Our Little Hindu Cousin

ne very leisurely, though there was a lot of talking and disputing and the giving of contrary orders. At last, however, the great "ruth wagon" drawn b

shes into the wagon. Chola's father and mother had to take all these things with them on the journey because there are no hotels at which t

d away; except Mahala's father, who was to take Harajar's place at the shop in the Baza

when at last the big wagon ru

easy-chair, swung between two long poles. This was carried by two men, one

, and several others walked beside the slow

ttle Nao from his gard

l the new, strange sights they were going to see along the road. They shouted greetings to their friend the potter as they passed him, an

his, however, for the road was very lively with people going into the city, some in bullock-carts, some in big wagons like their own,

ul peacocks were sunning themselves on the garden walls, spreading out their great tails and strutti

, with only a cloth wrapped around his waist. His long matted hair hung on his shoulders, and he was

held out a begging-bowl, saying: "Give, oh, charitable people, to this Hol

City' if we are going to give to every beggar on the road,"

"Maybe he will pray that our babe be made well;" and she sighe

alled "Holy Men" because they do nothing but make pilgrimages from one s

dogs," said Mahala, a little fearfully, but they forgot about dogs when they saw a thicket of sugar-cane do

d the man, "if you will give a wreath of flowers to the Sacred River

stalks of cane. All at once Mahala cried out, and pulled Chola back, and there, just at their feet, was a pure white

E CAME A BI

st mean good luck to you, my young masters. It is a ra

ooking for water," said the farmer, as he took a long stalk of cane and gently guided it down to the str

cloud of dust down the road. "It is an elephant and many men," said one of the servants. "A great ruler, doubtless," said another, as there came into sight a man on horseback carrying a silk banner or flag. It turned

silks and jewels, with a great diamond-set plume in his turban. The fittings of this "howdah" were most luxurious. It was lined and carpeted with expensive silken rugs, for the making of which certain castes are famous. There are many kinds of rugs in

the Rajah's head. The driver sat on the neck of the elephant and guided the big

nces and banners of silk; then a whole troop of servants who guarded the wagons fi

s the children picked flowers by the roadside and threw them before the Rajah's e

like that and wear such beautiful jewels!" And all the rest of the da

t. It was only a bare piece of ground under some trees, and a few st

on the ground cooking their suppers or bargaining for food at the little booths. Soon, when their own p

athering big leaves from the trees. These they used for plates, heaping them up

There were many servants in the new party, and a fine litter with gold and silk coverings. When the litter was put down, a young boy stepped out, looking very proud a

at the very least," whispered Mahala to Chola in an awest

a right to be proud, for he wears the 'Sacred Thread' about him," he continued, looking at the little boy wi

wagons crept up near and salaamed befor

y master," cried one of the

njoying the lively scene. "When I was young like Shriya, a beggar boy like that would not have dared c

could see him eat, and then, growing tired of respectful glances of the crowd around hi

Shriya crept into the wagon with her mother. Everybody slept soundly, in spite of the fact that one of the s

ning was the cook scolding the doves, who were picking o

e cried. "They are a

hala amused themselves by throwing pieces of cake to the doves who were picking up their food around the ca

ter much shouting and running about, the bullocks were at last yoked into the wagon and the little proce

and Chola were walking beside the wagon for a change. The lattices we

adly, as she patted the bundle beside her. "

acrifice thy toys, too?" smiled

wn her dolls into the sacred river when she was a child, at the yearly fes

too, would have to destroy all their toys. Chola wondered to himself as he walked along if he might no

a group of children by the roadside who were amusing themselves playing at making "graves." They were heaping up lit

at, dusty road, camping out at night at the paraos, un