382 THE AKUAN OR SPIRIT-FRIENDS. 
apparently with great interest what he and his companion were do- 
ing. He pulled back his companion and the two had to beat a 
retreat as stealthily as they had come, and make the best of their 
way home, resolved never to try the experiment again in future. 
Another one: (On one occasion the old woman was spending 
a might at a friend’s house about half-a-mile away, leaving only 
her daughters and grand-daughters at home. As they were sitting 
with their mat-plaiting and basket-work and chatting light-heart- 
edly they heard the silent panting of an animal lke a cow under 
the house. On turning their torches upon it to see what it was, 
they found it to be a tiger. So terrified were they that they put 
up wild screams for help till people came, and the tiger sneaked | 
away into the darkness. (I can vouch for so much of the story as 
a fact, for | was one of those neighbours who heard the screams 
and went to help). The old lady came home and told them that 
the beast was only keeping them company and protecting the house. 
If they had harmed him, she told them, some terrible catastrophe 
would certainly befall the family. On another occasion, the old 
xady with three of her granddaughters went out ménimba (i.e. 
fishing by baling dry the water of a shrinking pool and then eatch- 
ing the fish—a favourite pastime in the village during the hottest 
part of the year) at a certain pool close by the road-side. When 
they had baled the pool dry and were beginning to secure the fish, 
one of the party saw two tigers crossing the road in their direction 
from the thick jungle on the other side. The grand-mother’s at- 
tention was instantly called, and she, realising the danger, had no 
other alternative but to tell them to be quiet and calm. Suddenly 
from beneath the scrub, a few yards away between them and the 
two tigers, rose a third and bigger tiger. Without seeming to 
notice the panic-stricken youngsters, the beast walked right to- 
wards the advancing pair, and after persuading them, as it seemed, 
to turn to another direction, he marched away from the scene. ‘The 
two followed suit. But the young girls could not regain control 
of their nerves, and their grand-mother had to hurry them home, 
taking only whatever fish they had caught and leaving the re- 
mainder without further search. 
It may be added as a digression that the grave of the old 
lady’s husband used to be regarded by many as an object of pious 
reverence. The chémpaka trees (Michela champaca) planted over 
it were overhung with strips of white cloth (panji-panj1) as em- 
blems of sanctity, and indications of the number of “ vows ” (mat) 
that had been paid there. I daresay they still continue to be so 
pverhung at the present time. Credulous people have for long 
heen attracted to “make their vow” by the grave. Incidentally, 
this practice may be described here in a few words: A person, for 
the fulfilment of some great prayer, “ makes a vow” saying: “ If 
I recover from this illness” or “If a male baby be born to me” 
(or whatever that desire is) “I will cut two goats at so-and-so’s 
grave and call people to eat there.” If the prayer is granted he 
Jour. Straits Branch 
