Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 3 1885.djvu/352

 344 FOLK- TALES OF INDIA.

but since this man saw them and told a deliberate lie, saying he did not see them enter the house, therefore do thou, being a king's servant, tear out the eyes of this man and give him four-and-twenty kahapawas, the value of his bullocks."

Having said this, they put the owner of the bullocks outside. He fell at the feet of Gama?ii, saying, " What is the use of kahapawas to me if I have my eyes torn out ? Oh ! Mr. Gamarai," said he, "take both the kahapawas, at which the cows are valued, and also these that I have here." So, giving him other kahapawas, off he went.

Then the second said, " Sire, this fellow struck my wife, and brought about a miscarriage." " Is that true, Gamayii ? " " Listen to me, great king," said he, and he proceeded to lay the whole matter fully before him. Then the king said to him, " But come, did you really strike that man's wife, and cause a miscarriage ? " " No, sire, I did not cause the miscarriage." " Oh ! are you able to rectify the mis- carriage caused by this person?" " No, sire, I am not." *' Now what will you do ?'* "I must have a child." " Well then, Gamam, take the wife of your accuser into your house, and, when she has brought forth a child, go and give it to the husband."

He, too, fell down at the feet of Gama?ii, saying, " Do not break up my home, sir." Then, giving him some kahapawas he made off.

Then a third accuser appeared, saying, " This man, sire, struck my horse's foot, and broke it." " Is that true, Gamani ? " asked the king. " Listen, sire ! " replied Gamawi, who then proceeded to tell all the circumstances of the case.

When the king had heard his version of the story, he said to the groom, " Is it true that you said ' Strike the horse, and turn him back ' ? " "I did not say so, sire." But when he was again asked the question he answered, '' Yes, I did say so."

The king, addressing Gamawi, said, " 0, Gamawi, this fellow, in affirming that he did not say so, has told a deliberate falsehood. Do you cut off his tongue, and give him out of our purse a thousand kahslpawas, the price of the horse." The groom also gave him these and other kahapa?ias, and then took to flight.

Then the son of the basket-maker came forward, and snid, " Tin's