Is it any lust of thine to be re-born as a rat, or a snake under the eaves--a worm in the belly of the most mean beast?
Is it thy wish to--' The man from Ao-chung fell to his knees, for the voice boomed like a Tibetan devil-gong.
'Ai! ai!' cried the Spiti men.

'Do not curse us--do not curse him.
It was but his zeal, Holy One! ...

Put down the rifle, fool!' 'Anger on anger! Evil on evil! There will be no killing.

Let the priest-beaters go in bondage to their own acts.

Just and sure is the Wheel, swerving not a hair! They will be born many times--in torment.' His head drooped, and he leaned heavily on Kim's shoulder.
'I have come near to great evil, chela,' he whispered in that dead hush under the pines.