The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1873-06-21

trade of elephant driver. He covered his
back with sort of saddle, and placed ON
each side two baskets. Phileas Fogg paid
the native in bank notes taken from the IA
nous bag; then he offered conveyance to Sir
Francis Cromarty, to the station at Allaba>
had. He accepted; one traveller more could
not fatigue this gigantic animal Food was
purchased at Khofby. Sir Francis Cromar-
ty, took his place in one Of the baskets, Phil
cas- Fogg in the other. Passepartout astrde
on the saddle, between his master and thu
brigadier. The Parsee mounted upon the
neck of the elephant, and at nine clock, the
animal, leaving the town, plunged quickly
into thick forest of palm trees.
CHAPTER XII.
The guide, in order to abridge the distance
to be accomplished, left upon the right, the
unfinished road bed. The road followed the
win iings of the. Vindhias mountains, and Mr.
Fogg wished to take the most direct, and
shortest route. The Parsee, very familiar
with the roads and paths of the country,
pretended to gain 20 miles, in cutting across
the forest, and they trusted his guidance.
Phileas Fogg and Sir Francis Cromarty, bur-
led almost to their necks in their panniers,
were well shaken up by the rapid trot of the
elephant. But they bore the situation with
the most Brttanic phlegm, talking very lit
tie, and scarcely seeing each other. Passe-
partout, mounted on the back of the beast,
was subjected to blows and counter blows:
now thrown upon the neck, and then back
upon the Group, he bounded like clown on
springing board. But he laughed and
joked in the midst of his somersaults; and
from time to time drew from his bag some
Jumps of sugar, which the intelligent animal
took with the end of his trunk, without inter-
rupting his regular march.
After two hours OF travel the guide halted,
10 give the elephant an hour of rest, who de.
voured the branches and shrubs, after having
slaked his thirst at a neghboring spring.
Sir Francis did not complain of the halt, he
was bruised. Phileas Fogg appeared as CON-
posed as if he had just left his bed.
us he iron p said the brigadier, regarding
him with admiration.
Wrought ironr' answered Passepartout,
who was preparing quick breakfast.
At midday, the guide gave the signal for
departure. The country soon took very
wild aspect; to great forests succeeded hedges
OF tamarinds and palmettos; then vast barren
plains, bristling with poor shrubs, and strewn
with great blocks ofsyenites. All this part
of the high Bnpdelkund, very little frequent
ed by travellers, is inhabited by a fanatical
poplation, hardened in the most terrible prac-
tees of the Hindoo religion. The English
government has not been able to establish its
authority over this territory, governed by
Rajahs, and it is difficult to reach them in
their inaccessible retreats of the Vindhia,
They saw many bands of ferocious Indians,
but the Parsee avoided them as much as DOS.
sible, believing them dangerous travelling COM
panions.
At eight o'clock in the evening, the principal
chain OF the Vindhias had been crossed, and
the travellers halted at the foot of the south
cry slope at deserted bungalow. They had
travelled rs miles, one half the distance to
Allabahad. The night was cold; the Parsee
lighted a fire of dry branches, in the hut the
supper was made Of the provisions purchased
at Kholly. The travellers, worn out with ia
tgue, ate very little The conversation,
which commenced with some broken phrases,
ended soon in sound sleep. The guide watch
ed near the elephant, who slept, leaning
against the trunk of great tree. Sir Francis
slept soundly, as brave soldier overcome
with fatigue. Passepartout, in his troubled
sleep began again in dreams the somersaults
of the day. As for Mr.. Fogg, he reposed as
peacefully as if he had heen in his mansion in
Saville Row.
At six in the morning, they commenced
again their journey. The guide hoped to
reach the station at Allahabad the same eve
ming. Phileas Fogg would lose only part of
the 4S hours, gained since his departure from
London. They descended the last slope of
the Vindhias, and the elephant took again
his rapid trot. Near midday the guide pass
ed the town of Kallinger, situated upon the
CAM, one of the tributaries of the Ganges :: he
avoided all inhabited places, knowing that
they were safer in the desert country. The
sation at Allahabad was only twelve miles to
the northeast They halted under a cluster
palm trees, of which the fruit, wholesome
as bread, and rich as cream (say travellers
was greatly appreciated. At two O'Clock, the
guide entered Unto thick forest of MANY
miles extent, prefering to travel under the
shelter of the trees. Thus far thew had en-
countered nothing disagreeable and the Jour
ney seemed about to end without accident,
when the elephant gave some signs of uneasi-
ness, and suddenly halted. 1t was then four
O'Clock.
''What is the matter?'' asked Sir Francis
Cromarty, raising his head above the pam
. nier.
81 do not know officer;'' replied the Par
see listening to the confused murmur. which
ran through the thick branches
Some instants later, this murmur became
more distinct; one would have said it was
concert OF human voices and brass instru-
ments. The Parsee jumped to the ground,
fastened the elephant to tree, and hid him
self in the thick underwood. A few moments
after, he returned, "saying it is a Brahmin
procession, coming this way. fit is posi-
BILE we must avoid being seem" He unfast-
ened the animal, led him into a thicket, and
advised the travellers not to dismount. He
held himself ready to spring to his seat, if
flight became necessary; but he thought the
procession might pass without perceiving
them,t the foliage sheltered them so completely.
The discordant noise of voices and instru-
ments dew near; monotonous chants min
gled with the sound of cymbals and drums.
Soon the head of the procession appeared I'M
der the trees, not fifty steps from the post &C.
cupied by Mr.. Fogg and his companions. and
they distinguished easily, through the branch
es. the curious personnel of this religious GER
emony. In the first line, came the priests,
wearing mitres, and clothed in long embroid-
erea robes. They were surrounded Fly men
women and children, who sang sort of FIJI
neral psalm, interrupted at intervals by blows
on the tomtom and symbals. Behind them
on chariot with large wheels, of which the
spokes and hub appeared like intertwn;no
serpents, came a llideous statue, drawn by
our zebras, richly caparsoned. This statue
had four arms; the body painted dark red !:
haggard eyes; and disheveled hair; the tongue
extended and the lips tinted with henna
and betel She wore necklace of skulls, and
around her waist belt of amputated hands.
Sir Francis recognized the statue "The god
dess Kalf' he murmured, ''the goddess of
Love and Death"
"Of Death, understand but of Love: no p
said PassepartOut, in a low voice, "The
ugly old woman"
The Parsee made signs TO him to hold his
tongue. Around the statue, group of old
fakirs, striped with bands of ocher, danced,
cutting themselves with cross-like missions,
which allowed the blood to escape drop by
drop; senseless fanatics, who, in great Hin
doc ceremonies, throw themselves under the
Gar of Jugpernaut. Behind them followed
some Brahmins, in all the richness Of orien-
tai costume, dragging woman who could
scarcely support herself She was young,
white as an European; her neck, head, ears,
shoulders, arms and toes loaded with jewels,
necklaces, bracelets. clasps, and rings. A
tunic, embroidered in gold, covered with a
thin muslin robe, Shove the outlines OF her
form. Behind the young woman-violent
commissioning armed guards, with naked sa-
bres in the belt, and long embossed pistols.
carried corpse on a palanquin. 1t was the
hOdy of an old man dressed in tho rich rohos of