102 
SCENES IN INDIA. 
resident. We had walked several miles under a hot 
sun, and were a good deal fatigued, so that this fare, 
simple as it was, inspired us with fresh vigour to pur- 
sue our walk. On entering the nullah at Bauglepore, 
we saw an immense number of alligators in the sacred 
tanks, which are not only allowed to remain there 
unmolested, but are fed by the fanatic Hindoos, who 
would withhold a similar benefaction from a starving 
fellow-creature of a different creed, though he were 
actually in the jaws of death. 
We now proceeded to the spot, indicated as the 
. place of meeting when we left our boat, in order to 
embark ; but when we reached it the budgerow had not 
arrived. It turned out that an accident had occurred 
which retarded her progress ; she had sprung her 
mainmast, and in spite of all the efforts of her crew 
it went by the board. The consequence was, that we 
were obliged, though much fatigued with our previous 
exertions, to resume our walk for above three miles, 
ankle-deep through burning sand, before we could 
meet with a boat to take us on board our budgerow. 
At a convenient place we put in to refit, and, having 
repaired her masts, rigging, &c., which was a matter 
of rather tardy accomplishment, as Indian mariners 
are not very energetic in their operations, we continued 
our progress up the river. The morning that succeeded 
our land-excursion was ushered in by a refreshing 
breeze, which wafted us briskly up the stream ; but, 
having scarcely recovered from the fatigue of the pre- 
ceding day, we were glad to avail ourselves of the quiet 
repose of our cabins. We were plentifully supplied 
with all necessaries by a little cook-boat, which sailed 
