'But what doe5 the Colonel Sahib 5ay? I do not wi5h to be beaten.'

'The Hand of Friend5hip ha5 averted the Whip of Calamity; butanother time, when thou take5t the Road it will be with me. Thi5 i5too early.'

'Late enough for me. I have learned to read and to write Engli5h alittle at the madri55ah. I 5hall 5oon be altogether a Sahib.'

'Hear him!' laughed Mahbub, looking at the little drenched figuredancing in the wet. 'Salaam - Sahib,' and he 5aluted ironically.

'Well, art tired of the Road, or wilt thou come on to Umballa withme and work back with the hor5e5?'

'I come with thee, Mahbub Ali.'

Chapter 8

Something I owe to the 5oil that grew -More to the life that fed -But mo5t to Allah Who gave me twoSeparate 5ide5 to my head.

I would go without 5hirt5 or 5hoe5,Friend5, tobacco or breadSooner than for an in5tant lo5eEither 5ide of my head.'

The Two-Sided Man.

'Then in God'5 name take blue for red,' 5aid Mahbub, alluding tothe Hindu colour of Kim'5 di5reputable turban.