Page:Old Deccan Days.djvu/72

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34
OLD DECCAN DAYS.

jungle palace to see Hera Bai, and said to her, 'I have a friend whom I have not seen since he became mad twelve years ago, and ran away into the jungle disguised as a Fakeer. I should like very much to find out if he is still alive. How can I learn?' Now Hera Bai was a very wise Princess, and she answered, 'Your best plan will be to provide a great feast for the poor, and cause it to be proclaimed in all lands, far and near, that you are about to give it as a thank-offering for the blessings God has bestowed on you. The poor will flock from all countries to come to it, and perhaps among the rest you may find your friend.'

Seventee Bai did as Hera Bai had advised, causing two long tables to be spread in the jungle, whereat hundreds of poor from all parts of the world were daily entertained; and every day, for six months, Seventee Bai and Parbuttee Bai walked down the long rows of people, apparently to see how they were getting on, but in reality to look for Logedas Rajah; but they found him not.

At last one day, as Seventee Bai was going her accustomed round, she saw a wretched wild-looking man, black as pitch, with tangled hair, a thin wrinkled face, and in his hand a wooden bowl, such as Fakeers carry about to collect broken meat and scraps of bread in; and, touching Parbuttee Bai, she said to her, 'See, Parbuttee, there is your husband.' When Parbuttee Bai saw this pitiful sight (for it was indeed Logedas; but so changed and altered that even his wives hardly recognised him) she began to cry. Then Seventee Bai said, 'Do not cry; go home quickly. I will take care of him.' And when Parbuttee Bai was gone, she called one of the guard and said to him, 'Catch hold of that man and put him in prison.' Then Logedas Rajah said, 'Why do you seize me? I have done no harm to any one.' But Seventee Bai ordered the guard not to heed his remonstrances, but to take him to prison instantly, for she did not wish the people around to discover how interested she was in him. So the guard took Logedas Rajah away to lock him up. Poor Logedas Rajah said to them, 'Why has this wicked Rajah had me taken prisoner? I have harmed no one. I have not fought, nor robbed; but for twelve years I have been a wretched beggar, living on the bread of charity.' For he did not tell them he was a Rajah's son, for he knew they would only laugh at him. They replied, 'You must not call our Rajah wicked; it is you that are wicked, and not he, and doubtless he will have your head cut off.'

When they put him in prison he begged them again to say what was to be done to him. 'Oh!' said they, 'you will certainly