Page:Isvar Chandra Vidyasagar, a story of his life and work.djvu/169

128 The next morning he rose very early, and proceeded on his way, followed by his servant. When he had travelled some distance, he found that Sriram was quite wearied with fatigue and hunger. The servant's home was not very far from this place. Vidyasagar, therefore, provided for the servant's breakfast in a neighbouring inn, and giving him a few pice, said;—'Here is some money to pay your hotel-bill; you may now go home. With this, he left him, and ran on like an arrow. Sriram could no more follow him, and was obliged to go to his own home. Vidyasagar soon reached the banks of the Damodar.

The river Damodar was very wide, and full to its brinks on both sides, and there was a very strong current flowing. In the dry season, the water in the Damodar is very shallow, and the river is fordable in many places; but during the rains, the water swells to its banks, and sometimes overflows them. Vidyasagar saw, that the river was not only full to its brinks, but also rough and turbulent, with a strong current flowing vigorously. The ferry boat was, unfortunately, on the other side of the river. What was Vidyasagar to do now? What means would he adopt to cross the river? He was not long in thinking. He was now inspirated with a heavenly animation,—an eager longing to see his dear mother. In the name of God and his mother, he plunged precipitately into the stream. He swam across the river,