to impose on his master, killed some dogs and jackals and took their blood to the queen, who, exulting in the success of her diabolical plans, prepared a sumptuous feast for her husband and her own sons.
Sheet and Basanta set out on their journey, but being unaccustomed to long walks, were soon very much tired. Basanta felt a great thirst and asked his brother if any water could be had. The latter said that he saw no chance of finding any spring, tank or river from which they might slake their thirst, but that he would go and seek one out. Saying this, he left his brother and went away. After some time he discovered a tank, and having no vessel with him was taxing his brains as to how he should take a little of the water for his brother, when suddenly a white royal elephant, with a throne on its back, approached him, and guided by certain signs of royalty on his forehead, took him up with its trunk, placed him on the throne, and hastened away through the jungles.[1] Sheet was very much troubled at heart at the threatened separation from his brother, and wept; but the elephant gave no heed to it. It hurried off at a great pace, and stopped only when it reached the palace whence it had come on its grand mission. As it set down the new king, the people received him with joyous shouts. With the crown on his head and the queens and the ministers with him, Sheet soon forgot his brother.
Basanta, having waited some time for Sheet, became anxious for his safety; and in the anguish of his heart searched for him far and near, till quite exhausted he laid himself down, filled with painful forebodings. His hunger and thirst increased until at last sleep, the only friend of the
- ↑ We read in Indian fables, that when a king died heirless and there was found nobody in the kingdom worthy to succeed him, the white elephant which had carried him, when alive, on its back, was sent abroad to select a substitute for him. The beast succeeding by its wonderful sagacity in finding out one fitted for the honour, at once took him on its back, and in triumph carried him into the country deprived of its ruler; and the people there, gladly availing themselves of its choice, made obeisance to their new king.
