ThenKalaNagreachedthecrestoftheascentandstoppedforaminute，andLittleToomaicouldseethetopsofthetreeslyingallspeckledandfurryunderthemoonlightformilesandmiles，andtheblue—whitemistovertheriverinthehollow。Toomaileanedforwardandlooked，andhefeltthattheforestwasawakebelowhim——awakeandaliveandcrowded。Abigbrownfruit—eatingbatbrushedpasthisear;aporcupine’squillsrattledinthethicket;andinthedarknessbetweenthetreestemsheheardahog—beardigginghardinthemoistwarmearth，andsnuffingasitdigged。
　　Thenthebranchesclosedoverhisheadagain，andKalaNagbegantogodownintothevalley——notquietlythistime，butasarunawaygungoesdownasteepbank——inonerush。Thehugelimbsmovedassteadilyaspistons，eightfeettoeachstride，andthewrinkledskinoftheelbowpointsrustled。Theundergrowthoneithersideofhimrippedwithanoiseliketorncanvas，andthesaplingsthatheheavedawayrightandleftwithhisshoulderssprangbackagainandbangedhimontheflank，andgreattrailsofcreepers，allmattedtogether，hungfromhistusksashethrewhisheadfromsidetosideandplowedouthispathway。ThenLittleToomailaidhimselfdownclosetothegreatnecklestaswingingboughshouldsweephimtotheground，andhewishedthathewerebackinthelinesagain。
　　Thegrassbegantogetsquashy，andKalaNag’sfeetsuckedandsquelchedasheputthemdown，andthenightmistatthebottomofthevalleychilledLittleToomai。Therewasasplashandatrample，andtherushofrunningwater，andKalaNagstrodethroughthebedofariver，feelinghiswayateachstep。Abovethenoiseofthewater，asitswirledroundtheelephant’slegs，LittleToomaicouldhearmoresplashingandsometrumpetingbothupstreamanddown——greatgruntsandangrysnortings，andallthemistabouthimseemedtobefullofrolling，wavyshadows。
　　"Ai！"hesaid，halfaloud，histeethchattering。"Theelephant—folkareouttonight。Itisthedance，then！"
　　KalaNagswashedoutofthewater，blewhistrunkclear，andbegananotherclimb。Butthistimehewasnotalone，andhehadnottomakehispath。Thatwasmadealready，sixfeetwide，infrontofhim，wherethebentjungle—grasswastryingtorecoveritselfandstandup。Manyelephantsmusthavegonethatwayonlyafewminutesbefore。LittleToomailookedback，andbehindhimagreatwildtuskerwithhislittlepig’seyesglowinglikehotcoalswasjustliftinghimselfoutofthemistyriver。
　　Thenthetreesclosedupagain，andtheywentonandup，withtrumpetingsandcrashings，andthesoundofbreakingbranchesoneverysideofthem。
　　AtlastKalaNagstoodstillbetweentwotree—trunksattheverytopofthehill。Theywerepartofacircleoftreesthatgrewroundanirregularspaceofsomethreeorfouracres，andinallthatspace，asLittleToomaicouldsee，thegroundhadbeentrampleddownashardasabrickfloor。Sometreesgrewinthecenteroftheclearing，buttheirbarkwasrubbedaway，andthewhitewoodbeneathshowedallshinyandpolishedinthepatchesofmoonlight。Therewerecreepershangingfromtheupperbranches，andthebellsoftheflowersofthecreepers，greatwaxywhitethingslikeconvolvuluses，hungdownfastasleep。Butwithinthelimitsoftheclearingtherewasnotasinglebladeofgreen——
　　nothingbutthetrampledearth。
　　Themoonlightshoweditallirongray，exceptwheresomeelephantsstooduponit，andtheirshadowswereinkyblack。
　　LittleToomailooked，holdinghisbreath，withhiseyesstartingoutofhishead，andashelooked，moreandmoreandmoreelephantsswungoutintotheopenfrombetweenthetreetrunks。
　　LittleToomaicouldonlycountuptoten，andhecountedagainandagainonhisfingerstillhelostcountofthetens，andhisheadbegantoswim。Outsidetheclearinghecouldhearthemcrashingintheundergrowthastheyworkedtheirwayupthehillside，butassoonastheywerewithinthecircleofthetreetrunkstheymovedlikeghosts。
　　Therewerewhite—tuskedwildmales，withfallenleavesandnutsandtwigslyinginthewrinklesoftheirnecksandthefoldsoftheirears;fat，slow—footedshe—elephants，withrestless，littlepinkyblackcalvesonlythreeorfourfeethighrunningundertheirstomachs;youngelephantswiththeirtusksjustbeginningtoshow，andveryproudofthem;lanky，scraggyold—maidelephants，withtheirhollowanxiousfaces，andtrunkslikeroughbark;savageoldbullelephants，scarredfromshouldertoflankwithgreatwealsandcutsofbygonefights，andthecakeddirtoftheirsolitarymudbathsdroppingfromtheirshoulders;andtherewasonewithabrokentuskandthemarksofthefull—stroke，theterribledrawingscrape，ofatiger’sclawsonhisside。
　　Theywerestandingheadtohead，orwalkingtoandfroacrossthegroundincouples，orrockingandswayingallbythemselves——
　　scoresandscoresofelephants。
　　ToomaiknewthatsolongashelaystillonKalaNag’snecknothingwouldhappentohim，forevenintherushandscrambleofaKeddahdriveawildelephantdoesnotreachupwithhistrunkanddragamanofftheneckofatameelephant。Andtheseelephantswerenotthinkingofmenthatnight。Oncetheystartedandputtheirearsforwardwhentheyheardthechinkingofalegironintheforest，butitwasPudmini，PetersenSahib’spetelephant，herchainsnappedshortoff，grunting，snufflingupthehillside。ShemusthavebrokenherpicketsandcomestraightfromPetersenSahib’scamp;andLittleToomaisawanotherelephant，onethathedidnotknow，withdeepropegallsonhisbackandbreast。
　　He，too，musthaverunawayfromsomecampinthehillsabout。
　　Atlasttherewasnosoundofanymoreelephantsmovingintheforest，andKalaNagrolledoutfromhisstationbetweenthetreesandwentintothemiddleofthecrowd，cluckingandgurgling，andalltheelephantsbegantotalkintheirowntongue，andtomoveabout。
