272 RIFLE AND ROMANCE 



she does not break her neck at the steep corner." There 

 was a Hindu shrine among the ruins hard by, which was 

 sometimes visited by villagers, and I supposed that the old 

 creature had forgotten her way home. 



" She does not beg, haztir" was the reply, " but has 

 been sitting there these two hours. She hearkens not to 

 any order. "Dinner for 'the presence* is laid at some 

 distance," he continued uncomfortably, as I caught sight of 

 the lamp-lit table set in an old courtyard round the corner, 

 ". . . and also the easy-chair. With aged persons how 

 shall argument be made ? If ' the presence ' himself would 

 be pleased to give an order, the ancient will doubtless 

 obey " and he edged uneasily away. 



" How now, mother ? " I said, turning once more to the 

 wrinkled crone and exhibiting a shining rupee. " Is it a 

 pilgrimage? See! The priest has been gone this hour 

 and more, and thy sons await thee in the village below." 



" Haste thee ! " I continued, as she made no sign of 

 comprehension. "Get thee gone with speed, for this hill 

 is peopled of bhoots (ghosts), and night is nigh ! " 



There was a quick scuffling sound. Glancing round I 

 saw my servant hurriedly disappear. 



" Come ! up with thee ! " I insisted sharply, holding out 

 the rupee to the crouching figure. 



But no; she squatted there dumbly, contentedly, im- 

 movably, her filmy eyes lifted to mine in a kind of dim 

 surprise. Again she feebly salaamed, and in the gesture 

 seemed to answer me. It was exactly as if she had said, 

 " I have come. I am here. What more ? " 



" Bah ! she'll go away by herself when the spirit moves 

 her," I muttered; and turning, strode away to doff my 

 riding kit. 



Night had fallen. Dinner was over, and my servant 

 had served coffee and cheroots. Yet it seemed to me that 

 he hovered about in a hesitating manner, an irritating 

 manner, and one peculiar to orientals, who, moving so soft- 



