"Who was his mother," I asked. "Of what family was she?" "She is the daughter of the King of Oude," he answered, "and her mother was Sagaradatta, daughter of Vaisravana, a merchant of Pâtaliputra." "If so," I replied, "she and my father are cousins by the mother's side; this boy is therefore my relation, and has a right to my protection." The old man was much pleased at hearing this, and I promised not only to protect the boy, but to contrive some means for reinstating him in his proper position, and overcoming that wicked King of Asmaka with cunning equal to his own. For the present, however, the most needful thing was to procure food. While I was considering how to obtain this, two deer passed, pursued by a forester, who shot three arrows and missed them, and, in despair, let fall his bow and two remaining arrows. Hastily snatching up these, I discharged the arrows in rapid succession, and killed both the deer; one of them I gave to the hunter, the other I prepared, and roasted a part of it for ourselves. The forester was astonished by my skill, and delighted at the acquisition of so much food; and it occurred to me that I might get some information from him. I asked him therefore: "Do you know anything of what is going on at Mahishmati?" "I was there early this morning," he answered, "for I had a tiger skin and other skins to sell, and great festivities were in preparation; the Prince Prachandavarma, the king's younger brother, is about to marry the Princess Manjuvâdini, and the rejoicings are on this account." After the forester was gone, I said to the old man (whose name was Nâlijangha): "That wretch Amittravarma is trying to make it up with his sister-in-law by promoting a good marriage for her daughter; no doubt he thinks to persuade her to recall her son, that he may have him in his power. Do you therefore leave the boy with me, and go back at once to his mother. Tell her how you have met with me, and that the child is quite safe under my protection; but give out in public that he has been carried off and devoured by a tiger. I shall come to the city disguised as a beggar; do you wait for me near the cemetery." All this he promised to do, and set off immediately, having first received further directions for the guidance of the queen. After some days, it was generally understood at Mahishmati that the boy who had escaped into the forest had been killed by a tiger; and the king, secretly rejoicing, went to condole with the mother. She appeared as if greatly distressed by the news, and said to him: "I look upon the death of my son as a judgment upon me for not complying with your wishes, and am therefore now ready to become your wife." The old wretch was delighted at her compliance, and preparations were made for the marriage.