away from the seashore in search of shelter. But there was none to be found. On he trudged, amidst the howls of tigers, the grunts of wild boars, and the hissing of snakes, that frequent the Sunderans, until he reached a beautiful stretch of grass surrounded on all sides by palmyra trees. Finding the place not so desolate and gloomy as the rest of the jungle, he sat down in one corner of it, giving up the hope of finding a better protection for the night. His wearied limbs found rest, and at last he fell into a doze, from which he was roused by the noise of sweeping brooms. On opening his eyes, he found a number of sweepers brushing the grass lawn. These were followed by Bhistis, busy with their work of laying the dust. Behind them came others, who after spreading a very large piece of gaudy carpet, put a number of bolsters on it, and completed their work by placing all round it beautiful white candles that burned brightly against the approaching darkness, with a throne at one end of the carpet. The preparations being complete, there marched on to the lawn a procession of richly dressed beings who were apparently human, and he who led the procession walked up to the throne and sat down upon it, while the others took their seats at a respectful distance, the bolsters supporting only those of highest rank.
One dressed like a Magistrate's Peshkar[1] then approached the occupier of the throne, and read the contents of a scroll of paper, the meaning of which was quite unintelligible to Lochan, although he sat close to the throne itself. Some discussion followed, which ended with certain orders being given by the chief. At length, business done, the chief ordered tobacco to be prepared for him to smoke, and a gold hubble-bubble was immediately placed before him. He at once began smoking, and the delicious smell of the tobacco filled the air. Lochan was a confirmed smoker, and as he had not had a smoke for many hours, greatly desired to have a pull at the kalkay even if the pipe should not be given him.
- ↑ A Peshkar is a court officer, who lays before a Judge or Magistrate the cases to be decided on a particular day, and gives him the purport of the plaints.
