' MARY H WADE V, .JL..A - -LJ / -*' THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES GIFT V/illiam P.Wreden TWIN TRAVELERS IN INDIA THEY NEVER EXPECTED TO FEEL SO GRAND IN THEIR LIVES AGAIV. TWIN TRAVELERS ^ IN INDIA BY MARY H. iWADE Author of "Twin Travelers in South America," "Twin Travelers in the Holy Land," "The Little Cousin Series," etc. WITH A FRONTISPIECE IN COLOR AND EIGHT ILLUSTRATIONS FROM PHOTOGRAPHS NEW YORK FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY PUBLISHERS Copyright, 1920, by FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY All rights reserved, including that of translation into foreign languages. '~pz^ CONTENTS CHAPTER PAGE I AT INDIA'S GATEWAY . . . . , . . 1 II OTHER STRANGE SIGHTS ...... 17 III ON THE WAY NORTH ....... 29 IV THE WONDERFUL DAYS OP OLD .... 37 V SAFE IN KASHMIR ........ 45 VI THE PEDDLERS 53 VII THE SIGHTS OF SRINAGAR 59 VIII IN A HOUSEBOAT 65 IX IN FAMOUS DELHI 69 X SIGHTSEEING IN AGRA 77 XI A TIGER STORY 83 XII A WONDERFUL ADVENTURE 93 XIII STRANGE SIGHTS ON THE GANGES .... 103 XIV IN CALCUTTA 113 XV ON TO BURMA 121 ILLUSTRATIONS They never expected to feel so grand in their lives again Frontispiece FACING PAGE There before them squatted a Hindu playing upon a reed pipe 20 The Pool of Immortality, in the middle of which stands the famous Temple of Gold 42 A state procession at Delhi 72 There seem to be more monkeys than people in Gulta 100 Hindu pilgrims bathing in the Ganges at Benares . . 108 Bullocks are used to haul products from the rich inland plains 118 Four hundred steps lead up to the Burmese Pagoda . 126 The wise creatures gathered up the lumber and placed it in piles 128 TWIN TRAVELERS IN INDIA CHAPTER I AT INDIA'S GATEWAY AUNT NELL!" "Well, Joe, what is it?" "I wonder if you can understand how I feel as if as if I were in a strange, new world that doesn't seem quite real." The lad's usually laughing eyes were quite serious. Mrs. Andrews smiled. "I believe," she answered, "we shall find India very real as well as very won- derful." ' * Only think ! ' ' Joe went on suddenly. ' ' It isn 't a year and a half, though it seems a life-time, since Lucy and I, twelve-year-olders, were going to school in a humdrum way in dear, old, noisy New York. How would our old playmates feel if they were stuffed as full of adventures and strange sights as we are now? Fortunate we are, and no mistake!" As Joe finished the sentence his sister came danc- TWIN TRAVELERS IN INDIA ing into the room. Her pretty face was aglow with happiness. 4 'Letters for every one of us ! " she cried. ' * Uncle Ben just handed me this pile. They were waiting for us in the hotel office when we got here." ' ' Hurray ! One from Daddy, and one from Mum- mie," exclaimed Joe excitedly, as he examined the letters Lucy handed him. ' ' Nothing better than letters from the home folks to greet us in a strange place, except the folks them- selves," said Mr. Andrews cheerily as he followed Lucy into the room. "Just listen!" said Joe. He had torn off one end of an envelope in wild haste and run his eyes down the page. "Mummie says she and Daddie miss us dreadfully. But they are both well and trying to make the best of us twins being far away. Daddy has had such success in the coffee business that he is more glad than ever that he went to Brazil. " 'Besides, if we hadn't come here,' Mummie goes on, 'you and Lucy would never have had a chance to travel around South America. And then, if you had not showed yourselves good travelers, perhaps your dear Uncle Ben and Aunt Nell might not have had courage to take you with them to the Holy Land and on to India, where this letter will probably find you.' " "Yes, here in Bombay, at the Gateway of the East!" Lucy burst out, looking up from a letter [2] AT INDIA'S GATEWAY from her father she had just opened. " And Daddie says he hopes we will see a great deal here in a very short time because the days are long without Joe and me being round to ask questions." "I say!" said Joe when the letters had been read, "what a dandy trip we had getting here!" "It seemed to me after we left Syria behind us, and we were sailing down through the Suez Canal and the Bed Sea, that I was never, never, never so hot in all my life." Lucy gasped even at the thought. "But when our mattresses had been carried up on deck we managed to sleep all right, ' ' said Joe. Boy- like, he could suit himself to all sorts of conditions. "The sail through the Arabian Sea was delight- ful, even though it was still warm," said Mrs. An- drews brightly. "And the jelly fish, Auntie, weren't they lovely?" cried Lucy. "I had never before supposed that jelly fish could be pretty. Nearly all the last day of the voyage I watched them. Hundreds were floating about the ship at one time. And such colors! I liked the big, pale blue ones fringed with a sort of mermaid-green the best." "Mermaid-green!" Joe's blue eyes danced with mischief. "Did you ever see a mermaid, that you talk so glibly about them?" "I've seen 'em painted. And they were a shim- [3] TWIN TRAVELERS IN INDIA mery, shiny pale green. So!" Lucy laughed mer- rily. "As soon as land came in sight," resumed Mrs. Andrews, "I forgot everything else. I didn't look for 'India's coral strand' that we sing about, but my eyes were straining towards the mountains half hidden in purple haze, and the city of Bombay close to the water's edge, with its factories, its towers and temples. Then, as we sailed farther into the har- bor, I could think only of its beauty. It is said to be one of the best harbors in the world. The name given to it, Bombay, was well chosen because it means beautiful bay." "We must have passed ships from almost every- where," said Joe. "Chinese junks, steamers from England and France and other countries of Europe, as well as from Africa, Japan and " "Oh, Joe, you haven't mentioned the United States yet! I'd have said that first," broke in Lucy with an indignant toss of her head. "Why, my heart seemed to jump into my mouth when I caught sight of the American flag waving from the mast- head of one of the ships." "Humph! Wasn't I the first to salute it?" cried Joe. "The order of our words doesn't always show how we feel," said Mrs. Andrews with a merry smile. "I have no doubt but that the Stars and Stripes are dearer to you, Joe, as to all true Ameri- [4] AT INDIA'S GATEWAY cans, than any other flag. "We can't help it. They stand for home and all we love best." "It doesn't seem as if we were on an island," said Joe, ready to change the subject. "In one sense, Bombay is not an island," said his uncle, "because a strong embankment now joins it to the mainland. Over this embankment immense trainloads of cotton and other goods are constantly being brought here for shipment to other parts of the world." "My head is still in a whirl," said Lucy, throw- ing herself on a couch. ' * Here we are in this quiet English hotel with beautiful gardens and fine build- ings around us, while an hour ago as we left the steamer, we were in the midst of the strangest mob I ever dreamed of. "People of every race on earth, it seemed to me, were rushing about and shouting as if they thought all the other folks were deaf." "Some of the people were dressed in the bright- est silks and satins and loaded with jewelry," put in Joe, "while others, such as the workmen, or coolies as I'm told to call them, had only strips of cloth about their loins. How those coolies yelled to each other as they grabbed the luggage! There were English soldiers, too, looking ever so straight and important, and the only quiet folks in the crowd." "Even in the jam I noticed some of the oddest carts and wagons in among fine carriages and. [5] TWIN TRAVELERS IN INDIA autos," said Lucy, her bright blue eyes full of ex- citement. "The sunshine beating against the sides of the white-washed buildings made my eyes ache," said Mrs. Andrews. "But" she spoke brightly "as soon as we had been examined at the Custom House, and were on our way here in a comfortable car- riage, I began to enjoy myself." "Did you notice the big sheds we passed?" Joe asked eagerly. "I'm quite sure those were buf- faloes in them. There were dark-skinned men in turbans taking care of them. A group of boys was out in front of one of the sheds playing some game I didn 't understand. ' ' Just then a knock came at the door, and as Mr. Andrews opened it a pleasant, brown-eyed young American stepped into the room. "May I go to lunch with you?" he asked. "Indeed you may, Mr. Allen," said Mrs. Andrews quickly. "We shall be very glad to have your com- pany." Afterwards, when the party had seated them- selves in the big dining-room, the young man said that he had decided to remain in Bombay while these new friends saw the sights there. "Then," said he, "we can make the journey north together, because I understand you intend to go al- most directly to the Vale of Kashmir." "That will be bully!" cried Joe. "I'm ever so [6] AT INDIA'S GATEWAY glad you made your visit to Palestine when you did. If you hadn't, we wouldn't have got acquainted on the steamer." At that every one laughed. "As I have told you," said Mr. Allen, "my father and I are both secretaries of the Y. M. C. A. in La- hore, the capital of the Punjab, where you are going first. But we spend the long summer vacations in Kashmir. My parents and my young brother and sister are already there." "Then, Joe, we can have some playmates who talk English," cried Lucy delightedly. "Uncle Ben says we are to stay several weeks up in Kashmir." Mr. Allen looked pleased. "Bert and Jessie will also be glad to have playmates who so lately came from the United States," he said. "They were both born here in India." "The food we have been eating so far doesn't seem different from what I've had most of my life," said Joe, suddenly changing the subject. "Boast beef is as common as anything. ' ' As he spoke the waiter set a steaming dish on the table. "Ah!" cried Mr. Andrews with boyish delight, as he examined it. "This isn't common. If I'm not mistaken, it is pillau. I've been told it is delicious meat and rice seasoned with curry, mixed together. We must all try it." [7] TWIN TRAVELERS IN INDIA "It's hot," said Joe after tasting the pttlau. "And it has a queer flavor." "That is because of the curry, Joe," Mr. Allen smiled. "You'll like it after you have lived in In- dia a little while." "These are pickled carrots," said Mrs. Andrews, tasting one which she had just taken from a dish beside her. "And good too!" But the twins, as usual, enjoyed the dessert most of all dainty cakes and sweetmeats, with mangoes and oranges. When the lunch was over it was still too early in the afternoon to start out sight-seeing because of the heat. But at four o'clock an automobile with a young English chauffeur drove up in front of the hotel to take the party around the city. "We passed through the English quarter on our way to the hotel," Joe told the chauffeur beside whom he was sitting. "But I'm wild to see the part of the city where only the natives live and where things are queer. ' ' The chauffeur smiled. "I'm not to take you there this afternoon," he said. "Your uncle has directed me to drive to Malabar Hill, where there are beauti- ful homes overlooking the sea." "Oh-h!" said Joe disappointedly. "You will find something strange even on Mala- bar Hill, Joe," said Mr. Allen, who had been listen- ing. [8] "And then to-morrow morning," added Mr. An- drews, "we will make an early start to see the na- tive section at the best time possible, after which we will take a boat ride to one of the strangest islands in the world. Are you satisfied now?" "Of course, as I know your plans are always best," said Joe. "Only sometimes it is hard to wait. ' ' As the boy spoke the beautiful Arabian Sea came into sight. " Oh ! " sighed Lucy. " Pd like to go in swimming in those waters. They look so cool and refreshing." "Maybe you'd come across a shark and lose your head, ' ' said her brother mischievously. "And maybe I wouldn't," was the laughing an- swer. Then, turning to her aunt, the little girl ex- claimed: "Auntie dear, are you noticing the lovely trees along the way? We have passed both areca and cocoanut palms. I know them from seeing such trees in South America. But there are others that are strange to me." "The immense tree just ahead of us is a banyan," explained Mr. Allen. "You will find many like it in your wanderings. You will notice a queer thing about it its branches have sent shoots down into the ground." "Hm! More English soldiers," said Joe in a low tone. "They seem to be around everywhere." [9] TWIN TRAVELERS IN INDIA "They need to be here to keep the country in or- der," said Mr. Allen quickly. "If it were not for them it would not be safe for you to travel about India as you intend doing." "But how did India come to be ruled by the Brit- ish?" asked Lucy. "It was brought about through some spices, I be- lieve." Mr. Andrews smiled mischievously. "Spices!" exclaimed Joe. "Yes, spices. A long time ago it was when 'Good Queen Bess' ruled over England the Dutch people did most of the trading with India. They brought spices from there to Europe where they were not raised. "Well, the Dutch traders charged a very high price for the spices. " 'It is altogether too much,' declared the Eng- lish. 'We will see what we can do for ourselves.' Some of their merchants formed themselves into the East India Company and began to trade with the people of India themselves. The trade grew fast. English ships brought away many other things besides spices from India. More and more Englishmen settled here at last and brought the whole country under British rule." "So that is why there is an English governor- general over India," said Joe, thinking it out. "And why there are many English soldiers here. [10] AT INDIA'S GATEWAY If they weren't here, Indian princes would be ruling instead of the king of England." " Exactly," said Mr. Andrews. "But while we are talking we have need to keep our eyes open. What lovely houses are half hidden behind the trees!" ''The grounds about all these homes are just beautiful!" declared Lucy. "So fresh and green, and such lovely plants ! I wish I could get out and pick some of the flowers I've seen." ' * The June rains have done good, ' ' explained Mr. Allen. "They have freshened everything." As he spoke he motioned towards a villa almost hidden in a grove of cocoanut palms. "A rich Parsee lives there," he said. "He owns large cotton mills here in Bombay." "Look ! Perhaps that is he coming down the walk now!" said Joe. "And maybe that is his son with him. What queer hats they have on shaped like stove pipes, high and brimless! And their coats are long and straight." "Parsee men and boys always dress in that style," said Mr. Allen. Then he went on. "I like the Parsees for many reasons. To begin with, after coming to live in In- dia they have showed they are not lazy like many of the natives, while they are generous and intelli- gent. Many of the Parsees here in Bombay are wealthy business men. But they do not keep all TWIN TRAVELERS IN INDIA their money for themselves. They give much to the schools and hospitals." "If India hasn't always been their home, where did they come from?" asked Joe. "From Persia. The Arabs drove them from their country and they fled into India. Here they have lived ever since, still holding to their strange faith. They worship the sun. ' ' "The sun!" burst from the twins. "Yes, and fire is therefore sacred to them. If you should visit one of their temples you would find their sacred fire burning there. They would tell you they have never let it die out since they brought it from Persia." "Oh-h!" said Lucy suddenly, with a sigh of de- light. A carriage drawn by a pair of handsome black horses was almost abreast of the car. In it, be- sides the driver, sat a fine-looking Parsee gentleman and his wives, who were most beautiful women, with sparkling black eyes and glossy black hair lying smooth above their foreheads. "But their dress I don't believe I ever saw such beautiful clothes and jewels on any one!" Lucy ex- claimed as the carriage passed on. "Such brace- lets as I caught sight of! They were studded with diamonds and emeralds! And the white lace over- skirts, and the the scarfs that looked like cob- [12] AT INDIA'S GATEWAY webs made out of bits of the rainbow wound around their heads! Oh-h!" Again Lucy sighed. "Your eyes were pretty busy to see so much in a passing glance," her aunt said with a laugh. "Here comes another fine carriage," she went on. "I wonder if this also holds Parsees." It proved to be filled with an English officer and his family, out like many others for a late after- noon ride along the shore. "We are having a fine time, Uncle Ben, but I haven't seen the strange sight you promised me," said Joe a minute afterwards in a tone of disap- pointment. "The ride isn't over yet." Mr. Andre ws's eyes twinkled. He had hardly finished speaking when the travel- ers saw large and beautiful gardens spread out be- fore them. In the middle of the gardens stood five low towers. Near these were groves of palm trees and some big banyans, among whose branches many ugly black birds were perched. Not a sound could be heard in any direction. "Vultures ! How I hate them!" Joe muttered, as the travelers reached the gate, where a Parsee, in a long white robe and hat shaped like a helmet, met them. Lucy shivered, though she could not have told why, as she looked from the towers towards the trees where the vultures were resting. [13] TWIN TRAVELERS IN INDIA The Parsee, explaining in English that he would show the visitors as much as they would be allowed to see, led the way into the gardens. "Before us/' Mr. Allen explained to the twins, "are the Towers of Silence, and over yonder are the vultures waiting for dead bodies of Parsees to be laid on the iron gratings which you can see near the tops of the buildings. In a little while per- haps two hours after the bodies are placed there, they will have been devoured by the greedy vul- tures." "What a dreadful idea!" said Lucy. Again she shivered. "It seems all the worse to you because of its strangeness," said Mr. Allen gently. "But to the Parsees the earth is sacred, so their dead must not be buried in it. Neither must the bodies be given to the ocean because water is too pure to re- ceive them; nor to the fire, which they worship. They see no other way of disposing of their dead, therefore, than the one they have chosen." "If we stay a while, maybe we can see the vul- tures at their work," said Joe, quite ready for any new sight, even though unpleasant. "No, no!" cried Lucy. "Let's go back to the city." "I, too, am quite ready to start," said Mrs. An- drews, putting her arm around her little niece. [14] AT INDIA'S GATEWAY "After this I would welcome Charlie Chaplin in a moving picture show," she added. At this no one could help smiling, even though fierce-eyed vultures were watching and the Towers of Silence were close at hand. [15] CHAPTER II OTHEE STKANGE SIGHTS. EVERYTHING is different enough now to suit any one." Joe's blue eyes were dancing merrily. "Even the noises are different. I think the sound of gongs we've been hearing must come from Hindu temples near by," said Lucy. "Such queer-looking people are all about us, I want to keep close to Uncle Ben every minute." "Here I am, little girl," said Mr. Andrews, who had stepped behind the twins for a moment to speak with his wife and Mr. Allen. "Well," he went on, "what do you think of Indian bazaars?" "1 think they are great!" said Joe. "To begin with, it seems as if folks from all over Asia were out shopping this morning. I've seen Japanese and Chinese and Arabs I think they are Arabs and Turks and English, besides the dark-skinned In- dians. I wish I knew what they all talk about, but not a word can I understand. It's a perfect Babel. " "The bright colors of their clothes attract me most," said Lucy. "They are just gorgeous red and yellow, purple and green and pink, with plenty ,[17] TWIN TRAVELERS IN INDIA of white thrown in to mix with all the different shades and tints. This beats South America, though in some places there I almost thought in color." Lucy laughed, showing her dimples so prettily that her uncle felt like kissing them that minute. "Bombay's bazaars are a good deal like those of Jerusalem," said Joe. ''It's because each bazaar has a narrow little street all to itself. ' * In this one where we are now there is cloth of different kinds for sale, while in the one we just left there were piles and piles of grain wheat, millet, lentils, bar- ley, potatoes and so on. " There were ever so many Hindus in that bazaar more than in any other, I think," observed Mrs. Andrews. 