given to the elephants, now
browsing on the plenteous supply of fresh green leafage thrown before
them by the grass-cutters, and began to make friends with the mahouts.

He tried one after the other, but on each occasion only to meet with a
surly scowl.

He was going to cross to the man in charge of the finest of the
elephants--a little, sturdy fellow, who only looked on while the
attendants were busy over the showy trappings, the edgings of which
glistened with a big bullion fringe, and who himself was showily dressed
in the Royal yellow, which suggested that this must be the Rajah's own
mount. Pete took a step towards him, but shrank back as if it were not
likely that this chief among the others would receive his advances any
better, when a voice behind him made him turn his head sharply, to find
that Joe Smithers, now for the present off duty, had likewise been
attracted by the elephants, and had strolled up for a look.

"Why didn't you come for your breakfast, comrade?" he said.

"Oh--wanted to see these 'ere;" and then, as an idea struck the lad on
noticing the canvas haversack slung from Smithers's shoulder, he said
quickly, "What you got in your satchel, comrade?"

"Only bread-cake."

"Give us a bit."

"Take the lot," said Smithers. "I don't want it. Only in the way. A
drink of water will do for me."

Pegg gave him a peculiar look as he hurriedly transferred two great
portions of the regimental bread to his own haversack.

"Thank you, comrade. I say--got any 'bacco?"

"Yes; but I want that."

"Never mind. Give it to me, Joe. I'll pay you with twice as much
to-morrow."

Without hesitation Mrs Private Smithers's husband handed over a roll of
about two ounces of tobacco.

"Thank you," said Pegg. "Now you shall see what you shall see."

Peter shouldered his rifle, marched straight up to the gaudily attired
mahout, looked him up and down admiringly, pointed at his handsome
turban, smiling the while as if with satisfaction, and then tapped the
gilded handle of the ankus the man carried, drawing back and looking at
him again.

"Well, you do look splendid," he said.

The swarthy little fellow seemed puzzled for the moment, but Peter
Pegg's look of admiration was unmistakable, especially when he walked
quickly round the mahout so as to see what he was like on the other
side, before saying:

"Have a bit of 'bacco, comrade?"

Not a word was intelligible to the little, bandy-legged fellow, who