,,! ,,bridge-,,build]s   by ,rudy>d     
,kipl+     ,! lea/ t ,f9dlayson1 ( !    
,public ,works ,dep>tm5t1 expect$ 0 a   
,c4,i4,e42 he dream$ ( a ,c4,s4,i4      
,inde$1 8 fri5ds told him t he des]v$ m4
 ,= ?ree ye>s he _h endur$ heat & cold1 
disappo9tm5t1 discom=t1 dang]1 &        
disease1 ) responsibility almo/ to      
top-heavy = "o pair ( %\ld]s2 & day by  
day1 ?r\gh t "t1 ! great ,ka%i ,bridge  
ov] ! ,ganges _h gr[n "u 8 *>ge4 ,n[1 9 
less ?an ?ree mon?s1 if all w5t well1 8 
,excell5cy ! ,vic]oy w\ld op5 ! bridge 9
 /ate1 an ar*bi%op w\ld bless x1 & !    
fir/ tra9load ( soldi]s w\ld come ov] x1
 & !re w\ld be spee*es4  ,f9dlayson1 ,c4
 ,e41 sat 9 8 trolley on a con/ruction  
l9e t ran along "o ( ! ma9 revetm5ts--! 
huge /one-fac$ banks t fl>$ away nor? & 
s\? = ?ree miles on ei!r side ( ! riv] &
 p]mitt$ himself to ?9k ( ! end4 ,) its 
approa*es1 8 "w 0 "o mile & ?ree-qu>t]s 
9 l5g?2 a lattice-gird] bridge1 truss$ )
 ! ,f9dlayson truss /&+ on sev5-&-tw5ty 
brick pi]s4 ,ea* "o ( ^? pi]s 0         

tw5ty-f\r feet 9 diamet]1 capp$ ) r$    
,agra /one & sunk eighty feet bel[ !    
%ift+ s& ( ! ,ganges' b$4 ,above !m 0 a 
railway-l9e fifte5 feet broad2 above t1 
aga91 a c>t-road ( eighte5 feet1 flank$ 
) footpa?s4 ,at ei!r end rose t[]s1 ( r$
 brick1 loophol$ = musketry & pi]c$ =   
big guns1 & ! ramp ( ! road 0 be+ pu%$  
=w>d to _! haun*es4 ,! raw e>?-ends 7   
crawl+ & alive ) hundr$s ^u hundr$s (   
t9y asses climb+ out ( ! yawn+ borr[-pit
 bel[ ) sackfuls ( /uff2 & ! hot        
aft]noon air 0 fill$ ) ! noise ( hooves1
 ! rattle ( ! driv]s' /icks1 & ! swi% & 
roll-d[n ( ! dirt4 ,! riv] 0 v l[1 & on 
! dazzl+ :ite s& betwe5 ! ?ree c5tre    
pi]s /ood squat cribs ( railway-sleep]s1
 fill$ )9 & daub$ )\t ) mud1 to support 
! la/ ( ! gird]s z ^? 7 rivet$ up4 ,9 ! 
little deep wat] left by ! dr\ght1 an   
ov]head crane travell$ to & fro along   
its spile-pi]1 j]k+ sections ( iron into
 place1 snort+ & back+ & grunt+ z an    
elephant grunts 9 ! timb]y>d4 ,rivet]s  
by ! hundr$ sw>m$ ab\t ! lattice side-"w

 & ! iron ro( ( ! railway l9e hung f    
invisible /ag+ "u ! bellies ( ! gird]s1 
clu/]$ r\nd ! ?roats ( ! pi]s1 & rode on
 ! ov]hang ( ! footpa?-/an*ions2 _!     
fire-pots & ! spurts ( flame t answ]$   
ea* hamm]-/roke %[+ no m ?an pale yell[ 
9 ! sun's gl>e4 ,ea/ & we/ & nor? & s\? 
! con/ruction-tra9s rattl$ & %riek$ up &
 d[n ! embankm5ts1 ! pil$ trucks ( br[n 
& :ite /one bang+ beh9d !m till !       
side-bo>ds 7 unp9n$1 & ) a ro> & a      
grumble a few ?\s& tons' m mat]ial 7    
flung out to hold ! riv] 9 place4       
,f9dlayson1 ,c4 ,e41 turn$ on 8 trolley 
& look$ ov] ! face ( ! c\ntry t he _h   
*ang$ = sev5 miles ar\nd4 ,look$ back on
 ! humm+ village ( five ?\s& "w-m52 up  
/ream & d[n1 along ! vi/a ( spurs & s&2 
across ! riv] to ! f> pi]s1 less5+ 9 !  
haze2 ov]head to ! gu>d-t[]s--& only he 
knew h[ /rong ^? 7--& ) a sigh (        
cont5tm5t saw t 8 "w 0 good4 ,!re /ood 8
 bridge be=e him 9 ! sunlight1 lack+    
only a few weeks' "w on ! gird]s ( !    
?ree middle pi]s--8 bridge1 raw & ugly z

 orig9al s91 b pukka--p]man5t--to endure
 :5 all memory ( ! build]1 yea1 ev5 ( ! 
spl5did ,f9dlayson truss1 has p]i%$4    
,practically1 ! ?+ 0 done4  ,hit*cock1 8
 assi/ant1 cant]$ along ! l9e on a      
little swit*-tail$ ,kabuli pony :o ?r\gh
 long practice c\ld h trott$ securely   
ov] tre/le1 & nodd$ to 8 *ief4  8,all   
b10 said he1 ) a smile4  8,i've be5 ?9k+
 ab\t x10 ! s5ior answ]$4 8,n half a bad
 job = two m51 is x80  8,"o--& a half4  
#8,gad1 :at a ,coop]'s ,hill cub ,i 0 :5
 ,i came on ! works60 ,hit*cock felt v  
old 9 ! cr[d$ exp]i5ces ( ! pa/ ?ree    
ye>s1 t _h taught him p[] &             
responsibility4  8,y 7 r a colt10 said  
,f9dlayson4 8,i wond] h[ y'll l go+ back
 to (fice-"w :5 ?is job's ov]40  8,i    
%all hate x60 said ! "y man1 & z he w5t 
on 8 eye foll[$ ,f9dlayson's1 & he      
mutt]$1 8,isn't x damn$ good80  8,i ?9k 
we'll g up ! s]vice toge!r10 ,f9dlayson 
said to himself4 8,y're too good a      
y\ng/] to wa/e on ano!r man4 ,cub ?\    
wa/2 assi/ant ?\ art4 ,p]sonal assi/ant1

 & at ,simla1 ?\ %alt be1 if any cr$it  
comes to me out ( ! bus9ess60  ,inde$1 !
 burd5 ( ! "w _h fall5 altoge!r on      
,f9dlayson & 8 assi/ant1 ! "y man :om he
 _h *os5 because ( 8 rawness to break to
 8 own ne$s4 ,!re 7 lab\r contractors by
 ! half-hundr$--fitt]s & rivet]s1       
,european1 borr[$ f ! railway work%ops1 
)1 p]haps1 tw5ty :ite & half-ca/e       
subord9ates to direct1 "u direction1 !  
bevies ( workm5--b none knew bett] ?an  
^! two1 :o tru/$ ea* o!r1 h[ ! und]l+s 7
 n to be tru/$4 ,!y _h be5 tri$ _m times
 9 sudd5 crises--by slipp+ ( booms1 by  
break+ ( tackle1 failure ( cranes1 & !  
wra? ( ! riv]--b no /ress _h br\ght to  
light any man among m5 :om ,f9dlayson & 
,hit*cock w\ld h hon\r$ by work+ z      
remorselessly z !y work$ !m-selves4     
,f9dlayson ?\ght x ov] f ! beg9n+3 !    
mon?s ( (fice-"w de/roy$ at a bl[ :5 !  
,gov]nm5t ( ,india1 at ! la/ mom5t1 add$
 two feet to ! wid? ( ! bridge1 "u !    
impression t bridges 7 cut out ( pap]1 &
 s br\ght to ru9 at lea/ half an acre ( 

calculations--& ,hit*cock1 new to       
disappo9tm5t1 buri$ 8 head 9 8 arms &   
wept2 ! he>t-break+ delays ov] ! fill+ (
 ! contracts 9 ,engl&2 ! futile         
correspond5ces h9t+ at great weal? (    
commissions if "o1 only "o1 r d\btful   
consignm5t 7 pass$2 ! w> t foll[$ !     
refusal2 ! c>eful1 polite ob/ruction at 
! o!r end t foll[$ ! w>1 till "y        
,hit*cock1 putt+ "o mon?'s leave to     
ano!r mon?1 & borr[+ t5 days f          
,f9dlayson1 sp5t 8 poor little sav+s ( a
 ye> 9 a wild da% to ,london1 & !re1 z 8
 own tongue ass]t$ & ! lat] consignm5ts 
prov$1 put ! fe> ( ,god into a man s    
great t he fe>$ only ,p>liam5t & said s 
till ,hit*cock wr\ght ) him across 8 own
 d9n] table1 &--he fe>$ ! ,ka%i ,bridge 
& all :o spoke 9 its "n4 ,!n !re 0 !    
*ol]a t came 9 ! night to ! village by !
 bridge works2 & aft] ! *ol]a smote !   
small-pox4 ,! fev] !y _h always ) !m4   
,hit*cock _h be5 appo9t$ a magi/rate ( !
 ?ird class ) :ipp+ p[]s1 = ! bett]     
gov]nm5t ( ! community1 & ,f9dlayson    

wat*$ him wield 8 p[]s temp]ately1 le>n+
 :at to ov]look & :at to look aft]4 ,x 0
 a long1 long rev]ie1 & x cov]$ /orm1   
sudd5 fre%ets1 dea? 9 e mann] & %ape1   
viol5t & awful rage aga9/ r$ tape half  
fr5zy+ a m9d t kn[s x %\ld be busy on   
o!r ?+s2 dr\ght1 sanitation1 f9ance2    
bir?1 w$d+1 burial1 & riot 9 ! village (
 tw5ty w>r+ ca/es2 argum5t1             
expo/ulation1 p]suasion1 & ! blank      
despair t a man goes to b$ ^u1 ?ankful t
 8 rifle is all 9 pieces 9 ! gun-case4  
,beh9d ev]y?+ rose ! black frame ( !    
,ka%i ,bridge--plate by plate1 gird] by 
gird]1 span by span--& ea* pi] ( x      
recall$ ,hit*cock1 ! all-r\nd man1 :o _h
 /ood by 8 *ief )\t fail+ f ! v fir/ to 
?is la/4  ,s ! bridge 0 two m5's        
"w--unless "o c\nt$ ,p]oo1 z ,p]oo      
c]ta9ly c\nt$ himself4 ,he 0 a ,lasc>1 a
 ,kh>va f ,buls>1 famili> ) e port      
betwe5 ,rockhampton & ,london1 :o _h    
ris5 to ! rank ( s]ang on ! ,briti%     
,india boats1 b we>y+ ( r\t9e mu/]s &   
clean clo!s1 _h ?r[n up ! s]vice & gone 

inl&1 :]e m5 ( 8 calibre 7 sure (       
employm5t4 ,= 8 k ( tackle & ! h&l+ (   
heavy weights1 ,p]oo 0 wor? almo/ any   
price he might h *os5 to put ^u 8       
s]vices2 b cu/om decre$ ! wage ( !      
ov]head-m51 & ,p]oo 0 n )9 _m silv]     
pieces ( 8 prop] value4 ,nei!r runn+    
wat] nor extreme heights made him       
afraid2 &1 z an ex-s]ang1 he knew h[ to 
hold au?ority4 ,no piece ( iron 0 s big 
or s badly plac$ t ,p]oo c\ld n devise a
 tackle to lift x--a loose-end$1 sagg+  
arrangem5t1 rigg$ ) a sc&al\s am\nt (   
talk+1 b p]fectly equal to ! "w 9 h&4 ,x
 0 ,p]oo :o _h sav$ ! gird] ( ,numb]    
,sev5 pi] f de/ruction :5 ! new         
wire-rope jamm$ 9 ! eye ( ! crane1 & !  
huge plate tilt$ 9 its sl+s1 ?reat5+ to 
slide out sideways4 ,!n ! native workm5 
lo/ _! heads ) great %\t+s1 &           
,hit*cock's "r arm 0 brok5 by a fall+   
,t-plate1 & he button$ x up 9 8 coat &  
swoon$1 & came to & direct$ = f\r h\rs  
till ,p]oo1 f ! top ( ! crane1 report$  
8,all's well10 & ! plate swung home4    

