Such signs were generally to be
found at sharp turnings of the path. Wherever the ground was soft enough or
sufficient dust lay to show impressions he stopped to examine the spot
carefully for footprints. Occasionally he detected the sharp marks of the
chair-legs or of the boot.
The trial led towards the mountains, as was natural. But after several
hours' progress Badshah turned suddenly to the left and endeavoured to
continue on towards the west. Dermot was disappointed, for he had persuaded
himself that the elephant quite understood the quest and was following the
trail. He headed Badshah again towards the north, but with difficulty, for
the animal obstinately persisted in trying to go his own way. When Dermot
conquered finally they continued towards the mountains. But before long the
soldier found that he had lost all traces of the raiding party. He cast
around without success and wasted much time in endeavouring to pick up the
trail again. At last to his annoyance he was forced to turn back and
retrace his steps.
At the spot where the conflict of opinion between him and the elephant had
taken place he cast about and found the track again. It led in the
direction in which Badshah had tried to take him. The elephant had been
wiser than he. Now, with an apologetic pat on the head, Dermot let him
follow the new path, wondering at the change of route, for it was only
natural to expect that the Bhuttias would have made for the hills by the
shortest way to the nearest pass into Bhutan.
Pages:
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158