e [slaves], he sent them
all back. The whole of this artifice was had recourse to on my
account. He now gives out, that the princess is very ill, and if I
do not soon appear, then in a few days the news of my death will
fly through the whole country; then the king's shame will not be
[divulged]. But I am now greatly distressed, as the governor has
other designs upon me, and always urges me to cohabit with him;
I do not agree [to his desires]. Inasmuch as he [really] loves me,
he has as yet waited for my acquiescence, and therefore he remains
silent and quiet. But I dread [to think] how long matters can go on
in this way; for which reason I have determined within myself, that
when he attempts anything further, I will put myself to death. But
now that I have met thee, another thought has arisen in my mind;
if God is willing, except this mode, I see no other for escape.'

"I replied, 'Let me hear it; what sort of scheme is it?' She said,
'If you assist and exert yourself, it can be accomplished.' I said,
'I am ready to obey your commands; if you order me, I will leap
into the burning flames, and if I could find a ladder, I would for
your sake ascend to the sky; [in short], I will perform whatever you
command.' The princess said, 'Go, then, to the temple of the great
idol; and in the place where [the people take off [334] their shoes,
there lies a piece of black canvas. The custom of this country is,
that whoever becomes poor and destitute, he having wrapt himself up
in that piece of canvas, sits down in that spot. The people of this
country who go there to worship, give him something, each according
to his means.

"'In three or four days, when he collects some money, the head priests
give him a _khil'at_ on the part of the great idol, and dismiss him;
having thus become rich, he goes away, and no one knows who he was. Go
thou also, and sit under that canvas, and hide well thy hands and face,
and speak to no one. After three days, when the priests and idolaters
shall have given thee a _khil'at_, and [wish greatly to] dismiss thee;
do not thou on any account get up from thence. When they entreat thee
greatly, then tell them, "I do not want money nor am I avaricious
of riches. I am an injured person, and am come to complain; if the
mother of the _Brahmans_ does me justice, it is well; otherwise the
great idol will do me justice; and this same great idol will attend
to my complaint against my oppressor." As long as the mothe