sisting log, into its treacherous clutches. Out of it he plunged,
still swimming valiantly; and, despite the opposing force of the
current, made a bold dash for one of the few possible landings on the
town bank. But the people, foreseeing the attempt from long
experience, were gathered at this particular danger-point in
overwhelming numbers; with the result that the unhappy beast was fairly
hustled back into the boiling stream.

Here the second rapid claimed him; and excitement became intense; for
the fate of a year hung trembling in the balance. There was no
shouting now; but a breathless expectant silence. Only the
river,--full of sound and fury,--babbled unceasingly to the majestic
sky.

The moment of uncertainty was short as it was tense. Once more the
brave black head appeared, a blot on the foam-flecked surface, no
longer battling, with dilated nostrils, against fearful odds; but lying
sideways, inert . . . lifeless; . . . and a prolonged outburst of
shouting, clapping, and huzzaing informed the echoing hills that the
great spirit of rivers and streams had accepted the sacrifice; that the
luck of the State was established for twelve good months to come.

"Poor beast, poor plucky beast!" Quita murmured rebelliously. Her
sympathies had been strangely stirred; and an unbidden moisture clouded
her eyes. In that hapless drowned buffalo she beheld, not a mere dead
animal, but one victim the more to the eternal law of sacrifice;--the
law that makes one man's suffering the price of another man's
gain;--the law that lies at the root of half the tragedy of the world.
"How happy they all are!" she went on. "That Rajah boy is delighted.
They have no imaginations these people. So much the better for them!"

By now the _shamianah_ hummed with talk and laughter and congratulation
on the outcome of the _Mela_. Every one had risen; and Desmond turned
with the rest to add his quota to the polite speeches that were the
order of the moment.

But Quita, still intent upon the stirring scene without, moved forward
a little space to obtain a better view of the river and the crowd.
Lenox followed her; and with a start she became aware that he was
standing almost at her elbow; though still a little behind her, so that
she must turn if she wanted to see his face.

"Are you wishing you could put some of that on canvas?" he asked in a
voice that he vainly strove to render natural.

"Yes. It would be such a triumphant riot o