‘Divine creature,’ said he, ‘vouchsafe me the regard of one look.’

‘Who art thou?’ grunted the Elephant,’and whence comest thou?’

‘I am only a Jackal,’ said the other; ’but the beasts of the forest are convinced that it is not expedient to live without a king, and they have met in full council, and despatched me to acquaint your Royal Highness that on you, endowed with so many lordly qualities, their choice has fallen for a sovereign over the forest here; for—­

    ’Who is just, and strong, and wise? 
    Who is true to social ties? 
    He is formed for Emperies.

Let your Majesty, therefore, repair thither at once, that the moment of fortunate conjunction may not escape us.’  So saying he led the way, followed at a great pace by White-front, who was eager to commence his reign.

“Presently the Jackal brought him upon a deep slough, into which he plunged heavily before he could stop himself.

‘Good master Jackal,’ cried the Elephant,’what’s to do now?  I am up to my belly in this quagmire.’

‘Perhaps your Majesty,’ said the Jackal, with an impudent laugh, ’will condescend to take hold of the tip of my brush with your trunk, and so get out.’

’Then White-front, the Elephant, knew that he had been deceived; and thus he sank in the slime, and was devoured by the Jackals.  Hence,’ continued the attendant, ’is why I suggested stratagem to your Highness,’

Shortly afterwards, by the Slave’s advice, the Prince sent for the merchant’s son (whose name was Charudatta), and appointed him to be near his person; and one day, with the same design, when he was just come from the bath, and had on his jewels, he summoned Charudatta, and said—­

“I have a vow to keep to Gauri—­bring hither to me every evening for a month some lady of good family, that I may do honor to her, according to my vow; and begin to-day.”

Charudatta in due course brought a lady of quality, and, having introduced her, retired to watch the interview.  The Prince, without even approaching his fair visitor, made her the most respectful obeisances, and dismissed her with gifts of ornaments, sandal-wood, and perfumes, under the protection of a guard.  This made Charudatta confident, and longing to get some of these princely presents he brought his own wife next evening.  When the Prince recognized the charming Lavanyavati—­the joy of his soul—­he sprang to meet her, and kissed and caressed her without the least restraint.  At sight of this the miserable Charudatta stood transfixed with despair—­the very picture of wretchedness’——­

‘And you too, Slow-toes—­but where is he gone?’ abruptly asked King Golden-skin.

Now Slow-toes had not chosen to wait the end of the story, but was gone before, and Golden-skin and the others followed him up in some anxiety.  The Tortoise had been painfully travelling along, until a hunter, who was beating the wood for game, had overtaken him.  The fellow, who was very hungry, picked him up, fastened him on his bow-stick, and set off for home; while the Deer, the Crow, and the Mouse, who had witnessed the capture, followed them in terrible concern.  ‘Alas!’ cried the Mouse-king, ’he is gone!—­and such a friend!