Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 1 1883.djvu/144

136 which you will be engaged. There are two sets of men of eight pieces each, and they are of two different colours. Now, at the critical point in the game, Rájá Sirikap will give a certain signal, and straightway from his capacious sleeve there will issue his magic cat. On her head she bears a light which renders her invisible, and which is also itself invisible to all but the King himself. The effect of the mysterious light is to throw a glamour over the King's adversary and to dazzle his eyes, so that he is unable to see, and during this interval the cat dexterously disposes the men in such a way that at the next move King Sirikap wins the game, and his adversary forfeits his wager. But do you, Prince, in order to guard against surprise, keep the rat secure, and now and then put your disengaged hand upon it, and now and then take it off, patting it playfully. The moment the cat comes forth she will make a dash at the rat, and, coming in contact with your hand, the light will fall to the ground. Then keep her at bay, and the game will be yours, for the cowardly heart of King Sirikap will begin to quake, and his disordered mind will ensure his discomfiture."

Having received his instructions King Rasálu returned to the palace, and that evening, being the eve of Tuesday, the two Kings sat down to play: the issue of the game for some time was doubtful; but at last it was evident that a few moves more would decide the result in favour of Rájá Rasálu, when his rival made a secret signal, and the magic cat, unseen by any but himself, stole from his sleeve. The moment she did so she caught sight of the black-headed rat, and, forgetting her duty to her master, she instantly sprang towards it, but the hand of Rájá Rasálu chanced to smite the light from her head, and to keep her occupied until he had won the game.

Then sprang the mighty King to his feet, and cried to his trembling rival, "The game is won, and your head is my prize," and drawing his long sword he was about to strike off his head, when Sirikap, lifting up his hands, implored a short respite that he might enter his inner apartments and bid farewell to his family. That moment a messenger brought news to him that his Queen had been delivered of a daughter. But he heeded it not. His perturbed soul was full of schemes how he might escape his impending fate. As he walked sadly from room to room he said to himself, "If I hide in my own chambers I shall be discovered." So this idea he dismissed from his mind. Bat in an unfrequented corner his anxious eye caught sight of a large disused