“She is my wife; do not trouble yourself about her,” replied the rogue.
As the Brahman persisted in saying that she was his wife, a quarrel arose between the two men on the highway, and they pulled the woman this way and that way. But as the rogue was younger and stronger than the Brahman, he dragged her away from him. Being overcome, the Brahman called out in that lonely place for help. At that time Mahaushadha and the other children were at play in the forest, and they heard his cries for help. The children said to Mahaushadha, “As you wish to be called the king, and that Brahman is shouting for help, why do not you save him from danger?” So he bade the children bring the parties before him, and he asked them what had occurred. The Brahman said that the other man had forcibly torn away his wife from him, the weaker of the two. On the other hand, the [[136]]rogue declared that the Brahman lied, and that the woman was his own wife. The woman herself affirmed that the rogue was her husband. Mahaushadha, who perceived that the Brahman had not become excited without due cause, determined to apply a test.[5]
“Say, O man, where do you come from along with your wife?”
“From my father-in-law’s,” replied the rogue.
“What did you eat and drink there?”
“We had meat, cakes, sorrel, and wine,” replied the rogue.
“Vomit then, if that be so,” said Mahaushadha; “we shall see then if that be true or not.”
The rogue put his finger down his throat and vomited, but no such food came to light. Then Mahaushadha asked the Brahman whence he had come.
“From my father-in-law’s,” replied the Brahman.
“What did you eat there?”