Part 32 (1/2)

”I'm glad you're interested in young Horace; you're going to be no end good for him, I can see that. You'll find him far too mature for his years. His brain's too active; but he's not abnormal. His tutors call him insatiable; but from his babyhood the breath of his life has been elephants. He's taken a lot from the learned natives; they talk with him as if he were quite grown--half of it I couldn't follow myself.”

”That is extraordinary to me,” said Skag.

”Of course it is. But there's been nothing else for it. My own days are quite tied up, and his mother--the climate, you know. So you see what I mean, he's really needing--just you.”

d.i.c.kson's eyes turned on a little fellow who stood alone, further down the verandah. Then his face shadowed, as he spoke in a lower tone:

”I said he's not abnormal--that should be qualified. Several years ago he was carried home from the Chief Commissioner's elephant stockades by their governing mahout, Kudrat Sharif. The servants said he was crying and fighting to go back; but otherwise seemed quite himself. When I came from the offices in the evening, however, he was in a fever; raving about Nut Kut--raving about Nut Kut for days--always wanting to go back to Nut Kut.

”I went after the governing mahout and he said the child had played too hard; and that was why they brought him home. Kudrat Sharif is a graceful man, with much dignity; but I always felt he held something in reservation.”

”What about Nut Kut?” Skag asked.

”Nut Kut is a great black elephant, trapped in the Vindha Hills only a few years ago. He's young and I've heard he's a dangerous fighter. My son likes him; but I can't get over believing he's responsible for the high nerve tension the boy always carries. But don't let Horace annoy you.” d.i.c.kson Sahib finished hurriedly. ”You're his first love, you know!”

Any man knows the kind of thrill when he's told that a boy has fallen in love with him; but the lad's interest in elephants--reminding Skag of his own--made him specially worth considering. The little figure suggested dynamic power rather than physical strength. The hair was dull brown, with an overcast of pale flame on it; the skin too white.

But the eyes held Skag. They were pure grey, full of smouldering shadows and high lights--forever contending with each other. At this moment the boy was leaning his head toward the road, listening.

”She's petulant to-day, the lady!” he chuckled. ”Wait till you see Mitha Baba, Skag Sahib.”

Down through the great trees a handsome female elephant approached, careering at a curious choppy gait. With her trunk well up, she was trumpeting every third step.

”What's the matter with her?” Skag asked.

”She's abused, Skag Sahib.” The boy became a bit embarra.s.sed; hesitating, before he went on: ”The Hakima used to speak to her whenever she pa.s.sed Miss Annesley's bungalow; and now--she's not there to do it.”

Horace waved his hand to Mitha Baba's mahout; and the mahout shouted something in a dialect Skag did not know.

”He's awfully proud of Mitha Baba; and it's true, Skag Sahib, there isn't anything in grey beyond her; but--” Horace stopped, suddenly gone wistful.

”What's the trouble?” Skag asked, startled.

”They won't let me near him--they won't let me! I want him more than anything I know--”

”Then you'll get him!” interrupted Skag.

It must have been the sureness in Skag's voice, that made some choking tightness way back in the boy's soul let go; whole vistas of possibilities opened up.

”We're going to get on, you know--I'm sure of it!” he said breathlessly. ”If only I were old enough to be your friend!”

Skag remembered the father's words.

”I've never had a friend younger than myself,” he answered, ”and there are only a few years difference--why not?”

Their hands met as men. And it was still early in the afternoon.

Horace went into the house and spoke with a servant. Coming out, he took a long minute to get some excitement well in hand before speaking:

”I've arranged for one thing to show you, already! My boy will be back from the bazaar soon, to let me know whether the time will be to-day or to-morrow. It's a surprise--if you don't mind, Skag Sahib.”