FEAR AND FLIGHT 133 



" If its mate died by the hand of a man, it will 

 follow that man until it has accomplished its 

 purpose." 



"But how will it know," asked Beharilal, "by 

 whose hand its mate died ? " 



Nagoo replied with pious simplicity, " How can 

 I tell by what means it knows? God informs it." 



" But," pleaded Beharilal, " is there no escape ? 

 — if a man goes away by the railway or by water ? ' ' 



Nagoo pondered for a moment and said, " If a 

 man crossed the sea, the serpent would be baulked. 

 If he goes by railway it will not leave him. Let 

 him go to Madras, it will find him." 



With a faltering hand the Bunia put some rupees, 

 uncounted, into the charmer's skinny palm, saying, 

 " Go, make incantations. Do something. There is 

 great knowledge of mysteries with you" ; and he 

 hurried back into the house. 



His arrangements were very soon made. His 

 account books, with a bundle of bonds and hoondies 

 and cash and his son, were put into a small cart 

 drawn by a pair of fast trotting bullocks, into which 

 he himself climbed, after looking under the cushion 

 to see that there was no evil beast lurking there, 

 and got away in haste while the sun was yet hot. 

 The rest of the family followed with the household 

 property, and in a few days the house was empty 

 and only the Malee remained in charge. Many years 

 have passed and the house is empty still, and the 

 Malee, grown grey and frail, is still in charge. He 



