Page:The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (1884).djvu/471

chana will set fire to the door of thy house on the fourteenth night of this the dark lunation. To burn to death those tigers among men—the Pandavas—with their mother is the design of that wicked wretch the son of Dhrita-rashtra. And, O son of Pandu, Vidura also told thee something in the Mlechcha tongue to which thou also hadst replied in the same language. I state these particulars as my credentials.' Hearing these words, Yudhish-thira the truthful son of Kunti replied, saying, 'O amiable one, I now know thee as a dear and trusted friend of Vidura, true and ever devoted to him. There is nothing that the learned Vidura doth not know! As his so ours art thou! Make no difference between him and us. We are as much thine also as his. O protect us as the learned Vidura ever protecteth us! I know that this house so inflammable hath been contrived for me by Purochana at the command of Dhrita-rashtra's son. That wicked wretch commanding wealth and allies pursueth us without intermission. O save us with a little exertion from the impending conflagration! If we are burnt to death here, Duryodhana's most cherished desire will be satisfied. Here is that wretch's well-furnished arsenal. This large mansion hath been built abutting the high ramparts of the arsenal without any outlet. But this unholly contrivance of Duryo-dhana was known to Vidura from the first, and he it was who enlightened us beforehand. That danger of which Khatta had foreknowledge is at our door. Save us from it without Purochana being able to know that we are saved.' Hearing these words the miner said, 'So be it,' and carefully beginning his work of excavation made a large subterranean passage. And the mouth of that passage was in the centre of that house, and it was on a level with the floor and closed up with planks. And the mouth was so covered from fear of Purochana. That wicked wretch kept a constant watch at the door of the house. And the Pandavas used to sleep within their chambers with arms ready for use, while during the day they went ahunting from forest to forest. And thus, O king, they lived (in that mansion) very guardedly, deceiving Purochana by a show of trustfulness and contentment while in reality they were