Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 4 1886.djvu/51

 khan calls Gunuin Khara. Gunuin Khara appears; the khan he did not salute; he did not salute the khan's lady. He demanded that they should at once tell him their command. The khan said: "There is no man like thee; there is no horse like thy chestnut. Bring from the South country the daughter of Erēb suin Khan, namely, Saikhan sangē Abakhai, and I will make thee khan." The hero rejoiced. His father and mother stopped him, and said that on the road he would meet a great red river, then a yellow sea. Whoever drank their water died; neither man nor beast was able to swim them. Still the hero rode on. A year of riding turned he into a month; and a month of riding into a single day; he rode to the great red river; he rode down it seven days, and up it he rode seven days, but did not find a ford. He sat on the river-bank and saw two clouds of dust approaching him; the one was his father and mother; the other Manguis. Manguis warned him of the scheme which his relatives had plotted, but he would not return. He begs Manguis during his absence to protect his father and mother, and to keep guard over his cattle. Saying these words, Gunuin Khara rode further. When he rode down to the river his horse leapt across it. Further on the Sea Khort Shar Dalai was in his way; across this, also, the horse leapt, but she hurt herself. Gunuin Khara wept. The horse said to him: "Do not weep! Wait fifteen days and I will get well." Fifteen days Gunuin Khara remained in the one place, and occupied himself in hunting wild animals. Then he rode farther, and came to the land of Ereb suin Khan. Here he found a multitude of tents, and a nation was assembled. Gunuin Khara asked a man what the assembly means, and receives the reply that Têngriēn Khu têkhiě shatsgai and Urtu Shanē Khun were to compete in three games as to which should possess Saikhan sangē Abakhai; for such was the custom of that country. When Gunuin Khara came to the tent of the khan, the khan asked—"Who art thou, whence comest thou, and whither dost thou go?" "I am from the North country," replied Gunuin Khara, "a subject of the White Khan, the son of Élsuin the aged; my name is Erēn tsain Gunuin Khara. Having heard that in thy country it is the custom that he who wishes to receive Saikhan sangē Abakhai must