Tara: A Mahratta Tale

by Meadows Taylor

  CHAPTER XLVII.

  In his last letter to Beejapoor, Moro Trimmul had directed his agentthere to inform Maloosray that, at the day of which we write, therewould be recitations in the temple, and, under cloak of this, thatmost of the heads of the Mahratta families were to assemble; it would,therefore, be advisable if he could meet them. It was partly on thisaccount, but most particularly because of the murder of Khan Mahomed,that Tannajee had left the city so abruptly, and ridden through thenight without a check.

  Nor did Tannajee and his companion take rest anywhere during the dayfollowing, except for such refreshment as was absolutely necessary.They avoided all large towns and villages; and, as Tannajee knewthe country perfectly by day, he guided his friend by cross paths,frequently through fields and waste lands, till, as the evening fell,they drew up before the gate of Sindphul, the village below the pass ofTooljapoor, which we have before had occasion to mention.

  The owner, a distant relative of the Rajah Sivaji, by name JeswuntRao Bhoslay, was an intimate friend of Maloosray's, and a true andinfluential ally of the general cause in those districts. Maloosray'ssudden arrival surprised him little, for in consequence of whatMoro Trimmul had written, he had been expected; and, after a shortconference, Maloosray urged that the news he had brought should becommunicated to Moro Trimmul and those assembled with as little delayas possible, and in this Jeswunt Rao concurred.

  So, after a slight rest and hearty meal, which both needed, the stoutponies, provided by their host, were announced to be ready in thecourtyard of the house, and, accompanied by half-a-score of stoutsword-and-buckler men, with matchlocks and lighted matches, they rodeout of the village gate.

  The active ponies, though well accustomed to the rough mountain-road,had paused for a moment to take breath on the level spot from whencethe buildings could be seen below--the glare of light, spreading upboth sides of the dell, revealing crag and rough wood, with the gildedpinnacles of the temple glittering brightly through the smoke oftorches and of incense; but their impatient riders again urged them upthe rocky ascent with all the speed they were capable of exciting. Atthe town gate there was no hindrance, for Jeswunt Rao was well known;so they were admitted without difficulty, and, leaving the animals ata house which belonged to him, adjoining the main street, the partyproceeded at once in the direction of the temple.

  It was no easy matter, however, to get there. As they approached thegate at the head of the steps descending into the ravine, and on thesteps themselves, the crowds were almost impassable, but good-humourprevailed, and, after some struggles, the lower court and the greatassembly were safely reached.

  It was a remarkable sight. The court itself was crowded with spectatorsso closely packed that to move was impossible. They were sitting uponthe paved floor in rows facing the centre, where an open space had beenprovided for the priests, and an avenue left for their communicationwith the shrine. Around this the most distinguished of the guestshad been placed; and Maloosray observed with satisfaction, that manyinfluential persons whom he desired to see, were present. So far, hisvisit could not have been better timed.

  All round the court were huge cressets of iron, fixed into brackets inthe walls and arches of the court. These were filled with cotton-seedwhich, fed with oil from time to time, threw a broad glare upon thepeople, and lighted up not only the temple and its quaint and fancifulornaments, but the buildings around,--and above, the crags andprecipices, with the houses hanging to them.

  There was not a spot unoccupied; even the ledges and projections of thehigh pyramidal roof and spires of the temple were crowded, while theterraces of the vestibule and cloisters around, reserved for the ladiesof the Hindu gentry of the neighbourhood, and of the chief visitors andpriests, glowed with the gay colours of their garments, which stood outagainst the dark background of the mountain-side.

  As the party advanced through the crowd, Moro Trimmul, who was amongthe Brahmun reciters, saw the tall figure of Maloosray behind that ofJeswunt Rao of Sindphul, who was struggling manfully with the crowd,and advanced hastily to greet him. He had hardly expected so prompt acompliance with his request, but was rejoiced that it had been made.He greeted Maloosray and Palkur heartily, and led them to the reservedspace, where, recognized by many present, and speedily made known toothers, they received a hearty welcome, and took their seats.

  A few words whispered, sufficed to explain to Moro Trimmul thesituation of affairs at Beejapoor, and the necessity for immediateaction.

  "We must dismiss the assembly earlier than usual," he said, in replyto Maloosray's anxious question as to how long the ceremonies would becontinued, "and I will hasten what remains. Do not heed me; I have totake my part now, and as the assembly rises I will rejoin you."

