Page:Life in India or Madras, the Neilgherries, and Calcutta.djvu/221

191 to take care of herself the next time, or she will be run over. A palankeen meets you, with a native merchant stretched on his broad back in conscious grandeur, the bearers dolorously grunting, and shining with perspiration: "Varndy! varndy!” (carriage! carriage!) they cry, and veering off, shove the walkers against the wall.

The houses, usually one story in height, have neat little verandahs in front, sometimes painted red or with white and red stripes, and are adorned with rude paintings by Hindu artists. Tigers, soldiers, gods, and other objects are represented in flaming colours upon the front walls. A favourite representation is that of their god Krishna in the top of a tree, with the garments of a number of women, with which he had run off while they were bathing. This gives a fair idea of the character of the gods of the Hindus; they are mere men, with some increase of power and wickedness.

If it be about dusk, you will meet all the cows belonging to the street returning from the pasture to which they were driven in the morning. Each cow, when she reaches her master's house, leaves the herd, ascends the steps, and enters the front door, as if quite at home. This