Page:The Song of the Sirens.djvu/170

 Hannibal the Scout as they watched the operation.

When Barranith was secured sufficiently, to the mahout's satisfaction, the scout commanded:

"Now double chain him."

When Barranith, still grumbling, but no longer resisting, had been fastened as they would have fastened a mad elephant, the scout ordered the other elephants taken some fifty yards back from the river and gave orders to feed them slowly.

He questioned Barranith's own mahout.

"What does he like best to eat?"

"Millet cakes and honey," said the Asiatic.

"Got any millet cakes?" the scout queried.

"Yes," said the man.

"Give me three," he commanded.

Then he galloped back to Hannibal and Mago on their knoll. It was about noon and Hannibal was fuming with impatience.

"What now?" he inquired.

"I need some honey," said the scout, "and some pepper. Is there any left of either in the army?"

"My cook has pepper," Mago put in.

"Is he on this side of the river?" his brother demanded.

"I believe so," Mago ruminated doubtfully.