Rama Vijaya

Ramavijaya. 87

stood. The Eishi, Valmika, had gone to Fatal to be
present at the yadnya performed by Varan. Before lie
left for Fatal, he had told the boys to watch his abode in
liis absence. Both the small boys were playing together
Vith other playmates near the abode at the time the
sliamakaraa galloped, when Lahu showed the animal to his
playmates and, having pulled of! the patrika from the head
of the horse, read the contents of it. He laughed at what
he had read, and said, " Is Rama only a mighty king OR
•earth ? PoolU I shall capture this horse, and let me see who
will fight with me and recover the horse." So saying he
tied up the animal to a plantain-tree. All the children of
the Rishis were alarmed and said, * No doubt this horse
belongs to a king. How dare you capture the animal ? If
the king come here and ask us wko has detained the horse,
we will1 surely give your name," In the meantime, some
of the warriors came there and, looking at the children
of the Rishis, said, " Who' are yota ? Who has tied up
the horse to the plantain-tree /' ** We do mot know any-
thing about it," replied the children. " There, stands the
l)oy who has tied up the kowe to tike tree .and lie, will -tell
you why he has «lone so." In the meantime,' Shatraghha
-and all other warriors reached there. Looking at the
tenderness of Laku they coaxed him ami went to untie
the horse, when the former loudly exclaimed, ** I did
-capture the horse, I stand here to fight with you. Who
is your Raraa ? Go and tell him that I am realy to fighfc
with him. You say that I am a chili but I will kill yow
all and put down your pride." The warriors said to them-
selves, " ft is unbecoming an our part to fight with these
tender boys. Alt the kings will laugh at us, if we fight
with them. It is far better to untie the horse and walk
quietly." Bo saying all the warriors went to untie the
animal, when Lahu let &&. arrows and cut off the hands
af those who went .to-untie the horse. All the six billions-