Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies - DUBOIS, Abbé Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies, Dubois | Page 492

CONFUSION WORSE CONFOUNDED
452
The pair were all but coming to blows, when
defence.
They thereupon
a man on horseback happened to pass by.
stopped the rider and the shepherd, laying hold of the
Sir, kindly listen for a moment and
bridle, said to him
say whether it is I who am in the wrong in this dispute.
I want to present this man with a sheep as a reward for
a small service which he has rendered me, and he falls
upon me and wishes to fight me.'
This dolt of
The taliari, speaking in his turn, said
a shepherd dares to accuse me of having broken the leg of
one of his sheep, whereas I did not even go near his flock.'
Now the horseman to whom they had appealed as
arbitrator was even more deaf than they were, and not
understanding a word of what was spoken to him, replied
Yes, I confess that this horse does not really belong to
me. I found him straying on the roadside I was in a
hurry, and I mounted him so that I might get along faster.
but let me
If he belongs to you, take him by all means
continue my way, for I have no time to lose.'
The shepherd and the taliari, each imagining that the
rider had decided in favour of his adversary, became more
violent than ever, cursing him whom they had chosen as
their arbitrator, and accusing him roundly of partiality.
At this crisis an aged Brahmin chanced to pass by, and
as he appeared more fit to settle their differences they stopped
him and requested him to listen to them for a moment.
Shepherd, taliari, and horseman all spoke together at the
same time, each telling his own tale and explaining to the
Brahmin the subject of the dispute, and requesting him to
decide which of them was in the wrong.
The Brahmin, who was as deaf as the other three, re-
'
wife has
plied
Yes, yes, I quite understand you.
sent you all to prevent my going away, and to persuade
me to return home but I have quite made up my mind,
and you will not succeed in your attempt. Now, do you
She is a real shrew
It is impossible
all know my wife ?
Ever
for me to live any longer with such a harridan
since the time I had the misfortune to buy x her, she has
made me commit more sins than it will be possible for me
;
'
:
'
:
:
'
;
;
My
:
;
!
!
1
are
have previously remarked that to marry and
synonymous terms among the Hindus. Dubois.
1
'
'
'
to
buy a woman
'