Soon unmistakable signs showed that they were on the track of a herd; and presently Frank caught sight of a slate-coloured body in the undergrowth, then another and another.  As he was wondering how the animals would receive them Badshah emerged on an open glade filled with elephants of all ages and sizes, from new-born woolly calves a bare three feet at the shoulder to splendid tuskers nine feet ten inches in height and lean, ragged-eared old animals a hundred and thirty years of age.  All were regarding the newcomer and their trunks were raised to point towards him, while from their throats came a low purring sound, which appeared to the subaltern to have more of pleasure than menace in it.  Instead of seeming hostile or alarmed they behaved as though they had expected and were welcoming their domesticated brother.  This was so evident that Frank felt no fear even when they closed in on Badshah and touched him with their trunks.

Dermot, smiling at his companion’s amazement, said: 

“This is Badshah’s old herd, Wargrave, and they’re used to him and me.  I’ve come in search of them, for it is by their aid that I propose to enter Bhutan.”

And the subaltern was still more surprised when the animals, which numbered over a hundred, fell in behind Badshah—­cows with calves leading, tuskers in rear—­and followed him submissively in single file as he headed for the mountains.  When night fell they were climbing above the foot-hills under the vivid tropic stars.

A couple of hours before midnight the leader halted, and the line behind him scattered to feed on the bamboos and the luscious grasses, though the younger calves nuzzled their mothers’ breasts.  Badshah sank to his knees to allow his passengers to dismount and relieve him of his pad.  The three men ate and then wrapped themselves in their blankets, for it was very cold high up in the mountains, and stretched themselves to sleep, as the great animals around them ceased to feed and rested.  Badshah lowered himself cautiously to the ground and lay down near his men.

Before Wargrave lost consciousness he marvelled at Dermot’s uncanny power over the huge beasts around them—­a power that could make these shy mammoths thus subservient to his purposes.  He began to understand why his companion was regarded as a demigod by the wild jungle-folk and hill-dwellers.

When at daybreak the herd moved on again, climbing ever higher in the mountains, the three men lay flat on Badshah’s back and covered themselves with their grey blankets lest vigilant watchers on the peaks around might espy them.  Thus do the mahouts of the koonkies, or trained female elephants employed in hunting and snaring wild tuskers, conceal themselves during the chase.

But darkness shielded them effectively when the herd swept at length through a rocky pass on the frontier-line between India and Bhutan, and with cries of fear and dismay armed men seated around watch-fires fled in panic before the earth-shaking host.  The screen was penetrated.