216 
THE ORIENTAL ANNUAL- 
That two or three fools may defeat a wise man ? — Let 
ns try our wits upon this sage. I have a scheme to 
propose which, if it should fail, let your ingenuity 
attempt something better.’ Then, having consulted 
together, they separated, and went by a circuitous path, 
and placed themselves at distant intervals in the road 
over which the Brahmin was travelling, so that each 
might meet him separately, as if by accident. 
“ Suryaput, who knew nothing of these dukhaits, or 
their affection for his goat, was walking leisurely along 
the road, possibly exulting inwardly at the success of 
his secession from his brother Brahmins, and the con- 
sequent fame and wealth which accrued to him ; when, 
at an abrupt turn of the road, he was suddenly met by 
a stranger, the smiling and pleasant expression of 
whose countenance, as they came face to face, was 
quickly changed to that of amazement ; then doubt was 
evident in his gaze ; but a narrow scrutiny of the goat 
upon Suryaput’s shoulder renewed his astonishment, 
which was immediately followed by a look of horror ; 
for all which the bewildered Brahmin could not possibly 
account, until the stranger moving back a pace or two, 
and casting aloft his eyes and extended hands to 
heaven, cried aloud in accents of pity and lamentation, 
f Oh, woe, woe ! Behold a Brahmin has gone mad, and 
deliberately pollutes himself by the touch of a filthy 
dog ! ’ 
“‘A dog! ’ replied Suryaput, with great indignation ; 
‘ tall you this fat goat a dog ? ’ Then pointing to the 
