tricks. At his signal he will put up his trunk and scream and rush
here and there as if in the state which is called must, when they
are dangerous of approach. The mahout, who is a crafty fellow,
taught him to act thus, because when in such a state of temper
the elephants cannot be worked with the others, but remain in the
stables, and their drivers have an easy time of it.

"On the promise of a handsome reward the mahout has agreed that
tomorrow morning, before the elephants are taken out, you shall
be concealed in the bottom of the howdah. He will manage that the
elephant is the first in the procession. When we get out into the
courtyard he will slyly prick the beast, and give him the signal
to simulate rage; he will then so direct him that, after charging
several times about the court, he shall make a rush at the gate.
You may be sure that the guards there will step aside quickly
enough, for a furious elephant is not a creature to be hindered.

"When he is once down to the foot of the hill the driver will direct
him to some quiet spot. That he will find easily enough, for at
his approach there will be a general stampede. When he reaches
some place where no one is in sight he will halt the elephant and
you will at once drop off him. I shall be near at hand and will
join you. The elephant will continue his course for some little
distance, and the mahout, feigning to have at last recovered
control over him, will direct him back to the citadel."

"The idea is a capital one," Malchus said, "and if carried out will
surely succeed. You and I have often seen during our campaigns
elephants in this state, and know how every one flies as they come
along screaming loudly, with their trunks high, and their great ears