The Mikirs

Part 11

Chapter 113,128 wordsPublic domain

pòn-si jòr-dàm-lo, ànsi jàngreso thàn-dun-lo-- having taken, went to sell it, and the orphan explained to them--

"Nàngli-tum hala bamòn kiri-po a-ròng-le jòr-dàm-nòn: "You that (distant) brahman rich-big's village in go and sell:

la-ròng le-lo-te 'chainòng a-òk that village (at) when you arrive, 'cow's flesh

èn-ji-làng-ma' pu-ra arju-nòn." Ànsi latum will (any one) go on taking?' saying ask." So these

kòrte-bàng-theròk chainòng a-òk pònsi dàmlo, ha bamòn-aròng brothers six cow's flesh taking went, that Brahman's village

le-si, "Chainòng-a-òk èn-ji làng ma?" pu having arrived, "Cow's flesh will (any one) take more?" saying

arju-lo. Ànsi "èn-ji-làng, vàn-nòn," pu asked. And "we will take more, bring it here," saying

nàng-hàng-lo. Ànsi bamòn-po a-hèm le-lo. Ànsi they called out. So the big brahman's house they reached. Then

bamòn-po ròng-isi asàngho the big brahman's village-whole inhabitants,

che-pàngrum-pèt-si, la chainòng-a-òk having collected all together, those cow's flesh

kejòr-dàm-atum kòrte bàng-theròk, nèp-si, a-ri bringing to sell-people, the six brothers, having seized, their hands

kòk-krei-si, jasemèt chòk-si pulo: "Netum bamòn-le: tied firmly having, severely having beaten, said: "We brahmans are:

'chainòng-aòk èn-ji ma?' pu nàng 'cow's flesh will any one take?' saying, you

nàng-katirva-hai?" pu-si lo-lo. La chainòng-a-òk here-solicit a customer dare?" saying let them go. These cow's-flesh

kevàn-atum-ta hèm che-voi-lo, ànsi tovar bringing persons home their own went, and on the way

chingvai-pòn-lo: "Mai! àn-le alàng jangreso e-kechobei! took counsel together: "Oh! how much that orphan us has cheated!

e-chainòng e-haidi e-pa-chi-thu-koi-làng; aphu-thàk-ta our cattle (doublet) he has caused us to kill all; over and above that

e-rèng e-hu e-ka-peso. Apòt-ke our skin (doublet) to us he has caused to smart. Therefore

kele-pèn a-hèm me-kei-dàm-po-nàng." Ànsi hèm immediately on arriving his house fire-set-to let-us-go." So home

che-le-lo ànke jàng-reso a-hèm me-kei-dàm-dut inghoi-lo. Ànsi they arrived, and the orphan's house fire-setting did. Then

jàngreso atum hini chibu-si hèm me-kecho the orphan baskets-two having woven, house-fire-eaten, devoured (of)

aphelo hum-si bahar pòn-lo, ànsi ha mèk-keso ashes having collected a load took, and that (distant) sore-eyed

aròng le-lo. Labàngso aròng arlèng (people's) village went to. That village (of) men,

abàng-phu-ta amèk-keso-abàng àngse. Ànke phelo a-bahar-pèn each one of them, sore-eyed folk were only. So ashes (of) a load-with

jàngreso latum nàng-thèksi nàng-arju-lo-- "Nàng kopi the orphan they having seen, called out to him-- "Thou what for

kevàng ladak?" Jàngreso thàk-dèt-- "Ai nàngtum aròng comest thou hither?" The orphan answered-- "Oh! your village

mèk-keso a-vur do-tàng-pu arju-lòngsi ne sore eyes disease has finished getting, thus having got to hear, I

mèk-keso a-bàp nàng-kejòr." Ànsi latum pulo-- (for) sore-eyed people medicine here am selling." Then they said--

"Ai! tàngte me-òng-chòt-lo, po-arnàm-po!" pusi "Oh! then (that) is very good indeed, my good sir!" so saying

ròng-isi asàngho dohòn chi-rung-si dohòn-bahar-isi the whole village inhabitants money having collected, of money load one

jàngreso nàng-pilo. Ànsi jàngreso pulo: "Labàngso a-bàp to the orphan there-gave. Then the orphan said: "That medicine

nònke chi-hi-ri-tha: mo ne tovar immediately do not apply (rub) to yourselves: afterwards I the road

ebèng lelo-te, 'chi-hi-nòn' pu ne nàng-pupo, a piece have gone when, 'apply (rub) it' saying I will tell you,

