Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 2 1884.djvu/174

166 and, on being informed about it all, she said, "If that is all, be not sorrowful, for I will go and fetch ornaments for you, and then you can stand comparison with the others." So she went away, and brought her daughter's eyes and skin, and coral beads, and gold and silks, and all kinds of beautiful ornaments she brought; and she also brought a golden chair for her to sit down upon. And when the appointed time arrived she adorned her daughter, putting in her eyes and replacing her skin, and allowed no person to see her.

And so the three women were fetched to go in the open space to be compared, for the people were gathered together. And the two wives did not adorn themselves at all, for they hoped thus: "This woman without eyes is coming; and what of her?" at the same time getting up and standing on the eastern side. Then came also Ramàitsoanàla and went to the northern side; but as soon as she showed her face the two women fled away, and ran off into the fosse, for they were ashamed, and died there. And so Andriambahòaka took Ramàitsoanàla home and wedded her.

And she bore a child and had a son, whose name they also called Andriambahòaka, for he succeeded his father at his death. But the father rejoiced, for he obtained what he had desired.

One day as a wild-hog was setting off to hunt he met with a chameleon on the road by the side of a watercourse, and as he looked at the chameleon he exclaimed, "Dear me! what a strange way of walking you have, friend! Judging from the way you walk one would think you could never get enough food, friend, for you walk so slowly; so take good care lest some big furious beast comes by and tramples you suddenly to death, for you are both weak and very slow in moving about. So I think we two will separate here at this watercourse; and although I don't walk at all quickly, but go along quite gently, just look, for when I have crossed over this valley you will even not have crossed the bed of this little stream."

The chameleon replied in his turn, "True enough, friend, that I seem to you to be very weak and to go very gently indeed. At the