40 
THE ORIENTAL ANNUAL. 
ing his history and misfortunes, at once promised him 
relief. “ Bring hither your daughter,” said the vene- 
rable man, “ cast upon the altar of the offended Krish- 
na all that you possess of worldly wealth, retrace your 
steps in humility and hard privation, and the child 
shall be restored ere you have travelled three days 
journey from Omirkantac. The consecrated waters 
will not work the cure unless your faith be proved.” 
’Tis said, that with full hope and confidence, the 
Raja deposited upon the altar of the god his all of 
wealth, stripping his person of his robes and jewels, 
and adopting the scanty garb of the destitute. Chah- 
ni, too, gave up her trinkets and her costly garments 
before she could effectually receive the healing waters 
from the holy man. Both drank and turned to depart 
from the sacred city, as they were commanded by the 
Brahmin. But, alas ! the aged father, enfeebled by 
the long course of affliction and excitement under 
which he had suffered, found himself, in his poverty, 
deserted by his followers ; no slave was at his beck to 
raise the litter; no hand to aid him, or assist his 
child. They two alone remained to one another, 
equally helpless ; yet did not Rung Bhowani despair : 
having in vain besought the services of the by-standers, 
he raised his drooping child, and half-supporting, half- 
carrying her in his arms, with slow and painful steps 
he withdrew her from the gaze of the multitude, his 
stifled sighs and prayers unmixed with aught approach- 
ing to a murmur. 
