The plain dotted itself with tents that seemed to rise , all spread , from the carts . Another rush of men invaded the grove , pitched a huge tent in silence , ran up yet eight or nine more by the side of it , unearthed cooking-pots , pans , and bundles , which were taken possession of by a crowd of native servants ; and behold the mango-tope turned into an orderly town as they watched ! ` Let us go , ' said the lama , sinking back afraid , as the fires twinkled and white officers with jingling swords stalked into the Mess-tent . ` Stand back in the shadow . No one can see beyond the light of a fire , ' said Kim , his eyes still on the flag . He had never before watched the routine of a seasoned regiment pitching camp in thirty minutes . ` Look ! look ! look ! ' clucked the lama . ` Yonder comes a priest . ' It was Bennett , the Church of England Chaplain of the regiment , limping in dusty black . One of his flock had made some rude remarks about the Chaplain 's mettle ; and to abash him Bennett had marched step by step with the men that day . The black dress , gold cross on the watch-chain , the hairless face , and the soft , black wideawake hat would have marked him as a holy man anywhere in all India . He dropped into a camp-chair by the door of the Mess-tent and slid off his boots . Three or four officers gathered round him , laughing and joking over his exploit . ` The talk of white men is wholly lacking in dignity , ' said the lama , who judged only by tone . ` But I considered the countenance of that priest and I think he is learned . Is it likely that he will understand our talk ? I would talk to him of my Search . '
` Never speak to a white man till he is fed , ' said XXXXX , quoting a well-known proverb .
Chaplain India Kim Mess-tent cooking-pots day lama mango-tope watch-chain wideawake