That at least would be entirely right and logical , and the padre with the gold cross would be therefore the man to consult in the matter . On the other hand , remembering sober-faced padres whom he had avoided in Lahore city , the priest might be an inquisitive nuisance who would bid him learn . But had it not been proven at Umballa that his sign in the high heavens portended War and armed men ? Was he not the Friend of the Stars as well as of all the World , crammed to the teeth with dreadful secrets ? Lastly -- and firstly as the undercurrent of all his quick thoughts -- this adventure , though he did not know the English word , was a stupendous lark -- a delightful continuation of his old flights across the housetops , as well as the fulfilment of sublime prophecy . He lay belly-flat and wriggled towards the Mess-tent door , a hand on the amulet round his neck . It was as he suspected . The Sahibs prayed to their God ; for in the centre of the Mess-table -- its sole ornament when they were on the line of march -- stood a golden bull fashioned from old-time loot of the Summer Palace at Pekin -- a red-gold bull with lowered head , ramping upon a field of Irish green . To him the Sahibs held out their glasses and cried aloud confusedly . Now the Reverend Arthur Bennett always left Mess after that toast , and being rather tired by his march his movements were more abrupt than usual . Kim , with slightly raised head , was still staring at his totem on the table , when the Chaplain stepped on his right shoulder-blade . Kim flinched under the leather , and , rolling sideways , brought down the Chaplain , who , ever a man of action , caught him by the throat and nearly choked the life out of him . Kim then kicked him desperately in the stomach . Mr Bennett gasped and doubled up , but without relaxing his grip , rolled over again , and silently hauled Kim to his own tent . The Mavericks were incurable practical jokers ; and it occurred to the Englishman that silence was best till he had made complete inquiry . ` Why , it 's a boy ! ' he said , as he drew his prize under the light of the tent-pole lantern , then shaking him severely cried : ` What were you doing ? You 're a thief . Choor ? Mallum ? '
His Hindustani was very limited , and the ruffled and disgusted XXXXX intended to keep to the character laid down for him .
Chaplain Kim Lahore Mallum Pekin choked housetops padres right shoulder-blade