INDIRA
from the branches above me. Four of them picked up the palanquin, placed the poles on their shoulders, and started to run.
Seeing that, my stalwart guardians shouted "Who is that?" and emerging from the water, ran in pursuit. Then it was that I knew I had fallen into the hands of robbers. What was the use of maidenly modesty now? I threw both doors of my palanquin wide open. I saw that my people were running with angry shouts after my captors. At first I had some hopes of a rescue, but these hopes were soon dissipated; for, as we proceeded, more and more robbers sprang from the trees. I have already told you that the lake was surrounded by dense masses of trees, and it was through these that my captors took their way, and were joined by fresh forces as they hastened. Some had bamboo staves in their hands, and some had armed themselves with branches from the trees in which they had been lurking.
Seeing so formidable a crowd, my people began to fall behind. In despair I thought to
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