Page:Journal of the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society (IA journalofstra85861922roya).pdf/448

 apparently with great interest what he and his companion were doing. He pulled back his companion and the two had to beat a retreat as stealthily as they had come, and make the best of their way home, resolved never to try the experiment again in future.

Another one: On one occasion the old woman was spending a night at a friend's house about half-a-mile away, leaving only her daughters and grand-daughters at home. As they were sitting with their mat-plaiting and basket-work and chatting light-heartedly they heard the silent panting of an animal like a cow under the house. On turning their torches upon it to see what it was, they found it to be a tiger. So terrified were they that they put up wild screams for help till people came, and the tiger sneaked away into the darkness. (I can vouch for so much of the story as a fact, for I was one of those neighbours who heard the screams and went to help). The old lady came home and told them that the beast was only keeping them company and protecting the house. If they had harmed him, she told them, some terrible catastrophe would certainly befall the family. On another occasion, the old lady with three of her granddaughters went out měnimba (i.e. fishing by baling dry the water of a shrinking pool and then catching the fish—a favourite pastime in the village during the hottest part of the year) at a certain pool close by the road-side. When they had baled the pool dry and were beginning to secure the fish, one of the party saw two tigers crossing the road in their direction from the thick jungle on the other side. The grand-mother's attention was instantly called, and she, realising the danger, had no other alternative but to tell them to be quiet and calm. Suddenly from beneath the scrub, a few yards away between them and the two tigers, rose a third and bigger tiger. Without seeming to notice the panic-stricken youngsters, the beast walked right towards the advancing pair, and after persuading them, as it seemed, to turn to another direction, he marched away from the scene. The two followed suit. But the young girls could not regain control of their nerves, and their grand-mother had to hurry them home, taking only whatever fish they had caught and leaving the remainder without further search.

It may be added as a digression that the grave of the old lady's husband used to be regarded by many as an object of pious reverence. The chĕmpaka trees (Michelia champaca) planted over it were overhung with strips of white cloth (panji-panji) as emblems of sanctity, and indications of the number of "vows" (niat) that had been paid there. I daresay they still continue to be so overhung at the present time. Credulous people have for long been attracted to "make their vow" by the grave. Incidentally, this practice may be described here in a few words: A person, for the fulfilment of some great prayer, "makes a vow" saying: "If I recover from this illness" or "If a male baby be born to me" (or whatever that desire is) "I will cut two goats at so-and-so's grave and call people to eat there." If the prayer is granted he