Reading Help Around the world in eighty days Ch.I-VI
a piece of sugar out of his pocket, and inserted it in Kiouni's trunk, `
` who received it without in the least slackening his regular trot. `
` `
` After two hours the guide stopped the elephant, and gave him `
` an hour for rest, during which Kiouni, after quenching his thirst `
` at a neighbouring spring, set to devouring the branches and shrubs `
` round about him. Neither Sir Francis nor Mr. Fogg regretted `
` the delay, and both descended with a feeling of relief. "Why, he's `
` made of iron!" exclaimed the general, gazing admiringly on Kiouni. `
` `
` "Of forged iron," replied Passepartout, as he set about preparing `
` a hasty breakfast. `
` `
` At noon the Parsee gave the signal of departure. The country `
` soon presented a very savage aspect. Copses of dates and `
` dwarf-palms succeeded the dense forests; then vast, dry plains, `
` dotted with scanty shrubs, and sown with great blocks of syenite. `
` All this portion of Bundelcund, which is little frequented `
` by travellers, is inhabited by a fanatical population, `
` hardened in the most horrible practices of the Hindoo faith. `
` The English have not been able to secure complete dominion over `
` this territory, which is subjected to the influence of rajahs, `
` whom it is almost impossible to reach in their inaccessible `
` mountain fastnesses. The travellers several times saw bands `
` of ferocious Indians, who, when they perceived the elephant `
` striding across-country, made angry and threatening motions. `
` The Parsee avoided them as much as possible. Few animals were `
` observed on the route; even the monkeys hurried from their path `
` with contortions and grimaces which convulsed Passepartout with laughter. `
` `
` In the midst of his gaiety, however, one thought troubled the worthy servant. `
` What would Mr. Fogg do with the elephant when he got to Allahabad? `
` Would he carry him on with him? Impossible! The cost of transporting him `
` would make him ruinously expensive. Would he sell him, or set him free? `
` The estimable beast certainly deserved some consideration. Should Mr. Fogg `
` choose to make him, Passepartout, a present of Kiouni, he would be very much `
` embarrassed; and these thoughts did not cease worrying him for a long time. `
` `
` The principal chain of the Vindhias was crossed by eight in the evening, `
` and another halt was made on the northern slope, in a ruined bungalow. `
` They had gone nearly twenty-five miles that day, and an equal distance `
` still separated them from the station of Allahabad. `
` `
` The night was cold. The Parsee lit a fire in the bungalow `
` with a few dry branches, and the warmth was very grateful, `
` provisions purchased at Kholby sufficed for supper, and the `
` travellers ate ravenously. The conversation, beginning with a few `
` disconnected phrases, soon gave place to loud and steady snores. `
` The guide watched Kiouni, who slept standing, bolstering himself `
` against the trunk of a large tree. Nothing occurred during the `
` night to disturb the slumberers, although occasional growls front `
` panthers and chatterings of monkeys broke the silence; the more `
` formidable beasts made no cries or hostile demonstration against `
` the occupants of the bungalow. Sir Francis slept heavily, like an `
` honest soldier overcome with fatigue. Passepartout was wrapped in `
` uneasy dreams of the bouncing of the day before. As for Mr. Fogg, `
` he slumbered as peacefully as if he had been in his serene mansion `
` in Saville Row. `
` `
` The journey was resumed at six in the morning; the guide hoped `
` to reach Allahabad by evening. In that case, Mr. Fogg would only `
` lose a part of the forty-eight hours saved since the beginning `
` of the tour. Kiouni, resuming his rapid gait, soon descended `
` the lower spurs of the Vindhias, and towards noon they passed `
` by the village of Kallenger, on the Cani, one of the branches `
` of the Ganges. The guide avoided inhabited places, thinking it safer `
` to keep the open country, which lies along the first depressions `
` of the basin of the great river. Allahabad was now only twelve miles `
` to the north-east. They stopped under a clump of bananas, `
` the fruit of which, as healthy as bread and as succulent as cream, `
` was amply partaken of and appreciated. `
` `
` At two o'clock the guide entered a thick forest which extended `
