204 , THE BANYAN TREE. 



the ear in a most disagreeable way. Taking up our lion's 

 skin, we remounted our horses, and continued our route 

 towards Baroche. We were in tolerable spirits gratified 

 at having witnessed a singular conflict between the tyrants 

 of the forest and seen them both laid low but sorry for 

 the disaster, of which our sporting adventures had been, 

 in some degree, the cause. On the banks of a small 

 stream about a mile in advance of the sanguinary spot, we 

 came upon a banyan tree of immense size. We had seen 

 numerous small specimens of this wonderful tree during 

 our journey ; but this was the first time we had ever be- 

 held it in its majesty. It had at least five hundred trunks 

 besides the main one, and was about one hundred yards 

 in circumference. It appeared to me like a vast natural 

 temple, and, as I wandered among the pillars that upheld 

 the thick dome of foliage, something like mingled feelings 

 of awe and worship crept through my soul. A temple 

 fashioned by God's own hand !, What grander architec- 

 tural idea could be found than that of this banyan tree ? 

 I did not wonder that the Hindoos looked upon the tree 

 as sacred. That kind of superstition was infectious, and 

 had I a banyan near me, its leaves should cover me in 

 the solitary hours of prayer and meditation. About the 

 middle of the afternoon, we reached the outskirts of Ba- 

 roche, and stood upon the banks of the famous river, 

 Nerbudda. 



