Page:Achmed Abdullah--Wings.djvu/175

Rh "So what was the use of fighting against Fate?

"Then I met the Christian teacher, and he explained to me the system of his religion. I began to wonder if his was the right way, and so I got work on the railway so as to be able to watch the Christians. But I found them as gross and as carnal as all the others, and I saw no worship at all, nor heard any man repeat the name of God except to abuse.

"Also I spoke to the Christian teacher of having lost my caste. But he was angry and said that caste does not exist. Decidedly, he was a gray-minded son of an owl, of no understanding. And I left him.

"Then I became very despondent and hated Life. And I took to ganja smoking. And then, since I had lost my god, my wife, my farm, my bullock, and my caste, I stole.

"Several times I was convicted, and finally, two years ago, I got a long sentence in jail."

The Mahratta stopped in the recital of his tale and looked straight into the distance. So I asked him:

"A long sentence in jail? But you are here, in America."