Back Aa

Memoirs of a White Elephant

Close

<h5>CHAPTER XI</h5> <h4>WE ARE TAKEN FOR ROBBERS</h4> Various adventures befell Prince Alemguir and myself at Beejapoor, which was the first city to be reached after leaving the chapel of Ganesa, and where we were obliged to remain several months. The English (the real masters of India) were in great numbers in Beejapoor, which contained the Residence of a Governor. While here we were secure from any hostile act on the part of the Maharajah of Mysore, himself an English subject, and permitted to retain his sovereignty only by payment of a tribute; but other dangers threatened us; first of all, my Master was taken for a thief! Seeing him wan, emaciated, almost naked, stripped of everything, his wrists and ankles scarred with the marks of chains, they would listen to nothing he said. They suspected him of having escaped from prison—and what they accused him of stealing was nothing other than myself! They were about to confiscate me, and separate us, but upon their venturing to lay hands on me my scream of rage scattered and sent flying 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 unknown stranger might possibly be the owner of the elephant, but he must go before a Magistrate, and make explanations, and the matter would then be decided. I placed my Master upon my tusks, as I had done once before to protect him from the enemy's bullets, and carrying him thus, to the great astonishment of the crowd, I followed the police agents. The Magistrate, notwithstanding the evidence, put us through various tests, in order to assure himself that the fugitive was really my owner; but concluded that even if such were the case it did not prevent him from being a dangerous person—a possible "spy"—or secret emissary of conspirators—and that he had best be lodged in jail. Alemguir repeatedly demanded to be brought before the Governor of Beejapoor, to whom he could explain his situation; but the Governor was absent on a hunting expedition, and days passed without his return. The Prince would have endured all these trials with fortitude had not his mind been tortured by the thought of Saphire-of-Heaven, who might be dying of grief and anxiety. The retreat of the Army had doubtless made her aware of the defeat and capture of her husband. But since then she had heard nothing. She might suppose him killed, and might refuse to survive him.... The Governor finally returned, and the Prince at once claimed an audience 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 of frankness and good humour. After the Prince had informed him who he was, and had shown him his Royal Signet-ring and recounted his misfortunes and adventures, the Governor expressed regret at the annoyances which his own over-zealous subordinates had caused during his absence, and invited him to be his guest at "Jasmine Cottage" in the suburbs of the city. My Master urged that he be supplied with the means of returning at once to Golconda, where his absence might occasion disasters; but Sir Percy Murray, in spite of his civilities could not (so he said) allow an unknown person to leave without being assured of his identity; he would be blamed in high places—"and might even forfeit his position"—said he! But he advised Alemguir to write to his wife and direct her to send some well-known residents of Golconda, and if possible an English witness, to come and identify the Prince; and this done, if he proved to 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 Beejapoor made every effort to entertain the Prince agreeably. His hospitality was most cordial; his family, numerous and full of gayety and good spirits joined him in offering open-air festivals, receptions and balls. And my Master, if not diverted, was at least much interested by the 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, who wept over him for joy, as they had recently done for sorrow. Alemguir, treating me as a friend, as he always did, came and read to me the letter of the Princess, and announced that we were to leave the next day. "If it were possible for you to travel by rail-road," added he, "we could arrive the same evening; but it would be difficult, and it might cause you distress!..." So that I was not asked to go by Sea, I was willing to travel in any sort of way—and I made my Master understand that I was quite ready to go by train, so it was settled in that way. I was installed in a great open car, the floor covered with a thick bedding, and with an awning overhead; and I was assisted to mount by means of a broad gang-plank placed at an easy incline. One would have supposed that they had never before seen an elephant take a train, for there were a lot of boobies on the platform who had come to see me embark. The Prince advised me to lie down so as to avoid the jolting as far as possible. And after bidding farewell to the Governor and the English officers 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 travelling in a carriage the motion caused me a slight vertigo—but nothing to compare with the abominable agonies of the voyage from Siam to Ceylon; and the thought of arriving before night filled me with joy, and enabled me to endure with patience my discomfort, while with increasing rapidity we ran, full speed towards Golconda.... <div class="figcenter"> <ANTIMG src="images/eleph_005.jpg" width-obs="300" alt="" /></div> <hr class="chap" /> <div style="break-after:column;"></div>

1 of 2

2 of 2