With this man I had already made acquaintance, and I now went to him and told him how I had killed Kantaka.  With his consent I went forth from the prison, and walked away with Sringalika.  We had not gone far when we fell in with a patrol.  I thought to myself I could easily run away from them; but what would become of the poor old woman? she would certainly be caught.  Hastily determining, therefore, on what was best to be done, I walked right up to them with unsteady gait and idiotic look, and said:  “Sirs, if I am a thief kill me, but you have no right to touch this old woman.”

She, perceiving my intention, came up, and very humbly said:  “Honoured sirs, this young man is my son.  He has been for some time confined as a lunatic; but was supposed to be cured, and I brought him home yesterday.  In the middle of the night, however, he started up, and calling out:  ’I will kill Kantaka and make love to the king’s daughter,’ rushed out into the street.  I have at last overtaken him, and am trying to take him home.  Will you be so good as to help me, and tie his hands behind him that he may not get away again?”

As she said this, I called out:  “O old woman, who ever bound a god or the wind, Shall these crows catch an eagle?” and started off at full speed.  She, renewing her entreaties, begged them to pursue me; but they only laughed at her, and said:  “Do you think we have nothing to do but to run after madmen?  You must be as mad as he is to have taken him out;” and so they went on their way.

I stopped when I found I was not pursued.  She soon overtook me, and we went to my house, to the great joy of my wife, who had scarcely hoped for my deliverance.

In the morning I saw Dhanamittra, told him all that had happened, and thanked him for following my directions so punctually.

After this I went to the forest, to see Marichi.  I found him restored to his former condition, and able to give me the desired information.  From him I learnt that you would be here about this time.

In the morning after my escape, Sinhaghosha informed the king of what had happened, and how Kantaka had been killed when about to enter the princess’s apartments.  Being found to be innocent of the crime of which he was accused, he was appointed governor of the prison in Kantaka’s place.

Before the underground passage was filled up, he permitted me to pass through it more than once to the princess, who was favourably disposed towards me through the picture and verse, and still more by all that Sringalika had said in my favour.

No great search was made after me, and by keeping quiet and going out only at night I escaped further arrest.

You know how Chandavarma besieged Champa, and how Sinhavarma was defeated and taken prisoner.  When I heard this, and how the conqueror intended to force the princess to marry him, I went to Dhanamittra and said:  “Do you go about among the ministers and officers of the imprisoned king and the principal citizens, and tell them to be ready to attack the enemy as soon as they hear of the death of Chandavarma.  I will engage to kill him to-morrow.”