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198 CRADLE TALES OF HINDUISM some unexpected moment, and kill them both, as if by accident. Instead of giving the counter- challenge direct, therefore, He answered, in the same complimentary style that the wrestler had used, that if the King really wished to see the wrestling of the cowherds, He would prove the fact by giving Himself and His brother, as their antagonists, boys of their own age.

At this Chanura lost all patience. "You say this ? " he cried — "You, whose hands but now were wet with the blood of an infuriated elephant, whose strength was as that of a thousand ! Your strength is not that of mere lads. You are amongst the most powerful beings in the world ! "

All present understood this as a call to mortal combat, and a thrill of horror went round the assembly as they saw the two young men, little used as they must be to the methods of cities, confronted by the skill, strength, and experience of a whole bevy of famous wrestlers of the court. Devaki and Vasudeva, from their places above, made no secret of the terror which the fight inspired in them. Only in the gallery of the cowherds were there seen bright smiles and un- troubled countenances. For there alone were some who could guess the powers of the Divine Wrestlers to foil their combatants.

Chanura and Musthika then addressed themselves to the fight with Krishna and Bolarama.