That afternoon passed easily for Vandiyathevan. He spent more than half of it in sleep. All the time he was awake, his thoughts circled around the strange nature of Poonguzhali.

What a wondrous woman! What a sweet and simple name! But how stern is her character! Is it only sternness? No, there is a sweetness mingled within it as well!

How casually she spoke of the deed of slaying the leopard! And yet, at times, she behaves as if seized by a kind of madness—why is that? Surely, some bitter event must have occurred in this woman’s life! Or perhaps it was a sweet event? Either could have turned a woman into such a wild spirit! Or perhaps, with no cause at all, she was simply born with such a nature? But then, there is nothing unusual in the nature of her parents; they are gentle, peaceful souls!… Whatever her temperament, what is the reason for the special concern she has shown me? She has gone to such lengths to help me escape from the men of Pazhuvoor! She even said she would row me across to Lanka! Is there some deception in all this?… No, not for a moment. Yet, what caused the change in her heart? What favor does she expect from me? She said she would tell me later—what could it be?…

Thus Vandiyathevan’s mind wandered in thought. Meanwhile, just as Poonguzhali had foretold, there was frequent commotion all around him. The pounding of horses’ hooves, the shouts of men, the frightened cries of small forest creatures, the screeching of birds—all these together, at times, created a veritable battlefield of noise. Then, at other times, peace would descend and silence would reign.

Vandiyathevan realized that all this commotion was for the purpose of searching for and capturing him. The betrayal by the physician’s son also kept returning to his mind!

“Fool! He must have imagined that I had already fallen for Poonguzhali! Like the water in a small pond falling in love with the mighty Vaigai river! Like a mouse dreaming of marrying a lioness! But how cleverly this woman used his foolishness— She has done it! What kind of jealous fire has she kindled in his heart?… In the span of half an hour, she has turned him into a traitor! The power of womanhood is truly immense!

“Vandiyathevan! There is one thing you must admit! You thought yourself to be very clever! You were proud, believing that in cunning and wit, there was none to match you! But this wild, uncivilized forest girl has defeated you! What words can describe the trick she used to bring you, who were bathing in the sea, into this hidden mandapam? If she had not taken your waist-cloth and run away, what would have happened by now? You would have fallen into the hands of the Pazhuvur men! The mission would have been utterly ruined!… Yes, from now on, you must never be so careless again.”

In the western