He thanked all the Gods of Hindustan, and Herbert Spencer, that there remained some valuables to steal.
On the second day the road rose steeply to a grass spur above the forest; and it was here, about sunset, that they came across an aged lama--but they called him a bonze--sitting cross-legged above a mysterious chart held down by stones, which he was explaining to a young man, evidently a neophyte, of singular, though unwashen, beauty.
The striped umbrella had been sighted half a march away, and Kim had suggested a halt till it came up to them.
'Ha!' said Hurree Babu, resourceful as Puss-in-Boots.

'That is eminent local holy man.

Probably subject of my royal master.' 'What is he doing?
It is very curious.' 'He is expounding holy picture--all hand-worked.' The two men stood bareheaded in the wash of the afternoon sunlight low across the gold-coloured grass.

The sullen coolies, glad of the check, halted and slid down their loads.
'Look!' said the Frenchman.

'It is like a picture for the birth of a religion--the first teacher and the first disciple.