you are
wondering what we should do if we come across a tiger. It strikes me
that we needn't mind that--at least, not in front, for Mr Stripes
wouldn't face these 'ere two great tusks. One of them would go through
him like a shot. What I'm thinking of is the making of a halt, first
clearing we come to. But if we do, who's going to tie up Rajah so that
he sha'n't go back? He might take it into his head to stop by the
river-side for some water, but it strikes me, sir, that as soon as we
got off he'd go back to the old stable to see if he couldn't find
something to eat and drink."

"Hush, Pete!" cried Archie excitedly.

"What for, sir? Afraid he will understand what we are saying?"

"Hush, I say!"

"All right, sir," said Peter, speaking in a whisper. "But he does keep
cocking up his ears and listening."

"Yes," said Archie; "I was in doubt before, but I am sure now. It's
some one keeps on hailing us from behind. Drive him on faster, for I am
sure we are pursued."

"What! make him gallop, sir? Why, it would chuck you off directly."

"No; I think I could keep on. We must try and leave whoever it is
behind. I couldn't bear for us to be taken again."

"We ain't a-going to be, sir, so long as we have these 'ere toothpicks
to fight with."

"That's a last resource. Try to hurry the beast."

"He won't hurry, sir. 'Tisn't as if I'd got one of them anchors, as
they call them; and even if I had, poor old chap! I shouldn't have the
heart to stick it into him as the mahouts do."

"It wouldn't hurt him more than spurring does a horse, with such a thick
skin."

"But I ain't got one of them boat-hooky tools. Look here, sir; hand me
that there kris. Ain't poisoned, is it?"

"The Doctor says they are not."

"Let's have it, then, sir.--Why, what game do you call this?"

For at that moment, before any experiment could be tried with the goad,
a faint, unmistakable hail was heard from far behind, running as it were
along deep, verdant tunnels, and Rajah, after flapping his ears heavily,
uttered a low, deep sigh, stopped short, and began to tear down green
branches from overhead and convey them to his mouth.

"Oh, this won't do!" cried Peter angrily.--"Get on, sir--get on!"

The elephant uttered what sounded to be a sigh and raised one huge leg
as if about to step out, but only planted it down again in the same deep
hole, went through the same evolution with another leg, subsided again,
and went on crunchin