yes," said Tom Long, slightly mollified by his companion's
sympathy. "I don't see why one of us two should be left out of the
party. It isn't much pleasure we get."

"No," said Bob sharply; "but I think if one of us was to go it ought to
have been this young person."

"Well, but you are going, aren't you?" said Tom Long.

"Not I," said Bob. "I'm second officer on board HMS `Startler' till
they come back, that's all."

"But, my dear Bob, I thought you were going. Old Dick, who was ashore
an hour ago, told me you were."

"Then old Dick told you a cram," said Bob. "He said you were going,
though."

"I'll kick old Dick first time I see him," cried Tom Long. "I'm not
going. Smithers and I are to be in charge of the fort."

"You are not going?" cried Bob incredulously.

"No!"

"Oh, I am glad."

"Thanky," said Tom.

"No, I don't mean that," said Bob. "I mean I'm glad I'm not going, now
you are not."

"I say, Bob, do you mean that?" said Tom Long excitedly, and dropping
all his stiffness.

"Of course I do," said Bob. "What's the fun of going without a friend?"

"Bob, you're a regular little brick," said Tom Long. "Shake hands.
'Pon my word I shall end by liking you."

Bob shook hands, and laughed.

"Oh, I say, though," he exclaimed. "Poor old Ali! Won't he be cut up,
just?"

"Yes, he won't like it," said Tom Long thoughtfully. "And he was to
have a big elephant all ready for us."

"Yes," said Bob. "But I say, I wonder we haven't heard from him since
that day he was here."

"Yes, he might have sent a message of some kind."

"He's been up the country with a butterfly net to catch an elephant for
us," said Bob, laughing.

"And now he'll have it all to himself," said Tom.

"I'll bet half a rupee that he don't," said Bob.

"Oh, yes, he will," said Tom. "I rather like him, though. He isn't a
bad sort of nigger."

"Don't call the fellows _niggers_," said Bob impatiently; "they don't
like it."

"Then they mustn't call us _giaours_ and _dogs_," said Tom impatiently.

"Look here," cried Bob, "I must go on after these leggings for the
skipper; but, I say, Tom, as I said before, I'll bet half a rupee that
Ali don't go to the hunt when he finds we are to stay."

"Stuff!"

"Well, it may be stuff; but you see if he don't stop behind, and, as
soon as they are all off, come across here."

"I wish he would," said Tom. "It'll be dull enough."

"If he does, we'll have a good turn at the f