If I had had a weapon I should not have drawn it. I had no thought
of the tiger; I only thought that my child was dead. She works with
me, sahib; since her mother died, five years ago, we have traveled
together over the country; she plays while I conjure. She takes
round the saucer for the money, and she acts with me in the tricks
that require two persons; it is she who disappears from the basket.
We are everything to each other, sahib. But what is my lord's name?
Will he tell his servant, that he and Rabda may think of him and
talk of him as they tramp the roads together?"
"My name is Ralph Bathurst. I am District Officer at Deennugghur.
How far are you going this evening?"
"We shall sleep at the first village we come to, sahib; we have
walked many hours today, and this box, though its contents are not
weighty, is heavy to bear. We thought of going down tomorrow to
Deennugghur, and showing our performances to the sahib logue there."
"Very well; but there is one thing--what is your name?"
"Rujub."
"Well, Rujub, if you go on to Deennugghur tomorrow say nothing to
anyone there about this affair with the tiger; it is nothing to
talk about. I am not a shikari, but a hard working official, and
I don't want to be talked about."
"The sahib's wish shall be obeyed," the man said.
"You can come round to my bungalow and ask for me; I shall be glad
to hear whether your daughter is any the worse for her scare. How
do you feel, Rabda?"
"I feel as one in a dream, sahib.
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