Onrai did so, and turned to him and said:
“We have been gone just six days, according to your method of measuring time.”
“Six days,” exclaimed they all in chorus, “impossible.”
“But then,” continued Mr. Bruce, “when we consider how far we have traveled, we can hardly expect that we have been gone less time than that.”
“Yes, it has been just six days,” said Onrai, “but remember where we were when we started and see where we are now. Why, our friends are three days march from us, that is, easy marches, but I think we can overtake them in two days by not taking too long rests.”
“But when shall we start?” asked Mr. Bruce, “our friends must be worried about us.”
“Just whenever you wish to,” answered Onrai, “to-night if you choose.”
“Why not to-night?” asked Harry, “we still have some hours left and going through the cool avenue at night would be grand.”
“Well, so it shall be,” said Onrai, “we will travel with elephants so that, if we get sleepy, we can rest in the howdahs.”
“And can I go with you?” asked the stranger.