Part 32 (2/2)

”All right, then what is the most interesting thing you know about?”

Skag asked.

”Elephants. No question.”

”Have you many here in Hurda?”

”Not any belonging to Hurda; but our Chief Commissioner has forty Government elephants in his stockades--the finest ever. Neela Deo, the Blue G.o.d--who is the leader of the caravan--the mahouts say there isn't an elephant in the world to touch him; and Mitha Baba and Gunpat Rao--they're famous in all India. And Nut Kut; indeed, Skag Sahib, you should see Nut Kut. They don't allow strangers about where he is; he's the one--the mahouts won't let me go near him.”

”What's wrong with him?” Skag asked.

”I don't know; I'm always wondering. In the beginning--when I was little--but I don't believe it was--wrong.”

The boy spoke haltingly, frowning; but went on:

”That's between Nut Kut and--Horace d.i.c.kson! I like him better than anything I know. The mahouts have tried every way to discourage me--yes, they have!”

”What does he do?” Skag questioned.

”You know Government does _not_ permit elephant fighting,” the boy began solemnly, ”but--Nut Kut doesn't know it! His pet scheme is to break away out of his own stockades, if there are any elephants across the river--that's where the regiments camp--and get in among the military elephants. He's a frightful fighter.”

”How do they handle him?” Skag asked.

”It takes more than two of their best males to do it--big trained fellows, you understand. Even then, usually, one of the great females comes with her chain--the kind they call 'mother-things'--she handles it with her trunk. Just one little flick across his ears and any fighter will be willing to stop--even Nut Kut. But it's to see, Skag Sahib; never twice the same--it can't be told.”

A servant came in from the highway, salaaming before Horace and reporting that the _tamasha_ would occur at the usual time this afternoon--afternoon; not evening.

”Then we'll have tea, at once!” Horace interrupted him. ”Quick! tell the butler.”

After tea they walked along the great Highway-of-all-India, by the edge of the native town and over the low stone bridge. Beyond the river, they pa.s.sed acres of tenting. A glamour of dust lay in the slanting sun-rays. An intense earth-smell penetrated Skag's senses. A feel of excitement was in the air.

”Where are the elephants?” Skag asked.

”How do you know it's elephants?” the boy countered.

”Several ways; but last of all, I smell 'em.”

”It is elephants--much elephants. You are to see them in one of their big works in the Indian elephant-military department.”

This announcement of the programme instantly made Skag forget that he had come out with a lad in need of healthy comrades.h.i.+p.

”What work?” he asked.

”This is elephant concerns, Skag Sahib,” the boy replied; ”they work with men and they work for men, but no one knows what they think about the man-end of it; because they are always and always doing things men never expect. They do funny things and strange things and wonderful things. It's the inside working of an elephant regiment, that makes it so different from anything else.

”It's all tied up with men on the outside; but you mustn't notice the outside. Inside is what I mean--the elephant concerns. No one knows what it will be to-day.”

”Have you forgotten Nut Kut?” smiled Skag.

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