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of The Virtues； the unenviable condition of the proud and affluent；
and the myriads of fire…demons certainly laying in wait for those who
partook of spiced tea and rich foods in the afternoon； and did not
wear a uniform similar to his own； I began to recognise that the
selection had been inauspiciously arranged。 Upon taxing some around
with the discrepancy （as there seemed to be no more dignified way of
evading the responsibility）； they were unable to contend against me
that there were； indeed； two； if not more； distinct varieties of those
bearing the rank of captain； and that they themselves belonged to an
entirely different camp； wearing another dress； and possessing no
authority to display the symbol of the letters S。A。 upon their necks。
With this admission I was content to leave the matter； in no way
accusing them of actual duplicity； yet so withdrawing that any of
unprejudiced standing could not fail to carry away the impression that
I had been the victim of an unworthy artifice； and had been lured into
their society by the pretext that they were other than what they
really were。
With the bitter…flavoured memory of this； and other in no way
dissimilar episodes； lingering in my throat； it need not be a matter
of conjecture that for a time I greeted warily all who bore a title； a
mark of rank； or any similar appendage； who wore a uniform； weapon；
brass helmet； jewelled crown； coat of distinctive colour； or any
excessive superfluity of pearl or metal buttons； who went forth
surrounded by a retinue； sat publicly in a chair or allegorical
chariot； spoke loudly in the highways and places in a tone of official
pronouncement； displayed any feather； emblem； inscribed badge； or
printed announcement upon a pole； or in any way conducted themselves
in what we should esteem to be fitting to a position of high dignity。
From this arose the absence of outward enthusiasm with which I at
first received Sir Philip's extended favour； for although I had come
to distrust all the reasonable signs of established power； I
distrusted； to a much more enhanced degree； their complete absence；
and when I observed that the one in question was never accompanied by
a band of musicians or flower…strewers； that he mingled as though on
terms of familiar intercourse with the ordinary passers…by in the
streets； and never struck aside those who chanced to impede his
progress； and that he actually preferred those of low condition to
approach him on their feet； rather than in the more becoming attitude
of unconditional prostration； I reasoned with myself whether indeed he
could consistently be a person of well…established authority； or
whether I was not being again led away from my self…satisfaction by
another obliquity of barbarian logic。 It was for this reason that I
now welcomed the admitted power which he has of incriminating persons
in a variety of punishable offences； and I perceived with an added
satisfaction that here； where this privilege is more fully understood；
few meet him without raising their hands to the upper part of their
heads in token of unquestioning submission； or； as one would interpret
the symbolism into actual words； meaning； 〃Thus； from this point to
the underneath part of our sandals； all between lies in the hollow of
your comprehensive hand。〃
*
There is a written jest among another barbarian nation that these
among whom I am tarrying； being by nature a people who take their
pleasures tragically； when they rise in the morning say； one to
another； 〃Come； behold； it is raining again as usual； let us go out
and kill somebody。〃 Undoubtedly the pointed end of this adroit…witted
saying may be found in the circumstance that it is； indeed； as the
proverb aptly claims； raining on practically every occasion in life；
while； to complete the comparison； for many dynasties past this nation
has been successfully engaged in killing people （in order to promote
their ultimate benefit through a momentary inconvenience；） in every
part of the world。 Thus the lines of parallel thought maintain a
harmonious balance beyond the general analogy of their sayings； but
beneath this may be found an even subtler edge； for in order to inure
themselves to the requirement of a high destiny their various games
and manners of disportment are； with a set purpose； so rigorously
contested that in their progress most of the weak and inefficient are
opportunely exterminated。
There is a favourite and well…attended display wherein two opposing
bands； each clad in robes of a distinctive colour； stand in extended
lines of mutual defiance； and at a signal impetuously engage。 The
design of each is by force or guile to draw their opponents into an
unfavourable position before an arch of upright posts； and then
surging irresistibly forward； to carry them beyond the limit and hurl
them to the ground。 Those who successfully inflict this humiliation
upon their adversaries until they are incapable of further resistance
are hailed victorious； and sinking into a graceful attitude receive
each a golden cup from the magnanimous hands of a maiden chose to the
service； either on account of her peerless outline； the dignified
position of her House； or （should these incentives be obviously
wanting；） because the chief ones of her family are in the habit of
contributing unstintingly to the equipment of the triumphal band。
There is also another kind of strife； differing in its essentials only
so far that all who engage therein are provided with a curved staff；
with which they may dexterously draw their antagonists beyond the
limits； or； should they fail to defend themselves adequately； break
the smaller bones of their ankles。 But this form of encounter； despite
the use of these weapons； is really less fatal than the other； for it
is not a permissible act to club an antagonist resentfully about the
head with the staff； nor yet even to thrust it rigidly against his
middle body。 From this moderation the public countenance extended to
the curved…pole game is contemptibly meagre when viewed by the side of
the overwhelming multitudes which pour along every channel in order to
witness a more than usually desperate trial of the hurl…headlong
variety （the sight； indeed； being as attractive to these pale；
blood…thirsty foreigners as an unusually large execution is with us）；
and as a consequence the former is little reputed save among maidens；
the feeble； and those of timorous instincts。
Thus positioned； regarding a knowledge of their outside amusements； it
has always been one of the most prominent ambitions of this person's
strategy to avoid being drawn into any encounter。 At the same time；
the thought that the maidens of the household here （of whom there are
several； all so attractively proportioned that to compare them in a
spirit of definite preference would be distastefully presumptuous to
this person；） should regard me as one lacking in a sufficient display
of violence was not fragrant to my sense of refinement； so that when
Sir Philip； a little time after our arrival； related to me that on the
following day he and a chosen band were to be engaged in the match of
a cricket game against adversaries from the village； and asked whether
I cared to bear a part in the strife； I grasped the muscles of the
upper part of my left arm with my right handas I had frequently seen
the hardy and virile do when the subject of their powers had been
raised questioninglyand replied that I had long concealed an
insatiable wish to take such a part at a point where the conflict
would be the most revengefully contested。
Being thus inflexibly committed it became very necessary to arrange a
well…timed intervention （whether in the nature of bodily disorder；
fire； or demoniacal upheaval； a warning omen； or the death of some of
our chief antagonists）； but before doing so I was desirous of
understanding how this contest； which had hitherto remained outside my
experience； was waged。
There is here one of benevolent rotundity in whose authority lie the
cavernous stores beneath the house and the vessels of gold and silver；
of menial rank admittedly； yet exacting a seemly deference from all by
the rich urbanity of his voice and the dignity of his massive
proportions。 In the affable condescension of his tone； and the
discriminating encouragement of his attitude towards me on all
occasions； I h