Torchlight Fishing. 159 motion was raised that might have made any one less used to wild life fancy that he was present at some midnight incantation. In this manner we fished down stream for several miles, only leaving off when the crowing of the jungle cocks announced the approach of daybreak. The sport was very good, no less than thirty-seven fine fish were taken from our dugouts when we landed at the village next morning at sunrise, welcomed with loud praises by the girls and men who had assembled to greet us. Though our party had done nothing extraordinary in the way of a catch, the old men and maidens of course ascribed the good fortune attending the expedition to the presence of Koopah Sahib, and I was soon indebted to the thoughtful care of Chowsam's women-kind for a sumptuous breakfast, in which grilled fish played a most important and pleasing part. Having been up all night I fell asleep almost immediately after breakfast, and slept till near sun-down, when Chowsam, attended by his wife and some female slaves, called me to get up and partake of dinner, which was neatly spread out on the floor. As I was hardly ready for the meal, Chowsam proposed a dip in the river above the village, where there was a deep pool. This was a luxury not to be refused, so off we started and took our swim before an admiring crowd of men and boys who stood on the bank. After this we returned to dinner, at which I was joined by Chowsam and some of his elders, with whom I spent a very pleasant night. Next day I was down with the fever, brought on by the exposure of the night's fishing; but the kindness of Chowsam and his wife, who paid their guest every attention, even to keeping me supplied with acidulated drinks, made from dried sour pomiloes, enabled me to throw it off and get about next day. On the third morning, as we were sitting at breakfast, the priest paid me a visit in return for the presents sent to him. After seating himself, the reverend gentleman announced the result of his divinations. Besides one or two good omens of general success, he foretold that the following day would be propitious for a start. To testify my gratitude for his great interest in a stranger, I ordered Philip to give him a string of large yellow glass beads for a rosary, a piece of liberality on the part of the stranger Sahib which drew forth approving remarks not only from the disciple of Buddha, but also from the Khamtees, while the astute chief, seeing my drift, winked his eye expressively. After this the priest said. he wished to give me a word of advice before leaving, and proceeded to say that the journey before me was one of great peril, and from his calculations there appeared to be a great danger awaiting me; in what shape, however, he could not tell, but, by observing great caution, I would escape it. Having thus delivered himself, he gathered his flowing yellow garments about him, and, with a polite bow, solemnly departed. For the rest of the day the whole village seemed alive with the preparations for our departure. Chowsam paid the six men who were to act as porters two months' wages in advance, in the presence of all the elders |