time hitting the owl, seated on one of the masts, with an arrow, wishing him a watery grave. The casket was then opened, and the coveted damsel came out. Enraptured with the sight, each of the princes asked her if she would be his, and she replied that none could be her lord but he who was in possession of the flowers of pearl. The princes well understood her, and kept her as a prisoner.
The voyage came to an end, and the princes with Kalabutti were cordially received at the palace. The Ranis asked her to which of them she would give her hand, and she said that she would speak out her mind after a month—the period she had vowed to remain silent on the subject. Her word was accepted, and the princes were forced to curb their impatience.
In the midst of the rejoicings attending the apparently successful issue of the expedition, the mothers of Bhootoom and Boodhu, disconsolate at the absence of their darlings, and apprehensive of their death, were so greatly affected that they decided to drown themselves in the neighbouring river. They went to its bank intending to put an end to their lives, when suddenly the objects of their love burst into view with the sacred name of "mother" on their lips. Nothing could surpass the ecstasy that the two ladies felt. They hugged their dear ones close to their bosoms, and blessing the gods for restoring their lost treasures to them, took them home, rejoicing. The happy night following this lucky day came to an end, and people were in the morning surprised to find that a crowded bazar was held near the hut of the two Ranis who had been doomed by their husband to ignoble servitude, that a beautiful orchard had sprung into existence, and that thousands of soldiers were stationed on guard. Princess Kalabutti, being informed of this, went to the Raja and said, "The period of my vow is over, but I am not going to give my hand to any of the five princes. Dispose of me as you like." The Raja said in reply, "Mother,[1] I am not so great
- ↑ The Hindu method of addressing a girl or woman, to show great affection.
