The Star of India
Copyright© 2026 by Edward S. Ellis
Chapter 19: Carried Northward
“Isn’t that a piece of luck?” asked the delighted Harkins.
This question was caused by the sound of an elephant trumpeting in the road behind them. The noise was not loud, and when they turned their heads they saw the animal only a short distance away.
The howdah on his back showed that he was not a wild beast, so the fugitives had nothing to fear from his warning. The young men drew to one side of the highway to learn what their chances of securing the animal were.
They were disappointed. A number of natives were in the howdah, and several horses were riding beside the elephant. It would never do to attack the party, which moved so fast that it was soon out of sight in the dust ahead, the fugitives loitering so as to give their guide an opportunity of rejoining them. The ladies began to feel uneasy over his long absence.
As was natural, the native party closely scrutinized the fugitives, but no communication passed between them. If the natives knew of the massacre in Delhi, they may not have noticed that all of the little party were Europeans, since, as will be remembered, most of them were dressed in native costume.
A short distance further one of the numerous bungalows established by the East India Company for the accommodation of travelers was reached. The building was small, thatched, and open. No servant was seen near it, but the party decided to wait there until Luchman should reappear.
The fugitives passed into the bungalow or station, where they sat down to rest and await the coming of their guide.
“Let’s follow that elephant party,” said Harkins. “I am hopeful we may find a chance to get the elephant.”
The doctor liked the proposal, and, telling his friends to await their return without misgiving, the two young men started up the road at a rapid walk. They kept the gait until covered with perspiration and pretty tired.
“It won’t do to get too far away from the rest,” said the doctor; “our party is pretty well broken up.”
“We are approaching a village,” replied Harkins, “and there at the side of the road is the house, I suppose, of the village headman.”
The building which he was so quick to recognize stood some distance from the road, and was identified by the lights that twinkled through the surrounding trees, rather than by any view gained of the dwelling itself.
But the hearts of the two gave a flutter of delight when they came upon the very elephant for which they were looking. He was standing at the roadside, beneath a large tree, from which he was eating. He drew down the limbs, or rather stripped off the tender leaves and twigs, and stowed them in his capacious maw.
So far as our friends could see, no one was looking after the animal, which was so well trained that he needed no care. Even the horsemen seemed to have ridden up the shaded passage leading to the dwelling among the trees.
It looked as if some wealthy native had called upon a neighbor (possibly to plan an expedition to Delhi), and had left his royal steed by the roadside until he should return.
Avery and Harkins were delighted. They thought Providence was on their side, although He is never on the side of those who wish to despoil others of their property.
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