Kim: Chapter 13 Summary & Analysis

As they begin their ascent into the mountains, Kim observes the lama grow stronger by the day, relishing in “my country.” Along the way, Kim and the lama occasionally encounter the devout hill-folk, as well as the Bengali hakim—Hurree Babu—who secretly asks Kim to always keep within eyesight of his umbrella. This proves difficult, however, with the lama often leading Kim on short-cuts on side-roads. Thus, upon arriving in the monumental Ziglaur valley—what Kim calls a world within a world—Hurree Babu is far out of sight, having taken the main road.

While Kim and the lama wait out a storm in a hut at Ziglaur, Hurree Babu spies the two foreigners with a group of baggage-coolies. Pretending to be an agent for the Rajah of Rampur, Hurree quickly ingratiates himself with two men—one Russian and one French—subtly searching their kiltas, or baskets, as he does so. To earn the men’s trust, Hurree feigns intoxication and speaks treasonously of the British government. In the morning, the men accept Hurree as a guide through the mountains, citing his hatred of his conquerors. As they walk, Hurree eavesdrops on their conversation, keeping an eye on the basket containing maps and documents.

Two days later, Kim spies Hurree’s umbrella and suggests they rest until it catches up to them. Hurree and the two men arrive to find the lama explaining the Wheel of Life to Kim. Sensing their interest, the lama launches into a long explanation of the Wheel, during which time the Babu explains the situation to Kim. One of the men offers to buy the chart from the lama, but the lama refuses, folding up the wheel. The Russian, seeing the lama as little more than a dirty old man, grabs at the chart, tearing it. Outraged, the lama draws his iron pen case as a weapon, and the Russian hits the lama on the face.

Chaos ensues as Kim attacks the Russian and the coolies run away, fearing retribution from the Gods. Hurree pretends to attack Kim, but really tells him to retrieve the bag with the men’s documents from the coolies. Kim returns to the lama and the coolies. All are unhurt, but the lama has to talk the coolies down from attacking the men, chastising them for fighting violence with violence. The lama collapses from his exertions, and Kim retrieves whiskey from the men’s supplies. After some debate, the coolies conspire to flee to Shamlegh and split the loot from the baggage. Fearing consequences, they all vow silence on the matter.

One of the coolies, Ao-chung, consults Kim about the bag of documents, worried that possession of such items might incriminate them or insult the sahib gods. Sensing his opportunity, Kim offers to take the bag and draw out its magic, claiming that otherwise it will do them harm. The men agree, and Kim, flush with pride, humorously reflects on the outcome of the situation; he is in possession of the bags, and the two men are now stranded in the wilderness, entirely reliant on Hurree. Hurree Babu reflects similarly; despite being stuck with the men and no way to communicate with Kim, he trusts him to retrieve the bags, and looks forward to laughing about everything later.