` Now I will speak vernacular . You sit tight , Mister O'Hara ... It concerns the pedigree of a white stallion . ' ` Still ? That was finished long ago . ' ` When everyone is dead the Great Game is finished . Not before . Listen to me till the end . There were Five Kings who prepared a sudden war three years ago , when thou wast given the stallion 's pedigree by Mahbub Ali . Upon them , because of that news , and ere they were ready , fell our Army . ' ` Ay -- eight thousand men with guns . I remember that night . ' ` But the war was not pushed . That is the Government custom . The troops were recalled because the Government believed the Five Kings were cowed ; and it is not cheap to feed men among the high Passes . Hilas and Bunar -- Rajahs with guns -- undertook for a price to guard the Passes against all coming from the North . They protested both fear and friendship . ' He broke off with a giggle into English : ` Of course , I tell you this unoffeecially to elucidate political situation , Mister O'Hara . Offeecially , I am debarred from criticizing any action of superiors . Now I go on . -- This pleased the Government , anxious to avoid expense , and a bond was made for so many rupees a month that Hilas and Bunar should guard the Passes as soon as the State 's troops were withdrawn .
At that time -- it was after we two met -- I , who had been selling tea in Leh , became a clerk of accounts in the XXXXX .
Ali Army Ay Bunar English Hilas O'Hara Rajahs month night