,!re 0 no "o l ,p]oo1 s]ang1 to la%1 &  
guy1 & hold1 to control ! donkey-eng9es1
 to hoi/ a fall5 locomotive craftily out
 ( ! borr[-pit into :i* x _h tumbl$2 to 
/rip1 & dive1 if ne$ be1 to see h[ !    
concrete blocks r\nd ! pi]s /ood ! sc\r+
 ( ,"m ,gunga1 or to adv5ture up/ream on
 a monsoon night & report on ! /ate ( ! 
embankm5t-fac+s4 ,he w\ld int]rupt !    
field-c\ncils ( ,f9dlayson & ,hit*cock  
)\t fe>1 till 8 wond]ful ,engli%1 or 8  
/ill m wond]ful l+uafranca1 half        
,portuguese & half ,malay1 ran out & he 
0 =c$ to take /r+ & %[ ! knots t he w\ld
 recomm5d4 ,he controll$ 8 own gang (   
tackle m5--my/]i\s relatives f ,kut*    
,m&vi ga!r$ mon? by mon? & tri$ to !    
utt]mo/4 ,no consid]ation ( family or k9
 all[$ ,p]oo to keep weak h&s or a giddy
 head on ! pay-roll4 8,my hon\r is !    
hon\r ( ?is bridge10 he w\ld say to !   
ab\t-to-be-dismiss$4 8,:at d ,i c>e =   
y\r hon\r8 ,g & "w on a /eam]4 ,t is all
 y are fit =40  ,! little clu/] ( huts  
:]e he & 8 gang liv$ c5tr$ r\nd ! tatt]$

 dwell+ ( a sea-prie/--"o :o _h nev] set
 foot on black wat]1 b _h be5 *os5 z    
gho/ly c\nsellor by two g5]ations (     
sea-rov]s all unaffect$ by port missions
 or ^? cre$s :i* are ?ru/ ^u sailors by 
ag5cies along ,?ames bank4 ,! prie/ ( ! 
,lasc>s _h no?+ to d ) _! ca/e1 or inde$
 ) any?+ at all4 ,he ate ! (f]+s ( 8    
*ur*1 & slept & smok$1 & slept aga91    
8=10 said ,p]oo1 :o _h hal$ him a ?\s&  
miles inl&1 8he is a v holy man4 ,he    
nev] c>es :at y eat s long z y d n eat  
beef1 & t is good1 because on l& we     
wor%ip ,%iva1 we ,kh>vas2 b at sea on ! 
,kumpani's boats we att5d /rictly to !  
ord]s ( ! ,burra ,malum ! fir/ mate1 &  
on ?is bridge we obs]ve :at ,f9l9son    
,sahib says40  ,f9l9son ,sahib _h t day 
giv5 ord]s to cle> ! scaffold+ f !      
gu>d-t[] on ! "r bank1 & ,p]oo ) 8 mates
 0 ca/+ loose & l[]+ d[n ! bamboo poles 
& planks z swiftly z ev] !y _h :ipp$ !  
c>go out ( a coa/]4  ,f 8 trolley he    
c\ld he> ! :i/le ( ! s]ang's silv] pipe 
& ! creek & clatt] ( ! pulleys4 ,p]oo 0 

/&+ on ! top-mo/ cop+ ( ! t[]1 clad 9 ! 
blue dung>ee ( 8 ab&on$ s]vice1 & z     
,f9dlayson motion$ to him to be c>eful1 
= 8 0 no life to ?r[ away1 he gripp$ !  
la/ pole1 &1 %ad+ 8 eyes %ip-fa%ion1    
answ]$ ) ! long-drawn wail ( ! fo'c'sle 
look\t3 8,ham dekhta hai0 78,i am look+ 
out074  ,f9dlayson laugh$ & !n sigh$4 ,x
 0 ye>s s9ce he _h se5 a /eam]1 & he 0  
sick = home4 ,z 8 trolley pass$ "u !    
t[]1 ,p]oo desc5d$ by a rope1           
ape-fa%ion1 & cri$3 8,x looks well n[1  
,sahib4 ,our bridge is all b done4 ,:at 
?9k y ,"m ,gunga w say :5 ! rail runs   
ov]80  8,%e has said little s f>4 ,x 0  
nev] ,"m ,gunga t delay$ u40  8,!re is  
always "t = h]2 & none ! less !re has   
be5 delay4 ,has ! ,sahib =gott5 la/     
autumn's flood1 :5 ! /one-boats 7 sunk  
)\t w>n+--or only a half-day's w>n+80   
8,yes1 b no?+ save a big flood c\ld hurt
 u n[4 ,! spurs are hold+ well on ! ,we/
 ,bank40  8,"m ,gunga eats great        
all[ances4 ,!re is always room = m /one 
on ! revetm5ts4 ,i tell ?is to ! ,*ota  

,sahib10--he meant ,hit*cock--8& he     
laughs40  8,no matt]1 ,p]oo4 ,ano!r ye> 
?\ wilt be able to build a bridge 9 ?9e 
own fa%ion40  ,! ,lasc> gr9n$4 8,!n x w 
n be 9 ?is way--) /onework sunk "u wat]1
 z ! ,qyetta 0 sunk4 ,i l sus-sus-p5-%e5
 bridges t fly f bank to bank ) "o big  
/ep1 l a gang-plank4 ,!n no wat] c hurt4
 ,:5 does ! ,"l ,sahib come to op5 !    
bridge80  8,9 ?ree mon?s1 :5 ! wea!r is 
cool]40  8,ho6 ho6 ,he is l ! ,burra    
,malum4 ,he sleeps bel[ :ile ! "w is be+
 done4 ,!n he comes ^u ! qu>t]-deck &   
t\*es ) 8 f+]1 & says3 #8,?is is n      
clean6 ,dam jibboonwallah6'0  8,b ! ,"l 
,sahib does n call me a dam             
jibboonwallah1 ,p]oo40  8,no1 ,sahib2 b 
he does n come on deck till ! "w is all 
f9i%$4 ,ev5 ! ,burra ,malum ( ! ,n]budda
 said once at ,tuticor9--0  8,bah6 ,g6  
,i am busy40  8,i1 also60 said ,p]oo1 ) 
an un%ak5 c\nt5ance4 8,may ,i take !    
light d+hy n[ & r[ along ! spurs80  8,to
 hold !m ) ?y h&s8 ,!y are1 ,i ?9k1     
suffici5tly heavy40  8,nay1 ,sahib4 ,x  

is ?us4 ,at sea1 on ! ,black ,wat]1 we h
 room to be bl[n up & d[n )\t c>e4 ,"h  
we h no room at all4 ,look y1 we h put !
 riv] into a dock1 & run h] betwe5 /one 
sills40  ,f9dlayson smil$ at ! 8we40    
8,we h bitt$ & bridl$ h]4 ,%e is n l !  
sea1 t c beat aga9/ a s(t bea*4 ,%e is  
,"m ,gunga--9 irons40 ,8 voice fell a   
little4  8,p]oo1 ?\ ha/ be5 up & d[n !  
_w m ev5 ?an ,i4 ,speak true talk1 n[4  
,h[ mu* do/ ?\ 9 ?y he>t believe ( ,"m  
,gunga80  8,all t our prie/ says4       
,london is ,london1 ,sahib4 ,sydney is  
,sydney1 & ,port ,d>w9 is ,port ,d>w94  
,also ,"m ,gunga is ,"m ,gunga1 & :5 ,i 
come back to h] banks ,i "k ?is &       
wor%ip4 ,9 ,london ,i did poojah to !   
big temple by ! riv] = ! sake ( ! ,god  
)94 4 4 4 ,yes1 ,i w n take ! cu%ions 9 
! d+hy40  ,f9dlayson m\nt$ 8 horse &    
trott$ to ! %$ ( a bungal[ t he %>$ ) 8 
assi/ant4 ,! place _h become home to him
 9 ! la/ ?ree ye>s4 ,he _h grill$ 9 !   
heat1 sweat$ 9 ! ra9s1 & %iv]$ ) fev] "u
 ! rude ?at* ro(2 ! lime-wa% beside !   

door 0 cov]$ ) r\gh draw+s & =mulae1 & !
 s5try-pa? trodd5 9 ! matt+ ( ! v]&ah   
%[$ :]e he _h walk$ alone4 ,!re is no   
eight-h\r limit to an eng9e]'s "w1 & !  
ev5+ meal ) ,hit*cock 0 eat5 boot$ &    
spurr$3 ov] _! cig>s !y li/5$ to ! hum (
 ! village z ! gangs came up f ! riv]-b$
 & ! lights began to tw9kle4  8,p]oo has
 gone up ! spurs 9 y\r d+hy4 ,he's tak5 
a c\ple ( nephews ) him1 & he's loll+ 9 
! /]n l a commodore10 said ,hit*cock4   
8,t's all "r4 ,he's got some?+ on 8 m9d4
 ,y'd ?9k t t5 ye>s 9 ! ,briti% ,india  
boats w\ld h knock$ mo/ ( 8 religion out
 ( him40  8,s x has10 said ,hit*cock1   
*uckl+4 8,i ov]he>d him ! o!r day 9 !   
middle ( a mo/ a!i/ical talk ) t fat old
 guru ( !irs4 ,p]oo d5i$ ! efficacy (   
pray]2 & want$ ! guru to g to sea & wat*
 a gale out ) him1 & see if he c\ld /op 
a monsoon40  8,all ! same1 if y c>ri$ (f
 8 guru he'd leave u l a %ot4 ,he 0 y>n+
 away to me ab\t pray+ to ! dome ( ,/4  
,paul's :5 he 0 9 ,london40  8,he told  
me t ! fir/ "t he w5t into ! eng9e-room 

