first reverentially bowed down his head before the invisible image. He then arose and in darkness spoke, "Who's there in the temple?" No answer; but the tinkling of ornaments was heard. Thinking it useless to waste words, the traveller then closed the door in order to keep out the wind and rain, and in place of the broken pin leaned against it. "Whoever you may be, here," again said he, "listen. Here I sit at the door armed. Do not break my rest, or do it at your own peril, if you should happen to belong to the stronger sex. But if you be women, never fear; so long as sword and buckler are in the hands of a Rajput, not a hair of your head shall come to grief."
"Who are you, sir?" was the question in a female voice.
The traveller answered in surprise, "From the voice I gather this is asked by some fair one. What's the use, madam, of your knowing me?"
"O sir, we were so frightened!" answered the voice.
"Whoever I may be," replied the young man, "it is not our custom to make ourselves known by our own mouth. But rest content that so long as I am here, no danger shall befall the weaker sex."
"I take heart at your words, sir," said the woman. "Till now we were almost dying of fright. My companion has yet not completely recovered from her swoon. In the evening we came to worship this Siva, called Saileswara. Afterwards when the storm broke out, our bearers and attendants left us and have gone, we know not where."
"Be of good cheer, madam, I pray you," said our young man. "Rest here for the present. To-morrow morning I will conduct you home."
