94 The Life of an Elephant 



who stood sponsor at the introduction into caste 

 and manhood, who assisted at their marriage 

 and funeral rites ; but here were men who, at 

 least outwardly, abjured all companionship, and 

 who purposely crippled their own bodies so that, 

 while becoming a burden in the community, 

 they might save their own souls. Covered 

 with ashes and vermin, and often of the most 

 revolting habits, they commanded fees even if 

 they inspired no respect. A fierce glance from 

 under shaggy eyebrows or a muttered curse 

 was sufficient to compel a hurried obeisance 

 and a gift of hard-earned pence from the simple 

 villagers as they passed by. 



Much more exciting was it when several 

 hundreds of these miscreants, forming procession, 

 and with frenzied cries on their gods leaped into 

 the swiftly flowing waters of the sacred river ; 

 for then followed the strange spectacle of men, 

 white and black, risking their lives to save 

 those who deliberately sought a quick road to 

 Paradise, but who had lost all ardour at the 

 unwonted contact with cold pure water. The 

 unsophisticated onlookers, inhabitants of a 



