"Attention!" said he to me, upon hearing the sound of distant music. "Here are the Talapoins, who are coming to give you their benediction." He tried to make me understand who they were, but although I pretended out of politeness to do so, I had not in reality the least idea of what was meant, except that it was some new honour that was to be conferred upon me.
The Talapoins had shaven heads, and their ears stood out, and they wore long yellow gowns with big sleeves.
On entering they did not prostrate themselves—and I confess this shocked me somewhat! The oldest marched in the centre. He stopped before me, and began talking in a queer voice, very high and unpleasant; then, without stopping his remarks, he took from the hand of one of his followers a mop with an ivory handle, while another one held a basin of water, in which he dipped the mop, and commenced to sprinkle me in a way that displeased me exceedingly. He squirted the water in my eyes and ears, and as it lasted longer than I thought needful, I seized the mop out of his hand, and sousing it well in the water I shook it over all three of them—giving as good as I had received!
They escaped, laughing and wiping their faces with their-long sleeves, and I gave a loud scream of triumph, to proclaim my victory, and my satisfaction!... But Prince-Formidable did not approve my conduct—he thought it lacked dignity.
Soon after this they came to take us to the bath. A slave marched in front, striking cymbals in order to make way for us, and others held over our heads magnificent umbrellas. It was in our own park that the beautiful pond was situated, and I was allowed this time to plunge and swim, and roll over as long as I wanted.
A repast as plentiful as it was delicious ended the day, which had certainly been to me in every way most satisfactory.
It continued in this manner, from day to day, with the exception of the Talapoins, who never returned.
Only one hour in the day was somewhat distressing to me. It was my daily lesson, which I had to take each evening, before going to bed.
The man who had first sat upon my head remained my principal guardian—my "Mahout," and he had to teach me, and make me understand the indispensible words of command, such as "Forward," "Backward," "Kneel," "Rise," "Right," "Left," "Halt," "Faster," "Slower," "That's Right," "That's Wrong," "Do It Again," "That's Enough," "Salute the King."
Prince-Formidable assisted me by translating these orders to me in elephant-speech, so that I soon knew all that was needful.