ADAM'S PEAK. 213



On the Ratdmahatmay&'s family coming iip to view the
foot-print, one of their retinue unceremomously swept from
off the altar-table the whole of the floral offeringa previously
placed there, and pitched them over the terrace wall, in
order to make room for those his party were about to
present. The chief himself seemed to take little heed of
anything but the welfare of the ladies of his family, the
younger members of which were evidently greatly interested,
and not a little amused, by the novelty of all they saw.
They were welcomed by the musicians with a special burst
of wild discords, improvised to do them honor in the presence
of the assembled crowd.
The night had considerably advanced, and the east, —
hitherto bounded by the dark mountain ranges whose out-
lines broke black against the deep blue sky, — began to shew
indications that day-break was at hand.
■ The cloudless blue paled into grey,
Tbe gi'ey to amber tints gave way

Then flushed a rosy red;
The red grew crimson, then aflame
With brighter brightness all became,

While dawn and dayspring spread.
As the advancing light became more and more diffused,
the mountain chains of the central zone grew more distinct,
and the stars above grew dimmer and yet more dim. Then,
heralding the advent of the sun from his tabernacle at the
end of the heavens, the morning star arose from behind



214 ADAM'S PEAK.
