`` Better than that we shall do ; better than that . Out , now , and lend me thy neck , Brother , for I have but two feet . '' He clutched the bristling withers of the barasingh with his right hand , held the torch away with his left , and stepped out of the shrine into the desperate night . There was no breath of wind , but the rain nearly drowned the flare as the great deer hurried down the slope , sliding on his haunches . As soon as they were clear of the forest more of the Bhagat 's brothers joined them . He heard , though he could not see , the langurs pressing about him , and behind them the uhh ! uhh ! of Sona . The rain matted his long white hair into ropes ; the water splashed beneath his bare feet , and his yellow robe clung to his frail old body , but he stepped down steadily , leaning against the barasingh . He was no longer a holy man , but Sir Purun Dass , K.C.I.E. , Prime Minister of no small State , a man accustomed to command , going out to save life . Down the steep , plashy path they poured all together , the Bhagat and his brothers , down and down till the deer 's feet clicked and stumbled on the wall of a threshing-floor , and he snorted because he smelt Man . Now they were at the head of the one crooked village street , and the Bhagat beat with his crutch on the barred windows of the blacksmith 's house , as his torch blazed up in the shelter of the eaves . `` Up and out ! '' cried Purun Bhagat ; and he did not know his own voice , for it was years since he had spoken aloud to a man . `` The hill falls ! The hill is falling ! Up and out , oh , you within ! '' `` It is our Bhagat , '' said the blacksmith 's wife . `` He stands among his beasts . Gather the little ones and give the call . ''
It ran from house to house , while the beasts , cramped in the narrow way , surged and huddled round the XXXXX , and Sona puffed impatiently .
Bhagat Brother Dass K.C.I.E. Minister barasingh drowned eaves left withers