1 'The Hindus eat no meat, but live largely on grain," explained Mr. Allen. "So they buy a great deal of it." "I'd like to go back to the fruit bazaar," said Lucy. "The oranges and mangoes and guavas looked so tempting." "It's a pity that some of the rare and beautiful things for sale aren't kept in better places," said Joe. "Just look around! Many of the shops are mud huts, and others are holes in the wall. ' ' "I like to watch the shop-keepers." As Lucy spoke she looked towards a tall Hindu in white trou- sers and long purple shirt squatting on his heels beside his goods. He was making a bargain with a [18] OTHER STRANGE SIGHTS customer over some delicate gold-embroidered mus- lin. His head, with its big white turban, scarcely moved as he talked. "Did you notice," Joe whispered to his sister, "that when the trade began in earnest he took his funny long pipe from his mouth and offered it to his customer to smoke?" Lucy nodded. "But Mr. Allen just told me they may be an hour or two agreeing on a price," she said. The party now left the cloth bazaar and entered another one filled with sweetmeats. Of course, there were many children there. One little Hindu girl with silver anklets above her bare feet, but with no clothing except a scarf wound about her body, stood close to one of the little stands, looking at the sweeties with longing eyes. ' ' Poor little thing ! I 'm going to give her a coin, ' ' Lucy whispered to Joe. The next minute she had put the coin in the hand of the little Hindu, who looked up with a smile in her dark eyes and touching her forehead with her hand, made a deep bow to the rosy-cheeked American girl. "That's what they call a salaam," said Joe in a low tone. " I Ve learned that already, Lucy, and also that we will receive many a salaam while we are in India." The twins stood watching as the shopman gave [19] TWIN TRAVELERS IN INDIA the little Hindu some sticky candy, and she wrapped it up in a big leaf she had had in her hand all the time and ran off. " Nearly every one, I notice, brings something to hold what he buys," said Joe. "In the grain ba- zaar I saw people carrying off their purchases in bags or cloths they had with them. ' ' "I'd like to buy some of this candy," said Lucy, "but I have no bag. Oh, I know what to do. We can use our handkerchiefs. Mine is clean. ' ' "And mine!" said Joe. "Aunt Nell, you don't care, do you?" he asked, turning to Mrs. Andrews, who stood near. "Not for this once," said his aunt, smiling. "In fact, I'd like to taste some of these sweeties myself." "And I too," declared Mr. Andrews with a boy- ish laugh. The next minute our travelers were merrily eat- ing the Indian candies, which they all agreed were very sweet and rich. Shortly afterwards they left the bazaar and made their way to the main street, at a corner of which they found themselves in a crowd of people gathered about a strange sight. For there before them squatted a Hindu playing upon a reed pipe. As he played two huge snakes crawled out of the basket at his side and began to twist and turn in time to the player's weird music. [20] Copyright by Underwood & Underwood, ff. Y. "THERE BEFORE THEM SQUATTED A HINDU PLAYING UPON A REED PIPE." Page 20 OTHER STRANGE SIGHTS "Ugh!" said Lucy under her breath, drawing back. At that moment one of the snakes started to wind himself around the man's right arm. The second snake immediately began to coil about the man's left arm. The fiery eyes of both serpents were fas- tened upon those of their master. Joe's face beamed with delight. "It's wonder- ful!" he declared as he turned away at last. "I wish I knew that man's tricks. It must be great sport to be a snake charmer." "What a clumsy wagon, and what patient-looking beasties are drawing it!" exclaimed Mrs. Andrews as the travelers turned away and walked on. "That is a bullock cart," said Mr. Allen. "Per- haps the people inside have ridden from the country many miles away." "Then they must be tired," said Joe, "because the cart has no springs and the big wooden wheels are so heavy. How they creak ! ' ' "I don't believe they are ever greased." Mr. Allen smiled as he spoke. "I never saw bullocks like these," said Lucy. "They have such funny little bumps on their backs. Their long horns look wicked, but their eyes are kind. Poor things! The cart has a nice roof with red curtains to keep off the sun from the driver's eyes, but it must beat down hard on the bullocks." [21] TWIN TRAVELERS IN INDIA "You must not miss this sight," Mr. Allen said suddenly. He had just discovered that some of the passers- by were gathering around a turbaned Hindu with a small mat in his hand. The man wore no clothes except a cloth about his loins. "That is a juggler, if I am not mistaken," Mr. Allen went on. "Let us stop and see what he has to show us." The next minute the travelers had joined the circle about the juggler who was squatting on his heels and holding up the cloth in one hand and three seeds in the other. "He is showing that he has nothing except that cloth and the seeds," Mr. Allen explained in a low tone. ' * Now watch. ' ' The twins ' eyes were wide open, you may be sure, as they stared at the juggler and what he was doing. First he scratched some dirt loose in the ground in front of him. In this he buried the three seeds and covered the spot with the mat. "Behold!" he said a minute afterwards. Thereupon he lifted the mat. Lo! Out of the earth a plant was reaching. It was tiny at first, but kept growing larger and taller before the sight of the onlookers. And now buds appeared upon the plant; these opened out into blossoms, and the blos- soms in turn changed into fruit. [22] OTHER STRANGE SIGHTS "Gee whiz!" burst out Joe, unable to keep back his astonishment. The juggler must have heard him, because he now turned his keen black eyes directly towards the boy and smiled a little. Then, as he spread out the mat on the ground, many of the crowd went on their way, knowing this was the juggler 's sign that he was ready to receive money for his show, and they had none to give. Mr. Andrews, however, handed a coin to the man and he made a salaam to him. "Whew! But that was great. It beats me how any plant could grow so fast," said Joe as our travelers turned to go. "I can't explain it," said his uncle. "It does not seem possible that the man deceived us and only made us think we saw the plant grow and the fruit appear." "It was wonderful," said Mrs. Andrews. Mr. Allen smiled. "I have seen many such sights in my life in India," he said. "And you probably will see more than this before you bid the country good-by. ' ' "Suppose," he added, looking at his watch, "we seek lunch at once. If we do not spend too long a time in eating we could go in a bunder-boat to Ele- phanta instead of taking a steamer. You would all enjoy the sail, I'm sure." Thus it came about that an hour afterwards the. [23] TWIN TRAVELERS IN INDIA party had boarded a long, narrow bark with a pointed white sail. Dark-skinned men, wearing only loin cloths, worked the boat and cried to each other with shrill voices as they moved about. "It was a lovely sail," Lucy told her brother as they landed on the shores of Elephanta, the island of strange temples. "And this is a lovely island," said Joe, taking his sister's arm to help her up the long flight of steps cut out of the rocks and leading up to the temples. "What beautiful bamboos and banyans to give us shade on our way, ' ' he added. "And the flowers, Joe! They are everywhere even on the vines clinging to the trees, ' ' Lucy man- aged to say, though she had begun to gasp from the steady climb. "We're the last ones!" Joe cried suddenly, * ' There 's Uncle Ben at the top already. He 's laugh- ing because he beat us." As the twins mounted the last step the boy was ready with a question. "Why was this island named Elephanta?" he called to Mr. Allen. "Was it once the home of ele- phants 1 ' ' "I have never heard so," was the smiling answer. "Once upon a time, however, a huge elephant carved out of stone stood on the shore here. Why the people of the long-ago made it I really don't know. Perhaps it was because the elephant was their sym- [24] OTHER STRANGE SIGHTS bol of wisdom. But now let us enter the temple be- fore us. It is the largest one on the island." "How patiently men must have worked to do what has been done here !" exclaimed Mr. Andrews as the party found themselves inside an immense hall dug out of solid rock. "The tall stone columns seem almost too slender to hold up the weight of earth and rock overhead, " said Mrs. Andrews timidly. "They have borne their burden for many hun- dreds of years," said Mr. Allen merrily. "So I guess there is no danger." "Christopher! This would be a great place to play hide-and-seek in!" Joe said to his sister as the two wandered about. "This dim light is fine for hiding," the boy went on. "Hm! Suppose, Lucy, you were here all alone at night. Wouldn't you expect to meet a ghost?" "There aren't such things as ghosts," said Lucy, with a toss of her head. ' ' So, twin dear, you can 't scare me that way. ' ' Just then Mr. Allen called, "Come and see what we are looking at." As the twins hurried to join their elders they found their uncle and aunt gazing in wonder at im- mense figures of old Indian gods carved in the rock walls of the temple. 1 ' Ah, I had forgotten this was here ! ' ' said Mr. Al- len as the party reached a dark corner of the cave, [25] TWIN TRAVELERS IN INDIA He pointed to the figure of a woman with an ele- phant 's head standing out from the wall. "It rep- resents an old Indian goddess, I suppose. " After the travelers had visited the inner sanc- tuary, where there were other statues, they left the temple and went out into the daylight again. "How warm it is out here compared with the cool air inside ! ' ' said Joe. "I think I like the sunlight best though," said Lucy slowly. "The temple was wonderful, but it made me feel sort of creepy." "You will like the next temple better, then," said Mr. Allen. "It is smaller and has windows through which the light enters freely." "Besides, Lucy, it is guarded," laughed Joe. He pointed to two stone lions standing before the en- trance. "The island is charming," said Mrs. Andrews when the travelers had left the temples behind them and started for the shore. * * See ! There is beauty all about us blossoming vines, magnificent trees, flowers " "And native children," Joe broke in as a dozen or more dark-skinned boys, almost naked, came run- ing up to the travelers, shouting and holding out curios of the island which they wanted to sell. One little fellow put two rings with green stone beetles mounted on them in Lucy's hand, looking at [26] OTHER STRANGE SIGHTS her with big, begging eyes. Another one held out an odd bird's nest to Joe, shaped like a pocket. "We can't refuse them," said Mr. Andrews. So he bought a ring for Lucy and one for his wife, and a bird's nest for Joe. Soon afterwards the party was on its way back to Bombay with the light of the fast-setting sun making the water below a wonder of beauty. Afterwards, as they were riding back to the hotel in a street-car, Mr. Allen said to the twins : * * There is one place just outside of Bombay I think you would like to visit. But as we leave the city to- morrow morning you won't have a chance." 1 'What is it?" asked Joe eagerly. "A strange kind of hospital such as you never heard of before not a single sick person in it." "Then what is it used for?" Lucy looked de- cidedly puzzled. For old and lame and sick dumb creatures dogs, cats, parrots, monkeys any animals, indeed, that can no longer look after themselves." "How fine!" Lucy's face was aglow. "Why, how did the people of Bombay come to think of such a thing?" ' ' The hospital was built by Jains, who are a sect of the Hindus. They believe it is wrong to kill any living creature." "Not kill even a mosquito!" exclaimed Joe. "Not even a mosquito." Mr. Allen smiled at [27] TWIN TRAVELERS IN INDIA Joe's earnestness. "These Jains even dust every place where they are about to sit because they are fearful that they might crush out the life of an ant or some other small insect. ' ' "How funny!" Joe's eyes danced as he went on, "I guess the Jains have never looked at water un- der a microscope and seen the countless lives swarm- ing there. If they did, the poor folks would have to die of thirst. But say, did you ever go to that queer hospital, Mr. Allen f ' ' 1 ' Once. To get there I walked through an avenue of beautiful tamarind trees, with hedges on each side of me full of lovely blossoms. "Then I came to a large garden in which stood a a number of sheds and small buildings. In one of the sheds I remember seeing a sick buffalo. In an- other was a sick horse with men on each side of him fanning away the flies. "After that I looked on lame dogs, chickens and parrots. All were being cared for in the most ten- der way." "I'm beginning to think India is the strangest country in the world," said Lucy. Just then her uncle signed to her that it was time to leave the car, as the hotel where the travelers were stopping was close at hand. [28] CHAPTER III ON THE WAY NOBTH AEE you homesick, little girl?" "Indeed not, Auntie dear," Lucy answered quickly. "Of course, I'd like to see Daddie and Mummie, but I'm having the most wonderful time, and everything is so interesting I hate to sleep for fear of missing something." "But suppose, while Joe and your uncle are away, you write a letter," suggested Mrs. Andrews. "I am tired from the long, hot journey, so I'll have a nap while you are writing." "That's a good idea," said Lucy brightly. "I haven't written the folks a good letter since we landed in India. So, while you are napping, I'll be talking on paper." As her aunt left her Lucy set to work at once on the letter. "Dear Daddie and Mummie," she wrote. "I know you will forgive the stingy notes I've sent you these last two weeks, but you'll surely understand when I explain how busy we have been. "But now to come back to the journey. We [29] TWIN TRAVELERS IN INDIA boarded our train in Bombay's handsome railway station that is called one of the finest in the world. It was crowded with people of different races, all of whom seemed to be shouting and gesticulating at once. "Mr. Allen his first name is George was with us. So was Nanko, a young Hindu whom Uncle Ben has hired to guide us around India. "During the whole journey the heat was dreadful. Mummie dear, if you had been with us, you would have kept gasping all those two days and nights. "Well, as Aunt Nell says, we have 'lived to tell the tale,' and now, though Lahore is a hot city, we are comfortable in this hotel, with its big rooms and high ceilings. "The trains here in India are the funniest ever! There are benches along the sides where folks sit and sleep. Yes, sleep, because there are no lovely berths where you lie down at night and wake up in the morning as rested as if you had been in your own bed. You simply stretch out your rugs on the bench, curl up in them, and make the best of it all night. Joe says it is great sport. But that is be- cause he is a boy. "We saw many queer people on the trains, and at the stations where we stopped on the way. I couldn't begin to tell you how all these folks dress because there are so many different kinds of dress in India. The Parsees have one style, the Hindus [30] ON THE WAY NORTH another, the Mohammedans another, and the Sikhs, who are more common up here in Northern India, have another way. "In the compartment with us was a dear little Mohammedan girl, with her mother beside her. She wore the prettiest pink muslin scarf as delicate as a cobweb wound about her head and shoulders, white trousers, and a long loose black blouse embroidered in gold thread. Her feet were bare! I guess her folks are rich, because she was riding in a first-class compartment, and also because of the gold embroid- ery and her jeweled rings and bracelets. "After a while I got her to smile at me, but she seemed very shy at first. We couldn't talk together because we didn't know each other's language. "I couldn't get a good look at her mother because she was so much covered. Like all Mohammedan and Hindu women of high class when outside their own homes, she wore a long white garment that reached from her head nearly to her feet. There was a head- covering, too, with a flat piece on top. A sort of curtain hung down from it around the head, with a narrow strip of open-work embroidery across the eyes. Keally, you can't think how 'spooky' the woman looked with her dark eyes flashing through the embroidery. " Uncle Ben got out with Joe and me at one of the way-stations to look around. We saw some low caste Hindu men leaving a third-class car. They [31] TWIN TRAVELERS IN INDIA wore no clothing except their turbans and strips of cloth wound about their loins. Probably there is more than enough cloth in a single turban such as I've seen in India to make a suit of clothes. I 'I spoke of the men as of low caste. It seems that the Hindus are divided into four principal castes, or classes the priests, the soldiers, the in- dustrial workers and the servants. II Before I stop I must tell you about a peek I had into one of the freight cars of our train. What do you