Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1894-04-04
THE SUTTEE.

bis bungalow in the English camp at the
foot Of a spur of the Western Ghauts
when an old sergeant came to announce
that Punjo, native spy, wished to
speak with him on urgent business.
A moment later lank, half naked
Hindoo with crafty look entered noise
lessly and Frustrated himself.
''Rise, Punjo," said the major in Hin
doostanee, land tell me briefly what
news you bring"
"Sahib, - replied the spy, 'Punjo is
the bearer of serious tidings for the Eng
lish. The young widow Of the old Prince
Rahadoor of Ellora is to be burned on
the pyre Of her husband tomorrow about
sunrise on the plain Of Ellora. :"
"What!" exclaimed the major, clinch-
ing his fist, in spite Of the treaty the
English have made with the Indian
princes for the abolition of the suttee?
And how far is the plain of Ellora from
here?'
''By the mountain paths quick foot
could reach there between the rising of
tonight's moon and the morrow S
dawn
ga rabble, said the English officer,
with sneer, ''who will be frightened
to death at the mere sight of a few hun
dred English bayonets and redcoats! But
how do the priests dare to undertake
this ceremony almost under our very
noses? 1t must be they have not yet
learned of our presence here.
''They have told the people that de-
spite the treaty you dare not interfere;
that you dare not thus bid defiance to
their godsp'
'sWe shall seer' muttered the English
officer.
With the rising of the moon the Eng
lish moved out of their camp, their
heavy tread rumbling in the still air.
Punjo, the spy, led the way as guide.
Toward daybreak they came in sight
Of the plain Of Ellora.
Hating his troops, the major, accom-
panied by the spy and a few Of his men,
advanced to reconnoiter.
The waning moon cast faint light
over the plain. To the south dark
mass rose against the sky. This, Punjo
said, was the funeral pile, guarded by
a few fanatics, lest the beasts of prey
should attack old Rahadoor's body,
which was to have been placed there at
nightfall Of the previous day
To the left, about a hundred yards
from the pile upon knoll, loomed up
heap of ruins, the remains of the once
magnificent pagoda of Ellora.
''There, p" said the major, pointing to
the crumbling structure, sis an excel
lent place for me to conceal my men till
the moment for action comes. Mean
while we must surprise these fanatics,
who would doubtless be highly delight
ed to be able to inform the people of Ell
lora of our presence and so thwart our
purpose. The rascals, overcome by their
religious frenzy and vigil, are probably
fast asleep, and SO will fall into our
hands without bloodshed. Go cautiously
forward, Punjo, with my men and Sc
cure them. -
The order was easily executed, for
the fanatics were asleep, as the major
had surmised, and were disarmed and
seized before they could think of offer
Ing any resistance.
The next step was to secrcte the regi-
ment in the immense ruins.
Dawn was beginning to show itself
along the horizon when there came to
the ears Of the eager watchers a sound
as of faroff clamor.
''It is they" said the spy.
Led by hundred Brahman priests in
their robes of ceremony, their shaven
heads uncovered, some carrying flaming
torches, the natives slowly advanced,
the air echoing with their acclamations.
In their midst, surrounded by crowd
Of bowling fanatics, plodded a gorgeous
ly caparisoned elephant, upon whose
back sat young woman clad in white
and covered with sparkling gems.
This was the hapless suttee, old Ra-
hadoor's widow And not only was she
very young--apparently not over 16-
but she was very beautiful truly raw
ishing creature. The severe fast which
the Brahman priests imposed upon the
suttee had not perceptibly marred her
beauty. Her black eyes, though dimmed
by suffering, had not lost all their lus-
ter, and her pale face wore an indescrib-
ably sad and sweet expression
When the foot of the pyre was reach
ed, hush came over the multitude, and
handsome young priest, stepping from
the ranks of his colleagues, walked back
ward to where the elephant had stopped
and spoke to the young woman
She started at the sound of his voice.
as if from dream, rose, looked about
her moment in confusion, then de-
scended the short ladder placed against
the animals side.
When she reached the ground, the
young priest took her gently by the arm
and delivered her into the hands Of some
women, who began to strip her of her
jewels and outer garments and loosened
| her luXuriant black hair, which fell in
| glossy waves to her feet, leaving her
| finally standing there, abashed and be-
wildered, with nothing to cover her ma
kedness but thin silken undergarment
Then the young priest once more ap-
! preached her and conducted her to the
| pile amid the shouts of the people and
| howls Of the fanatics, who in their re-
igious exaltation began to slash their
| naked bodies with knives.
At the foot of the pyre hoary Brah-
man held out to her lighted torch,
| with which she was to set fire to the
great heap before stretching herself by
the side Of her husband s body.
Rahadoor's widow took the torch, with
a sweet smile, and waving her hand to-
ward the people in token of last fare
well bravely placed one foot on the first
step of the flight leading up to the old
Hindoo's couch.
At that moment bugle blast rang
out over the valley The natives, star,
tied by this sudden interruption, turned
their eyes simultaneously toward the
spot whence the sound proceeded.
The sight that met their eyes was wei
calculated to strike them with conster
nation, for there, within short distance
of them, rushing from the falling por
tails of the ancient ruins and charging
down upon them with fash. ng bayonets
was what seemed to them in the terror
and confusion Of the moment whole