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 sea, the sun had set. On the shores of Kodikkarai, this was a wondrous sight. Until that point, the coastline running southward suddenly turned west at that tip. Thus, from the elevated ground at Kodikkarai, one could see the sea stretching out to the east, west, and south. In certain months, one could witness the sun and moon rising resplendently from the eastern sea. One could also see the sun turning the western sea to gold as it sank and disappeared. Vandiyathevan longed to climb atop the sand mound that covered the mandapam and watch the sun vanish into the sea. He suppressed the urge with effort.

Darkness gathered on all sides. The darkness that had already settled within the hidden mandapam grew many times blacker. Vandiyathevan could not remain there any longer; he stepped outside. He stood atop the sand mound that covered the mandapam. Far in the distance, the light from the lighthouse was visible. In the sky, diamonds glittered and shone. Strange sounds arose from the forest. The sounds heard in the wild during the day were very different from those heard at night. The nighttime sounds were filled with mystery, stirring both fear in the heart and a shiver in the body. Even if one saw a tiger face-to-face in the daytime, the mind would not be alarmed; there would be no fear. But at night, even if a tiny mouse scurried through a bush, the heart would skip a beat!

There—the call of the cuckoo; “Koo-koo! Koo-koo!” That voice echoed in Vandiyathevan’s ears like a divine melody. He walked toward the direction from which the sound came. There stood Poonguzhali. She gestured to him, “Come with me, without making a sound.” From there, it became clear that the seashore was very near.

On the seashore, a boat stood ready. Within it lay a rolled-up mat, a raft, and the ropes to bind them together. Two oars extended from the boat, and at the ends of those oars, a large wooden plank was fastened securely. Vandiyathevan moved to help launch the boat into the sea.

“You just stay still!” signaled Poonguzhali.

With practiced ease, she pushed the boat and set it afloat upon the sea. The boat entered the water without the slightest sound.

Vandiyathevan attempted to climb aboard. “Hush! Wait a moment! Once we’ve gone a little further, you can get in,” Poonguzhali whispered softly, pulling the boat along as she spoke.

Vandiyathevan, wanting to help, tried to push the boat as well. The boat came to a halt.

“It’s enough if you just come quietly!” said Poonguzhali.

After they had passed the place where the waves crashed against the shore, she said, “Now you can get into the boat.” She climbed in first, and Vandiyathevan leapt in after her. At that moment, the boat rocked violently. For an instant, it seemed as if Vandiyathevan would fall into the sea; but he managed to steady himself and sat down. Still, his heart pounded within his