suppose I saw there? You can never guess, so- I'll tell you. It was a baby elephant the dearest, sweetest little thing, with wise eyes and, oh, so gentle! He had probably been taken from his mother and was going to the home of some native prince to be trained for his use. "And yes! I saw a big cage full of monkeys, and another of guinea pigs. I wondered if they were going to be sold in some city for children's pets. "As we journeyed northward we sometimes passed by villages of mud huts, with thatched roofs, on the borders of grain fields. Nearly naked chil- dren, some of them almost as black as negroes, were playing about or helping their parents in the fields. "Mr. Allen told Joe and me that millions of people in India live in huts like those we passed. A few cents is like a fortune to them. They have few clothes and hardly any furniture in their poor little [32] homes. They squat about on grass mats when they eat their dinner, which may be only a dish of cooked millet served on a big leaf, or perhaps some mangoes or guavas picked from the trees planted nearby. Of course, these people can't save up any money. " And, Daddie, just listen to this : Sometimes the rains don't fall when they should and the crops dry up. And then the poor Indian children starve to death thousands of them because there is no money to buy food. "They have other troubles too panthers and tigers creep out from the jungles and kill them right there in their villages. Isn't it terrible? "The queerest cart you ever heard of was stand- ing near one of the stations where we stopped. It had four clumsy wheels, and the top was a big hood of straw. It was crammed full of people who were sticking their heads out wherever they could and jabbering at the tops of their lungs. ' ' * They are probably scolding the driver for stop- ping,' said Joe. "But, poor man, he couldn't help it, I guess, for the two camels yes, camels which were hitched to the cart had probably decided they wanted to take a rest. Oh, how cross and stubborn they looked ! "Well, just as our train started off, the camels seemed to make up their minds to move too. So the last we saw of them they were slowly plodding along, [33] TWIN TRAVELERS IN INDIA and most of the people's heads were drawn inside the hood of the cart. ''What a long letter I have written! My hand is tired so I must stop. "With heaps of love, LUCY." "P. S. Joe says I'm not so much of a 'fraid cat as I used to be." "Did I say that?" cried a teasing voice behind the little girl. Joe had stolen into the room to take his sister by surprise, and, unknown to her, had stood looking over her shoulder while she was ending the letter. "Well, I won't stop to talk it over now because I have so much to tell you," the boy went on. "It's terribly hot getting around the city, but I've had a bully time." As Joe spoke he wiped off the perspiration with which his face was covered. "What did you see!" Lucy's face was all eager- ness. "We went out to the cantonment, for one thing, and saw the soldiers go through a drill. Then we rode past ever so many fine buildings churches, business blocks and so on." "I don't care anything about them I can see plenty of them in New York, ' ' Lucy put in. "But not beautiful mosques 1" cried Joe. "One [34] ON THE WAY NORTH of those I saw this morning is a peach. It is called the Golden Mosque. It has three domes, each of which is shaped like a lotus blossom. In the bright sunlight this morning those domes glowed and sparkled as if studded with jewels. It dazzled my eyes to look at them." "I'll surely have to see that mosque before we leave Lahore," said Lucy positively. "But where did you go afterwards, Joe?" "To the handsome library that was once some- thing else. It has plenty of windows now, so it does very well for a library." "But what was the something else?" "A mausoleum, and it was built to hold the body of the Great Mogul's most beautiful wife. Her name was Pomegranite Blossom. Her husband, Ak- bar, got jealous of her because he caught her smiling upon Selim, his son by another wife. "And so and so" Joe was getting excited "Akbar said, 'Pomegranite Blossom shall be buried alive for this ! ' And they say she was, Lucy yes, actually. But afterwards Selim had this beautiful mausoleum built to hold her body, which is there in the library now in a white marble tomb." "Poor Pomegranite Blossom!" said Lucy, pity- ingly. "I'm so sorry she smiled that day and brought on herself such a terrible death. ' ' "But, Joe," she asked with the next breath, "who [35] TWIN TRAVELERS IN INDIA was Akbar, and why was he called the Great Mo- gul?" "Uncle Ben told me a little about him this morn- ing. But here comes Mr. Allen. Let's ask him, be- cause he probably knows the whole story." [36] CHAPTER IV THE WONDEBFTJL DAYS OP OLD WHAT can I do for you?" said George Allen as he came into the room. "I just heard you mentioning my name." * ' We want to know about Akbar, and why he was called the Great Mogul," said Lucy promptly. "Very well, you shall hear what I can tell you." The young man smiled as he settled himself in a comfortable chair. "To begin with, let us travel backwards many hundreds of years to the time when the Hindus ruled, not over the Punjab alone, of which Lahore is the capital, but all India. They claim that this country has been their home for millions of years, though this is doubted. "At any rate, they must have lived here a very long time and were once a great and learned people. Their sacred books, the Vedas, show this. But to- day most of them are ignorant, with foolish, harm- ful beliefs. The greater part of them cannot even read or write, and yet there are still some among the high caste Hindus who are deeply learned. Among them are great poets and men of science," [37] TWIN TRAVELERS IN INDIA "But, Mr. Allen, the Great Mogul wasn't a Hindu, was he?" Joe looked puzzled. "No, but I have told all this so you can better un- derstand what I am going to tell you about Akbar. "Now then, suppose you and Lucy take a little journey with me to the northwest corner of India. Do you see that pass in the mountains'? It is the famous Khyber Pass through which enemies of the Hindus came pouring into the country in the days before the English sailed to her shores. "Among these invaders was Darius, King of Per- sia. After him came the troops of Alexander the Great in their shining armor. ' ' Next through the Khyber Pass came the Moguls, whose power over India spread rapidly. The great- est of these powerful invaders was Akbar, who is known to this day as the Great Mogul. He began to rule in India when he was only fourteen years old." "Gee ! Not much older than I," Joe put in. "But from the beginning," Mr. Allen went on, "he was wise and powerful. He made just laws for India. He did away with the warfare which had been going on between different parts of the coun- try; he built fine tombs and grand palaces. But after he died the power of the Moguls gradually grew weaker. Then the English came and have ruled over the land ever since. "I have told this because Akbar lived in Lahore [38] THE WONDERFUL DAYS OF OLD for many years, and some of his works can still be seen here. Take a peep into the long ago at the streets through which you rode this morning, Joe. Let us stand aside to watch the royal procession of Akbar on its way to the beautiful gardens he laid out beyond the borders of the city. Thousands of horses pass us with harnesses shining with gold plate and sparkling with jewels. Then come rhinoceroses, lions, tigers, leopards and panthers in charge of their keepers ; and now we can hardly be- lieve our eyes because fifty thousand elephants, all gayly caparisoned, march in stately fashion before us." "The biggest circus parade I ever saw couldn't compare with that," Joe burst out. "Akbar must have been very rich," said Lucy, half to herself. "So rich," Mr. Allen replied, "that four hundred pairs of scales were set at work to weigh his gold and precious stones, and the work was not finished at the end of five months." "Whew!" exclaimed Joe. "I can't imagine as great wealth as that." "And now, after what I have told you," the young man went on, "I think you will greatly enjoy the ride we are all going to take towards sunset out to the 'House of Joy.' It isn't a house as you might think from the name, but the beautiful gardens built by Akbar 's grandson, Shah Jehan." [39] TWIN TRAVELERS IN INDIA "Tell us, please, what we shall see there," begged Lucy. "To begin with, then, think of eighty acres of land in these gardens. We will wander about in them through avenues bordered by pomegranate, lemon and orange trees. "By and by we shall come to a wide canal lined with marble, and will stop to listen to the music of the cascades as they leap down over one terrace af- ter another till they reach a large basin. Here we will watch the play of five hundred fountains in the sunlight." "Oh-h!" cried Lucy, clapping her hands in de- light. "I wish it were time to start this minute." As it was, the period of waiting did not drag for the merry travelers, as with lunch and games to fill up the time, the hour set for the sight-seeing came quickly. That evening before they had returned to the ho- tel the lively twins had much to say about the trip. ' ' Ekkas are great sport to ride in, ' ' declared Joe. "I'll have to write to my New York chums about them. Just imagine me in one of those two-wheeled carts, with the gaudy red top to give shade, moving down Fifth Avenue. Wouldn't the folks stare! I guess they'd think I had escaped from a circus." The boy laughed till the tears rolled down his cheeks. M J watched the driver a good deal of the time," [40] THE WONDERFUL DAYS OF OLD said Lucy. " There he was, perched on the shaft, guiding the horse as best he could, and probably imagining himself comfortable." "In our ride we passed an ekka drawn by two bul- locks, but I guess you missed the sight," said Mr. Andrews. "The driver sat on the tongue of the cart between the bullocks." "I'll tell you what I did notice," said Joe. "It was a number of tall, soldierly looking men with long beards. They weren't Hindus, I'm sure." ' ' They must have been Sikhs, ' ' said Mr. Allen at once. ' * They are noted for being fine soldiers. At the time the English took possession of India the Sikhs ruled over this part of it. They fought brave- ly against the new comers, but when they found they must give up they became good friends of their Eng- lish conquerers. ' ' "I shall never forget something I saw yesterday. Nanko was with me at the time, ' ' said Mr. Andrews. "We were passing a Sikh temple and stopped to take a peep inside. A queer sight met me. It was a priest sitting with the holy book of his people before him and reading aloud, while another priest kept fanning the book with a huge, gilt-handled feather fan. ' ' "What strange things are to be seen in this coun- try!" said Mrs. Andrews. "And what beautiful ones!" she added. "The gardens of Shah Jehan, [41] TWIN TRAVELERS IN INDIA where we lingered till darkness fell upon us, are a dream of loveliness." ''To-morrow you will see another beautiful sight which you will never forget," said Mr. Allen. "I am glad I can go with you then on the ride to Am- ritsar, the holy city of the Sikhs." "As we are to make an early start, we had all better go to bed early, ' ' said Mrs. Andrews. ' ' Then we can be sure of enjoying the thirty-mile ride in an auto." Bright and early the next morning the travelers, bound for Amritsar, were spinning over fine roads, past the ruins of grand palaces and temples. As they neared the city they passed many Sikh pilgrims. "Those pilgrims are all traveling to the same place," Mr. Allen explained. "It is the Pool of Im- mortality, in the middle of which, on an island, stands the famous Temple of Gold. You will find it a marvelous sight. ' ' Prepared as the twins were to behold something wonderful, they were fairly taken back by the beauty before them when they had reached the grounds sur- rounding the sacred lake and passed through the gateway. The marble pavement beneath their feet was not noticed as they turned their eyes towards the Temple of Gold, all of richly carved marble, which seemed to rise out of the waters around it. [42] Copyright by Underwood & Underwood, N. Y. "THE POOL OF IMMORTALITY, IN THE MIDDLE OF WHICH STANDS THE FAMOUS TEMPLE OF GOLD." Page 42 THE WONDERFUL DAYS OF OLD "I'm dazzled by the beauty," whispered Lucy to her brother. "And I," said Joe. How could they help it when they tried to fix their gaze on the central roof of the Temple, which was covered with pure gold? Now, in the brilliant sun- light, it was indeed a dazzling sight. At last, to rest their eyes, the twins turned away to notice, for the first time, the marble palaces which had been built around the lake. "Those are the homes of wealthy Sikhs," said Mr. Allen, who had stepped up beside the twins. "They live there, ' ' he went on, ' * so that they may be in con- stant sight of their sacred temple." And now Joe and Lucy became interested in the people around them. Many of them had come to worship; others were flower sellers from whom faithful Sikhs were buying chains of flowers to of- fer in the temple. Still others were selling sou- venirs of the place. "I'm going to buy a spoon from the man in front of us for Mummie, ' ' declared Lucy. "I'll get one for Daddie," said Joe. "Then he and Mummie can stir their coffee with curios from Amritsar. ' ' After a visit to the temple our travelers made ready for the ride back to Lahore. Each one had much to say about the beauties he had seen. But all laughed merrily over their being examined at [43] TWIN TRAVELERS IN INDIA the entrance of the temple lest they were bringing some tobacco into the sacred building. "Sikhs look upon tobacco as a 'filthy weed' in- deed," said Mr. Allen. "In their eyes, a single grain of it would pollute their temple by its pres- ence. Therefore, every stranger is carefully exam- ined before he enters." [44] CHAPTER V SAFE IN KASHMIR SUCH a lark as Bert and I have just had!" cried Joe, bursting into the big living-room of the Aliens' bungalow. "See what I've brought you, Aunt Nell." With that Joe piled his aunt's lap full of flowers, with sprays of sweet-smelling thyme among them. "We've been paddling on the river," Joe went on. "And such a sight as we came to ! It was on a bank where we stopped to pick the flowers. I'm glad you didn't see it, Lucy. You might have cried out." ' ' What was it I " asked Lucy. ' ' Do tell me. ' ' "It was a man squatting on the ground under a chenar tree, with one arm stretched upwards. His clothes were ragged and his face was thin and white. His eyes were staring straight ahead of him he didn't seem to see us. "But now for the queer part! The man's hand looked dead and his finger nails were like claws. I guess they were four or five inches long. It made me shiver to look at that man, and when we had gone back to the boat and paddled away I asked Bert what the fellow was trying to do. [45] TWIN TRAVELERS IN INDIA " 'Oh, he is trying to win special merit from one of his gods. Isn't it a pity he should believe he can do that by punishing himself?' Bert answered. 'Probably the man has held his arm in that position for weeks maybe months. You can tell that by the length of his nails. You'll see such people all over India.'" "But here, in this Vale of Kashmir, with all the beauty God has given!" exclaimed Mrs. Andrews. "How can people have such foolish beliefs?" "I cannot understand it myself," said Mr. An- drews, who had followed Joe into the room. "But where is Bert?" "He's gone to dress for some calls he has to make with his parents and Jessie. They'll be gone a couple of hours, I suppose. ' ' Joe made a long face. "That will give us a chance to have a little fam- ily party by ourselves. ' ' Mr. Andrews smiled cheer- ily. "I wonder," he went on, "if you twins would like to hear the letter I have just written your father and mother. "It's about our journey here from La- hore." "Of course we would," said Joe, his face clear- ing. "I'm ready to listen this minute." "And I," said Lucy promptly. "And I," said Mrs. Andrews. She laughed as she added, "Though you didn't ask me." "Very well then; we'll start off at once," said Mr. Andrews. [46] SAFE IN KASHMIR "Dear Folks," he began. " Please imagine you are in our gay party as we journey northward to- wards the Vale of Kashmir, or Cashmere, as it is sometimes spelled. "Soon after leaving Lahore our train moves to higher and higher ground. We look out from the car windows and notice fine roads over which some dark-skinned, turbaned men are leading troops of horses, perhaps for the use of the English army. Still others are guiding flocks of sheep and goats. And, yes, here is a long train of camels on its way to the home of some Indian prince. "The air grows cooler. We catch sight of the lofty Himalaya mountains, noisy waterfalls, and rushing rivers. At last we reach a station where tongas are waiting to carry us 'up hill and down dale ' till we shall reach the Aliens ' summer home in Kashmir. "Now, what is a tonga? It is a two-seated wagon, drawn by stout ponies. Joe says they are dandy little beasts because they are so spirited. "By the time the ponies have drawn us five or six miles they are panting for breath. Poor little beasties ! It has been hard work for them on these rough roads of a mountain pass. "A fresh start now, and we travel a few miles more. Another change of ponies! So it goes till eight hours have passed, when Nanko tells us we [47] TWIN TRAVELERS IN INDIA are to stop at the wayside inn just ahead and spend the night there. " 'Hurrah!' cry the twins, and, 'Good' says my dear little wife who is a sorry sight, with hat tum- bling off her head and hair falling down about her neck from the many jolts she has had. "Joe and Lucy, whose cheeks are as flaming red as the curtains of our tongas, laugh at their aunt's funny appearance as she enters the bungalow. " 'You look as if a cyclone had struck you,' Joe tells her. " 'I feel as if it had,' she declares. 'It seems as if every bone in my body was in the wrong place.' Then she joins in the laugh. "Two other parties of travelers have got here ahead of us, but we find there is room for all. In- deed, six or eight such parties could spend the night here, as the inn is quite large, and one party is ex- pected to get along with one room, as it holds two bedsteads and several chairs. "Lucy puckers her little forehead and cries, 'There are no bed clothes!' She forgets that we have the rugs we used on the trains. "Then Joe exclaims with the twinkle quite gone out of his eyes, ' There is no dining-room in the bun- galow, and I'm starving!' " 'Oho, Joe!' I answered. 'You haven't noticed that Nanko is already dickering with the landlord over the price of a chicken and some mutton. Lis- [48] SAFE IN KASHMIR ten I I think I hear a commotion in the poultry yard ! ' "Joe dashes out and comes back in a minute with a big smile. 