Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1870-06-08
THE POWER OF LOVE.
A KAFIR LEGEND.

A certain Ka6r king married two sisters,
but he loved and esteemed one of them so
much more than the other, that he made
her his chief wife, and she was called the
Queen, and treated with great respect.
The neglected sister was very angry at this
favoritism but she strove TO hide her jeal-
ousy under an appearance of loving devo-
tlon, and insisted that no one but herself
should take care of the royal children
When the Queens son was born, he was
given into her charge, and the treacherous
woman displayed much affection for the
babe; but it soon sickened and died; like
fate befell a second and third child, until
the Queen, in great grief, declared that her
sister must never again touch any of the
royal children.
The King still continued to love his wife
so deVotedly that he refused to degrade
her from her rank, although the accidents
which destroyed the successive heirs to his
title gave him the right to replace her by
another wife, who would secure the success
sion to his family. AT length the unfortu-
nate Queen gave birth to fourth son but
she was still the victim OF an evil fate, for
this child was formed like a snake
About the same time the jealous sister al
so gave birth to child, strong and hand
some boy, and she, therefore, triumphed
over the unfortunate Queen; but even the
charms of the pretty infant could not win
the King affection from his beloved wife ;
and, despite the remonstrances of the head
men of his nation, he still maintained her in
her chief rank, and treated her with addi-
tional honors.
Years passed by, and the boy grew lusty
and active, and was named Unsimba or the
Wild Cat, while the child of the Queen was
l. lo IL =.
monster still continued TO be the only child
of the Queen, and with her became the OBJ
ject OF the King 3 fondest care, having SER
wants to attend upon him, and house built
for his exclusive use; while Unsimba, like
his mother was treated with distrust, and
| received 10 special tokens of his father IA
yor.
At length Unsimba reached manhood,
and, as is the custom, two dansels, sisters,
and daughters of the King OF distant ma
tion, came to look at the young men belong
ing to the country, with the intention OF
choosing husbands from among them. The
eldest Of the two wandering princesses selec-
ted Unsmba, and they were betrothed amid
much rejoicing.
a great feast was made in honor of the
event, and all the Young men and women
were invited. The King presided as host,
ba, whom he placed beside him in the seat
of honor; but tie damsels ran away shrick-
ing with terror at his appearance, and could
only be pacified by the repeated assurances
of the King that the Suake was his own and
only son.
The feast was followed by dance, where
according to custom, each damSel was ask
ed iu turn to name the youth whom she
preferred above all others. One after an
other they proclaimed their choice but
when the younger princess was also asked to
select one of the youths present. all were
amazed and contounded to hear her utter
the name Umamba.
The young men whispered to each other
that the princess. being a stranger, had for
gotten the names of the guests, and that
she had chosen the Snake by mistake, and
they secretly warned her Of her blunder
but to their amazement the young girl re-
peated her choice even more firmly than
boiore. Even the respect due to the King
could not prevent the guests from exhibiting
their surprise at her choice; but Unsimba
listened with jealous rage, for he despised
mis- unfortunate brother, and burned with
anger at the thought that the wretched
Snake should be chosen by the princess. who
more beautiful and graceful than his OWL
befrothed he had also hoped to wed.
princess went straightway to the house OF
Umamba and the Queen was there with
her son; the mother saluted the strange,
kindly, and then said to her, 1T is true
| that you have chosen my son at the dance
but you would not also choose him for youl
| husband2"
''And why not2" exclaimed the beautiful
damsel IF love him, may not take him
| for my husband?" Then she smiled gaily
and continued Need I fear him? You
| do not think that he will eat me up? [ have
no dread of your snake son. for love him.
Then the mother left the house, rejoicing
greatly; and Umamba in a gentle voice
asked the damsel to close the door, and
spread his sleeping mat upon the floor.
But the young girl merriy objected
| why must [ obey you? You ought tC
wait upon yourself 1t is not my duty tt
serve you
| But the Snake voice was full of tendea
sadness and entreaty as it continued tt
! plead Nay, but do as [ desire you, if you
love me. VIII you not help me p
| Then the princess hastened to do as he re
| quired, and as she performed the task, tn,
! Snake groaned as if in great anguish. Th,
young girl was moved with compassion, anC
| gently urged upon him any service tina
might diminish his pain.
Can not help you-saye you from thi
misery ?' she asked in tones of loving sym
pathy.
Aye moaned the Snake, as if in grea
torment; ''hold fast to the pole of the tent
and with the other hand grasp me firmly, s,
that may straighteu myself, and be free'
from this agony.
Bravely the girl did as she was desired
she caught the pole firmly, and then grasp
ed the reptile The smooth skin Slipped
between her fingers, and she shuddere,
with dread and horror at the touch bu
her hand clasped fast over the serpent, ant
she closed her eyes in fear while she strug
gled to prevent the Snake from escapin
from her hold. But in a moment voic
at her sias bade her look up, and she raise
/ her eyes to behold youth of surpassn
beauty standing near her. At his feet la
the empty skin OF aserpent-for it was I'm
amba
The young prince then told how his broth
ers had, one by one, been slain, and that b
alone had escaped like fate by being di:
guised in the loathsome form of serpent
which he was compelled to wear until free
from his vile Imprisonment by the DARN
one who loved him. Even now the spe
was not wholly broken, for if she still dare
to wed him, he had power to reveal hln
self to her alone in his true form, while
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