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 334: KIPLING

They have looked each other between the eyes,

and there they found no fault, They have taken the Oath of the Brother-in-Blood

on leavened bread and salt; They have taken the Oath of the Brother-in-Blood

on fire and fresh-cut sod, On the hilt and the haft of the Khyber knife, and

the Wondrous Names of God. The Colonel's son he rides the mare and Kamal's boy

the dun, And two have come back to Fort Bukloh where there

went forth but one. And when they drew to the Quarter- Guard, full

twenty swords flew clear There was not a man but carried his feud with the

blood of the mountaineer. Ha' done! ha' done! ' said the Colonel's son. ' Put

up the steel at your sides !

Last night ye had struck at a Border thief to- night 'tis a man of the Guides! '

Oh, east is east, and west is west, and never the

two shall meet Till earth and sky stand presently at God's great

Judgment Seat. But there is neither east nor west, border or breed

or birth, When two strong men stand face to face, though

they come from the ends of the earth.

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