ame near the place, for he and his people
were tired with hunting, and had been seeking all through the jungle
for a stream of water, but could find none. When the Prince saw the
fine palace standing by itself, he was very much astonished, and said,
"It is a strange thing that any one should have built such a house as
this in the depths of the forest. Let us go in; the owners will
doubtless give us a drink of water." "No, no, do not go," cried his
attendants; "this is most likely the house of a Rakshas." "We can but
see," answered the Prince. "I should scarcely think anything very
terrible lived here, for there is not a sound stirring nor a living
creature to be seen." So he began tapping at the door, which was
bolted, and crying, "Will whoever owns this house give me and my
people some water to drink, for the sake of kind charity?" But nobody
answered, for the Princess, who heard him, was busy up in her room,
blacking her face with charcoal and covering her rich dress with
rags. Then the Prince got impatient and shook the door angrily,
saying, "Let me in, whoever you are! If you don't, I'll force the door
open." At this the poor little Princess got dreadfully frightened; and
having blacked her face and made herself look as ugly as possible, she
ran downstairs with a pitcher of water, and unbolting the door, gave
the Prince the pitcher to drink from; but she did not speak, for she
was afraid. Now, the Prince was a very clever man, and as he raised
the pitcher to his mouth to drink the water, he thought to himself,
"This is a very strange-looking creature who has brought me this jug
of water. She would be pretty, but that her face seems to want
washing, and her dress also is very untidy. What can that black stuff
be on her face and hands? It looks very unnatural." And so thinking to
himself, instead of drinking the water, he threw it in the Princess's
face! The Princess started back with a little cry, while the water,
trickling down, washed off the charcoal, and showed her delicate
features and beautiful, fair complexion. The Prince caught hold of her
hand, and said, "Now, tell me true, who are you? where do you come
from? Who are your father and mother? and why are you here alone by
yourself in the jungle? Answer me, or I'll cut your head off." And he
made as if he would draw his sword. The Princess was so terrified she
could hardly speak, but as best she could she told how she was the
daughter of a Rajah, and had run aw