Moreover the Tava had several fords, any one of which might be selected by the enemy.

So it was arranged that we should make our first and last stand upon the Holy Mount.
On the fourteenth night from new moon our swift camel-scouts who were posted in relays between the Tava and the Mount reported that the Black Kendah were gathered in thousands upon the farther side of the river, where they were engaged in celebrating magical ceremonies.

On the fifteenth night the scouts reported that they were crossing the river, about five thousand horsemen and fifteen thousand foot soldiers, and that at the head of them marched the huge god-elephant Jana, on which rode Simba the King and a lame priest (evidently my friend whose foot had been injured by the pistol), who acted as a mahout.

This part of the story I confess I did not believe, since it seemed to me impossible that anyone could ride upon that mad rogue, Jana.

Yet, as subsequent events showed, it was in fact true.