2 1 6 By Mountain, Lake^ and Plain 



He (without stirring), " As you like." 



" Shall we go west through the forest ? " 



" What use ! the leaves are dry." 



"What then?" 



"In the evening we will watch the wood where 

 the stag roared this morning. If God wills, we 

 shall kill a stag ; if He does not, we shall not kill 



one." 



" The evening ! That is six hours away. Think 

 of some plan till then." 



" What can I think of ? Do as you like." 



" My friend, you are a shikari and know the 

 ground. It is for you to show me deer, for me 

 to shoot them." 



" What can I do ? The ground is dry as tinder. 

 If there were rain the stags would roar by day. 

 Now, what is possible ? " 



" Do you propose, then, to sleep till evening ? " 



"What else can we do?" 



" We might try hunting in the forest ; with 

 luck we may see a stag. If we sit here we cer- 

 tainly shall not." 



" Why not ? If God wills He will give shikar." 



"True. But we also must make an effort." 



" You are free, do as you like." 



My Baluch henchman Ibrahim, a youth as keen 

 and untiring as the other was lazy and insouci- 

 ant, would then join in with forceful and sarcastic 



