These martyrs are still tolerably venerated by the people; however, there are at the present time but a few more remaining.

One of the two whom I saw, held a heavy axe over his head, and had taken the bent attitude of a workman hewing wood.

I watched him for more than a quarter of an hour; he remained in the same position as firmly and quietly as if he had been turned to stone.

He had, perhaps, exercised this useless occupation for years.

The other held the point of his foot to his nose.
Another sect of the Fakirs condemn themselves to eat only a little food, and that of the most disgusting kind: the flesh of oxen that have died, half-rotten vegetables, and refuse of every kind, even mud and earth; they say that it is quite immaterial what the stomach is filled with.
The Fakirs all go about almost naked, smear their bodies with cow- dung, not even excepting the face; and then strew ashes over themselves.