CHAPTER IV
the barber woman
OSTER himself escorted the palanquin up to the bank of the Bhagirathi. A large boat, comfortable for ladies to live in, was kept there in readiness. Shaibalini was taken up on that boat. Foster engaged Hindu servants for her and some sentries to keep watch. What was the necessity for Hindu servants now?
Foster proceeded to Calcutta in another boat. He was to travel fast; it would be quite impossible for him to reach Calcutta in a week's time, if he was to go in Shaibalini's big boat, making its way against the wind. He did so, because he had no such fear that in his absence some one might attack the boat and rescue Shaibalini. He thought that none would dare to approach the boat for the simple fact that it belonged to an Englishman. He left instructions that Shaibalini's boat should be taken to Monghyr.
Shaibalini's spacious boat, mounting upon the chain of little waves raised by the morning breeze, was moving towards the north. The murmuring ripples were breaking under the boat with a patter-
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