  Thus saying, Moro Trimmul passed into the dark vestibule of the temple,and was divesting himself of his upper garments and turban, when, froma pillar behind, the girl Gunga came towards him.

  "I have been searching for thee," she said; "they wanted thee. Wherehast thou been so long?"

  "No matter where," he said gloomily. "Thou couldst have found mewithout, if needful. What hast thou done?"

  "Nothing," she replied. "I cannot get speech of her, and the rest willnot join me; they are afraid."

  "So art thou, Gunga," he replied; "afraid, afraid of a girl? Ah, cowardand liar!"

  "Thou art afraid thyself, Moro Trimmul," she retorted. "Go! takeher away. There she stands, no one will prevent thee; there, by thedoor--alone."

  Moro Trimmul stepped from behind the pillar, still keeping within thegloom, and looked forward. Before the blaze of the shrine, and thelamps without it, stood Tara, in the act of bearing garlands of flowersto the altar. A number of them were hanging upon her left arm, while,with her right hand extended, she was delivering some to the priest.

  As she stood at the door, in the full glare of the lamps within, thelight fell upon her rich crimson silk drapery, its heavy borders andends of flowered gold, and the massive gold zone which confined itround her waist; while the attitude she had involuntarily assumed, asshe turned towards the shrine, showed the graceful outlines of herfigure to peculiar advantage. She had wreathed a long garland of whiteflowers into her hair, which fell about her neck and bosom; and anotherwas twisted round her brows, so as to form a coronet. It was a fancifulbut simple and beautiful decoration, which suited the character of hersmall graceful head, and added to the charm of her attire.

  Moro Trimmul watched her intently as she delivered the garlands to theold priest; then, as if a service had been done, she advanced to thecentre of the doorway, and, making a low reverence, stepped aside andstood erect, looking into the vestibule in expectation, as it were, offurther devotees. Moro Trimmul could see the sweet mouth parted in asmile, the pearly teeth glistening within the rosy lips, and the softeyes flashing as the strong side light fell upon them. Beyond her thedeep gloom of the recesses of the temple could not be penetrated. Soher figure stood out against it in a power of effective relief whichwas almost startling.

  It was a strange contrast. Within, the dreaded image, richly attiredand covered with priceless jewels, the tiara on its head, and the weirdruby eyes, now sparkling brightly, now changing and glowing fitfullyamidst the clouds of incense which was burning before it, and theblack, stony, changeless features, seeming even to vary in expressionwith the passing effects of light and shadow. Without, Tara in her richattire and glowing beauty, and that rapt expression in her countenance,which the excitement of the scene and the service of the "Holy Mother"had caused it to assume.

  Moro Trimmul sighed. With all the fierce desire which burned withinhim, and which now gave him no rest night or day, there was mingled,curiously perhaps, a loving reverence for the girl, which, as yet, hadrestrained him both from violence and insult. It might be her characterand position which had excited it, but rather, perhaps, her own innatepurity and modesty of mind, and the charming simplicity of character,which he saw in daily exercise in her house, that controlled the fierypassions of his nature and h
is avowed unscrupulousness.

  "If I were a man," sneered his companion, as she stood with himconcealed behind the large pillar, "I should not be a coward when sucha woman as that was burning at my heart. By the gods, she is no woman,but an incarnation of beauty. Look at her now!"

  "Peace, devil," cried the Brahmun in a hoarse whisper; "hast thouforgotten the gold, and thy promise by the Pap-nas?"

  "No, I have not forgotten," said Gunga, "I have part of it here;" andshe shook her foot, on which the gold anklets tinkled slightly; "and Iwant to change this silver thing round my waist for a zone like hersyonder. Ah, how it glows among the rich silk! But thou art a coward,Moro Trimmul, else I had earned it long ago; and I could have helpedthee."

  "Go and speak to her, Gunga, and I will believe thee braver than I am,"he replied tauntingly. "If she cannot be spoken with, how wilt thouearn the zone?"

  The girl regarded him with a look of defiance, and, without reply,stepped forward into the light, advanced towards the shrine, making aslight reverence to the image, glided forwards, and stood opposite toTara.

  "Thou hast served many hours, sister," she said, in an assumed voice ofkindness, "and must be weary; sit down within for a while, and I willdo what is needed; 'tis my office," she continued, laughing, "as wellas thine."

