At last they departed carrying the palki with them.

The road had become wider and level and the men were going along at a good pace, when suddenly they dropped the palki to the ground and fled in all directions.

Jogeshwar having no relations and no money, was quite unable to arrange for a grand procession to escort him; he could only just afford to hire a palki in which to be carried to the bride's house; so the jackal sent word to all the jackals and paddy birds of the neighbourhood to come to a feast at the palace of the bride, an invitation which was eagerly accepted.

One of them said that about two miles off the road there was a village, and that in the village there lived a rich Hindustani merchant who might lend a palki.

And Chando heard her prayer and lifted her palki up into the air and preserved her, but all those who were left on the ground were swallowed up by the Rakhases; when the day dawned not one was to be seen.

As they examined it with wonder some very cutting remarks from within assured them of their master's existence, and with many apologies for the abrupt way in which they had abandoned him they righted the palki and assisted him out.

Then the Raja asked whether everyone in the kingdom had come, and he was told that there was a caterpillar boy, who lived with an old woman, who had not come, so the Raja sent to fetch him, but he said that he had no arms or legs and could not go; so they sent a palki for him and he was brought in that.

When he slapped the palki rocked; and when the palki ceased vibrating the tiger slapped again.

The tiger, re-assured by the stillness of the object before him, ceased growling; and presently, the soft thud of his feet and his sniffing round the palki told the trembling man within that 'Stripes' was making an investigation.

Finally, as the daylight grew stronger they encouraged each other to descend and approach the palki.

The bear dressing herself in the Rani's clothes, got into the palki, and when the men came back they took up the palki and went on their way without noticing any change, nor did the Raja detect the fraud: he took the bear to his palace and installed her as his wife.