HIMALA MOUNTAINS. 
243 
many a bitter jest. The demons of jealousy and re- 
venge grew large within the soul of the abused hus- 
band, and vowing in his heart a terrible retribution he 
retired from the hut. 
He sought the hidden retreats of a lonely valley, 
where casting himself upon the ground he remained 
for a time in an agony of silent tears ; until alas ! black 
rage, entering his soul anew, expelled remorse. 
Starting to his feet, he cried aloud in frenzied passion, 
tc Aye, thus shall it be-— and then, collecting all the 
spoils, I’ll hasten to join my brother in his bloody 
trade.” 
In the dead of night, when the whole village lay 
buried in profound sleep, the enraged cast-off, having 
oiled his person from head to foot, the better to elude 
capture, secretly withdrew the screen from the door 
of the family hut, and having in his hand a knife 
and a cup containing a powerful vitriol, with cautious 
stealth he entered the lowly apartment. For a moment 
he paused over the charpahi upon which his victims 
lay, and then, muttering deep curses between his teeth, 
he dashed the contents of the cup into the face of his 
rival, and raising his extended arm he was about to 
stab Neel Khoar to the heart; when, alarmed by the 
shrieks of her agonized companion, she started to her 
feet, and with surprising strength and courage closed 
upon her assailant, and succeeded in keeping off the 
knife until the neighbours came to her assistance and 
rescued her. 
y 2 
