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 JANUARY 5, 1872.]

7

THE DARDS.

burrow) close by the river, ate up all that was in the pot, and entering her hole sat there re solved to bite the woman if she should curse

consequence was that the Ndigan as usual devoured her offspring except two which were left half eaten, whence they were called

her, but not otherwise. The woman returned to the spot, and finding the pot empty exclaimed “May the stomach of the eater be cooled !” Hearing these words the Nagan coming out of her hole said “Well done I now regard you as my daughter, and as you are pregnant at present, go and inform the members of your family to perform the Shrimant (pregnancy) ceremonies, and tell them that the moho sálá" and pehrámanif presents will be sent from your parents' house. The kankotari (the letter inviting the guests to the festive meeting) you should tie to this A'kadā tree near the rāfada.” Hearing these words she returned and spoke as she had been told, asking the members of the family to write kankotaris to her brothers that she might send them to them. At these words they were all surprised and began to laugh at her; but at length they wrote a kankotari and

Khándiá and Bándid. The Nagón after this

gave it to her. This she took and tied to the

asked her what

A'kadá tree. Next day the young of the Niigan assuming human form, came to the village attend out to receive them; and they gave large pehrſt mani to their adopted sister, and to other mem bers of her father-in-law's family; while their sister had previously arranged to have two earthen pots (kuhdan) filled with milk and placed in a room for them to drink. Next day they

that she wept. She related what has been stated, and the Niigan said “go home and get a large yard made and it shall be filled with cows and buffaloes.” This excited the envy of the snake brothers Khándiá and Bándid, and they resolved to lie in wait, the one in the paniera (where the water-vessels stand) and the other in the kitchen, that they might bite her as she passed. Now it happened as she went to

took their sister home with them to be confin ed. When she reached the burrow the snake

foot against the door step, when she exclaimed

ed with music.

An escort from the king went

who was sitting outside took her in. At first she was much afraid, but when she found that there

were large drawing-rooms and halls inside, she was delighted. There she gave birth to her child

gave the queen presents of gold toys, and many other things to carry to her house, and said to her, “here is your father sitting, put your hand into his mouth”: she was petrified with fear, but at length thrust her left and half her right both her

arms

were covered with gold chudá (bangles).

arm into

his month, when

Now

Kändiá and Bándid asked their mother to bite

her who called them by such names, but they were refused. The queen then returned to her father-in-law's house, where she was greatly honoured because of her wealth. One day, however, her mother-in-law, seeing her send for milk from the bazar for her baby, said taunt ingly—“Why don't you get cows from your parent's house.” Hearing this she went to the A'kadá-tree and began to cry. She was heard by the Ndiyan who came out and was

the matter

with

her

fill a kalshya with water that she struck her “may my

Khándiá and Bándiá be safe and

sound 2–they who are brothers to her who has no brothers.” She again repeated the same words

in

the kitchen.

At

this the

and was well treated during the month-and-half. Afterwards the time for the Nagan to bear young

brothers were greatly pleased with her, and next day they gave her many presents and

arrived, and the lady was told to hold a lamp beside her. This she did, but was rather frighten

took their way home, and the queen passed the rest of her life in happiness and enjoy

ed, so that her hand shook a little, and the

ment.

J. B.

The Chaughan Bazi, or Hockey-on-horseback, so popular everywhere north of Kashmir, and which is called Polo by the Baltis and Ladakis,

who both play it to perfection and in a manner which I shall desribe elsewhere, is also well known Presents from the wife's father for her child.

to the Ghilgiti and Astori sub-divisions of the Shina people. On great general holydays as well as on any special occasion of rejoicing, the people meet on those grounds, which are mostly near the larger villages, and pursue t From the wife's father to her husband and his family.