Page:The jade story book; stories from the Orient (IA jadestorybooksto00cous).pdf/36

20 But the task had been too great for the Rajpoot. "Life without my boy is something I cannot bear to think of," said he; "my service to the King is now ended." Thereupon he plunged his sword into his own breast, and fell dead.

The sight of her husband and son, both lying dead at her feet, was too much for the grief-stricken mother, so she seized the blood-stained weapon, and with it slew herself.

Now all this was seen and heard by King Sudraka, who was just entering the gate of the temple, but so quickly did it happen, that he was unable to stop it. He hastened to where the bodies lay, and exclaimed: "Woe is me!"

Sorrowful indeed was he as he gazed upon the remains of his three faithful subjects. "Having lost these," he said, "what do I