Then he remembered and laughed . ` Speak , Sahib . Thy black man hears . ' ` But , ' said Kim , ' I am not a Sahib , and I say I made a fault to curse thee , Mahbub Ali , on that day at Umballa when I thought I was betrayed by a Pathan . I was senseless ; for I was but newly caught , and I wished to kill that low-caste drummer-boy . I say now , Hajji , that it was well done ; and I see my road all clear before me to a good service . I will stay in the madrissah till I am ripe . ' ` Well said . Especially are distances and numbers and the manner of using compasses to be learned in that game . One waits in the Hills above to show thee . ' ' I will learn their teaching upon a condition -- that my time is given to me without question when the madrissah is shut . Ask that for me of the Colonel . ' ` But why not ask the Colonel in the Sahibs ' tongue ? ' ` The Colonel is the servant of the Government . He is sent hither and yon at a word , and must consider his own advancement . -LRB- See how much I have already learned at Nucklao ! -RRB- Moreover , the Colonel I know since three months only . I have known one Mahbub Ali for six years . So ! To the madrissah I will go .
At the XXXXX I will learn .
Hills Nucklao Pathan Sahib Sahibs Umballa compasses madrissah months years