RETRIBUTION
The sun had set; Parvati was returning slowly to the shore and
preparing to resume her silken robe, when she uttered a piercing
shriek, and covered her face with her hands--trembling in every limb.
I followed the direction of her glance, and a shudder seized me also,
when I perceived, coiled in the tall grass, a serpent of the most
venomous species, which had fixed its gaze on Parvati, prepared to
spring as soon as she should place foot upon the bank.
Oh! how was I now punished for my wrong-doing! The pain which
pierced my heart at seeing Parvati in danger led me to realize how
Saphire-of-Heaven and Alemguir must have suffered at not seeing their
beloved daughter return at the accustomed hour.
Had I then sunk to the level of a selfish brute--a being without
reflection--a mere elephant? having had the shameful idea of stealing
the Princess away from her family and her Court.... Now she was perhaps
lost forever--and I with her; for I was resolved not to survive her if
she perished from the venom of this frightful reptile.
These distracting thoughts rushed with terrible rapidity through my
head, and almost deprived me of my presence of mind. Fortunately, it
returned to me. I uttered a sudden roar, and at the same time leaped
towards the serpent, who, surprised and alarmed, quickly unwound its
coils, and hid itself in the leaves.
It now turned towards me--spitting and hissing--and this was what I
desired, to distract its attention from the Princess. She now left the
water, and climbed once more onto the bank; she was safe. But, clasping
her hands, she called to me, imploring me to be careful of the bite of
the fearful creature, and urging me to escape with her rather than to
risk a battle.
I could not answer and tell her that my thick leathery skin had nothing
to fear from the bite of the serpent, except around the eyes or lips,
and I was far too angry at the fright it had caused me to refrain from
taking summary vengeance.
The enemy did not move; it fixed the shining gaze of its lidless eyes
upon me, and darted its forked tongue in and out, like a black flame;
then it coiled again, in readiness to spring.
The upper portion of its body was now half hidden under the leaves,
the middle was wound around a tree, but the creature was so long that
a part still trailed on the ground. I put my foot on that portion, and
bore down upon it with all my weight.
Then the snake quickly stretched itself to its full length, whipping
the leaves and the branches of the tree with furious hissings. It was
struggling to escape, and not succeeding, it came at me again with such
a lightning-like spring that I was unable to avoid it. It twined itself
around my legs, and around my neck, biting furiously with wide-opened
jaws, but only breaking its fangs on my tough hide. The danger for
me was of an altogether different kind. With gigantic strength it
tightened more and more its clasp about my limbs, and what was more
serious, twisted itself around my throat in a way that threatened to
stop my breath.
[Illustration: I UTTERED A SUDDEN ROAR AND AT THE SAME TIME LEAPED
TOWARD THE SERPENT]
It was impossible to reach it with my tusks--it was too close--and I
was in a truly pitiable situation.
What, alas! would become of Parvati, left alone in the wood, if I
should be strangled by this monster?
And closer, and still closer, the living rope tightened about me.... I
could no longer move in spite of my efforts, and the blood roared in my
ears under the increasing and suffocating pressure.... I threw myself
desperately on the ground, rolling madly over and over, seeking to
crush my enemy beneath my weight. I rubbed and ground it on the rough
earth and the thorny bushes. The battle was long. But at last I felt
the cold slimy coils soften, relax, and finally let go their grasp.
I rose, panting.
The serpent lay full length on the ground, still squirming a little,
and looking like a river of blood and ink.
I fell to work, and stamped on it, and tore it to ribbons with my
tusks--till it was completely destroyed.
When my rage was thoroughly appeased I turned, proud and pleased, to
seek Parvati. Ah! how bitterly did I now repent of the crime I had
committed in carrying her off!...
My Princess lay on the ground, pale and motionless--and to all
appearance dead.