àn-le chi-hi-nòn." Ànsi dohòn-bahar-isi phelo a-nàm then (and not before) apply it." Then money-load-one ashes (of) price

jàngreso lòng-si, hèm chevoilo. Ànke la tovar me the orphan having got, home to his returned. When he road a little

nàng-le-lo, mèk-a-vur-kelòng-atum jàngreso-aphàn had gone eye disease who had got people The orphan-to

'chi-hi-nòn-tu-ma?' pu hàng-lo. Jàngreso nàng-thàk-dèt "shall we apply it now?" saying called out. The orphan answered

"tha"; tebòk-hèt tik-ke "tha" pu-bòm-si la "wait"; near so long as, "wait" saying having continued, he

ha heloving le-lo; ànke "nàng-pho-dun-un-e-lo" pu to a distance arrived; and "here reach to me they cannot" saying

matha-lo, "bàp chi-hi-nòn" pu jàngreso he thought, "the medicine rub in now" saying, the orphan

nàng-hàng-lo. Ànsi mèk-keso-atum there called out. Then eyes the sufferers from pain

jàngreso-kevàn-aphelo a-mèk che-hi-lo. La bàp orphan-brought-ashes on their eyes rubbed. That medicine

kachi-hi-pèn-apara, amèk ki-kru puke matha-thèk-the applying from at once their eyes smarted so much, it cannot be imagined

jadi thèk-the: amèk keso tàn-muchòt che-plàng-lo. Ànsi latum (doublet): their eyes sore more much became. Then they

chipulo: "Mai! àn-le alàng e-ke-chobei tekàng: la said to one another: "Oh! so much he us having cheated has left: he

vàng-thu-lo-te, a-ri kòk-dòng-ra chòk-nàng." Jàngreso-ke hem comes-again-if, his hands tying fast let us beat him." The orphan home

che-le-si apei-aphàn "ne-òng-atum ahotòn èn-dàm-le-tha" pu having come his mother-to "my uncles' basket take-go-again," saying

toi-le-lo. Ànsi hèm-epi a-ikmar-atum a-hèm hotòn he sent again. Then the widow her brothers' house basket

hàng-dàm-le-lo. Ànsi hotòn nàng-lo-si latum kòrte-bàng-theròk to ask-went again. Then the basket having sent they brothers six said

chi-pu-le-lo-- "Da, akibi, làng-dun-le-tha; again among themselves-- "Go, youngest, watch again;

hotòn pi-tòng kànghoi-i-ji-ne?" Ànsi (with) the basket what in the world is he going to do?" Then

akibi-abàng nàng-làng-dun-tòn-le-lo. Jàngreso dohòn the youngest went there to watch secretly again. The orphan the money

ketèng nàng-thèk-dun-le-lo. Ànke nàng-kelàng-dun-tòn abàng hèm measuring there he saw again. Then there watching-secretly person home

che-voi-si à-ikmar che-thàn-dàm-le-lo-- "E-osa returning his brothers (to) explained, related, again-- "Our nephew

chu-aphàn-te nòn dohòn kevàn òng-muchòt le-lo." Ànke latum than last time now money bringing much more has arrived." Then they

kòrte-bàng-theròk jàngreso-alòng dàm-si arju-dàm-lo--"Konàt the six brothers the orphan-near going asked--"Where

adohòn-si nàngli lòng-dam-o-lo?" Ànsi jàngreso (all) this money you have got so much more?" Then the orphan

nàng-thàk-dun-lo-- "Nàngli-tum-me-ne kekei-pidut a-hem a-phelo there answered them-- "(By) you fire my applied having house, its ashes

a-nàm. Neli phelo kejòr-dàm-alòng 'kedòr-de' pu price (it is). I ashes selling-place (in) 'it is not enough' saying

hàng-jo: 'àn-pin vàn-thu-tha' pusi pu. Ne-li hèm-ke they cried: 'just so much bring again' saying they said. My house

bihèk-si, a-phelo òng-e-dèt; nàngli-tum ahèm-ke being small, its ashes not much were; Your houses,

