VII.
Then they made preparations to continue their journey. Lelha again sent his four brothers first, and he followed with his two wives.
After a sail of a few hours they entered the territory of another raja, and came upon his bathing ghat. The raja was bathing there at the time, and the boat passing, he enquired what her cargo was. The brothers answered, “We have hiras and manis on board.” The raja said, “I would see them.” They replied, “They are in the boat following us.” The raja was displeased with their answer, and ordered them to be seized as vagrants.
Lelha’s boat came alongside the bathing ghat just as his four brothers were led off to prison, and the raja seeing it, asked Lelha what cargo he carried. Lelha replied, “Our cargo is hiras and manis.” The raja begged Lelha to shew them to him, but he refused saying, “What will you give for a sight of them? Promise something, and you can see them.” The raja said, “Of a truth, if you can shew me hiras and manis I will give you my daughter. I have one, a virgin, her I will give you, and I will also confer upon you an estate.”
Then Lelha, seizing a Sinjo fruit, broke it, and out rolled five hiras and manis, which when the raja saw he marvelled greatly. He honourably fulfilled his engagement, and Lelha’s marriage with his daughter was celebrated forthwith.
The wedding over Lelha was conducted to the bath, and afterwards invited to a banquet; but he declined saying, “So long as you detain my brothers in confinement, I cannot partake of your hospitality.” So they were brought to the palace, and their feet bathed, and then ushered into the banqueting room. After they were seated they began to whisper to each other, “What caste do these people belong to, with whom he expects us to eat? Does he intend to make us break our caste?” Lelha hearing them, said, “Not so, my brothers. This is my father-in-law’s house.” Thus were their doubts removed, and they ate and drank with much pleasure.