hrough the jungle in a direction parallel with the mountains. Jungle
fowl whirred up from under his feet, deer crashed away through the
undergrowth as he passed; but never a shot was fired at them, though
rifles and guns were in the riders' hands. Little brown monkeys peeped
down at them from the tree-tops or leapt away along the air lanes among
the leafy branches, swinging by hand or foot, springing across the
voids, the babies clutching fast to their mothers' bodies in the dizzy
flights.

In the afternoon a distant crashing, which told of trees falling before
the pressure of great heads and the weight of huge bodies, made Wargrave
ask:

"Wild elephants, sir?"

Dermot nodded.

"Sounds as if they were right in our path. Shall we see them?"

"Yes. Don't touch that!" said the Colonel sharply; for the excited
subaltern, who had never yet seen a wild herd, was reaching for his
rifle. Wargrave obeyed, remembering Miss Benson's remark on the
Political Officer's love of the great animals.

Soon unmistakable signs showed that they were on the track of a herd;
and presently Frank caught sight of a slate-coloured body in the
undergrowth, then another and another. As he was wondering how the
animals would receive them Badshah emerged on an open glade filled with
elephants of all ages and sizes, from new-born woolly calves a bare
three feet at the shoulder to splendid tuskers nine feet ten inches in
height and lean, ragged-eared old animals a hundred and thirty years of
age. All were regarding the newcomer and their trunks were raised to
point towards him, while from their throats came a low purring sound,
which appeared to the subaltern to have more of pleasure than menace in
it. Instead of seeming hostile or alarmed they behaved as though they
had expected and were welcoming their domesticated brother. This was so
evident that Frank felt no fear even when they closed in on Badshah and
touched him with their trunks.

Dermot, smiling at his companion's amazement, said:

"This is Badshah's old herd, Wargrave, and they're used to him and me.
I've come in search of them, for it is by their aid that I propose to
enter Bhutan."

And the subaltern was still more surprised when the animals, which
numbered over a hundred, fell in behind Badshah--cows with calves
leading, tuskers in rear--and followed him submissively in single file
as he headed for the mountains. When night fell they were climbing above
the foot-hills under the