Page:The jade story book; stories from the Orient (IA jadestorybooksto00cous).pdf/303

Rh My flight, all unspurr'd, will be swift as a bird, For thousands and thousands of miles! Or if needs you must stay; ere the next game you play Place your hand in your pocket, I pray!"

Hearing this, Rajah Sarkap frowned, and bade his slaves remove Bhanur, the Arab steed, since he gave his master advice in the game. Now, when the slaves came to lead the faithful steed away, Rasalu could not refrain from tears, thinking over the long years during which Bhanur, the Arab steed, had been his companion. But the horse cried out again:

"Weap [sic] not, dear Prince! I shall not eat my bread Of stranger hands, nor to strange stall be led. Take thy right hand, and place it as I said."

These words roused some recollection in Rasalu's mind, and when, just at this moment, the kitten in his pocket began to struggle, he remembered all about the warn-