` several miles; he preferred to travel under cover of the woods. `
` They had not as yet had any unpleasant encounters, and the journey `
` seemed on the point of being successfully accomplished, when the `
` elephant, becoming restless, suddenly stopped. `
` `
` It was then four o'clock. `
` `
` "What's the matter?" asked Sir Francis, putting out his head. `
` `
` "I don't know, officer," replied the Parsee, listening attentively `
` to a confused murmur which came through the thick branches. `
` `
` The murmur soon became more distinct; it now seemed like a distant `
` concert of human voices accompanied by brass instruments. `
` Passepartout was all eyes and ears. Mr. Fogg patiently `
` waited without a word. The Parsee jumped to the ground, `
` fastened the elephant to a tree, and plunged into the thicket. `
` He soon returned, saying: `
` `
` "A procession of Brahmins is coming this way. We must prevent `
` their seeing us, if possible." `
` `
` The guide unloosed the elephant and led him into a thicket, `
` at the same time asking the travellers not to stir. He held himself `
` ready to bestride the animal at a moment's notice, should flight `
` become necessary; but he evidently thought that the procession `
` of the faithful would pass without perceiving them amid `
` the thick foliage, in which they were wholly concealed. `
` `
` The discordant tones of the voices and instruments drew nearer, `
` and now droning songs mingled with the sound of the tambourines and cymbals. `
` The head of the procession soon appeared beneath the trees, `
` a hundred paces away; and the strange figures who performed the religious `
` ceremony were easily distinguished through the branches. `
` First came the priests, with mitres on their heads, `
` and clothed in long lace robes. They were surrounded by men, `
` women, and children, who sang a kind of lugubrious psalm, `
` interrupted at regular intervals by the tambourines and cymbals; `
` while behind them was drawn a car with large wheels, `
` the spokes of which represented serpents entwined with each other. `
` Upon the car, which was drawn by four richly caparisoned zebus, `
` stood a hideous statue with four arms, the body coloured a dull red, `
` with haggard eyes, dishevelled hair, protruding tongue, and lips tinted `
` with betel. It stood upright upon the figure of a prostrate `
` and headless giant. `
` `
` Sir Francis, recognising the statue, whispered, "The goddess Kali; `
` the goddess of love and death." `
` `
` "Of death, perhaps," muttered back Passepartout, "but of love-- `
` that ugly old hag? Never!" `
` `
` The Parsee made a motion to keep silence. `
` `
` A group of old fakirs were capering and making a wild ado round the statue; `
` these were striped with ochre, and covered with cuts whence their blood `
` issued drop by drop--stupid fanatics, who, in the great Indian ceremonies, `
` still throw themselves under the wheels of Juggernaut. Some Brahmins, `
` clad in all the sumptuousness of Oriental apparel, and leading a woman `
` who faltered at every step, followed. This woman was young, and as `
` fair as a European. Her head and neck, shoulders, ears, arms, `
` hands, and toes were loaded down with jewels and gems with bracelets, `
` earrings, and rings; while a tunic bordered with gold, and covered `
` with a light muslin robe, betrayed the outline of her form. `
` `
` The guards who followed the young woman presented a violent contrast `
` to her, armed as they were with naked sabres hung at their waists, `
` and long damascened pistols, and bearing a corpse on a palanquin. `
` It was the body of an old man, gorgeously arrayed in the habiliments `
` of a rajah, wearing, as in life, a turban embroidered with pearls, `
` a robe of tissue of silk and gold, a scarf of cashmere sewed with diamonds, `
` and the magnificent weapons of a Hindoo prince. Next came the musicians `
` and a rearguard of capering fakirs, whose cries sometimes drowned the noise `
` of the instruments; these closed the procession. `
` `
` Sir Francis watched the procession with a sad countenance, and, `
` turning to the guide, said, "A suttee." `
` `
` The Parsee nodded, and put his finger to his lips. The procession slowly `
` wound under the trees, and soon its last ranks disappeared in the depths `
` of the wood. The songs gradually died away; occasionally cries were heard `
` in the distance, until at last all was silence again. `
