At first I would not go , for my cousin , who is a fish-eater , does not always know the good from the bad ; but I heard my people talking in the evenings , and what they said made me certain . '' `` And what did they say ? '' the Jackal asked . `` They said enough to make me , the Mugger of Mugger-Ghaut , leave water and take to my feet . I went by night , using the littlest streams as they served me ; but it was the beginning of the hot weather , and all streams were low . I crossed dusty roads ; I went through tall grass ; I climbed hills in the moonlight . Even rocks did I climb , children -- consider this well . I crossed the tail of Sirhind , the waterless , before I could find the set of the little rivers that flow Gungaward . I was a month 's journey from my own people and the river that I knew . That was very marvellous ! '' `` What food on the way ? '' said the Jackal , who kept his soul in his little stomach , and was not a bit impressed by the Mugger 's land travels . `` That which I could find -- COUSIN , '' said the Mugger slowly , dragging each word . Now you do not call a man a cousin in India unless you think you can establish some kind of blood-relationship , and as it is only in old fairy-tales that the Mugger ever marries a jackal , the Jackal knew for what reason he had been suddenly lifted into the Mugger 's family circle . If they had been alone he would not have cared , but the Adjutant 's eyes twinkled with mirth at the ugly jest . `` Assuredly , Father , I might have known , '' said the Jackal . A mugger does not care to be called a father of jackals , and the Mugger of Mugger-Ghaut said as much -- and a great deal more which there is no use in repeating here . `` The Protector of the Poor has claimed kinship . How can I remember the precise degree ? Moreover , we eat the same food .
He has said it , '' was the XXXXX 's reply .
Gungaward India Jackal Mugger Mugger-Ghaut evenings fish-eater month night waterless