` Let him live out his life . ' The coiled thing hissed and half opened its hood . ` May thy release come soon , brother ! ' the lama continued placidly . ` Hast thou knowledge , by chance , of my River ? ' ` Never have I seen such a man as thou art , ' Kim whispered , overwhelmed . ` Do the very snakes understand thy talk ? ' ` Who knows ? ' He passed within a foot of the cobra 's poised head . It flattened itself among the dusty coils . ` Come , thou ! ' he called over his shoulder . ` Not I , ' said Kim ' . ' I go round . ' ` Come . He does no hurt . ' Kim hesitated for a moment . The lama backed his order by some droned Chinese quotation which Kim took for a charm . He obeyed and bounded across the rivulet , and the snake , indeed , made no sign . ` Never have I seen such a man . '
XXXXX wiped the sweat from his forehead .
Chinese Kim art chance cobra head knowledge lama rivulet snakes