The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-10-10
THE BLACK CHATTY.

1t was standing under the shadow of a
thorn tree by the edge of an Indian riv-
er-that gray stone which is the subject
OF my story. The country is very full
OF such marks and memorials. Some
times they are conical masses painted
red, with another fiat stone placed be-
fore them, upon which trivial offerings
of flowers, fruit or rice may be laid.
Sometimes they are carefully sculptured
stones, bearing the sign which shows
that II ''sati,' or Hindoo widow. has in
days past immolated herself on the sa-
cred spot. Sometimes it is merely All
odd shaped bowlder which has struck
the pious imagination of some peasant
or village priest, and he has daubed
patch of yellow or vermilion paint upon
it. after which the local deity is sup
posed to reside there, and everybody
filings IL little pebble in front of it or ties
q strip of cloth upon the branches of the
tree overhead
But this little monument was very
special, established in the patch of aca-
cias and long reeds by the rivers bank
and having carved upon its face the rude
picture of a "chatty," or common wa
ter pot with. underneath that, wom-
ans name. Above it, among the little
golden balls of blossom which grow
upon the babul boughs were fluttering
numberless strips of cotton and goats
hair stuff of all colors, and the faded
flowers and stones lying in front proved
that it was a popular shrine, which no
native of the district passed without
some small token of respect or pity.
The Indian rivers often appear very
beautiful-especially where they run, as
this great stream did, through wild
country, embroidering their path across
the sunburned plains with double rib
bon of verdure. From far off the trav-
eler or sportsman discerns these two
strips of green trees and bushes, and
coming closer the shining channel will
be full of refreshment and interest to
his eyes. Little or no traffic disturbs
that placid waterway, which, indeed
very frequently is but chain of isolated
pools. Above them may be seen every
where lowering the muchi-bagh or fish
tiger" black and white kingfsher that
hangs motionlessly poised over the rip
pies, and then suddenly plunges like a
stone into them to seize some gliding
fish.
In the deep parts the big mah-seer
sucks and grunts. On the shadows will
be standing knee deep the great gray
cranes with scarlet heads, and near to
them focks of pretty white egrets or
paddy birds, while flights of duck AMI
teal whistle up and down the channel
and painted grouse settle suddenly OIL
fha -, 4
drink. IF it be near a village the dhobee
washerman of the community, will be
beating "saris" and "cholis" upon fiat
rock by the nearest pool, and in some
quiet nook q fisherman will be fiinging
his circular net into the water to catch
the little fry called "havildar and ten,"
which are dried afterward in the sun
and make good relish.
There is no regular ferry at such
points. Should you want to go across
singly, you must swim over with your
horse or do as the natives do. They
stuff upthe mouth Of chatty-an earth
enware water pot-with grass, and plac-
ing 1t under the chin embrace the vessel,
which supports them we'll out of the
water, while with their legs and feet they
propel themselves to the farther shore.
Or you may hold the chatty under one
arm and swim with tho other, putting
your clothes IN bundle upon your mead.
BY this means also the Indian fishermen
spread nets right across the stream and
traverse 1t Mt oil times with ease and &C.
curity.
1t was one of these, indeed, who OK
planned the meaning Of tho old gray
stone by the bank OF tho river, sprinkled
with those golden balls from tho babul
tree, and standing, 80 lonely, with
"sohni" cut upon 1t and tho picture Of
The waterproof. When the British laborer