HERAT . 
241 
numerable host of people, who made the heavens 
resound with the impassioned fervour of their joyful 
acclamations. Poor goatherd ! he sat immoveable, 
still sustaining his assumed character with admir- 
able fortitude, although he was, in truth, faint with 
hunger, and the entire surface of his body had 
become suffused with blood, by the perpetual pluck- 
ing of the hairs. Alas ! he had little enjoyment in 
his triumphant honours, and the bag of ten thousand 
rupees in perspective would have been insufficient to 
have restrained him from betraying himself and his 
master, had it not been for the fear of a cruel 
punishment. In his own mind, he could not but 
continually repeat, — “ Why should I be thus com- 
pelled to carry on this villanous trick, in the midst 
of pain and misery? Would that I were once more 
in company with my poor deserted goats, who may, 
ere this, have become a prey to the wild beasts. I 
would rather encounter a tiger, than be persecuted 
by this noisy multitude. Had I been with my 
flock, I should have been blessed with three hearty 
meals ; whereas, now, I have fasted well-nigh to 
death, and know not when I may be relieved.” 
While these comfortless thoughts were passing 
through the mind of the counterfeit Jogi, the pro- 
cession arrived at the royal palace ; and being put 
down in a magnificent apartment, he immediately 
received a visit from the princesses. These beauti- 
ful young women prostrated themselves, one by one, 
at his feet ; and, after a pause of silent admiration, 
