PENKONDA. 
17 
wild beasts, hanging cliffs, scarped ravines, and 
intersecting mountain torrents, concealed in treacher - 
ous jungul, must be obstacles impracticable even to 
so godlike an army as that of the invincible Mallek- 
ul-Tija, without a skilful guide. So impracticable, 
indeed, are these wilds, and so boundless, that if a 
million of men were dispersed through them they 
might wander for ages and no two of them ever 
meet again; any more than the particles of spray 
into which a drop of water is shaken in the vast 
cataract of Gungootri will ever again unite amid 
the immeasurable waters of the rolling Ganges.” 
44 But is there no guide among your own followers, 
then, short-sighted Sirkeh ? Have your forces so 
seldom made incursions upon Sanghir s territory, 
that not a man can be found in your array to thread 
those devious paths. To the blind, undoubtedly, 
they will be impassable ; but to the wary and long - 
sighted they will be laid out as upon a map. To 
the wise and brave nothing is difficult ; but even the 
wise and brave may conform to common usage, and 
avail themselves of such aid as Providence may cast 
in their way.” 
44 Great Mallek,” said Sirkeh, 44 you speak indeed 
the words of wisdom. I have, in my humble 
retinue, a slave who was born and nurtured in the 
heart of those dread junguls ; who, in the darkest 
night, or under the blackest rush of the monsoon, 
would thread his way and guide your highness’s 
c 3 
