es, anything that would burn. Others despatched
coolies to the factory near by to fetch wood, broken chests, and other
fuel. Several bonfires were made and the flames lit up the scene with a
blaze of light.

"Why, you're wounded, Dermot!" exclaimed Payne.

"Oh, no. Just a scratch."

"Yes, he is wounded, but he pretends it's nothing," said Noreen. "Do see if
it's anything serious, Mr. Payne."

"I assure you it's nothing," protested the soldier, resisting eager and
well-meant attempts to drag him into the house and tend his hurts by force.
But attention was diverted when a planter cried:

"Good Heavens! what's this? The elephant's tusk is covered with blood."

"Tusk! Why, he's blood to the eyes," exclaimed another.

For the leaping flames revealed the fact that Badshah's tusk, trunk, and
legs were covered with freshly-dried blood.

"Good Heavens! he's been wading in it."

"What's that on his tusk? Why, it's fragments of flesh. Oh, the deuce!"

There were exclamations of surprise and horror from the white men. But the
mass of coolies, who had been pressing forward to stare, drew back into the
darkness and muttered to each other.

"The god! The god! Who can withstand the god?" they whispered.

"_Arhe, bhai_! (Aye, brother!) But which is the god? The elephant or his
rider? Tell me that!" exclaimed a grey-haired coolie.

Among the Europeans the questions showered on Dermot redoubled.

"Look here, you fellows. I can't answer you all at once," he expostulated.
"It's a long story. But please remember that Miss Daleham has had a tiring
day and must be worn out."

"Oh, no, I'm not," exclaimed the girl. "Not now. I was fatigued, but I'm
too excited to rest yet."

"Come into the bungalow everyone and we'll have the whole story there,"
said her brother. "The servants will get supper ready for us. We must
celebrate tonight."

"Indeed, yes. Look you, it shall be very wet tonight in Malpura,
whateffer," cried Parry, who was already half drunk. "Here, boy! Boy! Where
is that damned black beastie of mine? Boy!"

His _khitmagar_ disengaged himself from the group of servants and
approached apprehensively, keeping out of reach of his master's fist.

"Go to the house," said Parry to him in Bengali. "Bring liquor here. All
the liquor I have. Hurry, you dog!"

He aimed a blow at him, which the _khitmagar_ dodged with the ease of long
practice and ran to execute his master's bidding.

Daleham gave directions to his butle