"Jane!" Ruel called.
"He's not going to hurtme. Can't you see… " She stopped only a dozen yards from the elephant,making sure she was in Li Sung's line of fire. "Don't shoot him, LiSung."
"Get out of my way,Jane."
"Come here," Janecalled, her stare never leaving Danor. She had been right, the moonlightrevealed something damp and shimmering on the elephant's face.
"So he can try to trampleme again?"
Ruel reached her side."Dammit, Jane, do you want to get killed? Why the hell do you—"
"Shh!" She pointedto a shadowy bulk on the ground to the left of Danor. "I think he's...isn't that… "
"Another elephant."Ruel moved cautiously forward, keeping a wary eye on Danor. "Stay behindme. I'll take a look."
Danor lifted his trunk andtrumpeted again, this time in warning.
Ruel stopped in his tracks."I don't believe I'll go any farther. He doesn't appear to like me."
"He doesn't like anyonein this world." Li Sung limped toward them, the rifle cradled in readinessin the crook of his arm. "And if you'll step out of the way, I'll send himout of it."
"He's not going to hurtanyone," Jane said. "I think he's only protecting— Can't you see?He'sweeping,Li Sung."
"Nonsense."
"You're not even lookingat him. I tell you, he's mourning." Jane pointed to the fallen elephant."We've got to see if there's anything we can do to help."
"After I kill Danor,we'll look at the other elephant."
"Stop it!" Jane saidin exasperation. "You don't have to kill him now."
"Necessity doesn't alwayscoincide with desire." He lifted the rifle.
Jane started toward theelephant. "I said no."
Danor shifted back and forth,turning on her threateningly.
Ruel reached out and grabbedher arm. "He doesn't like you either. How ungrateful when you're the onlyone determined to save him."
An explosive sound came fromLi Sung as he moved ahead of them toward the elephant. "I knew I shouldnot have let you come with me. Must you be shown how vicious he is?" Hestrode toward the elephant, the rifle in readiness. "Come after me now,elephant."
Danor stood unmoving, hisstare on Li Sung. Another tear rolled down his leathery face before he slowlylowered his trunk to the head of the fallen elephant and began tugging as iftrying to lift the beast to its feet.
Li Sung stopped in back of thefallen elephant, staring in frustration and challenge at Danor across theanimal's body.
"Is the elephantdead?" Jane called.
Li Sung glanced down at theelephant. "I don't know." He reached out and touched the leatheryhide. "Warm. Perhaps not."
"Then why was Danortrumpeting?" Jane edged closer. "Is it a female?"
"Yes."
"Then she must be hismate."
"Possibly." Li Sungscowled. "And now I suppose you're feeling so soft-hearted toward himyou're going to let him tear up the rest of the railroad to assuage hisgrief."
"I didn't say that. Butwe have to help her if we can. We can't let—" She stopped as Danor's headlifted and he fixed his gaze on her. "You'll have to see if there'sanything we can do. He's not going to let anyone but you near him."
