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Show the villages of Pekabi-Bazar and Char Bairagadi. Our destination wa Autsahai, the home of Mr. K. C. Sen, and headquarters of the handmad paper industry of Dacca district At the head of the waterway a very small dingi, or skiff, with a curve rattan covering like that of a mm was ang our arrival; our Benga s for conveying u guide ha i the ar safely to Autsahai. Photograph 74. hres urbadd ing,[ood and luggag ar and myself, but by considerable maneuvering, and with the assistance o the boatman who was to pole us up the canal, we finally managed to ge within the barque, though in uncomfortably cramped positions. The journey up the stream was of unusual interest; on each bank of the waterwa there were rambling settlements of Indians, all cng%cd in the forming an aking of clay pots wkich wonl! evestillyfind el vay) o theiman huts of the destitute population of Bengal. Afte interesting, thoug cramped, hours on the barque, the winding muddy stream became naro e The real task of our journey to Autsahai was at ha had to be undertaken on foot. From the two days of travel on rivers an streams, to say nothing of w cks of hardship on uncomfortable India slecping cars, swaying bullock-carts, and much walking, T was tired an full of sleep upon leaving the pole-propelled dinghy; T had been able t rest little, for we had to lie in compressed and rigid positions. When w alighted, stiff-legged, from the cramped covered skiff, the boatman an Sen engage in a serious discussion, and I was apprehensive lest some(B larlic w pmgms As the conversation was i Bengali, neither Mr. Rao, my guidefrom Madras, nor I could understan just what the trouble was. Finally, it a grave expression, Mr. Sen turne to me and said in English: "The boatman wishes to overcharge us; he i demanding four annas, an exorbitant charge for his few hours' labour an Digital image© 2005 Marriott Library University of Utah, All rihts reserved |