His fellows watched the performance with open-eyed wonder, but could not be induced to follow his example.
Nicomar, looking on, thought that the young man must have a mind full of resource, and so determined to seek him and consult with him. He could not have told what was exactly the impulse that urged him to this course, but he rose, and staggering a little because he was faint, made his way to the river bank.
The young fellow leant a very interested and attentive ear to the strange story that Nicomar told to him. When he had finished he took him to his hut and gave him a meal of rice, then bade him go over the tale once more in all its details.
"If I, poor and ignorant, satisfy the King that his command can be performed, what will you give unto me?"
Nicomar, trembling with joy and incredulity, promised him one half of what he had and the hand of his daughter in marriage.
"To-morrow we will seek the King." More he would not say, but sat in the dusky gloom of the coming evening, smoking.
Nicomar, with the great weight of his troubles somewhat lightened, slept heavily.
On the morning of the fourteenth day Nicomar prostrated himself before his master.
"Well," asked the King, "come you to claim your reward?"
The Indian bowed his head in grave deferential assent.
"I but wait for your Majesty to perform your part first, then I will without delay do my share."
The King hastened to ask the meaning of such an answer.
"Your Majesty commanded me," replied the Indian, "to fill up the sea with milk, which I am quite ready to do; but your Majesty did not command me to take the water from the ocean, and until that is done it is impossible to fill it anew. If your Majesty," continued Nicomar, "will but dispose of the water----." Then he paused timidly, waiting the King's response. He had done as the Burman had instructed him, and he feared the result.
For a long while there was silence, and those round about trembled with apprehension, for they guessed not in what wise their master would take such a reply.
At last he smiled, for although he had many grave faults, he was not unkindly or averse to owning himself baffled.
"Nicomar, thou art cleverer than I thought."
At which words hearts that had stood still from fear beat once more.