Page:Tales of the Punjab.pdf/135

Rh Accordingly, the farmer went down to the river and informed the crocodiles they might send the bridal procession to fetch the bride as soon as they chose.

The next day a number of female crocodiles came to the bride's house with tays full of beautiful cloths, and kenns for staining the bride's hands.They behaved with the utmost politeness, and carried out all the proper ceremonies with the greatest precision.Nevertheless the beautiful bride wept, saying, 'Oh, mother! are you marrying me into the river? I shall be drowned!'

In due course the bridal procession arrived, and all the village was wonderstruck at the magnificence of the arrangements.Never was there such a retinue of crocodiles, some playing instruments of music, other bearing trays upon trays full of sweetmeats, garments, and jewels, and all dressed in the richest of stuffs.In the middle, a perfect blaze of gold and gems, sat the King of the crocodiles.

The sight of so much magnificence somewhat comforted the beautiful bride, nevertheless she wept bitterly when put into the gorgeous bride's palanquin and borne off to the river bank.Arrived at the edge of the stream, and crocodiles dragged the poor girl out, and forced her into the water, despite her struggles, for, thinking she was going to be drowned, she screamed with terror; but lo and behold! no sooner had her feet touched the water than it divided before her, and rising up on either side, showed a path leading to the bottom of the river, down which the bridal party disappeared, leaving the bride's father, who had accompanied her so far, upon