Part 37 (1/2)

Nels loosed now, but sat by his game--sat upon his haunches, bringing first-aid cleansing to his shoulders and chest, where the pinned tusker had worn against him in the battle. . . . All in astonis.h.i.+ngly few seconds--the blue beast still with an isolated kick or two.

It was as Carlin said. They had scarcely started toward Hurda before they saw Ian Deal following. His pace quickened as he neared--his first words queerly shocking:

”Is he hurt--oh, I say--is the Arab hurt?”

Skag answered: ”A bad cut, but he'll be sound in a week or two.”

”One might ask first, you know. He's rather a fine thing--”

Carlin seemed paler, as she held her brother with curious eyes. Ian didn't see her. He was slowly taking in Skag, full-length.

”One might ask, you know,” he repeated presently. ”One couldn't make a gift of a damaged thing. Oh, yes, you're to have him, Hantee. Things of Kala Khan's quality gravitate to you--I was thinking of the dog, you know--”

Skag shook his head.

”Don't make it harder for me!” Ian said fiercely. ”He belongs to you--Carlin, too, of course--no resistance of mine left. A man sees differently--toes up.”

Carlin pressed Skag's arm.

The American bowed. Ian Deal straightened.

”That's better,” he breathed. ”You'll see to the mount? I'd do it for you, but I need an hour--in here among the trees, you know, alone. . . . If it isn't quite clear to me, I'll c.o.c.k one foot up in the crotch of a tree--until it's straight again. . . . But it's clear, Hantee,” he added. ”I'm seeing now--the man she sees--or something like!”

Ian turned toward the deeper growths. . . . They walked in silence.

The untellable thing--for Skag alone--lingered in Carlin's eyes, in the pallor of her face. She was the one who spoke:

”It is terrible--terribly dear, like a blending of two souls in a white heat together--those moments at the play-house and now--as you held Kala Khan--”

”It was not one alone,” he answered strangely. ”Something from you was with me--half, with mine.”

CHAPTER XIII

_Neela Deo, King of All Elephants_

This is the story of Neela Deo, King of all elephants! Protector of the Innocent! Defender of Defenders! Equitable King!

For his sake, knowledge of the place where he was known and of those who looked upon his person, shall go down from generation to generation into the future and shall be continued forever, under the illumination of his name.

How he preserved the great judge and how he fought that mightiest of all battles, for the honour of his kind and for the preservation of his liege-son, must be told in order.

The fortune of the season, the features of the town, and the chief names must be established.

See that nothing shall be added. See that no part be left unspoken.

It is the law.

The great rains had pa.s.sed on their way north; and they had been good to the Central Provinces country. The water-courses were even yet but a line below flood; the tanks were full, the wells abrim. The earth was clothed with new garmenture. Jungle creatures were all in their annual high-carnival. Life-forces were driving to full speed.