CHAPTER IV.
ROYAL ELEPHANT OF SIAM
Prince-Formidable, for such was the name of my ancient companion,reclining not far from me upon a bed of fragrant branches, now told mesomething of his history, and also instructed me as to my duties ofRoyal Elephant.
"I have been here rather more than one hundred years," said he. "I amvery old, and I am sick, in spite of the white monkeys that you seefrisking about up there in the rafters. They are kept here to preserveus from evil diseases; but all those who were here with me in thispalace died within a few days of each other, of some ailment which theyseemed to take from each other, and I, the oldest of all of them, amthe only survivor.
"For several years I have been alone--the only White Elephant--and thegreatest anxiety has been felt in Court Circles on this account. Noothers could be discovered, notwithstanding the incessant hunts whichwere made throughout the forests. It was thought that great misfortunesmenaced the Kingdom, and your arrival has caused rejoicings throughoutthe country."
"Why is it that they consider us so important?" asked I. "What is thereextraordinary about us? Among elephants they seem rather to despise us!"
"I understand," said Prince-Formidable, "that men, when they die aretransformed into animals; the noblest into elephants, and Kings intoWhite Elephants. We are therefore ancient Kings; though, for my part,I have no recollection of having been either a man or a King." "Nor Ieither," said I. "I don't remember anything at all! But is it then onaccount of envy that the gray elephants dislike us?"
"No," said Prince-Formidable. "Those of us who have not lived among menare mere brutes, and don't know anything. They think the colour of ourskin results from disease, and so consider us inferior to themselves;while on the contrary it is really a sign of Royalty.... You see whatpoor ignorant creatures they are!"
I admired the wisdom and experience of my new friend, who had lived solong and seen so much. I never tired of asking him questions, and hereplied with an inexhaustible good nature.
To-day I am able to translate in words what he was obliged to tell mein the very limited language of elephants. Over and over he had tobegin again and repeat; but he was never impatient, although he washimself so superior, and had long understood the language of men.
"Attention!" said he to me, upon hearing the sound of distantmusic. "Here are the _Talapoins_, who are coming to give you theirbenediction." He tried to make me understand who they were, butalthough I pretended out of politeness to do so, I had not in realitythe least idea of what was meant, except that it was some new honourthat was to be conferred upon me.
The _Talapoins_ had shaven heads, and their ears stood out, and theywore long yellow gowns with big sleeves.
On entering they did not prostrate themselves--and I confess thisshocked me somewhat! The oldest marched in the centre. He stoppedbefore me, and began talking in a queer voice, very high andunpleasant; then, without stopping his remarks, he took from the handof one of his followers a mop with an ivory handle, while another oneheld a basin of water, in which he dipped the mop, and commenced tosprinkle me in a way that displeased me exceedingly. He squirted thewater in my eyes and ears, and as it lasted longer than I thoughtneedful, I seized the mop out of his hand, and sousing it well inthe water I shook it over all three of them--giving as good as I hadreceived!
They escaped, laughing and wiping their faces with their-long sleeves,and I gave a loud scream of triumph, to proclaim my victory, and mysatisfaction!... But Prince-Formidable did not approve my conduct--hethought it lacked dignity.
Soon after this they came to take us to the bath. A slave marched infront, striking cymbals in order to make way for us, and others heldover our heads magnificent umbrellas. It was in our own park that thebeautiful pond was situated, and I was allowed this time to plunge andswim, and roll over as long as I wanted.
A repast as plentiful as it was delicious ended the day, which hadcertainly been to me in every way most satisfactory.
It continued in this manner, from day to day, with the exception of theTalapoins, who never returned.
Only one hour in the day was somewhat distressing to me. It was mydaily lesson, which I had to take each evening, before going to bed.
The man who had first sat upon my head remained my principalguardian--my "Mahout," and he had to teach me, and make me understandthe indispensible words of command, such as "Forward," "Backward,""Kneel," "Rise," "Right," "Left," "Halt," "Faster," "Slower," "That'sRight," "That's Wrong," "Do It Again," "That's Enough," "_Salute theKing._"
Prince-Formidable assisted me by translating these orders to me inelephant-speech, so that I soon knew all that was needful.
Several years passed in this way very pleasantly, but rathermonotonously. Prince-Formidable died the second year after my arrival.They gave him a Royal Funeral and all the Court went into mourning.
For a while I was alone. Then other White Elephants came in; but thenew ones were very ignorant, and seemed sulky and rebellious in theirdispositions--so that I took but little notice of them.