came out on the cleared stretch of ground in front of the stables he saw
_mahouts_ and coolies fleeing in terror in all directions, while the
stoutly built _peelkhana_ itself rocked violently as though shaken by an
earthquake.

Then forth from it, to the accompaniment of terrified squealing and
trumpeting from the female elephants, Badshah stalked, ears cocked and tail
up and the light of battle in his eyes, broken iron shackles dangling from
his legs.

"_Dewand hoyga_ (he has gone mad)," cried the attendants, fleeing past the
Major in such alarm that they almost failed to notice him. Last of all came
Ramnath, who, recognising him, halted and salaamed.

"_Khubbadar_ (take care), sahib!" he cried in warning. "The fit is on him
again. The jungle calls him. He is mad."

Dermot paid no attention to him but hastened on to intercept the elephant
which stalked on with ears thrust forward and tail raised, ready to give
battle to any one that dared stop him.

The Major whistled. Badshah checked in his stride, then as a well-known
voice fell on his ear he faltered and looked about him. Dermot spoke his
name and the elephant turned and went straight to him, to the amazement of
the _peelkhana_ attendants watching from behind trees on the hillside. Yet
they feared lest his intention was to attack the sahib, for when a tame
tusker is seized with a fit of madness, it often kills even its _mahout_,
to whom ordinarily it is much attached.

Dermot raised his hand. Badshah stopped and sank on his knees, while his