Page:Santal Folk Tales.djvu/73
The next day another of the company remained as cook, while the others went out to search in the forest for the ele-phant’s bones. The jugi raja again visited the camp, and the scene of the previous day was re-enacted. But he also did not speak of the visit of the jugi raja to the others when they re-turned. In this way the jugi raja encountered each in turn till only Gumda was left, and he remained in the camp to cook. When he had got the rice cooked, the jugi raja made his appearance and said,“ Will you fight with me, or will you give up the food ?? Gumda replied, “I will not give you the food. I have spent much time in cooking it, and when those who have gone in search of the elephant’s bones return, what shall I set before them, if I giveitto you now? You have played this trick every day, and have put my companions to much trouble, but to-day we have met.” So they fought. Gumda overpowered the jugi raja, and killed him with the stone he used to put upon the breast of those whom he vanquished. He then espoused the jugi raja’s wife, and took possession of his kingdom. Gumda’s companions held him in great awe, because each in turn had been conquered by the jugz raja, but Gumda had experienced little difficulty in putting him to death.
Gumda became of raja of that country, and when he had settled his affairs, he sent for his mother to come and reside with him. The raja, whom Gumda had previously served, sought his friendship, and withdrew his command to Gumda to search for the elephant’s bones until he found them. The prowess of Gumda caused him to deprecate his anger. He said, “If I offend him, he will kill me as he did the jug? raja, and take my wife and kingdom, as he did his.