116 GHTJLAM MUHAMMAD 



shooting the cow, and had they not believed him to be fairy-born. They all therefore 

 expressed their pleasure at his wish to shoot the markhor. Shamsher then aimed at his 

 victim, and, shooting the arrow with all his might, cried out that he had killed the markhor, 

 to the great joy of the villagers, many of whom expressed their wish to accompany him 

 in fetching the dead animal. They went up the hill via the Naupur stream and found the 

 markhor lying on the self-same spot that had been pointed out by Shamsher, and they all 

 heartily congratulated him on his success. The sun was high and the day hot, and 

 the men, who were tired, searched for and found a spring well shaded by trees. There 

 they slept for awhile Miyo Khai Soni, a daughter of Shri Badat, used also to live on the 

 same mountain near the spring, in order to pass the hot summer days. A maid-servant 

 of hers happened to come there to fetch water, and was surprised to find that some 

 strangers were sleeping near the spring. She returned at once and reported the matter 

 to her mistress, who became very angry and ordered all her maid-servants to capture and 

 bring them before her. This was done. Shamsher was a youth of handsome and come- 

 ly appearance, and as soon as the princess saw him her rage fled, sothat she forgot every 

 angry word she had thought of as befitting the occasion, and very politely and amiably 

 asked after his health and the cause of his coming up the mountain. She was so much 

 struck and pleased with his refined behaviour and elegant manners that she at once 



exclaimed 



" I might call thee a thing divine : for nothing natural 

 I ever saw so noble." 



Shamsher asked for her permission to leave and go down the hill, but this was refused 

 and the party was amiably invited to stay the night. They devoted much of their time to 

 conversation, and Miyo Khai modestly showed her preference by listening to the stories of 

 the prince's adventures and deeds of valour from his own lips. At last he gained a ten- 

 der place in her heart. The moment was a critical one for Shamsher, who thanked her 

 courteously for her favourable consideration and told her that the idea of her giving her 

 hand to a foreigner like himself would prove a sorrow to all concerned when the news 

 reached Shri Badat. These words were hard to bear, and the soft-hearted princess began 

 to weep and fell down at his feet. This action of Miyo Khai produced a sudden effect 

 on the heart of Shamsher, who feeling for her unbearable grief, lifted her up from his feet 

 and gently consented to their union, in spite of the fate that might await them at her 

 father's hand. The princess was pleased beyond expression, and her subsequent devotion 

 is a proof of her feelings. She ordered all her maid-servants to appear, and explained to 

 them her desire. She also informed them how dear she was to Shri Badat and that this 

 would cause him to listen to her appeal. But if any of them should tell the news, she 

 must consider her life as at an end, and her property confiscated. They all trembled at 

 the words of their mistress, and with due respect expressed themselves to the effect 

 that her happiness was their heartfelt desire, and that they were extremely glad to know 

 cf this selection ; and they promised that nobody else should hear a word about this 

 engagement from their mouths. The marriage ceremonies were secretly performed on 

 the same night, and Miyo Khai was, some people say, named Sakina, but according to 

 others her name became Nur Bukht. Next morning Shamsher allowed his Danyori 



