him away. While he is gone you can slip
up and cut my bonds--have you a knife?"

"Yes, I have a knife," she replied. "I'll go now--I think we may be
able to fool him; but don't be too sure--Tantor invented cunning."

Korak smiled, for he knew that the girl was right. Presently she had
disappeared. The elephant listened, and raised his trunk to catch her
scent. Korak commanded him to raise him to his head once more and
proceed upon their way. After a moment's hesitation he did as he was
bid. It was then that Korak heard the distant call of an ape.

"Akut!" he thought. "Good! Tantor knew Akut well. He would let him
approach." Raising his voice Korak replied to the call of the ape; but
he let Tantor move off with him through the jungle; it would do no harm
to try the other plan. They had come to a clearing and plainly Korak
smelled water. Here was a good place and a good excuse. He ordered
Tantor to lay him down, and go and fetch him water in his trunk. The
big beast deposited him upon the grass in the center of the clearing,
then he stood with cocked ears and attentive trunk, searching for the
slightest indication of danger--there seemed to be none and he moved
away in the direction of the little brook that Korak knew was some two
or three hundred yards away. The ape-man could scarce help smiling as
he thought how cleverly he had tricked his friend; but well as he knew
Tantor he little guessed the guile of his cunning brain. The animal
ambled off across the clearing and disappeared in the jungle beyond in
the direction of the stream; but scarce had his great bulk been
screened by the dense foliage than he wheeled about and came cautiously
back to the edge of the clearing where he could see without being seen.
Tantor, by nature, is suspicious. Now he still feared the return of
the she Tarmangani who had attempted to attack his Korak. He would
just stand there for a moment and assure himself that all was well
before he continued on toward the water. Ah! It was well that he did!
There she was now dropping from the branches of a tree across the
clearing and running swiftly toward the ape-man. Tantor waited. He
would let her reach Korak before he charged--that would ensure that she
had no chance of escape. His little eyes blazed savagely. His tail
was elevated stiffly. He could scarce restrain a desire to trumpet
forth his rage to the world. Meriem was almost at Korak's side when
Tantor saw the lo