108 STORY OF THE BCUOXG GEHUDA. 



female servants. He swooped down, and earned off the 

 princess and two attendants in his talons to the Island of 

 Langka Puri. He placed them in his house and went off to 

 find food for them. And whatever the Princess wished for, 

 that did the bird Geruda obtain for her. 



Now the Sultan (Raja) of Rum assembled the princes 

 who stood crowned before him, together with his wise men and 

 his officers and his guards and all his vassals in the great hall 

 of his court and declared to them his intention of sending his 

 son to the land of China. He commanded an expedition to be 

 got ready with a fleet and enquired who lie could trust to take 

 his place as leader. 



Now his friend Raja Merong Mahawangsa who was a 

 royal prince, and who had married a princess sprung from 

 the Indra and Gergasi fairies and Genii was present. He was 

 esteemed very wise and valiant among all the Rajas. To 

 him said the Raja of Rum : "Oh brother ! will you go to 

 marry my son to the daughter of the Chinese Emperor?" 

 Then the Raja Merong Mahawangsa bowed low and said 

 that he would do whatever his lord commanded. 



Thus the ships were made ready, many vessels and kechis 

 to accompany the prince. Then on a favourable day they 

 took leave and made for the open sea. 



So with anchors weighed and sails set they followed the 

 ship (bhatra) of the prince, one half of Raja Merong Maha- 

 wangsa fleet behind, one half in front to lead the way to the 

 Celestial land. 



For a long time their voyage lay past the countries tribu- 

 tary to the great Raja of Rum, and from many broad rivers 

 and from headlands, kings came to bring provisions and gifts to 

 them. In course of time they came to the land of the Hindoos. 

 There many strange and wondrous sights met their eyes. And 

 they doubled many headlands and sailed through many bays, 

 the appearance of their fleet being like a flock of birds seeking 

 their nest, their masts like a forest of pepara trees, and 



Jour. Straits Branch 



