The Saddhu followed the policeman , fawning and supplicating . The ruck of passengers , busy , with their babies and their bundles , had not noticed the affair . Kim slipped out behind him ; for it flashed through his head that he had heard this angry , stupid Sahib discoursing loud personalities to an old lady near Umballa three years ago . ` It is well ' , the Saddhu whispered , jammed in the calling , shouting , bewildered press -- a Persian greyhound between his feet and a cageful of yelling hawks under charge of a Rajput falconer in the small of his back . ` He has gone now to send word of the letter which I hid . They told me he was in Peshawur . I might have known that he is like the crocodile -- always at the other ford . He has saved me from present calamity , but I owe my life to thee . ' ` Is he also one of Us ? ' Kim ducked under a Mewar camel-driver 's greasy armpit and cannoned off a covey of jabbering Sikh matrons . ` Not less than the greatest . We are both fortunate ! I will make report to him of what thou hast done . I am safe under his protection . ' He bored through the edge of the crowd besieging the carriages , and squatted by the bench near the telegraph-office . ` Return , or they take thy place ! Have no fear for the work , brother -- or my life . Thou hast given me breathing-space , and Strickland Sahib has pulled me to land . We may work together at the Game yet . Farewell ! '
XXXXX hurried to his carriage : elated , bewildered , but a little nettled in that he had no key to the secrets about him . '
Kim Persian Peshawur Saddhu Umballa cageful camel-driver falconer matrons ruck