Page:Vikram and the vampire; or, Tales of Hindu devilry (IA vikramvampireort00burtrich).pdf/236

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
188
Vikram and the Vampire.

upon the stony hills. And thinking over these things, the gallant and beautiful thief laughed aloud.

'Before returning to my siras-tree,' continued the Vampire, 'as I am about to do in virtue of your majesty's unintelligent reply, I may remark that men may laugh and cry, or may cry and laugh, about everything in this world, from their neighbours' deaths, which, as a general rule, in no wise concerns them, to their own latter ends, which do concern them exceedingly. For my part, I am in the habit

Presently the demon was trussed up as usual.

of laughing at everything, because it animates the brain, stimulates the lungs, beautifies the countenance, and — for the moment, good-bye, Raja Vikram!'

The warrior king, being forewarned this time, shifted the bundle containing the Baital from his back to under his arm, where he pressed it with all his might.