78 PHRA EAM MAKES 



every thought he had owned and every sound he 

 had heard since the previous afternoon. He 

 always told his experience with great gusto and 

 much good humor, while the servants squatted 

 around him nodding energetic affirmation of the 

 thrilling recital ; for there was sure to be something 

 thrilling. 



Ram's servants were a picture in themselves. 

 One aged chap carried over his shoulder a pole 

 with native bamboo-made bird cage inclosing 

 Ram's pet dove, swinging from one end, while at 

 the other hung a Chinese paper umbrella, which 

 was held over Ram's head when he ventured from 

 under his covered cart during the strong noon heat. 

 A second servant carried in his arms a rooster 

 which he invariably tethered by a short string to 

 the first convenient bush whenever a halt was 

 made. Why Ram included this rooster in his ret- 

 inue I never could learn, but it stayed with us the 

 entire trip to enliven the monotonous silence of the 

 early jungle morning by lusty crowing. A third 

 servant carried Ram's armory of kris and gun. A 

 fourth and fifth shared his personal luggage. A 

 sixth and seventh divided the betel-nut chewing 

 paraphernalia. The eighth, Si, really came very 

 near to eclipsing the glory of Ram himself ; not in 

 raiment, however, for of that there was not enough 

 to mention. Si wore long hair, an unceasing smile 



