"When everything was shipshape I'd hand over the crown--this crown I'm wearing
now--to Queen Victoria on my knees, and she'd say, "Rise up, Sir Daniel
Dravot." Oh, it's big! It's big, I tell you! But there's so much to be done in
every place--Bashkai, Khawak, Shu, and everywhere else.'
"'What is it?' I says. 'There are no more men coming in to be drilled this
autumn. Look at those fat black clouds. They're bringing the snow.'
"'It isn't that,' says Daniel, putting his hand very hard on my shoulder; 'and
I don't wish to say anything that's against you, for no other living man would
have followed me and made me what I am as you have done. You're a first-class
Commander-in-Chief, and the people know you; but--it's a big country, and
somehow you can't help me, Peachey, in the way I want to be helped.'
"'Go to your blasted priests, then!' I said, and I was sorry when I made that
remark, but it did hurt me sore to find Daniel talking so superior, when I'd
drilled all the men and done all he told me.
"'Don't let's quarrel, Peachey,' says Daniel, without cursing. 'You're a King
too, and the half of this Kingdom is yours; but can't you see, Peachey, we
want cleverer men than us now--three or four of 'em, that we can scatter about
for our Deputies.
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