Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 1 1883.djvu/139

Rh addressed them: "Set up a figure fashioned like a man with his hand behind his back, and let the face of the figure be blackened. By this symbol my son will understand that for a time he must absent himself from the court."

One day, as Rasálu approached the palace, he caught sight of the figure, and, turning to his followers, he said, "This statue is a sign to me that I must quit the kingdom. Lo! the goodness of the King my father. We are the descendants of the great King Bikrámájit, who sold himself away in charity three hundred times; and for a mere trifle my father decrees my banishment. Nevertheless I will obey." So he gathered together a chosen band of valiant men, and armed them with bows, spears, and swords. He also provided himself with ample treasure, and when all was ready he set out from the city at the head of his followers. Wherever he encamped the whole country was made aware that Rájá Rasálu was bound on an expedition, and that he would enlist all good men and true who would join his standard. Thus by the time he arrived at Gujerát he was in command of a strong force of hardy warriors all eager to do battle for their leader.

The King of Gujerát was a Goujá, and he received the son of Rájá Sulwán with customary honour. "But," said the Goujá King, "you are heir to a kingdom. Why then do I see you at the head of this army so far away from your own dominions?" Rasálu answered, "Near Jhilam there is a country containing numbers of people who have been turned into stone. Of that country my father claims a fourth share, as being near of kin to the reigning rájás; and, as they deny his rights, I am now on my way to recover them." Then the GujáGouj [sic] King offered help to Rasálu, saying, "Take with you a contingent of my troops, chosen marksmen, with arms and munitions of war, and go and prosper against your enemies." And to his own men he said, "Go fight for Rájá Rasálu, and do not return until dismissed."

When the prince arrived at the kingdom of the Petrified Ones he at once began his warlike operations, besieging forts, throwing up earthworks, and cutting off supplies. Rasálu's bow could be drawn by no one but himself, his strength was that of two men, and his arrow never failed. After a short siege the principal fortress was carried by storm, and the rájás took refuge elsewhere, but, driven from stronghold to stronghold, they at last submitted, and consented to acknowledge Rájá Rasálu as their overlord. The kingdom was