the-dung-para, lale me kei-ra a-phelo jòr-dàm-te, since they are large, therefore fire applying the ashes go selling-if,

dohòn-le nàngli-tum ko-ànsi kevàn-ji? Kevàn-si nàngli-tum wealth ye how much would bring? To bring it you

un-e." Ànsi a-òngmar kòrte-bàng-theròk would be unable." Then his uncles the six brethren

chi-pulo: "Tàngte itum-ta e-hèm me said among themselves: "Then to our also houses fire

chekei-dàm-po-nàng." Ànke hèm me chekei-dàm-si, having applied let us go." Then houses fire their having-set-to,

hèm a-phelo hum-si kòrte abàng-phu-ta house-ashes having gathered, the brothers each individually

bahar-un-tik bahar-un-tik pòn-lo. Ànsi jàngreso as much as he could carry took. Then the orphan

thàn-dun-le-lo: "Ha mèk-keso-aròng-le pòn-nòn; explained to them again: "To that eye-sore-village up to take, carry;

ha ròng-a-kung le-lo-te, 'Phelo èn-ji-ma?' that distant village near when you arrive, 'Ashes will you take?'

pura-punòn." Ànsi latum kòrte-bàng-theròk dàmlo. Hà mèk-keso-atum saying say." So they brothers six went. That sore eyed people's

aròng pàng-le-lo, ànsi arju-lo--"Phelo èn-ji-ma?" Ànsi village near arrived, and asked--"Ashes will you take?" Then

mèk-keso-àtum "Vàn-tha" pu nàng-hàng-lo; ànsi latum the people with sore eyes "Bring it here" saying called out; then they

dàm-si ròng le-lo; kele-pèn ari going the village arrived; immediately they arrived their hands

kòk-krei-inghoi-si, la alàng-tum-kepòn-aphelo-pèn tying each, all, having done, those by-them-brought ashes-with

amèk hi-si jasemèt chòklo; ànke their eyes having rubbed severely they beat them; then

chòk-thèng-dèt, latum kòrte-bàng-theròk hèm having been beaten and pummeled, those brothers six home

nàng-chevoilo. Ànke tovar nàng-chèngvai-thu-le-lo-- "Mai! returned. Then (on) the road they consulted together again-- "Oh!

àn-le alàng e-kechobei-ra e-rèng e-kapeso, so much he us-having-cheated our skins he has caused to smart,

aphu-thàk-ta e-hèm i-rit over and above that our houses our fields

e-pa-che-kei-koi; nònke kele-pèn us he has caused to set fire to and burn up; now immediately we arrive

ingchin-aru bèng-ra làng iron-of a cage (in) having firmly secured (him) water (into)

jòk-thòt-lo-nang." Ànke kele-pèn jàngreso nèp-chèk let us throw him." So at once on arriving the orphan seizing

ingchin-aru-pèn bèng-chèk inghoi-lo, ànsi habit làng-bi of iron-a cage-in firmly secure they did, and in the jungle a pool

akethe-pi a-kung bi-dàm-kòk-lo. very great (deep) on the bank putting down they placed.

"Mo-le làng nim-po-nàng; nònke kàt-athai "After a little while water (in) let us drown him; now run away-power

ave-lo; apòtke àn che-cho-dàm-si-nàng" pusi, he has not; therefore rice our-eat-go-let-us" saying,

àn che-cho-dàm-lo. Ànke a-òngmar àn rice-their they went to eat. Then his uncles their rice

checho-dàm-aphi, konane recho-asopo òk nàng-kehung had gone to eat after, some one or other King's son deer there-hunting

vàng-lo, ànsi jàngreso a-dung nàng-le-si, jàngreso-aphàn came, and the orphan near having arrived, the orphan (accus.)

arju-lo "Kopi apòtsi ingchin-aru-arlo asked "What on account of iron-cage-inside

nàng-kebèng-chèk-lo?" Ànsi jàngreso pulo: "Ne-òng-mar-atum you are here firmly secured?" Then the orphan said: "My maternal uncles

asopi keme pu matha-thèk-the àn-pin do. Lasi a daughter, how fair! as one cannot imagine so greatly have. Her

