SHORT STORIES. MY FRIEND YOGHI.

Otago Witness, Issue 2735, 15 August 1906, Page 81

SHORT STORIES. MY FRIEND YOGHI.

IJt Mrs Skovgaahd-Pedebsen, in Chambers's Journal. The following story was related to me recently by a retired colonel of artillery Who has bpent a great part of his life in tndia " I obtained his permission to pubSsh it, and herewith repeat it as it was fcold to me: . T "After the Afghan campaign of 18/9 l was appointed adjutant of the Royal Artillery at Morar, a cantonment established to look over the fortress city of Gwalior. The fortress -was occupied by the British after the Mutiny, and, I think, about the rear 1884 was handed over to the Maharajah Smflia, ruler of Gwalior, when ''the British troops were withdrawn from the fortress of Gwalior and the cantonment ot Morar The latter now forms a suburb of the city, and the native nobles and wealthy personages enjoy the bungalows and gardens which weye built during the Bntish occupancy, v . ' ■ ' _, "Morar itself was by no cleans 4 Ja- ' vourite station- -with the Briti*fi. M had sT>e reputation ;of being nnheaitny and dull to a degree, the climate was very -Lot and enervating, and I did not take up my abode 7 there .with any great exultation. Still, the appointment was regarded as a reward of good service over the frontier, anif I determined to make the best of it. The first business was to find a suitable bungalow, but this was not so" easy. In fact, almost the only vacant one was the first at the entrance of the cantonment ; but as it possessed certain advantages m the w»y of an extensive compound containing two good wells, I decided to take it an preference to sharing quarters with another officer, and set about devoting my leisure hounTto gardening. The soil all around Morar is what is called cotton noil, 1 said to' be. unhealthy to live on, but, with the assistance of irrigation, very fertile. My -garden was * J«*ectJ°y..** me. In the cold season. all the English vegetables came to perfection, whilst roses, jasmine, petunias, . geraniums, and a host if other ,Jiowers flourished luxuriantly ; and before I had. Been there a year the place teas a sight to behold. "But now to commence my tale. It was, I thinfc,' in 1881, just before ChristmH, that one morningn g I rode into my compound from the office, and found standing before 'my verandah a tall Hindi* mendicant, naked' save for a loin-cloth, smeared with\ashes, and with long, hair streaming in ringlets over bis shoulders. •He was gazing with .a profound expression at my favourite Hapfechal Niel rose, but to Balaam as- I dismounted^ J. went off to my bath, and during process I inquired of my bearer or valet, Coda Bux, who, the old fellow was. ' A most holy man,' he replied* 'He has been in contemplation of your flowers for an tour or more, and he has •blessed, you and the garden,; and, indeed, Protector of the Poor, you must have been born under a lucky star to receive a blessing from one so holy." " On going out to the verandah I foundthe Yoghi— as the Hindus call these holy men — still in contemplation of the rose. 1 beckoned to him, and as he approached X asked bun in Hindustani what I could do for him. 'He replied that silver and gold were nothing <so him ; but he begged for permission to wander over my beautiful eanfen, which I readily granted, telling him that he might tak*e what vegetables lie wanted. Then I departed tor the mess breakfast, leaving him with outstretcned arms bleaing me and mine. "After breakfast I returned to discover Jiim squatting in a corner of the verandah With his spoils— some peas and beans, a §tw spring onions, two or three turnips, carrots, and radishes— spread out before him. ' That i» right,' I said, nodding approval. 'I hope you will enjoy your dinner.' In reply the Yoghi rose-, and, , with a profound salaam, begged me to iljow him to rest for a day or two in my teraadab, as he was very weary, I turned to Coda Bux. and asked whether he thought there -would be any objection. •O my lord!' he eried — 'O Protector^of the Poorl^what objection could there be? Has pretence will keen off every evil from . the compound, and brtfig goqd luck to us •11, even to the meanest sweeper.. He is * very ioly man; O -Protector of the SPoor!' 'All right,' I rejoined. 'Coda Bux does not mind, and I am sure I do not. You can remain as long as you please, and you may have what vegetables you wish, for, as well us milk from the cow.' " I may mention that I came into possession of the 6aid cow under rather peculiar circumstances. The meat contractor •was <we day driving some cattle into the cantonment, when this particular beast lay down in the road opposite my bungalow, and could not get up again.- In pity for it, I bought it for a few rupees — it was si 6naall, thin cow — and after some trouble it through my gateway and poured and water down its throat. 'Next morning it was up and grazing happily, and the following week bore a calf which ■was pronounced by all the servants to be pure Brahmin, and an omen of great good to the compound. So the little animal remained with its calf; and as I nevei touch milk, I suppose the bearer got the benefit of the bargain. t *To return to my friend the "tfoghi. At tiffin-time, when I rode back from the office, lie was cooking his dinner under a Snango-tree: so, understanding the ways Ofthe natives* I was careful not to go near him, as even my shadow falling upon 3ris food would render it uneatable undei tfca atriet laws of caste. Old Coda Bus jCjg «i«ee<3 » mat and a blanket in a cornei «Ftne verandah, and it was clear that the holy man was to be my guest foi tome days. Indeed, he had been there for perhaps nearly a week, when one morning I found the verandah empty, save foi two narijgolds laid carefully in front" oi

