No. 25—1882.] FOLK-LORE IN CEYLON. 



213 



Carrying off their booty they came to the pilikanna [back part] 

 of the man's house, and, as it was a safe and convenient spot for 

 the division of their spoil, they began to divide it. They had 

 hardly commenced their task when they were startled by the 

 words " Kavuda ? Mokada ? Allapiya " in a loud voice from 

 within the house. 



".We are undone," said one of the thieves : " Discovered 

 most certainly," said another : " Hush ! hush !", said the third, 

 " the words may have been addressed to somebody else." 



So they made up their minds to go on with the division, 

 but had scarcely recommenced before the same words " Kavuda ? 

 Mokada ? Allapiya " fell on their ears. Then they forthwith 

 took to their heels leaving the booty behind. 



The man hearing all the clatter outside, went to the pili- 

 kanna with a light, and saw to his amazement the three heaps of 

 * treasure. He immediately awoke his wife and took her to the 

 spot. Her eyes beamed as she beheld the unexpected wealth. 

 Husband and wife together conveyed the heaps into the house, 

 and all was secure in trunks before the day dawned. 



" Now," said the man, " was it not my observance of HI 

 that brought us this luck ?" 



" Yes," said the wife, " I am glad you have been so earn- 

 est in its practice." 



The man's thoughts were now directed to the consideration, 

 as to how best he might shew his gratitude to the priest who 

 had given him siL 



" It is our duty," said he to his wife, " to make a gift of one- 

 third of the wealth to the priest who gave me sil, and who has 

 thus been the means of our acquiring this unlooked for fortune. 

 Prepare breakfast for . him, therefore, to-morrow morning, 

 and I will invite him to partake of it, and to receive the offering 

 of a third of the treasure." 



'•Nay, nay," said the woman, "that will never do. What 

 the priest taught you was not sit." 



" Nonsense," said her husband, " hold your tongue and 

 attend to what I say. I must shew my gratitude to the priest ; 

 I must g;iv<* him a third of the wealth*" 



