THE DOON 241 



the attendance of the pilgrims, and with it the amount 

 of the offerings, falling off in consequence, he had since 

 conducted himself with more decorum. He was then 

 about thirty years of age, and, in the Sikh style, very 

 good-looking. 



The mohunt, the heir apparent, and the other mem- 

 bers of the fraternity all wore a peculiar-looking head- 

 dress. It was a tall, conical cap, in shape much 

 resembling an extinguisher, and having, in like manner, 

 round the base a similar raised border. The cap worn 

 by the mohunt was of the same shape as the rest, but 

 was distinguished by its superior materials and its 

 ornamentations of gold embroidery. The mohunt also 

 wore on his wrists a very massive pair of solid gold 

 bangles. The rest of his attire was extremely plain, 

 and also, cap included, not a little shabby. The gold 

 bangles had descended to him from his predecessors, 

 and judging from its appearance, so, I think, must 

 have the cap as well. The gold embroidery was black 

 with age, and the material beneath dirty and faded to 

 the last degree. I often, but unsuccessfully, endeavoured 

 to persuade him to provide himself with a new head- 

 dress. At length, as I shall subsequently relate, I had 

 one prepared myself, and presented to him as a mark 

 of my regard. 



The disputes in the monastery had been going on for 

 years. Now, at the time I was encamped in the 

 plantation, they arrived at a crisis, and it was this that 

 caused the mohunt to pay me the second and un- 

 announced visit. It was not long after breakfast ; I 

 was in my office-room, when a servant came in and 

 R 



