Page:Tales of the Punjab.pdf/235

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THE WRESTLERS 213

‘Ahem!’ thought the wrestler outside, ‘if the little daughter can do this, the father will be a worthy foe !'

So he set off to the wood to meet the Indian wrestler, whom he soon saw coming along the road, dragging a hundred and sixty carts laden with brushwood.

‘Now we shall see!’ quoth the stranger, with a wink; and stealing behind the carts, he laid hold of the last, and began to pull.

‘That's a deep rut!’ thought the Indian wrestler, and pulled a little harder. So it went on for an hour, but not an inch one way or the other did the carts budge.

‘I believe there is some one hanging on behind !' quoth the Indian wrestler at last, and walked back to see who it was. Whereupon the stranger, coming to meet him, said,‘ We seem pretty well matched ; let us have a fall! together.’

‘With all my heart!’ answered the other, ‘ but not here alone in the wilds; it is no fun fighting with- out applause.’

‘But I haven't time to wait!’ said the stranger ; ‘I have to be off at once, so it must be here or no- where.’

Just then an old woman came hurrying by with big strides.

‘Here's an audience!’ cried the wrestler, and called aloud, ‘Mother! mother! stop and see fair play |’

‘I can’t, my sons, I can’t!’ she replied, ‘for my daughter is going to steal my camels, and I am off to stop her; but if you like, you can jump on

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