State with a large retinue. He was carried in a palanquin, and the camp equipage went in carts or on the backs of camels, which were then used as a means of transport. When the Bishop approached any place of importance, a red umbrella was held above the palanquin by a peon in gorgeous uniform. It was a sign of dignity, which in olden days before the advent of the British was the prerogative of rajahs, and it made a deep impression upon the country people who came to meet him with music and fireworks. His camels, however, produced an even greater sensation than the red umbrella upon the simple Tinnevelly folk, who had never before seen such creatures.
A confirmation was to be held at a certain village, where the Bishop was timed to arrive a short while before the service, just allowing himself an hour for early tea and robing. The camp was usually pitched outside the village under a spreading many-stemmed banyan tree if possible.
The Bishop arrived, robed himself in his vestments, and proceeded to the church in his palanquin punctual to the appointed hour. The catechists and native clergy met him at the door. The building was perfectly empty, without so much as a chorister boy or bellringer to be seen.
'Where are the candidates?' asked the Bishop.
The clergy wrung their hands as they replied in consternation and distress:
'We could not help it, your Lordship! An hour ago they were all here waiting outside the church.'
'What has become of them?' demanded the astonished prelate.
'They heard of the arrival of your Lordship's camels, and they have gone to see them.'
Mr. Caldwell was obliged to go back to the camp, and with the assistance of the catechists and clergy collect the wandering flock.
