please their Gods," said the Bull
again.

"Not altogether," the Elephant rolled forth. "It is for the profit of my
mahajuns fat money-lenders that worship me at each new year, when they
draw my image at the head of the account-books. I, looking over their
shoulders by lamplight, see that the names in the books are those of
men in far places--for all the towns are drawn together by the
fire-carriage, and the money comes and goes swiftly, and the
account-books grow as fat as myself. And I, who am Ganesh of Good Luck,
I bless my peoples."

"They have changed the face of the land-which is my land. They have
killed and made new towns on my banks," said the Mugger.

"It is but the shifting of a little dirt. Let the dirt dig in the dirt
if it pleases the dirt," answered the Elephant.

"But afterwards?" said the Tiger. "Afterwards they will see that Mother
Gunga can avenge no insult, and they fall away from her first, and later
from us all, one by one. In the end, Ganesh, we are left with naked
altars."

The drunken Man staggered to his feet, and hiccupped vehemently.

"Kali lies. My sister lies. Also this my stick is the Kotwal of Kashi,
and he keeps tally of my pilgrims. When the time comes to worship
Bhairon--and it is always time--the fire-carriages move one by one, and
each hears a thousand pilgrims. They do not come afoot any more, but
rolling upon wheels, and my honour is increased."

"Gunga, I have seen thy bed at Pryag black with the pilgrims," said the
Ape, leaning forward, "and but for the fire-carriage they would have
come slowly and in fewer numbers. Remember."

"They come to me always," Bhairon went on thickly. "By day and night
they pray to me, all the Common People in the fields and the roads. Who
is like Bhairon today? What talk is this of changing faiths? Is my staff
Kotwal of Kashi for nothing? He keeps the tally, and he says that never
were so many altars as today, and the fire carriage serves them well.
Bhairon am I--Bhairon of the Common People, and the chiefest of tithe
Heavenly Ones today. Also my staff says--"

"Peace, thou!" lowed the Bull. "The worship of the schools is mine,
and they talk very wisely, asking whether I be one or many, as is the
delight of my people, and ye know what I am. Kali, my wife, thou knowest
also."

"Yea, I know," said the Tigress, with lowered head.

"Greater am I than Gunga also. For ye know who moved the minds of men
that they should count Gunga holy among th