The herald., 1894-04-15
THE SUTTEE.


his bungalow in the English camp at the
foot Of a spur of the Western Ghauts
when an old sergeant came to announce
eeest Punjo, q native spy, wished to
speak with him on urgent business
A moment later lank, half naked
Hindoo with a crafty look entered noise
lessly and prostrated himself.
Rise, Punjo, y said the major in Hin
doostaneo, land tell me briefly what
news you bring"
''Sahib," replied tho spy, "Punjo is
the bearer of serious tidings for the Eng
lish. Theyoung 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
hero?" ''s t"'"t
"By the mountain paths quick foot
could reach there between the rising Of
tonight's moon and the morrpw's
dawn
"a rabble, 4" said the English officer,
with O sneer, ''who will be frightened
to death at the mere sight of a few hun
dred English bayonets and redcoatsk But
how do the priests dare to undertake
this ceremony almost under our very
noses2 It must be they have not yet
learned Of our presence hero.n
'They have told the people that de-
spite the treaty you dare not interfere;
that you dare not thus bid defiance to
their godsl' n
"We shall seei' nuttered 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, tho 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 few of his men,
advanced to reconnoiter.
The waning moon cast faint light
over the plain To the south dark
mass rosc against the sky. This, Punjo
said was the funeral pile guarded by
few fanatics, lest the beasts Of prey
should attack old Rahadoor's body,
winch WIS W ut<NO DcSh plaOOO thOAO "V
nightfall Of the previous day.
To the left about hundred yards
frosexti>sA sriln.,-nns' -s.lsanlI Je9med-1ep
magnificent ragoda Of Ellora
There, said tho major, pointing to
the crumbling structure "is 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 secrete the regi-
ment in the immense ruins. 3iaao9
Dawn was beginning to show itself
along the horizon when there came to
the ears Of the eager watchers sound
as of faroff clamor. rqonela3t6ia
ut is they, said the spy, l,...
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 a crowd
of bowling fanatics, ploddeda gorgeous
ly caparisoned elephant, upon whose
back sat young woman clad in white
and covered with sparkling gems III y
This was the hapless suttee, old Ra-
hadoor's widow. And not only was she
very young-apparentl not over IA
but she was very beautiful, a truly raw
ishing creature The severe fast which
the Brahman priests imposed upon the
sutteo 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
a handsome young priest, stepping from
the ranks Of his colleagues, walked back
ward to whero 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 O momont in confusion, then de-
scended tho 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 aud 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 silllen undergarment.
Then the young priest once more ap-
preached her and conducted her to the
pile amid the shouts Of tho people and
howls Of tho fanatics who in their re-
ligious exaltation began to slash their
naked bodies with knives.
at the foot of the pyre hoaTy Brah-
nan hold OFT - her lighted torch,
with which she was to set fire to the
great heap before stretching herself by
the sido Of hor husband's body.
Rahndoor's widow took the torch, with
a sweet smile, and waving her hand to-
ward the people in token Of q last fare