117 
1872.] W. L. Samuells — Qond Legend of Baghesar. 
exertion, as if in all conscience they were not making enough din and 'noise 
already. But the time and occasion perhaps require it. 
The ceremony is at a close, and the nuptial knot has been tied. , Three 
hours have passed in tedious rites and ceremonies. The happy couple with 
the hride’s-maids and -best man have all been kissed and marked with the 
sacred symbols times out of number, first by one relation and then by an- 
other. The bride and bridegroom with ; their garments knotted together 
have, with mincing Steps, slowly and wearily crept seven times round the 
ihcmnra, or branch, which foyms the central support to the bower. The rice 
given in dowry has be§in measured out to the samp, mystical number of seven 
times. Everything, in short, has been done that _ ought to have been done, 
and the wedded couple are now about to retire within the house, whilst the 
spectators withdraw to the green outside to dance, sing, and make merry. 
But the attention of every one present is suddenly arrested by fiendish 
yells and roars. i • 
“ What is it ? Who is it ?” is the anxious enquiry of every one as the 
words pass from mouth to mouth with wind-like rapidity. With quivering 
accents and bated breath the answer comes speedily back, that one of the 
company has become (demoniacally) possessed with a demon. A thrill of 
mingled terroy and dismay ran through the 'whole party at the sudden news 
of so untoward an event, for 
“ When the sun sets, who doth ‘hot look for night P” 
1 i »f %r 
The most civilized community on earth could'not fail, on a similarly joyful 
occasion of then’ own, to be overcome with, at least,, a sense of gloom, if one 
of their number on the spot went suddenly mad or hysterical. But amongst 
a people naturally superstitious, aud that to a degree almost incredible, the 
circumstance before alluded to had a wider and deeper significance than any- 
thing we can possibly imagine. 
Falling into the midst of the company, the individual possessed is dash- 
mg his body about on the ground ; up and down ; right and left ; driving 
the lookers on from post to pillar, and from pillar to post ; and, by his wild 
and fiendish actions, striking consternation and terror into the hearts of 
all ; for a visitation of this sort had never on such an occasion been known 
before. , , 
Kusru’s spirits went down with a run, and looking as grave as a judge, 
he implored the Baiga, or village priest- and necromancer, to divine whose 
spirit this was, and for what purpose it had pome. 
Forthwith the Baiga, with an -air of authority worthy of an exorcist, in- 
terrogates the spirit, saying — 