` `
` Phileas Fogg had heard what Sir Francis said, and, as soon as `
` the procession had disappeared, asked: "What is a suttee?" `
` `
` "A suttee," returned the general, "is a human sacrifice, but a voluntary one. `
` The woman you have just seen will be burned to-morrow at the dawn of day." `
` `
` "Oh, the scoundrels!" cried Passepartout, who could not repress `
` his indignation. `
` `
` "And the corpse?" asked Mr. Fogg. `
` `
` "Is that of the prince, her husband," said the guide; "an independent `
` rajah of Bundelcund." `
` `
` "Is it possible," resumed Phileas Fogg, his voice betraying not `
` the least emotion, "that these barbarous customs still exist in India, `
` and that the English have been unable to put a stop to them?" `
` `
` "These sacrifices do not occur in the larger portion of India," `
` replied Sir Francis; "but we have no power over these savage territories, `
` and especially here in Bundelcund. The whole district north of the Vindhias `
` is the theatre of incessant murders and pillage." `
` `
` "The poor wretch!" exclaimed Passepartout, "to be burned alive!" `
` `
` "Yes," returned Sir Francis, "burned alive. And, if she were not, `
` you cannot conceive what treatment she would be obliged to submit `
` to from her relatives. They would shave off her hair, feed her `
` on a scanty allowance of rice, treat her with contempt; `
` she would be looked upon as an unclean creature, and would die `
` in some corner, like a scurvy dog. The prospect of so frightful `
` an existence drives these poor creatures to the sacrifice `
` much more than love or religious fanaticism. Sometimes, however, `
` the sacrifice is really voluntary, and it requires the active `
` interference of the Government to prevent it. Several years ago, `
` when I was living at Bombay, a young widow asked permission `
` of the governor to be burned along with her husband's body; `
` but, as you may imagine, he refused. The woman left the town, `
` took refuge with an independent rajah, and there carried out `
` her self-devoted purpose." `
` `
` While Sir Francis was speaking, the guide shook his head several times, `
` and now said: "The sacrifice which will take place to-morrow at dawn `
` is not a voluntary one." `
` `
`
` who received it without in the least slackening his regular trot. `
` `
` After two hours the guide stopped the elephant, and gave him `
` an hour for rest, during which Kiouni, after quenching his thirst `
` at a neighbouring spring, set to devouring the branches and shrubs `
` round about him. Neither Sir Francis nor Mr. Fogg regretted `
` the delay, and both descended with a feeling of relief. "Why, he's `
` made of iron!" exclaimed the general, gazing admiringly on Kiouni. `
` `
` "Of forged iron," replied Passepartout, as he set about preparing `
` a hasty breakfast. `
` `
` At noon the Parsee gave the signal of departure. The country `
` soon presented a very savage aspect. Copses of dates and `
` dwarf-palms succeeded the dense forests; then vast, dry plains, `
` dotted with scanty shrubs, and sown with great blocks of syenite. `
` All this portion of Bundelcund, which is little frequented `
` by travellers, is inhabited by a fanatical population, `
` hardened in the most horrible practices of the Hindoo faith. `
` The English have not been able to secure complete dominion over `
` this territory, which is subjected to the influence of rajahs, `
` whom it is almost impossible to reach in their inaccessible `
` mountain fastnesses. The travellers several times saw bands `
` of ferocious Indians, who, when they perceived the elephant `
` striding across-country, made angry and threatening motions. `
` The Parsee avoided them as much as possible. Few animals were `
` observed on the route; even the monkeys hurried from their path `
` with contortions and grimaces which convulsed Passepartout with laughter. `
` `
` In the midst of his gaiety, however, one thought troubled the worthy servant. `
` What would Mr. Fogg do with the elephant when he got to Allahabad? `
` Would he carry him on with him? Impossible! The cost of transporting him `
` would make him ruinously expensive. Would he sell him, or set him free? `
` The estimable beast certainly deserved some consideration. Should Mr. Fogg `
` choose to make him, Passepartout, a present of Kiouni, he would be very much `
` embarrassed; and these thoughts did not cease worrying him for a long time. `
