Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-15

for cook-pot. which we could only buy
there, and some dial. Shadipur proved to
be a most picturesque little town on the
junction of the river. deep inlet and the
Naru canal q short cut to Baramoula- 1t
seemed to be built on all three sides and
shaded and almost concealed by trees We
went on past the town. and mooring in the
shade OF some very big chinars, sent the
bearer back for food. telling him we would
go slowly on toward Sumbal: and then
we went ashore for look about us. The
usual duties of the crew to spy out dogs
and chase them of, SO that the mongoose
might run loose. was performed and TWO
playful native puppies were sent on az
full speed but later we saw them in the
distance gazing with awe at our tiny Bud
mash, who gambolled about in delight.
explored snake holes and climbed trees un-
til he was tired and then came up to gnaw
US gently and beg us to play with him.
A Grave and Iris.
Just behind the chinars was a tomb OF
some revered priest, very plain, surround
ed by trees, and with high wall built
around 1t. Beyond that was the usual
large patch of iris, for wherever there is
a grave one finds iris This time In place
of the usual white, pale lavender or deep
purple, we found a brilliant clear yellow
flower, and our dunga was soon full OF 1t.
a painted wooden bowl on either table ano
the two fire baskets full on the deck we
ever. .Ismaila!' "Huzoorr' "send one
of the women for a lot of those yellow
iris" ''Huzoor, one burra GREAT priest
there in the ground. Cannot pick:" Know
ing that there was never any objection TO
picking flowers from the cemeteries, we
said quite fiercely, "Jao, jao, Jedi bhut
poule lau! Jeldi! eco. go, quick many
flowers bring! quick?) and he went on
at once.
We f1oated on the six miles more to Sum-
BAL where 1t is necessary to turn into a
short canal leading to Lake Manisbal, and
there we waited an hour for the bearer,
but he came not. Then we decided to go
without him and reach the lake that nght
at all hazards. We had with US only tne
head and second boatmen. two women ana
the munshi (teacher) a slim boy of twenty
one or thereabouts and Ismaila, VINO must
have been as fresh daisy, having zone
nothing until / o'clock, rested again az
Shadipur and had another hour at Sumpai,
looked up from the bow of the boat Where
he was padding and said: Ham going 10
Manisbal kal rat. huzoor? q am going 10
Manisbal this night?) We said yes ana ne
at once said: mo, huzoor, nam no goims.
We were quite amazed at this rebel1on
and said sternly that we were gong at
once, to start instantly. He shooK ms
head and said doggedly: mo, huzoor, TOUR
miles Manisbal! Ham no going.
he Was Taught Manners.
We told the munshi to tell him that he
was to go instantly and to say no more
about it, whereupon he got into rage anu
began to chatter at us in kashmr at Inc
top of his voice. We were furious at that
disrespect and, rushing to our chest ol
drawers brought out the revolver, Wnch
without touching the trigger, we pointed at
his head, saying sternly, Chup rao: we
ulliet) and then. after moment, when we
could see that he had come to his senses
"Abi Jao! Jedi, Chullo!' CNow go, quick!
Go onD, and he went, and from tnat Iio-
ment has been sadder, possibly, W.
nd
man. We were lowed up the short canai
and out into the lake. and at ABOUT o:o
moored under some mulberry trees d. .Iie
far end of Lake Manisbal Having notning
to eat except some mulberries and biscuit
and knowing the timid nature or the
bearer we decided, as the moon now gave
stronger light, to take the munsm ana pao,
die back the mile or more TO Sumpal anu
rescue our provisions and Abdul from the
much dreaded thieves, snakes and jackals:
So we got into the light little boat ana spec
forth into the darkness. The canal. we
thought, would be as easy as possipie 70
find but when we got into the tangle OF
lotus leaves, water lilies and rushes, where
we knew it ought to be, 1t was not there.
The munshi and one of US declared 1t was
to the left, the other to the right, ana SO
We ran ashore on the mass of water weeds.
we got tangled up in the thick rushes. our
paddles were twined with weeds OF an
kinds but there was no canal. At last IN
made for the right-hand side and, just as
we were entering the channel, natlVe ap-
peared with a torch, his clothes tucKeo up
high, and held as he waded along, ana
shouted to u.s. to guide us into the canal. Al
Sumbal we could hear no news of the
ttmorous bearer so, leaving many messages
for him, we started back, not having peen
able to buy any bread even to prevent star
walton We reached the dunga in good
time, about II, and having eaten great
many more mulberries than we felt was
SAFE we went to bed tired out ana slept
the sleep of the just until in the morning,
when was heard the usual gentie InuI n .,.n
''Huzoor, cha (tea). and knew at least that
Abdul had returned. Soon after came louo
halls from distance and, looking out
through the cracks of our mating curtains.
we saw the houseboat and the other 9unsa
with their satellite cookboats. and the
houseboat had been shOrn of its roof tent
in order to allow of its going under the
very low bridge into the canal, and looked
very odd.
Telling Experiences.
A few hours later we were all assembled
in the dining room of the houseboat relat-
ing our experiences. our friends looking at
us eagerly to see if we appeared starved
and urging us to eat all manner OF things
with which the table was spread. Such
funny time as we had, all talking at the
same time and no one listening. AS we had
thought no coolies had been forthcoming
for the houseboat for two days. though the
town was secured from end to end; the
great festival had drawn them all away:
so boa tman had been sent with notes and
food for us each day, both of whom met
their masters at Sumbal and were, l fear
we'll kicked and beaten for dallying on the
way. Abdul had got as far as Sumbal,
was afraid of course, so he got a man to
come out to the lake with him, took the
road on the wrong side of the lake and
could see our lights, but could not hail us,
so he and the men, after frightening away
five foxes, which had attacked them-blood-
thirsty foxes-and having killed snake ''as
large as me arm, mem sahib and two yards
in length" slept in an abandoned garden
and crossed at 6 the next day. The boat
man we sent to Srinuggur, appeared at IL,
having failed toJdo any single thing he had
been commanded to do, and heaven only
knows how he had spent that day and
half probably gambling in the bazaar
MARGARET STIRLING.