92 THE RICH MAN AND THE POOR MAN. 



"Of a truth Your Highness, thy slave sups whenever there 

 is a smell of cooking in the merchant's house." 



The king came to the conclusion that he was unable to 

 give a decision and so he ordered the gong to be beaten 

 throughout the whole country and a proclamation to be 

 made. 



'! Ho, whoever gentle or lord, can decide the plaint that 

 the merchant prefers against this poor man will be made the 

 vizier of the land." 



But no man replied to the proclamation. At last the 

 pelandok said to the herald. " Oh herald, what is troubling 

 the king of the country ? Where are his enemies breaking in ? 

 Which of his soldiers has committed murder ? Where is the 

 wall of the royal fort that is in need of repair? " 



:' None of these. But a certain merchant has made com- 

 plaint to the king, and the king has caused proclamation to be 

 made that whoever will decide the plaint of the rich man 

 against these two poor people, husband and wife, will be made 

 the grand vizier of the land." 



" Pray thee, inform the king that I will settle the case." 



" Very well, Salam di Rimba, come along with me to the 

 king." 



When they reached the royal hall the king said to the 

 herald. ■ Have you found any one who can settle the question 

 of right and wrong between the merchant and the poor man ? " 



The herald made obeisance and replied, " May I be 

 pardoned a thousandfold, Salam di Rimba hath declared that 

 he can give judgment in the case between the rich man and 

 the poor man, O my lord." 



The king said, " Is it true that Salam di Rimba hath said 

 that he can give judgment in the merchant's case ? " 



Jour. Straits Bran eh 



