t I seem to feel that
I've been along here before, and old Rajah must have been, or he
wouldn't go swinging along as if he felt that he'd got nearly to the end
of his journey. Shall I try and ask Mr Bantam there?"

"Oh no," said Archie wearily. "It's so hard trying to make him
understand, and I always feel in doubt when you have tried."

"Well, sir, we shall soon know whether it is, for I don't believe we are
more than two or three miles from headquarters."

"I'd give anything for you to be right, Pete, for I am nearly done up."

"I know you are, sir, and I might say, so am I; for long enough it has
seemed as if the hinge of my back was giving way, and when the helephant
gives one of his worst rolls it just seems as if he'd jerk my head off.
But cheer up, sir! I think it's all right, and we have done splendidly.
We might have had to pull up and fight all the Malay chaps from up
there by the Rajah's hunting-box. Of course we should have made a good
stand of it, but how are you going to dodge spears in a narrow place
like this? There, cheer up, sir! When you look happy over it I feel as
if I am ready for anything; but when you go down in the dumps I haven't
a bit of pluck left in me."

"It will be dark soon, Pete. If we have to spend another night out in
the jungle I must lie down under some tree."

"Mustn't sir. Cold, rheumatiz', and fever. You will have to stick to
your warm bed up here. But talk about a warm bed--you should have tried
sitting like a mahout."

"It will be dark in an hour, Pete," said Archie, who seemed to pay no
heed to his companion's brisk chatter.

"Not it, sir. Two hours--full, though I ain't got no watch. Not as
that much matters. Old Tipsy has got a big, old silver one, but he says
you never can depend upon it in this damp place. We have got plenty of
time to get there yet, and see how old Rajah is swinging along! I am
sure he knows his way."

"Don't--don't--pray don't keep chattering so! It makes me feel worse
than ever."

"You think so, sir," said Peter stubbornly, "but it don't; it rouses you
up, sir, even if it only makes you turn waxy and pitch into me."

"Yes, yes, I know, Pete. It's because I'm so ill. It's like having a
touch of fever again. Then you must think what a beast and a brute I am
to you--a regular burden. I could feel it in my heart to slip down
under the first big tree and go to sleep, even if I were not to wake
again."

"Hah!" said Pete dryly