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308 TWO PRAKRIT VERSIONS OF THE MAŅIPATI-CARITA 225. When the commotion of the raid died down the villagers
came back and dwelt in their former habitations and I, too, dwelt there.
226. After I had been admonished again and again by friends
I went to that village to rescue her, though at heart
undesirous of contact with her. 227. I lodged in the house of an old woman and spent some
days there. When I had won her heart by my good
behaviour I spoke to her thus : 228. “Madam, my wife is living here with the village chieftain,
will you somehow go to her and tell her of my coming.' . 229. The old woman did so and my wife sent me a message:
'To-day the village chieftain will be going somewhere
else at night. 230. So you come here this very day at twilight.' That was
what she said and I made my way to her house. 231. The village chieftain was then away from home elsewhere
and she appeared to be glad in heart at seeing me. 232. She made me sit down on the chieftain's bed and, having
washed my feet, she also sat down near me. 233. Meantime the chieftain had turned up from somewhere
at the door of the house so she put me under the bed 234. She washed the feet of the chieftain as he was sitting on
that very bed and then she began to speak. 235. ‘Lord, if my husband comes what will you do to him ?'
He replied: 'I shall send him back after showing him
due hospitality.' 236. Then she wrinkled her brows and he, divining her mood,
said: 'I was joking ; 237. in fact this would be intention : if I see that he has
come here I will flay his hide.' She was pleased when
she heard this and 238. pointed me out to his view as I lay under the bed. He
seized me and tied me to a post with a moist thong.
