Adventure, July 1, 1928 — page 59: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE WHITE ELEPHANT 53 and his eyes shining with excitement. “Princes and nobles will come for the elephant. A hundred of the greatest tuskers in Siam, richly decked with gor- geous howdahs or gold embroidered trap- pings will escort the white elephant; and I as the mother’s rider will be envied of all. The king will give me a uniform and maybe presents of silver and gold.” ‘*We shall go to see this calf and deter- mine whether it is a white elephant or not,’ said Sommerfield. ‘One look is better than many omens, Nai Panya.”’ “Bai; bai! Let’s go; let’s go!’ shouted the men in chorus, but Boon interrupted. “Nai Som-er-fee, I met a man who was on his way to the temple. I told him the news and asked him to send the priests here as soon as possible. Would Nai be willing to wait for them?” Sommerfield was eager to see the cere- monies that would be performed, and assented. ““The priests are necessary,” said Pan- ya. “We shall all do obeisance to the young elephant, and then the priests will say prayers for his health and wisdom. When they have finished I will chant incantations to drive out all evil spirits that may hurt him or cause him to become sick. Every care must be taken for his health, else we may be severely punished by the king. If he should die before he gets to Bangkok, we would indeed lack merit. The king will wreak vengeance upon every one of us. It is an honor to have a white elephant for the king, but to have a dead one is disaster.” entered the clearing. They came in single file with the old patriarch of the temple leading the procession. Immedi- ately behind him was an acolyte carrying his elaborately embroidered ceremonial fan, haversack, and betelnut box. Behind these came four other priests with acolytes carrying their ceremonial equipment. A group of novices dressed like their seniors in brilliant yellow robes came next. Last of all came the villagers, men, women, and children, all in their holiday [’ WAS not long before the priests attire. They made a colorful picture, with panungs —trousers—and pasins— skirts—of every color of the rainbow. Many of them carried great silver bowls filled with scented water and sweet smell- ing flowers. The priests were given the place of honor in the group, the men mingled with those present, while the women and children formed a second group a little distance away, but close enough to hear the conversation. While the new arrivals rested, NaiPanya told of the omens he had noticed, and then Boon described the young elephant. “Bai,” said Sommerfield, when they had had time to rest. **Bai,” shouted the men, and off they started with Boon leading the procession, Sommerfield next, and the others fol- lowing in the order of their rank. Boon took a trail leading to the stream, crossed it, and headed for the salt lick about a mile from camp. He skirted the clearing and started up the ridge behind it. It was broiling hot, and the villagers straggled up the path, panting. Through the trees could be seen the outline of Bua Kam, the mother elephant. She had heard them coming and was headed in their direction. “Tinee dee quot. Here is better.” said Boon. The crowd protested. They wanted to see the white elephant. They had not come to look through the trees at the head of an old one. “She is in a very bad humor,” exclaimed Boon. “She almost charged me this morning when I went close.” An argument followed. It was settled by Sommerfield, who announced that he, with Panya, Boon, and Kow, the headman of the camp, would go closer to determine whether or not it was really a white ele- phant. The four started forward quietly. Boomp! Bua Kam slapped her trunk on the ground so fiercely it sounded as if some one had broken the biggest drum in the village temple. The four stopped short. Behind them they could hear the frighten- ed cries of two or three children. comlicloooks.com