　　Stilllyingdown，LittleToomailookeddownuponscoresandscoresofbroadbacks，andwaggingears，andtossingtrunks，andlittlerollingeyes。Heheardtheclickoftusksastheycrossedothertusksbyaccident，andthedryrustleoftrunkstwinedtogether，andthechafingofenormoussidesandshouldersinthecrowd，andtheincessantflickandhisshofthegreattails。Thenacloudcameoverthemoon，andhesatinblackdarkness。Butthequiet，steadyhustlingandpushingandgurglingwentonjustthesame。HeknewthattherewereelephantsallroundKalaNag，andthattherewasnochanceofbackinghimoutoftheassembly;sohesethisteethandshivered。InaKeddahatleasttherewastorchlightandshouting，butherehewasallaloneinthedark，andonceatrunkcameupandtouchedhimontheknee。
　　Thenanelephanttrumpeted，andtheyalltookitupforfiveortenterribleseconds。Thedewfromthetreesabovespattereddownlikerainontheunseenbacks，andadullboomingnoisebegan，notveryloudatfirst，andLittleToomaicouldnottellwhatitwas。Butitgrewandgrew，andKalaNaglifteduponeforefootandthentheother，andbroughtthemdownontheground——one—two，one—two，assteadilyastrip—hammers。Theelephantswerestampingalltogethernow，anditsoundedlikeawardrumbeatenatthemouthofacave。Thedewfellfromthetreestilltherewasnomorelefttofall，andtheboomingwenton，andthegroundrockedandshivered，andLittleToomaiputhishandsuptohisearstoshutoutthesound。Butitwasallonegiganticjarthatranthroughhim——thisstampofhundredsofheavyfeetontherawearth。OnceortwicehecouldfeelKalaNagandalltheotherssurgeforwardafewstrides，andthethumpingwouldchangetothecrushingsoundofjuicygreenthingsbeingbruised，butinaminuteortwotheboomoffeetonhardearthbeganagain。A
　　treewascreakingandgroaningsomewherenearhim。Heputouthisarmandfeltthebark，butKalaNagmovedforward，stilltramping，andhecouldnottellwherehewasintheclearing。Therewasnosoundfromtheelephants，exceptonce，whentwoorthreelittlecalvessqueakedtogether。Thenheheardathumpandashuffle，andtheboomingwenton。Itmusthavelastedfullytwohours，andLittleToomaiachedineverynerve，butheknewbythesmellofthenightairthatthedawnwascoming。
　　Themorningbrokeinonesheetofpaleyellowbehindthegreenhills，andtheboomingstoppedwiththefirstray，asthoughthelighthadbeenanorder。BeforeLittleToomaihadgottheringingoutofhishead，beforeevenhehadshiftedhisposition，therewasnotanelephantinsightexceptKalaNag，Pudmini，andtheelephantwiththerope—galls，andtherewasneithersignnorrustlenorwhisperdownthehillsidestoshowwheretheothershadgone。
　　LittleToomaistaredagainandagain。Theclearing，asherememberedit，hadgrowninthenight。Moretreesstoodinthemiddleofit，buttheundergrowthandthejunglegrassatthesideshadbeenrolledback。LittleToomaistaredoncemore。Nowheunderstoodthetrampling。Theelephantshadstampedoutmoreroom——hadstampedthethickgrassandjuicycanetotrash，thetrashintoslivers，thesliversintotinyfibers，andthefibersintohardearth。
　　"Wah！"saidLittleToomai，andhiseyeswereveryheavy。
　　"KalaNag，mylord，letuskeepbyPudminiandgotoPetersenSahib’scamp，orIshalldropfromthyneck。"
　　Thethirdelephantwatchedthetwogoaway，snorted，wheeledround，andtookhisownpath。Hemayhavebelongedtosomelittlenativeking’sestablishment，fiftyorsixtyorahundredmilesaway。
　　Twohourslater，asPetersenSahibwaseatingearlybreakfast，hiselephants，whohadbeendoublechainedthatnight，begantotrumpet，andPudmini，miredtotheshoulders，withKalaNag，veryfootsore，shambledintothecamp。LittleToomai’sfacewasgrayandpinched，andhishairwasfullofleavesanddrenchedwithdew，buthetriedtosalutePetersenSahib，andcriedfaintly：
　　"Thedance——theelephantdance！Ihaveseenit，and——Idie！"
　　AsKalaNagsatdown，heslidoffhisneckinadeadfaint。
　　But，sincenativechildrenhavenonervesworthspeakingof，intwohourshewaslyingverycontentedlyinPetersenSahib’shammockwithPetersenSahib’sshooting—coatunderhishead，andaglassofwarmmilk，alittlebrandy，withadashofquinine，insideofhim，andwhiletheoldhairy，scarredhuntersofthejunglessatthreedeepbeforehim，lookingathimasthoughhewereaspirit，hetoldhistaleinshortwords，asachildwill，andwoundupwith：
　　"Now，ifIlieinoneword，sendmentosee，andtheywillfindthattheelephantfolkhavetrampleddownmoreroomintheirdance—room，andtheywillfindtenandten，andmanytimesten，tracksleadingtothatdance—room。Theymademoreroomwiththeirfeet。Ihaveseenit。KalaNagtookme，andIsaw。AlsoKalaNagisveryleg—weary！"
　　LittleToomailaybackandsleptallthroughthelongafternoonandintothetwilight，andwhilehesleptPetersenSahibandMachuaAppafollowedthetrackofthetwoelephantsforfifteenmilesacrossthehills。PetersenSahibhadspenteighteenyearsincatchingelephants，andhehadonlyoncebeforefoundsuchadance—place。MachuaAppahadnoneedtolooktwiceattheclearingtoseewhathadbeendonethere，ortoscratchwithhistoeinthepacked，rammedearth。
　　"Thechildspeakstruth，"saidhe。"Allthiswasdonelastnight，andIhavecountedseventytrackscrossingtheriver。See，Sahib，wherePudmini’sleg—ironcutthebarkofthattree！Yes;
　　shewastheretoo。"
　　Theylookedatoneanotherandupanddown，andtheywondered。
　　Forthewaysofelephantsarebeyondthewitofanyman，blackorwhite，tofathom。
　　"Fortyyearsandfive，"saidMachuaAppa，"haveIfollowedmylord，theelephant，butneverhaveIheardthatanychildofmanhadseenwhatthischildhasseen。ByalltheGodsoftheHills，itis——whatcanwesay？"andheshookhishead。
　　Whentheygotbacktocampitwastimefortheeveningmeal。
　　PetersenSahibatealoneinhistent，buthegaveordersthatthecampshouldhavetwosheepandsomefowls，aswellasadoublerationofflourandriceandsalt，forheknewthattherewouldbeafeast。
　　BigToomaihadcomeuphotfootfromthecampintheplainstosearchforhissonandhiselephant，andnowthathehadfoundthemhelookedatthemasthoughhewereafraidofthemboth。Andtherewasafeastbytheblazingcampfiresinfrontofthelinesofpicketedelephants，andLittleToomaiwastheheroofitall。
