Rhamon/Chapter 9

by Heluiz Chandler Washburne

Chapter IX

Celebration for the Rajah

On the great day of celebration there was no one in all the city so happy and so excited as Rhamon. Allah be praised, he was going to be one of the first people on the river to see the Maharajah when he arrived in his beautiful boat. He could not believe it was true. And all because he had told the police about the thieves.

His uncle was in charge of river traffic this day. As Chief of Police it was his duty to see that all the small boats kept to one side of the river, leaving the other clear for the great Rajah's procession. And Rhamon had been invited to ride with his uncle!

Not only that, but Rhamon was wearing his beautiful rose-colored suit with the gold embroidery on it, a splendid new turban, and best of all, a pair of fine red slippers with turned-up pointed toes—a gift from his friend Aziz, the shoemaker. He was fairly bursting with pride and happiness.

The river was alive with boats of every kind. Officers and other important people sat in fine shikaras, resting back on silken cushions. They were on their way to greet the Maharajah before he entered the city.

Rhamon sat proudly in the boat with his uncle. The Chief of Police looked bigger and more important than ever. His turban was larger, his uniform was finer and his moustache curled more fiercely. Was he not on the Rajah's business today?

The whole city was in holiday dress to pay honor to the Rajah. Bright shawls hung from the windows and fluttered in the breeze. Rhamon could read the words on the big banners stretched across the houses: "Welcome to the great Rajah. Long life to the King." Even the earth roofs of the houses were newly dressed, for many of them were covered with fresh grass, and the scarlet tulips growing there blazed in the sunlight. Flags and colored handkerchiefs were waving everywhere and the air was filled with cheering.

The Chief of Police was very busy giving orders and Rhamon was very busy watching what was happening all around him. Suddenly he saw a wonderful sight. Strung high up across the river was the word WELCOME in huge letters. But the letters seemed to be moving! Then as his boat came closer, Rhamon saw that they were made of real boys clinging to the long poles that formed the big letters.

"Look, Uncle!" he cried.

"Yes," replied the Chief of Police. "That is the way that their school gives a living welcome to the great Rajah."

"But if one of them lost his hold he would fall in the river!"

"Would you not gladly take that risk to honor your Rajah?" asked the Chief of Police.

Rhamon slowly nodded his head and they paddled on.

Looking down the glistening river Rhamon saw the first boats of the royal procession moving slowly forward. They were beautiful boats with painted sides, embroidered curtains and long lines of oarsmen in red uniforms.

Then Rhamon's eyes opened wide with wonder as he saw the great boat of the Rajah gliding toward him. It was longer than any boat he had ever seen. At the front and the back it rose out of the water like the spreading tail of a peacock. The central part was a tiny house with beautiful windows around the sides. Within sat the Rajah robed in wonderful colored silks and sparkling jewels.

Rhamon counted the oarsmen on the side of the boat nearest him. There were twenty-five of them! And he knew there were twenty-five on the other side, too. All were dressed in gorgeous scarlet uniforms. As they rowed, the oars on each side moved together like the wings of a great bird, now flashing in the sunlight, now dipping into the water.

"My!" thought Rhamon. "I would like to be one of those oarsmen. Someday I will be the head oarsman, like that one who is telling the others what to do. Then I shall take the great Rajah for a ride on the lake, for I will be the best oarsman in all of Kashmir."

Suddenly Rhamon noticed two men in a small shikara weaving their way among the closely packed boats on the river. He sat up with a start. Surely he remembered those faces. The two men who had stolen the garden! Tugging

Strung high up was the word WELCOME

at his uncle's sleeve, he cried, "The thieves! The thieves!"

"Where?" cried the Chief of Police, twirling his moustache furiously, and peering out over the crowd.

"There, just slipping under the bridge," said Rhamon excitedly.

"Ah," said his uncle, "they are on no good business here today. I will set my men to watch them." And he started paddling swiftly, giving orders as he passed.

Rhamon forgot about the thieves then, in watching the great procession which was coming closer and closer. Slowly the royal boats slid past the leaning houses, where faces peered from every window; past the steps on the water's edge, filled with people; and under the crowded bridge.

When the Palace was reached the Rajah's great boat stopped and all the other boats of his procession stopped, too. Hundreds of small boats circled and crowded around the Palace steps. Everyone was eager for a glimpse of the great Rajah. Then with one movement, the Rajah's fifty oarsmen stood their paddles up on end, making two rows of hearts down the length of the boat.

The Rajah was about to land. Now the people came bearing their gifts. With a beating heart Rhamon watched the beautiful things that were laid at his feet, a rug with colors that glowed like jewels, silken scarfs, soft rich wools, the beautiful tray made by the old wood carver, Subhanna's silver bowl with the gold and turquoise handles. And there was Aziz bringing his splendid slippers.

Rhamon looked down at his own beautiful ones and remembered the words Aziz had spoken, "Not even a king shall have a better pair."

At this moment the police boat nosed in toward the steps. Rhamon saw the chance he had been waiting for and reached for something chidden under the seat. He had no fine present to give; only a wreath of little yellow flowers he had made that morning.

As the Rajah stepped ashore Rhamon tossed the garland at his feet. The great man smiled a greeting to all his people. Then, seeing the wreath, he turned toward Rhamon and looking straight into his brown eyes, smiled again. Rhamon saw the great jewel sparkling on his turban and the strings of precious stones across his coat.

Then the Rajah walked slowly up the steps into the Palace followed by his officers. Gradually all the little boats turned and went on up the river. Rhamon sighed. The great day was over. But it had been one he would never forget. His dream had come true. The Rajah had smiled to him!