Not long after this another disciple of Vamadeva brought a very beautiful child to the king, and said:  “My lord, I have lately been on a pilgrimage to several holy places, and on my way back, happening to be on the bank of the river Kavari, I saw a woman carrying this child, and evidently in great distress.  On being questioned by me, she wiped away her tears, and with difficulty told me her story, saying, ’O brahman, Satyavarma, the youngest son of Sitavarma, a minister of the King of Magadha, after travelling about a long time, visiting all holy places as a pilgrim, came to this country, and here married a Brahman’s daughter, named Kali.  Having no children by her, he took as his second wife her sister Gauri, and by her he had one son, this child.

“’Then the first wife, envious of her sister, determined to destroy the child; and having, with some false pretence, enticed me, when I was carrying the child, to the bank of the river, she pushed us in.  I contrived to hold my charge with one hand, and to swim with the other till I met with an uprooted tree carried down by the rapid current.  To this I clung, and after floating a long distance, was able at last to land at this place; but in getting away from the tree I disturbed a black serpent which had taken refuge there, and having been bitten by it, I now feel that I am dying.’  As she spoke, the poison began to take greater effect, and she fell on the ground.

“After trying in vain the power of charms, I went to look for some herb which might serve as an antidote; but when I returned the poor creature was dead.

“I was much perplexed at this occurrence, especially as she had not told me the name of the village from which she came, nor could I conjecture how far off it might be, so that I was unable to take the child to its father.

“Therefore, after collecting wood and burning the body, I have brought the child to you, thinking that he will be best taken care of under your protection.”

The king, astonished that so many children should have been brought in such a wonderful manner, and distressed at not knowing where to find Satyavarma, gave the child the name of Somadatta, and committed him to the care of his uncle, Sumati, who received him with great affection.

These nine boys, thus wonderfully collected together, became the associates and play-fellows of the young prince, and were educated together with him.

When they were all nearly seventeen, their education was regarded as complete, for they had not only been taught the vedas and the commentaries on them, several languages, grammar, logic, philosophy, &c., but were well acquainted with poetry, plays, and all sorts of tales and stories; were accomplished in drawing and music, skilled in games, sleight of hand and various tricks, and practised in the use of weapons.  They were also bold riders and drivers of horses and elephants; and even clever thieves, able to steal without