　　Andthebigbrownelephantcatchers，thetrackersanddriversandropers，andthemenwhoknowallthesecretsofbreakingthewildestelephants，passedhimfromonetotheother，andtheymarkedhisforeheadwithbloodfromthebreastofanewlykilledjungle—cock，toshowthathewasaforester，initiatedandfreeofallthejungles。
　　Andatlast，whentheflamesdieddown，andtheredlightofthelogsmadetheelephantslookasthoughtheyhadbeendippedinbloodtoo，MachuaAppa，theheadofallthedriversofalltheKeddahs——MachuaAppa，PetersenSahib’sotherself，whohadneverseenamaderoadinfortyyears：MachuaAppa，whowassogreatthathehadnoothernamethanMachuaAppa，——leapedtohisfeet，withLittleToomaiheldhighintheairabovehishead，andshouted："Listen，mybrothers。Listen，too，youmylordsinthelinesthere，forI，MachuaAppa，amspeaking！ThislittleoneshallnomorebecalledLittleToomai，butToomaioftheElephants，ashisgreat—grandfatherwascalledbeforehim。Whatnevermanhasseenhehasseenthroughthelongnight，andthefavoroftheelephant—folkandoftheGodsoftheJunglesiswithhim。Heshallbecomeagreattracker。HeshallbecomegreaterthanI，evenI，MachuaAppa！Heshallfollowthenewtrail，andthestaletrail，andthemixedtrail，withacleareye！HeshalltakenoharmintheKeddahwhenherunsundertheirbelliestoropethewildtuskers;andifheslipsbeforethefeetofthechargingbullelephant，thebullelephantshallknowwhoheisandshallnotcrushhim。Aihai！mylordsinthechains，"——hewhirledupthelineofpickets——"hereisthelittleonethathasseenyourdancesinyourhiddenplaces，——thesightthatnevermansaw！Givehimhonor，mylords！Salaamkaro，mychildren。
　　MakeyoursalutetoToomaioftheElephants！GungaPershad，ahaa！
　　HiraGuj，BirchiGuj，KuttarGuj，ahaa！Pudmini，——thouhastseenhimatthedance，andthoutoo，KalaNag，mypearlamongelephants！——ahaa！Together！ToToomaioftheElephants。
　　Barrao！"
　　Andatthatlastwildyellthewholelineflunguptheirtrunkstillthetipstouchedtheirforeheads，andbrokeoutintothefullsalute——thecrashingtrumpet—pealthatonlytheViceroyofIndiahears，theSalaamutoftheKeddah。
　　ButitwasallforthesakeofLittleToomai，whohadseenwhatnevermanhadseenbefore——thedanceoftheelephantsatnightandaloneintheheartoftheGarohills！
　　ShivandtheGrasshopper（ThesongthatToomai’smothersangtothebaby）
　　Shiv，whopouredtheharvestandmadethewindstoblow，Sittingatthedoorwaysofadayoflongago，Gavetoeachhisportion，foodandtoilandfate，FromtheKingupontheguddeetotheBeggaratthegate。
　　Allthingsmadehe——ShivathePreserver。
　　Mahadeo！Mahadeo！Hemadeall，——
　　Thornforthecamel，fodderforthekine，Andmother’sheartforsleepyhead，Olittlesonofmine！
　　Wheathegavetorichfolk，millettothepoor，Brokenscrapsforholymenthatbegfromdoortodoor;
　　Battletothetiger，carriontothekite，Andragsandbonestowickedwolveswithoutthewallatnight。
　　Naughthefoundtoolofty，nonehesawtoolow——
　　Parbatibesidehimwatchedthemcomeandgo;
　　Thoughttocheatherhusband，turningShivtojest——
　　Stolethelittlegrasshopperandhiditinherbreast。
　　Soshetrickedhim，ShivathePreserver。
　　Mahadeo！Mahadeo！Turnandsee。
　　Tallarethecamels，heavyarethekine，ButthiswasLeastofLittleThings，Olittlesonofmine！
　　Whenthedolewasended，laughinglyshesaid，Master，ofamillionmouths，isnotoneunfed？"
　　Laughing，Shivmadeanswer，"Allhavehadtheirpart，Evenhe，thelittleone，hidden’neaththyheart。"
　　Fromherbreastshepluckedit，Parbatithethief，SawtheLeastofLittleThingsgnawedanew—grownleaf！
　　Sawandfearedandwondered，makingprayertoShiv，Whohathsurelygivenmeattoallthatlive。
　　Allthingsmadehe——ShivathePreserver。
　　Mahadeo！Mahadeo！Hemadeall，——
　　Thornforthecamel，fodderforthekine，Andmother’sheartforsleepyhead，Olittlesonofmine！
　　HerMajesty’sServantsYoucanworkitoutbyFractionsorbysimpleRuleofThree，ButthewayofTweedle—dumisnotthewayofTweedle—dee。
　　Youcantwistit，youcanturnit，youcanplaitittillyoudrop，ButthewayofPillyWinky’snotthewayofWinkiePop！
　　Ithadbeenrainingheavilyforonewholemonth——rainingonacampofthirtythousandmenandthousandsofcamels，elephants，horses，bullocks，andmulesallgatheredtogetherataplacecalledRawalPindi，tobereviewedbytheViceroyofIndia。HewasreceivingavisitfromtheAmirofAfghanistan——awildkingofaverywildcountry。TheAmirhadbroughtwithhimforabodyguardeighthundredmenandhorseswhohadneverseenacamporalocomotivebeforeintheirlives——savagemenandsavagehorsesfromsomewhereatthebackofCentralAsia。Everynightamobofthesehorseswouldbesuretobreaktheirheelropesandstampedeupanddownthecampthroughthemudinthedark，orthecamelswouldbreaklooseandrunaboutandfallovertheropesofthetents，andyoucanimaginehowpleasantthatwasformentryingtogotosleep。Mytentlayfarawayfromthecamellines，andIthoughtitwassafe。Butonenightamanpoppedhisheadinandshouted，"Getout，quick！They’recoming！Mytent’sgone！"
　　Iknewwho"they"were，soIputonmybootsandwaterproofandscuttledoutintotheslush。LittleVixen，myfoxterrier，wentoutthroughtheotherside;andthentherewasaroaringandagruntingandbubbling，andIsawthetentcavein，asthepolesnapped，andbegintodanceaboutlikeamadghost。Acamelhadblunderedintoit，andwetandangryasIwas，Icouldnothelplaughing。ThenIranon，becauseIdidnotknowhowmanycamelsmighthavegotloose，andbeforelongIwasoutofsightofthecamp，plowingmywaythroughthemud。
　　AtlastIfelloverthetail—endofagun，andbythatknewI
