He had lighted the charcoal-burner to air the chill, damp room,
Then lain down to guard the treasure, unheeding the deadly fume.
We carried him out and brought him to, and I tell you I was glad,
For I'd grown attached to the chokra, the true little Indian lad.
A peon brought me a chit one day;
I said in pretended dismay,
"I have no money to pay this bill, the man can go away;"
"But, sahib," said Buncee quickly, "there are my rupees, you know."
Do you wonder I liked the youngster, or that I valued him so?
And oft in the gloaming I sit and think, and memory backward flies;
For many there be with hearts as true in that land under Eastern skies.
GLOSSARY
No. 1. New Zealand, Tasmania, Australia, Ceylon, India.
Page [1]. British Isles.
Page [7]. Khansamah—Head table man.
Charpoi—Native-made bedstead.
Murghi—A chicken.
Dechie—Cooking-pot.
Dak-bungalow—Post-house.
Page [8]. Burra Sahib—Head of a firm.
Compound—Grounds attached to a house or building.
Peg—A whiskey and soda.
Page [14]. Gharri Wallah—Cab driver.
Bhisti—Water-carrier.
Musick—Goatskin of water.
Pice—Equal to a farthing.
Anna—Equal to a penny.
Page [16]. Chokra—Boy.
Ghusl munta—Bath want.
Ghusl na munta—Bath not want.
Peon—Messenger.
Chit—Anything contained in an envelope, usually meaning a letter.