The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1894-10-17

Up AND OUT CRlEI' PEBIN RHAGUAs
IN newly-torn muddy channels down
the slopes. Then the sun came out
and drew forth the good incense of the
deodars and rhododendrons, and that
far-of clean smell the hill people call
1.-The smell of the SHOWS" The hot
sunshine lasted for a week, and then
the rains gathered together for their
last downpour, and the water fell in
sheets that hayed off the skin of the
ground and leaped back In mud.
Purun Bhagat heaped his fire high
that night, for he was sure his
brothers would need warmth; but
never a beast came to the shrine.
though he called and called till he
dropped asleep wondering what had
happened in the clouds.
1t was in the black heart Of the
night, the rain drumming like thou
sand drums, that he was reused by o
plucking at his blanket. and, stretch
ing out, felt the little hand of a
langur. ''It is better here than in the
trees" he said, sleepily, loosening a
fold of blanket. Take it and be
warm" The monkey caught his hand
and pulled hard. as it food, them"
said Purun Bhagat. ''Wait awhile and
] will pre- ,Jare some" AS he kneeled
to throw fuel on the fire the langur
ran to the door of the shrine, crooned
and ran back again, plucking at the
mans knee.
What is it? What is thy trouble,
brother?" said Purun Bhagat, for the
langur's eyes were full of things that he
could not tell Unless one of thy caste
is in a trap-and none set traps here-I
will not go into that weather. Look,
brother. even the barasingh has come
for shelter"
The deer's antlers clashed as he
strobe into the shrine, clashed against
the grinning statue of Kali. He lowered
them in Purun Bhagats direction and
stamped uneasily, kissing through his
half-shut nostrils.
Hail Hal! Hail" said the Bhagat.
swapping his fingers. ''Is this payment
for a nights lodging?" But the deer
pushed him towards the door, and as he
did so Purun Bhaghat heard the sound
of something opening with sigh, and
saw two slabs of his floor draw away
from each other, while the sticky earth
below smacked its lips.
NOW, 1 see," said Purun Bhagat
'No blame to my brothers that they
did not sit by the fire tonight. The
mountain is failing. And yet-why
should ! go?" His eye fell on the
empty begging-bowl, and his face
changed. They have given me good
food daily since-since / came-and, If
i am not swift, tomorrow there VIII
not be one mouth in the valley. In
deed, must 90 and warn them below.
Back there, brotherl Let me get to the
fire"
He clutched the bristling withers Of
the barasingh with his right hand,
held the torch away with his left, and
stepped out of the shrine into the des-
per1te night. There was no breath of
wind, bat the rain nearly drowned the
torch as the great deer hurried down
the slope, sliding on mis- launches a.
soon as they We're clear of the forest
AA-DAN "a A4AC dt = OIOlttIS
them. He heard, though he could not
See. the langurs pressing about him,
and behind them the uhh! uhhl Of Soma
The rain matted his long white hsir
into ropes: the water splashed beneath
his bare feet, and his yellow robe chung
to his frail old body. but he stepped
down steadily. leaning against the
barasingh. lie was no longer a holy
man, but Sir Purun Dass, X. c. T. T.,
prime minister Of no small state, a man
accustomed to command. going out 20
save life Down the steep plashy path
they poured all together, the Bhagat
and his brothers. down and down till
the deer clicked and stumbled on the
wall Of a threshing-Goor and snorted
because he smelt man. Now they
were al the head Of the one crooked
village-street, and the Bhagat beat
with his Crutch a. the barred windows
OF the blacksmith's house as his torch
blased up in the shelter Of the caves
up and out cried Purun Bhagat;
and he did not know his own voice. for
II was years since he had spoken aloud
20 man The hill falls The hill is
falling Up and out, Oh you within
1t IS our Bhacat," said the black
smiths wife. He stands among his
beasts Gather the little ones and give
the call"
II ran from house 20 house. while the
beasts cramped IN the narrow way.
surged and huddled round tie Bh>gat,
and Soma pulled impstiently-
The people hurried into the street
they were 10 more than seventy souls
all told-and in the giarVe Of torches
they saw their Bhagat holding back
the terrified barssingh- while the mon
keys p!uckec yiteously az his skirts.
and Soma sat on his launches AID
reared
Across The valley ard 70 .he 1cr.
hill shouted Purun Bhaga;- Leave
none behind We follow
Then The people ran IS only hill-foIk
esa ru1, r. taey knew that IN = land
zip ycu must climb sor ne highes;
ground acres The T4ller. They fed
sP14Nhing through the little river "a
tie bottom. AID painted up Tic te.raoesi {
SEEDS or lie fs- SIDE. 81 hile The Bhzra, 4
AID his brethren followed Up and ap
he opposite mountain ;hcy climbed
calling % each other b. narae-tbs roll i
ca .. lie E-4-2-e-a--G =. tA2r aecis I