Page:Anandamath, The Abbey of Bliss - Chatterjee.djvu/172

Chapter VIII

The news spread among the Children that Satya- nanda had come back and that he had called them to- gether as he had some communication to make to them. Then the community began to assemble in companies. Ten thousand Children assembled under a sky against which were set Mango, Jack, Palm, Tamarind, Banian, Peepul, Simul and other trees. They then heard from one another that Satyananda had returned, and made a great hullaballoo for joy. People did not know where Satyananda had gone and why. The rumour was that he had gone to the Himalayas to pray for the good of the Children, They now began to whisper, "The Maharaja has succeeded in his prayer and the kingdom will now be ours." At this there was a great noise. Some one cried out, "Kill, kill the shaven knolls ?" Some said u Vic- tory to the Maharaj !" Some cried out "Hari, Murari." Others sang " Hail, Mother." One would say, " Brother, is the", day really coming when, wretched Bengalees that we are, we shall be able to lay down our lives on the battlefield?" Another would say, "Brother, would the day come when we shall be able to break the mosque to raise the temple of Radha-Madhava in its place." " Will the day come,' another said, " when we ourselves shall enjoy our wealth." The murmur of ten thousand tongues then mingled with the rustle of leaves waved by the pleasant breeze and