As they were thus conversing together, up comes the huntsman, staff in hand, at the top of his speed. Sumukha encouraged Dhatarattha, and flew to meet the man, respectfully declaring the virtues of the royal bird. Immediately the hunter's heart was softened; which Sumukha perceiving, went back, and stood encouraging the king of the geese. And the hunter approaching the king of the geese, recited the sixth stanza:

"They foot it by unfooted ways, birds flying in the sky:
And did you not, O noble Goose, afar the snare espy?"

The Great Being said:

"When life is coming to an end, and death's hour draws anigh,
Though you may close upon it come nor trap nor snare you spy ."

[426] The hunter, pleased with the bird's remark, then addressed three stanzas to Sumukha.

"There go the birds, the ruddy geese, all overcome with fear:
And you, O golden-yellow fowl, are still left waiting here.

"They ate and drank, the ruddy geese: uncaring, they are flown;
Away they scurry through the air, and you are left alone.

"What is this fowl, that when the rest deserting him have flown,
Though free, you join the prisoner--why are you left alone?"

Sumukha replied:

"He is my comrade, friend, and king, dear as my life is he:
Forsake him--no, I never will, until death calls for me."

On hearing this the hunter was much pleased, and thought within him--"If I should harm virtuous creatures like these, the earth would gape open and swallow me up. What care I for the king's reward? I will set them free." And he repeated a stanza:

"Now seeing that for friendship's sake you are prepared to die,
I set your king and comrade free, to follow where you fly."

This said, he drew down Dhatarattha from the stick, and loosed the noose, and took him to the bank, and pitifully washed the blood from him, [427] and set the dislocated muscles and tendons. And by reason of his

kindness of heart, and by the might of the Great Being's Perfections , on the instant his foot became whole again, and not a mark showed where he had been caught. Sumukha beheld the Great Being with joy, and gave thanks in these words:

"With all your kindred and your friends, O hunter, happy be ,
As I am happy to behold the King of birds set free."