'èn-tu' pu ne-phàn ne-kipu, bònta ne-ke 'èn-e' 'take to wife' saying to me me they say, but I 'will not take'

pu kipusi, ne-òng-mar-atum aning-kithì-si ru saying replying, my uncles becoming very angry cage (in)

ne-kebèng-chèk-lo." Ànsi recho-asopo pulo--"Che! tàngte ne me have fastened up." Then the King's son said--"Oh! then I

èn-lòng-ji-ma?" "La ru-arlo-le nàng (her) take (to wife) shall be able?" "This cage into you

nàng-do-te, èn-lòng-ji-te" pu jàngreso pulo: here-get-in-if, you will be able to get her" saying the orphan said:

"elòm-te ne-òng-atum vàng-po, ànke-- "in a little while my uncles will come and--

'Ànhelo-ma?' pu nàng arju-lo-te, 'ànhelo, 'Have you anything to say?' saying you if they ask, 'all right,

èn-po, òngmar-li'--pura punòn." "To, tàngte," pu I will take her, uncles'--saying reply." "Yes, then," saying

recho-asopo pulo. Ànsi jàngreso recho-asopo-aphàn pulo--"La the King's son said. Then the orphan the King's son-to said--"That

nàng-pe nàng-ri-pèn mamàtle nàng ru-arlo nàng-lut-lo-te, nàng your coat your dhoti-with bedecked you cage-into here enter-if, you

chini-dèt-po; apòtke ne ingpu-nòn: ne-pe ne-ri they will recognize at once; therefore me let out: my coat my dhoti

nàng pipo, ànke ru-arlo lut-nòn." Ànsi recho-asopo ru you I will give, then cage-into enter." So the King's son the cage

ingpu-si jàngreso nàng-bar-lo, ànsi jàngreso a-pe having opened the orphan there came out, and the orphan his coat

a-ri recho-asopo pilo, la recho-asopo a-pe, a-ri, his dhoti to the king's son gave, that King's son his coat, his dhoti,

a-lèk, a-roi, jàngreso pi-thu-lo, ànke his necklace, his bracelets, to the orphan gave in exchange, and

recho-asopo ru-arlo lut-lo, ànsi jàngreso the King's son into the cage entered, and the orphan

ingkir-dun-thip-lo. Ànsi jàngreso-ta recho-asopo a-pe, a-ri, the door made fast. Then the orphan the King's son's clothes, dhoti,

a-lèk, a-roi che-pindèng, ahormu kedo-àn chepindèng-si, necklace, bracelets, having put on, his things all having put on,

ha ahèm che-dàm-lo. Ànsi jàngreso a-òngmar-ta àn away to his house went. And the orphan's uncles also rice

cho-dàm-pèn nàng-che-voi-lo, ru-alòng nàng-le-lo, ànsi arju-lo-- eating-from there returned, at the cage's place arrived and asked--

"àn-helo-ma osá?" "Ànhelo, òngmarli, èn-po" "have you anything to say, nephew?" "All right, uncles, I will take,"

pu jàngreso-kethàn-kàng-asòn-thòt recho-asopo pulo. Ànsi saying the orphan (by) instructed according to the King's son said. Then

ingchin-aru-pèn làngbi var-chui inghoilo. the iron cage-with deep pool (into) throw into water (him) they did.

Ànke jàngreso-a-òngmar kòrte-bàng-theròk chi-pu-lo-- Then the orphan's uncles brothers six said one to the other--

"Àn alàng i-duk e-kànghoi a-pòt, nòn ànke alàng "So much he us-trouble us-causing on account of, now however he

thi-lo"; ànsi hèm che-voi-lo. Ànke jàngreso puke-- kithi-ji is dead"; and home they returned. Then the orphan as for-- dead

kali, recho-asopo a-pe, a-ri, a-lèk, a-roi not at all, the King's son's coat, dhoti, necklace, bracelets

che-pindèng mesèn kemàt matha-thèk-the jadi-thèk-the-dèt having put on, beautifully adorned inconceivably, unimaginably,

thèk-dàm-thu-le-lo! Ànsi latum chi-pu-le-lo-- they saw again on arrival! Then they said among themselves again--

