A native, sitting on the bank, is quietly watching the noisy scene, and smoking his _nāriyal_, or cocoa-nut pipe, by the side of his _charpāī_, or bed, which is on the bank. Native vessels are towed by the _dāndīs_, or boatmen, most part of the way, except during the rains. These men work from daylight till sunset in the most laborious way, frequently in the water for hours, up to their middles, towing the vessel or shoving it with their backs over sand banks: their labour does not cease until the boats are _lugāo’d_ (moored) at night; then they cook on shore and eat their daily meal of boiled rice and curry, or flour cakes, called _chappatīs_. Occasionally, when a fair wind blows, they get some rest; for then an immense square sail is hoisted, tacks, sheets, and haul-yards are fast belayed: they all go to sleep except the steersman, and the safety of the boat depends upon the rotten state of the cordage and sails: frequently very strong and sudden squalls come on, and, before a single rope is let go, every thing is blown to ribbons. [Illustration] THE FOOLISH FAKĪR. Beneath a group of beautiful palm-trees, a half-witted young _Fakīr_, adorned with peacocks’ feathers, is sitting and talking to the men around him, who regard as prophetic whatever his wandering and unsettled mind induces him to utter, and look upon him as the favourite of heaven—the natives treat persons thus afflicted with the greatest kindness, and supply them with food. A leaf of the fan palm, here represented, may be seen in the Museum. The whole group, as well as the trees, are portraits. On the sands below and close to the edge of the river, is an Hindū in the last stage of illness. His friends have carried him down to the sacred stream on a _charpāī_, (a rude native bed,) and are in the act of making him drink the Ganges water, ere they half immerse his body in the sacred stream. His wife, on the edge of the bed, is weeping, and her _dopatta_ (or veil), is drawn over her face; the Brahman is offering the prayers usual on this occasion.