Page:Stories of Bengalee life - Prabhat Kumar Mukerji.pdf/176

164 reached Tara Devi. It is a mountain peak about two hundred feet high from its base. Leaving the rickshaws, they ascended the peak.

Within the temple there was the stone image of Tara Devi painted in vermilion. It was a frightful sight to see. The ladies began their worship. The two gentlemen went about observing the natural beauties of the place: on one side a deep precipice, on the other lofty forests. A solitary place, dear to thoughtful minds. Not far off rose the snowy peaks of the Himalayas. After noon the atmosphere glittered with the intensity of the sun's rays. The Temple Priest began to chat with them. His home was in Hushiarpur. What sort of an income did he get? Not much of that. Hillmen scarcely paid any money; some brought wheat, some potatoes, some honey. Rich people—Chiefs, Rajas, Maharajas—when they came, bestowed lavishly. There was great difficulty about water. It had to be brought in ghaillas from the well below—when the spring therein was in flow.

At this moment the cry of a child was heard not far off from beneath a withered tree. A forest child had been lying sleeping in the sun, it now was sitting up crying. Glancing at the child, the priest said—"Babuji, two days ago I fell into great trouble about that child." The two