The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-07-10
CHAPTER XVII.
ICOntinued.]

lSOutluuSu'J
They visit the Towers OF Silence, en-
ter magnificent baZars, watch the wor-
shippers in the mosques, where the
venerable moulajee chants in harsh
voice or reads the Koran, while the
deyout Mussulmans bow in the direc-
ton Of the setting sun, for Mecca lies
thither, far away over the Persian
Gulf. They see life upon the great
Bhendy Bazaar Road. where porters
carry loads, stately elephants are oc'
casionally met, bullocks draw native
vehicles; where stride the rich Bran-
min, the poor gwalla, or cow-herder,
the lordly rajah and his attendants,
and the lower grades Of Hindoo peo-
pie, of different castles, each picking
his or her way along without touching
others, which faculty makes a crowd
In India more endurable than in any
other place on earth.
All these things and others they
see. The eyes never tire watching
the human kaleidoscope that moves
and changes before him. In no other
city on earth can this peculiar specta-
Gle be met with in so intense q form
as Bombay. Mingling with the col
ored robes Of the natives, the white
or red coats of the British soldiers re-
mind one of a stupendous fact-that
India, containing about a quarter Of
the population of the globe, is in reali-
ty ruled by some thirty thousand
British soldiers. Truly the Hindoos
are peace-loving people. No war
like nation would thus tamely bear
the yoke Of the conqueror.
While Sandy and the Honorable
Demosthenes Tanner are thus taking
In the sights, Mr.. Grimes nurses
lame ankle at the hotel. This leaves
Mynheer Joe to show Molly about.
They have very enjoyable aftel-
noon, though 1t is just possible they
are as much wrapped up in each other
as interested in the singular sights
upon which they gaze. This is only
the same old story, with variations,
that has been told since the days Of
our first parents, and which will never
be antiquated. Loves young dream!
What an ecstasy it carries. No time
in future life can compare with 1t.
It Is near the close of the day, when
they are thinking of returning to the
hotel that they arrive in front of
large mosque. Many persons are
passing in and out, for worship is
carried on at all hours among the Mo.
hammedans.
"Let US look in," says Joe. II think
1t will repay you for the trouble"
He pays no attention to a frowni1g
Hindoo near the door, but soon sees
that they 7ill not allow his compan-
ion to pass. This mosque is just rs
sacred as the highest at Mecca. The
followers of Mohammed believe so
little in women having soul like
themselves that they deprive them Of
many privileges. They are deemed
servants, slaves, or, If particularly
beautiful, fit subjects for a harem.
Thus foiled, Mynheer Joe and his
fair charge turn away, laughing. They
do not seem to feel very badly over
the matter. True, the young woman's
curiosity is piQued, but there are so
many things to be seen In the quaint
city that it need not worry one if a
single door is shut in ones face.
1t is just at this moment that they
become aware Of something out of the
ordinary in the air. Molly shivers.
Are we going to have storm? I
feel so very queer" she remarks;
while Joe looks upward In thoughtful
manner.
Nov that you mention it, myself
am conscious Of a strange sensation.
Perhaps it comes from being on firm
land after two weeks and more on
shipboard; or it may be that crowd
yonder has something to do with it"
His words draw her attention down
the Bhendy Bazar Road. Sure enough,
q crowd does seem to be advancing.
Something in the way of excitement
reigns in that quarter. and Joe, always
on the alert, strains his eyes to make
out what 1t is all about.
"Listenp' cries Molly.
She stands there like a statue, with
her head poised, just as the beautiful
deer might hearken in suspense when
the distant blast of the huntsman's
horn echoes through the forest.
The breeze is light, but it chances to
come from a favorable quarter, where
the people are seen, and now they can
catch voices raised in deep anger, bel
lowing forth angry words
Listen! Oh, Mr.. Joe, it's the gov
ernorw cries the alarmed girl at his
side.
Sure enough, Mynheer Joe has occa-
sion to jump to. that conclusion him
self, for that roar of a bull cannot
possibly come from any one else. He
looks closer and discovers that two
figures fly in front Of the crowd, one
tall and immense in stature, the other
rather diminutive-in short, the fugi-
tives can be no other than Mr.. Tanner
and Sanuy.
What sort Of 4 mess have they got
ten into now? The pursuers seem de-
termined to wreak vengeance upon
them. and it looks serious, for when
once excited these Mohammedans and
disciples of Vishnu are hard to con-
troll; an insult to saint or god is very
anf to ln fnllnrral hr cnandu ron-