THE ABORIGINAL TRIBES. 175 



surrounding countenances, he pointed to a man to whom he 

 ordered this ring to be given. It was a person who had 

 accompanied him from Oojein. An eagerness was now evinced 

 by several to submit bracelets and even betel-nuts to his sacred 

 touch. He composedly placed such in his mouth and returned 

 them. The priestess at last presented him with a pann leaf,* 

 and he left the spot with a firm step, amidst the plaudits of 

 the crowd. During the latter half of his ascent he was much 

 concealed from view by shrubs. At length he appeared to the 

 aching sight, and stood in a bold and erect posture upon the 

 fatal eminence. Some short time he passed in agitated motions 

 on the stone ledge, tossing now and then his arms aloft as 

 if employed in invocation. At length he ceased ; and, in slow 

 motions with both his hands, made farewell salutations to the 

 assembled multitude. This done, he whirled down the cocoa- 

 nut, mirror, knife, and lime, which he had continued to hold ; 

 and stepping back was lost to view for' a moment a pause 

 that caused the head to swim, the heart to sink, and the flesh 

 to creep. The next second he burst upon our agonized sight 

 in a most manful leap,| descending feet foremost with ferrific 

 rapidity, till, in mid career, a projecting rock reversed his 

 position, and caused a headlong fall. Instant death followed 

 this descent of ninety feet, and terminated the existence of 

 this youth, whose strength of faith and fortitude would have 

 adorned the noblest cause, and must command admiration 

 when feelings of horror have subsided. Thus closed the truly 

 appalling scene. "| 



With the exception of the murder of a poor old woman 



* The usual signal for the termination of a formal interview. 



t The place is called the " Bir-Kali" rock, which I believe means literally 

 the " manful leap." 



X Extract from a letter of 29th November, 1822, from Captain Douglas, 

 Political Assistant in Nimar, to the Resident at Indore. 