'I just saw the landlord cut a hen's throat and then dip her into boiling water, ' he tells us. "A half hour later Nanko calls us to the picnic dinner he has got ready for us. We eat our fill of chicken served with rice and curry, cold mutton and chupatties. "Chupatties? Well, that's Indian for scones made out of flour. As we are ravenous, we agree that they are not a bad kind of bread, after all. "We don't sit up long to look at Lady Moon smil- ing down upon the glorious mountains around. We are too tired. So, rolling ourselves in our rugs, we are soon fast asleep. "Suddenly we are roused by a hideous cry out- side. I spring out of bed and rush to the window, Joe following me. "We can hear Lucy's teeth chattering as she tries to ask, 'Is it a tiger or a leopard?' " ' Don't be afraid,' a man's voice calls to us from the veranda. It is Nanko, who has been sleeping on the veranda with some coolies. " 'It is only a jackal,' he goes on calmly. 'You will probably hear him and his mates all night. Jackals often come up on the veranda, the landlord says. But they never do any harm really.' [49] TWIN TRAVELERS IN INDIA "Joe and I try to laugh, and go back to bed. But we don't sleep soundly after that none of us ex- cept Mr. Allen, who is used to rest-houses in wild places. "Next morning Joe, with big eyes, asks me if I kept my revolver handy all night. * Because,' he said, 'if a jackal should creep up on the veranda he might jump through the windows into the room. ' " 'Then what?' Lucy, who is over her fright, asks mischievously. 'I hope, Joe, you, who would like so much to hunt tigers, wouldn 't be afraid of a poor lonely jackal.' " 'Of course not,' he says stoutly, but his face flushes. * ' Days of hard riding go by, with nights spent at wayside inns where the sleep is broken by the chat- tering of coolies on the verandas and the cries of wild animals in the distance. "Long since we have left the country of oranges and pomegranates and bamboos behind us. Behind us, too, are the patches of rhododendrons and huge tree-ferns on the hill slopes, for now at last we reach a beautiful, open country. We are close upon the Vale of Kashmir, with its clear air, its birds and flowers and sunshine, its winding streams, its lovely lakes, its queer people. "How glad we are when we reach the pleasant summer home of the Aliens ! Such kind people as they are ! Joe and Lucy make friends at once with [50] SAFE IN KASHMIR Albert and Jessie, and the four children make many plans for the good times they will have together. ' ' The Aliens are the only Americans in the settle- ment. The other people are English, some of them being the families of officers stationed at the canton- ment in the city of Srinagar not far away. " There is a garden around each of the homes where the flowers fill the air with sweet odors, and where birds and butterflies flit about from morning till night. ' ' Oh, but the view ! Never before have I looked on so much beauty. Afar off in every direction are mountains with their snowy tops sparkling in the sunlight. Near at hand is the Jhelum River winding through the plain. Listen! I hear the song of a bulbul in the garden. It is a beautiful bird, some- what like a nightingale. "As I sit here I watch Joe and Bert swinging from the branch of a mighty chenar tree. It is somewhat like a sycamore, but handsomer. There are thousands of such trees in Kashmir tall and straight and graceful. I have seen whole groves of them in one walk, and they always make me think of a company of giants. "Before stopping I must tell you that Mr. and Mrs. Allen seem to have fallen in love with the twins. They declare they would like to keep them forever to be company for Bert and Jessie. "Mrs. Allen is a busy woman, and yet she has [51] TWIN TRAVELERS IN INDIA six servants! Her husband's salary is not large either. She manages nicely, however, because she pays all of them only thirty dollars a month, and they feed themselves! "I said Mrs. Allen is busy. Wouldn't you be if you had to look after six lazy servants, each of whom does only one kind of work? The girl who sweeps the floors, for instance, only sweeps floors. She would as soon cut her head off as wipe dishes, and so on. And this is the way all over India! "Really, I must stop, or my pen will get the habit of perpetual motion. So good-by, sahib and mem- sahib. (That is what your servants would call you if you lived here.) "Your friend in a strange land, "BENJAMIN ANDKEWS." "What a nice letter, Uncle Ben ! ' ' said Lucy with a dimpling smile which brought an answering smile on her uncle's face. "Yes, ever so nice," said Joe. "That is, all but the part where you were poking fun at me." "It carried me back over our ride here," said Mrs. Andrews. "It wasn't an easy trip in every way, and yet it was very delightful. ' ' "Suppose we now go out under the chenar tree till our friends come back," proposed Mr. Andrews. "I have a good story which I will read aloud if you like." [52] CHAPTER VI THE PEDDLERS EVERY native stares at you twins. " Bert laughed. "I suppose we are so fair-skinned we do seem funny to them, especially as we look so much alike." As Joe spoke he petted a tiny goat at his side. "Yes, it's an odd sight here two pairs of eyes as blue as the sky, two heads of hair as yellow as buttercups, and two faces with cheeks that must make the people think of the roses of Kashmir." Bert spoke admiringly. "I say," he went on, "it's a shame you folks couldn't have come here in time to see the roses at their best. Lucy, you wouldn't have taken time enough to eat. You would just have wandered around crying ' Oh ! ' till your breath gave out. ' ' "Hm ! I guess I would have stopped long enough to enjoy a dinner of roasted wild duck. I never in my life tasted such fine ducks as you have here." Lucy looked up with a twist of her pretty head from the dress she was making for Jessie's Hindu doll. She had just finished a head covering in which she had cut two small holes for eyes. [53] TWIN TRAVELERS IN INDIA "I should never miss roast beef here," said Joe. "Not with plenty of ducks and chickens to eat." "But it does seem queer for the natives to think it a sin to eat beef," said Lucy. "And a big sin too." Bert chuckled. "Why, I shouldn't wonder if the Maharajah he's the native ruler of Kashmir, you know would have any man who killed a cow put to death." "On the other hand, how about the goats of the country?" Once more Joe smoothed the silky hair of the kid by his side. "My goat shall never be killed." Bert's dark eyes snapped as he spoke. He was very fond of his pet. "This kiddie belongs to the famous breed of goats found here," Bert went on. "Of course, you twins have heard of the shawls of Kashmir. They are made out of the flossy part of the goats ' hair. Only a tiny bit of hair can be combed from one animal. People say the weavers of to-day don't make as beautiful shawls as in the old times. But when you see some of those for sale in Srinagar, you'll say they are beautiful enough to suit any one. ' ' "What a good time we had yesterday visiting that goat-herd on the hillside ! ' ' broke in Lucy. * ' He had a big flock to look after, but he didn't seem to mind stopping to talk with Nanko and you, Bert. I wish I could have understood what he was saying. ' ' "I didn't tell you about it afterwards, did I!" [54] THE PEDDLERS Bert stretched out under the chenar tree and shut his eyes to think better. "He described a leopard he saw last winter. By the way, bears and leopards come around here in winter real friendly, you see." Bert began to laugh and the others with him. "Well, he was wandering over a wild stretch of country on a lone mountain slope when he heard a groan coming from a thicket not far away. He hur- ried up to the spot and found a hunter lying there with a broken leg. Worse still, the flesh of the leg had been torn in the most frightful way. ' * The hunter managed to explain that he had had a fight with a leopard which he had killed after a terrible struggle, and the animal must have fallen close by. Sure enough! under a pine tree a few feet away the leopard lay stretched, with a bullet through his head." "Now tell Joe and Lucy our bear story," said Jessie. "Oh, yes; we call it ours because our brother George had a share in the adventure," said Bert. "And a lot of excitement he had too. It happened this way: he staid up here in Kashmir one winter because he wasn't very well. He wasn't over seven- teen or eighteen then. "Well, there were a few English people around here. One of them was a Mr. Jarvis who was very fond of hunting, but had not had much experience. " 'I've been after stags more than once,' he said. TWIN TRAVELERS IN INDIA 'And now I'd like nothing better than a good hunt after bears.' " " 'Plenty of them not far away,' said another hunter. 'So let's get after them to-morrow.' "Bert joined the party which started out on horse-back early next morning. A ride of a dozen miles or so brought the hunters among high snow- covered hills with wooded ravines in between. The party hitched their ponies in a sheltered space on one of the slopes. Then, softly, with rifles ready, they started to explore. " 'Hist!' suddenly exclaimed George. 'If I'm not mistaken I hear some animal pawing away the bush on the slope of yonder ravine ! ' " 'Roll down a stone and see what happens,' said another of the party. "The next minute a stone was on its way down the slope, and the same instant an immense black bear came into sight, moving with careful steps down the side of the ravine. Instantly George's rifle was sending a bullet after the beast. So also was that of Mr. Jarvis. ' ' They were good shots, both of them ! The bear reeled, then plunged downward with a single cry of pain." "And after that?" cried Joe excitedly. 1 ' Then came the real fun ! ' ' Bert answered. ' ' For now the hunters went as fast as they could to reach the dead beast, Mr. Jarvis ahead of the rest. [56] THE PEDDLERS "And what do you think! He ran straight into another bear as big as the first the mate, I suppose, of the dead one. " Before one could say 'Boo!' that bear's forelegs were closing around the man. It was a miracle that he was saved. George closed in behind the bear the next instant and shot her without injuring Mr. Jarvis. ' ' "Oh-h!" said Lucy. "I feel as if bears might creep upon us any minute." ' ' Not in the summer time ! ' ' Bert laughed merrily. "But see who are coming upon us while I've been talking." The lad pointed to the road in front of the bungalow, where two men, heavily laden, stopped as he spoke. "Peddlers, I'll be bound," Bert went on, as the men now came up the walk towards the chenar tree beneath which the children were sitting. * ' They are natives of Kashmir. I can tell that by their grayish- brown clothes." "Now for some fun!" Jessie whispered to Lucy. By the time the peddlers had reached the chil- dren Mrs. Allen and Mrs. Andrews had come down from the house. The men began at once to talk about their wares, at the same time setting down their baskets and drawing out different things from them. One of the peddlers held up a magnificent screen [57] TWIN TRAVELERS IN INDIA of peacock feathers in one hand, and the skins of some bulbuls in the other. The second man spread out jars of strawberry jam, and ripe peaches and apricots that called forth sighs of longing from the children. "That feather screen is a beauty," Mrs. Andrews told her hostess. "I would buy it as a souvenir of Kashmir's peacocks, but there is no room in our trunks in which to pack it. ' ' "As for me, I will have some peaches and several jars of the jam. We shall all enjoy them," decided Mrs. Andrews. Just then the first peddler displayed some lovely pin-trays and boxes of papier mache which Mrs. Andrews could not resist when Bert spoke of their coming from Srinagar. "I've seen papier mache made there," he said. "It is ever so interesting to watch the makers gluing the strips of paper together, one above the other, and finally decorating and glazing the outside. ' ' As trading in India takes a good while, an hour passed before the purchases were made and the peddlers with deep salaams went on their way. [58] CHAPTER VII THE SIGHTS OF SBINAGAE HURRAH, everybody's aboard!" shouted Joe in great glee as the last one of the party stepped on the boat, and the boatmen seized their poles in readiness to work. "This is great fun," sighed Lucy as she leaned back and looked lazily at the river. "I've been in steam-boats, and row-boats, and canoes, and yachts, but this is the first time I ever had a chance to be poled through the water." "I'm glad that all could come on this trip," said Mrs. Allen brightly. "It's too lovely for anything just like a dream," Lucy whispered to her aunt, as the boat glided on past fields of wild thyme, and homes close to the water's edge with beautiful gardens and tall cedar and chenar trees about them. "That must be Srinagar ahead of us," said Joe after a ride of an hour or more. ' ' Correct, ' ' said Bert. ' ' But you won 't care much for what you see of it from the river." Bert spoke truly. As the boat glided along the shore, the travelers looked upon many an old gray [59] TWIN TRAVELERS IN INDIA wooden house that seemed ready to tumble into the water below. "Sometimes I see faces peering down at us from behind the latticed windows," said Lucy. "Why, it's just like being in prison the way the women of good families are shut in!'* The little girl spoke indignantly. * ' Those children seem free enough ! ' ' said George Allen. * * They are having a good time, at any rate. ' ' He pointed to a group of boys and girls playing hide-and-seek along a stone embankment. "Look at those brick houses just beyond!" cried Joe a minute later. The balconies are built out over the water. I'd like that if I lived there. I could stay at home and go fishing at the same time." At these words everybody, being in a merry mood, laughed. ' ' Please look at that ugly palace, ' ' Mr. Allen said shortly. "Its windows are of stained glass, you will notice. Well, that belongs to the Maharajah. He may be looking out at us now. ' ' "I don't think much of his taste, even if he is a Maharajah," said Mrs. Andrews. "Now, let me see!" considered Mr. Allen. "You will all wish to visit the bazaar and the shawl fac- tory. Then, if we have time, we will go to watch the making of silks almost as delicate as cobwebs." A little while afterwards, as Joe and Lucy wan- dered through the bazaar, they looked with wonder [60] THE SIGHTS OF SRINAGAR at the sights spread out before them. There was silver-ware made into the most graceful shapes. There were woolen goods exquisitely embroidered. There were the famous Kashmir shawls each of which had probably taken one person years to make. There were brocaded silks in which the thinnest gold and silver wire had been used in the patterns. "A trained silver-smith can draw a wire almost a mile long from a lump of silver no bigger than a half-dollar," Mr. Allen explained to the twins. "Whew! I'd like to see him do it," cried Joe. In the next street of the bazaar which the twins entered they found boys no older than themselves busily embroidering shawls with gold thread and silks of beautiful colors. "What pretty fellows they are!" Lucy whispered to her brother. "And what gay clothes they have on! Those pointed yellow caps on their ; heads are ever so becoming." Just then one of the boys looked up at Lucy out of big, dark, smiling eyes. "They like their work," said Joe as the twins moved on, "or else they wouldn't laugh and chatter as they do. ' ' "We are now going to a factory where the shawls are made by looms," Mr. Allen told the twins as they still stood watching the lads embroidering. When they reached the factory they were sur- prised to find the workers there were nearly all boys. [61] TWIN TRAVELERS IN INDIA The work that interested the twins most was the weaving. They had entered a large, bare-looking room in which boys were sitting at small looms. Each boy had a tray beside him, filled with whatever colors he would need in the pattern he was following. Other boys acted as teachers. Each one of these was reading to the group of workers around him what colors to use. "Listen," Nanko said to Joe as he stood watching the lads nearest him. "That teacher is saying, 'Two blue!' And next he says, 'Three yellow.' Each time the workers use the colors he orders." "Every one of those boys ought to be out playing in the sunshine this minute," said Joe hotly. As the party left the shawl factory Nanko told Joe and Lucy of the wonderful days of long ago when a ruler of the country once sent fifteen ele- phant-loads of gifts to the Sultan of Turkey. Many of these gifts were shawls of Kashmir, each one of which was worth a small fortune. "Those were the days when the people of Kash- mir were rich," he went on. "Now most of them are poor very poor; like nearly all the people of India." The man spoke sadly. Joe and Lucy were still thinking about shawls, and wishing they were rich enough to buy one for their mother, when they reached the big silk factory of Srinagar. But when the twins once began to look at the [62] THE SIGHTS OF SRINAGAR beautiful silks being spun before their eyes, they could think only of the beautiful colors. "Such a glorious yellow I never saw before !" said Mrs. Andrews to Lucy. "What a beautiful dress could be made from it ! " Her husband heard her, and then and there de- cided to buy a piece of this silk for a surprise for his wife before leaving Kashmir. "It is now late afternoon," said Mr. Allen, as the party left the wondrous silks behind them. "So it is the best time of the day to get a view of the city. We must certainly go to the top of a hill I have visited, and look down at the sights behind." "That will make a perfect ending of a perfect day," said Mrs. Andrews happily. To this every one agreed. When the hill top had been reached Joe and Lucy were "all eyes" as they looked down over palaces, marble mosques, and temples with gilded tops, houses with carved, overhanging balconies, gardens where fountains were playing and birds flying above beds of yellow and crimson flowers. In and out among the buildings was a net-work of canals in which boats were moving back and forth. "I suppose," said Joe, who had been silent for a long time, "those canals have been cut in from the river. ' ' George Allen nodded. 