leepy from the effects of his
huge meal, and when he saw the man he thanked him again, and said: 'Come
with me now to Pita, which is my own country, and I will give you what
you will of all my possessions.'

Gopani-Kufa at first was afraid, thinking of what the antelope had said,
but finally he consented and followed Insato into the forest.

For several days they travelled, and at last they came to a hole leading
deep into the earth. It was not very wide, but large enough to admit
a man. 'Hold on to my tail,' said Insato, 'and I will go down first,
drawing you after me.' The man did so, and Insato entered.

Down, down, down they went for days, all the while getting deeper and
deeper into the earth, until at last the darkness ended and they dropped
into a beautiful country; around them grew short green grass, on which
browsed herds of cattle and sheep and goats. In the distance Gopani-Kufa
saw a great collection of houses all square, built of stone and very
tall, and their roofs were shining with gold and burnished iron.

Gopani-Kufa turned to Insato, but found, in the place of the python, a
man, strong and handsome, with the great snake's skin wrapped round him
for covering; and on his arms and neck were rings of pure gold.

The man smiled. 'I am Insato,' said he, 'but in my own country I take
man's shape--even as you see me--for this is Pita, the land over which
I am king.' He then took Gopani-Kufa by the hand and led him towards the
town.

On the way they passed rivers in which men and women were bathing and
fishing and boating; and farther on they came to gardens covered with
heavy crops of rice and maize, and many other grains which Gopani-Kufa
did not even know the name of. And as they passed, the people who were
singing at their work in the fields, abandoned their labours and saluted
Insato with delight, bringing also palm wine and green cocoanuts for
refreshment, as to one returned from a long journey.

'These are my children!' said Insato, waving his hand towards the
people. Gopani-Kufa was much astonished at all that he saw, but he said
nothing. Presently they came to the town; everything here, too, was
beautiful, and everything that a man might desire he could obtain. Even
the grains of dust in the streets were of gold and silver.

Insato conducted Gopani-Kufa to the palace, and showing him his rooms,
and the maidens who would wait upon him, told him that they would have
a great feast that night, and o