hite with grains of rice, as if silvered with hoar-frost,
the chin of the other was yellow with liquid saffron. But unsatisfied
curiosity happily came to my rescue, and I went on watching the quaint
proceedings of the Hindus.

Each of them, having sat down with his legs twisted under him, poured
some water with his left hand out of the jug brought by the servant,
first into his cup, then into the palm of his right hand. Then he
slowly and carefully sprinkled the water round a dish with all kinds
of dainties, which stood by itself, and was destined, as we learned
afterwards, for the gods. During this procedure each Hindu repeated a
Vedic mantram. Filling his right hand with rice, he pronounced a new
series of couplets, then, having stored five pinches of rice on the
right side of his own plate, he once more washed his hands to avert the
evil eye, sprinkled more water, and pouring a few drops of it into his
right palm, slowly drank it. After this he swallowed six pinches of
rice, one after the other, murmuring prayers all the while, and wetted
both his eyes with the middle finger of his left hand. All this done,
he finally hid his left hand behind his back, and began eating with the
right hand. All this took only a few minutes, but was performed very
solemnly.

The Hindus ate with their bodies bent over the food, throwing it up and
catching it in their mouths so dexterously that not a grain of rice
was lost, not a drop of the various liquids spilt. Zealous to show
his consideration for his host, the colonel tried to imitate all these
movements. He contrived to bend over his food almost horizontally, but,
alas! he could not remain long in this position. The natural weight of
his powerful limbs overcame him, he lost his balance and nearly tumbled
head foremost, dropping his spectacles into a dish of sour milk and
garlic. After this unsuccessful experience the brave American gave up
all further attempts to become "Hinduized," and sat very quietly.

The supper was concluded with rice mixed with sugar, powdered peas,
olive oil, garlic and grains of pomegranate, as usual. This last
dainty is consumed hurriedly. Everyone nervously glances askance at his
neighbor, and is mortally afraid of being the last to finish, because
this is considered a very bad sign. To conclude, they all take some
water into their mouths, murmuring prayers the while, and this time they
must swallow it in one gulp. Woe to the one who chokes! 'Tis a clea