g the abundant succulent herbage.

"It's no good, Pete," said Archie bitterly. "They are in full chase.
The elephant recognises the cry, and you will never get him to stir."

"An obstinate beggar!" grumbled Peter. "Makes me feel as if I could
stick that there spike right into him, though he is fanning my poor, hot
legs with these flappers of his. Well, Mister Archie, I suppose it's no
use to fight against him. He has got the pull of us, and there's only
one thing for us to do now."

"What's that, Pete?"

"Act like Bri'ish soldiers, sir," said the lad through his set teeth.
"Hold the fort, and fight."

At that moment the cry was more audible, and the elephant gave his ears
a quicker flap and said, _Phoonk_!

CHAPTER TWENTY NINE.

PETER'S RAJAH.

"Ain't it been a mistake, sir?" said Peter Pegg. "We ought to have
risked it both of us together, stirred him up with the spears or the
point of that kris, and made him go on."

"No mistake, Pete. He would have turned savage, and dragged you off as
easily as he lifted you up, then knocked you down with his trunk and
perhaps trampled you into the mud."

"Perhaps you are right, sir; and it wouldn't have been very pleasant.
But hark! There's a helephant coming, and you can hear the _suck, suck,
suck_ of his feet in the mud plainer and plainer. I wish whoever they
are upon it would holloa again. I want to know how many that
helephant's got on board."

"I think only one," said Archie.

"Oh, well, we are not going to give up to one, sir. I was afraid--I
mean, 'spected--there'd be a howdah full, all with their spears and
krises, and a mahout as well. Have you got any orders to give me, sir,
about dismounting?"

"No; we must do the best we can from where we sit. What could we do if
we got down into this narrow path full of mud-holes?"

"Nothing at all, sir," replied Peter. "I think just the same as you do.
The helephant's getting very close now, so keep telling me what you see
from up there, for I can see next to nothing where I'm sitting. Now,
sir," whispered the lad, "can't you see him yet?"

"No; the path bends round."

"But you must see directly, sir.--Here, you keep quiet, Rajah, and leave
them boughs alone."

"I can see now, Pete," said Archie eagerly. "It's the smallest
elephant, with a tiger pad on its back."

"Yes, sir; but who's on it?"

"Only one man--the mahout, in a turban."

"Oh, him! That little, squatty driver! I can finish