, CONDUCTORS AND THEIR WIYES, 
shout. Now, take hold of that woman, both of you, and 
take her away home. The woman started up, drew 
herself up to her full height, her eyes flashed fire, 
as she exclaimed, touch me, Pariahs, if you dare,’* 
you dare not touch a woman of the vellale caste/* 
The boys hung back, for they knew there was truth 
in the remark, and if they did, there would be a great 
disturbance about it. But we were firm, you must 
obey master’s orders, it is her own fault, if she will 
not go away, you must lay hold of her. The boys 
again advanced, and the woman screemed out, and 
caught hold of one of the verandah posts, to which 
she clung like a cat, then the boys caught hold of her, 
pulled away at her, and she pulled at the post. Now 
the bungalow was in rather a ricketty state, as most 
bungaioiss were in these times, the verandah posts 
although seemingly quite sound were rotten at the 
bottom, just where the earth touches them, they will 
stand a long time in this state if quite perpendicular 
the weight and pressure of the roof being straight 
upon them. But this very unusual and sudden attack 
upon the rotten post, proved more than it could bear. 
It gave way suddenly and it, the woman, and the 
two boys were precipitated into the verahdah, where- 
they all lay in a heap, the woman shrieking, the boys 
laughing, and the post lying, as if nothing had hap- 
pened, and just at this time, at this very absurd crisis, 
in steps the conductor I Just imagine his look of 
amazement, distress, and indignation, all combined, 
the woman gets up; recognises her worthy spouse, 
and is fit for the trying occasion, she makes a rush 
towards him, clasps her arms round his neck, buries 
her face in his breast, and sobs violently^ — “ save me 
oh, save me from that dreadful master ” I just 
come in time, you saw his servants violently assault 
me to take me inside but I resisted ; you saw 
me resist, yes, you know I am an ill used and virtuous 
woihan appa appa-a.” The conductor strokes her long 
dishevelled hair, hanging over her back, and reaching 
nearly to the ground, he puts his other arm round 
her waist and says come away/* After the lapse of an. 
hour or so, we call up the conductor to the bungalow, 
tell and explain to him, the whole facts, and circum- 
stances of the case. He listens attentively aud politely, 
says nothing and goes away and we are perfectly cer- 
tain, he does not believe a word of the explanation, 
but of course, he never would presume to say so. He 
is not singular, at all there may be exceptions. But as a 
rule most orieiitals are the same, that is to say if they 
have faith and confidence in the woman, and why 
should they not, it may be inquired, discretion is 
necessary, in this, as in all matters. For it is a fact 
that all tattle gossip and light news is almost invariably 
