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！