　　wassomewhereneartheartillerylineswherethecannonwerestackedatnight。AsIdidnotwanttoplowteraboutanymoreinthedrizzleandthedark，Iputmywaterproofoverthemuzzleofonegun，andmadeasortofwigwamwithtwoorthreerammersthatIfound，andlayalongthetailofanothergun，wonderingwhereVixenhadgotto，andwhereImightbe。
　　JustasIwasgettingreadytogotosleepIheardajingleofharnessandagrunt，andamulepassedmeshakinghiswetears。
　　Hebelongedtoascrew—gunbattery，forIcouldheartherattleofthestrapsandringsandchainsandthingsonhissaddlepad。Thescrew—gunsaretinylittlecannonmadeintwopieces，thatarescrewedtogetherwhenthetimecomestousethem。Theyaretakenupmountains，anywherethatamulecanfindaroad，andtheyareveryusefulforfightinginrockycountry。
　　Behindthemuletherewasacamel，withhisbigsoftfeetsquelchingandslippinginthemud，andhisneckbobbingtoandfrolikeastrayedhen’s。Luckily，Iknewenoughofbeastlanguage——notwild—beastlanguage，butcamp—beastlanguage，ofcourse——fromthenativestoknowwhathewassaying。
　　Hemusthavebeentheonethatfloppedintomytent，forhecalledtothemule，"WhatshallIdo？WhereshallIgo？Ihavefoughtwithawhitethingthatwaved，andittookastickandhitmeontheneck。"（Thatwasmybrokententpole，andIwasverygladtoknowit。）"Shallwerunon？"
　　"Oh，itwasyou，"saidthemule，"youandyourfriends，thathavebeendisturbingthecamp？Allright。You’llbebeatenforthisinthemorning。ButImayaswellgiveyousomethingonaccountnow。"
　　Iheardtheharnessjingleasthemulebackedandcaughtthecameltwokicksintheribsthatranglikeadrum。"Anothertime，"hesaid，"you’llknowbetterthantorunthroughamulebatteryatnight，shouting`Thievesandfire！’Sitdown，andkeepyoursillyneckquiet。"
　　Thecameldoubledupcamel—fashion，likeatwo—footrule，andsatdownwhimpering。Therewasaregularbeatofhoofsinthedarkness，andabigtroop—horsecanteredupassteadilyasthoughhewereonparade，jumpedaguntail，andlandedclosetothemule。
　　"It’sdisgraceful，"hesaid，blowingouthisnostrils。"Thosecamelshaveracketedthroughourlinesagain——thethirdtimethisweek。How’sahorsetokeephisconditionifheisn’tallowedtosleep。Who’shere？"
　　"I’mthebreech—piecemuleofnumbertwogunoftheFirstScrewBattery，"saidthemule，"andtheother’soneofyourfriends。He’swakedmeuptoo。Whoareyou？"
　　"NumberFifteen，Etroop，NinthLancers——DickCunliffe’shorse。Standoveralittle，there。"
　　"Oh，begyourpardon，"saidthemule。"It’stoodarktoseemuch。Aren’tthesecamelstoosickeningforanything？Iwalkedoutofmylinestogetalittlepeaceandquiethere。"
　　"Mylords，"saidthecamelhumbly，"wedreamedbaddreamsinthenight，andwewereverymuchafraid。Iamonlyabaggagecamelofthe39thNativeInfantry，andIamnotasbraveasyouare，mylords。"
　　"Thenwhydidn’tyoustayandcarrybaggageforthe39thNativeInfantry，insteadofrunningallroundthecamp？"saidthemule。
　　"Theyweresuchverybaddreams，"saidthecamel。"Iamsorry。Listen！Whatisthat？Shallwerunonagain？"
　　"Sitdown，"saidthemule，"oryou’llsnapyourlongstick—legsbetweentheguns。"Hecockedoneearandlistened。
　　"Bullocks！"hesaid。"Gunbullocks。Onmyword，youandyourfriendshavewakedthecampverythoroughly。Ittakesagooddealofproddingtoputupagun—bullock。"
　　Iheardachaindraggingalongtheground，andayokeofthegreatsulkywhitebullocksthatdragtheheavysiegegunswhentheelephantswon’tgoanynearertothefiring，cameshoulderingalongtogether。Andalmoststeppingonthechainwasanotherbatterymule，callingwildlyfor"Billy。"
　　"That’soneofourrecruits，"saidtheoldmuletothetroophorse。"He’scallingforme。Here，youngster，stopsquealing。
　　Thedarkneverhurtanybodyyet。"
　　Thegun—bullockslaydowntogetherandbeganchewingthecud，buttheyoungmulehuddledclosetoBilly。
　　"Things！"hesaid。"Fearfulandhorrible，Billy！Theycameintoourlineswhilewewereasleep。D’youthinkthey’llkillus？"
　　"I’veaverygreatmindtogiveyouanumber—onekicking，"
　　saidBilly。"Theideaofafourteen—handmulewithyourtrainingdisgracingthebatterybeforethisgentleman！"
　　"Gently，gently！"saidthetroop—horse。"Remembertheyarealwayslikethistobeginwith。ThefirsttimeIeversawaman（itwasinAustraliawhenIwasathree—year—old）Iranforhalfaday，andifI’dseenacamel，Ishouldhavebeenrunningstill。"
　　NearlyallourhorsesfortheEnglishcavalryarebroughttoIndiafromAustralia，andarebrokeninbythetroopersthemselves。
　　"Trueenough，"saidBilly。"Stopshaking，youngster。ThefirsttimetheyputthefullharnesswithallitschainsonmybackIstoodonmyforelegsandkickedeverybitofitoff。I
　　hadn’tlearnedtherealscienceofkickingthen，butthebatterysaidtheyhadneverseenanythinglikeit。"
　　"Butthiswasn’tharnessoranythingthatjingled，"saidtheyoungmule。"YouknowIdon’tmindthatnow，Billy。ItwasThingsliketrees，andtheyfellupanddownthelinesandbubbled;andmyhead—ropebroke，andIcouldn’tfindmydriver，andIcouldn’tfindyou，Billy，soIranoffwith——withthesegentlemen。"
　　"H’m！"saidBilly。"AssoonasIheardthecamelswerelooseIcameawayonmyownaccount。Whenabattery——ascrew—gunmulecallsgun—bullocksgentlemen，hemustbeverybadlyshakenup。
　　Whoareyoufellowsonthegroundthere？"
　　Thegunbullocksrolledtheircuds，andansweredbothtogether："TheseventhyokeofthefirstgunoftheBigGunBattery。Wewereasleepwhenthecamelscame，butwhenweweretrampledonwegotupandwalkedaway。Itisbettertoliequietinthemudthantobedisturbedongoodbedding。Wetoldyourfriendherethattherewasnothingtobeafraidof，butheknewsomuchthathethoughtotherwise。Wah！"
　　Theywentonchewing。
　　"Thatcomesofbeingafraid，"saidBilly。"Yougetlaughedatbygun—bullocks。Ihopeyoulikeit，youngun。"
　　Theyoungmule’steethsnapped，andIheardhimsaysomethingaboutnotbeingafraidofanybeefyoldbullockintheworld。Butthebullocksonlyclickedtheirhornstogetherandwentonchewing。
