gainst
snake-bite and scorpion stings. After the fire-walk the feet of the
performers are washed and are found to be uninjured. Others vow a
black cow, sacrifice it, and distribute the meat to beggars. The rite
is of Hindu origin, and Hindus believe that the saint is an
incarnation of their god Lakshmana.--Jaffur Sharreef, _Qanoon-e-Islam_,
158 f.: W. Crooke, _Tribes and Castes of the NW. P. and Oudh_, iii.
397 ff.

[5] Dafali, from _daf_, a drum.

[6] _Mela_.

[7] Shaikh Saddu is the special saint of women. His name was
Muhi-ud-din, and he lived at Amroha or Sambhal, in the United
Provinces of Agra and Oudh. Some unorthodox Musalmans offer food in
the name, and hold a session, in which a female devotee becomes
possessed. A woman who wants a child says to her: 'Lady! I offer my
life to you that I may have a child', whereupon the devotee gives her
betel which she has chewed, or sweets, and this is supposed to bring
about the desired result (Jaffur Shurreef, _Qanoon-e-Islam_, 184 f: W.
Crooke, _Popular Religion and Folklore of Northern India_, i. 204). In
Bihar it is said that he had a lamp with four wicks, on lighting
which, four Jinns appeared, and he used them for the purpose of
debauchery. Finally, another Jinn slew him. People become possessed in
his name, and when summoned in cases of illness or trouble, announce
that a goat or a cock must be sacrificed to the saint (_Census Report,
Bengal_, 1901, i. 180).

[8] _Chiragh_, an earthenware cup in which a wick is lighted.

[9] _Kahani_, a folk-tale.

[10] This tale comes from the Nala-Damayanti Saga. Nala finds a snake
in danger of death from a jungle fire, saves it, and is bitten by the
reptile, in the forehead, which causes him to become weak, deformed,
and black in colour. The snake turns out to be the King Snake,
Karkotaka. He says to Nala: 'I gave you this bite for your good, as
you will soon learn, in order that your deformity may conceal you in
carrying out your plans' (C.H. Tawney, _Katha-saral-Sagara_, i.
564 f.: C.H. Bompas, _Folklore of the Santal Parganas_, 149 ff.).

[11] _Pipal, Ficus religiosa_.

[12] A common Indian folk-tale. In one of the most common versions the
jackal tricks the ungrateful tiger, and induces him to go back to his
cage.

LETTER XXVI

Superstition of the Natives.--Fair annually kept by Hindoos.--S