The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1857-11-25
The Rajah's Daughter.

ern sunrise pictured themselves upon the
horizon like an arch Of frett.d gold and
powdered gems, broken and Irregular
now standing out in abutmens of fiery
light, or sinking back 10 The depths Of the
SKY III waves ot crimson, purple, and pale
H'oIets, then ilnging up turrets of amber,
and soft rose color TO the Zenith. and at
last melting away in a sea of ,hee, gold.
us The sun rose from behind the green
trees OF lindostan. 1t was the honr Of
worship; the dawn had scarcely broken
over the Ganges, when the snowy temples
and the picturesque mosque which stood
oedded in the foliage, and crowned the
rocks which shot over the stream, with
their drapery and creeping vines, were
hung open. From every easement and
talry lattice, were lavshed forth showers
OF lotus blossoms, with glossy green leaves.
and buds full Of odor, the 2ramin's tribute
TO the holy waters, till the river seemed
bursting into blossom beneath the warm
sunshine. While the crested waves were
troopIng forward like crowds of BRIGHT
winged spirits sporting and rejoicing to.
gether among the blossoms thus lavished
upon them, budgero or state barge, fol.
lowed by train Of baggage boats, sho,
out from the shadow Of grove Of banan
trees, and with its silken penants stream.
ing to the morning air, made lis way up
the stream.
1t WAS princely sight-tha, long.
slender boat-as it flashed out into the
broad sunshne--its giIden PROV curving
gracefully up from the water in the form
OF cacock with FURNISHED wings. lew
e'ied crest aud neck Of scaIy goId-the
sides swelling gently out at the bows and
sIop'ns away 10 the stern, till tLey me,
III two Gltded horns Of exquisite workman
ship, the smaller ends twisted torc,her
ana forming the extreme point OF the
boat. lie rose colored mouths curved
gently outward, tIom which beard of
lrult, coiorcd and carved ~ a perfect sem
b'ance OF nature, seemed bursting away
over The inamng waters rs she cut her
Pa'h gracefully through them, leaving a
l""g wreath OF foam, curling aud flashing
III ncr track. In the hroadest part of the
deck stood sma.I pavilion, its dome paved
with mother Of pearl and studded withou,
Prec'ors stones; lis pillars Of hutcd ivory.
hall hidden 10y rich drapery Of orange
aud azure silk, iringed and festooneL ID
the iretw' TX Of tie dome, with ropes Of
heavy silk, twisted and tasselled with sill
yer.
Within apavi!ion, on carpet glowing
with the rich dyes Of Persia, half recIined
an elderly native, roLed in all tue splen
Cor OF an oriental prince, with his eve half
close !, and apparently dropping into a
quiet s'unber. The mouth piece of his
hookah lay idly between his thin lips, its
Je"eIled length gIittering against his vest,
and then burst away, cor! after coil, like a
serpent wrlthing in bed Of flowers, till it
ended in bowl Of burning opal stones,
from whic! wreath Of periumed smoke
stole IanguidIy upward, and hoated
among the azure drapery like clouds NOV
ing IN the depths Of a summer sky. Di.
reciIy opposite, on pile OF orange color.
ca cushions, lay female, young and
beautiful AS an hour. Her robe of lndla
muslin. starred and spotted with gold, was
open IN front, be'rayng neck Of perfect
beauty, and but haIfconceaing the grace
fuI outline OF her person; her bright hair
was banded back from her forehead with
string Of orient pearls, and fell over the
siIken Cushions in multitude OF long
black braids, SO long as almost to reach
her feet while she retained her reclining
position. She had the full large eye Of
her fiery cline, long cut, and full of
brightness, but shaded with heavy, silken
lashes, which lieut. them a langushine
and almost sleepy softness. A smile was
continually melting over her full, red lips,
and the whole expression Of her face was
one OF mingled softness and energy. Be-
hInd her cushions stood youth of sleu-
der, active form, with high. finely mould
ed forehead, and eyes kinding with the
hre OF proud but restraining spirit. Yet,
though his port was almost regal, and his
bearing princeIy, he was ir the humble
costume Of Hindoo slave. The hand
which should have been familiar with the
sabre hi!!, was occupied in waving fan
OF gorgeous feathers above the reclining
princess. Occasionally, when the fair
girl would close her ewes as if lulled TO
sleep by the musical dipping of the oars,
he would fix those expressive eyes upon
her, as the devotee dweIs upon the form
OF his idol. The bold menia al h ad dared
to look upon the loveliest maiden, and the
lottlest princess in all Hio iostan, With
eyes of !ove. And she, the brightest star
OF her fathers court, the affianced bride
OF prince rs proud and as wealthy As
her own naughty sire-had she forgotten
her lofty caste TO lavish her regard on the
person OF slave Those who had look.
ed upon the expression Of those lofty eyes
uncIosIng beneath his passionate gaze, as
the starry blossoms open 20 the snnbea ms
might have read an answer which spoke
much for the warm hearted woman. but
little for the dignity Of regal birth.
The old RNjsb, as he reclined, appa.
rently half asleep, marked the mingled
glances OF the youthful pair, and wicked,
crafty expression stole over his face;
light cleaned out from his half opened
eyes, which told how dark and subtle
were his secret thoughts--he lay like a
serpent nursing its venom for sudden