　　"Now，don’tbeangryafteryou’vebeenafraid。That’stheworstkindofcowardice，"saidthetroop—horse。"Anybodycanbeforgivenforbeingscaredinthenight，Ithink，iftheyseethingstheydon’tunderstand。We’vebrokenoutofourpickets，againandagain，fourhundredandfiftyofus，justbecauseanewrecruitgottotellingtalesofwhipsnakesathomeinAustraliatillwewerescaredtodeathofthelooseendsofourhead—ropes。"
　　"That’sallverywellincamp，"saidBilly。"I’mnotabovestampedingmyself，forthefunofthething，whenIhaven’tbeenoutforadayortwo。Butwhatdoyoudoonactiveservice？"
　　"Oh，that’squiteanothersetofnewshoes，"saidthetroophorse。"DickCunliffe’sonmybackthen，anddriveshiskneesintome，andallIhavetodoistowatchwhereIamputtingmyfeet，andtokeepmyhindlegswellunderme，andbebridle—wise。"
　　"What’sbridle—wise？"saidtheyoungmule。
　　"BytheBlueGumsoftheBackBlocks，"snortedthetroop—horse，"doyoumeantosaythatyouaren’ttaughttobebridle—wiseinyourbusiness？Howcanyoudoanything，unlessyoucanspinroundatoncewhenthereinispressedonyourneck？Itmeanslifeordeathtoyourman，andofcoursethat’slifeanddeathtoyou。Getroundwithyourhindlegsunderyoutheinstantyoufeelthereinonyourneck。Ifyouhaven’troomtoswinground，rearupalittleandcomeroundonyourhindlegs。That’sbeingbridle—wise。"
　　"Wearen’ttaughtthatway，"saidBillythemulestiffly。
　　"We’retaughttoobeythemanatourhead：stepoffwhenhesaysso，andstepinwhenhesaysso。Isupposeitcomestothesamething。Now，withallthisfinefancybusinessandrearing，whichmustbeverybadforyourhocks，whatdoyoudo？"
　　"Thatdepends，"saidthetroop—horse。"GenerallyIhavetogoinamongalotofyelling，hairymenwithknives——longshinyknives，worsethanthefarrier’sknives——andIhavetotakecarethatDick’sbootisjusttouchingthenextman’sbootwithoutcrushingit。IcanseeDick’slancetotherightofmyrighteye，andIknowI’msafe。Ishouldn’tcaretobethemanorhorsethatstooduptoDickandmewhenwe’reinahurry。"
　　"Don’tthekniveshurt？"saidtheyoungmule。
　　"Well，Igotonecutacrossthechestonce，butthatwasn’tDick’sfault——"
　　"AlotIshouldhavecaredwhosefaultitwas，ifithurt！"
　　saidtheyoungmule。
　　"Youmust，"saidthetroophorse。"Ifyoudon’ttrustyourman，youmayaswellrunawayatonce。That’swhatsomeofourhorsesdo，andIdon’tblamethem。AsIwassaying，itwasn’tDick’sfault。Themanwaslyingontheground，andIstretchedmyselfnottotreadonhim，andheslashedupatme。NexttimeI
　　havetogooveramanlyingdownIshallsteponhim——hard。"
　　"H’m！"saidBilly。"Itsoundsveryfoolish。Knivesaredirtythingsatanytime。Theproperthingtodoistoclimbupamountainwithawell—balancedsaddle，hangonbyallfourfeetandyourearstoo，andcreepandcrawlandwrigglealong，tillyoucomeouthundredsoffeetaboveanyoneelseonaledgewherethere’sjustroomenoughforyourhoofs。Thenyoustandstillandkeepquiet——neveraskamantoholdyourhead，youngun——keepquietwhilethegunsarebeingputtogether，andthenyouwatchthelittlepoppyshellsdropdownintothetree—topseversofarbelow。"
　　"Don’tyouevertrip？"saidthetroop—horse。
　　"Theysaythatwhenamuletripsyoucansplitahen’sear，"
　　saidBilly。"Nowandagainperhapsabadlypackedsaddlewillupsetamule，butit’sveryseldom。IwishIcouldshowyouourbusiness。It’sbeautiful。Why，ittookmethreeyearstofindoutwhatthemenweredrivingat。Thescienceofthethingisnevertoshowupagainsttheskyline，because，ifyoudo，youmaygetfiredat。Rememberthat，youngun。Alwayskeephiddenasmuchaspossible，evenifyouhavetogoamileoutofyourway。
　　Ileadthebatterywhenitcomestothatsortofclimbing。"
　　"Firedatwithoutthechanceofrunningintothepeoplewhoarefiring！"saidthetroop—horse，thinkinghard。"Icouldn’tstandthat。Ishouldwanttocharge——withDick。"
　　"Oh，no，youwouldn’t。Youknowthatassoonasthegunsareinpositionthey’lldoallthecharging。That’sscientificandneat。Butknives——pah！"
　　Thebaggage—camelhadbeenbobbinghisheadtoandfroforsometimepast，anxioustogetawordinedgewise。ThenIheardhimsay，asheclearedhisthroat，nervously：
　　"I——I——Ihavefoughtalittle，butnotinthatclimbingwayorthatrunningway。"
　　"No。Nowyoumentionit，"saidBilly，"youdon’tlookasthoughyouweremadeforclimbingorrunning——much。Well，howwasit，oldHay—bales？"
　　"Theproperway，"saidthecamel。"Weallsatdown——"
　　"Oh，mycrupperandbreastplate！"saidthetroop—horseunderhisbreath。"Satdown！"
　　"Wesatdown——ahundredofus，"thecamelwenton，"inabigsquare，andthemenpiledourpacksandsaddles，outsidethesquare，andtheyfiredoverourbacks，themendid，onallsidesofthesquare。"
　　"Whatsortofmen？Anymenthatcamealong？"saidthetroop—horse。"Theyteachusinridingschooltoliedownandletourmastersfireacrossus，butDickCunliffeistheonlymanI’dtrusttodothat。Itticklesmygirths，and，besides，Ican’tseewithmyheadontheground。"
　　"Whatdoesitmatterwhofiresacrossyou？"saidthecamel。
　　"Thereareplentyofmenandplentyofothercamelscloseby，andagreatmanycloudsofsmoke。Iamnotfrightenedthen。Isitstillandwait。"
　　"Andyet，"saidBilly，"youdreambaddreamsandupsetthecampatnight。Well，well！BeforeI’dliedown，nottospeakofsittingdown，andletamanfireacrossme，myheelsandhisheadwouldhavesomethingtosaytoeachother。Didyoueverhearanythingsoawfulasthat？"
　　Therewasalongsilence，andthenoneofthegunbullockslifteduphisbigheadandsaid，"Thisisveryfoolishindeed。
　　Thereisonlyonewayoffighting。"
　　"Oh，goon，"saidBilly。"Pleasedon’tmindme。Isupposeyoufellowsfightstandingonyourtails？"
　　"Onlyoneway，"saidthetwotogether。（Theymusthavebeentwins。）"Thisisthatway。ToputalltwentyyokeofustothebiggunassoonasTwoTailstrumpets。"（"TwoTails"iscampslangfortheelephant。）
　　"WhatdoesTwoTailstrumpetfor？"saidtheyoungmule。
