Page:Swahili tales.djvu/87

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SULTAN DARAI.
67

was much refreshed by that grass and that shade and the wind there; it was so good, and a stream near; and there was privacy, no pathway, no house near, even the stream itself is among undergrowth; and to-morrow, when I wake, I shall go just to that place."

He says to it, "When you wake, go, master." And they slept.

And in the morning, when it was getting light, the gazelle ran out, and went away. And some people met with the gazelle. "That's him, that's him! the poor man's gazelle—catch him!—that's him, that's him! catch the poor man's gazelle!—catch him!—catch him!" but they did not get it. The gazelle ran hard, and went away. Those who pursued it turned back.

After five days, when the gazelle went to feed, it went where there was a great tree; it was among thorn-bushes, and in a thick wood. The gazelle was tired with the sun, and said, "There where the great tree is I will hide myself; there is shade there, and I may rest from this sun." And it went and lay down where the great tree was. A long time passed while the gazelle was sleeping where that great tree was.

When it awoke it wandered about under the tree, and found a place where the grass was bitter; it lifted its foot and scratched, and saw a diamond exceedingly large and very bright. "O—o—o!" The gazelle stood astonished. "This is property, this is a kingdom; but if I take it to my master he will be killed, for they would say to a poor man, 'Where did you get it?' If he says, 'I picked it up,' he will not be believed; if he says, 'I was given it,' he will not be believed; well then, why should I be the one to go and get my master into difficulties? I will look for people of power—they are the people to use it."

And the gazelle ran off and entered into the forest, and