Dilam offered tentatively,"Perhaps he'll decide not to do it again."
"Decide? How does a rogueelephant decide anything? You said yourself he was insane."
"That was before I knewit was Danor. Danor has superior understanding."
"He damn well understandshow to destroy my railroad." She ran her fingers through her hair."How did one elephant manage to do this much damage so quickly? We didn'teven hear him until fifteen minutes ago."
"Because he didn't wantus to hear him."
"What do you mean?"
"He started trumpetingonly the last quarter-mile or we would not have heard him. He must have hadsome reason for wishing to attract our attention."
Jane gazed at her inastonishment. "You're saying he planned this?"
"I do not know, but he isnot as other elephants."
"I don't care if he's notlike other elephants. I want to know if this will happen again."
She hesitated, troubled."It is possible. He obviously did not like being interrupted."
Jane had a fleeting memory ofdeadly tusks lowered to charge. "I noticed that."
"But I will put guards onthe track tomorrow night," Dilam assured her.
"You can't put guardsalong the entire line," Li Sung said. "It is best we hunt him downand shoot him."
Dilam's expression becameshuttered. "I will not help you do this."
"Did you see what he did?Those tracks are—" Jane stopped, trying to control her temper. "Iwouldn't kill any animal needlessly, but this elephant is vicious. Why won'tyou help us?"
"He saved the life of mychild. It would be dishonor if I destroyed his savior."
"Then find someone elseto lead us to him."
"I cannot do that,"Dilam said stubbornly. "It would be the same thing. I will place guards onthe track."
"I could try to find himby myself," Li Sung offered.
"You'd get lost,"Jane said curtly. "You don't know anything about jungles."
"And less aboutelephants," Li Sung conceded. "But I know I don't like this one, andeven I could hit a target that size."
"If you shoot him in theright spot. I'm not even sure a bullet would pierce that skin. It's toodangerous. He almost killed you tonight."
"I told you he did notlike me." His lips tightened. "I assure you the aversion is mutual. Iwill go after him."
She shook her head.
Li Sung gave her a coldglance. "You think the task too much for a cripple?"
"I didn't say…Li Sung, don'tdothis to me rightnow." She turned to Dilam. "This must not happen again. I want thoseguards armed. Do you understand?"
"I understand."
But she hadn't promised shewould tell the guards to shoot the elephant, Jane thought in frustration. Sheturned on her heel and headed back toward the camp.
Li Sung walked beside her."You are worried about the deadline?"