` `
` The principal chain of the Vindhias was crossed by eight in the evening, `
` and another halt was made on the northern slope, in a ruined bungalow. `
` They had gone nearly twenty-five miles that day, and an equal distance `
` still separated them from the station of Allahabad. `
` `
` The night was cold. The Parsee lit a fire in the bungalow `
` with a few dry branches, and the warmth was very grateful, `
` provisions purchased at Kholby sufficed for supper, and the `
` travellers ate ravenously. The conversation, beginning with a few `
` disconnected phrases, soon gave place to loud and steady snores. `
` The guide watched Kiouni, who slept standing, bolstering himself `
` against the trunk of a large tree. Nothing occurred during the `
` night to disturb the slumberers, although occasional growls front `
` panthers and chatterings of monkeys broke the silence; the more `
` formidable beasts made no cries or hostile demonstration against `
` the occupants of the bungalow. Sir Francis slept heavily, like an `
` honest soldier overcome with fatigue. Passepartout was wrapped in `
` uneasy dreams of the bouncing of the day before. As for Mr. Fogg, `
` he slumbered as peacefully as if he had been in his serene mansion `
` in Saville Row. `
` `
` The journey was resumed at six in the morning; the guide hoped `
` to reach Allahabad by evening. In that case, Mr. Fogg would only `
` lose a part of the forty-eight hours saved since the beginning `
` of the tour. Kiouni, resuming his rapid gait, soon descended `
` the lower spurs of the Vindhias, and towards noon they passed `
` by the village of Kallenger, on the Cani, one of the branches `
` of the Ganges. The guide avoided inhabited places, thinking it safer `
` to keep the open country, which lies along the first depressions `
` of the basin of the great river. Allahabad was now only twelve miles `
` to the north-east. They stopped under a clump of bananas, `
` the fruit of which, as healthy as bread and as succulent as cream, `
` was amply partaken of and appreciated. `
` `
` At two o'clock the guide entered a thick forest which extended `
` several miles; he preferred to travel under cover of the woods. `
` They had not as yet had any unpleasant encounters, and the journey `
` seemed on the point of being successfully accomplished, when the `
` elephant, becoming restless, suddenly stopped. `
` `
` It was then four o'clock. `
` `
` "What's the matter?" asked Sir Francis, putting out his head. `
` `
` "I don't know, officer," replied the Parsee, listening attentively `
` to a confused murmur which came through the thick branches. `
` `
` The murmur soon became more distinct; it now seemed like a distant `
` concert of human voices accompanied by brass instruments. `
` Passepartout was all eyes and ears. Mr. Fogg patiently `
` waited without a word. The Parsee jumped to the ground, `
` fastened the elephant to a tree, and plunged into the thicket. `
` He soon returned, saying: `
` `
` "A procession of Brahmins is coming this way. We must prevent `
` their seeing us, if possible." `
` `
` The guide unloosed the elephant and led him into a thicket, `
` at the same time asking the travellers not to stir. He held himself `
` ready to bestride the animal at a moment's notice, should flight `
` become necessary; but he evidently thought that the procession `
` of the faithful would pass without perceiving them amid `
` the thick foliage, in which they were wholly concealed. `
` `
` The discordant tones of the voices and instruments drew nearer, `
` and now droning songs mingled with the sound of the tambourines and cymbals. `
` The head of the procession soon appeared beneath the trees, `
` a hundred paces away; and the strange figures who performed the religious `
` ceremony were easily distinguished through the branches. `
` First came the priests, with mitres on their heads, `
` and clothed in long lace robes. They were surrounded by men, `
` women, and children, who sang a kind of lugubrious psalm, `
` interrupted at regular intervals by the tambourines and cymbals; `
` while behind them was drawn a car with large wheels, `
` the spokes of which represented serpents entwined with each other. `
` Upon the car, which was drawn by four richly caparisoned zebus, `
` stood a hideous statue with four arms, the body coloured a dull red, `
` with haggard eyes, dishevelled hair, protruding tongue, and lips tinted `
