Make him
chief of thy army. Give him honor as may befall and full allowance of work, but
look to it, oh, king, that neither he nor his hold a foot of earth from thee
henceforward. Feed him with words and favor, and also liquor from certain
bottles that thou knowest of, and he will be a bulwark of defense. But deny him
even a tuftlet of grass for his own. This is the nature that God has given him.
Moreover, he has brethren"--
The state groaned unanimously.
"But if his brethren come they will surely fight with each other till they die;
or else the one will always give information concerning the other. Shall he be
of thy army, oh, king? Choose"
The king bowed his head, and I said:
"Come forth, Namgay Doola, and command the king's army. Thy name shall no more
be Namgay in the mouths of men, but Patsay Doola, for, as thou hast truly said,
I know."
Then Namgay Doola, never-christened Patsay Doola, son of Timlay Doola-which is
Tim Doolan--clasped the king's feet, cuffed the standing army, and hurried in
an agony of contrition from temple to temple making offerings for the sin of
the cattle--maiming.
And the king was so pleased with my perspicacity that he offered to sell me a
village for 20 pounds sterling.
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