( a /eam]1 :5 he 0 a boy1 he pray$ to ! 
l[-pressure cyl9d]40  8,n half a bad ?+ 
to pray to1 ei!r4 ,he's propitiat+ 8 own
 ,gods n[1 & he wants to "k :at ,"m     
,gunga w ?9k ( a bridge be+ run across  
h]4 ,:o's !re80 ,a %ad[ d>k5$ ! doorway1
 & a telegram 0 put into ,hit*cock's h&4
  8,%e ought to be pretty well us$ to x 
by ?is "t4 ,only a t>4 ,x ought to be   
,ralli's answ] ab\t ! new rivets4 4 4 4 
,great ,heav5s60  ,hit*cock jump$ to 8  
feet4  8,:at is x80 said ! s5ior1 & took
 ! =m4 8,t's :at ,"m ,gunga ?9ks1 is x10
 he said1 read+4 8,keep cool1 "y #8un4  
,we've got all our "w cut out = u4      
,let's see4 ,muir wir$ half an h\r ago3 
#8,floods on ! ,ramgunga4 ,look out4'   
,well1 t gives u--"o1 two--n9e & a half 
= ! flood to rea* ,melipur ,ghaut &     
sev5's sixte5 & a half to ,lataoli--say 
fifte5 h\rs be=e x comes d[n to u40     
8,curse t hill-f$ sew] ( a ,ramgunga6   
,f9dlayson1 ?is is two mon?s be=e any?+ 
c\ld h be5 expect$1 & ! left bank is    
litt]$ up ) /uff /ill4 ,two full mon?s  

be=e ! "t60  8,t's :y x comes4 ,i've    
only kn[n ,indian riv]s = five-&-tw5ty  
ye>s1 & ,i don't pret5d to und]/&4 ,"h  
comes ano!r t>40  ,f9dlayson op5$ !     
telegram4 8,cockran1 ?is "t1 f ! ,ganges
 ,canal3 #8,heavy ra9s "h4 ,bad4' ,he   
might h sav$ ! la/ ^w4 ,well1 we don't  
want to "k any m4 ,we've got to "w !    
gangs all night & clean up ! riv]b$4    
,y'll take ! ea/ bank & "w out to meet  
me 9 ! middle4 ,get ev]y?+ t floats bel[
 ! bridge3 we %all h q en\gh riv]-craft 
com+ d[n adrift anyh[1 )\t lett+ !      
/one-boats ram ! pi]s4 ,:at h y got on !
 ea/ bank t ne$s look+ aft]8            
8,pontoon--"o big pontoon ) ! ov]head   
crane on x4 ,t'o!r ov]head crane on !   
m5d$ pontoon1 ) ! c>t-road rivets f     
,tw5ty to ,tw5ty-?ree pi]s--two         
con/ruction l9es1 & a turn+-spur4 ,!    
pilework mu/ take its *ance10 said      
,hit*cock4  8,all "r4 ,roll up ev]y?+ y 
c lay h&s on4 ,we'll give ! gang fifte5 
m9utes m to eat _! grub40  ,close to !  
v]&ah /ood a big night-gong1 nev] us$   

except = flood1 or fire 9 ! village4    
,hit*cock _h call$ = a fre% horse1 & 0  
(f to 8 side ( ! bridge :5 ,f9dlayson   
took ! clo?-b\nd /ick & smote ) ! rubb+ 
/roke t br+s out ! full ?und] ( ! metal4
  ,long be=e ! la/ rumble ceas$ e       
night-gong 9 ! village _h tak5 up !     
w>n+4 ,to ^! 7 add$ ! ho>se scream+ (   
con*es 9 ! little temples2 ! ?robb+ (   
drums & tom-toms2 &1 f ! ,european      
qu>t]s1 :]e ! rivet]s liv$1             
,mc,cartney's bugle1 a weapon ( (f5ce on
 ,sundays & fe/ivals1 bray$ desp]ately1 
call+ to 8,/ables40 ,eng9e aft] eng9e   
toil+ home along ! spurs at ! end ( h]  
day's "w :i/l$ 9 answ] till ! :i/les 7  
answ]$ f ! f> bank4 ,!n ! big gong      
?und]$ ?rice = a sign t x 0 flood & n   
fire2 con*1 drum1 & :i/le e*o$ ! call1 &
 ! village quiv]$ to ! s\nd ( b>e feet  
runn+ ^u s(t e>?4 ,! ord] 9 all cases 0 
to /& by ! day's "w & wait in/ructions4 
,! gangs p\r$ by 9 ! dusk2 m5 /opp+ to  
knot a lo9-clo? or fa/5 a s&al2         
gang-=em5 %\t+ to _! subord9ates z !y   

ran or paus$ by ! tool-issue %$s = b>s &
 mattocks2 locomotives creep+ d[n _!    
tracks :eel-deep 9 ! cr[d2 till ! br[n  
torr5t disappe>$ into ! dusk ( !        
riv]-b$1 rac$ ov] ! pilework1 sw>m$     
along ! lattices1 clu/]$ by ! cranes1 & 
/ood /ill--ea* man 9 8 place4  ,!n !    
tr\bl$ beat+ ( ! gong c>ri$ ! ord] to   
take up ev]y?+ & be> x beyond high-wat] 
m>k1 & ! fl>e-lamps broke out by !      
hundr$ betwe5 ! webs ( dull iron z !    
rivet]s began a night's "w1 rac+ aga9/ !
 flood t 0 to come4 ,! gird]s ( ! ?ree  
c5tre pi]s--^? t /ood on ! cribs--7 all 
b 9 position4 ,!y ne$$ j z _m rivets z  
c\ld be driv5 into !m1 = ! flood w\ld   
assur$ly wa% out _! supports1 & !       
ironwork w\ld settle d[n on ! caps (    
/one if !y 7 n block$ at ! ends4 ,a     
hundr$ cr[b>s /ra9$ at ! sleep]s ( !    
tempor>y l9e t f$ ! unf9i%$ pi]s4 ,x 0  
heav$ up 9 l5g?s1 load$ into trucks1 &  
back$ up ! bank beyond flood-level by ! 
groan+ locomotives4 ,! tool-%$s on ! s&s
 melt$ away be=e ! attack ( %\t+ armies1

 & ) !m w5t ! /ack$ ranks ( ,gov]nm5t   
/ores1 iron-b\nd boxes ( rivets1 pli]s1 
cutt]s1 duplicate p>ts ( !              
rivet+-ma*9es1 sp>e pumps & *a9s4 ,! big
 crane w\ld be ! la/ to be %ift$1 = %e 0
 hoi/+ all ! heavy /uff up to ! ma9     
/ructure ( ! bridge4 ,! concrete blocks 
on ! fleet ( /one-boats 7 dropp$        
ov]side1 :]e !re 0 any dep? ( wat]1 to  
gu>d ! pi]s1 & ! empty boats !mselves 7 
pol$ "u ! bridge d[n-/ream4 ,x 0 "h t   
,p]oo's pipe %rill$ l\de/1 = ! fir/     
/roke ( ! big gong _h br\ght ! d+hy back
 at rac+ spe$1 & ,p]oo & 8 p 7 /ripp$ to
 ! wai/1 work+ = ! hon\r & cr$it :i* are
 bett] ?an life4  8,i knew %e w\ld      
speak10 he cri$4 8,i knew1 b ! telegraph
 gives u good w>n+4 ,o sons ( un?9kable 
begett+--*ildr5 ( unspeakable %ame--are 
we "h = ! look ( ! ?+80 ,x 0 two feet ( 
wire-rope fray$ at ! ends1 & x did      
wond]s z ,p]oo leap$ f gunnel to gunnel1
 %\t+ ! language ( ! sea4  ,f9dlayson 0 
m tr\bl$ = ! /oneboats ?an any?+ else4  
,mc,cartney1 ) 8 gangs1 0 block+ up !   

ends ( ! ?ree d\btful spans1 b boats    
adrift1 if ! flood *anc$ to be a high   
"o1 might endang] ! gird]s2 & !re 0 a v 
fleet 9 ! %runk5 *annel4  8,get !m beh9d
 ! swell ( ! gu>dt[]10 he %\t$ d[n to   
,p]oo4 8,x w be dead-wat] !re4 ,get !m  
bel[ ! bridge40  8,ac*a6 ,v good4 ,i "k2
 we are moor+ !m ) wire-rope10 0 !      
answ]4 8,heh6 ,li/5 to ! ,*ota ,sahib4  
,he is work+ h>d40  ,f across ! riv]    
came an almo/ cont9u\s :i/l+ (          
locomotives1 back$ by ! rumble ( /one4  
,hit*cock at ! la/ m9ute 0 sp5d+ a few  
hundr$ m trucks ( ,t>akee /one 9 re9=c+ 
8 spurs & embankm5ts4  8,! bridge       
*all5ges ,"m ,gunga10 said ,p]oo1 ) a   
laugh4 8,b :5 %e talks ,i "k ^: voice w 
be ! l\de/40  ,= h\rs ! nak$ m5 work$1  
scream+ & %\t+ "u ! lights4 ,x 0 a hot1 
moonless night2 ! end ( x 0 d>k5$ by    
cl\ds & a sudd5 squall t made ,f9dlayson
 v grave4  8,%e moves60 said ,p]oo1 j   
be=e ! dawn4 8,"m ,gunga is awake6      
,he>60 ,he dipp$ 8 h& ov] ! side ( a    
boat & ! curr5t mumbl$ on x4 ,a little  

wave hit ! side ( a pi] ) a crisp slap4 
8,six h\rs be=e h] "t10 said ,f9dlayson1
 mopp+ 8 =ehead savagely4  8,n[ we c't  
dep5d on any?+4 ,we'd bett] cle> all h&s
 out ( ! riv]b$40  ,aga9 ! big gong     
beat1 & a second "t !re 0 ! ru%+ ( nak$ 
feet on e>? & r++ iron2 ! clatt] ( tools
 ceas$4 ,9 ! sil5ce1 m5 he>d ! dry yawn 
( wat] crawl+ ov] ?ir/y s&4  ,=eman aft]
 =eman %\t$ to ,f9dlayson1 :o _h po/$   
himself by ! gu>d-t[]1 t 8 section ( !  
riv]-b$ _h be5 clean$ out1 & :5 ! la/   
voice dropp$ ,f9dlayson hurri$ ov] !    
bridge till ! iron plat+ ( ! p]man5t way
 gave place to ! tempor>y plank-walk ov]
 ! ?ree c5tre pi]s1 & !re he met        
,hit*cock4  8#8,all cle> y\r side80 said
 ,f9dlayson4 ,! :isp] rang 9 ! box (    
lattice "w4  8,yes1 & ! ea/ *annel's    
fill+ n[4 ,we're utt]ly out ( our       
reckon+4 ,:5 is ?is ?+ d[n on u80       
8,!re's no say+4 ,%e's fill+ z fa/ z %e 
c4 ,look60 ,f9dlayson po9t$ to ! planks 
bel[ 8 feet1 :]e ! s&1 burn$ & defil$ by
 mon?s ( "w1 0 beg9n+ to :isp] & fizz4  

8,:at ord]s80 said ,hit*cock4  8,call ! 
roll--c\nt /ores sit on y\r hunk]s--&   
pray = ! bridge4 ,t's all ,i c ?9k (    
,good night4 ,don't risk y\r life try+  
to fi% out any?+ t may g d[n/ream40     
8,oh1 ,i'll be z prud5t z y are6        
#8,night4 ,heav5s1 h[ %e's fill+6 ,"h's 
! ra9 9 e>ne/40  ,f9dlayson pick$ 8 way 
back to 8 bank1 sweep+ ! la/ (          
,mc,cartney's rivet]s be=e him4 ,! gangs
 _h spread !mselves along ! embankm5ts1 
reg>dless ( ! cold ra9 ( ! dawn1 & !re  
!y wait$ = ! flood4 ,only ,p]oo kept 8  
m5 toge!r beh9d ! swell ( ! gu>d-t[]1   
:]e ! /one-boats lay ti$ =e & aft )     
haws]s1 wire-rope1 & *a9s4  ,a %rill    
wail ran along ! l9e1 gr[+ to a yell1   
half fe> & half wond]3 ! face ( ! riv]  
:it5$ f bank to hank betwe5 ! /one      
fac+s1 & ! f>-away spurs w5t out 9 sp\ts
 ( foam4 ,"m ,gunga _h come bank-high 9 
ha/e1 & a wall ( *ocolate-col\r$ wat] 0 
h] mess5g]4 ,!re 0 a %riek above ! ro> (
 ! wat]1 ! compla9t ( ! spans com+ d[n  
on _! blocks z ! cribs 7 :irl$ out f "u 

