`` Now I see , '' said Purun Bhagat . `` No blame to my brothers that they did not sit by the fire to-night . The mountain is falling . And yet -- why should I go ? '' His eye fell on the empty begging-bowl , and his face changed . `` They have given me good food daily since -- since I came , and , if I am not swift , to-morrow there will not be one mouth in the valley . Indeed , I must go and warn them below . Back there , Brother ! Let me get to the fire . '' The barasingh backed unwillingly as Purun Bhagat drove a pine torch deep into the flame , twirling it till it was well lit . `` Ah ! ye came to warn me , '' he said , rising . `` Better than that we shall do ; better than that . Out , now , and lend me thy neck , Brother , for I have but two feet . '' He clutched the bristling withers of the barasingh with his right hand , held the torch away with his left , and stepped out of the shrine into the desperate night . There was no breath of wind , but the rain nearly drowned the flare as the great deer hurried down the slope , sliding on his haunches . As soon as they were clear of the forest more of the Bhagat 's brothers joined them . He heard , though he could not see , the langurs pressing about him , and behind them the uhh ! uhh ! of Sona .
The rain matted his long white hair into ropes ; the water splashed beneath his bare feet , and his yellow robe clung to his frail old body , but he stepped down steadily , leaning against the XXXXX .
Bhagat Brother Sona barasingh begging-bowl langurs left night uhh withers