will be
impossible."

Jack was silent for a moment. Then he spoke. "Shall I see my father?"
he asked.

Saya Chone laughed. "You will see what U Saw wills that you shall
see," he said mockingly. "I am U Saw's humble servant, and can say no
more."

Jack made no reply. He was sorry he had spoken, but the question had
slipped out on the impulse of the moment.

All that day they travelled on, and at night they camped in a hollow
among the rocks at the foot of a tall cliff. Jack was not ill-treated,
and plenty of food was given to him, but the keenest watch was kept
upon his every movement, and escape was a thing altogether beyond his
reach. His captors were six in number, including the man who drove the
elephant. The driver and Saya Chone were Jack's companions on the
great beast, and when they were on the move the captive was always
lashed tightly to the framework of the howdah. The other four, the
Malay and three companions, rode the strong, nimble ponies of the
country. The baggage of the party was conveyed on a pack-pony, and
they travelled at a good speed.

On the second morning, Saya Chone sat on the edge of the howdah,
purring at his huge cheroot, while the Strangler and a companion
lashed Jack into position. The half-caste had been superintending the
operation with his revolver at Jack's ear, until the knots were tight,
and our hero could not move.

"This is a very good idea, indeed," he murmured, "this carrying of a
prisoner in a howdah on a pad-elephant. I had an idea it would be a
success, but it is better than I thought. It is a neat, little,
portable prison. It is far better than tying the feet of an active
young man under a pony's barrel. The young man may dig his heels in
and gallop off after all. But tied up in a howdah he is quite safe."

Jack paid no attention whatever to the half-caste's sneers and jeers:
he had resolved to take his gruel without whining, and he bore
everything in stoical silence.

Two hours' march brought them to a clearing in the jungle, and the
road ran between small paddy-fields. This meant that a native village
was near at hand, and Jack looked out for the slight huts of reed and
cane in which the villagers lived. To his surprise he saw nothing. And
not to his surprise alone. He could not understand the words used by
his companions, but he saw plainly that they were puzzled about
something. Then the cries of wonder broke out loudly as they passed a
grove of bamboos and ca