Page:Life in India or Madras, the Neilgherries, and Calcutta.djvu/527

Rh tains. Indeed, scarce a misfortune befalls them but it is charged upon the sorcery of their neighbours. On one occasion, disease attacked the inhabitants of a village at the same time that a murrain carried off many of their cattle. There was not a doubt in the minds of the people that a Curumbar had done them this mischief by his sorceries. After watching some time for an opportunity, a number of them surrounded him in open day, and barbarously murdered the poor wretch. By the Badagas this was looked upon as a righteous punishment of a sorcerer; but the English authorities, not taking the same view of it, hanged one of the murderers. Need we say more to show that the teachings of the Bible are as much needed in these lovely mountain villages as in the towns and cities of the plains?

The state of morals among the Badagas is deplorably low; and, as they are devoid of education, the work of their enlightenment and conversion must involve an expenditure of much time and labour. Still, we doubt not that the lately-commenced efforts of these excellent men will in due time be crowned with success. When an entrance is fairly made into the mass, we may expect the work to go rapidly on. They