you'll just go away and never return; we are very hungry; we do not want gold and precious stones, but we want a good dinner; we must certainly eat you.' The Demon thought all that the Pundit said must be true, he spoke so fearlessly and naturally. So he only repeated more earnestly, 'Only let me go; I promise you to return and bring you all the riches that you could desire.' The Pundit was too wise to seem glad; but he said sternly, 'Very well, you may go; but unless you return quickly, and bring the treasure you promise, be you in the uttermost part of the earth, we will find you and eat you, for we are more powerful than you and all your fellows.'
The Demon, who had just experienced how much stronger the Wrestler was than ordinary men, and then heard from the Pundit's own lips of his love for eating Demons, thought himself exceedingly lucky to have escaped their clutches so easily; and, returning to his own land, he fetched from the Demon's storehouse a vast amount of precious things with which he was flying away with all speed (in order to pay his debt and avoid being afterwards hunted and eaten), when several of his comrades caught hold of him, and in angry tones asked whither he was carrying so much of their treasure. The Demon answered, 'I take it to save my life; for whilst wandering round the world I was caught by terrible creatures, more dreadful than the sons of men, and they threaten to eat me unless I bring the treasure.'
'We should like to see these dreadful creatures,' answered they, 'for we never before heard of mortals who devoured Demons.' To which he replied, 'These are not ordinary mortals; I tell you they are the fiercest creatures I ever saw, and would devour our Rajah himself, if they got the chance; one of them said that he daily ate twelve Demons, that his wife ate three, and each of his children one.' At hearing this they consented to let him go for the time; but the Demon Rajah commanded him to return with all speed next day, that the matter might be further discussed in solemn council.
When, after three days' absence, the Demon returned to the Pundit's house with the treasure, the Pundit said to him angrily, 'Why have you been so long away? You promised to return as soon as possible.' He answered, 'All my fellow-Demons detained me, and would hardly let me go, they were so vexed at my bringing you so much treasure; and though I told them how great and powerful you are, they would not believe me, but will, as soon as I return, judge me in solemn council for serving you.'—'Where
