Then the sailors, shouting for joy at the victory, bound him with the chain with which I had been confined; and after taking possession of the pirate ship, we continued the voyage; but being driven out of our course by a contrary wind, landed on an uninhabited island, to get water and wild fruits, and attend to the wounded.

The merchant-captain and crew, delighted at my bravery, and the timely assistance I had rendered them, treated me with the greatest respect.  While they were engaged, I walked about to explore the island; and came to a large quantity of stones which had fallen from a high rock.  These I crossed over, and going round to the other side, found a gentle slope, covered with trees and flowers.  Walking slowly among them, admiring the beautiful scenery and enjoying the cool shade, I arrived, almost imperceptibly and without fatigue, at the summit, where I found a small lake, surrounded with ruby-coloured, variegated rocks, and partly covered with bright lotuses.  In this I bathed, and pulled up some of the lotus-plants, the young shoots of which were unusually sweet and good.

As I came out of the water, carrying a large root on my shoulder, I saw standing on the bank a terrible Rakshas in human form, who called out, in an angry tone “Who are you?  Where do you come from?  What are you doing here, destroying my flowers?”

Without showing any sign of fear, I walked boldly up to him, and said:  “I am a brahman, who has just escaped many dangers.  I was treacherously thrown into the sea, rescued by a merchant-ship, then attacked by pirates; and now, after conquering them, we have put into this island for water.  I have much enjoyed my bathe, and wish you good morning.”

“Stop!” said he.  “You will not get off so easily.  You seem a bold fellow, however, and I will give you a chance for life.  I shall ask you four questions.  If you can answer them, you are free; if not, I shall devour you immediately.”

“Very good,” I answered; “I am ready to hear them.”  Then he began: 

“What is cruel?”

“A wicked woman’s heart.”

“What is most to the advantage of a householder?”

“Good qualities in a wife.”

“What is love?”

“Imagination.”

“What best accomplishes difficult things?”

“Cunning.  Dhumini, Gomini, Ratnavati, and Nitambavati,” I added, “are examples of what I have said.”

“Tell me,” said he, “who they were, and how they prove the truth of your answers?”

“Certainly,” I replied; “you shall judge for yourself.

“There were formerly in the country of Trigarta three brothers, all wealthy, having several wives, many servants and slaves, and numerous flocks and herds.  In their time it happened that there was a great drought; no rain fell for several years; the streams and fountains ceased to flow; the pools and lakes were turned to mud, the beds of rivers almost dry, plants burned up, trees withered; all mirth and