Our boys in India . rted for a drive. It is almost entirely aHindu city, but there is one Mohammedan mosque. First Iam going to take you out on the river, and then to the topof the observatory, that you may see the whole. Most of thetemples crowd upon the river, and from them marble stepsextend down into the water for the bathers. Then we willsee all we can of the best of the temples near the riverbefore dinner, and afterward drive to the distant ones. They reached the river in the carriage, and dismissed themselves in a curious boat with a fancy canopy to 198 OUR BOYS IN INDIA. pro
Our boys in India . rted for a drive. It is almost entirely aHindu city, but there is one Mohammedan mosque. First Iam going to take you out on the river, and then to the topof the observatory, that you may see the whole. Most of thetemples crowd upon the river, and from them marble stepsextend down into the water for the bathers. Then we willsee all we can of the best of the temples near the riverbefore dinner, and afterward drive to the distant ones. They reached the river in the carriage, and dismissed themselves in a curious boat with a fancy canopy to 198 OUR BOYS IN INDIA. protect them from the sun, a half-dozen oarsmen pushed thempast the miles of marble ghats (or steps) leading into thewater. They were dark with bathers. All sorts and sizes ofpeople, crowded their way into the water, dressed just as theyhad come from the street, and just as they were going backagain into the street as soon as their clothes were dry. Therewere broad, flat umbrellas, — a forest of them, — under which. TEMPLES BY THE EIVER. bathers were sitting on the steps, waiting for an opportunityto go into the water. Those already there would take thedirty water, and pour it over their heads, repeating a prayer,and touch it to their lips and breasts, still praying. Sometimesa carcass would float down, and become entangled in thebathers ; but they would only push it out of their way, andgo on praying. PILGRIMS, PRIESTS, AND PEOPLE EVERYWHERE. 199 ** Are there no crocodiles here ? asked Scott. Lots of them, repHed his friend ; but they are fed sowell up the river and down that they rarely venture into thecrowd. There was a sensation here a while ago, however,when a crocodile was several times seen and often felt. Hewould grasp by the legs the women that were bathing, andoften succeed in pulling off their gold and silver ornamentsthat they wear about their ankles. They dared do nothingto disturb him, for he is one of the most sacred animals ofIndia. But his depredations were su
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