CHAPTER XI
WE ARE TAKEN FOR ROBBERS
Various adventures befell Prince Alemguir and myself at Beejapoor,which was the first city to be reached after leaving the chapel ofGanesa, and where we were obliged to remain several months.
The English (the real masters of India) were in great numbers inBeejapoor, which contained the Residence of a Governor.
While here we were secure from any hostile act on the part of theMaharajah of Mysore, himself an English subject, and permitted toretain his sovereignty only by payment of a tribute; but other dangersthreatened us; first of all, _my Master was taken for a thief!_
Seeing him wan, emaciated, almost naked, stripped of everything, hiswrists and ankles scarred with the marks of chains, they would listento nothing he said.
They suspected him of having escaped from prison--and what they accusedhim of stealing was nothing other than _myself_!
They were about to confiscate me, and separate us, but upon theirventuring to lay hands on me my scream of rage scattered and sentflying both the police agents and the idlers that had gathered about,like a flock of sparrows!
The constables returned later, and finally agreed that the unknownstranger might possibly be the owner of the elephant, but he must gobefore a Magistrate, and make explanations, and the matter would thenbe decided.
I placed my Master upon my tusks, as I had done once before to protecthim from the enemy's bullets, and carrying him thus, to the greatastonishment of the crowd, I followed the police agents.
The Magistrate, notwithstanding the evidence, put us through varioustests, in order to assure himself that the fugitive was really myowner; but concluded that even if such were the case it did not preventhim from being a dangerous person--a possible "_spy_"--or secretemissary of conspirators--and that he had best be lodged in jail.
Alemguir repeatedly demanded to be brought before the Governor ofBeejapoor, to whom he could explain his situation; but the Governor wasabsent on a hunting expedition, and days passed without his return.
The Prince would have endured all these trials with fortitude had nothis mind been tortured by the thought of Saphire-of-Heaven, who mightbe dying of grief and anxiety.
The retreat of the Army had doubtless made her aware of the defeat andcapture of her husband. But since then she had heard nothing. She mightsuppose him killed, and might refuse to survive him....
The Governor finally returned, and the Prince at once claimed anaudience of him.
Sir Percy Murray was a tall, thin man, with a white beard and bright,pleasant, blue eyes--very affable in manner, and with an air offrankness and good humour.
After the Prince had informed him who he was, and had shown him hisRoyal Signet-ring and recounted his misfortunes and adventures, theGovernor expressed regret at the annoyances which his own over-zealoussubordinates had caused during his absence, and invited him to be hisguest at "Jasmine Cottage" in the suburbs of the city.
My Master urged that he be supplied with the means of returning at onceto Golconda, where his absence might occasion disasters; but Sir PercyMurray, in spite of his civilities could not (so he said) allow anunknown person to leave without being assured of his identity; he wouldbe blamed in high places--"and might even forfeit his position"--saidhe!
But he advised Alemguir to write to his wife and direct her to sendsome well-known residents of Golconda, and if possible an Englishwitness, to come and identify the Prince; and this done, if he provedto be the person he claimed to be, he would at once be set at liberty.
While awaiting the arrival of the envoys the Governor of Beejapoormade every effort to entertain the Prince agreeably. His hospitalitywas most cordial; his family, numerous and full of gayety and goodspirits joined him in offering open-air festivals, receptions andballs. And my Master, if not diverted, was at least much interested bythe customs, so new to him, of English Society.
At last the messengers returned with a letter from Saphire-of-Heaven,and accompanied by the Uncle of the Prince, and several friends, whowept over him for joy, as they had recently done for sorrow.
Alemguir, treating me as a friend, as he always did, came and read tome the letter of the Princess, and announced that we were to leave thenext day.
"If it were possible for you to travel by rail-road," added he, "wecould arrive the same evening; but it would be difficult, and it mightcause you distress!..."
So that I was not asked to go by _Sea_, I was willing to travel in anysort of way--and I made my Master understand that I was quite ready togo by train, so it was settled in that way.
I was installed in a great open car, the floor covered with a thickbedding, and with an awning overhead; and I was assisted to mount bymeans of a broad gang-plank placed at an easy incline.
One would have supposed that they had never before seen an elephanttake a train, for there were a lot of boobies on the platform who hadcome to see me embark.
The Prince advised me to lie down so as to avoid the jolting as far aspossible. And after bidding farewell to the Governor and the Englishofficers who had escorted him to the station, he entered his carriage,and the doors were closed.
A whistle sounded, and the train started. Not being used to travellingin a carriage the motion caused me a slight vertigo--but nothingto compare with the abominable agonies of the voyage from Siam toCeylon; and the thought of arriving before night filled me with joy,and enabled me to endure with patience my discomfort, while withincreasing rapidity we ran, full speed towards Golconda....