The morning times., 1896-06-21
to the poor princess. feel sure they win

to the poor princess. feel sure they VII
| do her good
| ALAS! my beautiful tail; it, too, must
| go. Better my tail than my life. Cut i,
off, Rasalu,' said the tiger. Kasalu did as
| lie wished and the tail became u branch
| laden with fruit.
THAT will do said the white cat.
| Now gather up the fruit, my lad and take
| it to the ruined well where you will find
| someone to receive it. Much to the
relief OF the tiger, as Rasalu took his de-
| parture, the white cat also disappeared
| and the treacherous beast lost no time
| in leaving place where such ill-fortuDe
had attended him. As he reached his lair
| deep In the forest he found the monkey
fiend Sarkap awaiting him.
''As soon as the tiger saw him he said
| furiousiy: L have you here in my care
and you shall not easily escape me. you
traitor. So you informed the white cat
| where to find me helpless and wounded
Nothing OF the sort said the monkey.
Seven days were you at the ruined well
and temple. In that time. had cared 10
do so, could have had the hunters about
you when and as often as chose. You
may be sure if wished to play you false
1 would not have waited for your wound to
heal. You are indeed a pretty object.
without ears or tail. and your yellow hide
streaked with red as well as with black
1.-The hunters Were after me- said the
tiger, and 1 had TO sacrifice part of my
self to save the rest
".You were fooled retorted the mon
key boldly. I know all about it A little
bird, parrot, that saw it all, flew hither
and told me. There were no hunters
The white cat saw you quite plainly and
did not really take you for bush. III
there had been hunters near at hand you
may be sure the white cat would have
called them. The parrot flew everywhere
and saw no hUnters.'
You consider yourself very clever
growled the tiger savagely- Will you
dare to go with me to the old temple and
in order that you may have a share i'll
what takes place, consent to fasten your
self to me with a wild vine for rope?
l do not entirely trust you
~ see you DON'T said the monkey,
though it would be much better for you
if you did. You certainly need a coun-
sellor tied to you. l consent, in hope of
revenge on Lail, whom / hate and that
hereafter you will have more confidence
in one who desires only TO see you sue
ceed.' -..r ~ -..-
''Thus fastened together il appeared as
II the monkey led the tiger and as they
approached the ruined temple they saw
Rasalu and the white cat standing as If
awaiting them.
Welcome, sarkapr cried Laili, in a
loud voice.
Thrice welcome and well donel Though
but monkey you have brought hither
tiger even as you promised me. Great
shall be your rewardi'
..Neverl'' growled the tiger, wild with
fear and anger, for he thought the monkey
had betrayed him after ALL Never shall
the traitor Sarkap receive other reward
than that 1 shall give him. ami he dashed
away at full speed dragging his companion
after him.
Imagining he heard the hunters in
full cry behind, lie sought the dearest
place of refuge and leaped into the ruined
well, from which you may be sure neither
he nor his monkey servant ever came
out alive.
.'As for Rasalu, he sent the daughter ssf
King Brahma data a tigers heart burned
in an oven and beaten in a mortar
and wrapped in the hide of the animal
which neither had ears nor tail, and re-
ceived In return a message written on
palm leaf which read as follows: The
death OF the enchapter and his hearts
ashes has freed the princess from her
enchantment. She will no longer. as here
tofore, be obliged to take at times the
form of a white cat, for she was LaIli
who saved you. The buddah has also said
Strengthen not and prolong not he po wer
OF the wicked, for charity itself. thus eni-
plOyeu, DeCbIileS an evil Tome 10 the
palace, Rasalu. for my father seeks an
honest youth. the son of a Brahma. to guarc
bis treasures The records of Benares
say that Rasalu and the princess were mar
ried but afterward entered the fourfold
path and attained enlightenment
How did the princess happen to be
turned into a white cat, and who wounded
the tiger" asked Harold.
''ob. that's another story replied the
Ayah.