VASISHTASHRAM "	277
ameers at work. They were turning wood on a lathe
contrivance by water-power—a crude wooden wheel re-
volving on a long spindle, at the end of which was fixed
a round log of wood. With sharp edged tools they were
working at the wood, turning out beautifully-shaped
vessels. The sadhu approaching them said:
"Look here, here is a sadhu who has been fasting for
five days; he wants food. I have no food-stuffs with me.
Will one of you run up to your village on the hills and get
me victuals for one meal. Here is money for the purchase
of the things," and he produced some coins.
They glanced at Ramdasand, turning to the sadhu, said:
"Out of the stock of wheat-flour, ghee and dal we have
with us, we can spare him for a meal, but we will not
accept any price for them."
The sadhu remonstrated: "That will not do. You shall
accept the price of the things you give. I wish to feed him
at my expense."
So he persuaded them to take the price. They returned
to the cave with the articles. The sadhu was a quick and
neat hand at cooking, and, in less than half-an-hour, he
prepared four roties smeared with ghee and a curry of
green dal. When he was at this task, he chose to have a few
words with Ramdas.
"Nice fellow you are! These five days you have been
frying me as I am now frying these roties. Your fast has
created a flutter in all the villages over the hills, wherefrom
so many people brought milk and foodstuffs for you, while
you were sitting on that rock oblivious of everything. I
sent them all back, for I dared not go and tell you. You
denied ine even the pleasure of feeding you with milk."
Here Ramdas interrupted him: "What! Maharaj, why
shirk it? You have brought it about by your own words."
At this he cried out impatiently: "You fling it at me
again and again I"