If he had only known it, one of the silly, little things who carried
the fire had been watching him for some time.

Rataplan had been keeping very still for an elephant, but there is a
certain sound which he and all his brethren make, unknown to
themselves, and over which they have no control. This is a curious,
little, bubbling noise which is caused by the water which is stored up
in their insides in case of emergency; and this little bubbling noise
had been heard by the fire-carrier.

He watched the huge beast with interest, and knew by his restless
manner and the wicked look in his small eyes that he was in about as
dangerous a state as it is possible for an elephant to be, and he made
his plans accordingly.

He was very busy for a few minutes with some long, thick ropes, which
had a heavy noose at each end. The ends of these ropes he fastened
carefully to some heavy trees, and then he went quietly away. The
little fire-carrier was a _Mahout_, hunter or rider, who was trained
in the capture of elephants, and he felt sure that if Rataplan would
only stay where he was a short time longer he would be able to catch
him.

So he went away and looked carefully at his _Koomkies_.[Footnote:
Female elephants which are trained for the purpose of catching wild
elephants.--Author.] He had some particularly good ones just then, and
they one and all turned their large, gentle heads towards him and
awaited his pleasure. For they loved the chase, and entered into it
with as much interest as he did himself.