"Why, O blessed Teacher," asked Ghond, "do you not permit me to go and rid them of these beasts?"
"Not yet," replied the Lama. "Though you are healed of fear in your waking moments, yet your dreams harbour the curse of fright. Let us pray and meditate a few days longer and your soul will be purged of all such dross. Then after you are healed, if the villagers below are still hurt by the beasts, you may go and help them."
CHAPTER IX
THE WISDOM OF THE LAMA
fter about the tenth day of strict and most sincere meditation in the manner he had prescribed, the Lama sent for Gay-Neck and myself. So with the pigeon between my hands, I climbed up to his cell. The Lama's face, generally yellow, today looked brown and very powerful. A strange poise and power shone in his almond-shaped eyes. He took Gay-Neck in his hands, and said:
"May the north wind bring healing unto you,
May the south wind bring healing unto you,
May the winds of east and west pour healing into you.