1 * The strangest sight of all is the housetops with. [63] TWIN TRAVELERS IN INDIA vines and plants growing all over them," said Jes- sie. ' ' The first time I came here I was little then I wondered if the wind had carried them up there. But now I know that the people plant them in soil they spread over the roofs." After Mr. Allen had pointed out an old fortress which had been built by Akbar, and then the canton- ment of English soldiers, he turned his eyes to the river flowing lazily past the city and the bridges which spanned it at different points. " Perhaps, Joe and Lucy," he said with a twinkle in his eyes, "you will yet sail under every one of those bridges, and be keeping house at the same time." "What do you mean?" asked Joe quickly. "Oh, you'll find out by and by," was the laughing answer. [64] CHAPTER VIII IN A HOUSEBOAT JOE, I never dreamed of having such an adven- ture as this ! ' ' 1 'Nor I!" Joe beamed. "What would Arthur Freeman think of us now living in a houseboat on the Jhelum Eiver, with jabbering natives taking the boat wherever Uncle Ben orders. I say, Lucy, he's the best uncle that ever lived to give us this treat." "I should say!" Lucy's joy expressed itself in deepening dimples. "Here we've lived for two whole weeks, with Bert and Jessie for company part of the time, and fun every minute." "Hm! how about last night when you screamed just because a mouse ran under your pillow and woke you up?" "Oh, that was only for a moment," Lucy answered quickly. Then she went on, quite ready to change the subject, "What lovely dinners we've had every day. The kitchen boat is so small, though, I don't see how the cook can get up such good meals. It's great fun having them brought into our little dining- room piping hot.*' "I'd like to peek into the kitchen-boat at night." [65] TWIN TRAVELERS IN INDIA Joe's eyes danced. " Where the cook and her family all sleep is a mystery to me. When they are stand- ing up they can scarcely turn around. Why there 's the cook, and her husband and two children, besides the baby, to say nothing of the coop full of chickens we are fast eating those up, though. ' ' "Hark! there's a quarrel going on in the kitchen boat now," said Lucy pricking up her ears. "And Uncle Ben and Aunt Nell off in the little pleasure boat! dear! I suppose the quarrel is between two of the boatmen who went out there to talk and smoke as soon as they had brought us to this landing place on the border of the lake." "Nanko will stop the quarreling, so don't worry. There! I just saw him go over our boatside," re- plied Joe, who had been leaning his head out of the window of the pretty living-room where he and Lucy were sitting. As the noise stopped Lucy went on, "I wish, Joe, I could make a moving picture of this beautiful lake and the country around it." "What would you put in the picture?" asked Joe lazily. "Let me see. There would be willow forests along the sides of the canals that lead out of the lake. And there would be orchards of pears and plums and peaches that make me thing of the coun- try at home. But the villages are so different the roofs of the little wooden houses are covered with [66] IN A HOUSEBOAT gardens. The flowers there are nodding quietly in the breeze pink and purple, yellow and white blos- soms, hundreds of them. "Oh! and now we pass some women with big brass jars on their heads. They are on the way to get water from the lake. "Everywhere along the borders, there are chil- dren and ducks paddling in the water. Some of the children look dirty, but they are laughing and shout- ing as if perfectly happy." As his sister stopped speaking Joe cried, "I'm surprised at you, Lucy Grayson. You never men- tioned the birds bulbuls and doves and swallows. They are always flying about us, and aren't a bit afraid. Listen! I hear doves cooing on the boat- roof this minute ! ' ' "Neither did I put Akbar's ruined garden into the picture. You didn't give me time," Lucy answered impatiently. ' ' Suppose you paint them. They are so beautiful even though they are in ruins, that I guess you'll find it hard work." Joe, put on his mettle, began at once. "We are now at the far end of the lake," he said. "We move in our little pleasure boat through a narrow water- way lined with willows. Ahead of us is a gateway in ruins. Beyond this are terraces where many fruit trees are growing. Cascades fill the air with music. Fountains, almost hidden in the tall grass, are sending up jets of water that flash in the sun- [67] TWIN TRAVELERS IN INDIA light. Flowers are blooming everywhere. Birds are singing. ' ' ' ' Good ! ' ' Lucy had to exclaim. "We've been so busy talking," Joe suddenly cried, "that we didn't see Uncle Ben and Aunt Nell as they came up. Nanko is helping them aboard now ! ' ' As the children went outside to meet their uncle and aunt, Mrs. Andrews held up a lotus blossom. ' ' Isn 't it beautiful ? ' ' she asked. ' ' While we were paddling, we got into a shallow place where the lotus pads closed in around the boat. Nanko, has not the lotus a special meaning for Hindus?" "Yes, memsahib. In the sacred books of my peo- ple it is spoken of as the flower of life of life ever- lasting." "That is a beautiful idea, because this lily, grow- ing up out of the mud, blossoms in the clear air and sunlight above the water." Mrs. Andrews spoke softly. "Oh-h!" said Lucy the next minute. Her deep blue eyes were filled with wonder as she looked towards the mountain tops in the distance. The sun was setting, and as its light fell upon the snowy summits, they turned from white to pale pink, and then to a rosy red. Over all was the sky aglow with tints of gold and crimson which reflected themselves in the calm waters of the lake. "God is speaking in the beauty he has spread before us," said Mr. Andrews reverently. [68] CHAPTER IX IN FAMOUS DELHI IT seems sort of queer to me" Lucy spoke slowly "that this old, old city should now be the capital of India." "The part of Delhi we visited yesterday seems almost unpleasantly new to me." Mr. Andrews' eyes twinkled roguishly. "I suppose you are thinking of the mills with their chimneys sending out dirty smoke, and the business section generally," said Joe. "Of course we ought to have seen it so as to realize how much cotton is manufactured here. But it's tiresome. We can look at such sights at home." "Yes, so let's not think about factories any more than is necessary." Lucy leaned over and gave her uncle a love-pat. "You see," she went on, "when -I spoke I was thinking of the days of the Moguls. Nanko told me that they were most powerful in this part of the country ; and in Delhi and around it they built many of their grandest palaces." "We shall shortly see something of the glory the Moguls left behind them," said Mr. Andrews. [69] TWIN TRAVELERS IN INDIA "As soon as your aunt wakes up from her nap we will start out. From what I have read, I judge our eyes will be pretty big by the time we get back to this hotel." As Mr. Andrews spoke his wife opened the door. "I've had such a good rest!" she declared. "I hate to spend any daytime sleeping, but after the month spent in the clear air of Kashmir, I find that the city life makes me quickly tired." "The weeks we spent up in the beautiful Vale were good for us, I guess," Lucy told her brother as the two followed Nanko and their uncle and aunt out to the street." "Yes, and I suppose we needed it because we'll be on the go the rest of the time we are in India." Joe, boy-like, spoke as if glad that this would be so. "Hurry!" he added. "We are going sight-seeing in palanquins! Uncle didn't tell us beforehand so we could have a surprise. Here come the coolies with them. I say ! this will be great sport. ' ' "We can imagine ourselves living in the times of the Moguls!" said Lucy gleefully as she stepped into a litter with red curtains hanging from the framework above. The next minute dark-skinned coolies clad in loin- cloths were stepping off with the travelers in their various palanquins at a lively trot, while the twins laughingly peeked out at the passers-by from time to time from behind the curtains. [70] IN FAMOUS DELHI First of all, the party were taken to the immense fort which was also a palace built by Shah Jehan, Akbar's famous grandson. As they stepped out of their palanquins they found themselves standing before the grand Lahore Gate built in a mighty wall with battlements above, and deep moats below. ''Oh!" exclaimed the twins as they passed through the gate and entered the palace. For a long time after that no one felt like speaking. All were filled with wonder at the vastness of the hall of red sandstone in which they found themselves. At last, however, when they had crossed the hall to the alcove at the far end Joe "found his tongue," as folks say. "Did you ever see anything so wonderful?" he cried as he turned his eyes from the marble floor to the richly carved marble pillars, and then to the walls of the alcove where he saw painted flowers and birds and fruits glistening with precious stones. Then, speechless again, Joe listened with the others while a guide explained that on the marble platform before them once stood the famous Pea- cock Throne built by Shah Jehan. "The best jewelers in all the land," said the guide, "were kept busy for months years perhaps set- ting precious stones in that wondrous throne which was shaped so as to represent a peacock. Diamonds, rubies and emeralds of untold value sparkled in the [71] TWIN TRAVELERS IN INDIA feathers of the peacock's tail. Over all was a roof sheeted in silver. Never in all the world was there a throne like unto that of Shah Jehan." The guide now led the way to the hall where the great ruler once gathered his court about him. It was an open pavilion of white marble with walls and pillars and arches even the ceiling inlaid with the softest, richest colors. "Are we dreaming?" Lucy whispered to her aunt. "If so, I don't wish to wake up." Before the sightseers left the palace they went out on the stone balconies where they could look down on the Jumna Eiver flowing past. "Other children must have been here in the long- ago," Mrs. Andrews said to the twins as they walked along the now lonely balconies. "No doubt they played many a game here, and listened to many a story of battles their fathers had fought with their enemies. ' ' "But now let us consider the present," suggested Mr. Andrews. "Our coolies are waiting outside to take us to the largest mosque in the world. It is but a short distance from here, so Nanko tells me." "I suppose we'll have to take off our shoes before we enter it," said Joe merrily. "At every mosque we have entered so far that has had to be done. ' ' "The last time that was up in Srinagar" Lucy's face broke out into smiles" one of my shoes got lost somehow by the doorkeeper, and when I had [72] Copyright by Underwood & Underwood, -V. Y. A STATE PROCESSION AT DELHI. Page 72 IN FAMOUS DELHI handed him back the slippers he had given me to wear inside the mosque, lo and behold! I had to go home like Cinderella with only a stocking on one of my feet." When Jama Mas j id, the famous mosque, was reached, however, neither Joe nor his sister thought of anything that had happened before. They were too busy with the present. And no wonder! For there before them towered a lofty building of marble and red sandstone with three magnificent gateways opening into it, to reach which there were three high, broad flights of stairs. When Lucy and her aunt had climbed to the top of one of these flights they were out of breath. "I'm glad I had a nap before starting on the afternoon's sight-seeing," said Mrs. Andrews with a laugh. "I needed to feel fresh for such an under- taking as this last." After the travelers had looked about the mosque their guide, who was a priest, showed them what Mohammedans consider their most priceless posses- sions a slipper once worn by Mohammed, a hair that once grew on his head, and some foot prints in stone which the priest said solemnly were those of Mohammed himself. That evening, after the party had returned to the hotel, they all declared they were too tired from sightseeing to sit up many minutes. "My eyes have been kept big so long from look- [73] TWIN TRAVELERS IN INDIA ing at wonders, they are crying to be shut," said Joe as he started for bed. Yet when once there he was not too sleepy to call to his sister, ' ' Say, twin dear, while I was riding in state in my palanquin I looked out at something awfully interesting; it was a boy no bigger than I am who had stopped on one side of the street just as I caught sight of him. I was in time to see him take a snake out of a bag and set him fighting with a queer-looking little animal about the size of a weasel, with a bushy tail like a fox. I guess it was a mongoose. Well, you should have seen those two. The snake was trying to wind itself around the mon- goose 's body, and the mongoose was doing his best to bite the snake 's head. "A crowd was fast gathering around the boy, but the coolies were moving too fast for me to see the end of the fight. I'll bet the mongoose won." "Oh, dear! why will you say, bet?" came the an- swer. "Besides, you horrid boy, you'll make me dream of cobras and other dreadful things and I'll have a nightmare. I like to think of something pleasanter than snakes before going to sleep, like the Hindu I got a peek at. He had a long pole over his shoulder. At one end of it was a basket with a baby inside, and at the other end was a big bundle. The dear little baby was crowing as if he was enjoy- ing himself." "Hm! if you were a boy, Lucy," said Joe sleepily, [74] IN FAMOUS DELHI "you'd rather be thinking of the fights between tigers and elephants that took place right in the cities of the Moguls. Nanko has been telling me about them the beasts were brought from the jungles to entertain the great rulers! Some fights those must have been." Lucy, snuggled safely in her comfortable bed, shivered, but said no more. [75] CHAPTEE X SIGHTSEEING IN AGRA I HAVEN'T got the thought of the ruins around Delhi out of my mind yet. ' ' Little Mrs. Andrews sighed. "I'll never forget the long gloomy road bordered with trees that led out from the city," said Lucy. * ' I thought of ghosts as I looked at all those ruined palaces and tombs and towers and mosques spread out over the dirty plain." "I was too busy watching for vultures and par- rots which were peering down at us from the trees, to fancy ghosts about ! ' ' said Joe. "I could not help thinking of the vast wealth of the Moguls," said Mr. Andrews. "When at last we reached the Kutb tower at the end of the ride," Joe admitted, "I forgot the par- rots. Whew, but it's a corker. It has five stories, hasn't it, Uncle Ben?" "Yes, the three lower ones, you will remember, are of red sandstone, while the two upper ones are faced with white marble." "It's two hundred and forty feet high, and fifty feet through. I know that," said Lucy. [77] TWIN TRAVELERS IN INDIA "And it was built by the Sultan Kutb who had once been a slave," added Joe. "Queer, wasn't it, for a slave to become a general, and then to grow powerful enough to make himself ruler of millions of people?" "We might have got some idea of the wealth of India's products if we had climbed the steps inside leading to the top of the tower," said Mr. Andrews. "But the day was too warm for such hard work." "What would we have seen, Uncle Ben?" asked Lucy. "A vast stretch of rich country where thousands of acres of sugar and rice, indigo, and opium, and wheat yield abundant crops, that is, except in times when the rains are withheld. Then famine follows and tens of thousands of the natives die of hunger." Mr. Andrews spoke sadly. "Most of the people are so poor," he went on, "that they cannot save money ahead for such times of need." The next moment the kind gentleman's face brightened. "Suppose," he said, "we forget the ruins of Delhi and the thought of famines, and bear in mind that we are now in Agra, though still on the Jumna Eiver, and that we are soon to look upon something more wonderful than we have seen any- where. It is the most beautiful building in the whole world." [78] SIGHTSEEING IN AGRA ' ' The Taj Mahal ! ' ' cried Joe. ' ' I wish we could start off to see it this minute." ''Not yet, my dear boy," said Mr. Andrews with a smile. " This city of Agra is said to be full of won- derful sights. To enjoy them best we ought to leave the most beautiful one till last." Joe's face fell, but he quickly forgot his haste to see the famous Taj Mahal when once he reached the noble fort which was a town in itself. 1 * The great Akbar built this fort, and the city of Agra, truly his city, was called Akbarabad in his day," Nanko explained to the twins as they stood looking up at the mighty battlements seventy feet high. "It would take me nearly as long to walk round these walls as it took me to go round the walls of Jerusalem," said Joe, when the guide explained that the distance was a mile and a half. When the twins were once inside the walls they could scarcely speak for amazement at the number of courts, and pavilions, and vast halls of pure white marble exquisitely carved. " Akbar 's palace and the Pearl Mosque," Lucy said afterwards, ''were the most beautiful of all the buildings in the fort, I'm sure." "I agree with you, my dear," said Mrs. Andrews. "I am likely to dream of them of the palace with its dazzling pinnacles sheeted with gold, and the mosque exquisite in carvings." [79] TWIN TRAVELERS IN INDIA "Somehow," said Joe slowly, "I didn't enjoy the sight of British soldiers in their modern uniforms in barracks inside the fort. . I wish the place could be kept exactly as it was in the old times. ' ' The next day the travelers rode out to Fatehpur, twenty-two miles from Agra, when they saw the ruins of a wonderful city the Great Mogul had once built. Lucy afterwards wrote of it: " 'Every building there was once a palace,' so I have read, 'and every palace was a dream carved in red sandstone ! ' The long name means simply 'City of Victory,' and it was built in honor of a great battle fought there by Akbar 's grandfather. ' ' After this trip there were visits to the bazaar, as well as to the tomb of Akbar, a few miles from Agra. Last of all, as Mr. Andrews had planned, the travelers started out one bright morning to ride a mile out of Agra to visit the most beautiful tomb that was ever built. "A tomb!" exclaimed Joe, when he caught the first glimpse of the wondrous building. "How strange to call it that!" "Yes, a tomb," his uncle replied, "because it was built to contain the body of Shah Jehan 's wife. He loved her so dearly that he determined she should have a monument that would surpass the most beautiful building in the world." [80[ SIGHTSEEING IN AGRA And now the travelers entered an immense garden where graceful trees offered shade, gardens filled with rare flowers were blooming, and many foun- tains were playing. Down through the lovely walk Joe and Lucy went softly, hand in hand, as with wonder-filled eyes they gazed at the marvelous building ahead of them. It was of the purest white marble, with noble dome, and tall towers and minarets reaching up- wards towards the clear sky above. As the sun beat down upon it, it was dazzling in its beauty. Nearer and nearer moved the travelers towards what seemed too beautiful to be true. Surely a fairy's wand must have called it forth, and not the hands of men. As they came closer the beauty showed itself even greater. And now the guide began to point out the won- derful carvings on the walls and pillars and door- ways. Marbles of different colors had been inlaid there, and verses from the Koran, the sacred book of Mohammedans. The letters forming these verses were of the most exquisite shapes. At last the travelers entered the building and looked upon the white marble tombs holding the bodies of Shah Jehan and his loved wife. Precious stones set into the marble made it gleam with daz- zling colors. Around the tombs, as if to protect them, stood a marble balustrade of openwork in which countless delicate flowers had been carved. [81] TWIN TRAVELERS IN INDIA "This balustrade alone is one of the wonders of the world," the guide explained. "And now you cannot be surprised when I tell you that twenty thousand workmen were kept busy for twenty years before the Taj Mahal was finished. "I am ready to leave India now," said Mrs. An- drews as the travelers rode homewards. "After what I have seen to-day everything else will seem unimportant." [82] CHAPTER XI A TIGER STORY /'M not ready to go out of this country yet," Joe said that evening after the return to the hotel. He was thinking of his aunt's words of the after- noon. "Why not, Joe?" Mr. Andrews' eyes twinkled because he had guessed what was in the boy's mind. "I haven't seen enough elephants yet, though we have met a few since we left Kashmir. I haven't had a ride on one, either. And I haven't seen or heard much about tigers." 