_! bellies4 ,! /one-boats groan$ & gr\nd
 ea* o!r 9 ! eddy t swung r\nd !        
abutm5t1 & _! clumsy ma/s rose high] &  
high] aga9/ ! dim sky-l9e4  8,be=e %e 0 
%ut betwe5 ^! walls we knew :at %e w\ld 
d4 ,n[ %e is ?us cramp$ ,god only kn[s  
:at %e w d60 said ,p]oo1 wat*+ ! furi\s 
turmoil r\nd ! gu>d-t[]4 8,ohe'6 ,fight1
 !n6 ,fight h>d1 = x is ?us t a woman   
we>s h]self out40  ,b ,"m ,gunga w\ld n 
fight z ,p]oo desir$4 ,aft] ! fir/      
d[n-/ream plunge !re came no m walls (  
wat]1 b ! riv] lift$ h]self bodily1 z a 
snake :5 %e dr9ks 9 midsumm]1 pluck+ &  
f+]+ along ! revetm5ts1 & bank+ up beh9d
 ! pi]s till ev5 ,f9dlayson began to    
recalculate ! /r5g? ( 8 "w4  ,:5 day    
came ! village gasp$4 8,only la/ night10
 m5 said1 turn+ to ea* o!r1 8x 0 z a t[n
 9 ! riv]-b$6 ,look n[60  ,& !y look$ & 
wond]$ afre% at ! deep wat]1 ! rac+ wat]
 t lick$ ! ?roat ( ! pi]s4 ,! f>!r bank 
0 veil$ by ra91 into :i* ! bridge ran   
out & vani%$2 ! spurs up-/ream 7 m>k$ by
 no m ?an eddies & sp\t+s1 & d[n-/ream !

 p5t riv]1 once fre$ ( h] guide-l9es1 _h
 spread l a sea to ! horizon4 ,!n hurri$
 by1 roll+ 9 ! wat]1 dead m5 & ox5      
toge!r1 ) "h & !re a pat* ( ?at*$ ro( t 
melt$ :5 x t\*$ a pi]4  8,big flood10   
said ,p]oo1 & ,f9dlayson nodd$4 ,x 0 z  
big a flood z he _h any wi% to wat*4 ,8 
bridge w\ld /& :at 0 ^u h] n[1 b n v mu*
 m1 & if by any ( a ?\s& *ances !re     
happ5$ to be a weakness 9 ! embankm5ts1 
,"m ,gunga w\ld c>ry 8 hon\r to ! sea ) 
! o!r raffle4 ,wor/ ( all1 !re 0 no?+ to
 d except to sit /ill2 & ,f9dlayson sat 
/ill "u 8 mac9to% till 8 helmet became  
pulp on 8 head1 & 8 boots 7 ov]-ankle 9 
mire4 ,he took no c\nt ( "t1 = ! riv] 0 
m>k+ ! h\rs1 in* by in* & foot by foot1 
along ! embankm5t1 & he li/5$1 numb &   
hungry1 to ! /ra9+ ( ! /one-boats1 !    
holl[ ?und] "u ! pi]s1 & ! hundr$ noises
 t make ! full note ( a flood4 ,once a  
dripp+ s]vant br\ght him food1 b he c\ld
 n eat2 & once he ?\ght t he he>d a fa9t
 toot f a locomotive across ! riv]1 & !n
 he smil$4 ,! bridge's failure w\ld hurt

 8 assi/ant n a little1 b ,hit*cock 0 a 
"y man ) 8 big "w yet to d4 ,= himself !
 cra% meant ev]y?+--ev]y?+ t made a h>d 
life wor? ! liv+4 ,!y w\ld say1 ! m5 ( 8
 own pr(ession 4 4 4 he rememb]$ !      
half-pity+ ?+s t he himself _h said :5  
,lockh>t's new wat]works bur/ & broke   
d[n 9 brick-heaps & sludge1 & ,lockh>t's
 _s broke 9 him & he di$4 ,he rememb]$  
:at he himself _h said :5 ! ,sumao      
,bridge w5t out 9 ! big cyclone by !    
sea2 & mo/ he rememb]$ poor ,h>topp's   
face ?ree weeks lat]1 :5 ! %ame _h m>k$ 
x4 ,8 bridge 0 twice ! size ( ,h>topp's1
 & x c>ri$ ! ,f9dlayson truss z well z !
 new pi]-%oe--! ,f9dlayson bolt$ %oe4   
,!re 7 no excuses 9 8 s]vice4 ,gov]nm5t 
might li/51 p]haps1 b 8 own k9d w\ld    
judge him by 8 bridge1 z t /ood or fell4
 ,he w5t ov] x 9 8 head1 plate by plate1
 span by span1 brick by brick1 pi] by   
pi]1 rememb]+1 comp>+1 e/imat+1 &       
recalculat+1 le/ !re %\ld be any mi/ake2
 & ?r\gh ! long h\rs & ?r\gh ! flights (
 =mulae t danc$ & :eel$ be=e him a cold 

fe> w\ld come to p9* 8 he>t4 ,8 side ( !
 sum 0 beyond "q2 b :at man knew ,"m    
,gunga's ari?metic8 ,ev5 z he 0 mak+ all
 sure by ! multiplication table1 ! riv] 
might be scoop+ a pot-hole to ! v bottom
 ( any "o ( ^? eighty-foot pi]s t c>ri$ 
8 reputation4 ,aga9 a s]vant came to him
 ) food1 b 8 m\? 0 dry1 & he c\ld only  
dr9k & return to ! decimals 9 8 bra94 ,&
 ! riv] 0 /ill ris+4 ,p]oo1 9 a mat     
%elt] coat1 cr\*$ at 8 feet1 wat*+ n[ 8 
face & n[ ! face ( ! riv]1 b say+ no?+4 
,at la/ ! ,lasc> rose & fl\nd]$ ?r\gh ! 
mud t[>ds ! village1 b he 0 c>eful to   
leave an ally to wat* ! boats4          
,pres5tly he return$1 mo/ irrev]5tly    
driv+ be=e him ! prie/ ( 8 cre$--a fat  
old man1 ) a grey be>d t :ipp$ ! w9d ) !
 wet clo? t blew ov] 8 %\ld]4 ,nev] 0   
se5 s lam5table a guru4  8,:at good are 
(f]+s & little k]os5e lamps & dry gra910
  %\t$ ,p]oo1 8if squatt+ 9 ! mud is all
 t ?\ can/ d8 ,?\ ha/ dealt long ) !    
,gods :5 !y 7 cont5t$ & well-wi%+4 ,n[  
!y are angry4 ,speak to !m60  8,:at is a

 man aga9/ ! wra? ( ,gods80 :9$ ! prie/1
 c[]+ z ! w9d took him4 8,let me g to ! 
temple1 & ,i w pray !re40  8,son ( a    
pig1 pray "h6 ,is !re no return = salt  
fi% & curry p[d] & dri$ onions8 ,call   
al\d6 ,tell ,"m ,gunga we h _h en\gh4   
,bid h] be /ill = ! night4 ,i _c pray1 b
 ,i h be5 s]v+ 9 ! ,kumpani's boats1 &  
:5 m5 did n obey my ord]s ,i--0  ,a     
fl\ri% ( ! wire-rope colt r\nd$ !       
s5t5ce1 & ! prie/1 break+ free f 8      
disciple1 fl$ to ! village4  8,fat pig60
 said ,p]oo4 8,aft] all t we h done =   
him6 ,:5 ! flood is d[n ,i w see to x t 
we get a new guru4 ,f9l9son ,sahib1 x   
d>k5s = night n[1 & s9ce ye/]day no?+   
has be5 eat54 ,be wise1 ,sahib4 ,no man 
c endure wat*+ & great ?9k+ on an empty 
belly4 ,lie d[n1 ,sahib4 ,! riv] w d :at
 ! riv] w d40  8,! bridge is m9e2 ,i _c 
leave x40  8,wilt ?\ hold x up ) ?y h&s1
 !n80 said ,p]oo1 laugh+4  8,i 0 tr\bl$ 
= my boats & %e]s be=e ! flood came4 ,n[
 we are 9 ! h&s ( ! ,gods4 ,! ,sahib w n
 eat & lie d[n8 ,take ^!1 !n4 ,!y are   

meat & good toddy toge!r1 & !y kill all 
we>9ess1 besides ! fev] t foll[s ! ra94 
,i h eat5 no?+ else to-day at all40  ,he
 took a small t9 tobacco-box f 8 sodd5  
wai/-belt & ?ru/ x into ,f9dlayson's h&1
 say+3 8,nay1 d n be afraid4 ,x is no m 
?an opium--clean ,malwa opium40         
,f9dlayson %ook two or ?ree ( ! d>k-br[n
 pellets into 8 h&1 & h>dly kn[+ :at he 
did1 swall[$ !m4 ,! /uff 0 at lea/ a    
good gu>d aga9/ fev]--! fev] t 0 creep+ 
^u him out ( ! wet mud--& he _h se5 :at 
,p]oo c\ld d 9 ! /ew+ mi/s ( autumn on !
 /r5g? ( a dose f ! t9 box4  ,p]oo nodd$
 ) bright eyes4 8,9 a little--9 a little
 ! ,sahib w f9d t he ?9ks well aga94 ,i 
too w--0 ,he div$ into 8 treasure-box1  
resettl$ ! ra9-coat ov] 8 head1 &       
squatt$ d[n to wat* ! boats4 ,x 0 too   
d>k n[ to see beyond ! fir/ pi]1 & !    
night seem$ to h giv5 ! riv] new /r5g?4 
,f9dlayson /ood ) 8 *9 on 8 *e/1 ?9k+4  
,!re 0 "o po9t ab\t "o ( ! pi]s--!      
sev5?--t he _h n fully settl$ 9 8 m9d4  
,! figures w\ld n %ape !mselves to ! eye

 except "o by "o & at enorm\s int]vals (
 "t4 ,!re 0 a s\nd ri* & mell[ 9 8 e>s l
 ! deepe/ note ( a d\ble-bass--an       
entranc+ s\nd ^u :i* he pond]$ = sev]al 
h\rs1 z x seem$4 ,!n ,p]oo 0 at 8 elb[1 
%\t+ t a wire haws] _h snapp$ & !       
/one-boats 7 loose4 ,f9dlayson saw !    
fleet op5 & sw+ out fanwise to a        
long-drawn %riek ( wire /ra9+ across    
gunnels4  8,a tree hit !m4 ,!y w all g10
 cri$ ,p]oo4 8,! ma9 haws] has p>t$4    
,:at does ! ,sahib d80  ,an imm5sely    
complex plan _h sudd5ly fla%$ into      
,f9dlayson's m9d4 ,he saw ! ropes runn+ 
f boat to boat 9 /raight l9es &         
angles--ea* rope a l9e ( :ite fire4 ,b  
!re 0 "o rope :i* 0 ! ma/] rope4 ,he    
c\ld see t rope4 ,if he c\ld pull x     
once1 x 0 absolutely & ma!matically     
c]ta9 t ! disord]$ fleet w\ld reassemble
 itself 9 ! backwat] beh9d ! gu>d-t[]4  
,b :y1 he wond]$1 0 ,p]oo cl++ s        
desp]ately to 8 wai/ z he ha/5$ d[n !   
bank8 ,x 0 necess>y to put ! ,lasc>     
aside1 g5tly & sl[ly1 because x 0       

necess>y to save ! boats1 &1 fur!r1 to  
demon/rate ! extreme ease ( ! problem t 
look$ s difficult4 ,& !n--b x 0 ( no    
conceivable importance--a wire-rope rac$
 ?r\gh 8 h&1 burn+ x1 ! high bank       
disappe>$1 & ) x all ! sl[ly disp]s+    
factors ( ! problem4 ,he 0 sitt+ 9 !    
ra9y d>kness--sitt+ 9 a boat t spun l a 
top1 & ,p]oo 0 /&+ ov] him4  8,i _h     
=gott510 said ! ,lasc>1 sl[ly1 8t to ^? 
fa/+ & unus$1 ! opium is worse ?an any  
w9e4 ,^? :o die 9 ,gunga g to ! ,gods4  
,/ill1 ,i h no desire to pres5t myself  
be=e su* great ones4 ,c ! ,sahib swim80 
8,:at ne$8 ,he c fly--fly z swiftly z ! 
w9d10 0 ! ?ick answ]4  8,he is mad60    
mutt]$ ,p]oo1 "u 8 brea?4 8,& he ?rew me
 aside l a bundle ( dung-cakes4 ,well1  
he w n "k 8 dea?4 ,! boat _c live an h\r
 "h ev5 if %e /rike no?+4 ,x is n good  
to look at dea? ) a cle> eye40  ,he     
refre%$ himself aga9 f ! t9 box1 squatt$
 d[n 9 ! b[s ( ! reel+1 pegg$1 & /it*$  
craft1 />+ ?r\gh ! mi/ at ! no?+ t 0    
!re4 ,a w>m dr[s9ess crept ov]          

