Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 1 1883.djvu/158

150 On hearing this they gallopped up to the palace of Rájá Hodi, and, entering the court, they cried, "Where's Rájá Hodi? Where's Rájá Hodi?" One of the attendants answered, "Ever since the day on which he pursued the blue buck he has been paying daily visits across the river in the direction of the castle of Rájá Rasálu. Some days ago he went out as usual, but he has not yet returned, and we know not what has become of him."

When the brothers heard these tidings they assembled their vassals from all parts, and addressing them they said, "The King is a prisoner or else he has been killed in the country of Rájá Rasálu. We must rescue or avenge him. Will you stand to us when we cross the river, or will you go back to your houses?" They all answered, "Let our heads be forfeited if we do not stand to you to a man."

Now the old washerman used to visit Rájá Rasálu day by day because the King delighted in his quaint stories and good sense. About this time he went up to the palace as usual, and received his customary welcome. Said the King to him, "What news to-day?" The washerman answered timorously, "Among the women of the village there is a strange rumour, but it may not be true." "Let me have it," said the King. "I overheard them talking among themselves, and they were saying that as Rájá Rasálu had cut off the head of Raja Hodi, so his own head would be also cut off in a few days." When the King heard this he was greatly put out, and rising and pacing the floor he said, "Have you really heard this?" "Yes," answered the washerman, "the women have it so, but I know nothing about it." "I have seen the day when I could laugh my foes to scorn," said the King; "and still I have troops, if I can only assemble them in time." Then he summoned his warder, and bade him call out all his followers in the castle. But when they were drawn up there were not a dozen men left to man the walls. "Winning or losing a battle is in the hands of God," said he to the old washerman. "But what is one to do with a handful of men like this?" Vigorously, however, the old warrior prepared for a siege. Something of his former spirit returned upon him as he directed one of his men to gallop out into the country to order his tenants to gather their vassals, and to bring in supplies for the defence of Ránithrod, and so he assisted with his own hands to repair the broken battlements and to close up the breaches. Hardly had he completed his task when the hostile force appeared in sight.