Srikanta
While I was lost in appreciation of this splendid performance and in admiration for the unusual mode of warfare, I felt the pressure of a finger on my back. Turning my head I saw it was Indra. 'Come, Srikanta,' he whispered, 'Didi wants to see you.' In an instant I sat bolt upright and asked, 'Where is she?'
'Come out of this: I'll tell you.' When I had gone out with him, he simply said, 'Come along with me,' and began to walk on.
When we reached the ghat, I saw that Indra's boat was ready; both of us got in in silence, and we started.
Once more we proceeded by the old water-way in the darkness, and then followed the jungle path till we came to Shahji's hut. By that time night was far spent.
Didi was sitting beside a kerosene lamp, Shahji's head lying on her lap. Near her feet was stretched a huge, dead cobra.
Briefly and in a low voice she told us what had happened. A reward had been offered that day for catching a snake in somebody's house. Shahji had caught the snake and had returned home just before dusk, drunk on the reward he had got. He had insisted, in spite of Didi's remonstrances, on playing for one of the snakes to dance. As he put the snake into the handi[1] he had placed his face near its mouth, intending to bid it an affectionate goodnight, and the brute had bitten him in the neck.
Didi wiped her eyes with the end of her sari. 'Srikanta,' she said, 'he understood at once that his hours were numbered. He trod on the head of the snake with his
- ↑ Round, earthen pot.
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