And they went to the field of Ausut, where the peasants hitched their buffaloes and drove them. David found the buffaloes with tongues lolling from the heat as they drew the plough. David felt pity for them; he unhitched them and drove them to the pond.
The ploughman began to curse him, and he said: “Ploughman, curse me not; only give me the chain into my hand.”
He seized the chain and began to draw; the ploughman guided the plough and David ploughed nine furrows. Then the shepherd said to David: “That is not thy strength. Leave thy horse and then draw. We shall see whether it is thine or thy horse’s strength.”
David left his horse and ploughed nine furrows alone. The shepherd then said to David: “It is already noon. Come now and eat, then thou canst go on thy way!”
David answered: “No, I will ride on. Thy children want to eat, and if I come nothing will remain for them.”
However, they sat down and when the dinner was set out David crumbled all the bread and the vessels all at once, and the shepherd said: “Here, hide yourselves or he will devour us also.”
David said: “Surely, brother, he who drags the plough must eat bread. How could it be otherwise?”
And he went his way to the city where Chandud-Chanum dwelt.
David came to the gates of the castle where Chandud-Chanum lived—to the place where all her suitors came to woo. He saw a youth standing near the door with a club in his hand. David said: “Ha, my lad, what do they call you?”
“My name is Gorgis.”
“Gorgis!” said David. “When I marry Chandud-Chanum you shall be godfather! Now, Godfather Gorgis, who is in the house?”
“Matchmakers from the giants—Schibikan of Chorassan and Hamsa of Lori.”
David said, “Take my horse and fasten him.” And he took his horse and tied him.
Then David asked: “What kind of a club have you? Show it me.”
