` Ay , ' the old soldier chuckled . ` Three Rissaldar -- majors in three regiments . Gamblers a little , but so am I . They must be well mounted ; and one can not take the horses as in the old days one took women . Well , well , my holding can pay for all . How thinkest thou ? It is a well-watered strip , but my men cheat me . I do not know how to ask save at the lance 's point . Ugh ! I grow angry and I curse them , and they feign penitence , but behind my back I know they call me a toothless old ape . ' ` Hast thou never desired any other thing ? ' ` Yes -- yes -- a thousand times ! A straight back and a close-clinging knee once more ; a quick wrist and a keen eye ; and the marrow that makes a man . Oh , the old days -- the good days of my strength ! ' ` That strength is weakness . ' ` It has turned so ; but fifty years since I could have proved it otherwise , ' the old soldier retorted , driving his stirrup-edge into the pony 's lean flank . ` But I know a River of great healing . ' ' I have drank Gunga-water to the edge of dropsy . All she gave me was a flux , and no sort of strength . ' ` It is not Gunga .
The River that I XXXXX washes from all taint of sin .
call chuckled desired drank gave know makes pay took turned