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JUNE, 1895.)
THE DEVIL WORSHIP OF THE TULUVAS.
145
When the barber sat down, it was time to shave, and the children were seated for having rice sprinkled over them. Then the rice was sprinkled over them, and the children got up. Parna Bandari sat down to shave Koti, and Siddu Bandari to shave Channayya. Milk was applied to their right sides and water was applied to their left sides.
" Where is a looking glass?" asked Koti.
A figure of the moon was formed in the middle of the head, and then their faces were shaved. Then they had to bathe in cold water to expiate the sin of touching a barber. They bathed, and dressed themselves. They sat on a beautiful plank. Sandal and turmeric powder and rose water were rubbed on them. They were adorned with gold, jewels, and flowers and silk cloths, and lace. That day all their caste-people came and said: "O children! there are proverbs - It is not an earthen pot. No meals with flesh.' •No relation with a Brâhman.'”
Then the children were sprinkled and got up. They bowed down to their caste-people, who prepared to take their dinner there. They took their food and chewed betel-nut.
“We beg leave of the Balla! to go," said the heroes to their caste-people.
They put on shoes and took umbrellas, and while they were running along the roots of trees touched by their feet were ground into powder, as if by stones, and birds' wings were broken. The heroes went to the Balla!'s bidu, and saluted the Balla!, standing on lower ground.
"Heroes! come and sit down," said the Balla!.
“The business for which we came comes first; sitting comes next," said the heroes. They said, “Rama! Rama !" and "Brahmati!” and presented him with what they brought.
"Master! where is what you presented to Deyi for our sake ?" asked they.
There is a field for you, named Kalaya Kari, in which plantain trees are planted, and another, named Punkare, in which flowers are planted, and which is cultivated by one Buddyanda. They are in large knmbula field at Hanidotti Bail, for tho cultivation of which you had better arrange with Buddyanda," said the Balla!.
We will go there. Give us permission, sir," said the beroes. "Heroes! chew betel nut and go home happily," said the Balla!.
“We will not chew betel-nut before we have plonghed fonr torns at least in the middle of the field, and before we have sown. Moreover, we will not take our food until then," said they.
" Then take away the things which you have brought me," said he.
"We do not take back what we have given ! We will have connection only with a pare wo an! We will not make friendship with bad company! We do not put our hands into a chump of thistles! We do not chew again betel-nut that has been spat out. We do not uscend the chi udi, if once we have come down. We do not see again the Master's face, when once we have seen it. We shew our belly when we come, and shew our back on our return. The remainder is at the beginning of seven battles. We shall see it that day. At that time you will know us," said Kõți and Channayya.
They left there what they brought him. They went to the shop of Rama Kamma. They paid him two pice and brought a cocoanut to take to Buddyanda. Buddyauda saw them while they were still at a distance. As soon as he saw them, he concealed himself behind some torn pieces of matting. Koți and Channayya ascended the chávadi at once, and called out :"Buddyanda! Buddyanda!"
“No males are here! No males are here" answered Buddyanda's wife. "O children! the Balla! has gone to Parimâle. He went as an arbitrator to settle an oath between an uncle and a nephew, and between a grand father and a grandson in the Upper Country."