,f9dlayson1 ! ,*ief ,eng9e]1 ^: duty 0 )
 8 bridge4 ,! heavy ra9drops /ruck him )
 a ?\s& t+l+ little ?rills1 & ! weight (
 all "t s9ce "t 0 made hung heavy on 8  
eyelids4 ,he ?\ght & p]ceiv$ t he 0     
p]fectly secure1 = ! wat] 0 s solid t a 
man c\ld surely /ep out ^u x1 &1 /&+    
/ill ) 8 legs ap>t to keep 8            
balance--?is 0 ! mo/ important          
po9t--w\ld be borne ) great & easy spe$ 
to ! %ore4 ,b yet a bett] plan came to  
him4 ,x ne$$ only an ex]tion ( w = ! s\l
 to hurl ! body a%ore z w9d drives pap]1
 to waft x kite-fa%ion to ! bank4       
,!reaft]--! boat spun dizzily--suppose !
 high w9d got "u ! fre$ body8 ,w\ld x   
t[] up l a kite & pit* headlong on !    
f>-away s&s1 or w\ld x duck ab\t1 beyond
 control1 ?r\gh all et]nity8 ,f9dlayson 
gripp$ ! gunnel to an*or himself1 = x   
seem$ t he 0 on ! edge ( tak+ ! flight  
be=e he _h settl$ all 8 plans4 ,opium   
has m effect on ! :ite man ?an ! black4 
,p]oo 0 only com=tably indiff]5t to     
accid5ts4 8,%e _c live10 he grunt$4 8,h]

 seams op5 already4 ,if %e 7 ev5 a d+hy 
) o>s we c\ld h ridd5 x out2 b a box )  
holes is no good4 ,f9l9son ,sahib1 %e   
fills40  8,ac*a6 ,i am go+ away4 ,come  
?\ also40 ,9 8 m9d1 ,f9dlayson _h       
already escap$ f ! boat1 & 0 circl+ high
 9 air to f9d a re/ = ! sole ( 8 foot4  
,8 body--he 0 really sorry = its gross  
helplessness--lay 9 ! /]n1 ! wat] ru%+  
ab\t its knees4  8,h[ v ridicul\s60 he  
said to himself f 8 eyrie--8t--is       
,f9dlayson--*ief ( ! ,ka%i ,bridge4 ,!  
poor bea/ is go+ to be dr[n$1 too4      
,dr[n$ :5 x's close to %ore4 ,i'm--,i'm 
on %ore already4 ,:y doesn't x come     
along80  ,to 8 int5se disgu/1 he f\nd 8 
s\l back 9 8 body aga91 & t body        
splutt]+ & *ok+ 9 deep wat]4 ,! pa9 ( ! 
reunion 0 atroci\s1 b x 0 necess>y1     
also1 to fight = ! body4 ,he 0 consci\s 
( grasp+ wildly at wet s&1 & /rid+      
prodigi\sly1 z "o /rides 9 a dream1 to  
keep foo?old 9 ! swirl+ wat]1 till at   
la/ he haul$ himself cle> ( ! hold ( !  
riv]1 & dropp$1 pant+1 on wet e>?4  8,n 

?is night10 said ,p]oo1 9 8 e>4 8,!     
,gods h protect$ u40 ,! ,lasc> mov$ 8   
feet cauti\sly1 & !y ru/l$ among dri$   
/umps4 8,?is is "s isl& ( la/ ye>'s     
indigo-crop10 he w5t on4 8,we %all f9d  
no m5 "h2 b h great c>e1 ,sahib2 all !  
snakes ( a hundr$ miles h be5 flood$    
out4 ,"h comes ! lightn+1 on ! heels ( !
 w9d4 ,n[ we %all be able to look2 b    
walk c>efully40  ,f9dlayson 0 f> & f>   
beyond any fe> ( snakes1 or inde$ any   
m]ely human emotion4 ,he saw1 aft] he _h
 rubb$ ! wat] f 8 eyes1 ) an imm5se     
cle>ness1 & trod1 s x seem$ to himself )
 _w-encompass+ /rides4 ,some:]e 9 !     
night ( "t he _h built a bridge--a      
bridge t spann$ illimitable levels ( %9+
 seas2 b ! ,deluge _h swept x away1     
leav+ ?is "o isl& "u heav5 = ,f9dlayson 
& 8 companion1 sole survivors ( ! bre$ (
 ,man4  ,an incessant lightn+1 =k$ &    
blue1 %[$ all t !re 0 to be se5 on !    
little pat* 9 ! flood--a clump ( ?orn1 a
 clump ( sway+ creak+ bamboos1 & a grey 
gn>l$ peepul ov]%ad[+ a ,h9doo %r9e1 f  

^: dome float$ a tatt]$ r$ flag4 ,! holy
 man ^: summ] re/+-place x 0 _h long    
s9ce ab&on$ x1 & ! wea!r _h brok5 !     
r$-daub$ image ( 8 god4 ,! two m5       
/umbl$1 heavy-limb$ & heavy-ey$1 ov] !  
a%es ( a brick-set cook+-place1 & dropp$
 d[n "u ! %elt] ( ! bran*es1 :ile ! ra9 
& riv] ro>$ toge!r4  ,! /umps ( ! indigo
 crackl$1 & !re 0 a smell ( cattle1 z a 
huge & dripp+ ,brahm9ee bull %\ld]$ 8   
way "u ! tree4 ,! fla%es reveal$ !      
trid5t m>k ( ,%iva on 8 flank1 !        
insol5ce ( head & hump1 ! lum9\s /ag-l  
eyes1 ! br[ cr[n$ ) a wrea? ( sodd5     
m>igold blooms1 & ! silky dewlap t almo/
 swept ! gr\nd4 ,!re 0 a noise beh9d him
 ( o!r bea/s com+ up f ! flood-l9e ?r\gh
 ! ?icket1 a s\nd ( heavy feet & deep   
brea?+4  8,"h be m beside ourselves10   
said ,f9dlayson1 8 head aga9/ !         
treepole1 look+ ?r\gh half-%ut eyes1    
:olly at ease4  8,truly10 said ,p]oo1   
?ickly1 8& no small ones40  8,:at are   
!y1 !n8 ,i d n see cle>ly40  8,! ,gods4 
,:o else8 ,look60  8,ah1 true6 ,! ,gods 

surely--! ,gods40 ,f9dlayson smil$ z 8  
head fell =w>d on 8 *e/4 ,p]oo 0 em95tly
 "r4 ,aft] ! ,flood1 :o %\ld be alive 9 
! l& except ! ,gods t made x--! ,gods to
 :om 8 village pray$ nightly--! ,gods :o
 7 9 all m5's m\?s & ab\t all m5's ways4
 ,he c\ld n raise 8 head or /ir a f+] = 
! trance t held him1 & ,p]oo 0 smil+    
vacantly at ! lightn+4  ,! ,bull paus$  
by ! %r9e1 8 head l[]$ to ! damp e>?4 ,a
 gre5 ,p>rot 9 ! bran*es pre5$ 8 wet w+s
 & scream$ aga9/ ! ?und] z ! circle "u !
 tree fill$ ) ! %ift+ %ad[s ( bea/s4    
,!re 0 a black ,buck at ! ,bull's       
heels-su* a ,buck z ,f9dlayson 9 8      
f>-away life ^u e>? might h se5 9       
dreams--a ,buck ) a royal head1 ebon    
back1 silv] belly1 & gleam+ /raight     
horns4 ,beside him1 h] head b[$ to !    
gr\nd1 ! gre5 eyes burn+ "u ! heavy     
br[s1 ) re/less tail swit*+ ! dead      
grass1 pac$ a ,tigress1 full-belli$ &   
deep-j[l$4  ,! ,bull cr\*$ beside !     
%r9e1 & !re leap$ f ! d>kness a mon/r\s 
grey ,ape1 :o seat$ himself man-wise 9 !

 place ( ! fall5 image1 & ! ra9 spill$ l
 jewels f ! hair ( 8 neck & %\ld]s4 ,o!r
 %ad[s came & w5t beh9d ! circle1 among 
!m a drunk5 ,man fl\ri%+ /aff &         
dr9k+-bottle4 ,!n a ho>se bell[ broke   
out f ne> ! gr\nd4 8,! flood less5s ev5 
n[10 x cri$4 8,h\r by h\r ! wat] falls1 
& _! bridge /ill /&s60  8,my bridge10   
said ,f9dlayson to himself 8,t mu/ be v 
old "w n[4 ,:at h ! ,gods to d ) my     
bridge80  ,8 eyes roll$ 9 ! d>kness     
foll[+ ! ro>4 ,a ,mugg]--! blunt-nos$1  
=d-haunt+ ,mugg] ( ! ,ganges--draggl$   
h]self be=e ! bea/s1 la%+ furi\sly to "r
 & left ) h] tail4  8,!y h made x too   
/rong = me4 ,9 all ?is night ,i h only  
torn away a h&ful ( planks4 ,! walls /&4
 ,! t[]s /&4 ,!y h *a9$ my flood1 & !   
riv] is n free any m4 ,heav5ly ,ones1   
take ?is yoke away6 ,give me cle> wat]  
betwe5 bank & bank6 ,x is ,i1 ,"m       
,gunga1 t speak4 ,! ,ju/ice ( ! ,gods6  
,deal me ! ,ju/ice ( ! ,gods60  8,:at   
said ,i80 :isp]$ ,p]oo4 8,?is is 9 tru? 
a ,pun*ayet ( ! ,gods4 ,n[ we "k t all !

