THE DEPARTURE
The day of our departure arrived, and very early in the morning the
Slaves came to make my toilet. They rubbed me all over several times
with a pomade perfumed with magnolia and santal; they placed on my back
a mantle of purple and gold, and upon my head a chaplet of pearls and
the royal diadem. They fastened heavy gold bracelets on my legs, and on
my tusks gold rings set with jewels; from each of my ears there hung
down a great tail of horse-hair, white and silky. Arrayed thus, I was
conscious of my magnificence, and longed to show myself to the People.
Still, I gave a backward glance at the Palace I was leaving, and
sounded a few notes of farewell to the elephants who were remaining,
with whom I had begun to be quite friendly. They replied by thundering
outbursts of trumpeting, the noise of which followed me for a long
way. All the inhabitants of Bangok were out, as on the day of my
triumphal entry. They were in holiday costume, and were moving towards
the palace of the King. There a splendid procession was formed and
began its march, preceded by one hundred musicians dressed in green and
crimson.
The King was seated in a howdah of gold fillagree, on a colossal black
elephant--a giant among elephants. On his right and on his left were
the Prince and Princess, on mounts of more than ordinary size.
The howdah of the Bride was enclosed by a fringe of jewels which
rendered her invisible. The Prince was young and handsome; he had a
charming expression, which at once inspired me with confidence.
I followed next after the King, conducted by my Mahout, who walked on
foot beside me. And after me came the Mandarins, Ministers, and other
high functionaries, according to rank, and mounted on elephants or
horses, followed by their servants, who carried behind each noble lord
the Tea-pot of Honour, which in Siam is an insignia of nobility, the
greater or less richness of which indicates the importance of the owner.
Then came the baggage of the Princess, consisting of numberless boxes
of teak wood, marvelously carved.
The ceremony of the marriage had already taken place, and had occupied
eight days. This was the "farewell" of the King, the Princes and the
people to their Princess, whom they were escorting to the shore, whence
she was to depart.
We stopped on the way at the richest Pagoda in the city, where they
worship a Buddha carved out of a single emerald, which has not its
equal in the world, for it is three feet tall, and as thick as the body
of a man.
After this we descended by narrow streets, traversed by bridges and
canals to the shores of the river--the broad and beautiful Mei-nam.
In the distance were seen the deep blue mountains against the brilliant
sky--the chain of "_The-Hundred-Peaks_"--the "_Rameau-Sabad_"--the
"_Hill-of-Precious-Stones_" and others. But the spectacle of the river,
all covered with shipping bearing flags, and decorated with flowers,
was incomparable!
There were great Junks of red and gold, with their sails of matting
spread out like fans, their masts carrying pennants, and their prows
rounded and made to imitate the head of a gigantic fish with goggle
eyes; all sorts of boats, sampans, and rafts, supporting tents of silk
which looked like floating summer-houses! All laden to the water's edge
with a gay and noisy crowd, and with bands of music and singers, who
played and sang by turns.
Salvos of artillery, louder than thunder, burst forth when the King
appeared, and the people gave such a deafening shout that I should have
died of fright, had I not learned by this time to permit nothing to
startle me.
The vessel which was to convey us to India lay at the wharf with steam
up, and splendidly decorated.
It was here we were to part.
The King and the Bride and Groom descended from their elephants. The
Mandarins formed a circle; and all the people kept silence.
Then the King, "_Sacred Master of Heads, Sacred Master of Lives,
Possessor of Everything, Lord of the White Elephants, Infallible, and
All-Powerful_," made a speech, while chewing Betel, which stained his
mouth crimson, and obliged him to spit frequently into a silver basin,
which was held by a slave.
The Prince, kneeling before his royal father-in-law, also made a
speech, less long--chewing nothing! The Bride wept behind her veils.
When it was time to embark there was some confusion on account of the
Princess's innumerable boxes of teak wood, and because of the horses,
whom my presence terrified greatly. A long whistle was heard; the
musicians played; the cannon boomed; a swaying movement made me feel
dizzy--and the shore receded.
All the boats followed us at first with oars and sails, but were soon
left behind. The King stood on the wharf as long as he could see us. I
was deeply moved at leaving this city, where I had at first suffered
so severely, but where my existence afterwards had been so happy and
glorious.
My Mahout, leaning against me, we both looked back. At a turn of the
river all disappeared; our eyes met, and both were full of tears.
"King-Magnanimous," said he, after a moment of silence, "let us wait
before we either weep or rejoice. Let us see what Fate has in store for
us!"
Soon the river grew so broad that the banks could no longer be seen.
The water began to move in a singular manner, and the ship also,
causing me most unpleasant sensations. Little by little we put out to
sea.... Then it was horrible! My head spun round; my legs failed me;
an atrocious misery twisted me in the stomach. I was shamefully sick,
and thought a thousand times that I was dying! I can, therefore, say
nothing of this voyage, which is the most distressing memory of my
life.
Never, never would I go again to sea--except it might be to serve
_Her_. But for any other reason I would massacre whoever should compel
me to put foot on a boat!...
[Illustration]