T each doorway, and . intended, no doubt, as ' p.p.c' - cards. ' Previous to his departure I had had some conversation with my Yoghi friend, and found him to be a well-informed man, much versed in occult science, but also in the gossip of the native State wherein we were quartered. From him I learned more of the Maharajah and ' his nobles, besides all the interior economy of the city, than I could have done in five or six years' residence as a British officer. "Two incidents I may relate to show ' the great influence these Yoghis possess ' over the lower classes in India. A few days after my guest- had left me I was strolling through the native bazaar, the faithful Coda Bux in- attendance, when it struck me that a tremendous amount of respect, was being shown me .by all the Hindu shopkeepers. They crowded out of their shops into the street, and almost prostrated themselves in low obeisances before me, as though I were a pereon of the greatest possible distinction ; and once, when I stopped to ask the name of some curious wild plums, the fruit-seller insisted on loading Coda Bux with a quantity of them, for which he refused payment, saying that it was a great privilege that his stall' should have found favour in my eyes. On o,ur way home I commented to my bearer on this unwonted civility. 'O Protectoi of the Poor!' he replied, •do you think that all the bazaar is not aware that your bungalow was selected " for a resting place by the most holy man of the century? Verily, it is known that { t you have thus been blessed !' \ I "Shortly after this incident I was absent j on a few days' shooting expedition, and on my return inquired for the chokidar (night watchman), whom I could not see anywhere about the place. I was told that he had gone to visit a sick relative, and 1 would not be back for two or three days. Now be it known that the chokidar sys- ' tern was a curious institution in Morar. A man belonging to a certain class was paid a few rupees a month to guard the house and compound. Beyond meeting the master on his return from mess, and tapping the floor of the verandah a couple of times with a long bamboo pole after he had seen him safely into his bedroom, he never attempted to keep watch, but rolled himself up in a blanket and slept soundty all through the night. The fact was that if one paid a chokidar of a certain tla6s the compound was rarely, if ever, robbed; but if any other native was taken in that capacity, or if one was too stingy to employ' a chokidar, robbed one was *ure to tie sooner or litter — and generally sooner! Therefore, when I heard that mine bad taken himself off I began to think that I was probably to be robbed, ■and that the rascal, aware of the fact, thought it advisable to be well away from the scene of action at the time, for the class the chokidars are - taken from "are. thieves, and to employ one is simply to pay blackmail. ;So I summoned the ■bearer and asked him what he would advise me to do. Coda Bux, however, smiled at my suspicions! 'O Protector of the Poor! who in all the Gwalior territory would dare to rob the bungalow that a holy man has blessed? The chokidar known that well, hence he has gone, and considered it unnecessary to put any one in his -place. Verily^ my master need • have no fear.' In fact, it was as he said. During the absence of the watchman no one attempted to molest the place. "About a month later I accepted an invitation to spend a week-end with Colonel Dennehy, the officer in political charge of the Dholpur State. This was a tract of country adjoining the Gwalior State, and the road that, traversed it was the high road leading from Central India to Agra and the North-West Provinces. Its geographical position made its loyalty . to the British during the Mutiny of great importance to our Government, and the chief had duly been raised from the rank of Rajah to that of Maharajah. He had married the daughter of the reigning Prince of Patiala, an important and native Skate situated on the- borders of the Punjab, which had also been distinguished by its loyalty to the British Crown. . The Maharajah had died about . a dozen- years before this time, leaving a ' mere child as his heir. The Government having appointed a Council of Regency, ' with the widow as regent and president, it was important to select a capable British officer who would take political charge of the State during the long minority of the heir, and my esteemed friend the colonel was selected. Descended from an old and- aristocratic Irish family, lie , had gone out to India as a cadet, distinguished himself through the Mutiny, and been for some years employed in charge i of the police in the NorUi-west whilst the fermentation consequent upon that tremendous cyclone was simmering down. It was then that he had made his mark by his activity, tact, and courage, and hence ' he was chosen to direct the Council of i Regency at Dholpur. The Maharana, a very superior and clever woman, was not I long in recognising the worth of the ' , British resident and the value that would i accrue to her son by intimate intercourse t with the colonel and his charming family. 1 Therefore the young Prince spent most of r his time with them. He was about 16 , years of age when I made his acquainti ance, a highly educated youth, with a > knowledge of English, French, and music, 1 the most perfect manners, and about the I best seat on horseback I ever saw. The r colonel, whose family had then lately re5, turned to England, was anxious that the ! Prince should make the acquaintance of as many English gentlemen as possible, and > thus every week military and civil officers i, from the neighbouring stations were in- } \ited to meet at the Residency. t "On Sunday morning the colonel, foli lowing the habit of Anglo-Indians, did not r rise till 8 o'clock instead of at 6 — his t usual hour on week-days — and when, at 6 r o'clock, I sallied forth into the fresh air -j all the house was still asleep. I was • determined to climb one of a couple of > hills about three miles distant, from which • I could obtain a good view of the aur- : rounding country and the River Jumnt. I Imagine my astonishment when, half-way

