ad hardly spoken before Rajah uttered a snort and went splashing on
towards the opposite shore, with the water growing shallower and
shallower till the two beasts were walking on firm, gravelly ground, the
water flying up at every step, and they soon stood out on dry ground,
with the dimly seen track going on before them.

Here, at a word from the mahout, both animals stopped short, and Rajah
kneeled, when the mahout descended nimbly and began trotting back to the
water's edge.

"Not going to cut and run, is he, sir?" began Pete. "No; it's all
right. I can't quite see, but ain't that a cocoa-nut he's stooping to
dip?--Yes; that's right. Good old chap! He's bringing us a drink."

This proved to be the case, and the little fellow brought the refilled
half-cocoa-nut-shell he had taken from somewhere in his baju, and it was
handed up to the two lads four times, before the little fellow went back
to the river, filled it for himself, and finally returned to his place
and climbed up once more.

Directly after, the elephant rose and continued along the track to
where, in the darkness, it was evident the marshy land began, and beyond
it seemed the jungle once again.

Peter was ready enough to begin his favourite advice soon after, and bid
his companion chance it, as on this side of the river the open land grew
more moist, and in the darkness the elephant's huge feet sank in deeper
and deeper, till at every step they plunged in quite four feet, and it
needed a sturdy effort to withdraw them. Then all at once the Rajah
uttered a grunt, half-turned as if to retrace his steps, and then stood
fast, while his companion, making use of the prints he had left,
half-turned likewise as if to meet him; and then both stood fast,
pressing their heads together with a grunt.

"What does this mean?" said Archie with a look of wonder.

"I d'know, sir. Looks to me as if they are going to sleep."

It was soon proved that the lad was right, for the animals, after
uttering a low sigh or two, remained perfectly still, with the mahout
dimly seen in his place and his head lowered down upon his chest.

"Well, sir," said Pete, "this is all plain enough, and it looks as if we
may as well go to sleep too."

"Sleep!" said Archie. "With the risk of falling off this pad?"

"Oh, we sha'n't do that, sir. We must take it in turns."

"Will they stand like this till morning?" said Archie.

"Suppose so, sir. They can't fall over sideways, beca