AN ABDUCTION. 
167 
mies without horror. If you think to win my re- 
spect by railing against the objects of my worship, 
you had better give up the attempt without further 
effort, as you will by so doing only provoke my 
contempt.” 
“ If I cannot win your love gently, I must try 
rougher means, bibi ; for I have determined that you 
shall visit my home, — which I think you will not 
consider a disadvantageous exchange ; for we followers 
of God’s true Prophet know better how to enjoy life 
than your simpletons who bend the knee to painted 
blocks and carved wood.” 
Saying this, he sprang from his horse, and taking 
in his arms the astonished Brahminee, who was too 
much overcome by surprise to make resistance, he 
placed her upon the crupper of his steed, and vaulting 
before her into the saddle, galloped off without utter- 
ing another word. 
Though stunned with the shock produced by so 
daring an act of abduction, the victim did not lose 
her consciousness, but maintained her seat upon the 
horse with that instinct of self-preservation which 
seldom deserts us even under the most disastrous cir- 
cumstances. 
After the lapse of a few hours the Brahmin’s young 
and beautiful wife was securely lodged within the 
harem of a wealthy Mohammedan. What was now 
to be done? She had no means of communicating 
to her friends the circumstance of her unhappy 
situation, and for some time her days were passed 
in bitterness, and her nights in tears. To a youthful 
heart, however, sorrow is naturally repugnant, and it 
