thing around us was still, and as we
trod along the sandy road even our footsteps made scarcely a sound that
could be heard.

"Soobulda and Esuree chatted pleasantly with their companions,
suspecting nothing. As for me, I had become silent and thoughtful, and
prayed inwardly to Allah to deliver us from this danger.

"At length one of those who walked with me, and whom I took to be the
leader of the band, proposed that as I had had no rest and seemed to be
tired, we should halt and rest by the side of a small stream we were
then passing. I perceived at once that we had arrived at the bele, or
place of execution. The Phansigars always send a man on to choose the
bele carefully beforehand. No place could be more suited to their
purpose. It was lonely as a desert; so remote from every human track
or habitation that no shriek of a victim could be heard by any one, and
the loose sand by the margin of the stream would yield readily to the
sacred pickaxe when the roomal had done its fatal work.

"We sat down, and beside each of us three sat three others, two of whom
were the holders of hands, while the third was the Bhurtote or
strangler, as I knew only too well.

"The leader strolled carelessly to and fro, preparing to give the
signal. Already I seemed to feel the pressure of the strip of cloth
about my neck, to anticipate the short and ineffectual struggles of the
unfortunate victims, to feel the kicks of those wretches on my back,
and then in a few moments all would be over.

"At this critical moment, just as the leader paused in his walk and
opened his lips to pronounce the words which would have been the signal
to his followers, and would have sealed our doom--he sneezed. I saw a
look of mingled rage and disgust pass round the party. One of the most
stringent and disabling of all omens had occurred. No Thug would
despatch his victim after such a manifestation of the wrath of the
great Bhowanee. Our lives would be spared, held sacred indeed for this
time, by these ruthless murderers.

"Very shortly afterwards, the gang, on some pretext of having to take
another road, separated from us, and we pursued our way without further
incident to the dwelling of my Uncle Amanoolla.

"Arrived there, I found that my Cousin Bebee had been married some time
since to a rich merchant in the neighbourhood. My uncle received me
gladly, and made my two friends, Soobulda and Esuree, welcome for my
sake, and for the sake of th