“No; they have retired to rest,” was the answer. “What we are now about to do can best be done in the presence of but a few. Indeed your own presence may interfere with matters to some extent, but I am determined that you shall see.”
I made no reply, for we had agreed to throw ourselves fully into the channels of Padma’s thought, whatever they might be. Indeed I shall even now forbear to comment upon the scene, but simply content myself with describing it as we saw it on that ever memorable night.
The first thing Padma did was to produce a small musical instrument resembling a drum head in shape; a wooden hoop with parchment covering. Seating himself in Oriental fashion, he spoke a few words to the lama who had scooped out a hole for the argols and started a blaze.
Immediately the lama threw aside his robe and we saw that he was entirely naked save for a strip of cloth about his loins; in this condition he seated himself cross legged before the fire and Padma ordered the Doctor to extinguish the wretched lamp which stood on the ledge near Maurice’s face. This action aroused Walla; she raised up and looked curiously at us. I doubt if she had even heard our conversation regarding the matter, for she seemed surprised, although she did not speak.
“It will be necessary for you to remain perfectly quiet,” said Padma. “To those who speak to you talk freely; otherwise say nothing—do not even move.”
“What the mischief!” muttered the Doctor. “Who is he talking about? Who is there to speak to us beside himself?”
“Peace!” cried the old lama peremptorily, his ears catching the murmur of the Doctor’s voice. “Peace, my children, or we cannot proceed.”
We were silent immediately, and Padma placing his drum head upon his knees, began monotonously beating it with two small sticks. There was no attempt at harmony, just a steady tap! tap! I could but think, as I watched him, that precisely such were the operations of the medicine men among our American Indians, and indeed the prophets of all primitive people, so far as my reading has shown me. Meanwhile his companion sat with folded arms, rocking his naked body to and fro, his eyes fixed upon the dull glow of the smoldering argols; occasionally his lips seemed to move.
