THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD
The Rajah of Golconda, my new master, was called _Alemguir_, which
signifies, "The Light of the World."
He certainly did not show me the respect to which I was accustomed; he
did not prostrate himself, nor even salute me; but he did better than
either--he loved me.
From the first he spoke kind words to me, not in my quality of "White
Elephant," which is a distinction much less thought of in India than
in Siam, but because he found me intelligent, good-tempered, and
obedient--more so than any of his other elephants. He remembered me and
came to see me every day, and saw to it that I was not allowed to lack
anything.
He had changed my name from "_King-Magnanimous_" to "_Iravata_," which
is the name of the elephant who bears the God Indra. The title was
certainly sufficiently honourable, and I was easily consoled for being
no longer worshipped as an idol by the pleasure of being treated as a
friend.
Alemguir would have preferred that his Queen, Saphire-of-Heaven should
always use me as her mount; but she never would consent to install
herself on my back.... "It would be a sacrilege!" said she, "_and a
grave offence to one of my Ancestors_!"
She was persuaded that I was one of her forefathers, undergoing a
transformation for the time being.
Her husband rallied her good-naturedly upon the subject, but she would
not yield.
So he gave her a black elephant, and kept me for his own service.
I was proud to carry my Prince in promenades, in festivals, and in
Tiger hunting, which he taught me.
My life was much less indolent than in Siam, and much more varied and
interesting. My Mahout, in spite of the trouble that this stirring
existence imposed upon him also found it pleasanter than the monotony
of the old life--and as usual he confided his sentiments to me!
I was also instructed in the art of war, for during the year following
the marriage of Alemguir with Saphire-of-Heaven grave anxieties came to
darken the happiness of the young married couple.
A powerful neighbour, the Maharajah of Mysore sought without ceasing
to fasten a quarrel upon the Prince of Golconda, concerning certain
questions of boundaries.
Alemguir did all in his power to avoid hostilities, but the ill-will
of his opponent was evident, and in spite of the conciliatory efforts
of the ambassadors, a war seemed imminent. The Princess wrote to her
father, the King of Siam, who sent cannon, and a few soldiers; but the
enemy was formidable, and the apprehensions of all increased from hour
to hour.
One day the Ambassadors returned in dismay; diplomacy had failed,
negotiations were at an end, and the Maharajah of Mysore declared war.
The necessary preparations were made in haste; and one morning I was
invested with my armour. A sheathing of horn covered me and descended
below my knees; on my head was a helmet of metal, with a visor of
iron, perforated with holes for the eyes, and a point projected from
the middle of the forehead. My crupper and flanks were defended by
flexible armour, as was my trunk, which had a ridge running down the
centre armed with pointed teeth of metal; and upon my tusks were steel
casings, sharp and cutting, which lengthened them greatly and made of
them terrific weapons.
Thus accoutred, my Mahout, who was also in armour, and weighed more
heavily than usual upon my neck, guided me to the portico of the Palace
overlooking the great Courtyard, where were assembled all the chiefs of
the army. Prince Alemguir appeared at the entrance, and the officers
saluted him by clashing their arms.
He was magnificent in his warlike array. He wore a tunic of gold-linked
armour, under a light breastplate studded with diamonds; he carried a
round shield that blazed with jewels, and his helmet was gold with a
diamond crest.
Standing upon the upper steps of the portico he harangued his troops;
but as I did not then understand Hindustani I do not know what he said.
When he was about to mount, the Princess Saphire-of-Heaven rushed out
of the Palace, followed by all her women, and threw herself, sobbing
into the arms of her husband.
"Alas!" cried she, "what will become of me, separated from you? How
shall I endure the continual anguish of knowing you exposed to wounds
and death? The heir which we hoped would be born in joy and festivity,
now will enter life amid tears and despair! Perhaps he will be born an
orphan--for if the father is killed, the mother will not survive!"
I listened to this and felt my heart ache under my coat of horn.
The Prince, much affected, could hardly restrain his tears. He made an
effort, however, to master his emotion, and replied with calmness.
"Every man," said he, "owes his life to his Country; and the Prince
more than any other man. Our honour, and the welfare of our people
are more dear to us than our own happiness. We must set an example
of courage and self-sacrifice, instead of allowing ourselves to be
softened by tears.
"If the war proves cruel to me--and I die--you, my beloved Wife, will
live to bring up our Child; and hereafter we shall find each other, and
be forever happy in the life to come!"
He gently disengaged the clasp of her delicate arms. The veil of the
Princess caught on the breastplate of the Prince and was torn. The
Prince gathered a fragment, and kept it as a talisman.
And now Alemguir was in the howdah, and it was to me that the Princess
appealed, with breathless sobs.
"Iravata, thou who art strong, and who lovest thy Master, and who ought
to love me, for thou hast the soul of one of my Ancestors.... Guard the
Prince! Protect him, and bring him back to me living--for if he comes
not back I shall die!"
Speaking these words the Princess became as pale as snow, and fell
fainting into the arms of her servants.
I made a resolve in my heart to defend my Master with all my might, and
not to fail in risking my life for the safety of his.
Taking advantage of the swoon of the Princess, which made her
unconscious, Alemguir gave the signal to depart.
We left the Palace, and then the City, to join the main army, which was
encamped outside on the plains.
The Artillery and the Elephants were placed in the centre; the Horsemen
on the right and left, and the foot-soldiers in front and at the rear.
The trumpets sounded a warlike march; the drums beat; the whole army
gave a shout--and we marched on the enemy.