When Lurgan was told the tale later , he mourned aloud that he could not have been in the place of the stubborn , inattentive coolies , who with grass mats over their heads and the raindrops puddling in their footprints , waited on the weather . All the Sahibs of their acquaintance -- rough-clad men joyously returning year after year to their chosen gullies -- had servants and cooks and orderlies , very often hillmen . These Sahibs travelled without any retinue . Therefore they were poor Sahibs , and ignorant ; for no Sahib in his senses would follow a Bengali 's advice . But the Bengali , appearing from somewhere , had given them money , and could make shift with their dialect . Used to comprehensive ill-treatment from their own colour , they suspected a trap somewhere , and stood by to run if occasion offered . Then through the new-washed air , steaming with delicious earth-smells , the Babu led the way down the slopes -- walking ahead of the coolies in pride ; walking behind the foreigners in humility . His thoughts were many and various . The least of them would have interested his companions beyond words . But he was an agreeable guide , ever keen to point out the beauties of his royal master 's domain . He peopled the hills with anything thev had a mind to slay -- thar , ibex , or markhor , and bear by Elisha 's allowance . He discoursed of botany and ethnology with unimpeachable inaccuracy , and his store of local legends -- he had been a trusted agent of the State for fifteen years , remember -- was inexhaustible . ` Decidedly this fellow is an original , ' said the taller of the two foreigners . ` He is like the nightmare of a Viennese courier . ' ` He represents in little India in transition -- the monstrous hybridism of East and West , ' the Russian replied . ` It is we who can deal with Orientals . ' ` He has lost his own country and has not acquired any other . But he has a most complete hatred of his conquerors . Listen . He confided to me last night , ' said the other .
Under the striped umbrella Hurree XXXXX was straining ear and brain to follow the quick-poured French , and keeping both eyes on a kilta full of maps and documents -- an extra-large one with a double red oil-skin cover .
Babu Russian Sahibs Viennese West footprints hillmen hybridism ill-treatment orderlies