1829.] Tam Garai, the Good Banyan. 131 
own life to save that of a miserable Halachor, was extolled over and 
over again; every one had seen the struggle with the panther; and 
every one, in recounting it with different circumstances, increased the 
size of the monster and the boldness of the combatant. Indignant that, 
on the day of his grand review, such should be the general theme, the 
king turned aside to other groups. The other groups enlarged on the 
benevolence of the good banyan! During a year of scarcity, he had, at 
his own expense, kept more than a thousand persons from starving. By 
the secrets he had discovered and disclosed in medicine, he had preserved 
‘innumerable lives ; and the name of Tam Garai, repeated from lip to lip, 
wearied the king, and he was mortified, and went back to his tent. 
The young rajah had no sooner returned, than a brahmin, who had 
brought him up from infancy, and whose frankness and virtues he 
respected, was summoned before him. The sage heard with calmness 
the result of his ramble, and replied :-— 
« Show and splendour dazzle for a moment, and are forgotten. The 
memory of a good action never dies.” 
The prince drew a long breath, and, after a moment’s pause, “ Well, 
then,” said he, “ I will perform good actions.” 
The royal favourites now appeared, and the dancing-girls and jugglers 
were called in; and, in the midst of all sorts of surprising sleights and 
dances, half the night was consumed in chewing the betel,* and in 
carousing arrack + and the juice of the toddi.{ 
Returning to Guzzerat, the capital of his states, now known by the 
name of Ahmed-Abad, the king, more eager than ever for glory, turned 
over in his mind by what means he could possibly achieve the noble 
actions he meditated. “If it is good to overcome a panther,” said he, 
« how much better must it be to overcome a people. War is the only 
thing of sufficient importance to render so great a man as I am illus- 
trious.” He instantly sent for the minister charged with the finances of 
the kingdom. He asked him whether the rajahs of Jesselmire and of 
Decan paid their tribute with punctuality. He was answered that two 
hundred thousand rupees of gold had that very moment been paid into 
the treasury in their name. The prince was quite disconcerted by a 
precision which deprived him of all pretext for invasion. 
That instant a messenger rushed in. He said the whole city was in 
consternation. The little river of Lambremetti, which runs through 
Guzzerat, and whose alternate deluge and disappearance are equal cala- 
mities to the public, was overflowing its banks, and had even then nearly 
swallowed up the dwelling of a rich merchant, which stood upon its 
shore. A woman and her child happened to be the only persons 
in the house. They were, as the messenger came away, upon 
the roof, imploring succour ; but no one dared approach them. The 
Waters were extending momentarily ; every instant they rose higher 
up the walls, and must presently overtop the whole mansion. The tor- 
rents of rain, which had swelled the river, gave such turbulence to its 
Waves, especially in this spot, which was strewed with rocks and unfi- 
nished edifices, that it was almost certain death to attempt a rescue, and 
no one could be found bold enough to venture. 
* Amalgamation of the nuts of arrack and quicklime, enclosed in a leaf of piper-betel, 
a viny plant of the pepper species. : 
+ Spirituous liquor extracted from the sugar-cane. 
t Sort of palm-tree. 
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