Page 92 - AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS
P. 92
Around the World in 80 Days
The murmur soon became more distinct; it now
seemed like a distant concert of human voices
accompanied by brass instruments. Passepartout was all
eyes and ears. Mr. Fogg patiently waited without a word.
The Parsee jumped to the ground, fastened the elephant to
a tree, and plunged into the thicket. He soon returned,
saying:
‘A procession of Brahmins is coming this way. We
must prevent their seeing us, if possible.’
The guide unloosed the elephant and led him into a
thicket, at the same time asking the travellers not to stir.
He held himself ready to bestride the animal at a
moment’s notice, should flight become necessary; but he
evidently thought that the procession of the faithful would
pass without perceiving them amid the thick foliage, in
which they were wholly concealed.
The discordant tones of the voices and instruments
drew nearer, and now droning songs mingled with the
sound of the tambourines and cymbals. The head of the
procession soon appeared beneath the trees, a hundred
paces away; and the strange figures who performed the
religious ceremony were easily distinguished through the
branches. First came the priests, with mitres on their
heads, and clothed in long lace robes. They were
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