ROYAL ASIATIC SOCIETY. 



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seating himself on a tree, killed him with his bill, ate him, left 

 the bones scattered at the foot of the tree and went back for 

 more ; and said, I have taken that one to the lake, now let 

 another one come. So taking another, he ate him likewise, until 

 he perceived that he had devoured the whole of them. Coming 

 again to the place, he found there a crab remaining, and being 

 desirous of eating him also, said, Ah, good master* Crab, I have 

 taken all those little fishes and put them into the lake covered 

 with lotuses. Why do you remain here alone? If you are 

 willing, I will take you also, and put you in the same lake. The 

 crab then said, Ah crane, how will you take me there? I will 

 take you in my bill, he said. He replied, I am afraid, if you 

 take me in that way you will let me fall to the ground. The 

 crane said, Do not fear that ; I will take hold of you with great 

 care and carry you safe. The crab then thought, this crane 

 has not put one of those little fishes into the lake, but has eaten 

 them all. Now if he takes me there and does not put me into 

 the lake* I will cut his throat and kill him: he accordingly said, 

 Friend* crane, you are not able to hold me sufficiently fast and 

 take me there, but I can hold fast. If you will allow me to 

 hold by your neck with my claws, I will go with you. Upon 

 which the crane, not thinking that the crab meant to deceive 

 him, said v6ry well* and put down his neck. The crab then 

 seized hold of it with his claws as though it were with a vice* 

 held it fast, and said, Now go ! The crane accordingly went 

 to the lake, and then turned towards the trees in the neigh- 

 bourhood. Upon this the crab exclaimed, Ah, where are you 

 taking me without putting me into the lake? What crab! 

 said the crane, are you my relative that you speak thus? You 

 are my slave. Look wretch at the heap of bones at the foot 

 of these trees, these belonged to the fish I have eaten, and I 

 intend to eat you in a like manner. Upon which the crab said, 



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