Page:The jade story book; stories from the Orient (IA jadestorybooksto00cous).pdf/306

290 and he, overcome by misfortunes, said, "Kill her at once! For she has been born in an evil moment, and has brought her father ill luck!"

But Rasalu rose up in his shining armor, tender-hearted and strong, saying: "Not so, O King! She has done no evil. Give me this child to wife; and if you will vow, by all you hold sacred, never again to play chaupur for another's head, I will spare yours now!"

Then Sarkap vowed a solemn vow never to play for another's head; and after that he took a fresh mango branch, and the newborn babe, and placing them on a golden dish, gave them to Rasalu.

Now, as he left the palace, carrying with him the newborn babe and the mango branch, he met a band of prisoners, and they called out to him:

"A royal hawk art thou, O King, the rest But timid wild-fowl. Grant us our request, Unloose these chains, and live forever blest!"

And Rajah Rasalu harkened to them, and bade King Sarkap set them at liberty.