Certainly , also , the two men came to make all ready . ' ` They are soldiers -- white soldiers . What said the priest ? `` The sign over against the Bull is the sign of War and armed men . '' Holy One , this thing touches my Search . ' ` True . It is true . ' The lama stared fixedly at the device that flamed like a ruby in the dusk . ` The priest at Umballa said that thine was the sign of War . ' ` What is to do now ? ' ` Wait . Let us wait . ' ` Even now the darkness clears , ' said Kim . It was only natural that the descending sun should at last strike through the tree-trunks , across the grove , filling it with mealy gold light for a few minutes ; but to Kim it was the crown of the Umballa Brahmin 's prophecy . ` Hark ! ' said the lama . ` One beats a drum -- far off ! ' At first the sound , carrying diluted through the still air , resembled the beating of an artery in the head . Soon a sharpness was added . ` Ah !
The music , ' XXXXX explained .
Brahmin Kim Umballa darkness first lama minutes ruby sharpness tree-trunks