1 ' Poor boy! Perhaps you'd feel better if they kept a chained tiger in the hotel for travelers to look at." Mrs. Andrews laughed. "I doubt if you'll leave the country quite satisfied without going on a tiger hunt." Mr. Andrews chuckled. "If I could talk with somebody who had been tiger hunting it wouldn't be so bad." Joe grinned. "Hm! I have it," said Mr. Andrews. "You remember Colonel Davidson, Joe. You and Lucy had some good times with his son Charles up at Srinagar. I met the Colonel several times there, [83] TWIN TRAVELERS IN INDIA but lie was pretty busy at the cantonment and did not get down to visit us on our houseboat." "But what has Colonel Davidson to do with tiger hunting?" Joe looked puzzled. "A good deal. He's been tiger hunting and ele- phant hunting too, he told me. He explained to me, by the way, that most of the tame elephants in India belong to the government or the native princes." "Well, the Colonel is coming to Agra shortly with his wife and Charles. He 's to be off duty for several weeks and promised to let me know if he got here before we were to leave. I'll ask him to tell us something about his hunting trips." Mr. Andrews had scarcely finished the last sen- tence when there was a knock at the door by the bell- boy bringing the cards of visitors. "Colonel Davidson! I declare!" exclaimed Mr. Andrews, looking at the cards. "His wife and son with him, too ! ' ' "Hurrah!" cried Joe, bounding out of his chair in his excitement, while Lucy and her aunt looked as pleased as Joe acted. A few minutes afterwards a very straight, digni- fied-looking English officer was shown into the room, and with him was a charming lady and a tall, manly boy of fourteen. When the greetings were over Colonel Davidson explained that he had found the names of his Ameri- can friends in the hotel register on his arrival that [84] A TIGER STORY morning. He had business to attend to, however, which kept him busy several hours. "Besides," he added with a kindly look at the rosy-cheeked twins, "I learned at the office that you were all away on a day's outing, so I thought it would be pleasant to take you by surprise this eve- ning, though Charles had hard work to wait till now. ' ' After that there was much talk of what had hap- pened to both families since the meeting in Kashmir. Then at last, after what seemed an endless time to Joe, Mr. Andrews said, "Colonel Davidson, this lively nephew of mine is eager to hear of your hunt- ing experiences. The thought that tigers may be roaming in a jungle, possibly not a hundred miles from here, makes him restless. He'd like to be away on a tiger hunt this minute, I don't doubt." At that Joe flushed and everybody else laughed. "My dear lad, I wonder if you realize how much danger there is in hunting a tiger," said the Colonel kindly. "And yet everybody I ever knew is fond of dangerous adventures. I used to be, myself. "Well, well, I'll have to tell you about my first tiger hunt. I was a young man then it was soon after I came here from England. "At the cantonment where I was stationed stories kept coming to us of a man-eating tiger which was killing off the cattle and people of a village not far away. The beast had grown very daring after his [85] TWIN TRAVELERS IN INDIA first taste of blood. He would come out from his lair in the jungle as darkness fell, creep with never a sound to the village, and watch for his prey when the people came to the spring to get water. ' ' "Many victims over forty, I believe had been carried off for the man-eater's feasts when I first heard of him. The last one was a little girl about the age of Lucy. She had gone to the spring, just as the sun was setting, to get water for her sick mother. Alas! Bloody marks near the spring afterwards told of what happened, for the little girl never re- turned to her home. No doubt the tiger had sprung upon her unawares, had seized her throat in his sharp teeth, and with a jerk had twisted her neck, and so, we hope, ended her life without long suffer- ing." By this time Lucy's teeth were almost chattering. The Colonel, seeing the look of horror in her face, went on quickly, "I think perhaps I had better not repeat some of the other stories that were brought us by the frightened natives." "Of course, you began at once to get ready for a hunt after that tiger," burst out Joe excitedly. ' ' Of course. ' ' The Colonel smiled. "There were two ways in which he might have been followed up," he went on. "One was for one or two men who were trained hunters to seek the spring in the daytime, climb trees near by, and stay up there through the night watching and ready to [86] A TIGER STORY shoot if the beast drew near. A freshly killed buffalo placed on the ground near by would be a help as the smell of it would lure the tiger. ' * The other way was the one we chose. A number of us, riding elephants which had been trained for hunting, went into the jungle, seeking the tiger in his home. "It was a fine spring morning when we started out," continued the Colonel. " And when we reached the jungle we found it a beautiful sight. Trees and bushes were in blossom, and the air was fragrant with their sweet odors ; clumps of bamboos, waving their feathery heads, were often so close to the sides of our elephants that we could have reached out our hands to pluck them. Ah ! but in the long grass be- low were lurking deadly serpents, without doubt, for the jungle is the playground of the hooded cobra and the huge boa-constrictor yes, and of a tiny, harmless-looking serpent whose sting is as deadly as the cobra's." Both Lucy and her aunt shivered. "I know how the boa-constrictor kills," said Charles as his father stopped for a moment to rest. "His body is almost as thick as my waist, and a grown-up boa-constrictor is sometimes longer than this room over twenty feet and so he just coils himself round and round his prey till the life is crushed out of it," [87] TWIN TRAVELERS IN INDIA "But let us go on with the tiger hunt," said the Colonel. "Yes, yes!" cried Joe eagerly. "With a smile the story-teller continued : ' ' Several hours of careful searching went on, the elephants picking their way with great care, till at last we found ourselves on the track of the beast we were after. "Aha ! There he was peering out at us with sharp green eyes from the midst of a thicket of bamboo. After him we charged, surrounding the thicket and driving him out into the open. * ' Now for the fight in earnest ! It was not an easy one, for many a bullet hit him without causing a deadly wound, though he must have begun to suffer horribly. And now he turned with a frightful roar, and with a furious leap flung himself at the back of the elephant I was riding. "Not a moment to spare now! If the bullets of my companions had not been instant in their work, my elephant's flesh would have been torn open by the beast's wicked teeth and claws, and I well, I wouldn't be here to-night telling the story. "It was my good fortune to escape, however, as the man-eater shortly gave his death cry, and the village where he had wrought such harm was made safe from his attacks." Lucy drew a sigh of relief. The Colonel, noticing it, said, "Enough of tigers [88] A TIGER STORY for to-night. Suppose, before I leave you, I give you something pleasanter to think about wild ele- phants, the kings of the jungle, for instance." "I'd like ever so much to know how they are caught," said Joe promptly. "Did you ever take part in an elephant hunt?" "Once. It was in the heart of India. Elephants are seldom shot at. You see, they are worth too much to be killed. So an immense V-shaped enclo- sure sometimes a mile across at the widest part is built, and the hunters, riding tame elephants, drive the wild ones into this trap. "As soon as they are inside the opening is closed up. "Now is the time for the tame elephants to give the most valuable help. Three of them, perhaps, guided by their drivers, will close in around one of the captives and slowly drive him up beside a stout tree. * ' One of the men, watching his chance, now slides down to the ground and casts a stout noose about a leg of the wild elephant. He must be quick and careful, else the beast might turn upon him and trample him to death. "Next, he must throw the rope around the tree and tighten it as much as possible. Still other ropes must follow to add to the strength of the bond, for the elephant will use all his tremendous power to break away if possible." [89] TWIN TRAVELERS IN INDIA "What then?" Joe asked quickly. "Then comes the taming, which is often quite easy. The hunters stay with their captive as much as possible and talk kindly to him so he will become used to having people about him. They feed him the dainties he likes best, while they dare to pet him. Before many days he becomes gentle and friendly, and ready to be taught to be useful like the tame ele- phants around him. ' ' "Have you seen any other wild creatures of In- dia?" said Joe, as the Colonel stopped speaking. "Plenty of them, my lad crocodiles in some of the rivers, wild dogs that wander in packs in the mountain lands of the north, and wild hogs, the hunt- ing of which is great sport. Yes, and I once came across a rhinoceros in the swamps along the Brahma- putra River. Strange to say, however, in my hunts I never chanced to meet panthers, though there are many of them in the jungles. They are terrible foes after being wounded. They are feared by the people in lonely villages almost as much as the tiger, though they are a good deal smaller. ' ' "Really, we must not stay any longer. It is get- ting late for these children to be up," broke in Mrs. Davidson. As the callers rose to go, the Colonel patted Lucy's shoulder, saying, "My dear little girl, when you go to sleep to-night forget the tigers and panthers and cobras I've been talking about, and think only of [90] A f IGEft STORY graceful deer and antelopes such as I have seen skip- ping about among the thickets of bamboo. There are some beautiful creatures in the jungles as well as fierce and dangerous ones." [91] CHAPTEE XII A WONDEBFUL ADVENTURE WOULD you like to hear it, Lucy? I've been at it the whole afternoon." Joe laid down his pen and stretched himself. " Of course, I'll try to keep still and be enter- tained," Lucy laughed. "But to whom have you been writing?" ' 'Arthur Freeman up in Jerusalem. I'm ashamed of myself for waiting so long, but how can a fellow write many letters when he 's kept busy seeing things as steadily as I have been! We've only been back here in Agra a day and a half, and to-morrow we start for Benares." "I'm waiting to hear," was all Lucy answered as she settled herself among the pillows on the couch and shut her eyes. * * Hm ! Well, here goes, ' ' said Joe as he began. "Dear Arthur: I often think of you up there in Palestine, and wish you could be here with us in In- dia seeing the most wonderful things that are get- ting to seem common because there are so many of them. [93] TWIN TRAVELERS IN INDIA "But, Arthur, old boy, no place we have visited has equalled the last one. As I tell you about it, I hope your eyes won't get green with envy. Well, we've been to Jaipur. It's the most Indian place in India, I guess. Why, my head is this minute so full of elephants and camels, monkeys and parrots, danc- ing girls, beggars and jugglers that I can't write straight. "But I must go back to the beginning. Uncle Ben promised Lucy and me weeks ago that we should visit a real Indian city, where we should see the life of the natives on every hand, with plenty of ele- phants thrown in. He knew that there are such cities in the territory of Rajputana, where native rulers still hold their courts, but he hadn't decided just which one to choose. "Then Colonel Davidson proposed Jaipur. The Colonel is one of our new friends and is ever so kind, though a stern look comes into his eyes now and then that makes me feel I'd want to obey him if I were one of his soldiers. " 'I'm going shortly to Jaipur to see the English Eesident,' the Colonel told Uncle Ben, 'and the Ra- jah (that's the title of a native prince) is a good friend of mine. We've been hunting together more than once. Perhaps I can get an invitation for you to visit him at his palace. You must certainly see the sights of Jaipur at any rate.' "I guess, before I go any farther, I'd better ex- [94] A WONDERFUL ADVENTURE plain that in every place where a native prince Still rules in India, there 's somebody called the Resident, who is chosen by the English government to live in the place. He is the real ruler behind the throne, as folks say. "Well, Uncle Ben and Aunt Nell were as pleased as could be at Colonel Davidson's proposal. As for us twins, we actually danced for joy. We could hardly wait for the day to come when we should reach the strange, rich, queer, wonderful, royal city of Jaipur. (How's that for a description to start off with?) * ' Colors ! I thought I had seen them a-plenty be- fore, but now imagine big, two-storied houses all of a rosy pink, with lace-like windows, latticed of course; with side balconies jutting out over wide streets and with monkeys on the roofs staring down at you. "And then picture to yourself the crowds below, dressed in gorgeous tints that vie in color with the tails of a flock of peacocks I saw standing near one of the houses. Look ! Here comes a sacred bullock wandering around at his pleasure. Behind him, with stately tread, marches an elephant with fore- head painted in a gay pattern, and with a crimson covering reaching far down over the sides of his huge body. In the howdah on the elephant's back sits the driver, who touches the animal now and then with a sort of spear to make him go where he wishes. [95] TWIN TRAVELERS IN INDIA "Notice, if you will, the bazaar where rich laces and gold-embroidered cloths and jewelry set with precious stones are spread out to tempt us to buy. "Here comes a train of camels cross, sulky-look- ing beasts they are, and now we notice a group of dancing girls with gauzy scarfs wrapped about their waists and with many golden bracelets and anklets and earrings and finger rings. And yes! Among the crowd of gayly dressed, dark-skinned people, we discover a beggar. He is unshaven, dirty and ragged. He carries a bowl in one hand. As he reaches the street corner he stops a moment to rest. A woman steps up to him and puts a few grains of rice in the bowl. She believes she is 'making merit' by feeding him that is, that God will look more kindly upon her for her gift. "The man may not have been a beggar always. Perhaps he was once rich, and lived in a fine house with many servants to wait on him. But one day he decided to give up his comfortable life and become a beggar to wander around the country and receive the food needed to keep him alive from the strangers whom he should meet. "Arthur, only think of it! There are thousands of beggars in India, who believe they will be re- warded by God for living as they do. Isn't it a shame that they should have such a belief 1 ? "Oh, but let us go on with our sightseeing, be- cause a procession of elephants is drawing near. [96] A WONDERFUL ADVENTURE Two by two they advance with stately tread, while the gayly dressed drivers seated in richly decorated howdahs direct them by cries or by the prodding of their spears. "What nice, grand-looking creatures the ele- phants are! Rich draperies of satin and velvet, some of the mheavily gilded, hang far down over their sides. Heavy silver chains hang about their necks. They scarcely turn their heads as they pass the crowds gathered on both sides of the street to watch them. "Now, at last, Arthur, you shall hear where we stayed during our visit to Jaipur. With the English Resident, to be sure, who entertained us royally! "The best part of all was the day spent at the Rajah's palace. Yes, sir! I've been entertained by a real live Prince, and a Hindu prince too ! ' * On the morning of that wonderful day you may just believe Lucy and I were awake with the birds to be exact, with the first words of a starling in the next room to mine. (Here in India people some- times cut the tongues of starlings so they can learn to talk like parrots.) "Well, we twins could hardly wait till ten o'clock, the time set for our start for the palace. But it came at last, and with it appeared two magnificent elephants in front of the Residency. They had been sent by the Rajah to take us to the Palace ! What do you think of that? Aren't we the most fortunate [97] TWIN TRAVELERS IN INDIA children that were ever born in the United States? I should say! "If you could only have seen those elephants, Arthur! Their trappings were simply gorgeous, while the howdah in which we were to sit had crim- son silk curtains embroidered with gold. ' ' The sport came when we mounted the elephants. First they slowly bent their big legs and knelt down. Then ladders were placed against their sides, and up these we climbed to our lofty seats above. The drivers, sitting astride the elephants' necks, gave their commands, and the creatures rose to their feet and moved off with us. "Lucy said afterwards that her head was dizzy for a few minutes. She felt so high up, and people on the ground below looked so far away. Besides, elephants swing from side to side as they walk, and that I suppose was what really made Lucy a little light-headed. "Arthur, I never expect to feel so grand in my life again as I did during that ride to the Palace. When we arrived there I hated to get down on com- mon ground again. It wasn't so common after all, because everything about the Palace is magnificent. There