"I was taken aback. 'All things are possible unto these creatures
of human law,' I thought. 'I wonder if they are going to take me to
task about matters utterly unknown to me.' But the officers bowed
with unwonted courtesy.
"'Honored Sir, we are sent to welcome you on behalf of the Prince
of Cooch Behar. He is pleased to invite you to his palace tomorrow
morning.'
"I speculated awhile on the prospect. For some obscure reason I
felt sharp regret at this interruption in my quiet trip. But the
suppliant manner of the policemen moved me; I agreed to go.
"I was bewildered the next day to be obsequiously escorted from my
door into a magnificent coach drawn by four horses. A servant held
an ornate umbrella to protect me from the scorching sunlight. I
enjoyed the pleasant ride through the city and its woodland outskirts.
The royal scion himself was at the palace door to welcome me. He
proffered his own gold-brocaded seat, smilingly placing himself in
a chair of simpler design.
"'All this politeness is certainly going to cost me something!' I
thought in mounting astonishment. The prince's motive emerged after
a few casual remarks.
"'My city is filled with the rumor that you can fight wild tigers
with nothing more than your naked hands. Is it a fact?'
"'It is quite true.'
"'I can scarcely believe it! You are a Calcutta Bengali, nurtured
on the white rice of city folk. Be frank, please; have you not been
fighting only spineless, opium-fed animals?' His voice was loud
and sarcastic, tinged with provincial accent.
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