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THE CO-TRAVELLERS AND THE ODYSSEY
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In this town of the gentle souls you alone are truly wicked The wheel now comes full circle Tell me why I should not commit you to death'
Said the detenu, 'what your majesty pronounce is just and true The Rohineya who is truly the author of these misdeeds ought to be punished with death But my Lord one who is not Rohineya hardly deserves such a severe treatment - The king and the councillers were speechless for a moment at this logic Whispered they amongst themselves 'Is he not Rohineya?' They were agog with suspense
'Are you not, Rohineya ?' 'Not at all 'Who are you then?' I am a trader from Shalgram.' 'Pray, tell your name' 'Durgchand' 'What do you deal in ?' 'I am a jeweller' 'Whither did you move during the night ?'
'I arrived from my village Since my arrival was so untimely the guards caught hold of me in suspicion'
'Should I believe you? 'You may enquire of the people who know'
'The king eyed Abhayakumar who tacitly supported the king's move for further investigation A spy was sent to verify the facts The council was dispersed
'Rohineya had a great influence on the inhabitants of Shalgram He fulfilled all their needs The village, in return, served him They endorsed the claim of the robber The spy conveyed it to the king who in his turn-released Rohineya Abhayakumar even sought his forgiveness and courted his friendship They were friends to each other Abhayakumar detained him for dinner Rohineya consented to it His trained servants served meals Rohineya fainted during the meal Attendents carried him and laid him on a bed in the palace Within a few hours his intoxication was gone He rose from
