Bukta fled, to be received in the lines by a knot of panting
inquirers.
"It is true," said Bukta. "He wrapped him-self in the skin, and
spoke from it. He would see his own country again. The sign is
not for us; and, indeed, he is a young man. How should he lie
idle of nights? He says his bed is too hot and the air is bad.
He goes to and fro for the love of night-running. He has said it."
The grey-whiskered assembly shuddered.
"He says the Bhils are his children. Ye know he does not lie. He
has said it to me."
"But what of the Satpura Bhils? What means the sign for them?"
"Nothing. It is only night-running, as I have said. He rides to
see if they obey the Government, as he taught them to do in his
first life."
"And what if they do not?"
"He did not say."
The light went out in Chinn's quarters.
"Look," said Bukta. "Now he goes away. None the less it is a
good ghost, as he has said. How shall we fear Jan Chinn, who made
the Bhil a man? His protection is on us; and ye know Jan Chinn
never broke a protection spoken or written on paper. When he is
older and has found him a wife he will lie in his bed till morning.
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