` 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 . ` Redcoats and guns . ' ` But -- but the astrologer said no word of this , ' cried the lama , snuffing prodigiously in his excitement . ` But I know . The word has come to me , who am this Holy One 's disciple . There will rise a war -- a war of eight thousand redcoats . From Pindi and Peshawur they will be drawn . This is sure . ' ` The boy has heard bazar-talk , ' said the priest .
` But he was always by my side , ' said the XXXXX .
Ay English Kim Peshawur Pindi Redcoats days lama ramrod war