Page:Tales from the Indian Epics.djvu/104

98 me? Where is the monster that was dragging me away?" "Dear lord," said Savitri, "Yama, King of Death, came to take you away. He has gone. So let us hasten homewards, for night has fallen." But Satyavan's wits were still wandering. "Tell me what happened to me," he asked. "I fell asleep and then I dreamt that it grew dark and that a giant with a shining crown seized me. I can remember no more. Tell me whether there was any truth in my dream."

"Dear lord," said Savitri, "the night has fallen, let us hasten home. To-morrow I shall tell you all that happened while you slept."

But the prince looked around him and saw that the night was dark and bade Savitri stay where they were until sunrise. "As you will, dear lord," said the princess. "There is a forest fire on the hills and by its light we can guide our steps. But if you wish to spend the night where we are, I shall kindle a fire here, and we can pass the hours happily until day dawns." Of a sudden Prince Satyavan thought of his parents. "Dear Princess," he said "we must go home. My mind was clouded with sleep and I forgot my father and mother. I am their only hope and happiness. They will be torn with anxiety because of my absence. Let us hurry home as quickly as we can." Savitri consented, and as her husband was still weak from his long trance, she took his hatchet in her right hand and supported him with her left. And thus helping him she led him home.

But King Dyumatsena and his wife Queen Saivya were roaming to and from their hermitage searching in vain for Satyavan. For they were very much afraid that some evil had befallen their only son. His eyesight had returned to King Dyumatsena just as King Yama had