Page:Sagas from the Far East; or, Kalmouk and Mongolian traditionary tales.djvu/32

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
8
SAGAS FROM THE FAR EAST.

tree, climbing up to the summit thereof. Then thou swing on high the axe which I will give thee, even the axe White Moon[14], and make as though thou wouldst hew down the tree in very truth. Rather than let thee hew the mango-tree he will come down. Then seize him and bind him in this sack of many colours, in which is place for to stow away an hundred, enclose the mouth thereof tight with this cord, twisted of an hundred threads of different colours, make thy meal off this cake which never grows less, place the sack upon thy shoulder, and bring him hither to me. Only beware that by the way thou open not thy lips to speak!

"And now, hitherto hast thou been called the Khan's son, but now, since thou hast found thy way even to the cave 'Giver of Rest,' thou shalt be called no more the Khan's son, but 'the Well-and-wise-walking Khan.' Go now thy way."

When the Master, Nâgârg'una, had given him this new name, he further provided him with all the provisions for the undertaking which he had promised him, and, pointing out the way, dismissed him in peace.

When the Well-and-wise-walking Khan had overcome all the alarms and difficulties of the way, and come in sight of the Siddhî-kür, he set out swiftly to pursue him; but the Siddhî-kür was swifter than he, and, reaching the mango-tree, clambered up to the summit. Then said the Well-and-wise-walking Khan, "Behold, I come in the name of the great Master and