ROYAL ASIATIC SOCIETY. 133 



Formerly, when Brahmadatta, King of Kasi, reigned in 

 Benares, Bodisat was of the merchant tribe, and travelled 

 about trading, with 500 waggons, and on one occasion entered 

 a desert sixty yoduns in extent. The sand was so fine that, 

 when ta,ken in the hand, it could not be kept in the close fist, 

 and after sunrise it became as hot as burning charcoal, so that 

 no person could walk on it. Those who had to travel over this 

 desert took in their waggons a supply of wood, water, oil, rice 

 and other necessaries, and travelled during the night. At 

 break of day they formed an encampment, spread a canopy 

 over their heads, took their meals, and passed the day under 

 the shade. Taking a meal at sunset, they yoked their oxen and 

 proceeded on their journey as soon as the ground became cool. 

 The travelling was similar to a sea voyage, there being no 

 road ;. and the conductor, who might be called the pilot, direct- 

 ed the course of the caravan by the stars. 



The trader had passed over 59 yoduns of the desert ; and 

 calculating that in another night's journey, the caravan would 

 pass over its, boundary, after supper, he directed the wood and 

 water to be thrown away and set out. Having spread a couch 

 in the foremost waggon, he reclined on it, looking at the stars, 

 and said, drive in this direction, or drive in that direction* 

 Worn out from want of rest during the long journey, the con- 

 ductor fell asleep, and did not know that the oxen had turned 

 round and were retracing their former steps. They travelled 

 this way the remainder of the night. Towards dawn, the eon-, 

 ductor awoke and looking at the stars commanded the caravan 

 to stop. By the time this order was executed, the day broke, 

 and the men saw that they had returned to the place of their 

 former encampment. They then exclaimed, our fuel and water 

 are expended ; we are lost ; and unyoking the oxen, spread a 

 canopy, and lie down under the waggons in utter despondency. 



