Presently the queen and her attendants arrived, entered the building, and paid their devotions to the goddess, after which the whole temple was carefully searched, to make sure that no one was concealed there, and all having withdrawn, the doors were closed, and the people stood without in silence, anxiously awaiting the pleasure of the goddess.
A band then began to play and the kettledrums were loudly struck, so that the sound reached me in the hiding-place. At this, which was the preconcerted signal, I made a great effort, moved the large stone, and came forth with the boy into the temple. Having changed our dresses, I placed the old ones in the hole, carefully refitted the stone, and throwing the temple door wide open, stood in front of the astonished multitude, holding the young prince by the hand.
While they were gazing in bewilderment, I thus addressed them: "The great goddess Durgâ, who lately showed herself in a vision to the queen, has been pleased to restore to his longing mother this child, whom she, in the form of a tigress, had carried away, and she commands you, by my mouth, to accept him as your sovereign."
Then turning to the queen, I said:—"Receive your child from the hands of Durgâ, who will henceforth protect him as her own son; and by her command accept me as the husband of your daughter."
To the ministers and elders I said:—"The goddess has brought me here, not merely as a messenger of her will, but as a defender of your country from that wicked King of Asmaka, whose cruel and unscrupulous intrigues are well known; accept me, therefore, as your deliverer, and as the guardian of the young king appointed by Durgâ."
Upon this all broke out into loud acclamations, saying: "Great is the power of the glorious Durgâ! happy the country of which you are the protector!" and I was conducted in triumph to the palace, together with the queen, who could now openly show her joy at the recovery of her son.
So well had I managed, that no suspicion arose of the deception which had been practised, and all the people venerated the young king as being especially under the protection of the goddess, and me as the agent chosen by her for his restoration.
Thus my authority was well established. I caused, in due time, the young prince to be formally proclaimed king, and had him carefully educated; and I myself received the hand of the lovely Manjuvâdini, as the reward of my services and in obedience to the commands of Durgâ.
After some time, however, I began to reflect: "Though my position now seems quite secure, yet, after all, I am a foreigner here, and when the first burst of admiration is over, people may perhaps begin to ask, 'Who is this stranger who has come among us in such a mysterious manner? and what is he that he should thus lord it over us?' And it occurred to me that if I could make friends with an old and much-respected minister, named Aryaketu, so as to trust him entirely, he might be of great assistance to me."
Before, however, making any overtures to him, I desired Nâlijangha to try him secretly and ascertain his feelings towards me.