 _w is dead1 save y & ,i1 ,sahib40  ,!  
,p>rot scream$ & flutt]$ aga91 & !      
,tigress1 h] e>s flat to h] head1 sn>l$ 
wick$ly4  ,some:]e 9 ! %ad[1 a great    
trunk & gleam+ tusks sway$ to & fro1 & a
 l[ gurgle broke ! sil5ce t foll[$ on ! 
sn>l4  8,we be "h10 said a deep voice1  
8! ,great ,ones4 ,"o only & v _m4 ,%iv1 
my fa!r1 is "h1 ) ,indra4 ,kali has     
spok5 already4 ,hanuman li/5s also40    
8,ka%i is )\t h] ,kotwal to-night10 %\t$
 ! ,man ) ! dr9k+-bottle1 fl++ 8 /aff to
 ! gr\nd1 :ile ! isl& rang to ! bay+ (  
h\nds4 8,give h] ! ,ju/ice ( ! ,gods40  
8,ye 7 /ill :5 !y pollut$ my wat]s10 !  
great ,crocodile bell[$4 8,ye made no   
sign :5 my riv] 0 trapp$ betwe5 ! walls4
 ,i _h no help save my own /r5g?1 & t   
fail$--! /r5g? ( ,"m ,gunga fail$--be=e 
_! gu>d-t[]s4 ,:at c\ld ,i d8 ,i h done 
ev]y?+4 ,f9i% n[1 ,heav5ly ,ones60  8,i 
br\ght ! dea?2 ,i rode ! spott$         
sick-ness f hut to hut ( _! workm51 &   
yet !y w\ld n cease40 ,a nose-slitt51   
hide-worn ,ass1 lame1 scissor-legg$1 &  

gall$1 limp$ =w>d4 8,i ca/ ! dea? at !m 
out ( my no/rils1 b !y w\ld n cease40   
,p]oo w\ld h mov$1 b ! opium lay heavy  
^u him4  8,bah60 he said1 spitt+4 8,"h  
is ,sitala h]self2 ,mata--! small-pox4  
,has ! ,sahib a h&k]*ief to put ov] 8   
face80  8,little help6 ,!y f$ me !      
corpses = a mon?1 & ,i flung !m out on  
my s&-b>s1 b _! "w w5t =w>d4 ,demons !y 
are1 & sons ( demons6 ,& ye left ,"m    
,gunga alone = _! fire-c>riage to make a
 mock ( ,! ,ju/ice ( ! ,gods on !       
bridge-build]s60  ,! ,bull turn$ ! cud 9
 8 m\? & answ]$ sl[ly3 8,if ! ,ju/ice ( 
! ,gods caught all :o made a mock ( holy
 ?+s !re w\ld be _m d>k alt>s 9 ! l&1   
"m40  8,b ?is goes beyond a mock10 said 
! ,tigress1 d>t+ =w>d a grip+ paw4 8,?\ 
kn[e/1 ,%iv1 & ye1 too1 ,heav5ly ,ones2 
ye "k t !y h defil$ ,gunga4 ,surely !y  
mu/ come to ! ,de/roy]4 ,let ,indra     
judge40  ,! ,buck made no movem5t z he  
answ]$3 8,h[ long has ?is evil be58     
8,?ree ye>s1 z m5 c\nt ye>s10 said !    
,mugg]1 close press$ to ! e>?4  8,does  

,"m ,gunga die1 !n1 9 a ye>1 t %e is s  
anxi\s to see v5geance n[8 ,! deep sea 0
 :]e %e runs b ye/]day1 & to-morr[ ! sea
 %all cov] h] aga9 z ! ,gods c\nt t :i* 
m5 call "t4 ,c any say t ?is _! bridge  
endures till to-morr[80  said ! ,buck4  
,!re 0 a long hu%1 & 9 ! cle>+ ( ! /orm 
! full moon /ood up above ! dripp+      
trees4  8,judge ye1 !n10 said ! ,riv]1  
sull5ly4 8,i h spok5 my %ame4 ,! flood  
falls /ill4 ,i c d no m40  8,= my own   
"p10--x 0 ! voice ( ! great ,ape seat$  
)9 ! %r9e--8x pleases me well to wat* ^!
 m51 rememb]+ t ,i also build$ no small 
bridge 9 ! _w's y\?40  8,!y say1 too10  
sn>l$ ! ,tig]1 8t ^! m5 came ( ! wreck (
 ?y armies1 ,hanuman1 & !re=e ?\ ha/    
aid$--0  8,!y toil z my armies toil$ 9  
,lanka1 & !y believe t _! toil endures4 
,indra is too high1 b ,%iv1 ?\ kn[e/ h[ 
! l& is ?read$ ) _! fire-c>riages40     
8,yea1 ,i "k10 said ! ,bull4 8,_! ,gods 
in/ruct$ !m 9 ! matt]40  ,a laugh ran   
r\nd ! circle4  8,_! ,gods6 ,:at %\ld _!
 ,gods "k8 ,!y 7 born ye/]day1 & ^? t   

made !m are sc>cely yet cold10 said !   
,mugg]4 8,to-morr[ _! ,gods w die40     
8,ho60 said ,p]oo4 8,"m ,gunga talks    
good talk4 ,i told t to ! padre-sahib :o
 prea*$ on ! ,mombassa1 & he ask$ !     
,burra ,malum to put me 9 irons = a     
great rud5ess40  8,surely !y make ^! ?+s
 to please _! ,gods10 said ! ,bull aga94
  8,n altoge!r10 ! ,elephant roll$ =?4  
8,x is = ! pr(it ( my mahajuns--my fat  
money-l5d]s t wor%ip me at ea* new ye>1 
:5 !y draw my image at ! head ( !       
acc\nt-books4 ,i1 look+ ov] _! %\ld]s by
 lamplight1 see t ! names 9 ! books are 
^? ( m5 9 f> places--= all ! t[ns are   
drawn toge!r by ! fire-c>riage1 & !     
money comes & goes swiftly1 & !         
acc\nt-books gr[ z fat z--myself4 ,& ,i1
 :o am ,gane% ( ,good ,luck1 ,i bless my
 peoples40  8,!y h *ang$ ! face ( !     
l&-:i* is my l&4 ,!y h kill$ & made new 
t[ns on my banks10 said ! ,mugg]4  8,x  
is b ! %ift+ ( a little dirt4 ,let !    
dirt dig 9 ! dirt if x pleases ! dirt10 
answ]$ ! ,elephant4  8,b aft]w>ds80 said

 ! ,tig]4 8,aft]w>ds !y w see t ,"m     
,gunga c av5ge no insult1 & !y fall away
 f h] fir/1 & lat] f u all1 "o by "o4 ,9
 ! end1 ,gane%1 we are left ) nak$      
alt>s40  ,! drunk5 ,man /agg]$ to 8     
feet1 & hiccupp$ vehem5tly4  8,kali     
lies4 ,my si/] lies4 ,also ?is my /ick  
is ! ,kotwal ( ,ka%i1 & he keeps tally (
 my pilgrims4 ,:5 ! "t comes to wor%ip  
,bhairon-& x is always "t--!            
fire-c>riages move "o by "o1 & ea* be>s 
a ?\s& pilgrims4 ,!y d n come afoot any 
m1 b roll+ ^u :eels1 & my hon\r is      
increas$40  8,gunga1 ,i h se5 ?y b$ at  
,pryag black ) ! pilgrims10 said ! ,ape1
 lean+ =w>d1 8& b = ! fire-c>riage !y   
w\ld h come sl[ly & 9 few] numb]s4      
,rememb]40  8,!y come to me always10    
,bhairon w5t on ?ickly4 8,by day & night
 !y pray to me1 all ! ,common ,p 9 !    
fields & ! roads4 ,:o is l ,bhairon     
to-day8 ,:at talk is ?is ( *ang+ fai?s8 
,is my /aff ,kotwal ( ,ka%i = no?+8 ,he 
keeps ! tally1 & he says t nev] 7 s _m  
alt>s z today1 & ! fire-c>riage s]ves !m

 well4 ,bhairon am ,i--,bhairon ( !     
,common ,p1 & ! *iefe/ ( ! ,heav5ly     
,ones to-day4 ,also my /aff says--0     
8,peace1 ?\10 l[$ ! ,bull4 8,! wor%ip ( 
! s*ools is m9e1 & !y talk v wisely1    
ask+ :e!r ,i be "o or _m1 z is ! delight
 ( my p1 & ye "k :at ,i am4 ,kali1 my   
wife1 ?\ kn[e/ also40  8,yea1 ,i "k10   
said ! ,tigress1 ) l[]$ head4  8,great] 
am ,i ?an ,gunga also4 ,= ye "k :o mov$ 
! m9ds ( m5 t !y %\ld c\nt ,gunga holy  
among ! riv]s4 ,:o die 9 t wat]--ye "k  
h[ m5 say--come to u )\t puni%m5t1 &    
,gunga kn[s t ! fire-c>riage has borne  
to h] scores ^u scores ( su* anxi\s     
ones2 & ,kali kn[s t %e has held h]     
*iefe/ fe/ivals among ! pilgrimages t   
are f$ by ! fire-c>riage4 ,:o smote at  
,pooree1 "u ! ,image !re1 h] ?\s&s 9 a  
day & a night1 & b\nd ! sickness to !   
:eels ( ! fire-c>riages1 s t x ran f "o 
end ( ! l& to ! o!r8 ,:o b ,kali8 ,be=e 
! fire-c>riage came x 0 a heavy toil4 ,!
 fire-c>riages h s]v$ !e well1 ,"m (    
,dea?4 ,b ,i speak = m9e own alt>s1 :o  

am n ,bhairon ( ! ,common ,folk1 b ,%iv4
 ,m5 g to & fro1 mak+ words & tell+ talk
 ( /range ,gods1 & ,i li/54 ,fai? foll[s
 fai? among my p 9 ! s*ools1 & ,i h no  
ang]2 = :5 all words are said1 & ! new  
talk is end$1 to ,%iv m5 return at !    
la/40  8,true4 ,x is true10 murmur$     
,hanuman4 8,to ,%iv & to ! o!rs1 "m1 !y 
return4 ,i creep f temple to temple 9 ! 
,nor?1 :]e !y wor%ip "o ,god & ,8       
,prophet2 & pres5tly my image is alone  
)9 _! %r9es40  8,small ?anks10 said !   
,buck1 turn+ 8 head sl[ly4 8,i am t ,"o 
& ,8 ,prophet also40  8,ev5 s1 fa!r10   
said ,hanuman4 8,& to ! ,s\? ,i g :o am 
! olde/ ( ! ,gods z m5 "k ! ,gods1 &    
pres5tly ,i t\* ! %r9es ( ! ,new ,fai? &
 ! ,woman :om we "k is hewn twelve-arm$1
 & /ill !y call h] ,m>y40  8,small      
?anks1 bro!r10 said ! ,tigress4 8,i am t
 ,woman40  8,ev5 s1 si/]2 & ,i g ,we/   
among ! fire-c>riages1 & /& be=e !      
bridge-build]s 9 _m %apes1 & because (  
me !y *ange _! fai?s & are v wise4 ,ho6 
ho6 ,i am ! build] ( bridges1           

inde$--bridges betwe5 ?is & t1 & ea*    
bridge leads surely to ,u 9 ! end4 ,be  
cont5t1 ,gunga4 ,nei!r ^! m5 nor ^? t   
foll[ !m mock !e at all40  8,am ,i      
alone1 !n1 ,heav5ly ,ones8 ,%all ,i     
smoo? out my flood le/ unhappily ,i be> 
away _! walls8 ,w ,indra dry my spr+s 9 
! hills & make me crawl humbly betwe5 _!
 :>fs8 ,%all ,i bury me 9 ! s& ere ,i   
(f5d80  8,& all = ! sake ( a little iron
 b> ) ! fire-c>riage atop4 ,truly1 ,"m  
,gunga is always "y60 said ,gane% !     
,elephant4 8,a *ild _h n spok5 m        
fooli%ly4 ,let ! dirt dig 9 ! dirt ere x
 return to ! dirt4 ,i "k only t my p gr[
 ri* & praise me4 ,%iv has said t ! m5 (
 ! s*ools d n =get2 ,bhairon is cont5t =
 8 cr[d ( ! ,common ,p2 & ,hanuman      
laughs40  8,surely ,i laugh10 said !    
,ape4 8,my alt>s are few beside ^? (    
,gane% or ,bhairon1 b ! fire-c>riages   
br+ me new wor%ipp]s f beyond ! ,black  
,wat]--! m5 :o believe t _! ,god is     
toil4 ,i run be=e !m beckon+1 & !y foll[
 ,hanuman40  8,give !m ! toil t !y      

desire1 !n10 said ! ,riv]4 8,make a b>  
across my flood & ?r[ ! wat] back ^u !  
bridge4 ,once ?\ wa/ /rong 9 ,lanka1    
,hanuman4 ,/oop & lift my b$40  8,:o    
gives life c take life40 ,! ,ape scrat*$
 9 ! mud ) a long =ef+]4 8,& yet1 :o    
w\ld pr(it by ! kill+8 ,v _m w\ld die40 
,!re came up f ! wat] a snat* ( a       
love-song su* z ! boys s+ :5 !y wat* _! 
cattle 9 ! noon heats ( late spr+4 ,!   
,p>rot scream$ joy\sly1 sidl+ along 8   
bran* ) l[]$ head z ! song grew l\d]1 & 
9 a pat* ( cle> moonlight /ood reveal$ !
 "y h]d1 ! d>l+ ( ! ,gopis1 ! idol (    
dream+ maids & ( mo!rs ere _! *ildr5 are
 born ,kri%na ! ,well-belov$4 ,he /oop$ 
to knot up 8 long wet hair1 & ! ,p>rot  
flutt]$ to 8 %\ld]4  8,fleet+ & s++1 &  
s++ & fleet+10 hiccupp$ ,bhairon4 8,^?  
make !e late = ! c\ncil1 bro!r40  8,&   
!n80 said ,kri%na1 ) a laugh1 ?r[+ back 
8 head4 8,ye c d little )\t me or ,k>ma 
"h40 ,he fondl$ ! ,p>rot's plumage &    
laugh$ aga94 8,:at is ?is sitt+ & talk+ 
toge!r8 ,i he>d ,"m ,gunga ro>+ 9 ! d>k1