　　"Toshowthatheisnotgoinganynearertothesmokeontheotherside。TwoTailsisagreatcoward。Thenwetugthebiggunalltogether——Heya——Hullah！Heeyah！Hullah！Wedonotclimblikecatsnorrunlikecalves。Wegoacrossthelevelplain，twentyyokeofus，tillweareunyokedagain，andwegrazewhilethebiggunstalkacrosstheplaintosometownwithmudwalls，andpiecesofthewallfallout，andthedustgoesupasthoughmanycattlewerecominghome。"
　　"Oh！Andyouchoosethattimeforgrazing？"saidtheyoungmule。
　　"Thattimeoranyother。Eatingisalwaysgood。WeeattillweareyokedupagainandtugthegunbacktowhereTwoTailsiswaitingforit。Sometimestherearebiggunsinthecitythatspeakback，andsomeofusarekilled，andthenthereisallthemoregrazingforthosethatareleft。ThisisFate。Nonetheless，TwoTailsisagreatcoward。Thatistheproperwaytofight。WearebrothersfromHapur。OurfatherwasasacredbullofShiva。Wehavespoken。"
　　"Well，I’vecertainlylearnedsomethingtonight，"saidthetroop—horse。"Doyougentlemenofthescrew—gunbatteryfeelinclinedtoeatwhenyouarebeingfiredatwithbigguns，andTwoTailsisbehindyou？"
　　"Aboutasmuchaswefeelinclinedtositdownandletmensprawlalloverus，orrunintopeoplewithknives。Ineverheardsuchstuff。Amountainledge，awell—balancedload，adriveryoucantrusttoletyoupickyourownway，andI’myourmule。But——
　　theotherthings——no！"saidBilly，withastampofhisfoot。
　　"Ofcourse，"saidthetroophorse，"everyoneisnotmadeinthesameway，andIcanquiteseethatyourfamily，onyourfather’sside，wouldfailtounderstandagreatmanythings。"
　　"Neveryoumindmyfamilyonmyfather’sside，"saidBillyangrily，foreverymulehatestoberemindedthathisfatherwasadonkey。"MyfatherwasaSoutherngentleman，andhecouldpulldownandbiteandkickintoragseveryhorsehecameacross。
　　Rememberthat，youbigbrownBrumby！"
　　Brumbymeanswildhorsewithoutanybreeding。ImaginethefeelingsofSunolifacar—horsecalledhera"skate，"andyoucanimaginehowtheAustralianhorsefelt。Isawthewhiteofhiseyeglitterinthedark。
　　"Seehere，yousonofanimportedMalagajackass，"hesaidbetweenhisteeth，"I’dhaveyouknowthatI’mrelatedonmymother’ssidetoCarbine，winneroftheMelbourneCup，andwhereI
　　comefromwearen’taccustomedtobeingriddenoverroughshodbyanyparrot—mouthed，pig—headedmuleinapop—gunpea—shooterbattery。Areyouready？"
　　"Onyourhindlegs！"squealedBilly。Theybothrearedupfacingeachother，andIwasexpectingafuriousfight，whenagurgly，rumblyvoice，calledoutofthedarknesstotheright——
　　"Children，whatareyoufightingaboutthere？Bequiet。"
　　Bothbeastsdroppeddownwithasnortofdisgust，forneitherhorsenormulecanbeartolistentoanelephant’svoice。
　　"It’sTwoTails！"saidthetroop—horse。"Ican’tstandhim。
　　Atailateachendisn’tfair！"
　　"Myfeelingsexactly，"saidBilly，crowdingintothetroop—horseforcompany。"We’reveryalikeinsomethings。"
　　"Isupposewe’veinheritedthemfromourmothers，"saidthetroophorse。"It’snotworthquarrelingabout。Hi！TwoTails，areyoutiedup？"
　　"Yes，"saidTwoTails，withalaughalluphistrunk。"I’mpicketedforthenight。I’veheardwhatyoufellowshavebeensaying。Butdon’tbeafraid。I’mnotcomingover。"
　　Thebullocksandthecamelsaid，halfaloud，"AfraidofTwoTails——whatnonsense！"Andthebullockswenton，"Wearesorrythatyouheard，butitistrue。TwoTails，whyareyouafraidofthegunswhentheyfire？"
　　"Well，"saidTwoTails，rubbingonehindlegagainsttheother，exactlylikealittleboysayingapoem，"Idon’tquiteknowwhetheryou’dunderstand。"
　　"Wedon’t，butwehavetopulltheguns，"saidthebullocks。
　　"Iknowit，andIknowyouareagooddealbraverthanyouthinkyouare。Butit’sdifferentwithme。MybatterycaptaincalledmeaPachydermatousAnachronismtheotherday。"
　　"That’sanotherwayoffighting，Isuppose？"saidBilly，whowasrecoveringhisspirits。
　　"Youdon’tknowwhatthatmeans，ofcourse，butIdo。Itmeansbetwixtandbetween，andthatisjustwhereIam。Icanseeinsidemyheadwhatwillhappenwhenashellbursts，andyoubullockscan’t。"
　　"Ican，"saidthetroop—horse。"Atleastalittlebit。Itrynottothinkaboutit。"
　　"Icanseemorethanyou，andIdothinkaboutit。Iknowthere’sagreatdealofmetotakecareof，andIknowthatnobodyknowshowtocuremewhenI’msick。Alltheycandoistostopmydriver’spaytillIgetwell，andIcan’ttrustmydriver。"
　　"Ah！"saidthetroophorse。"Thatexplainsit。IcantrustDick。"
　　"YoucouldputawholeregimentofDicksonmybackwithoutmakingmefeelanybetter。Iknowjustenoughtobeuncomfortable，andnotenoughtogooninspiteofit。"
　　"Wedonotunderstand，"saidthebullocks。
　　"Iknowyoudon’t。I’mnottalkingtoyou。Youdon’tknowwhatbloodis。"
　　"Wedo，"saidthebullocks。"Itisredstuffthatsoaksintothegroundandsmells。"
　　Thetroop—horsegaveakickandaboundandasnort。
　　"Don’ttalkofit，"hesaid。"Icansmellitnow，justthinkingofit。Itmakesmewanttorun——whenIhaven’tDickonmyback。"
　　"Butitisnothere，"saidthecamelandthebullocks。"Whyareyousostupid？"
　　"It’svilestuff，"saidBilly。"Idon’twanttorun，butI
　　don’twanttotalkaboutit。"
　　"Thereyouare！"saidTwoTails，wavinghistailtoexplain。
　　"Surely。Yes，wehavebeenhereallnight，"saidthebullocks。
　　TwoTailsstampedhisfoottilltheironringonitjingled。
　　"Oh，I’mnottalkingtoyou。Youcan’tseeinsideyourheads。"
　　"No。Weseeoutofourfoureyes，"saidthebullocks。"Weseestraightinfrontofus。"
　　"IfIcoulddothatandnothingelse，youwouldn’tbeneededtopullthebiggunsatall。IfIwaslikemycaptain——hecanseethingsinsidehisheadbeforethefiringbegins，andheshakesallover，butheknowstoomuchtorunaway——ifIwaslikehimI
　　couldpulltheguns。ButifIwereaswiseasallthatIshouldneverbehere。Ishouldbeakingintheforest，asIusedtobe，sleepinghalfthedayandbathingwhenIliked。Ihaven’thadagoodbathforamonth。"
