Malayan literature; comprising romantic tales, epic poetry and royal ...

THE PRINCESS DJOUHER-MANIKAM 139
by the house and called to him saying :
here ? "
" Hestri, what brings
you
Hestri, casting his glance toward the roof, saw the princess
"
Djouher-Manikam and said to her : I was sent by your husband
to seek you, princess."
"
Go away, for the present. Come back
She replied :
when it is night. As it is broad daylight now I fear lest
Biyapri should discover our departure."
**
Hestri, bowing low, replied, Very well, princess." He
should come. When
walked here and there, waiting till night
it was dark he returned to the house of Biyapri and waited a
few minutes. Then he called the princess.
" Wait," she said, " for Biyapri is still watching." Hestri
stooped down, and fell asleep near Biyapri's house, having
first of all tied the bridle of the horse to his girdle.
The princess Djouher-Manikam descended from the roof,
and mounted the horse while Hestri was yet sleeping. She
sat on the horse waiting till Hestri should awake. But an
-(Ethiopian robber, who had come to rob the storehouse of
Biyapri, saw the horse whose bridle was attached to the belt
of Hestri. He unfastened the bridle and led the horse to the
middle of the plain. In the mind of the princess it was Hestri
who was thus leading the horse. But the moon having risen,
the Ethiopian saw seated upon the horse a woman of a striking
and marvellous beauty. The heart of the Ethiopian was
filled with joy. He said in his heart :
**
For a very long time have I been stealing riches. Truly,
I have acquired no small store of jewels, pearls, precious
stones, gold and silver, and magnificent vestments of all sorts.
But all that is nothing in comparison with the marvel I have
just now found and who will become my wife, the light of my
eyes, and the fruit of my heart. Now shall I enjoy in peace
the happiness of having such a wife."
The house of the ^Ethiopian robber was seated on the top
of a hill. He conducted the princess thither, showed her all
it contained, and gave it to her, saying :
" O my future bride,
it is to you that all which this house contains belongs. Make
use of it according to your good pleasure." The princess said,
" First of all, be tranquil." And she thought in her heart :
"This is my destiny. First I was with Biyapri, and now I