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！