fied this in the Gazetteer of India, and the "God's
warrior" was cleared of every suspicion of exaggeration and boasting.

In 1879, however, no one was drowned, or crushed to death, but a
dreadful epidemic of cholera broke out. We were disgusted at this
impediment; but had to keep at a distance in spite of our impatience
to see Hardwar. And unable to behold distant summits of old Himavat
ourselves, we had in the meanwhile to be contented with what we could
hear about him from other people.

So we talked long after our breakfast under the cave vault was finished.
But our talk was not so gay as it might have been, because we had to
part with Ram-Runjit-Das, who was going to Bombay. The worthy Sikh shook
hands with us in the European way, and then raising his right hand gave
us his blessing, after the fashion of all the followers of Nanaka.
But when he approached the Takur to take leave of him, his countenance
suddenly changed. This change was so evident that we all noted it. The
Takur was sitting on the ground leaning on a saddle, which served him as
a cushion. The Akali did not attempt either to give him his blessing or
to shake hands with him. The proud expression of his face also
changed, and showed confusion and anxious humility instead of the usual
self-respect and self-sufficiency. The brave Sikh knelt down before
the Takur, and instead of the ordinary "Namaste!"--"Salutation to you,"
whispered reverently, as if addressing the Guru of the Golden Lake: "I
am your servant, Sadhu-Sahib! give me your blessing!"

Without any apparent reason or cause, we all felt self-conscious and
ill at ease, as if guilty of some indiscretion. But the face of the
mysterious Rajput remained as calm and as dispassionate as ever. He was
looking at the river before this scene took place, and slowly moved his
eyes to the Akali, who lay prostrated before him. Then he touched the
head of the Sikh with his index finger, and rose with the remark that we
also had better start at once, because it was getting late.

We drove in our carriage, moving very slowly because of the deep sand
which covers all this locality, and the Takur followed us on horseback
all the way. He told us the epic legends of Hardwar and Rajistan, of
the great deeds of the Hari-Kulas, the heroic princes of the solar race.
Hari means sun, and Kula family. Some of the Rajput princes belong to
this family, and the Maharanas of Oodeypur are especially proud of their
astronomica