CHAPTER VII 

 A Change of Masters 



^ I ^HE site of the fair was on a broad expanse 

 -*• of white sand along the bank of a river 

 flowing with clear and strong waters to the 

 east. There was room for thousands of human 

 beings, as well as for the hundreds of animals 

 who were made the pretext for this gathering. 

 On the far side of the river, the forest stretched 

 away over the broken hills ; on the other, the 

 view was obstructed by precipices of gravel and 

 sandstone, in whose crevices a scanty vegetation 

 found shelter. Along the edge of the stream, 

 under the overhanging rocks, were crowded 

 temples, bathing ghats, and pilgrims' rest- 

 houses, and amongst these, at every turn, sat 

 the members of an hereditary priesthood at the 

 receipt of custom, confident of an easy here- 

 after, while making every arrangement for a 



