“No, not all alike,” said Enola, “for we, with our advanced notions on such matters could never believe as did these people for a short time.”
“May be not,” said Mr. Graham, “but we must take into consideration that these people have always been led to believe that they were the only people on earth, and have never been told of other people on other planets, so our advent among them was a great surprise in the first place and they looked on us with awe, mingled with fear; and Onrai’s strange actions and the storm simply ‘capped the climax.’”
“We had rather a narrow escape, don’t you think?” asked Enola.
“Yes,” answered Mr. Graham, “too narrow for comfort; but I think we stand on a better footing with these people since, and that for this reason the occurrence should be looked upon as being a decidedly lucky one for us.”
“That is very true,” said Enola, “but look, Gip has seen us and is coming to meet us.”
Across the lawn strode the great monstrous beast, his limp nearly gone, but his head still bandaged. This great elephant stood fully twenty feet high and as he stalked under the trees his back touched the lower boughs. He had been given the freedom of the garden from the first night of his removal from the scene of the accident to the villa, and he had taken up his position beneath the arch which opened into Enola’s apartment, and here he had remained, only going to his stall for a few moments’ rest; he knowing that if he lay down beneath the window, he could not again rise. Such love for a mistress had never been displayed before, according to Onrai, and his people could not understand it; but it was clear enough to them that the elephant was attached to Enola, and this was quite enough to let him have his own way.
Quickly he passed over the smooth lawn until he had reached them, when he affectionately stuck his great trunk into Enola’s face. Perhaps this was not a very pleasant way of having him show his love, but it was the only way he knew of, and Enola seemed to enjoy it.
“Good Gip,” she said, “and could you not see me in my room? I saw you poke your big head in the arch and pull it out again and look about. You are a dear, good fellow, Gip, and you can come right along and walk with us.”
And he did. Back and forth on the lawn the three walked, the great elephant keeping close to Enola’s side, occasionally thrusting his trunk over her shoulder, giving out that little squeak, as if to let her know that he was still with her. And his great moving hulk shook the ground at every step, making Mr. Graham look around now and then with apprehension. But Gip paid no attention to him, simply looking at Enola and trying to make her look at him.
The day before Onrai had gone to the city to attend to any matters which might need his attention. He was to return to-day, and on the morrow they were again going to take up the journey to the field of diamonds, which had been so unexpectedly interrupted by the storm. Mr. Graham and Enola had now walked to the edge of the garden, and were standing looking down the beautiful roadway, when far away, where the perspective came to a point, could be seen a small black spot. At first it looked like a pedestrian, then like a zebra, and finally the form of zebra and rider were made out. It was Onrai returning, and as impatient as on the night when the message had reached him of Enola’s serious illness. Gip pricked up his ears, and looking down the road, saw the rider approaching; then kneeling, he placed his trunk for Enola to step on, as of old. She divined his intention and placing her foot on his trunk, he raised her to his back and started off down the avenue, she sitting Turkish fashion on the silk covering which was always worn by the white elephant.