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The Phantom Rickshaw and Other Ghost Stories by Rudyard Kipling
page 54 of 167 (32%)
protector. Following the impulse of the outer world when dealing
with natives, I put my hand into my pocket and drew out four
annas. The absurdity of the gift struck me at once, and I was about
to replace the money.

Gunga Dass, however, was of a different opinion. "Give me the
money," said he; "all you have, or I will get help, and we will kill
you!" All this as if it were the most natural thing in the world!

A Briton's first impulse, I believe, is to guard the contents of his
pockets; but a moment's reflection convinced me of the futility of
differing with the one man who had it in his power to make me
comfortable; and with whose help it was possible that I might
eventually escape from the crater. I gave him all the money in my
possession, Rs. 9-8-5--nine rupees eight annas and five pie--for I
always keep small change as bakshish when I am in camp. Gunga
Dass clutched the coins, and hid them at once in his ragged loin
cloth, his expression changing to something diabolical as he
looked round to assure himself that no one had observed us.

"_Now_ I will give you something to eat," said he.

What pleasure the possession of my money could have afforded
him I am unable to say; but inasmuch as it did give him evident
delight I was not sorry that I had parted with it so readily, for
I had no doubt that he would have had me killed if I had refused.
One does not protest against the vagaries of a den of wild beasts;
and my companions were lower than any beasts. While I devoured
what Gunga Dass had provided, a coarse _chapatti_ and a cupful of
the foul well-water, the people showed not the faintest sign of
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