it. The animal, in a rage, grinned at the potter, and was about to bite him. The poor man fell on his knees and asked for pardon, which was granted to him, though sullenly. But he had to part with a harhi (an earthen pot in which Indians cook their food) as satisfaction. The jackal then proceeded on his way with his new acquisition, and met a bridal procession, attended with the splendour usual on such occasions. There were fireworks, and one of the crackers hit and broke the harhi. The jackal grinned, and howled, and as his teeth were supposed to carry poison, the men in the procession were very glad to get rid of him by letting him have the bride, the surrender of whose person he demanded in exchange for the earthen pot. He determined to marry her, and went to a drummer's to engage musicians to play at his wedding. A priest also was required, and leaving his intended bride in the house, he hastened in search of one. She sat and dozed by the drummer's wife, who was cutting vegetables with a Botie[1] before her. The girl, nodding in slumber, accidentally fell on it and was cut into two pieces; and the drummer's wife, to hide the terrible mishap of which she was the innocent cause, removed the body to another room and hid it there. After a short time the jackal came back with the priest, but the girl was not to be found. The jackal was in a great rage, and peremptorily commanded the drummer's wife to produce her. The poor woman was beside herself with fear, and with clasped hands she confessed the truth, piteously praying for forgiveness. But tears and groanings went for nothing; and she was told that she would be let off only on parting with one of her husband's drums. Gladly she availed herself of this condition, and the jackal left the house. With the drum, he climbed up a palm tree and began to beat it to the accompaniment of the following song:—
- ↑ A sharp blade fixed to a thick piece of wood, two or three feet in length, with which the women of India cut fish and vegetables.