are several buildings, each one built around a beautiful marble court. The guest-house where we were entertained was furnished with handsome rugs and hangings, and there were chairs for west- [98] A WONDERFUL ADVENTURE ern visitors to sit in. The natives, you know, pre- fer to squat on the rugs. "Such a feast of good things to eat we had in the guest-house! I haven't time to tell you about the delicious dishes that were served us. The Rajah didn't dine with us, however. Being a Hindu, what- ever he eats must be served in a certain way. "After the feast was over I was allowed to go with Uncle Ben and the Resident to visit the Rajah in his own apartment, while Aunt Nell and Lucy were taken by the Resident's wife to call upon the ladies of the Rajah's household in the Zenana. "What do you suppose interested me most in my visit to the Rajah? Not the attendants who stood about in gorgeous robes embroidered in gold, and with weapons whose handles were studded with pre- cious stones. No, not even the noble looking Rajah himself, dressed in the most princely style. It was the skins of wild animals hanging about the walls of one of the halls which we entered best of all, the skins of tigers and leopards which had been killed by the Rajah and his followers in their hunting parties. What sport he must have had ! ' * My hand is getting tired, so I must close, thougE I haven't told you a word about the ride we had the next day from Jaipur to Gulta, one of the holy cities of these people. The strangest thing about it was that there seem to be more monkeys than people in Gulta. They came swarming about us, opening [99] TWIN TRAVELERS IN INDIA our hands to see if we had any food for them, grin- ning and jabbering all the time. One old fellow actually wound his tail about my leg. " There, not another word to-day. So long. Your old chum, JOB." "The letter is ever so good," said Lucy. "Only" her forehead puckered ' ' you didn 't tell anything about my visit to the Zenana." "That's so. But you see, I got tired. Why don't you add a postscript yourself?" As Joe spoke he held out a sheet of paper to his sister. Lucy's face brightened. Taking the paper, she began at once to write. "Dear Arthur," so the postscript ran, "I think Joe's description of the visit to the Palace wouldn't be complete without a picture of the Zenana where Aunt Nell and I spent the afternoon with the ladies of the Rajah's household. They were dressed in the most elegant garments I ever saw on women in my life ! And the jewels ! They hung about their necks, their ears, their arms and their ankles yes, and their toes! "And yet, with all those riches, I pitied them because they never go out of doors unless they are veiled, while the very windows through which they look are screened with lattice-work so that no one outside can look in upon them. Isn't it queer that [100] Copyright by Underwood & Underwood, .V. Y. "THERE SEEM TO BE MORE MONKEYS THAN PEOPLE IN GULTA." Page 99 A WONDERFUL ADVENTURE women of high caste think they must keep their faces hidden ? "Yet the ladies in the Rajah's Zenana seemed happy. They told Aunt Nell they have ever so many good times, even though they stay shut up most of the time like prisoners, I think. * ' While we were there some dancing girls in shim- mery gauze came in and danced as gracefully as fairies. Then there was music made on queer-look- ing instruments, and some girls came in and sang. And there were refreshments cooling drinks and cakes and candies. It was all very pleasant, but I was glad when I was out in the fresh air again, be- cause I could feel free once more. "This is a long postscript, isn't it? "Your friend, LUCY." As the little girl laid down her pen there came a call from the next room: "Twins, dear, you must get ready at once. "We are to start for Cawnpore in an hour." "All right, Aunt Nell. We won't keep you wait- ing," answered Joe, who had been lazily watching his sister as she wrote. [101] CHAPTER XIII STRANGE SIGHTS ON THE GANGES I'M glad Uncle Ben followed Colonel Davidson's advice and let us see something of the Mutiny Country," said Joe. "Ye-e-s," replied Lucy slowly. "But it made me feel sad to look at the places where people suffered so terribly. All through the country we've been visiting, Uncle Ben told us, the native troops once rose up against the English. But the most dread- ful things of all happened at Cawnpore and Luck- now. ' ' "I should say!" Joe's eyes flashed. "I can't think of anything that could have been worse than the Indian leader having all the white women and children whom he got in his power killed, and their bodies thrown into a well. That was at Cawnpore, you know. ' ' "The monument the English afterwards set up there is beautiful," said Lucy. "I stood looking at the white marble angel who seemed to be rising over the well, for a long time. She seemed to say, 'The poor people who were massacred here are now free and happy.' " [103] TWIN TRAVELERS IN INDIA "Pm glad we saw the place where Sir Henry Lawrence lies buried at Lucknow," said Joe. "What a brave man he was! If it hadn't been for him the English garrison there couldn't have held out. He was wise as well as brave. Owing to him, the defense held out till help came. But he was killed before that happened." "What a fine inscription on the slab at his grave! It told the whole story." Lucy spoke thoughtfully. "It certainly did," cried Joe. " 'Here lies Henry Lawrence, who tried to do his duty,' those were the words. Uncle Ben said no praise could be better than that, and I think so too." "When I saw the Residency at Lucknow," Lucy went on, "I could scarcely believe that a small num- ber of English soldiers stationed in that house with hundreds of white women and children in their care, were able to hold out for six months against the fierce native troops. Aunt Nell said it seemed a miracle to her." "But at last the uprising was put down that was more than sixty years ago, and there's never been anything like it since," said Joe quickly. "Let's look at the map and see how we came here to Benares," went on Joe. "Look! There's Agra up there on the Jumna River. Then we crossed that stretch of fertile country and came to Cawnpore on the Ganges. After that we went to the big hand- some city of Lucknow, which looks so prosperous to- [104] STRANGE SIGHTS ON THE GANGES day; then down to Allahabad, where the Jumna pours its mighty waters into the Ganges. And presto ! Here we are now in the sacred city of the Hindus with fresh adventures ahead of us." ' ' Before sunrise to-morrow morning we leave this hotel to meet with them," merrily said Mr. An- drews, who had just entered the room. ' ' Nanko and I have just been down to the river to hire a barge for what I promise you will be an interesting trip. ' ' That evening Joe and Lucy were so excited think- ing of what was to come next day that they both de- clared it would be hard work getting to sleep. But somehow or other their eyes closed as readily as ever, and they knew nothing more till they heard knocking at their doors, while at the same time their uncle called, ' * Time to get up for a boat ride on the Ganges." It was still dark when the travelers were eating their hasty breakfast. But by the time they left the hotel a faint streak of dawn had appeared in the east. Down through the narrow streets of the city they hurried, at first in dim light, but all at once the sky was aglow with the beauty of the rising sun. Already the streets were alive with noisy people bound for the temples or the river. They were clad in robes of every color of the rainbow lovely pinks and yellows and purples and the women were loaded with jewelry. Many carried trays holding [106] TWIN TRAVELERS IN INDIA flowers and coins and sandal wood for the goddess Ganga; others had stone jars which they would fill with water from their sacred river. "Look at the women ahead of you," Nanko bade Joe in a low voice, "and notice the tiny gilded jars in their hands. You can scarcely see the jars be- cause of the jasmine blossoms about them. These, too, will soon be cast into the waters as offerings of the faithful." A few minutes afterwards our travelers had reached the river and taken their places in the barge which Mr. Andrews had engaged. Then, with the brilliant red and gold sunrise making the sky glo- rious, and with the colors reflected in the water be- low, the barge moved downward along the river. For mile after mile Joe and Lucy sat without talk- ing, watching the strange sights on the shore. All along the way were broad stone steps reaching down into the water, and these steps were thus early thronged with worshipers, the men with turbaned heads, and many of the women in garments of glis- tening silk or delicate muslin. Many of the wor- shipers had already gone down to the edge of the river and entered the water. As the men did so they threw off their outer gar- ments, while the women gracefully cast bathing robes over their shoulders first, and then took off the clothing they had been wearing, while thus pro- tected. [106] As Joe and Lucy watched the bathers they no- ticed that as some of them bent over the water, gar- lands of flowers which they had worn around their necks floated up over their heads, and then away from them into the current of the stream. "The people brought those garlands as gifts to the river," Nanko explained to the travelers. "Look!" said Lucy, turning her eyes back to the steps, where thousands of Hindus were now stand- ing in the water up to their waists. "The women are washing their garments they have taken off. ' ' "To let the sacred stream make them pure, as well as their owners," said Nanko. "Lucy," said Joe the next instant, "I wonder if you have noticed what the people do when the bath is over. They go back up the steps a little ways and sit down under those enormous gilded umbrellas to pray and read. What are they reading, Nanko?" ' ' Their sacred books. And after a while they will go back into the city and visit every one of the more than five hundred temples. Most of the people are pilgrims from far away who will return home happy and content to die after what they have done. ' ' "That explains why so many of the bathers are old men and women," said Mrs. Andrews, who had been listening. "But young people and children come here, too," replied Nanko. ' ' See ! There is a boy with his little '[107] TWIN TRAVELERS IN INDIA bride. " He motioned towards a pier which reached out into the water, where a wedding party had gath- ered. "She, a bride!" exclaimed Lucy. "Why, she can't be over six or seven, and the boy isn't much older." "Child marriages are common in this country," said Nanko sadly. "After such little folks as those are married, however, they go back to their parents to stay till the boy is about fifteen, when he and his young wife begin to live together in their own home. "But notice, please, these children on the pier," he went on. "The priest has already prayed, and water and cocoanut oil have been poured out. Now the little ones sit hand in hand, looking out upon the water and worshiping it. ' ' "They are bound together by a red scarf," said Lucy in a low tone, as the barge was now quite close to shore. "Oho!" said Joe under his breath. He had no- ticed that rice and some red powder were now being sprinkled over the children. As the wedding party went its way the barge moved on. "What is that man doing?" Joe now asked. He had just caught sight of a man on the shore pouring ashes out of a small metal box into the river. "He is giving the ashes of some loved one to the [108] Copyright by Underwood & Underwood, ff. Y. HINDU PILGRIMS BATHING IN THE GANGES AT BENARES. Page 108 STRANGE SIGHTS ON THE GANGES Ganges," Nanko explained. "He may have trav- eled many miles to do this deed of love. Hindus always burn the bodies of their dead, as they believe that fire purifies. ' ' Just ahead of us you will see smoke rising from big fires. Those are the burning ghats where dead bodies are being consumed by the flames. A faith- ful Hindu is happy if he is rich enough to know that when he dies his body can be brought here to be burned and the ashes cast into the Ganges." And now the barge turned backwards towards the place from which the travelers had started out. At every moment there was a new sight to look upon there were family parties celebrating some glad happening in the household. Here was a woman, with a baby astride her hip, filling a jar with water. There was a man casting sandal wood and gay blossoms into the stream. And everywhere along the shore was the crowd of bathers moving up and down the steps, the brown bodies of the men and the jeweled arms and feet of the women glistening in the sunlight, while the sound of bells and tom- toms from the temples rose above the shouts of the people below. "I never!" was all Joe managed to say as the party left the barge and found themselves once more in one of the narrow city streets. "We will next visit the Monkey Temple and the [109] TWIN TRAVELERS IN INDIA Cow Temple, ' ' said Mr. Andrews, trying to look se- rious. "The what?" Lucy and her aunt gasped at the idea of temples with such names. "What I said," was the laughing answer. "Let us follow Nanko and see if I have not spoken rightly." When Joe and Lucy found themselves soon after- wards in the famous temple where hundreds of mon- keys were climbing about the walls of the building and the trees around it, and when they found them playing tag with each other inside the temple itself, and grinning and chattering about them on every hand, the twins' eyes fairly bulged with astonish- ment. One old grandfather monkey had perched on Joe's shoulders and poked his hairy head against the boy's mouth before he had taken a dozen steps inside, while a baby monkey leaped upon Lucy's hand as she held it out to take that of her uncle. "See!" said Nanko with a smile, as he took a handful of nuts out of his pocket and scattered them among the monkeys which had gathered around him. A few minutes in this temple quite satisfied Mrs. Andrews, so the travelers soon went on their way to visit the large temple where the Hindus worship a variety of cows and bulls which have humps on their backs. "This is more interesting," said Mrs. Andrews, [110] STRANGE SIGHTS ON THE GANGES as she watched Hindus offering water to some of the bulls. The men had brought the water to these sacred animals from the Ganges. "Look, look!" Lucy whispered to her brother. She had just discovered some gayly dressed girls with wreaths of flowers which they were giving the bulls to eat. That evening as the travelers talked over the day's outing all agreed that Benares and Jaipur were the strangest cities they had ever visited. cm] CHAPTER XIV IN CALCUTTA I'M glad to be here in Calcutta," said Lucy, think- ing aloud. "Why, little niece?" asked Mr. Andrews, looking up from a guide book. " Because it used to be the capital of India, and is still the largest city, and so many things come here from the rich lands above to be sent all over the world rice, tobacco, wheat, indigo, cotton, jute, beautiful silks, the shawls of Kashmir " "And opium," put in Joe. "Don't forget that, because it is such an important product of this coun- try." "I don't like to think about opium," was the quick answer, "because it does the people who use it so much harm. If it were kept only for medicine to kill pain it would be all right." "In that case, since opium is so powerful, few poppy fields would need to be cultivated," said Mr. Andrews. "I was surprised to learn that the poppies from which opium is obtained are white, ' ' said Lucy. * ' In our gardens at home we have red poppies." [113] TWIN TRAVELERS IN INDIA "And I was surprised," said Joe, "to discover that opium is the sap which flows out of the tiny cuts the farmers make in the seed pods of the poppy blossoms while they are in flower. Just a tiny drop oozes out of one poppy. But it is precious to the farmer who scrapes it off and puts it in a jar with thousands of other drops he gets in the same way, to be afterwards sold to the government.*' "Lucy, you spoke of the cotton shipped from In- dia," said her uncle. "You may not know that it has been raised here for many hundreds of years indeed, before it was known in England and the United States." "I never knew till a few days ago what jute comes from," said Lucy. "Nanko pointed out to me a clump of reeds growing in the sandy soil along a river bank. 