from this day we shall issue orders to our armies to oppress all the subjects of this kingdom. the deaths by snake-bite and tigers shall increase a hundredfold from this day, and day by day it shall continue to increase till your release. whenever you hear people near you, you had better bawl out so as to be heard by them: 'the wretched prince imprisoned me on the false charge of having killed his father, while it was a tiger that killed him. from that day these calamities have broken out in his dominions. if i were released i would save all by my powers of healing poisonous wounds and by incantations.' some one may report this to the king, and if he knows it, you will obtain your liberty." thus comforting his protector in trouble, he advised him to pluck up courage, and took leave of him. from that day tigers and serpents, acting under the orders of their kings, united in killing as many persons and cattle as possible. every day people were carried away by tigers or bitten by serpents. thus passed months and years.