When a Hindu gets the idea into his head that a certain stone or tree or
place is the abode of a god or godling or is otherwise holy, his first
impulse is to procure marigolds and red paint and make a votive offering of
them by making wreaths of the one and daubing everything in the vicinity
with the other.

"By Jove, Major, I expect that some of the Hindus in the bazaar have heard
these yarns about you and mean to do _poojah_ (worship) to you," said
Parker with a laugh. "I told you they regard Badshah as a very holy animal.
I suppose some of his sacredness has overflowed on to you."

Dermot realised that there was probably some truth in the suggestion. He
was annoyed, as he had no desire to be looked on by the natives as the
possessor of supernatural powers.

"I must see that my boy has the posts cleaned," he said. "When you get to
the Mess, Parker, please tell them I'll be up to breakfast as soon as I've
had a tub and a shave."

Two hours later Dermot showed Parker the position of the defile on the map
and explained his notes and sketches of it; for it was important that his
subordinate should know of it in the event of any mishap occurring to
himself. But before he acquainted Army Headquarters in India with his
discovery, he went to the pass again on Badshah to examine and survey it
thoroughly. When this was done and he had despatched his sketches and
report to Simla, he felt free to carry out a project that interested him.
This was to seek out the herd of wild elephants with which Badshah seemed
most closely associated and try to discover the secret of his connection
with them.