tangled; pray let me comb it."

"No," she said, "you must not touch my hair; it would be dangerous;
for every hair has power to set the jungle on fire."

"How is that?" he asked.

She replied, "The least fragment of my hair thrown in the direction of
the jungle would instantly set it in a blaze."

Having learned all this, one day when it was very hot, and the old
Rakshas was drowsy, Ramchundra begged leave to shampoo her head,
which speedily sent her to sleep; then, gently pulling out two or
three of her hairs, he got up, and taking in one hand her wand, and in
the other two jars of the magic water, he stealthily left the hut; but
he had not gone far before she woke up, and instantly divining what he
had done, pursued him with great rapidity. Ramchundra, looking back
and perceiving that she was gaining upon him, waved the enchanted wand
and created a great river, which suddenly rolled its tumultuous waves
between them; but, quick as thought, the Rakshas swam the river.

Then he turned, and waving the wand again, caused a high mountain to
rise between them; but the Rakshas climbed the mountain. Nearer she
came, and yet nearer; each time he turned to use the wand and put
obstacles in her way, the delay gave her a few minutes' advantage, so
that he lost almost as much as he gained. Then, as a last resource, he
scattered the hairs he had stolen to the winds, and instantly the
jungle on the hill side, through which the Rakshas was coming, was set
in a blaze; the fire rose higher and higher, the wicked old Rakshas
was consumed by the flames, and Ramchundra pursued his journey in
safety until he reached his father's palace. Draupadi Bai was
overjoyed to see her son again, and he led her out into the garden,
and scattered the magic water on the hundred black crows, which
instantly recovered their human forms, and stood up one hundred fine,
handsome young men.

Then were there rejoicings throughout the country, because the Ranee's
brothers had been disenchanted; and the Rajah sent out into all
neighbouring lands to invite their Rajahs and Ranees to a great feast
in honour of his brothers-in-law.

Among others who came to the feast was the Rajah, Draupadi Bai's
father, and the twelve wicked Ranees, his wives.

When they were all assembled, Draupadi arose and said to him, "Noble
sir, we had looked to see your wife Guzra Bai with you. Pray you tell
us wherefore she has not accompanied you."

The Rajah was much surprised