` Shove the flag in here , then , ' said one . ` What do they prepare ? ' said the lama , wonderstruck . ` This is a great and terrible world . What is the device on the flag ? ' A soldier thrust a stave within a few feet of them , grunted discontentedly , pulled it up again , conferred with his companion , who looked up and down the shaded cave of greenery , and returned it . Kim stared with all his eyes , his breath coming short and sharp between his teeth . The soldiers stamped off into the sunshine . ' O Holy One ! ' he gasped . ` My horoscope ! The drawing in the dust by the priest at Umballa ! Remember what he said . First come two -- ferashes -- to make all things ready -- in a dark place , as it is always at the beginning of a vision . ' ` But this is not vision , ' said the lama . ` It is the world 's Illusion , and no more . ' ` And after them comes the Bull -- the Red Bull on the green field . Look ! It is he ! ' He pointed to the flag that was snap snapping in the evening breeze not ten feet away .
It was no more than an ordinary camp marking-flag ; but the regiment , always punctilious in matters of millinery , had charged it with the regimental device , the Red Bull , which is the crest of the Mavericks -- the great XXXXX Bull on a background of Irish green . '
First Illusion Kim Red Umballa evening ferashes greenery lama wonderstruck