The chiefs are of mixed blood, but the people are almost
black. They are supposed to accept the religion of the Hindus, but
are in reality deplorably ignorant and superstitious. Their priests
are a sort of compound of a Brahmin priest and a negro fetish man,
and among their principal duties is that of charming away tigers
from the villages by means of incantations. There, as in other
parts of India, were a few wandering fakirs, who enjoyed an immense
reputation for holiness and wisdom. The people would go to them
from great distances for charms or predictions, and believed in
their power with implicit faith.
"At the time when we were at Jubbalpore there was one of these
fellows whose reputation altogether eclipsed that of his rivals,
and nothing could be done until his permission had been asked and
his blessing obtained. All sorts of marvelous stories were constantly
coming to our ears of the unerring foresight with which he predicted
the termination of diseases, both in men and animals; and so
generally was he believed in that the colonel ordered that no one
connected with the regiment should consult him, for these predictions
very frequently brought about their own fulfillment; for those who
were told that an illness would terminate fatally, lost all hope,
and literally lay down to die.
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