ITI 
ELEPHANTS 
I WAITED on the beach at Trengganu for a few 
minutes, until the German steamer was well out 
of the way; then I sent my Chinese boy into the 
village to engage living quarters. He returned pres- 
ently with the information that a Chinese trader 
had offered to put me up. Ali and I followed him 
up the street of the village, with a group of inqutsi- 
tive natives at our heels. 
Soon after I had finished my first meal at the 
trader’s house, a funku (petty prince) appeared 
with his followers. The meeting was solemn and 
formal, and he went through the ritual of inquiring 
after my health, though I could see that inquisi- 
tiveness was gnawing at him. At last he asked 
bluntly what my object was in coming to Treng- 
ganu. 
“T have come to see the Sultan on important 
business.” 
He told me that it would be impossible for me 
to see the Sultan and offered to deliver my mes- 
sage. I waved him aside and told him that I must 
see the Sultan personally. 
“Impossible,” he replied, and departed in the 
direction of the palace. The palace was a half- 
finished, two-story brick dwelling. The Sultan had 
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