　　"That’sallveryfine，"saidBilly。"Butgivingathingalongnamedoesn’tmakeitanybetter。"
　　"H’sh！"saidthetroophorse。"IthinkIunderstandwhatTwoTailsmeans。"
　　"You’llunderstandbetterinaminute，"saidTwoTailsangrily。"Nowyoujustexplaintomewhyyoudon’tlikethis！"
　　Hebegantrumpetingfuriouslyatthetopofhistrumpet。
　　"Stopthat！"saidBillyandthetroophorsetogether，andI
　　couldhearthemstampandshiver。Anelephant’strumpetingisalwaysnasty，especiallyonadarknight。
　　"Ishan’tstop，"saidTwoTails。"Won’tyouexplainthat，please？Hhrrmph！Rrrt！Rrrmph！Rrrhha！"Thenhestoppedsuddenly，andIheardalittlewhimperinthedark，andknewthatVixenhadfoundmeatlast。SheknewaswellasIdidthatifthereisonethingintheworldtheelephantismoreafraidofthananotheritisalittlebarkingdog。SoshestoppedtobullyTwoTailsinhispickets，andyappedroundhisbigfeet。TwoTailsshuffledandsqueaked。"Goaway，littledog！"hesaid。
　　"Don’tsnuffatmyankles，orI’llkickatyou。Goodlittledog——nicelittledoggie，then！Gohome，youyelpinglittlebeast！
　　Oh，whydoesn’tsomeonetakeheraway？She’llbitemeinaminute。"
　　"Seemstome，"saidBillytothetroophorse，"thatourfriendTwoTailsisafraidofmostthings。Now，ifIhadafullmealforeverydogI’vekickedacrosstheparade—groundIshouldbeasfatasTwoTailsnearly。"
　　Iwhistled，andVixenranuptome，muddyallover，andlickedmynose，andtoldmealongtaleabouthuntingformeallthroughthecamp。IneverletherknowthatIunderstoodbeasttalk，orshewouldhavetakenallsortsofliberties。SoIbuttonedherintothebreastofmyovercoat，andTwoTailsshuffledandstampedandgrowledtohimself。
　　"Extraordinary！Mostextraordinary！"hesaid。"Itrunsinourfamily。Now，wherehasthatnastylittlebeastgoneto？"
　　Iheardhimfeelingaboutwithhistrunk。
　　"Weallseemtobeaffectedinvariousways，"hewenton，blowinghisnose。"Now，yougentlemenwerealarmed，Ibelieve，whenItrumpeted。"
　　"Notalarmed，exactly，"saidthetroop—horse，"butitmademefeelasthoughIhadhornetswheremysaddleoughttobe。Don’tbeginagain。"
　　"I’mfrightenedofalittledog，andthecamelhereisfrightenedbybaddreamsinthenight。"
　　"Itisveryluckyforusthatwehaven’tallgottofightinthesameway，"saidthetroop—horse。
　　"WhatIwanttoknow，"saidtheyoungmule，whohadbeenquietforalongtime——"whatIwanttoknowis，whywehavetofightatall。"
　　"Becausewe’retoldto，"saidthetroop—horse，withasnortofcontempt。
　　"Orders，"saidBillythemule，andhisteethsnapped。
　　"Hukmhai！"（Itisanorder！），saidthecamelwithagurgle，andTwoTailsandthebullocksrepeated，"Hukmhai！"
　　"Yes，butwhogivestheorders？"saidtherecruit—mule。
　　"Themanwhowalksatyourhead——Orsitsonyourback——Orholdsthenoserope——Ortwistsyourtail，"saidBillyandthetroop—horseandthecamelandthebullocksoneaftertheother。
　　"Butwhogivesthemtheorders？"
　　"Nowyouwanttoknowtoomuch，youngun，"saidBilly，"andthatisonewayofgettingkicked。Allyouhavetodoistoobeythemanatyourheadandasknoquestions。"
　　"He’squiteright，"saidTwoTails。"Ican’talwaysobey，becauseI’mbetwixtandbetween。ButBilly’sright。Obeythemannexttoyouwhogivestheorder，oryou’llstopallthebattery，besidesgettingathrashing。"
　　Thegun—bullocksgotuptogo。"Morningiscoming，"theysaid。"Wewillgobacktoourlines。Itistruethatweonlyseeoutofoureyes，andwearenotveryclever。Butstill，wearetheonlypeopleto—nightwhohavenotbeenafraid。Good—night，youbravepeople。"
　　Nobodyanswered，andthetroop—horsesaid，tochangetheconversation，"Where’sthatlittledog？Adogmeansamansomewhereabout。"
　　"HereIam，"yappedVixen，"undertheguntailwithmyman。
　　Youbig，blunderingbeastofacamelyou，youupsetourtent。Myman’sveryangry。"
　　"Phew！"saidthebullocks。"Hemustbewhite！"
　　"Ofcourseheis，"saidVixen。"DoyousupposeI’mlookedafterbyablackbullock—driver？"
　　"Huah！Ouach！Ugh！"saidthebullocks。"Letusgetawayquickly。"
　　Theyplungedforwardinthemud，andmanagedsomehowtoruntheiryokeonthepoleofanammunitionwagon，whereitjammed。
　　"Nowyouhavedoneit，"saidBillycalmly。"Don’tstruggle。
　　You’rehunguptilldaylight。Whatonearth’sthematter？"
　　ThebullockswentoffintothelonghissingsnortsthatIndiancattlegive，andpushedandcrowdedandsluedandstampedandslippedandnearlyfelldowninthemud，gruntingsavagely。
　　"You’llbreakyournecksinaminute，"saidthetroop—horse。
　　"What’sthematterwithwhitemen？Ilivewith’em。"
　　"They——eat——us！Pull！"saidthenearbullock。Theyokesnappedwithatwang，andtheylumberedofftogether。
　　IneverknewbeforewhatmadeIndiancattlesoscaredofEnglishmen。Weeatbeef——athingthatnocattle—drivertouches——andofcoursethecattledonotlikeit。
　　"MayIbefloggedwithmyownpad—chains！Who’dhavethoughtoftwobiglumpslikethoselosingtheirheads？"saidBilly。
　　"Nevermind。I’mgoingtolookatthisman。Mostofthewhitemen，Iknow，havethingsintheirpockets，"saidthetroop—horse。
　　"I’llleaveyou，then。Ican’tsayI’mover—fondof’emmyself。Besides，whitemenwhohaven’taplacetosleepinaremorethanlikelytobethieves，andI’veagooddealofGovernmentpropertyonmyback。Comealong，youngun，andwe’llgobacktoourlines。Good—night，Australia！Seeyouonparadeto—morrow，I
　　suppose。Good—night，oldHay—bale！——trytocontrolyourfeelings，won’tyou？Good—night，TwoTails！Ifyoupassusonthegroundtomorrow，don’ttrumpet。Itspoilsourformation。"
　　BillytheMulestumpedoffwiththeswaggeringlimpofanoldcampaigner，asthetroop—horse’sheadcamenuzzlingintomybreast，andIgavehimbiscuits，whileVixen，whoisamostconceitedlittledog，toldhimfibsaboutthescoresofhorsesthatsheandIkept。
　　"I’mcomingtotheparadeto—morrowinmydog—cart，"shesaid。
　　"Wherewillyoube？"
