“What does this mean?” said Archie with a look of wonder.
“I d’know, sir. Looks to me as if they are going to sleep.”
It was soon proved that the lad was right, for the animals, after uttering a low sigh or two, remained perfectly still, with the mahout dimly seen in his place and his head lowered down upon his chest.
“Well, sir,” said Pete, “this is all plain enough, and it looks as if we may as well go to sleep too.”
“Sleep!” said Archie. “With the risk of falling off this pad?”
“Oh, we sha’n’t do that, sir. We must take it in turns.”
“Will they stand like this till morning?” said Archie.
“Suppose so, sir. They can’t fall over sideways, because their legs are stuck fast in these holes. Here, you have first go, sir, and I’ll keep watch. Think this is a tigery sort of place?”
“They are fond of the river-side, Pete,” said Archie sadly; “but I was thinking about crocodiles.”
“Haven’t heard anything of them, sir; but, anyhow, we are safe up here, and we have got to chance it.”