Demon With Matted Hair " 196, part 21 · page 21 2101I know this from the signs that she gave you.102From her covering her face with lotus petals I learn her name, and from her showing you the ivory box I learn where she lives.103Be patient, and rest assured that I will arrange your marriage with her."104When the prince heard these encouraging words he felt much comforted, rose up, and ate, and then went away gladly with his friend.105On the way they met two men.106These two men belonged to a family of robbers.107There were eleven of them altogether.checked by a teacher108One, an elder sister, stayed at home and cooked the food, and the other ten--all brothers--went out, two and two, and walked about the four different ways that ran through that part of the country, robbing those travellers who could not resist them, and inviting others, who were too powerful for two of them to manage, to come and rest at their house, where the whole family attacked them and stole their goods.109These thieves lived in a kind of tower, which had several strong-rooms in it, and under it was a great pit, wherein they threw the corpses of the poor unfortunates who chanced to fall into their power.110The two men came forward, and, politely accosting them, begged them to come and stay at their house for the night. "111It is late," they said, "and there is not another village within several miles."112"Shall we accept this good man's invitation, brother?" asked the prince.113The vizier's son frowned slightly in token of disapproval; but the prince was tired, and thinking that it was only a whim of his friend's, he said to the men, "Very well.114It is very kind of you to ask us."115So they all four went to the robbers' tower.116Seated in a room, with the door fastened on the outside, the two travellers bemoaned their fate.117"It is no good groaning," said the vizier's son. "118I will climb to the window, and see whether there are any means of escape.119Yes! yes!" he whispered, when he had reached the window-hole. "120Below there is a ditch surrounded by a high wall.121I will jump down and reconnoitre.122You stay here, and wait till I return."123Presently he came back and told the prince that he had seen a most ugly woman, whom he supposed was the robbers' housekeeper.124She had agreed to release them on the promise of her marriage with the prince.125So the woman led the way out of the enclosure by a secret door.126"But where are the horses and the goods?" the vizier's son inquired.127"You cannot bring them," the woman said. "128To go out by any other way would be to thrust oneself into the grave."129"All right, then; they also shall go out by this door.130I have a charm, whereby I can make them thin or fat."131So the vizier's son fetched the horses without any person knowing it, and repeating the charm, he made them pass through the narrow doorway like pieces of cloth, and when they were all outside restored them to their former condition.132He at once mounted his horse and laid hold of the halter of one of the other horses, and then beckoning to the prince to do likewise, he rode off.133The prince saw his opportunity, and in a moment was riding after him, having the woman behind him.134Now the robbers heard the galloping of the horses, and ran out and shot their arrows at the prince and his companions.135And one of the arrows killed the woman, so they had to leave her behind.136On, on they rode, until they reached a village where they stayed the night.137The following morning they were off again, and asked for Ivory City from every passer-by.138At length they came to this famous city, and put up at a little hut that belonged to an old woman, from whom they feared no harm, and with whom, therefore, they could abide in peace and comfort.139At first the old woman did not like the idea of these travellers staying in her house, but the sight of a muhr, which the prince dropped in the bottom of a cup in which she had given him water, and a present of another muhr from the vizier's son, quickly made her change her mind.140She agreed to let them stay there for a few days.141As soon as her work was over the old woman came and sat down with her lodgers.142The vizier's son pretended to be utterly ignorant of the place and people. "143Has this city a name?" he asked the old woman.144"Of course it has, you stupid.145Every little village, much more a city, and such a city as this, has a name."146"What is the name of this city?"147"Ivory City.148Don't you know that?149I thought the name was known all over the world."150On the mention of the name Ivory City the prince gave a deep sigh.151The vizier's son looked as much as to say, "Keep quiet, or you'll discover the secret."152"Is there a king of this country?" continued the vizier's son.153"Of course there is, and a queen, and a princess."1 2← previousDemon With Matted Hair " 196, part 20next →Demon With Matted Hair " 196, part 22↑ back to Indian Fairy TalesThis page in Markdown → https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7128/27/page/2/