A certain astrologer of that city whose name I have forgotten -- ' ` That is no more than the city of Umballa where we slept last night , ' Kim whispered to the priest . ` Ay , Umballa was it ? He cast a horoscope and declared that my chela should find his desire within two days . But what said he of the meaning of the stars , Friend of all the World ? ' Kim cleared his throat and looked around at the village greybeards . ` The meaning of my Star is War , ' he replied pompously . Somebody laughed at the little tattered figure strutting on the brickwork plinth under the great tree . Where a native would have lain down , Kim 's white blood set him upon his feet . ` Ay , War , ' he answered . ` That is a sure prophecy , ' rumbled a deep voice . ` For there is always war along the Border -- as I know . ' It was an old , withered man , who had served the Government in the days of the Mutiny as a native officer in a newly raised cavalry regiment . The Government had given him a good holding in the village , and though the demands of his sons , now grey-bearded officers on their own account , had impoverished him , he was still a person of consequence . English officials -- Deputy Commissioners even -- turned aside from the main road to visit him , and on those occasions he dressed himself in the uniform of ancient days , and stood up like a ramrod . ` But this shall be a great war -- a war of eight thousand . ' Kim 's voice shrilled across the quick-gathering crowd , astonishing himself . ` Redcoats or our own regiments ? ' the old man snapped , as though he were asking an equal . His tone made men respect Kim . ` Redcoats , ' said Kim at a venture .
` XXXXX and guns . '
Ay English Kim Redcoats Umballa War astrologer greybeards plinth ramrod