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208 TALES OF THE PUNJAB

river, on the banks of which sat some poor travellers who longed to cross over, but had no money to pay the ferry, Then the snake changed into a handsome buffalo, with a brass necklace and bells round its neck, and stood by the brink of the stream. When the poor travellers saw this, they said, ‘This beast is going to swim to its home across the river; let us get on its back, and hold on to its tail, so that we too shall get over the stream.’

Then they climbed on its back and held by its tail, and the buffalo swam away with them bravely ; but when it reached the middle, it began to kick, until they tumbled off, or let go, and were all drowned.

When the old man, who had crossed the river in a boat, reached the other side, the buffalo had disappeared, and in its stead stood a beautiful ox. Seeing this handsome creature wandering about, a peasant, struck with covetousness, lured it to his home. It was very gentle, suffering itself to be tied up with the other cattle ; but in the dead of night it changed into a snake, bit all the flocks and herds, and then, creeping into the house, killed all the sleeping folk, and crept away. But behind it the old man still followed, as silent as a shadow.

Presently they came to another river, where the snake changed itself into the likeness of a beautiful young girl, fair to see, and covered with costly jewels. After a while, two brothers, soldiers, came by, and as they approached the girl, she began to weep bitterly.

‘What is the matter?’ asked the brothers; ‘and why do you, so young and beautiful, sit by the river alone?’

Then the snake-girl answered, ‘My husband was