"Jàngreso thi-lòt-lo kali! Ha-la-le, "The orphan is not dead at all! There he is,

kemàt-lèp-ra ka-pàng-elim-ke." Ànke a-dung le-lo, adorned and strutting in his finery." Then near him they went,

jàngreso-aphàn arju-thu-lelo-- "Osá! nàmtu-si nàngli the orphan (accus.) asked-again-- "Nephew! how you

nàng-kele-tòng-ròk?" Ànsi jàngreso thàk-lelo-- "Che, òngmarli, here arrived so soon?" Then the orphan answered-- "Oh, uncles,

ne-phi-ne-phu-atum dola-pèn-si ne my grandmothers and grandfathers a palanquin-with me

nàng-kapethòn-dun-kòk-le; hali ne-li here-caused to be escorted back; there I

le-ròk-pèn-apara ne-phi-ne-phu-atum from the first moment of arriving my grandmothers and grandfathers

pe-keme, ri-keme, lèk roi ne-kepi: la làng-nòn! coat-good, dhoti-good, necklace bracelets me gave: them look at!

Nànglitum-aphàn-ta pevàng-tu-po-nàng You-to also cause-to-come it is necessary

kepha-dun-par: asin nàng-kelo, la ser a-tari-lòn, they sent word urgently: a sign they have sent, this gold-of knife,

làng-tha!" pu pe-klàng-lo. Ànsi a-òngmar pulo-- look at it!" so saying he showed it to them. Then his uncles said--

"Kopusi nelitum kedàm-thèk-po?" "Ingchin arú "How we go shall be able?" "Iron cage

abàng-phu-isi che-pòn-ra ha person-head-one (i.e. each one of you) taking for himself that

làng-kung lut-dàm-ik-nòn" pu jàngreso pulo. Ànsi river bank (to) get into it, good sirs" saying the orphan said. So

latum ingchin-aru che-pòn-si ha làng-kung lut-dàm-lo. Ànsi they iron cages having taken that river-bank (to) got into them. Then

jàngreso ingchin aru rakdun-hèt-ràkdunhèt-lo. Ànsi the orphan (in the) iron cages tightly tied up (each one). Then

jàngreso aklèng-si-abàng ingchin-aru-pèn làngbi the orphan the eldest one with the iron cage deep pool (into)

var-dàm-chui inghoilo. Ànke-phòng làng-abuk-buruk throw did. So then water-bubbles

vàng-jàm-cheplàng-lo; ànke jàngreso pu-le-lo! "Ja! òngmarli, coming up many-continued; then the orphan said again! "There! uncles,

làng-tha! ne-òng-a-klèng-ke la ne-phi ne-phu hòr look! my uncle eldest him my grandmother my grandfather beer

kipi-si hòr kàngri-si ka-chèng-òk-lo." Ànsi adàk-vàn-ta having given beer having drunk is vomiting." Then the next one also

làng-var-lo. Ànke kòrte-bàng-theròk-ta he threw into the water. Then the brothers six

làng-var-klip-si jàngreso hèm nàng-che-voi-lo. Ànsi having all thrown into the river the orphan home returned. Then

jàngreso-aphàn a-ni-mar-atum nàng-arju-lo-- "Nàngli the orphan (accus.) his aunts (uncles' wives) there asked-- "Your

òng-atum nàmtusi vàng-ji?" "Tòng-tòng vàng-ve: àn uncles when will they come?" "Quickly they will not come: so long

kachepho-phe apòtsi, nòn kachepho-le-ma?" not having met together on account of, now have they not met at last?"

pu jàngreso pulo. Ànsi jo-thòm jo-phili do-si saying the orphan said. Then nights-three nights-four having waited

ako a-ni-mar jàngreso-aphàn nàng-arju-thu-le-lo-- "Nàngli again his aunts the orphan (accus.) asked again there-- "Your

òng-atum pi-apòt vàng-ve-rèk-ma?" Ànsi jàngreso uncles what for have not come by this time?" Then the orphan

thàk-lo-- "Vàng-dàp-pràng-po." Ànsi jo-ni answered-- "They will come to-morrow morning." Then nights-two

jo-thòm dosi latum jàngreso-aphàn nights-three having waited they the orphan (accus.)

arju-dàm-thu-le-lo-- "Nàngli òng-atum kopi-apòtsi nòn-pu-ta asked again-- "Your uncles for what reason up to now

vàng-ve-dèt-ma?" Ànsi jàngreso thàn-lo-- "Nòksèk-le àn have not come?" Then the orphan explained-- "In the nòksèk rice

dèng-pi-ik-krei-nòn." Ànsi jàngreso a-ni-mar-atum set on (honorific) for each." Then the orphan's aunts

"thi-koi-lo!" pu chini-si, chirulo, chernàp-lo, "they are really dead!" saying having recognized, wept, lamented,

mòn-duk-lo, mòn-sa-lo. Ànsi jàngreso plànglo-philo, pàk-ta and were plunged in sorrow. So the orphan became rich, any one

làng-un-e-abàng ave-lo. Ànsi jàngreso recho kethe to look on with envy there was not. So the orphan king great

chosi rèng-me-rèng-dòk-lo. becoming, lived a happy and pleasant life.

