Page:Report of a Tour Through the Bengal Provinces of Patna, Gaya, Mongir and Bhagalpur; The Santal Parganas, Manbhum, Singhbhum and Birbhum; Bankura, Raniganj, Bardwan and Hughli in 1872-73.djvu/105

Rh Lori, who was forthwith placed in a cell with his hands and feet stretched out to their fullest extent and nailed down to the floor. A heavy load was also placed on his chest, and in this state he lay for a long time, till at last, through the favour of Durgâ, to whom he devoutly addressed himself, he was freed from confinement. He again fought with and defeated the Raja, re-conquered Hardui, and was re-united to Chandáin. They had a son born here, and lived a long time, but at last a desire to re-visit their native country prevailed, and laden with wealth they reached Páli.

Meanwhile his brother by adoption, Semru, had been killed by the Kols, and all his cattle and property had been plundered. He left a son, and the family was in great distress. Lori’s wife also had now grown up to be a handsome woman, but still lived in her father’s house, and in great distress. Lori on arrival caused it to be known that a Raja from a distant country had arrived. Time had so changed him that no one recognised him, and having thus secured his incognito, he determined to ascertain whether his wife had been faithful during his absence. Accordingly, when he had ascertained that his wife was among the women who came daily to sell milk in his camp, and had recognised her, though she failed to recognise him, he caused a dhoti to be placed across the entrance to his camp, so that no one could come in without striding across it. Next morning, when the women came, he instructed Chandáin to call them in quick, judging that if his wife, in her hurry, should step across the dhoti, and thus show that she was not very particular as to a trifle, she was not likely to have been particularly careful of her virtue. Satmanain, hurried by Chandáin, came on fast till she came to the dhoti there, and though others stepped over it, she stood, and finding no means of advance without striding across the dhoti, she requested the dhoti to be removed. Lori was pleased at this, and when she had disposed of her milk and wanted payment (payments being usually made in rice) Lori filled her basket with jewels and covered them with rice, so that she unsuspectingly took them home. Her sister on emptying the basket saw the wealth below, and surmising that her sister had obtained it through dishonour, taxed her with it. She denied all knowledge of the jewels, and the girls agreed that they would next day go together to have the suspicion cleared. Meanwhile the son of Lori’s adopted brother, hearing of the suspicion against his aunt, took up arms, and prepared to attack Lori, not knowing that he was Satmanain’s husband. The VOL. VIII