124 The Hunting Grounds 



I however ate it, and found it very good, though 

 I could not persuade any of the natives to taste it. 



The next trick was also exceedingly good, and 

 merits description. He crouched down before the 

 stone image of the goddess, and, making a most pro- 

 found obeisance, thanked her for the favour he had 

 found in the eyes of the honourable company then as- 

 sembled, and declared himself her most humble votary 

 from that moment; and in confirmation of which 

 solemn vow he declared that he would immediately 

 sacrifice his only daughter, and henceforward devote 

 himself to her service. He told his intentions to a 

 beautiful little girl, about six years old, who was 

 sitting near, and she began to cry and struggle in a 

 most natural manner ; but he seized her, and, after 

 stripping off all her jewels and upper clothing, and 

 loosening her long black hair, which fell over her little 

 naked breast and shoulders, deliberately bound her 

 hands and feet, covering her with a thick black 

 veil. 



He then swept the ground, on which he sprinkled 

 some of the holy Ganges water, and laying her down 

 covered her with the basket he had used with the 

 mangoe trick, spreading a white cloth over all. He 

 then commenced a prayer to the goddess Bowanee, 

 prostrating himself before the stone image and in- 

 voking its aid, and finished by breaking a cocoa-nut 

 as a sacrifice, and placing the pieces before it. 



