Each man carried a rifle on his back and two of them carried swords besides, and they wore sandals of grass upon their feet.

They were talking as they went, and they were talking in the Chilti tongue.

Shere Ali hailed them and bade them stop.
"On what journey are you going ?" he asked, and one of the three bowed low and answered him.
"Sir, we are going to Mecca." "To Mecca!" exclaimed Shere Ali.

"How will you ever get to Mecca?
Have you money ?" "Sir, we have each six rupees, and with six rupees a man may reach Mecca from Kurrachee.

Till we reach Kurrachee, there is no fear that we shall starve.