be startled at the name, and exclaimed, "O lady, my name is Hari Harikali, and my birthplace is Chandrapur. Can you tell me where Chandramanik is?" Receiving an answer to her query, the mare ran forward, telling Malancha to follow with as much speed as possible. On they ran, until at last the mare led her into the kingdom of Chandramanik's father. The people recognized their kotál's daughter, and reported her arrival to the king. The king and queen rushed out, and being convinced that it was she, were surprised to see that she was still alive, bearing no marks of injury on her body. They ascribed it to the intervention of the gods, and implored her to stop and tell them if a similar miracle had taken place with regard to their son. Malancha gave no heed to what they said, but ran on, till late at night she returned to the malini's house. When the next day dawned, Malancha fully equipped the mare, and Chandramanik, too short to vault into the saddle unaided, was helped up by her; and pretending to see how he looked on horseback she cast a tender look up at him; and under pretence of cleaning his shoes took the dust from under them and put it, as if carelessly, on her head. The boy remarked it and said, "Who are you, and what are you to me?" Malancha said, "I am a kotál's daughter, engaged to look after you."
The mare, with the rider, reached the palace, and the princes were astounded at the sight. So good a horse they had never seen, and they at once set their heads together to devise fresh means of bringing to grief the man whom they supposed to be but a mali's son. At length they came to the conclusion that, since their word had been given, the race must be run, in spite of the superiority of their rival's horse, consoling themselves with the thought that even if he won, by virtue of their position, they could have him beheaded afterwards.
The race was run, and Chandramanik proved the winner. The princes, feigning admiration, asked him to come with them into the palace, with the intention of making away with him. The simple youth was deceived, and turned towards the
