A DATE WITH DOOM I hunted about, looked around corners, searched the next courtyard, and drew blank.

Then I asked Ismail, and he mocked me.
"The Mahatma?
You are like those fools who pursue virtue.

There never was any!" "That mahout named you rightly just now," said I."He knew your character perfectly." "That may be," Ismail answered, rising to his feet.

"But he was on an elephant where I could not reach him.

You think you are a strong man?
Feel of that then!" He was old, but no mean adversary.