Argosy, Vol. 147, No. 1 — page 146: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

es ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. t of the temple within which sat lect to the essence of created things a Sann was a conical black stone daubed yasi. Larger in his conceptions than the i, the Linga, the generative function yogis, who misconstrued the Vedas and the va, and before it, the symbol of repro- law of Manu as imposing an association of , women made offering of coconuts, filth—smeared ashes, and uncombed, un- and garlands of flowers—generally cleansed hair—as a symbol of piety and ds—and prayed for the bestowal of abnegation of spirit, a visible assertion that Even their postures, carried away the body had passed from regard—that it were by desire,.showing a complete with its sensualities and ungodly cravings, m to the sex idea. A Brahmin priest had become subservient to the spirit the ross-legged upon a stone platform re- soul. ing in a sing-song cadence prayers, and Swami Sarasvati was austere; Barlow . somewhere beyond a deep-toned bell felt that he dwelt on a plane where the yoomed out an admonishing call. trivialities. of life were but pestilential in- : b7 Holy water from the sacred Narbudda sects, to be endured stoically in a physical ‘was poured into the two jugs each pilgrim way, with the mind freed from their irrita- { — carr 26 ‘and sealed by the Brahmins, who tion grasping grander things; life was a ‘received, without thanks, stoically, as a wheel that revolved with the certainty of ‘matter of right, a tribute of silver. celestial bodies. “ae owering eighty feet above the temple It was so curious, and yet so unfailing, spire was a cliff, and from a ledge near its that Bootea, with her hyper-intuition, a white flag fluttered idly in the lazy should have found, selected this spiritual d. It was the death leap, the ledge from tutor from the horde of gurus, byragies, hich the one of the human sacrifice to and yogis that were connecting links be- car leaped, to crash in death beside the tween the tremendous pantheon of gro- ya, tesque gods and the common people. Here most without words Barlow and the she had come to an intellectual, though no ad toiled up the ascent, scarcely no- doubt an ascetic, one possessed of fierce by the throng; and now Bootea said, fervor in his ministry. There would be no ib, remain here. I go to speak to the swaying of that will force developed to the riest.”” keen, flexible, unflawed temper of a Damas- ow saw her speak into thé open por- cus blade. © of the cloister chambers that sur- Now the priest was saying in the asl— the temple, then disappear within. pure—Hindustani of the high-bred Brah- time she came forth, and approach- min: “ The sahib confers honor upon Sri said, “ The priest would speak Swami Sarasvati by this visit, for the ee, saltib, for because of many things woman has related that he is of high caste told him who thou art, though men- among the Englay and has been trusted not the nature of your mission, for by the raj with a mission. That he comes s not permitted.” in the garb of my people is consideration, yw’s foreboding of evil was now a for it avoids outrage to their feelings. Iam ty as he strode forward. glad to know that the Englay are so con- _ The priest rose at the captain’s entrance. siderate.”’ e was a fine specimen of the true Brah- “T came, Swami, because of regard for 1. the intellectual cult, that through suc- Bootea, for she is like a princess.” sive g tions of mental sway and The priest shot a quick, searching look from the millions of untutored ones into the eyes of the speaker, and then he ecome conscious of its power. Tall, asked, ‘‘ And what service would the sali ‘of form, with wide, high forehead and ask?” sressive eyes, almost olive skin, Bar- The question caught Captain Barlow un that the Swami was quite unlike aware; he had not formulated an yoris and mendicants; a man it had all been nebulous, dread. #5. close alliance of his intel- hesitated, fearing to voice that which Per: <-> ™ ri Z A ¥ a) ~ i. A = ef EMR” a> yA . r | ‘+ = RET Sk eee TE comicbooks.com