 & s came quickly f a hut :]e ,i lay    
w>m4 ,& :at h ye done to ,k>ma1 t he is 
s wet & sil5t8 ,& :at does ,"m ,gunga   
"h8 ,are ! heav5s full t ye mu/ come    
paddl+ 9 ! mud bea/-wise8 ,k>ma1 :at d  
!y d80  8,gunga has pray$ = a v5geance  
on ! bridge-build]s1 & ,kali is ) h]4   
,n[ %e bids ,hanuman :elm ! bridge1 t h]
 hon\r may be made great10 cri$ !       
,p>rot4 8,i wait$ "h1 kn[+ t ?\ w\ld/   
come1 ,o my ma/]6  8,& ! ,heav5ly ,ones 
said no?+8 ,did ,gunga & ! ,"m ( ,sorr[s
 out-talk !m8 ,did none speak = my p80  
8,nay10 said ,gane%1 mov+ uneasily f    
foot to foot2 8,i said x 0 b dirt at    
play1 & :y %\ld we /amp x flat80  8,i 0 
cont5t to let !m toil--well cont5t10    
said ,hanuman4  8,:at _h ,i to d )      
,gunga's ang]80 said ! ,bull4  8,i am   
,bhairon ( ! ,common ,folk1 & ?is my    
/aff is ,kotwal ( all ,ka%i4 ,i spoke = 
! ,common ,p40  8,?\80 ,! "y ,god's eyes
 sp>kl$4  8,am ,i n ! fir/ ( ! ,gods 9  
_! m\?s to-day80 return$ ,bhairon1      
unaba%$4 8,= ! sake ( ! ,common ,p ,i   

said--v _m wise ?+s :i* ,i h n[ =gott51 
b ?is my /aff-0  ,kri%na turn$          
impati5tly1 saw ! ,mugg] at 8 feet1 &   
kneel+1 slipp$ an arm r\nd ! cold neck4 
8,"m10 he said g5tly1 8get !e to ?y     
flood aga94 ,! matt] is n = !e4 ,:at h>m
 %all ?y hon\r take ( ?is live dirt8 ,?\
 ha/ giv5 !m _! fields new ye> aft] ye>1
 & by ?y flood !y are made /rong4 ,!y   
come all to !e at ! la/4 ,:at ne$ to    
slay !m n[8 ,h pity1 "m1 = a little--& x
 is only = a little40  8,if x be only = 
a little10 ! sl[ bea/ began4    8,are !y
 ,gods1 !n80 ,kri%na return$ ) a laugh1 
8 eyes look+ into ! dull eyes ( ! ,riv]4
 8,be c]ta9 t x is only = a little4 ,!  
,heav5ly ,ones h he>d !e1 & pres5tly    
ju/ice w be done4 ,g n[1 "m1 to ! flood 
aga94 ,m5 & cattle are ?ick on !        
wat]s--! banks fall--! villages melt    
because ( !e40  8,b ! bridge--! bridge  
/&s40 ,! ,mugg] turn$ grunt+ into !     
und]gr[? z ,kri%na rose4  8,x is end$10 
said ! ,tigress1 vici\sly4 8,!re is no m
 ju/ice f ! ,heav5ly ,ones4 ,ye h made  

%ame & sport ( ,gunga1 :o ask$ no m ?an 
a few score lives40  8,( my p--:o lie "u
 ! leaf-ro(s ( ! village yond]--( ! "y  
girls1 & ! "y m5 :o s+ to !m 9 ! d>k--( 
! *ild t w be born next morn--( t :i* 0 
begott5 to-night10  said ,kri%na4 8,& :5
 all is done1 :at pr(it8 ,to-morr[ sees 
!m at "w4 ,ay1 if ye swept ! bridge out 
f end to end !y w\ld beg9 anew4 ,he> me6
 ,bhairon is drunk always4 ,hanuman     
mocks 8 p ) new riddles40  8,nay1 b !y  
are v old ones10 ! ,ape said1 laugh+4   
8,%iv he>s ! talk ( ! s*ools & ! dreams 
( ! holy m52 ,gane% ?9ks only ( 8 fat   
trad]s2 b ,i--,i live ) ^! my p1 ask+ = 
no gifts1 & s receiv+ !m h\rly40  8,& v 
t5d] art ?\ ( ?y p10 said ! ,tigress4   
8,!y are my own4 ,! old wom5 dream ( me 
turn+ 9 _! sleep2 ! maids look & li/5 = 
me :5 !y g to fill _! lotahs by ! riv]4 
,i walk by ! "y m5 wait+ )\t ! gates at 
dusk1 & ,i call ov] my %\ld] to !       
:ite-be>ds4 ,ye "k1 ,heav5ly ,ones1 t ,i
 alone ( u all walk ^u ! e>? cont9ually1
 & h no pleasure 9 our heav5s s long z a

 gre5 blade spr+s "h1 or !re are two    
voices at twilight 9 ! /&+ crops4 ,wise 
are ye1 b ye live f> (f2 =gett+ :5ce ye 
came4 ,s d ,i n =get4 ,& ! fire-c>riage 
fe$s y\r %r9es1 ye say8 ,& !            
fire-c>riages br+ a ?\s& pilgrims :]e b 
t5 came 9 ! old ye>s8 ,true4 ,t is true1
 to-day40  8,b to-morr[ !y are dead1    
bro!r10 said ,gane%4  8,peace60 said !  
,bull1 z ,hanuman lean$ =w>d aga94 8,&  
to-morr[1 belov$--:at ( to-morr[80      
8,?is only4 ,a new ^w creep+ f m\? to   
m\? among ! ,common ,folk--a ^w t nei!r 
man nor ,god c lay hold (--an evil ^w--a
 little lazy ^w among ! ,common ,folk1  
say+ 7& none "k :o set t ^w afoot7 t !y 
we>y ( ye1 ,heav5ly ,ones40  ,! ,gods   
laugh$ toge!r s(tly4 8,& !n1 belov$10 !y
 said4  8,& to cov] t we>9ess !y1 my p1 
w br+ to !e1 ,%iv1 & to !e1 ,gane%1 at  
fir/ great] (f]+s & a l\d] noise (      
wor%ip4 ,b ! ^w has gone abroad1 &1     
aft]1 !y w pay few] dues to y\r fat     
,brahm9s4 ,next !y w =get y\r alt>s1 b s
 sl[ly t no man c say h[ 8 =getfulness  

began40  8,i knew--,i knew6 ,i spoke ?is
 also1 b !y w\ld n he>10 said !         
,tigress4 8,we %\ld h sla9-we %\ld h    
sla960  8,x is too late n[4 ,ye %\ld h  
sla9 at ! beg9n+ :5 ! m5 f across ! wat]
 _h taught our folk no?+4 ,n[ my p see  
_! "w1 & g away ?9k+4 ,!y d n ?9k ( !   
,heav5ly ,ones altoge!r4 ,!y ?9k ( !    
fire-c>riage & ! o!r ?+s t !            
bridge-build]s h done1 & :5 y\r prie/s  
?ru/ =w>d h&s ask+ alms1 !y give a      
little unwill+ly4 ,t is ! beg9n+1 among 
"o or two1 or five or t5--= ,i1 mov+    
among my p1 "k :at is 9 _! he>ts40  8,& 
! end1 ,je/] ( ! ,gods8 ,:at %all ! end 
be80 said ,gane%4  8,! end %all be z x 0
 9 ! beg9n+1 ,o slo?ful son ( ,%iv6 ,!  
flame %all die ^u ! alt>s & ! pray] ^u !
 tongue till ye become little ,gods     
aga9--,gods ( ! jungle--names t ! hunt]s
 ( rats & noos]s ( dogs :isp] 9 ! ?icket
 & among ! caves--rag-,gods1 pot ,godl+s
 ( ! tree1 & ! village-m>k1 z ye 7 at ! 
beg9n+4 ,t is ! end1 ,gane%1 = !e1 & =  
,bhairon--,bhairon ( ! ,common ,p40  8,x

 is v f> away10 grunt$ ,bhairon4 8,also1
 x is a lie40  8,_m wom5 h kiss$        
,kri%na4 ,!y told him ?is to *e] _! own 
he>ts :5 ! grey hairs came1 & he has    
told u ! tale10 said ! ,bull1 bel[ 8    
brea?4  8,_! ,gods came1 & we *ang$ !m4 
,i took ! ,woman & made h] twelve-arm$4 
,s %all we twi/ all _! ,gods10 said     
,hanuman4  8,_! ,gods6 ,?is is no "q (  
_! ,gods--"o or ?ree--man or woman4 ,!  
matt] is ) ! p4 ,i move1 & n ! ,gods ( !
 bridge-build]s10 said ,kri%na4  8,s be 
x4 ,i h made a man wor%ip ! fire-c>riage
 z x /ood /ill brea?+ smoke1 & he knew n
 t he wor%ipp$ me10 said ,hanuman !     
,ape4 8,!y w only *ange a little ! names
 ( _! ,gods4 ,i %all lead ! build]s ( ! 
bridges z ( old2 ,%iv %all be wor%ipp$ 9
 ! s*ools by su* z d\bt & despise _!    
fell[s2 ,gane% %all h 8 mahajuns1 &     
,bhairon ! donkey-driv]s1 ! pilgrims1 & 
! sell]s ( toys4 ,belov$1 !y w d no m   
?an *ange ! names1 & t we h se5 a ?\s&  
times40  8,surely !y w d no m ?an *ange 
! names10 e*o$ ,gane%2 b !re 0 an uneasy

 movem5t among ! ,gods4  8,!y w *ange m 
?an ! names4 ,me alone !y _c kill1 s    
long z a maid5 & a man meet toge!r or ! 
spr+ foll[s ! w9t] ra9s4 ,heav5ly ,ones1
 n = no?+ h ,i walk$ ^u ! e>?4 ,my p "k 
n n[ :at !y "k2 b ,i1 :o live ) !m1 ,i  
read _! he>ts4 ,great ,k+s1 ! beg9n+ ( !
 end is born already4 ,! fire-c>riages  
%\t ! names ( new ,gods t are n ! old "u
 new names4 ,dr9k n[ & eat greatly6 ,ba!
 y\r faces 9 ! smoke ( ! alt>s be=e !y  
gr[ cold6 ,take dues & li/5 to ! cymbals
 & ! drums1 ,heav5ly ,ones1 :ile yet !re
 are fl[]s & songs4 ,z m5 c\nt "t ! end 
is f> (f2 b z we :o "k reckon x is      
to-day4 ,i h spok540  ,! "y ,god ceas$1 
& 8 bre?r5 look$ at ea* o!r long 9      
sil5ce4  8,?is ,i h n he>d be=e10 ,p]oo 
:isp]$ 9 8 companion's e>4 8,& yet      
sometimes1 :5 ,i oil$ ! brasses 9 !     
eng9e-room ( ! ,goorkha1 ,i h wond]$ if 
our prie/s 7 s wise--s wise4 ,! day is  
com+1 ,sahib4 ,!y w be gone by ! morn+40
  ,a yell[ light broad5$ 9 ! sky1 & !   
tone ( ! riv] *ang$ z ! d>kness )drew4  

