W HEN Sri Suvarna and Sin Samudr heard of the peril that threatened Phra Abhai Mani, they at once took leave of the ruler of Ratana and lost no time in embarking on their long journey back to Paleuk.
For the first few days, the voyage was calm and serene, without any untoward incident. Then, one evening, their ship reached a large island just as a storm was arising. Deeming it wise to seek shelter, as well as to replenish the store of water, Sri Suvarna gave orders to heave to and drop anchor in a secluded bay. A landing party was sent ashore to bring back supplies of fresh water.
As the men were returning to the beach with pails and barrels, a ferocious lion of immense size sprang upon them from the thick undergrowth. The sailors scattered in all directions. Those who retained some presence of mind fired their muskets at the beast, but this only served to enrage it the more. With a resounding roar of anger, the monster pounced on the men who happened to be nearest, and then chased the rest into the sea. The latter swam for dear life, as well they might, for, strange to relate, the lion plunged in after them and followed at their heels right to the ship's side.
Hearing the commotion, Sin Samudr stepped out on to the deck and saw what was happening. Without a moment's hesitation, he leapt into the sea and engaged the beast with his bare hands. A tremendous tussle followed, and the trial of strength ended with the boy ensconced on the lion's back.
The amphibious monster was not yet beaten, however. With an angry howl, it bounced Sin Samudr into the air. But the resourceful youngster evaded its gaping jaw and clutched its tail, using this as a lever to regain the saddle. The lion, finding this diminutive human more than a match for its own strength, made a bee line for the shore, with Sin Samudr still astride its back, and roared for help. In an instant, the beach was crowded with snarling lions.
Undaunted, Sin Samudr dived into the sea and came up with an armful of small fishes. These he calmly scattered among the beast, which began to devour them greedily. Meanwhile, the fearless son of Phra Abhai Mani walked in their midst and stroked each by the mane. By the time he came up to his former adversary, even this fierce monster was completely appeased. There and then, Sin Samudr decided to take it along with him as his future steed.
The boy thereupon led the lion, now tame as a kitten, back to the ship, where they were greeted with wonder and astonishment, and not a little trepidation on the part of those who had occasion to know its ferocity. Approaching his uncle, Sin Samudr said: "I want to have this lion as my steed. It is invulnerable, is as strong in the sea as on land, and feeds on fish. It will make an incomparable companion." Sri Suvarna agreed with his nephew, and so a new recruit was added to the brave company.
The remainder of the voyage was uneventful. However, as the ship drew near to Paleuk, the sky reddened. Full of foreboding, Sri Suvarna urged more speed and hastened into the city. They were welcomed by Suvarnamali who, pale and distraught, told them of repeated attacks by the allies of Laweng and of Phra Abhai Mani's strange obsession for the bewitched portrait of the Princess of the Western Isle.
The unhappy Queen then took Sri Suvarna and Sin Samudr into the royal apartment, where Phra Abhai Mani, now emaciated and bedridden, lay ever contemplating the likeness of Laweng, the amorous hero saw them coming, but instead of expressing delight, flew into a towering rage and, accusing them of spying on him, shouted to his handmaidens to chase them away.
When Sri Suvarna saw that his brother was not in his right mind, he felt as though stabbed to the heart. Drawing near, he knelt down beside the royal couch and spoke in the gentlest manner.
"My dear brother," he began, "I have long been out of your sight. Now I am returned, bringing your beloved son with me. 0, why do you greet us in this fashion? Have you forgotten your own kith and kin? Why do you persist thus in making love to a mere picture? Oh, what misfortune has brought you to this pass? Even though you and I were cruelly separated when still young, yet we lived to see each other's face again. But this time you have changed, and look strangely on me."
Sin Samudr took the cue and, bowing low at his father's feet, exclaimed with tears in his eyes: "My father, beat or kill me if you will, but I must tell you that I do not like this picture. It is because you have it near you that you behave so strangely. I am going to take it and burn it."
Suiting action to the word, the boy snatched the portrait away from his father's hand. Quick as lightning, Phra Abhai Mani snatched it back again. Then pointing his finger at Sin Samudr in uncontrolled fury, he cried: "How dare you touch her!" Seizing a pillow, the crazed King struck at his brother, and his son, until they both ran out of the room.
Back in her own chamber Suvarnamali told her astonished brother-in-law and her adopted son, "The astrologers say that he will be saved, and that by an unknown offspring. Now, there has arrived in this city a young boy who calls himself Sud Sakorn and who claims to be the son of Phra Abhai Mani. Indeed, in saving the city at a critical moment, he has shown valour worthy of the name. But where he comes from and of what womb, he will not say."
Sri Suvarna remained mystified, but Sin Samudr thought long and then said: "When we were living on the magic island, my father kept company with a mermaid who once bore him on her back to safety. In requitement of her love, he gave her a signet ring and a bejewelled pin. If this Sud Sakorn be indeed her son, he would surely wear these tokens of parental affection. I will find out whether he has them."
Sri Suvarna was in agreement with his nephew's reasoning and proposal. "If he is really your half-brother," he told him, "you may bring the boy to us."
Sin Samudr mounted the royal chariot and proceeded to the pavilion where Sud Sakorn was lodged. From afar, he saw the stripling whose face was the graven image of the mermaid. As he came closer, he saw his father's signet ring on the other's finger, which removed all doubt. Sud Sakorn, on his part, recognised his elder from the description given him by the old hermit. So the two brothers, acting simultaneously, rushed to embrace each other, with tears of joy flowing down their tender cheeks.
Fraternal greetings and exchanges over, Sin Samudr and Sud Sakorn set to discussing the sorry plight of their father. The older to