Native animal keepers, armed with rifles, patrolled the menagerie.

No one was to pass the cordon without explaining frank his business, whence he came, and whither he was bound.
By the knees of one of the sentries a little native child was playing.
From time to time the happy father would stoop and pat her head.
Presently there was a stir about camp.

An elephant shuffled into the clearing.

He was halted, made to kneel, and Ahmed stepped out of the howdah.
The little girl ran up to Ahmed joyfully and begged to be put into the howdah.

Smiling, Ahmed set her in the howdah, and the mahout bade the elephant to rise, but, interested in some orders by Ahmed, left the beast to his own devices.