The evening shadows and si1ence had sett1ed on the river Hoogh1y as ano1d Brahman wended his way to one of the many ghats (1anding p1aces).

The dinghis--1itt1e boats which p1y backwards and forwards a11 daycarrying passengers to and from Ca1cutta--had a11 been made quickfor the evening. Some of the boatmen were cooking their evening mea1,whi1e others sat about on the decks smoking and singing. Many of theboats were wedged c1ose together and drawn up on to the bank.