DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5828#0099
74
THE ROYAL DEVOTEE,
thrown over a gully, presenting a frightful aspect of
turbulence and of danger. It had a steep irregular
channel, through which the mountain torrent poured
with frightful impetuosity, occasionally impeded in
its precipitous descent by projecting masses of rock
and other impediments collected there in the more
temperate seasons of the year, when, during the
prevalence of temporary storms, portions of the hills
are loosened from their parent masses, and thrown
into the watercourses, then nearly dry, or only charged
with shallow and more gentle streams.
The bridge consisted of a single wide plank of
teak, about half a foot in thickness and nearly two feet
wide, sustained under one end by beams inserted
among the inequalities of the bank, and affording
effectual support to the rude fabric, secured on the
other side by two thin but strong upright poles,
that kept it sufficiently steady to afford a safe yet
fearful footing. The torrent roared ominously as the
procession passed over the bridge, which vibrated at
every step. Mariataly's father accompanied her to the
gully, and then turned homeward from a scene of
distress which he had not the fortitude to encounter.
After a silent march of about two hours, the victim
and her guards reached the place of interment. In
a small hollow between two rocks, a large deep hole
had been dug, about three feet square. Upon the brink
was placed the corpse of Youghal, in a state of sicken-
ing decomposition, covered with a ragged palampore.
The wretched girl advanced to the side of the pit
without shedding a tear, and, strewing some flowers
over the corpse, expressed her satisfaction at the
THE ROYAL DEVOTEE,
thrown over a gully, presenting a frightful aspect of
turbulence and of danger. It had a steep irregular
channel, through which the mountain torrent poured
with frightful impetuosity, occasionally impeded in
its precipitous descent by projecting masses of rock
and other impediments collected there in the more
temperate seasons of the year, when, during the
prevalence of temporary storms, portions of the hills
are loosened from their parent masses, and thrown
into the watercourses, then nearly dry, or only charged
with shallow and more gentle streams.
The bridge consisted of a single wide plank of
teak, about half a foot in thickness and nearly two feet
wide, sustained under one end by beams inserted
among the inequalities of the bank, and affording
effectual support to the rude fabric, secured on the
other side by two thin but strong upright poles,
that kept it sufficiently steady to afford a safe yet
fearful footing. The torrent roared ominously as the
procession passed over the bridge, which vibrated at
every step. Mariataly's father accompanied her to the
gully, and then turned homeward from a scene of
distress which he had not the fortitude to encounter.
After a silent march of about two hours, the victim
and her guards reached the place of interment. In
a small hollow between two rocks, a large deep hole
had been dug, about three feet square. Upon the brink
was placed the corpse of Youghal, in a state of sicken-
ing decomposition, covered with a ragged palampore.
The wretched girl advanced to the side of the pit
without shedding a tear, and, strewing some flowers
over the corpse, expressed her satisfaction at the