e-dealer. It was a place
of miracles, too, for there went in at twilight a Mohammedan horseboy,
and there came out an hour later a Eurasian lad--the Lucknow girl's dye
was of the best--in badly-fitting shop-clothes.

'I have spoken with Creighton Sahib,' quoth Mahbub Ali, 'and a second
time has the Hand of Friendship averted the Whip of Calamity. He says
that thou hast altogether wasted sixty days upon the Road, and it is
too late, therefore, to send thee to any Hill-school.'

'I have said that my holidays are my own. I do not go to school twice
over. That is one part of my bond.'

'The Colonel Sahib is not yet aware of that contract. Thou art to
lodge in Lurgan Sahib's house till it is time to go again to Nucklao.'

'I had sooner lodge with thee, Mahbub.'

'Thou dost not know the honour. Lurgan Sahib himself asked for thee.
Thou wilt go up the hill and along the road atop, and there thou must
forget for a while that thou hast ever seen or spoken to me, Mahbub
Ali, who sells horses to Creighton Sahib, whom thou dost not know.
Remember this order.'

Kim nodded. 'Good,' said he, 'and who is Lurgan Sahib? Nay'--he
caught Mahbub's sword-keen glance--'indeed I have never heard his name.
Is he by chance--he lowered his voice--'one of us?'

'What talk is this of us, Sahib?' Mahbub Ali returned, in the tone he
used towards Europeans. 'I am a Pathan; thou art a Sahib and the son
of a Sahib. Lurgan Sahib has a shop among the European shops. All
Simla knows it. Ask there ... and, Friend of all the World, he is one
to be obeyed to the last wink of his eyelashes. Men say he does magic,
but that should not touch thee. Go up the hill and ask. Here begins
the Great Game.'

Chapter 9

S' doaks was son of Yelth the wise--
Chief of the Raven clan.
Itswoot the Bear had him in care
To make him a medicine-man.

He was quick and quicker to learn--
Bold and bolder to dare:
He danced the dread Kloo-Kwallie Dance
To tickle Itswoot the Bear!

Oregon Legend

Kim flung himself whole-heartedly upon the next turn of the wheel. He
would be a Sahib again for a while. In that idea, so soon as he had
reached the broad road under Simla Town Hall, he cast about for one to
impress. A Hindu child, some ten years old, squatted under a lamp-post.

'Where is Mr Lurgan's house?' demanded Kim.

'I do not understand English,' was the answer, and Kim shifted his
speech accordingly.

'I will show.'