, assuming a considerable degree of
self-consequence, he demanded where we were going, from whence we came,
and what were our intentions. I was appointed interpreter, and I replied
that we wished to see this wonderful subterraneous passage. He replied,
"Yes, wonderful indeed! two thousand miles dug out of the bowels of the
earth by manual labour, and which cost as much money as would purchase
another world; but," continued he, "where are your provisions--your
oil--your Koran? If you wish to explore this great wonder of man's
power, you surely would not attempt it without first invoking Almighty
aid! The journey is long, dangerous, and tedious."--"How far, then,"
said I, "does the excavation extend, that so many precautions are
required?"--"To the famous city of Benares," replied he. "There may be
found, though scarcely known to mortal man, the other entrance. This is
as true as it appears wonderful to you who are unacquainted with these
hidden mysteries. If you doubt my assertion, go on, and your own eyes
will convince you of the truth of what I have told you." We proceeded
through some three or four rooms, descending two or three steps down to
each, till a chilly dampness told us to return. We did so, and, not
wishing to offend old grey-beard by evincing any disbelief of what we
had heard, we gave him a few rupees, which he seized with all the
avidity of a miser. His cunning eye sparkled again when he found the
rupees within his grasp, and he bowed to the ground in token of thanks.
He told us many stories, as wonderful as they were false: amongst the
rest, the following:--That some of his holy sect (Brahmins) had, a short
period before, attempted to explore this passage; but, when they had
proceeded about half way, some of them died. The others consulted
whether it was more prudent to proceed to the accomplishment of their
design, or at once return, while it was certain that their oil and
provisions would last them. They agreed to return, and they reached the
spot from which they had first started, after an absence of some months.
The hoary-headed mendicant told this barefaced falsehood with all the
solemnity of truth, and confirmed it by emphatically calling on his
Maker to witness his assertion. We did not think it prudent to dispute
his word till we were fairly out of his clutches; but, just as we were
about to take our departure, I told him that what he had asserted was
nothing but a delusion to exact money from the