“And what will you do in return for so much money?” said the King.
“I have two strong arms, and this sabre, which shall be devoted to your Majesty’s service,” answered the Rajpoot.
“You ask too much,” said the King, “and I am afraid I cannot retain you, but I will confer with my Ministers about you.”
Then the King spoke to his Ministers, who agreed that the stipend asked was very large, but advised that he be given four days’ pay, and to see what the soldier should do to earn it. So this was done.
The King watched very closely to see how Vira-vara spent his pay, and found that half of it went towards the support of the Temple, a fourth was devoted to relieving the poor, and the remaining fourth only did he reserve for his own sustenance. This division he made at the beginning of each day, and then he would stand on guard with his sabre at the palace gate, from whence he would retire only upon receiving the royal permission.
One very, very dark night King Sudraka thought he heard the sound of someone outside the palace gate sobbing as though stricken with deepest grief. He called for his guard, and Vira-vara at once appeared.
“Did you hear a sound of weeping?” asked the King.
“I thought I did, your Majesty,” replied the Rajpoot.
“Then go and find out the cause,” said the King.
The soldier at once departed on his mission, but as soon as he had gone the King repented him of sending him out alone into a night so dark that a hole might be pierced in it with a needle, so he took his scimitar, and followed his guard beyond the city gates.