"Had it not been for thee," he said, "at this moment my head would be rolling in blood!
"During our flight our safety depended on each moment as it passed—not an instant could be spared—and I have only been able to thank thee in my heart. But now, before this shining Sun, I desire to express the feelings that thy devotion, thy heroism, have inspired in me. Oh! Iravata, had it pot been for thee, Saphire-of-Heaven, in robes of mourning, would have wept my death; without thee I should never have lived to behold my child! My name would have been dishonoured by a disgraceful death, my Kingdom conquered and ravaged—whereas, my life being saved, all can be regained. And this I owe to a being whom men deem inferior to themselves! Ah! the Princess of Siam was right. It is indeed a Royal Soul that is hidden in thy rough body!"
I was greatly embarrassed by so much praise: and I could not make it understood that if I had a "Soul," it was simply a good, plain, elephant soul—all full of affection for him who had been the first to treat me as a friend.
He stroked me softly with his hand, and gazing at me smiled kindly; while I by all the means in my power—flapping my ears—snorting—and shuffling my feet, expressed my delight.
"I swear to you," said the Prince, "that hereafter you shall always be treated as an equal, and looked upon as my best friend!...
"But let us move on; our enemies may return in force, now that my escape must be known to all."
We descended a steep hill, parallel with the waterfall, and found ourselves in a beautiful fertile plain, through which the river, grown tranquil and shallow, ran gently over a bed of rocks and pebbles. I was able to wade across with ease a short distance below the cataract, which fell, scattering itself in snowy foam, which the sunlight filled with sparkling rainbows. Here was the leap we had so nearly taken! One could but tremble to look at it, in spite of the loveliness with which Nature had adorned it.
I looked for the horseman who had been dashed to pieces there, but not a trace of him was left.
When we reached the other side we found the plain covered with fresh grass, growing in thick tufts. My Master told me to eat.
"See! there is a fine meal for you," said he, "which you should take advantage of at once. I am sorry that I cannot, like you, breakfast on green bushes!... For it is a long time since I have tasted food!"