f natives, who witnessed
the performance, forced Captain M--- and his companions unwillingly to
abandon a scene so novel to an European. At the proposal of their
conductor, they agreed to continue their walk to the outskirts of the
village.

"I have often been ashore at this village," said the captain, "for they
make the small mats here which are much in request at Calcutta, and I
have frequent commissions for them. I can show you a novelty, if you
wish, but I warn you that it will not be a very agreeable sight. The
nullah that runs up here, frequently leaves the dead bodies on the bank.
It is now half-ebb, and if you wish to be introduced to vultures and
jackals, I can show you plenty. But prepare yourself for a disgusting
sight, for these animals do not congregate without a cause."

"To prey on the dead bodies, I presume?" replied Captain M---; "but as I
have never seen these animals in their wild state, my curiosity bears
down any anticipation of disgust. Let me not, however, influence those
who do not feel inclined to encounter it."

"After witnessing that dance," observed Courtenay, taking a pinch of
snuff, "I am fully prepared for _any supper_--it is impossible to be
more disgusting."

Macallan and Seymour having expressed a wish to proceed, the pilot
captain led the way, observing--"These animals are very necessary in the
climates to which they are indigenous: they do the duty on shore which
the alligators do in the water--that of public scavengers. The number
of bodies that are launched into the Ganges is incredible. If a Hindoo
is sick, he is brought down to the banks by his relatives, and if he
does not recover, is thrown into the river. It is said, indeed, that if
they are known to have money, their relatives do not wait till nature
tires with their own exertions, but stop their mouths with clay, to
prevent the possibility of recovery. There is a strong eddy round this
point, and the bodies are swept into the nullah, and lie dry at the
ebb."

"What do you call a nullah?" inquired Seymour.

"A nullah means a creek."

"I was so stupidly proud that I did not like to ask; but as Seymour had
set the example," added Courtenay, "pray what is a ghaut?"

"A landing-place. See, there are some vultures perched upon that tree,"
continued the pilot captain, as they ascended the bank of the nullah.
As soon as they arrived at the top they perceived, to their horror,
seven or eight bodies lying in the mud