MIDNIGHT RIDER PART3

After taking a nap,the group set out to explore the town.They had a gala time,despite the constant string of reprimands from Mrs.D'souza.They hired a local guide,Pratap Singh who filled them about the town and its residents.

                                                                                                                              The natives had successfully resisted the domination of princely states for centuries under the leadership of valient,local chieftains until the advent of the British who snatched the territory.After that it became one of the favourite destination of colonial officers for leisure.There were several impeccably sculpted old temples and edifices,some even dating back to nine centuries.Then there was the local market,which had every imaginable sort of assortment-absolutely fascinating.The varied hues that the place provided ,despite its size,rendered them wishing for eight eyes to be able to look in every direction,lest anything should miss.

                                                                                                                           The time slinked by and sooner than they had liked,the sun crossed the horizon gradualy giving way to the velvety darkness.Twilight in Jalna was even more glorious as soft moonlight bathed every surface,endowing a silvery sheen.Laughing and pulling each other's leg,they started for the hotel,enjoying the refreshing,pollution-free breeze.As they passed by the merrily gurgling stream,a subtle yet wierd grunting CLANK attracted Roha's attention.She stopped in her track gazing fixedly at a large,obscure shadow across the stream leading to thick vegetation on the other bank.Though the thing was almost discernible in the prevailing darkness,yet something about it gave her shiver.She edged closer,trying to have a better look at the object.

''Ro,what are you doing there?''Amish's voice brought her back to reality.She turned to see her friends standing a good two meter away.

''Umm...nothing.Pratap uncle,what's that?''she asked pointing at the shadow.

The guide's face blanched and a teeniest squeak of fright left him.

''That's nothing my dear child.You come here.Its not good to be