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DECEMBER, 1896.] THE DEVIL WORSHIP OF THE TULUVAS.
So saying, he placed a cash on the breast of the corpse and went on. He overtook his brother and both proceeded on their journey. When the day began to wane they became tired. The younger brother became very thirsty and said :-"O brother, my throat is dry. I am almost dying with thirst: what shall I do ?"
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"Look yonder, brother, there is the spot named Dharma Katte. Look, there it is in sight; it is very near. A poor Brahman keeps holy water there," said his elder brother.
So they proceeded and reached Dharma Katte. "Give us a little water, O Brahman, to quench our thirst," said they.
"What is your caste ?" asked the Brahman.
"We are Billavars by caste," replied the brothers.
"Come to the southern side where I have a tube of bell-metal. Through it I will pour water into your hands, and thus allay your thirst," said the Brahmap.
"We will not drink out of the vessel that has been used by people of a hundred and twenty different castes. We will hold our dagger to our mouths, and you may pour water into our mouths through it," said the brothers.
The elder brother then placed the point of the dagger in his mouth and stretched the hilt towards the Brahman, and the Brahman slowly poured water on the hilt; thus he quenched his thirst. Next Channayya did the same, and the Brahman poured water as before. While poaring water upon the dagger the Brahman saw the red mustaches, fiery eyes and broad face of Channayya and his hand trembled. He poured a large quantity of water all at once so that it ran down on to Channayya's body. The latter then said:"O Brahman! Do you give water for the sake of charity, or for the purpose of committing sin ?"
Saying this, Channayya suddenly stood up. Seeing this, the Brahman began to run and Channayya followed him.
"Wait a little, brother! Wait a little! Do not murder the Brahman. If you disobey me, your crime will be equal to that of murdering me, or to that of killing a cow in Banaras, or to that of destroying the stána of the Bhúta Brahmâ of Kemmule." Thus did Koți solemnly forbid his brother to hurt the Brahman.
Hearing this, the latter drew back, and said :-"The cow that you speak of is in Banâras, the stana is in the forests of Kemmule; and where can I wash away the sin of murdering you ?" So saying he returned to where his brother was standing.
Then the Brahman said :-" Wait here a little while, O brothers. I will just go home and return."
So saying he quickly went home and brought two seers of milk in two cups, and gave it to the brothers to drink. They accordingly drank the milk, and said to each other that they would not murder the Brahman that had given them milk.
"Sit down both of you, and I will predict future events." said the Brahman.
So he prophesied and said:"Oh you heroes, in the village named Adakkanellyine, the Koragars living in their huts, the Mugers in their street, and Bakders of the plain are eagerly waiting to meet you. Kemer Ballal, of the village named Pañje, keeps a watchful guard; therefore, be very cautious on your way. If you think that what I say is false, on your way to Nellijine, you will see white stone-berries and Koti Baidya's palankin, and hear the sound of the war-drum. If you think this also to be false, you will meet a female arecanut seller called Kantakke; she will verify my statement. And if this too shall prove false, when you return, you may put me to death."
Hearing this, Koți and Channayya walked on. On the way, they met the female areca-nut seller, Kantakke.
