"That's sickened them for the present," Captain Dunlop said, "I expect
they'll do nothing now till it gets a bit cooler, for even a nigger could
hardly stand this. Ah, we are going to give them another volley, this time
a stronger one."

Fifty carbines spoke out this time, and the wildest confusion was caused
among the elephants and footmen, who were now trying to drag the guns
back. Again, a third volley, and then the garrison were dismissed from
their posts, and told to lie down and keep cool till wanted again.

Half an hour later another large train of elephants, ten of them with
guns, came from the direction of Bithri, and proceeded to a tope at about
a mile from the village. There the elephants of the first comers had
gathered after the stampede, and presently a great tent was raised in
front of the tope.

"Bithri is going to do it in style," Dick laughed to his brother. "I
shouldn't mind some iced sherbet at present, if he has got any to spare."

"Look, Dick, there is a movement; they are getting the guns in position on
that knoll a little to the right, and a hundred yards or so in front of
their tent."

Dick took the field-glass which his brother handed him.

"Yes, we shall have a salute presently; but they won't breach the wall
this afternoon at that distance."

Twenty guns opened fire upon the village, and the shot flew overhead, or
buried themselves in the ground in front, or came with heavy thuds against