  Moro Trimmul marked the involuntary shudder of aversion which spreadover Tara's countenance, and the action of withdrawing the skirts ofher garment between her ankles, which accompanied it. Then she spoke.

  "I am not weary of the Mother's service; when I am I will come nomore," she said gently. "Go away; I will not speak with thee or thypeople, and that thou knowest full well; go."

  "And why should I go?" cried Gunga, excitedly; "am I not a Moorlee likethyself, and have I not served the Mother longer than thee? To be sure,I am neither a Brahmun nor a widow to be nice as thou art; yet I bidthee go, and let me have my turn: thou hast had more than thy share ofmoney already to-day."

  "It is all in the shrine before the Mother," said Tara, shrinking fromthe bold glances and excited manner of the girl. "I have taken none ofit: I need it not."

  "That does not matter," said Gunga; "I will have my turn now. Go away;thou art not wanted. Those that will not dance before the Mother arenot worthy to serve her. Go, else some of us will push thee out."

  "Me!" cried Tara, drawing up her slight figure proudly, her eyesflashing, and her features quivering with indignation,--"me! you darenot; you are impure, and the Mother loathes you: touch me, and she willstrike you dead!"

  Gunga shrunk from the trial; and others of her sisterhood, who hadstood apart ready to advance, slunk again into the gloom behind thepillars. Gunga looked round as if for countenance, but no one seemeddisposed to join her, while the old priest at the altar, who had caughtthe sound of voices, came to the door, and, seeing Gunga, waved her off.

  "Away with ye, and the like of ye!" he cried. "Outside do as ye please;here ye are an offence. Away! let her stay;" and he pointed to Tara."Do not molest her."

  "There is some spell about thee, Tara, which shuts my mouth; beware!"muttered Gunga, retreating; "it may not always be so."

  "Bear me witness," said Tara to the old priest, "she is threatening me."

  "Ah, daughter," he replied, smiling, "fear not such as she; the Motheris good to thee; and they cannot harm thee so long as thou art holy andpure."

  "I did not tell thee to quarrel with her," said Moro Trimmul angrily,seizing Gunga's arm as she approached, and dragging her within theshadow of the pillar. "Art thou mad, or has any one given thee drink,Gunga?"

  "I spoke to her kindly, which is more than thou darest to do," retortedthe girl sharply. "What answer did I get? Pure? Why should she be pure?I tell thee there is a spell about her neck--I saw it glittering amongthe flowers--which put me back: I could not speak. Yes, Moro Trimmul,if it be only to put that spell under my foot, and crush it withher throat, I will do it; yes, I will earn the gold; let her see toherself."

  "Good," he replied; "then I can trust thee. Come to me to-morrow,and fail not." And then, naked to the waist, with his soft glossyhair falling over his shoulders, and his fine figure displayed to thebest advantage, Moro Trimmul passed out, and took his place among thereciters.

  Gunga's eyes followed him. "Drink!" she muttered; "drink! he said that.Well, better drink than this madness, which is worse." And, sittingdown, leaning against a pillar, she hid her face in her garment, andsobbed bitterly.

  Just then, one of the ordinary processions round the temple formedopposite the shrine. Priests, bearing offerings of flowers and lightedlamps, holy water and incense, preceded by musicians, and chantinga hymn, passed out into the court. Several of the temple girls weredancing before it; and Tara, led on by an excitement she could notcontrol, had seized a pair of cymbals, and began to clash them in thecadence of the hymn as the procession moved.

  Three times round and round did the priests pass, and at the secondGunga joined it, dancing wildly and tossing her arms on high as shecircled with the rest. Tara, however, remained among the priests,singing with them; yet, in the elastic grace of her step, as well as inthe expression of her face, it was evident that she shared the fervourof the scene, and could not control herself, while her clear ringingvoice mingled sweetly with the deeper-toned chant of the men.

  Maloosray saw Tara, and watched the eyes of Moro Trimmul wandering fromone girl to the other with an intense expression of passion. "Ah, mypoor friend!" he said to himself, "that is the devil sitting at thyheart, and looking out of thine eyes! Alas! alas! who is she--thatgirl?" he asked of Jeswunt Rao, who sat by him.

  "She is our new Moorlee," replied the man; "is she not beautiful?--Butlisten to Moro Trimmul."