The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1890-03-08
TRAVEL IN INDIA.
PECULIAR METHODS OF HUMAN
CONVEYANCE.
Bad EOads-The Caravan OF Camels
On the Backs of Elephants
The Palanquin-Traveli
on Foot-BullOck Wagons.

The natives Of India as a rule never
make or repair roads for themselves.
They will throw up a highway. for then
Kings or rulers, but however heavy the
traffic and travel their country roads,
with all the ruts and holes, remain the
same from year to year. !, One cart fol-
lows another 50 exactly that the wheels
wear two deep ruts i'll the hard dry
earth, and the axle often strikes the
ground This is facilitated by the bull
locks always walking in the tracks of
the wheels instead OF between them.
During the dry seasons says G. J..
Wharton. in the ChUrch JOtce, these
roads become suffocatinglv dusty which,
combined with the burning heat of an
Indian sun, makes one wish lie could
travel faster as well as more comfortably.
In the rainy season the cart, bulloc!s,
driver and traveller ali have rest. The
roads, on account Of the deep mud and
swollen streams, have become impossible
to either man or beast.
Another indigenous and ancient method
Of travel prevailing largely in India is
the Oriental caravan Of camels. | have
seen as many as one hundred in one cara
van carrying bags of wheat, linseed or
cotton to the railway station or to the ma
tive bazaar. The camel driver rides on
the foremost animal, the next can'el has
a rope through its nose, which is tied to
the tail OF the one going before, and so
to the last camel, which also has a rider
to bring up the rear portion of the cara
van and see that nothing goes wrong
anywhere in the long procession. These
animals are usually owned and managed
by Mohammcdan, whose wealth, like
many an Arab Shcik, consists of his cam
els and herds. They live principally on
thistle, canadian thistle and the green
leaves of the Acacia tree, which they
will gather themselves if allowed the
privilege. Though 50 sad, solemn and
ugly, they are often dressed up in gay
colors and made to take an important
part ir marriage procession or religious
festival .
Kings, rulers and rich men often travel
on elephants. What boy has not read of
elephant hunting in India? Thousands
have been tanned and taught to do invalua-
BILE service, and in, that capacity are found
all over this great Empire. Whom visit
ing the native city of Jaipur in Raputana,
the King sent me an elephant upon which
to ride out and see some of the interest.
ing old temples and ruins beyond the city
limits. This courtesy and kindness is
extended to all European travellers.
The elephant is indispensable at we'd
dings in rich families, the youthful bride
groom always riding from his fathers
house to the home of his infant bride on
the back of an elephant richly caparisoned.
The British officer, whether on the
plains, in the jungle, or among the forests
of the mountains, finds his elephants in |
valuable allies. Hindus, MusliIls and
Christians are glad to have him lend ma
jesty and grace to the professions at their
great festivals At the coronation of
Kings and upon all State occasions,
whether in war or in peace. he not only
carries royalty on his broad strong Lack,
but he moves himself King among the
animal creation.
The palanquin is of Indian origin, as
the word itself indicates. 1t is an easy
and safe method of locomotion, indis-
pensable in making the rapid ascent at
many of the hill stations; and in all the
large cities and towns, both native and
European, officials may be seen going to
aud from their places Of business borne
along on the strong shoulders of four
palanquin bearers. All over India the
sick, wounded and invalid find it con-
venience for which to be thankful.
, A still more primitive moi Of travel,
however, may be called the "Take up
thy bed and walk style. Millions
travel by the railways, millions go on
bullock carts, but many more millions
literally take up their beds and walk. |
They are too poor to afford any other
way. Orientals, by whatever way they
travel, carry their beds with them,
and Europeans in India soon learn to do |
the same The bed consists of a quilt |
and pillow wrapped in small rug about !
five feet long. Besides this every native !
carries small brass vessel and rope for !
drawing water to drink and use in cook |
ing and bathing, a native pipe and some
tobacco, however poor he may be, and
large bamboo walking stick. A Hindu's |
days journey is not a great distance.
Through the midday heat these foot
passengers will sit under the grateful
shade of banyan or mango tree cook
ing, eating and resting At night they
will lie down on their beds and cover
their heads up with the quilt and sleep
soundly. By the roadside, near q sa-
cred stream or temple, they rest their
weary bodies, never murmuring or COM /
planning Of their fare or fate.