　　"Onthelefthandofthesecondsquadron。Isetthetimeforallmytroop，littlelady，"hesaidpolitely。"NowImustgobacktoDick。Mytail’sallmuddy，andhe’llhavetwohours’hardworkdressingmeforparade。"
　　Thebigparadeofallthethirtythousandmenwasheldthatafternoon，andVixenandIhadagoodplaceclosetotheViceroyandtheAmirofAfghanistan，withhigh，bigblackhatofastrakhanwoolandthegreatdiamondstarinthecenter。Thefirstpartofthereviewwasallsunshine，andtheregimentswentbyinwaveuponwaveoflegsallmovingtogether，andgunsallinaline，tilloureyesgrewdizzy。Thenthecavalrycameup，tothebeautifulcavalrycanterof"BonnieDundee，"andVixencockedherearwhereshesatonthedog—cart。ThesecondsquadronoftheLancersshotby，andtherewasthetroop—horse，withhistaillikespunsilk，hisheadpulledintohisbreast，oneearforwardandoneback，settingthetimeforallhissquadron，hislegsgoingassmoothlyaswaltzmusic。Thenthebiggunscameby，andIsawTwoTailsandtwootherelephantsharnessedinlinetoaforty—poundersiegegun，whiletwentyyokeofoxenwalkedbehind。Theseventhpairhadanewyoke，andtheylookedratherstiffandtired。Lastcamethescrewguns，andBillythemulecarriedhimselfasthoughhecommandedallthetroops，andhisharnesswasoiledandpolishedtillitwinked。IgaveacheerallbymyselfforBillythemule，butheneverlookedrightorleft。
　　Therainbegantofallagain，andforawhileitwastoomistytoseewhatthetroopsweredoing。Theyhadmadeabighalfcircleacrosstheplain，andwerespreadingoutintoaline。Thatlinegrewandgrewandgrewtillitwasthree—quartersofamilelongfromwingtowing——onesolidwallofmen，horses，andguns。
　　ThenitcameonstraighttowardtheViceroyandtheAmir，andasitgotnearerthegroundbegantoshake，likethedeckofasteamerwhentheenginesaregoingfast。
　　Unlessyouhavebeenthereyoucannotimaginewhatafrighteningeffectthissteadycome—downoftroopshasonthespectators，evenwhentheyknowitisonlyareview。IlookedattheAmir。Uptillthenhehadnotshowntheshadowofasignofastonishmentoranythingelse。Butnowhiseyesbegantogetbiggerandbigger，andhepickedupthereinsonhishorse’sneckandlookedbehindhim。ForaminuteitseemedasthoughheweregoingtodrawhisswordandslashhiswayoutthroughtheEnglishmenandwomeninthecarriagesattheback。Thentheadvancestoppeddead，thegroundstoodstill，thewholelinesaluted，andthirtybandsbegantoplayalltogether。Thatwastheendofthereview，andtheregimentswentofftotheircampsintherain，andaninfantrybandstruckupwith——
　　Theanimalswentintwobytwo，Hurrah！
　　Theanimalswentintwobytwo，Theelephantandthebatterymul’，andtheyallgotintotheArkFortogetoutoftherain！
　　ThenIheardanoldgrizzled，long—hairedCentralAsianchief，whohadcomedownwiththeAmir，askingquestionsofanativeofficer。
　　"Now，"saidhe，"inwhatmannerwasthiswonderfulthingdone？"
　　Andtheofficeranswered，"Anorderwasgiven，andtheyobeyed。"
　　"Butarethebeastsaswiseasthemen？"saidthechief。
　　"Theyobey，asthemendo。Mule，horse，elephant，orbullock，heobeyshisdriver，andthedriverhissergeant，andthesergeanthislieutenant，andthelieutenanthiscaptain，andthecaptainhismajor，andthemajorhiscolonel，andthecolonelhisbrigadiercommandingthreeregiments，andthebrigadierthegeneral，whoobeystheViceroy，whoistheservantoftheEmpress。
　　Thusitisdone。"
　　"WoulditweresoinAfghanistan！"saidthechief，"forthereweobeyonlyourownwills。"
　　"Andforthatreason，"saidthenativeofficer，twirlinghismustache，"yourAmirwhomyoudonotobeymustcomehereandtakeordersfromourViceroy。"
　　ParadeSongoftheCampAnimalsELEPHANTSOFTHEGUNTEAMS
　　WelenttoAlexanderthestrengthofHercules，Thewisdomofourforeheads，thecunningofourknees;
　　Webowedourneckstoservice：theyne’erwereloosedagain，——
　　Makewaythere——wayfortheten—footteamsOftheForty—Poundertrain！
　　GUNBULLOCKS
　　Thoseheroesintheirharnessesavoidacannon—ball，Andwhattheyknowofpowderupsetsthemoneandall;
　　Thenwecomeintoactionandtugthegunsagain——
　　Makewaythere——wayforthetwentyyokeOftheForty—Poundertrain！
　　CAVALRYHORSES
　　Bythebrandonmyshoulder，thefinestoftunesIsplayedbytheLancers，Hussars，andDragoons，Andit’ssweeterthan"Stables"or"Water"tome——
　　TheCavalryCanterof"BonnieDundee"！
　　Thenfeedusandbreakusandhandleandgroom，Andgiveusgoodridersandplentyofroom，AndlaunchusincolumnofsquadronandseeThewayofthewar—horseto"BonnieDundee"！
　　SCREW—GUNMULES
　　Asmeandmycompanionswerescramblingupahill，Thepathwaslostinrollingstones，butwewentforwardstill;
　　Forwecanwriggleandclimb，mylads，andturnupeverywhere，Oh，it’sourdelightonamountainheight，withalegortwotospare！
　　Goodlucktoeverysergeant，then，thatletsuspickourroad;
　　Badlucktoallthedriver—menthatcannotpackaload：
　　Forwecanwriggleandclimb，mylads，andturnupeverywhere，Oh，it’sourdelightonamountainheight，withalegortwotospare！
　　COMMISSARIATCAMELS
　　Wehaven’tacameltytuneofourownTohelpustrollopalong，Buteveryneckisahairtrombone（Rtt—ta—ta—ta！isahairtrombone！）
　　Andthisourmarching—song：
　　Can’t！Don’t！Shan’t！Won’t！
　　Passitalongtheline！
　　Somebody’spackhasslidfromhisback，Wishitwereonlymine！
　　Somebody’sloadhastippedoffintheroad——
　　Cheerforahaltandarow！
　　Urrr！Yarrh！Grr！Arrh！
　　Somebody’scatchingitnow！
　　ALLTHEBEASTSTOGETHER
　　ChildrenoftheCamparewe，Servingeachinhisdegree;
　　Childrenoftheyokeandgoad，Packandharness，padandload。
　　Seeourlineacrosstheplain，Likeaheel—ropebentagain，Reaching，writhing，rollingfar，Sweepingallawaytowar！
　　Whilethementhatwalkbeside，Dusty，silent，heavy—eyed，CannottellwhyweortheyMarchandsufferdaybyday。
　　ChildrenoftheCamparewe，Servingeachinhisdegree;
　　Childrenoftheyokeandgoad，Packandharness，padandload！