,sudd5ly ! ,elephant trumpet$ al\d z    
?\gh man _h goad$ him4  8,let ,indra    
judge4 ,fa!r ( all1 speak ?\6 ,:at ( !  
?+s we h he>d8 ,has ,kri%na li$ inde$8  
,or---0  8,ye "k10 said ! ,buck1 ris+ to
 8 feet4 8,ye "k ! ,riddle ( ! ,gods4   
,:5 ,brahm ceases to dream1 ! ,heav5s & 
! ,hells & ,e>? disappe>4 ,be cont5t4   
,brahm dreams /ill4 ,! dreams come & g1 
& ! nature ( ! dreams *anges1 b /ill    
,brahm dreams4 ,kri%na has walk$ too    
long ^u e>?1 & yet ,i love him ! m = !  
tale he has told4 ,! ,gods *ange1       
belov$--all save ,"o60  8,ay1 all save  
"o t makes love 9 ! he>ts ( m510 said   
,kri%na1 knott+ 8 girdle4 8,x is b a    
little "t to wait1 & ye %all "k if ,i   
lie4 ,truly x is b a little "t1 z ?\    
saye/1 & we %all "k4 ,get !e to ?y huts 
aga91 belov$1 & make sport = ! "y ?+s1 =
 /ill ,brahm dreams4 ,g1 my *ildr56     
,brahm dreams & till he wakes ! ,gods   
die n40  8,:i!r w5t !y80 said ! ,lasc>1 
awe-/ruck1 %iv]+ a little ) ! cold4     
8,god kn[s60 said ,f9dlayson4 ,! riv] & 

! isl& lay 9 full daylight n[1 & !re 0  
nev] m>k ( ho( or pug on ! wet e>? "u ! 
peepul4 ,only a p>rot scream$ 9 !       
bran*es1 br++ d[n %[]s ( wat]-drops z he
 flutt]$ 8 w+s4  8,up6 ,we are cramp$ ) 
cold6 ,has ! opium di$ out4 ,can/ ?\    
move1 ,sahib80  ,f9dlayson /agg]$ to 8  
feet & %ook himself4 ,8 bead swam & a*$1
 b ! "w ( ! opium 0 ov]1 &1 z he sluic$ 
8 =ehead 9 a pool1 ! ,*ief ,eng9e] ( !  
,ka%i ,bridge 0 wond]+ h[ he _h manag$  
to fall ^u ! isl&1 :at *ances ! day (f]$
 ( return1 &1 above all1 h[ 8 "w /ood4  
8,p]oo1 ,i h =gott5 mu* ,i 0 "u !       
gu>d-t[] wat*+ ! riv]2 & !n--,did !     
flood sweep u away80  8,no4 ,! boats    
broke loose1 ,sahib1 &10 7if ! ,sahib _h
 =gott5 ab\t ! opium1 decid$ly ,p]oo    
w\ld n rem9d him7 89 /riv+ to retie !m1 
s x seem$ to me b x 0 d>k--a rope caught
 ! ,sahib & ?rew him ^u a boat4         
,consid]+ t we two1 ) ,hit*cock ,sahib1 
built1 z x 71 t bridge1 ,i came also ^u 
! boat1 :i* came rid+ on horseback1 z x 
71 on ! nose ( ?is isl&1 & s1 splitt+1  

ca/ u a%ore4 ,i made a great cry :5 !   
boat left ! :>f & )\t d\bt ,hit*cock    
,sahib w come = u4 ,z = ! bridge1 s _m h
 di$ 9 ! build+ t x _c fall40 ,a fi]ce  
sun1 t drew out all ! smell ( ! sodd5   
l&1 _h foll[$ ! /orm1 & 9 t cle> light  
!re 0 no room = a man to ?9k ( ! dreams 
( ! d>k4 ,f9dlayson />$ up/ream1 across 
! blaze ( mov+ wat]1 till 8 eyes a*$4   
,!re 0 no sign ( any bank to ! ,ganges1 
mu* less ( a bridge-l9e4  8,we came d[n 
f>10 he said4 8,x 0 wond]ful t we 7 n   
dr[n$ a hundr$ times40  8,t 0 ! lea/ ( !
 wond]1 = no man dies be=e 8 "t4 ,i h   
se5 ,sydney1 ,i h se5 ,london1 & tw5ty  
great ports1 b10--,p]oo look$ at ! damp1
 discol\r$ %r9e "u ! peepul--8nev] man  
has se5 t we saw "h40  8,:at80  8,has ! 
,sahib =gott52 or d we black m5 only see
 ! ,gods80  8,!re 0 a fev] ^u me40      
,f9dlayson 0 /ill look+ uneasily across 
! wat]4 8,x seem$ t ! isl& 0 full (     
bea/s & m5 talk+1 b ,i d n rememb]4 ,a  
boat c\ld live 9 ?is wat] n[1 ,i ?9k40  
8,oho6 ,!n x is true4 #8,:5 ,brahm      

ceases to dream1 ! ,gods die4' ,n[ ,i   
"k1 inde$1 :at he meant4 ,once1 too1 !  
guru said z mu* to me2 b !n ,i did n    
und]/&4 ,n[ ,i am wise40  8,:at80 said  
,f9dlayson1 ov] 8 %\ld]4  ,p]oo w5t on z
 if he 7 talk+ to himself               
8,six--sev5--t5 monsoons s9ce1 ,i 0 wat*
 on ! fo'c'sle ( ! ,rewah--! ,kumpani's 
big boat--& !re 0 a big tufan2 gre5 &   
black wat] beat+1 & ,i held fa/ to !    
life-l9es1 *ok+ "u ! wat]s4 ,!n ,i ?\ght
 ( ! ,gods--( ,^? :om we saw            
to-night10--he />$ curi\sly at          
,f9dlayson's back1 b ! :ite man 0 look+ 
across ! flood4 8,yes1 ,i say ( ,^? :om 
we saw ?is night pa/1 & ,i call$ ^u ,!m 
to protect me4 ,& :ile ,i pray$1 /ill   
keep+ my look\t1 a big wave came & ?rew 
me =w>d ^u ! r+ ( ! great black         
b[-an*or1 & ! ,rewah rose high & high1  
lean+ t[>ds ! left-h& side1 & ! wat]    
drew away f b5ea? h] nose1 & ,i lay ^u  
my belly1 hold+ ! r+1 & look+ d[n into  
^? great deeps4 ,!n ,i ?\ght1 ev5 9 !   
face ( dea?3 ,if ,i lose hold ,i die1 & 

= me nei!r ! ,rewah nor my place by !   
galley :]e ! rice is cook$1 nor ,bombay1
 nor ,calcutta1 nor ev5 ,london1 w be   
any m = me4 #8,h[ %all ,i be sure1' ,i  
said1 #8t ! ,gods to :om ,i pray w abide
 at all8' ,?is ,i ?\ght1 & ! ,rewah     
dropp$ h] nose z a hamm] falls1 & all ! 
sea came 9 & slid me backw>ds along !   
fo'c'sle & ov] ! break ( ! fo'c'sle1 &  
,i v badly bruis$ my %9 aga9/ !         
donkey-eng9e3 b ,i did n die1 & ,i h se5
 ! ,gods4 ,!y are good = live m51 b = ! 
dead4 4 4 4 ,!y h spok5 ,!mselves4      
,!re=e1 :5 ,i come to ! village ,i w    
beat ! guru = talk+ riddles :i* are no  
riddles4 ,:5 ,brahm ceases to dream !   
,gods g40  8,look up-/ream4 ,! light    
bl9ds4 ,is !re smoke yond]80  ,p]oo %ad$
 8 eyes ) 8 h&s4 8,he is a wise man &   
quick4 ,hit*cock ,sahib w\ld n tru/ a   
r[boat4 ,he has borr[$ ! ,rao ,sahib's  
/eam-laun*1 & comes to look = u4 ,i h   
always said t !re %\ld h be5 a          
/eam-laun* on ! bridge works = u40  ,!  
t]ritory ( ! ,rao ( ,b>aon lay )9 t5    

miles ( ! bridge2 & ,f9dlayson &        
,hit*cock _h sp5t a fair portion ( _!   
scanty leisure 9 play+ billi>ds & %oot+ 
blackbuck ) ! "y man4 ,he _h be5 be>d$  
by an ,engli% tutor ( sport+ ta/es = "s 
five or six ye>s1 & 0 n[ royally wa/+ ! 
rev5ues accumulat$ dur+ 8 m9ority by !  
,indian ,gov]nm5t4 ,8 /eam-laun*1 ) its 
silv]-plat$ rails1 /rip$ silk awn+1 &   
mahogany decks1 0 a new toy :i*         
,f9dlayson _h f\nd horribly 9 ! way :5 !
 ,rao came to look at ! bridge works4   
8,x's great luck10 murmur$ ,f9dlayson1 b
 he 0 none ! less afraid1 wond]+ :at    
news might be ( ! bridge4  ,! gaudy     
blue-&-:ite funnel came d[n/ream        
swiftly4 ,!y c\ld see ,hit*cock 9 ! b[s1
 ) a pair ( op]a-glasses1 & 8 face 0    
unusually :ite4 ,!n ,p]oo hail$1 & !    
laun* made = ! tail ( ! isl&4 ,! ,rao   
,sahib1 9 twe$ %oot+-suit & a sev5-hu$  
turban1 wav$ 8 royal h&1 & ,hit*cock    
%\t$4 ,b he ne$ h ask$ no que/ions1 =   
,f9dlayson's fir/ dem& 0 = 8 bridge4    
8,all s]5e6 #8,gad1 ,i nev] expect$ to  

see y aga91 ,f9dlayson4 ,y're sev5 koss 
d[n/ream4 ,yes2 !re's n a /one %ift$    
any:]e2 b h[ are y8 ,i borr[$ ! ,rao    
,sahib's laun*1 & he 0 good en\gh to    
come along4 ,jump 94 ,ah1 ,f9l9son1 y   
are v well1 eh8 ,t 0 mo/ unprec$5t$     
calamity la/ night1 eh8 ,my royal       
palace1 too1 x leaks l ! devil1 & !     
crops w also be %ort all ab\t my c\ntry4
 ,n[ y %all back h] out1 ,hit*cock4     
,i--,i d n und]/& /eam-eng9es4 ,y are   
wet8 ,y are cold1 ,f9l9son8 ,i h "s ?+s 
to eat "h1 & y w take a good dr9k40     
8,i'm imm5sely grateful1 ,rao ,sahib4 ,i
 believe y've sav$ my life4 ,h[ did     
,hit*cock--0  8,oho6 ,8 hair 0 ^u end4  
,he rode to me 9 ! middle ( ! night &   
woke me up 9 ! arms ( ,morpheus4 ,i 0   
mo/ truly conc]n$1 ,f9l9son1 s ,i came  
too4 ,my head-prie/ he is v angry j n[4 
,we w g quick1 ,mi/] ,hit*cock4 ,i am   
due to att5d at twelve =ty-five 9 ! /ate
 temple1 :]e we sanctify "s new idol4   
,if n s ,i w\ld h ask$ y to sp5d ! day )
 me4 ,!y are dam-bore1 ^! religi\s      

c]emonies1 ,f9l9son1 eh80  ,p]oo1 well  
kn[n to ! crew1 _h possess$ himself ( ! 
inlaid :eel1 & 0 tak+ ! laun* craftily  
up-/ream4 ,b :ile he /e]$ he 01 9 8 m9d1
 h&l+ two feet ( p>tially untwi/$       
wire-rope2 & ! back ^u :i* he beat 0 !  
back ( 8 guru4