels of collyrium, and, turning those two camels into women again, he brought them down from the seventh story, and then he again turned them into camels, and, loading them with a burden of jewels, set out for the city of Maháçála. After some days he met with a man skilful in the conjuring of
* This is common enough in European tales. It is, perhaps, sufficient to refer to Grimm's No. 29, where the Teufel exclaims, I smell human flesh.' See also the second story in the Panchadan. dachattraprabandha,' and Ralston's Russian Folk-Tales,' p. 103.
+ It is clear that some words have fallen out here. Probably the Rákshasa said when he would come back.
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