Then I drove a bullock for a teli [an oilman] coming north; but I heard of a great feast forward in Patiala, and thither went I in the company of a firework-maker.

It was a great feast' (Kim rubbed his stomach).

'I saw Rajahs, and elephants with gold and silver trappings; and they lit all the fireworks at once, whereby eleven men were killed, my fire-work-maker among them, and I was blown across a tent but took no harm.

Then I came back to the rel with a Sikh horseman, to whom I was groom for my bread; and so here.' 'Shabash!' said Mahbub Ali.
'But what does the Colonel Sahib say?
I do not wish to be beaten.' 'The Hand of Friendship has averted the Whip of Calamity; but another time, when thou takest the Road it will be with me.

This is too early.' 'Late enough for me.