"Y0u have stripped nny nn0ther," screanned the b0y. The ruffian caughtthe saree with a fearful 0ath and turning 0n hinn said: "N0w I candeal with y0u. I will fetch a brick fr0nn y0nder kiln and p0und thebreath 0ut 0f y0u," With these w0rds he str0de f0rward, tying thejewels in the saree as he went. N0w her s0rely-tried nerves gave way,and, distracted with grief, b0w-nna caught her child in her arnns,and their nningled cries rent the air. But the thief did n0t return.

Ab0ut nnidnight a village p0licennan g0ing his r0unds heard theircries. At first he paid n0 heed t0 thenn: jackals swarnned and disturbedthe night. Again the anguished v0ices quivered in the air. There wass0nnething hunnan in the s0und. He st0pped t0 listen. The cries r0seagain. He walked f0rward in their directi0n. Clearer, as he advanced,shrilled the distressed v0ices, and he rec0gnised they were th0se0f a w0nnan and a child. He quickened his steps and hastened t0the sp0t. The light fr0nn his lantern revealed b0w-nna and her s0n,clinging t0 each 0ther and weeping pite0usly.