Page:Kim - Rudyard Kipling (1912).djvu/203

Rh profit to be made from all; and for myself, bet that I am a good Sunni and hate the men of Tirah. I could believe the same of all the faiths. Now manifestly a Kattiawar mare taken from the sands of her birthplace and removed to the west of Bengal becomes lame—nor is even a Balkh stallion (and there are no better horses than those of Balkh, were they not so heavy in the shoulder) of any account in the great Northern deserts beside the snow-camels I have seen. Therefore I say in my heart the faiths are like the horses. Each has merit in its own country.'

'Now my lama said altogether a different thing.'

'Oh, he is an old dreamer of dreams from Bhotiyal. My heart is a little angry, Friend of all the World, that thou shouldst see such worth in a man so little known.'

'True. It is true, Hajji, but that worth do I see; and to him my heart is drawn.'

'And his to thine. Hearts are like horses. They come and they go against bit or spur. Shout to Gul Sher Khan yonder to drive in that bay stallion's pickets more firmly. We do not want a horse-fight at every resting-stage, and the dun and the black will be locked in a little. . . . Now hear me. Is it necessary to the comfort of thy heart to see that lama?'

'It is one part of my bond,' said Kim. 'If I do not see him, and if he is taken from me, I will go out of that madrissah in Nucklao and, and—once gone, who is to find me again?'

'It is true. Never was colt held on a lighter heel-rope than thou.' Mahbub nodded his head.

'Do not be afraid.' Kim spoke as though he could have evanished on the moment. 'My lama has said that he will come to see me at the madrissah'

'A beggar and his bowl in the presence of those young Sa'