The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1894-10-03

As soon as tilin was over we started. /
The top Of the victoria was thrown back, !
for the sun shouc iitiully and clouds loom. /
ing up from the ocean horizon puwended
rain Just outside the park gate was a
dark fuliagcd banyun tree, under whose
tCntlike branches a number of dirty, gro
tcsqucly painted fukirs were gathered,
some asleep, their backs against its up
right limbs. others, with uncouth pros
trations and gcnullcCtions, mumbltng
their prayers.
We continually passed country carts,
filled with produce, and drawn by bul-
locks Then there was u Clattcr OF huols, a
cloud of dust, and squad of Indian Ian
Gers dashed by, their gold fringcd turbans,
gorgeous uniforms, and long spears, from
whose points nuttcrcd scarlet pcnnons,
Elittoriug in the sun.
We drove through the copper bazaar
hut when we came to the flight OF stone
steps leading down to the ancient town
we abandoned the carriage and proceeded
ON foot, pausing often to- inspect the nov
elites which met us at very turn
Most of the shops had ovcrhaugng bal
comics, whose horizontal beams were sup
ported by deliberately carved lockwood
brackets From these were suspended con
ical topped bamboo cages, curtancd in rcd
and yellow silk, containing parrots, bull
bulls and partridgcs.
At street corner three half nude jug
glcrs were entertaining an idle throng,
while from the fat roof of an adjacent
house long tailed monkey, with black
face fringcd in white beard, solcmnly
munchcd custard apple which he had
flchcd from woman who sold fruit un-
der an awning near by.
Just as we left Chinese shop, with its
pcrvasivc udors, and were shaking our
heads discouragingly at the almond eyed
Celestial standing bowling before US and
repeating pcrsuasivcly, "Wantcc anything
aday>" sudden shower poured down.
We scurriCd into the next door, where cop
per and brass vases, jars and bowls were
piled in artistic confusion,
Hearing laughing ejaculation, l look
ed around, and my heart gave leap which
sent the blood to my neck and face rs |
saw Captain Rochester standing in the
room, shaking the raindrOps from his hat
Il learned from your gari mala that you
were on the street, and just caught a
glimpse of you as you vanished in here,
he explained, taking my hand and kiss
ing Dorothca.
The rain poured down in solid sheets,
falling before the door like liquid cur
tain that shut us in from the outside
world. Tl&'e were deep rcvcrbcrations Of
thunder and vivid flashes of lightning,
which played over the metal vessels and
transiently illumncd the Rembrandtish
gloom of the interior where an old HindOO
smoked his hubble bubble, apparently OBJ
lvious of our hasty and noisy intrusion,
We sat about ON rugs, Turkish fashion,
and made ourselves entirely at home The
air was puugCnt with the Odor of heap
of rain washed guavas on fruit stand
near, and Captain Rochester, taking ad-
vantage of "a cessation in the shower, step
ped out and purchased basket of pume-
granates, oranges figs, little dcliciously
sweet yellow bananas, not more than two
inches long, dates, and u purpliSh looking
fruit about the size and shape of an egg
with a smooth, glossy skin, musty odor,
and subaCid flavor, which ! did not like,
but which the ayah and our taciturn host,
whom we had invited to share our feast,
devoured ravcnOusly.
Captain Rochester peeled figs for Doro-
thea and me, bcstowing them impartially
on first one, then the other, excepting
when Dollie became greedy and wanted
to infringe on my rights, when there was
u lltIIS HNlutJblt' III NlllNll Nit captain
joined. Even the ayah and the Hindoc
melted under the genial influences and
chatted and chucliled in subdued tones.
! When the rain was over, we prepared Il
go; but, remembering Carolines request
for a cobra stone, l asked orr host if he
could supply one. He hobblCd to his feet
with an alaCrity / should have thought
impossible to one of his cumbersome dig
nifty and disappeared into an inner room
Hastily returning, he placed before me II
small lacquer box, and with folded arms
stood watching me kCcnly. But the ayah
had thrown herself ON her knees Mt my
side, and with rolling eyes and trembling
voice implored; Don't buy EN-, missus;
don't buy EN- They devil stones an
bring bad luck, -" and she tried to take the
box from me.
They will not harm me am not su-
perstitious," l said dedantly. Shaking off
her OBTAINING hand and opening the lid,
l saw several small, yellow, semitrans-
| parent pebbles, oval in shape, with fiat,
tened sides, lying imbcdded in nest Of
cotton.
| is it true that the cobra de capello car,
ries these stones in its MOUTH" / asked
| of Captain Rochester, who was teasing
| Dollie.
! Yes, " he replied as he picked up the
largest stone and turning it idly in his
! hand, continued, drcamily: If tested by
| psychOmancy, what tales of horror these
! innocent looking little pebbles might re.
veal of the jungle and death" He laugh.
ingly placed it against my brow, at which
the Gyah uttered piercing Shrek, and
selling Dorothca in her arms rushed tC
the door, and even ! drew back with q
feeling of awe. Recovering myself by an
effort, pushed the box out Of reach and
persisted, deeply interested: Tell me all
about them. OF what use are they to the
snake"
1.-THE most rational theory, think, >
he said, absently twirling his mustache
lis that the cobras use them as decoys
The stone is a rare variety of fluor spar
found in dry river beds, 1t emits in the
dark-especially when previously warmed
"A greenish phOsphOrescent light Now
the cobra has peculiar fondness for a die
of arefics, and by coiling itself in tn
grass with the naja kallu near the flreilie
swarm around it in numbers, being easil
deceived by its resemblance to the glow
worm, which, you know is the female G
the FREELY, but crawls upon the ground
having only rudimentary wings. In thi
! way NI' tb'li obtllIIS an Easy SuDDiN q
| food and will defend the stone with it
| life
But why is the ayah so afraid q
! them| | asked, looking to where sh
stood with an ashen face, muttering rapid
! ly to herself in Hindoostanec
"Oh, the natives have superstition
! that their light comes from the spirit q
those the cobra has killed, and that
| grows dim if not supplied with fresh vic
Tins, which is an easy task, since there
| no known antidoto to the bite of the CO
! bra"
What dreadful country TO live int
l said, with u shudder, as he extended hi
hand to assist me to my feet.
l paid 30 rupees for three Of the largcs
stones, and we crossed the street to jew
elers, who agreed TO polish and attac
! them as pendants to a delicate iligrc
] Dpcllnpp nf silVpr which I spInrtpl