THE TOMB OF HIS ANCESTORS
don't think they 'd have objected to the vaccination; but the two together were more than they could stand. And so, sir, I 've vaccinated 'em, and shot my tiger-horse as a sort o' proof of good faith. You never saw such a skin in your life."
The Colonel tugged his moustache thoughtfully. "Now, how the deuce," said he, "am I to include that in my report?"
Indeed, the official version of the Bhils' anti-vaccination stampede said nothing about Lieutenant John Chinn, his godship. But Bukta knew, and the corps knew, and every Bhil in the Satpura hills knew.
And now Bukta is zealous that John Chinn shall swiftly be wedded and impart his powers to a son; for if the Chinn succession fails, and the little Bhils are left to their own imaginings, there will be fresh trouble in the Satpuras.
[113]