to the summit, I encountered no less a person than my friend the YogTii f ,He at once salaamed me, and said, ' I knew you would come here this morning, and I have a small breakfast ready for you.' So I followed him to the top of the bill, where he evidently had his abode under an overhanging rock. Here he bade me sit down whilst he brought out tea, figs, and raisins, and some most delicious cakes ; then, breakfast being disposed of, I lit a cigar and we talked for a while. I told him that I should spend my two months' leave at Simla, and he advised me to visit Harduar en route, this being a noted place of pilgrimage at the head waters of the Ganges, where vast crowds of Hindus from all parts of Northern India assemble every April, a horse and cattle fair being held there at thi same time. I then took leave of my strange host and returned to the town.

"At breakfast I told the colonel of my adventure. He looked rather grave, and advised me not to keep up the acquaintance, and not to mention the matter before the Maharana. This Ypghi was in high favour with the young Prince, and the colonel very prudently did not interfore in religious matters; but his experiences in the north had led him to distrust all Yoghis and mendicants of that class.

"Another month passed, and I again si.en* a week-end with the colonel. On the Sunday morning old Coda Bux, who was always up and at hand at any hour •when I required him, advised me to take my gun and go to the Pandy Lake before breakfast, where I should be sure to get a shot at a duck. I accordingly started off, though without the gun ; and as I arrived at the shores of the lake, out from amongst the reeds stepped my Yoghi. Had Coda Bux sent me there? he asked.

" ' Well, yes ; he advised me to come,' I replied. *' Where did you see him?' "' I have not seen him ; but I warned him to tell you to come here,' was the man's answer.

"Again we entered into conversation, and again he strongly advised me to visit Harduar on my way to Simla; but I explained that the expense of taking servants, tents, and a pony there for a few days would be too great. He replied that the expense would be little. It was true that there would be no room at the dakbungalow, but I should find tents and servants ready awaiting me at "small cost, and I could buy a pony on the place, and need take no one with 'me but Coda Bux. Then we parted; but on my return to the Residency <T took/care not to mention our meeting' ip the colonel. "Warm weather and. April came together, and I was glad to obtain the first leave and to quit the plains for' a time. . I do not know what impelled me to go to Harduar, for I certainly had no particular desire 'to sSe it; Hut somehow or other 1 found myself there one morning, with Coda Bux in attendance. At the dakbungalow there was no room for me, and 1 on my arrival I was informed by the butler that I could not even obtain a meal, as the house really belonged to the Canal -Engineer Department, and the officers were all quartered there to meet the Lieutenant-Governor. This was most disappointing; but as I stood wondering what I should do, a che-ery canal engineer came out on to the verandah and invited me in to breakfast. '

" ' We'll discuss ways and means afterwards,' he said. "I think I have an old tent, which you are welcome to pitch in the compound, and you can buy a charpoy (native bed) in the bazaar.'

