Mahfil, voln 1, n0o2 20 game, and limping; he came slowly by. Suddenly his glance fell on the cart and he hesitated. As soon as he saw the peasant's face fie grasped the situation. He put his stick down on the bank, Throwing down his coat he went over to the peasant and said, "Can I help you get your cart out?" The peasant saw that a well-built, tall man was stand' '' before him. He nodded and said, "Sir, what can I say?" The youtii said, "It looks as if you^e sunk in pretty deep here. Okay, you get up on the cart and steer the oxen and 1^11 push on the wheel. Then the cart will climb right oujb." The peasant went and sat on the cart. The youth strained against the wheel and moved it a little• The mud was very deep. He was buried in it up to his knees but he did not lose his courage. He pushed still harder, and up on top the peasant yelled at the oxen. The oxen were helped and their courage became firm. They rocked their shoulders hard just once and the cart was out of the canal. The peasant stood before the youth with folded palms. He spoke - "Great One, you set me free, otherwise I would have had to sit here all night." The youth laughed and said, "Are you going to give me a reward now?" The peasant in a serious manner answered, "If God be willing you will get the councellorship." The youth looked at the peasant with deep thought.. There was an uncertainty in his mind - was this Surjan Singh or not? It was his voice, and even his features. The peasant looked his way with a sharp glance. Perhaps he had guessed the uncertainty in his heart. He smiled and said, "One finds pearls by entering deep water." Finally the month was over. The day of selection arrived, The candidates, even at daybreak, were eager to hear the judgement of their fate. The waiting was unbearable. Hope and despair showed in every face. Who knows whose fate would be settled this day. Who knows upon whom Fortune would set her favoring glance. In the evening the king^s audience hall was decorated. The nobles and wealthy men of the city, the officials and courtiers of the kingdom and the group of candidates for the councellorship all colorfully decked out were present. The hearts of the candidates were pounding. Then Sardar Surjan Singh stood up and spoke. "Gentlemen candidates for my councellorship, I have caused you much distress, and for that I beg your forgiveness. A man was needed for this post who has compassion in his heart and self-confidence as well, He who is generous has a heart; he who confronts trouble with bravery has self-confidence. And it is the good fortune of this State that we have found such a man. Men with such qualities are rare in this world, and those who are so, sit at that peak of fame and prestige to which we cannot attain. I congratulate the people on their getting a councellor like Pandit Jankinath," The officials and nobles of the kingdom looked towards Jankinatho The eyes of all the candidates turned his way. In some eyes was respect and in others envy.