While going, a certain horse-keeper taking a horse brought it for sale. He having stopped the horse-keeper, asks, “To which district are you taking this horse?”
To that the horse-keeper gives answer, “I am taking this horse for sale.”
Thereupon he said, “It is good. For how much money will you give this horse?”
Then the horse-keeper says, “You a man who takes horses, indeed! There is not any profit in telling you the amount. The value of this horse is much,” he said.
Thereupon, having much scolded the horse-keeper, and having arrived at his house calling [the man to bring] the horse, he speaks to his father and says, “Take and give me this horse.”
At that time his father the Heṭṭiyā having rebuked him, drove him away. As this one was a vile rough fellow, taking the saying heavily, he began to make disturbance with his father. Thereupon anger having gone to the father, seizing him and having beaten him, he drove him away.
Having done thus, this one came into the house, and taking a gun speaks to his father and says, “Should you not take and give me this horse, shooting myself I will die.” Thereupon his father having become afraid, took the horse and gave [him it].
From the day when he took and gave the horse, he did not even go to the school. Having gone away according to his own notion, he joined the war army of that country. During the time when he was thus, also, he began to work there, so as to be a great dexterous person. The Chief of the war army there showed him much favour.
When a little time had gone thus, having been ordered to a war they came [for it]. Thereupon this one also having gone with the war force, and having been halted on the battle-ground, during the time while they are [there] the Chief of the Army spoke to this force (pirisa). When he said that in order to fight, a person who is able is to go to the enemy-King, and give the leaf missive (pattraya) which the Counsellor had prepared for the purpose, having seen that everyone remained without speaking, this one came forward, and having said, “I am able to go and give it,” asked for the letter.
When he thus asked, the Commander of the Army, having arrived at great sorrow, says, “By this fight to whom will occur victory, defeat, or any other thing I am unable to say. But should you stay on the battle-ground, harm not befalling you at any time, you may escape. The messenger who goes in order to give notice to this enemy-King does not escape at any time. When, having said the message, he is dismissed, the guards strike him down. I know that you are a person of a great wealthy family. I know that the advantage that is obtained from another twelve soldiers I am receiving from you. [But] because at the time when I spoke to any person who was willing to despatch and make known this message, you came forward, it is not justice to cause another person to go.” Having said [this], the General arrived at great sorrow.