Page:Life in India or Madras, the Neilgherries, and Calcutta.djvu/282

240 heads, and others with bullocks loaded with their goods. As our tent was standing upon the spot used by them for the exhibition of their wares, we struck it and moved to the mundapam, (for these stone porch-like rest-houses are found in almost every village and town,) and left the green to the people. Here our audiences were increased by the many strangers collected by the fair, so that we could scarce manage to eat. While Mr S. made a hasty meal, I kept the people: we then exchanged places, and he preached while I eat. It is difficult to decide which was the most attractive to the assembly—his eloquence or my humble meal; certainly the spectators seemed as deeply interested as the auditors. I could not but smile, as I stood by the palankeen taking my tea and toast, (the latter made in Madras before our setting out,) at the admiring gaze of the multitude, who probably for the first time saw a real doorey take his food.

When we left them, the scene was a very pleasant one. The round plot of ground between the tank and the temple was filled by concentric circles of sellers, with their goods piled or spread before them. Here would be a heap of white cloth, in pieces proper for