CHAPTER XIV. 

 THE BOON 



WHILE encamped in the plantation I was waited 

 on by all the chief inhabitants of Dehra. As 

 in duty bound, they called at intervals to pay their 

 respects. Among the rest who presented themselves 

 was the " mohunt," the head of the little monastic 

 establishment founded by the Gooroo Nanuck, and to 

 whom the care and custody of his tomb had been 

 confided. 



The mohunt paid his first visit in state, and with 

 all observance of the prescribed etiquette. He sent 

 notice the previous day of his intention to call, re- 

 ceived my permission to do so, and then at the hour 

 appointed he arrived on his elephant, accompanied by 

 his confidential priest and one or two other attendants. 

 His next visit was less ceremonious. But before I 

 describe the visit or the events which occasioned it 

 I must give a short account of the mohunt himself 

 and the establishment over which he presided. 



The society consisted of about twenty monks, but 

 there may have been more. At the head of them, of 

 course, was the mohunt. Next to him in rank and 

 authority was his heir apparent. The heir apparent, 

 like the mohunt, had a designation, but what it was 



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