530 



found himself chief of Sural, the next situation in wealth and ho- 

 nour lo the government of Bombay. 



When, therefore, Mr. Spencer was appointed governor of that 

 settlement, and Mr. Hodges dismissed from the chiefship of Sural, 

 and suspended ihe service, he sent for his brahmin, who was then 

 at Pnlparra, a sacred village on the banks of llie Tappee, on a 

 religions visit. Mr. Hodges received him at the chief's garden- 

 house, where he was sitting in the front veranda. He immediately 

 communicated to him the events which had lately taken place, to 

 the disappointment of all his hopes and future expectations; and 

 that he was then on the eve of his departure to Bombay, and from 

 thence to England. It is said Mr. Hodges slightly reproached 

 him for a pretended prescience, and for having deceived him by 

 false promises. The brahmin, with an unaltered countenance, as 

 is usual with his tribe on all such occasions, coolly replied, " You 

 see this veranda, and the apartment lo which it leads ; Mr. Spencer 

 lias reached the porlico, but he will not enter the palace. He has 

 set his foot upon the threshold, but he shall not enter into the 

 house! Notwithstanding all appearances to the contrary, you will 

 attain the honours I foretold, and fill the high station to which he 

 has been appointed. A dark cloud is before him!" 



This singular prophecy was publicly known at Surat and Bom- 

 bay ; and the truth or falsehood of the brahmin was the subject of 

 discussion in every company. Mr. Hodges's faith in his prediction 

 seemed lo have very little influence on his conduct; for, in obedi- 

 ence to the orders of his superiors, he had returned from Surat to 

 Bombay, and was preparing for his voyage to Europe. 



