Processional Duties 



169 



instead of iron. Then, once more free, he 

 strode away in the direction of the forest, leaving 

 behind him a trail of destruction. It was well 

 that the world was asleep and that not many- 

 human beings crossed his path, for long 

 familiarity had resulted in contempt of man, and 

 he would gladly have satisfied his unreasoning 

 rage in slaughter. Once indeed when crashing 

 through the fields and 

 trampling the ripening 

 crops, he was annoyed 

 by the cries of a man 

 who, seated high on a 

 platform, was watching 

 for nocturnal robbers. 

 In an instant Maula 

 Bux had demolished 



the platform and trampled its occupant in the 

 dust ; and then, yet further excited by wanton 

 bloodshed, he had raged onwards till he reached 

 the forest. Here he gave vent to his passions 

 by butting the trees and breaking off saplings, 

 until his forehead was covered with blood and 

 he stood in sullen exhaustion. 



