156 IN THE VISION OF GOB
"Ramdas obeys the command of Earn who says that
he should not move from here,*" Ramdas rejoined.
"'Then, do as yon like at your own risk," the sadhu
retorted. "But one thing," he added, "don't make use of
that shed. You, yon,'" turning to the bania, "get ont of the
shed/' The bania came out.
With a last warning the sadhu left the place and went
down-hill. About ten yards higher up from the shed,
Earn das saw a flat stone beneath a cluster of trees. Going
up. he occupied it. No sooner had the sadhu gone out of
sight than the bania got back to the seat in the shed.
Darkness came on.
"iMaharaj-ji, please do come to the shed," the bania called.
4fc!No, Ramji,—this flat stone is large enough to accom-
modate two persons. So you may also come here," ans-
wered Ramdas.
"This is a better place, maharaf he urged.
By now it became pitch dark. The bania cried out in
terror: "0 maharaj, do come, I cannot remain here alone
in this dreadful place,"
Ramdas abandoning the flat stone went up to Mm in
the shed. "With the advent of darkness cold had also set
in. The shed, open on all sides, being supported on four
bamboo poles, allowed freely the chill hreezes to sweep into
it. Ramdas sat up while the bania lay down to sleep. But
where was sleep for him in that fearful place? He was
shivering both from dread and cold. At midnight there was
a rustling noise among the thickly strewn dry leaves
beneath the trees. Hearing the noise, with a sharp cry the
bania bounded into a sitting posture.
"Haharaj," he whispered, "what is that noise ?"
"It is nothing, Ramji/' consoled Ramdas, "it may he
only mountain rats, sporting about.*1
"Per all that we know, it might be a wild animal or a
cobra. I have heard that these jungles are inhabited by
large sized cobras*" he spoke with deep concern.