"After breakfast, which I thoroughlyenjoyed in the company of the" jovial engineers, who when out on district duty fully make up for any want of hilarity which they may feel in their rather lonely lives, I was told that a bunyah wanted to see me. A stout, old grain seller then stepped forward on to the verandah, and told me that he was from Roorkee, and that he had pitched tents for me and my servant on the Government camping ground next to General Anderson's camp. He also added that the General Sahib, who was chief of the Thug and Dacoit Department, had a> beautiful pony for sale

"Bidding my hospitable hosts farewell, I accompanied the bunyah to the camping ground, and on the way asked him why he . had made these preparations for me. He replied that a week ago, as he was saying his prayers, a holy man had stood before him and told him that he was to pitch tents for a sahib from Morar, whom he would' find at the dak-bungalow. That morning my bearer, whom he knew in former times as servant to an engineer officer at Roorkee, had come to the camping ground and asked whether the tents were for a sahib from Morar. He had at once told the chokidar to hand everything over to Coda Bux, and had come on himself to find me at the bungalow. -As to fbe pony, he had heard the general say that he would sell it ; and my informant concluded by hoping that I, as a Protector of the Poor, would think kindly of a poor old bunyah with many mouths to fill, and give him a good chit (recommendation). "At the camp I found Coda Bur busy unpacking my traps in my tent, which was furnished with everything needful. Leaving him to his work, I strolled over to the place where the general's horses were picketed ; and meeting General Anderson, I introduced myself, and said that I believed he had a pony for sale.

" ' Bless my heart alive ! ' he exclaimed, •how did you know that? It's barely four minutes since I determined to sell the beast. I find he's not steady in a crowd, and shirks elephants, so he won't do for me ; but he is a rare piece of stuff that I picked up at Lahore for 200 rupees, so if you want him you can have him for the same price.* * 'Before I had been two minutes on the pony's back I decided to close the bargain, and a splendid animal he proved to be. Afterwards, when I returned to England, he fell into the hands of an officer of the Ninth Lancers, and turned out the best- polo pony in that s^ortinjt

regiment. The genera! proposed that, as my tent was pitched ' alongside of 'his camp, I should mess with him— which offer I gladly accepted. Thus, before I had been an hour in Harduar, I found myself inya comfortable tent, with a pony to ride and my commissariat arranged for, exactly as the Yoghi had predicted. "Herewith end my adventures in connection with that holy man. On my way back to Morar, after two months' leave, I rested and dined at the railway station at Umballa ; and during the two hours I spent there Coda Bux, who had gone off to gossip as usual, came in greatly excited to tell me that he had seen the Yoghi. My friend was proceeding to the Thibetan border, and had said that he would not return. Ho predicted that before another rainy season was concluded I should leave Bengal, and that Coda Bux would return to his home, end his days peaceably, be cremated with all ceremony, and have his ashes deposited on the bosom of Holy Mother Ganges. "Trne enough, the following year, when I was again at Simla, I was promoted to a mountain battery at Khandalla in, the Ghats between Poona and Bombay. Coda Bux, being old and having saved enough money for. the requirements of his declining years, did not accompany me, and' we parted the best of friends, he returning to his native village near Dniapore, v on the banks of the Ganges, and I starting for Bombay.

"In 1884 I received a letter from one Manuk Chund, evidently written in a bazaar, which informed me that Coda Bux had shuffled off this mortal coil, that his eldest son had had the honour of igniting the funeral pyre on which his parent was laid, and tnat the ashes which J.'emained had been scattered with all proper ceremony upon the waters of the sacred river.

"Of my friend the Yoghi I heard no more. Probably he wandered up and over the Himalayas to some spot which he had chosen as a fitting place for his holy remains to lie in when the time came for him to die."