“’A short time ago I saw a woman in a dark dress dragging away part of a half-burnt body, and ran to seize her.  In the struggle her anklet came off, and I gave her a slight wound on the leg, but she got away, and I could not overtake her; this is how the ornament came into my possession.  I leave it to you to say whether I have done wrong or no.’

“Then the magistrates and citizens who were assembled were unanimously of opinion that the woman was a Sakini.[10]

“She was therefore divorced from her husband, and condemned to be tied to a stake in the cemetery, and left there.

“In this state she was found by Kalahakantaka, who cut the cords which fastened her, and, falling at her feet, confessed all that he had done, alleging his great love for her as an excuse for his cruel conduct:  ‘And now,’ said he, ’consent to be my wife, and I will carry you away to my own home in a distant country, where you will not be known.  I will do everything in my power to make your life happy, and atone for the suffering which I have caused you.’

“For a long time the unhappy lady refused; but at last, overcome by his earnest entreaties, and feeling how unjustly she had been disgraced and ill-treated, she consented to accompany him.  Thus, by cunning, he gained his end, which he could not have accomplished by any other means.  Therefore I say cunning best accomplishes difficult things.”

Having heard these stories, the Rakshas was much pleased, and offered me his assistance if I should require it.  At that moment several pearls fell close beside us.  Looking up to see whence they came, I perceived a Rakshas flying through the air, carrying a woman who was struggling with him.

“Shall that monster carry off the lady before our eyes?  O that I could fly to rescue her!”

As I exclaimed thus, my new ally, without waiting to be entreated, sprang into the air, and calling out “Stop! stop! wicked wretch!” attacked and dragged down the other Rakshas.  He, in defending himself, when only a short distance from the ground, let the lady fall, and I caught her with outstretched arms in such a manner that, though much shaken and alarmed, she was not seriously injured.  I held her for a moment insensible in my arms, while I gazed at the combatants.  Their flight was of short duration, for they attacked each other so furiously that both were killed.

Then laying my burden on the soft grass in a shady place, and sprinkling her with water, I soon had the happiness of seeing her open her eyes, and of recognising the beloved of my heart, the Princess Kandukavati, who was equally delighted on finding who was her deliverer.