116 
[No. 2, 
W. L. Samuells — Gond Legend of Bdghesar. 
hutted himself' close by the field, and night and day watched without ceas- 
ing. Weary days and nights were those for Kusru, and little wonder was 
it that— t- s , ' 
* One beautiful night 
When the stars shone bright’ 
Kusru’s head went nid-nid-nodding, and his eyes, s^re and weary from 
watching, dropped tho curtains and went to sleep. But whilst he slept, the 
young cub watching, saw a trespasser approach. So placing his paw gently 
on K (isrus shoulder, he roused, him from sleep, and by signs and gestures 
drew his attention to a noble looking sambar, who was making himself «at 
home amongst "the young and tender urid plants. 
Kfisru, however, instead of being quickened to . action by the sight, fell 
into a desponding state ; and tearing his liah and bemoaning his ill-fortune, 
sunk to the ground and cried aloud, ‘ Oh, that mine enemy might be swal- 
lowed up !’ The young cub, moved by this despairing and touching appeal, 
instantly crouched and sprang upon the deer, which it killed and tore to pieces ; 
making emphatically no bones about the matter. And so from day to day, 
till the crop was gathered, the young cub watched and slew, and thus saved 
Kusru’s field from further injury. 
For this great act of deliverance, Kiisrfi began to love the young cub as 
he never before had loved him, with a love in fact that was little short of 
idolatry. But Ivusru had at length to experience the bitter truism that 
‘ all flesh is but as dust for, alas, a day came— 1 the long, long, weary day’ 
of Kusru’s existence — when the young tiger departed this life and gave up 
the ghost. In other words he died and became a bhut ! 
Kusru was inconsolable, and his wife by no means improved matters 
by presenting him at such a time with an addition to the family in the shape 
of a daughter. If she had only kept up the tiger progeny, she might possi- 
bly have helped thereby to fill up that aching void which was gnawing at 
Kusru’s gizzard. He ate not — he slept not ; and how life was sustained 
during the following space of ten or twelve years, we are not informed. 
Tradition, not to be burdened with such trifles, hurries us on to the period 
when Kiisrii’s daughter had matured into a plump and buxom lass, and veiled 
and decked as a bride in turmeric-stained garments, looking as fine as a carrot 
fresh-scraped, we find her seated with a bridegroom at her side under a leafy 
marriage-bower, which has been erected for the occasion within her father’s 
court-yard. Kinsmen and acquaintances from far and near have come in 
holiday attire to offer their congratulations and enjoy the fun, and are to be 
seen crowding round the manva, or bower, with joyful faces and sparkling eyes. 
Even Kusru, forgetful of his old sorrows, is determined to make merry 
yith the rest, and is to be seen urging the drummers and pipers to increased 
