) that these animals were to be his next means of transport, a
novel one that harmonised with the surroundings. On the back of each
great beast was a massive, straw-filled pad secured by a rope passing
surcingle-wise around its body.

Each _mahout_ carried a gun, one a heavy rifle, the other a
double-barrelled fowling-piece, which they offered to Wargrave.

"_Huzoor_!" (the Presence--a polite mode of address in Hindustani), said
one man, "the _Burra_ Sahib (the Political Sahib) sends salaams and
lends you these, as you might see something to shoot on the way."

"Oh, the Political Officer. Very kind of him, I'm sure," remarked the
subaltern. "What is his name?"

"Durro-Mut Sahib."

"What a curious name!" thought Frank. For in the vernacular "_durro
mut_!" means, "Do not be afraid!" He concluded that it was a nickname.

"Why is he called that?" he asked in Hindustani.

"Because the Sahib is a very brave sahib," replied the man. "Where he is
there no one need fear."

The other _mahout_ nodded assent, then said:

"The Commanding Sahib has sent Your Honour from the Mess a basket with
food and drink. I have put it on the table in the _babu's_ (clerk's)
office in the station."

Frank blessed his new C.O. for his thoughtfulness and made a welcome
meal while he watched his baggage being loaded on to one of the
elephants.

"_Buth_!" (Lie down) cried the _mahout_; and the obedient animal slowly
sank to its knees and stretched out its legs before and behind. Frank's
"boy" mounted timorously when the luggage had been strapped on to the
pad. When the subaltern was ready the second elephant was ordered to
kneel down for him; and he clambered up awkwardly and clung on tightly
when the _mahout_, getting astride of the great neck, made it rise.

Along a broad road cut through the forest the huge beasts lumbered with
a plunging, swaying stride that was very tiring to a novice. Holding
both guns Frank glanced continually ahead, aside and behind him with a
delicious feeling of excited hope that at any moment some dangerous wild
beast might appear. On either hand the dense undergrowth of great,
flower-covered bushes and curving fan-shaped palms, restricted the view
to a few yards. From its dense tangle rose the giant trunks of huge
trees, their leafy crowns striving to push through the thick canopy of
vegetation overhead into the life-giving air and sunshine.

But no wild animal appeared to cheer Wargrave on the long way; and