This was in consequence of Hamet reporting that the driver said he could get the elephant along no faster, as the road was so bad and stony.
Murray threw himself back impatiently, and sat gazing straight before them, while the elephant nodded and shuffled slowly along.
“For suppose,” thought Murray, “anything should happen while I am away, I should never forgive myself. I wish now I had not come.”
Chapter Thirteen.
Two Hours Late.
“It is only fancy,” said Murray to himself, as, after what seemed to be an interminable length of time, they came in sight of the big tree where the other two elephants stood swinging their trunks, and the rest of the party were standing about watching for their return. There was no time lost now, for the day was getting well on, and the Malays showed plenty of eagerness to be once more well on their road, so as to be through the jungle before dark.
“I’m afraid we have rather overdone it, boys,” said Murray, after a long silence, during which the elephants plodded patiently on, and their guard kept up a low muttered conversation to themselves.
“It would have been better if we had started half an hour sooner,” said Frank, coolly; “but it don’t matter, that I see. Once we get into the jungle track the elephants will go through it back to their quarters, and we can lie down and get a nap if we like.”