278 AFRICAN CAMP FIRES. 



" But we cannot be supposed to know by heart 

 every law in that book. Why didn't you warn 

 us before reporting ? " we insisted. 



" I am truly sorry," he repeated. " I hope 

 and trust it will not prove serious. But it is in 

 the book." 



We continued in the same purposeless fashion 

 for a moment or so longer. Then the babu 

 ended the discussion thus, 



" It was my duty. I am truly sorry. Sup- 

 pose I had not reported and should die to-day, 

 and should go to heaven, and God should ask 

 me, ' Have you done your duty to-day ? ' what 

 should I say to Him ? " 



We gave it up ; we were up against Revealed 

 Religion. 



So that night we took a freight train southward 

 to Voi, leaving the babu and his prayer-bell, and 

 his green battle-axe and his conscience alone in the 

 wilderness. We had quite a respect for that babu. 



The district commissioner listened apprecia- 

 tively to our tale. 



" Of course I shall not carry the matter further," 

 he told us, " but having known the babu, you 

 must see that once he had reported to me I was 

 compelled to order you down here. I am sorry 

 for the inconvenience." 