` with betel. It stood upright upon the figure of a prostrate `
` and headless giant. `
` `
` Sir Francis, recognising the statue, whispered, "The goddess Kali; `
` the goddess of love and death." `
` `
` "Of death, perhaps," muttered back Passepartout, "but of love-- `
` that ugly old hag? Never!" `
` `
` The Parsee made a motion to keep silence. `
` `
` A group of old fakirs were capering and making a wild ado round the statue; `
` these were striped with ochre, and covered with cuts whence their blood `
` issued drop by drop--stupid fanatics, who, in the great Indian ceremonies, `
` still throw themselves under the wheels of Juggernaut. Some Brahmins, `
` clad in all the sumptuousness of Oriental apparel, and leading a woman `
` who faltered at every step, followed. This woman was young, and as `
` fair as a European. Her head and neck, shoulders, ears, arms, `
` hands, and toes were loaded down with jewels and gems with bracelets, `
` earrings, and rings; while a tunic bordered with gold, and covered `
` with a light muslin robe, betrayed the outline of her form. `
` `
` The guards who followed the young woman presented a violent contrast `
` to her, armed as they were with naked sabres hung at their waists, `
` and long damascened pistols, and bearing a corpse on a palanquin. `
` It was the body of an old man, gorgeously arrayed in the habiliments `
` of a rajah, wearing, as in life, a turban embroidered with pearls, `
` a robe of tissue of silk and gold, a scarf of cashmere sewed with diamonds, `
` and the magnificent weapons of a Hindoo prince. Next came the musicians `
` and a rearguard of capering fakirs, whose cries sometimes drowned the noise `
` of the instruments; these closed the procession. `
` `
` Sir Francis watched the procession with a sad countenance, and, `
` turning to the guide, said, "A suttee." `
` `
` The Parsee nodded, and put his finger to his lips. The procession slowly `
` wound under the trees, and soon its last ranks disappeared in the depths `
` of the wood. The songs gradually died away; occasionally cries were heard `
` in the distance, until at last all was silence again. `
` `
` Phileas Fogg had heard what Sir Francis said, and, as soon as `
` the procession had disappeared, asked: "What is a suttee?" `
` `
` "A suttee," returned the general, "is a human sacrifice, but a voluntary one. `
` The woman you have just seen will be burned to-morrow at the dawn of day." `
` `
` "Oh, the scoundrels!" cried Passepartout, who could not repress `
` his indignation. `
` `
` "And the corpse?" asked Mr. Fogg. `
` `
` "Is that of the prince, her husband," said the guide; "an independent `
` rajah of Bundelcund." `
` `
` "Is it possible," resumed Phileas Fogg, his voice betraying not `
` the least emotion, "that these barbarous customs still exist in India, `
` and that the English have been unable to put a stop to them?" `
` `
` "These sacrifices do not occur in the larger portion of India," `
` replied Sir Francis; "but we have no power over these savage territories, `
` and especially here in Bundelcund. The whole district north of the Vindhias `
` is the theatre of incessant murders and pillage." `
` `
` "The poor wretch!" exclaimed Passepartout, "to be burned alive!" `
` `
` "Yes," returned Sir Francis, "burned alive. And, if she were not, `
` you cannot conceive what treatment she would be obliged to submit `
` to from her relatives. They would shave off her hair, feed her `
` on a scanty allowance of rice, treat her with contempt; `
` she would be looked upon as an unclean creature, and would die `
` in some corner, like a scurvy dog. The prospect of so frightful `
` an existence drives these poor creatures to the sacrifice `
` much more than love or religious fanaticism. Sometimes, however, `
` the sacrifice is really voluntary, and it requires the active `
` interference of the Government to prevent it. Several years ago, `
` when I was living at Bombay, a young widow asked permission `
` of the governor to be burned along with her husband's body; `
` but, as you may imagine, he refused. The woman left the town, `
` took refuge with an independent rajah, and there carried out `
` her self-devoted purpose." `
` `
` While Sir Francis was speaking, the guide shook his head several times, `
` and now said: "The sacrifice which will take place to-morrow at dawn `
` is not a voluntary one." `
` `
`