3 182202465 1721 s$J%*mf- m^W Jfe*'^^*^ *'* WWW;: -'W - Library

THE HOUE OF THE OX. 261
that some trees have power to fascinate men to suicide
by hanging, especially after the first unfortunate
has thus ended his life voluntarily by the
" rope.
Yes ,
you see by the nails already driven that
many women have been here before. In most cases
the jealous or revengeful creatures make a doll or
image of straw and bury it under the house or bed
of the one to be bewitched," said Mr. Rai.
" But
those least afraid to come here at night or most
goaded to revenge take this method as surest to
work death."
" Hold, don't smoke," whispered the doctor as he
saw Mr. Rai pulling out his pipe and pouch.
" She
may smell the tobacco and suspect our presence.
It is nearly time ;
let us get into our hiding-place."
Their positions were chosen so
that the full light
of the moon fell on the tree and shrine. They had
but a few minutes to crouch in the thicket before
they heard the liquid notes of the booming bell
from over the river. Soon after, out of the twilight
of the path, emerged a female figure in white.
It was a strange sight.
A young woman about
nineteen years old, with luxuriant black hair streaming
wildly to her waist, and dressed in the long
white robe worn at funerals as a symbol of death
and sorrow, walked on high wooden clogs which lifted
her six inches above the ground and gave
her the
appearance of being supernaturally tall. The light
wind mingled her hair and drapery in wild contrast
of white and black. On her head a tripod such as
is ordinarily used to hold a boiling kettle over the