NOTES.

Here we have a narrative of a more complex character than that of the first story, with a richer vocabulary, and abounding in the descriptive adverbial particles which are the main feature of the language.

Jàngre, orphan: so is a diminutive particle. Jàngre indicates that one parent is dead; jàngrèng is used when neither survives.

Inut, a loan-word from the Khasi ngut, used for the enumeration of persons: in Mikir initial ng is inadmissible.

Hèm-epi, widow, literally, "sole mistress of the house" (hèm); the syllable e is perhaps a thinning down of a; pi is the feminine affix, here of dignity.

Achèklè, brother, used only by a woman speaking of her brothers; ik is used by both sexes; mar, collective particle, used to form plurals: often atum is added; kòrte, brother; both kòr and te separately may be used for either brother or sister; bàng, the class-word used for human beings before numerals.

Do, a verb meaning to stay, dwell, exist; specially, it has the meaning "to live with as a wife," and is the correlative of èn, "to take (to wife)."

Arni-kàngsàm, "day-becoming-cool-time," the late afternoon. As is natural where there are no clocks, the divisions of the day are marked by other means than the count of hours. Arni is a day (or sun), regarded without reference to the lapse of time = French jour; anerlo is a day's space = journée. Similarly, ajo is a night, jirlo a night's space. The first indication of coming day is vo-khu e-the, "first cock-crow"; then follows vo-khu the-ni, "second cock-crow," and vo-khu the-thòm, "third cock-crow"; then the-àng prinpre-le, "just before dawn"; then adàp kàng-thàng, dawn (adàp, general word for morning); then nerlo-chitim, "day-middle," noon; then arni the-lelo, "the sun at its height"; then arni-kàngsàm, "the sun becoming cool," afternoon; then ingting lim-rim, or ingting-rim, dusk. Then begins ajo, night, when the evening meal is taken, after which soon comes the first sleep, àn-cho mèk-bur, "rice-having-eaten eye-close"; then jirlo chitim, midnight.

Nàng-, a particle used, prefixed to verbs, to give vividness, is really the pronoun of the 2nd person singular, emphasis being given by referring the verb to the person addressed. Nàng at the end of the phrase is the verb of necessity = must; it often means "let us do this or that."

Pàt, as a noun, is a stone dam or fence, put across a stream with an opening in the middle in which the bamboo cage or fish-trap, ru, is placed; as a verb, it means to build such a dam or fence; du means to place a thing so that it will catch or intercept something else.

Làng, water, stream: làng-thàk up-stream, lang-ber down-stream.

Che- prefixed to verbs gives them a reflexive meaning, and indicates that the action relates to the subject; hèm che-voi-lo, "he went home, to his own house"; che-pu-lo, "they said to one another"; ru che-vàt-dàm-lo, "they went to inspect their own fish-trap."

Chikung, a cray-fish; chikàng is an imitative sequent; similarly phàng-o, carelessly, is followed by phàng-a.

Jàng, as a verb, means to fill up, or, of the containing vessel, to hold--òk-kejang a-ru, "fish-to-hold-trap." Notice that òk means both fish and flesh; alone, it has usually the former meaning, or that of game, animals hunted; when joined to the name of an animal, the latter: chainòng-a-òk, beef; phàk-a-òk, pork; bi-a-òk, goat's flesh.

Tèng and plèng both mean to be full: sèt is a particle added to strengthen the verb, taking the place of the tense-affix.

Adàp-vàng, "every morning"; literally, "as (each) morning came." Che-rai-ver-lo; here che- is the reflexive particle, rai a verb, to occupy, take up, ver a particle indicating continuance, lo the tense-affix; the whole therefore means "they kept on taking up for themselves."