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 As he spoke, the body of the Sahoukar was brought up by three men, who railed at it for its weight.

"It is their wont," he said; "do not speak to them; only watch what they do; for you must see all, that you may be fully acquainted with your duties."

I was silent. The corpse was dragged to the brink and thrown in, as also that of the servant who had been killed close to the Sahoukar: incisions were made in their abdomens, and sharpened stakes driven through them.

"Were it not for the precaution you see," said my father, "the ground might swell, and the jackals would drag out the bodies; in this way, however, it is impossible."

When all was finished, quantities of stones, which had been collected, were thrown upon the bodies, afterwards thorns, and the whole was covered up with sand, which was carefully smoothed.

"I think this will do, Jemadar Sahib," said Peer Khan; "we may now leave the place. It is not likely that any one will come here to look for the Sethjee or his people; and the Sahib-zada has seen how cleverly we have done our work."