Chapter Seven

Meanwhile the Kapalik, having searched his dwelling minutely and finding neither sword nor Kapalkundala, returned with a troubled mind to the sands. Coming thither he saw that Nabakumar also was gone. Hereat his wonder was great. After a little while his eye fell upon the severed bonds of creeper. Then, perceiving at last the truth of the matter, the Kapalik set off in pursuit of Nabakumar. But in that desolate place, by which way the fugitives had fled, was hard to determine. By reason of the darkness, none could he bring within his sight. Therefore, listening for any sound of voices, he ranged for a while hither and thither. Yet not at all times was the sound of voices to be heard. With intent therefore to view all the quarters around him, he climbed up the top of a tall sand-hill. The Kapalik went up on one side; on the other side, the foot of the heap had been worn away by the rains of the wet season. This he knew not. No sooner had he gained the summit than, under the weight of his body, the tottering crest broke off, and with a fearful sound came crashing to the earth. As he fell, like a buffalo flung down from a mountain-top, the Kapalik fell with it.