The Patel, who as head man of the village ought to have been to the front in a time of difficulty, was so alarmed at the situation that he made tracks for Poona, and did not return until he was assured that peace had been restored. CHAPTER XLV THE INDIAN WASHERMAN The _dhobi_, or washerman. The Christian _dhobi_. Laundry-work for mission boys; failure of the enterprise. How the _dhobi_ does his work; beating the clothes on a stone. Relaxations of the _dhobi_; his difficulties in the rains; his standard of honesty; he learns his trade in childhood; his bullock. Bells on cattle, useful at night; melody of the bells. An obstinate bullock a perplexity. Motor-cars and bullocks. India is a country in which the washing of clothes is carried out to perfection, so far as the cleansing and bleaching of the garments is concerned. But it must be confessed that this desirable result is attained at much cost to the garments themselves. The profession of washerman, or _dhobi_ as he is called, like most other occupations in India, is chiefly an hereditary one. It is very difficult for anyone outside the _dhobi_ caste to get a footing in the profession. Washing is done in the open air in a stream or river, or on the edge of a tank, or _howd_. These washing-places are so jealously guarded by the _dhobis_ that an intruder on their sacred preserves has no chance. At one time it was hoped that _dhobi_ work might prove a useful occupation for those boys of the Mission who do not shape into carpenters. All the Mission washing would provide a good means of livelihood for several lads. And in India it is men who run the laundry. Their womenkind help, but in almost every case it is the man who is the responsible person. There was at one time a Christian _dhobi_ in the Mission. He was a convert from Hinduism, and some people were uncharitable enough to suggest that the secret of his conversion was to be found in his hope that it would secure to him the Mission washing in perpetuity. But, however this may have been, he managed to retain his rights as a _dhobi_ after his baptism, and took his station at the usual washing-place without difficulty. Increasing age and his need of assistance first suggested the idea that he might teach his craft to some of the Mission boys. The attempt was beset with many difficulties. The members of the _dhobi_ caste had tolerated the old convert, but when they found that he was taking Christian boys as his pupils they were up in arms, and put every possible difficulty in their way. A Hindu _dhobi_, who was already doing some of the Mission washing, professed to be independent of the prejudices of his fellows, and volunteered to protect the boys, and to instruct them in the mysteries of his trade. He persevered gallantly for a while, but the resentment of his fellows was eventually too much for him. They even put him out of caste, and that is a punishment which no Hindu can endure.