hat is it like?"

"It is as much an experience as a spectacle. I'm not attempting to
describe the thing itself; it should be seen. But across the
southwestern part of India, it includes the procession of the animals.
All animals from all covers, running together."

"There is something like that in the far north of America," Skag said.
"It is called the passage of the Barren Ground Caribou. They move
south before the first winter storms in thousands. I've heard that
sometimes their lines extend out of sight. They have no food, but they
do not stop to forage. Our northern hunters say that nothing will stop
them."

"That's interesting; immensely. I've not heard of it."

"But I didn't mean to interrupt you."

"Our creatures move in a trance of panic, straight away from the coming
rains. I say a trance, because they appear to be oblivious of each
other; hunter and hunted go side by side, without noticing."

The drive of Skag's life-quest was working in him, as if nothing had
ever given it pause.

"Do they go fast?"

"The timid and lumbering come out first, hurrying; they increase in
numbers, all sorts, and run faster till those near the end go at top
speed--it's a thing to see. Bhanah will tell you when and where to
watch it; but be careful and get under good roofing in time. And then,
after the tracks are set right, if you must reach Hurda in order to
come back with Carlin . . . Man, God help you if you do not give my
sister the best of your gifts!"

"Why, I belong to her--"

Their hands met; and Skag's soul rose up without words, to answer a
white flame in the inscrutable eyes.

Early the following morning, Sanford Hantee Sahib said to his servant:

"Bhanah, what do you know about cheetahs?"

"Such little things as a man may know, Sahib."

"Are you willing to give some of it to me?"

"All that I am and all that I can, belongs to my master."

"Is that--the regular--"

"Nay, _nay_! It is right for my master to consider, that I serve him
not for a price. This is true service--as men in my land bring to
things holy. Those who serve for the weight of silver, render the
weight of their hands."

"I don't want you to begin thinking that I'm holy though--you
understand that."

"There are meanings which will appear to the Sahib in time; it is not
suitable that they come from me. But this much may be spoken: if my
master serves in a great service--then I, who am a poor man and
ignorant, may