This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
KRISHNA KANTA'S WILL.
229

to the magistrate is done with. You must speak very differently before the judge. You must say, 'We know nothing.' Here, each of you, take 500 rupees in cash. If the defendant is set free, I will give you each another 500 rupees."

The witnesses said, "Why, in that case we shall be punished for committing perjury."

"Fear not. I shall spend money to get witnesses to prove that Pichel Khân forced you, by blows, to give false evidence before the magistrate."

The witnesses and their ancestors for fourteen generations had never seen so large a sum as 1,000 rupees all at once. They immediately agreed.

The day of trial before the session came round. Gobind Lâl stood in the dock. The oath was administered to the first witness. The Government Vakil asked him, "Do you know this Gobind Lâl, alias Chuni Lâl?"

"No, I think not."

"Have you never seen him?"

"No."

"Do you know Rohini?"