said Kim , for ` front ' and ` entrain ' were newish words to him . ` We are going to `` thee War , '' as you called it . ' ` Of course you are going to thee War . I said last night . ' ` Ye did ; but , Powers o ' Darkness , how did ye know ? ' Kim 's eyes sparkled . He shut his lips , nodded his head , and looked unspeakable things . The Chaplain moved on through the dust , and privates , sergeants , and subalterns called one another 's attention to the boy . The Colonel , at the head of the column , stared at him curiously . ` It was probably some bazar rumour . ' he said ; ` but even then -- ' He referred to the paper in his hand . ` Hang it all , the thing was only decided within the last forty-eight hours . ' ` Are there many more like you in India ? ' said Father Victor , ` or are you by way o ' being a lusus naturae ? ' ` Now I have told you , ' said the boy , ` will you let me go back to my old man ? If he has not stayed with that woman from Kulu , I am afraid he will die . ' ` By what I saw of him he 's as well able to take care of himself as you . No . Ye 've brought us luck , an ' we 're goin ' to make a man of you . I 'll take ye back to your baggage-cart and ye 'll come to me this evening . '
For the rest of the day XXXXX found himself an object of distinguished consideration among a few hundred white men .
India Kim Victor baggage-cart entrain evening hours night privates subalterns