'When those reeds are twice as tall as I am,' he said, 'they will be ripe. Then men will cut them down and put them in water to lie there till the outside skin has rotted. This is then easily peeled away and the silky fibers inside can be taken, made into thread, and shipped in bales to other lands.' " "Indian farms aren't much like ours in the United States," said Joe. "How the workers get along with the poor tools they have I can't understand. Why, the plows I've seen aren't much better than sharpened sticks, and the farmers cut down grain with sickles. I rather guess their eyes would open [114] IN CALCUTTA at sight of the machines American farmers use." "Poor creatures!" Mr. Andrews sighed. "How hard they work to get a bare living ! ' ' "Hm! Most of them don't get that." Joe's eyes flashed. "I've seen money-lenders wherever I've been. I suppose they make the people pay big in- terest for the small sums they lend them." "And I've seen letter writers on the streets in every place we've visited, with people around them telling them what to put down," said Lucy. "Do you know, Lucy, why there are so many let- ter writers in India?" asked her uncle. "Yes, both Charlie Davidson and Nanko spoke of the reason for this. They said that while there are some very learned Hindus, by far the greater num- ber of the people cannot read or write. I think that is pitiful." "Speaking of Charlie," Joe broke in. "He ex- pected to be in Calcutta by this time, and promised to go sightseeing with us here." "I have a telegram from his father in my pocket." Mr. Andrews smiled. ' 1 1 was about to tell you what it said when you began to talk about India. The Colonel and Charles will arrive here to-morrow morning. ' ' "Hurrah!" cried Joe, jumping up in delight. "I'm glad too!" exclaimed Lucy. "Charlie is real good company." The next morning, as the telegram promised, [US] TWIN TRAVELERS IN INDIA Charles Davidson and his father arrived in Cal- cutta. In fact, before the twins had finished break- fast their boy friend walked in upon them with stories to tell of his adventures up in the Himalayas, and at Simla, the summer capital of India. "Delhi is too hot for the government to carry on its work there during the summer," Charlie ex- plained. "So the Viceroy and the leading officials move with their families to Simla, which is so high up that they can be cool and comfortable all the time." "It's lively there, I can tell you," Charlie went on. "There are dances and feasts and gay parties week after week. I like it because it's a pretty place, with beautiful ilex forests about it, and the snow-topped mountains in sight all the time. And yet I don't care to stay there very long. ' ' Charlie drew a long breath. "Why?" asked Lucy curiously. "Because a boy can't feel free and easy there. He has to be dressed just so and have his hair brushed carefully all the time." The boy laughed. "Not much fun in that, is there?" "I should say not!" cried Joe. "But how was it at Darjiling where you were last? I wish we could have gone there and got a close view of the highest mountain peaks in the world. Uncle Ben, though, said we must try to be satisfied with what we saw of the Himalayas at Kashmir. ' ' [116] IN CALCUTTA "Darjiling is a great place. " Charlie's brown eyes snapped. "Why, Joe, I can't say anything that would make you understand how grand it is. "To begin with, not far away is Mount Everest, five and a half miles high, standing like a mighty king in the midst of other snow-topped mountains. These keep us from realizing how lofty Mount Ever- est is. "It's a wonderful sight, I can tell you, but not as wonderful as Kanchanyanga because it is not shut in at all. A week ago I was standing in the valley of the Ranjit Eiver, which comes roaring and rush- ing along at the foot of the mountain. From there I could look straight up the slopes to the very sum- mit. Grand ! Why it almost took my breath away ! ' ' "Isn't Darjiling noted for anything besides the views of the mountains to be got there?" asked Lucy. "I've been told of something, I'm sure." "Certainly. On the slopes of the hills about it a great deal of tea is raised and brought to Darjiling for shipment. But come, twins, suppose we start out for some sightseeing. I've had to keep still a long time on the journey down here, and need some exercise. ' ' "I'm ready," declared Joe at once. "And I," said Lucy. "And I'm sure Nanko has nothing to keep him from going, though Uncle Ben and Aunt Nell said they wanted to rest this morn- ing." [117] TWIN TRAVELERS IN INDIA A few minutes afterwards three happy children, with Nanko to look after them, were riding around Calcutta. ' ' What a beautiful city it is ! " exclaimed Lucy, af- ter passing through wide streets where many of the buildings were as elegant as palaces. "Now, in late September, it is a good time to see Calcutta, ' ' said Charles. * ' I don 't believe you would find handsomer parks than those of this city any- where. This afternoon, towards sunset, you must get your aunt and uncle to ride through the Maidan with you. Then you will see plenty of style, I can tell you wealthy people in beautiful carriages drawn by splendid horses; an Indian prince per- haps, riding in state with richly dressed attendants ; officers on horseback, and so on. There! I won't say any more. Just wait till you go there." "But now, suppose we visit the Zoological Gar- dens and see the wild beasts." "Any tigers?" asked Joe at once. "Hm! I should say." Charles laughed. "The last time I went there I saw a tiger whose fierce green eyes devoured me even though his teeth couldn't because he was caged. So don't be afraid, Lucy. You'll be quite safe." Lucy, quite satisfied, was as eager for the visit as Joe, and the rest of the morning passed in the company of wild creatures of India. [118] Copyright by Underwood & Underwood, N. Y. BULLOCKS ARE USED TO HAUL PRODUCTS FROM THE RICH INLAND PLAINS. Page 119 IN CALCUTTA Then in the afternoon came the ride through the Maidan and afterwards along the water front. " Uncle Ben, you told me that Calcutta is a good many miles from the ocean and yet I saw ships from all over the world this afternoon," said Joe after the travelers had returned to the hotel. ' 'It is because large ships can sail up the river delta, through this branch, called the Hugli Eiver, and find a safe place to anchor here, ' ' explained Mr. Andrews. "For this reason, and also because so many of the products of India can be brought down the river here for shipment from the rich inland plains, Calcutta has an immense trade with the rest of the world and has become the largest city of India." " It is called the * City of Palaces, ' ' ' said Mrs. An- drews thoughtfully. ' ' And why not t ' ' asked Joe. * ' We have certainly seen enough grand houses to-day to give it that name." "And yet" his aunt spoke sadly "the part of Calcutta where the natives live, within almost a stone's throw of the palaces, too, is anything but a place of beauty. Such wretched mud and straw huts, crowded together along narrow muddy lanes ! Such wretched-looking people living in those huts over five hundred thousand of them, I understand ! How sorry I am for the poor children who must grow up in such homes as those." [119] TWIN TRAVELERS IN INDIA "I'm sorry too!" cried Lucy. "I saw naked babies on the streets there this afternoon, with their almost naked brothers and sisters playing about them. They seemed happy though really they did, Aunt Nell. And they laughed and shouted as gayly as if nothing bothered them!" ' ' But by and by when they are older it will be dif- ferent." Mrs. Andre ws's face was full of pity. CHAPTER XV ON TO BURMA I WAS ever so sorry to bid good-by to Nanko at Calcutta, because he has been such a good guide. But what a lovely surprise it was to find you were going with us ! " said Lucy, turning her bright eyes towards Charles Davidson. The two were standing by the deck rail taking a last look at Calcutta. "It was your uncle who made the plan, you know," replied Charles. "He's one of the best men I ever knew full of fun too. I'd never take him for a Sunday School superintendent. Father has admired him from the beginning, and when he pro- posed my taking this trip with you to Burma father said at once, 'It's the very thing!' You see, I'd been wanting to go for ever so long. But neither father or mother could manage to take the trip." "Besides, you are old enough to sail back to Cal- cutta alone, though I wish you could keep traveling with us." Lucy's face broke out into a dimpling smile. "I wish I could. Traveling is great sport if you have good company. But say, Lucy, I wish you and [121] TWIN TRAVELERS IN INDIA Joe could have taken a trip to Ceylon. It's one of the most beautiful islands in the world. " "It must be, to be called the Pearl of the Eastern Seas." "I spent a summer there," Charles went on. "Not at the capital, Colombo, but back inland among the mountains. One of them is called Adam's Peak, because of an old legend that Adam stayed there at one time. But what do you suppose I think of at the mention of Ceylon, Lucy?" "Of the fine tea raised there? My parents like Ceylon tea better than any other kind." "No, it isn't that, though I don't wonder you thought of it because a great deal of tea is raised on the island. Nor is it of the humped cows and chickens and cocoa palms, and groups of brown children everywhere about; nor even of the fine groves of cinnamon trees so common on the island. It's the queer dress of the men of Ceylon." "Oh, tell me what it is!" cried Lucy. "It seems as if I'd seen every possible kind of dress since I reached India three months ago. ' ' "But you never yet saw a huge tortoise shell comb on the top of a man's head!" Charles laughed, and Lucy with him. "Every Cinghalese man, I do be- lieve, not only wears a striped skirt and gay-colored jacket like the women, but an immense comb. It's a funny sight, I can tell you." [122] " What have you two been talking about so long! " suddenly cried a boy's voice behind Lucy. " About what you would like to have heard," was the little girl's quick answer. "I've been hearing some interesting things my- self." Joe grinned. "I've been in the pilot house with Uncle Ben and the captain, who was ever so chummy. He treated us to tea and cake, and told us a good deal about the city of Madras and the coun- try between it and Bombay. He used to live in Madras says it's the third city of India in size, and that south of it are other cities containing some of the finest temples of India. One of these is the Temple of Sriringam. It contains the Hall of a Thousand Pillars and the famous Horse Court where the stone pillars are carved in the shape of horses. This temple is the largest one in India, yet I had never heard of it before!" "Look!" Charles exclaimed suddenly. "We are out of the river at last, and before us stretches the Bay of Bengal. ' ' 1 ' And behind us, ' ' Joe cried, who had been watch- ing the trail of the steamer, "is the wide delta of the Ganges. What an immense pouring of water there is into the bay!" Suddenly Lucy broke out, "I shall enjoy every minute of the sail, but I am glad, oh, so glad, that we shall soon be in Burma." [123] TWIN TRAVELERS IN INDIA little girl's uncle and aunt came up just in time to hear what she said. "You were glad when you reached Calcutta," said Mr. Andrews laughing. "Now why will you be glad to get to Burma? Many travelers in India are satisfied without crossing the Bay of Bengal to visit the British possessions on the other side. Let's hear your particular reason for being pleased at our deciding to see a little of Burma." "Because because " Lucy said with a laugh, "I've always thought of Burma as a queer place where rubies are plentiful, and where I would see thick forests, and watch elephants piling up lum- ber." "Hm! I suppose you expect to pick up a few rubies lying loose on the ground." Joe chuckled. ' ' Well, who knows ? ' ' Lucy laughed. * * As for you, Joe Grayson, I know well enough you expect to ride elephants whenever you wish." "My heart is set on crossing a river on the back of an elephant," declared Charles merrily. "Or, if I couldn't have my first wish, I might get a chance to slide down hill on an elephant. I've hoard that the wise creature sometimes does that rather than run the chance of taking a tumble. He crouches on his hind legs, and presto! the bottom of the hill is soon reached." With lively talk and plans for many an adven- ture, the voyage to Rangoon, the capital of Burma, [124] ON TO BURMA seemed a short one, and after that our travelers at once started out sightseeing in the strange city. The first thing to attract their attention was the great number of women doing business in the ba- zaars and other places. "What keen, shrewd faces these brown women have!" remarked Mrs. Andrews. "And how much freer they seem than those we have seen in the rest of India!" "The bazaars here are full of lovely things for sale, ' ' said Joe. ' ' But they are different otherwise. The ones we visited to-day are stalls set up in one big building. They made me think of a big market I know of in Boston." "I noticed beautiful silks in the bazaars," said Lucy. "Some of them woven by hand by the Bur- mese women too!" "And so many things made out of teakwood!" said Joe. "I'm glad I bought some souvenirs of Burma. The best use of the wood, they say, is for making masts of ships because it is so strong." "How low this city is!" said Mrs. Andrews. "Some of the buildings actually stand on piles driven into the river bottom." "This is not surprising since Eangoon has been built up on the mud flats of the Irawadi delta," said Mr. Andrews. "You all know it is the leading rice port of the world." "Yes, and also that the whole valley of the Ira- [125] TWIN TRAVELERS IN INDIA wadi consists of fields of rice," said Charles, eager to show his knowledge. "My father told me that there are millions of rice farms here in Burma. If so much rice grows in the country it must be low, though it is said to be beautiful." "Suppose we start out to visit the Golden Pa- goda," proposed Mr. Andrews. "We have all been sitting still talking long enough. ' ' At that there was a lively bustle of getting ready, and in a few minutes the travelers were on their way to the famous Buddhist monument. "Whew!" cried Joe as the party drew near the Pagoda, "I can easily believe that is the largest pagoda in the world, as the guide book says." "It's wonderful!" declared Lucy, as she stretched her neck to look up to the lofty top of the gilded spire. "Why, it must be higher than any building in New York City!" "Notice how the tower rises, one ring above an- other, and each one smaller than the one below it, till it ends in the spire of gold," said Charles. "And on the very top the umbrella, all of gold and set with jewels!" said Joe. "Yes, Lucy, you are right. This pagoda is wonderful. " When the party had entered the building they found temples and shrines inside where faithful Buddhists were offering rice and flowers, or kneel- ing in prayer. Afterwards, as the children walked back to the [126] Copyright by Underwood & Underwood, N. Y. FOUR HUNDRED STEPS LEAD UP TO THE BURMESE PAGODA. Page ON TO BURMA hotel, Joe and Charles talked together a good deal about what they passed. The Burmese women in gay silk gowns, with sandals on their feet ; the men wearing close little caps made out of squares of cloth; some of these men with bodies uncovered from their hips to their knees except for loin cloths, and showing tattooed figures all over their bare legs. Most noticeable of all were boys and girls with large ornaments fastened through the lobes of their ears, and smoking. Yes, even a little tot of two or three passed our travelers with a big cigar in his mouth. Charles and Joe laughed at the sight, but Lucy was filled with horror when they pointed out the child to her. "It's dreadful!" she declared. "I wish I hadn't seen him. I've been having the beautiful golden pagoda in my mind ever since I left it. I expect now to dream of that baby to-night. ' ' However, the little girl's dream proved to be quite different. It was of the elephants to be seen in the lumber yards where her uncle had promised to take the children on the morrow. When the next day came Joe had been so eager for its arrival that he actually lay awake a whole hour the night before thinking about it the two boys and Lucy hurried through a delicious breakfast in order to start as soon as possible. Then, after they arrived at the lumber yards, it [127] TWIN TRAVELERS IN INDIA was hard work for Mr. and Mrs. Andrews to get them away. It was not strange, really, that the children did not tire of watching the big wise, patient elephants piling lumber as neatly as any man would do. Would they care to leave when they had a chance to see elephants balance heavy teak-wood logs in their trunks, and then carry them to sawmills and place them in exactly the right place for the big saws to cut through them? Would they willingly turn away from the sight of the wise creatures gathering up the odds and ends of lumber scattered about the yards and placing them in piles to be carried away? Indeed not ! "Dear, dear!" cried Joe, while tears of laughter ran down his cheeks. * * That is the best of all. ' ' He was looking towards the feeding sheds. A big bell in the yards had rung the hour for dinner; and at the sound every elephant, without a word from his master, had stopped work on the instant and started for the place where the noon meal would be served them. No wonder that Joe laughed. One visit to the lumber yards was not enough for the travelers, by any means. The second one proved even better than the first because then the visitors were allowed to feed a pleasant-looking old elephant with oranges and custard apples. It was great sport watching him gently take the fruit from their out- [128] ON TO BURMA stretched hands in the curled-up end of his trunk and carry it carefully to his mouth. That afternoon the children had another treat watching a number of elephants take their bath in the river. How the big creatures loved the water ! What fun they had splashing in it! " Elephants are very strong, yet they have to be tended carefully," Charles Davidson told the twins when at last they left the interesting sight. "They are apt to become ill unless they eat and bathe regu- larly." "I wouldn't have missed our visit to those lumber yards for anything," said Joe, when the travelers left Rangoon to ride by train farther into the coun- try of Burma. "We sha'n't be able to visit Mandalay because it is five hundred miles up the river, ' ' decided Mr. An- drews. "I wish we could, though, because it was once the capital of Burma before the English took the power away from the native ruler. 1 ' However, we will stop at Prome for a while and take rides out into the beautiful country nearby to watch the natives working in the rice fields, visit a forest of teak trees, and take a ride or two on ele- phants. If there is any plowing at this season we may find elephants doing it, and that will be inter- esting too." Every one of these promises came true. The twins and their young English friend had a week [129] TWIN TRAVELERS IN INDIA filled with delight, looking upon strange sights from morning till night. "It would take days of steady writing to describe to Daddy and Mummie all we've seen lately," de- clared Joe when the travelers were once more back in Eangoon. "Don't begin the letter then till after I've left you," said Charles with a twinkle in his eyes. "I say, Joe and Lucy," he added as his face grew serious, "I shall hate to bid you good-by." "And we shall hate to bid you good-by," said Lucy heartily. "It's a shame you can't keep on traveling with us." "Where will you go next!" asked Charles. "You haven't told me." "We don't know. We never know." Lucy laughed. "Uncle Ben likes to keep surprising us twins." "It's really great sport this way," said Joe. "We can never guess what will happen next. But I'll tell you what, Charlie! From the minute we landed in India to this day it has been one big, long, steady adventure. Just now I feel as if there wouldn 't be room in my brain to hold any more won- derful pictures for some time to come." THE END [130] UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY Los Angeles This book is DUE on the last date stamped below. Form L9-42r ,'49(B5573)444 PZ9 University of California SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY 305 De Neve Drive - Parking Lot 17 Box 951388 LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90095-1388 Return this material to the library from which it was borrowed. Boml Elephant THT1 LIBRARY UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AA 000476191 2 These lively American twins, having discovered on their visits to South America and the Holy Land that traveling is by far the most interesting way of studying geography and history, are delighted when their parents accept for them their uncle's invitation to take a trip through India. Landing at Bombay, they travel northward to the beauti- ful Vale of Kashmir and explore the ancient and curious cities of Northern India. Then turning southwest, they follow the great Ganges River to the coast and cross the Bay of Bengal to Rangoon. A houseboat adventure, a real elephant ride and the hospitality of a native prince are among the many surprises of the journey, which is, as Joe says to his twin Lucy, " one, big, long, steady Adventure."