Then one came called Nicomar from a great distance, who brought painted cards and dice wherewith to amuse the monarch, the like of which had never been seen before. And the King, like a spoilt baby, was delighted with this new toy, and thrust away the chess from his sight with disdain.
And those round about were so glad of the change that they hardly grudged the new-comer the honours that their royal master began to speedily heap upon him.
The days went by, and His Majesty did nothing but recline on his crimson and golden cushions, playing and rattling the dice-box.
Then, after awhile, he took to enlivening the game by hazarding large bets with his teacher--bets which generally meant the performance of impossible feats by Nicomar, with many penalties attached to their non-accomplishment.
Often and sorely was Nicomar"s subtle mind perplexed to devise means of circ.u.mventing his master"s wagers, and of distracting his attention to other and more entertaining matters. Nicomar lived always in fear of losing his place at the palace. Inwardly, he hated this unreasoning and unreasonable monarch, whom nothing pleased for long; outwardly, he was the most docile, obedient, and fawning of servants.
Carefully did he veil his night-like eyes, lest the hatred that shone in them sometimes might be read by those around.
Prostrate before the King, he seemingly lived but for his smile.
The burning days and the sultry nights he devoted to his service; while others slept he sat wakeful, thinking out new forms of amus.e.m.e.nt, new ways to distract the King, and enable him to retain that place which to him, hitherto most poor and friendless, was as the sorcerer"s golden apple.
For Nicomar there was but one G.o.d--and that G.o.d was wealth.
He laboured and strove for and endlessly desired it.
A year went by, and still he remained the favourite, and he began to feel a little more secure and at ease....
"Nicomar," cried the King one day, as they sat together in the sunset glow, "I have resolved that you shall put milk where the sea now is. I have tired of water, and I desire instead an ocean of milk."
Nicomar stared in dismay.
"That which your Majesty wishes is impossible," he made answer.
The King frowned.
"Impossible is no word between you and me. That which I command must never be impossible," he exclaimed angrily. "Hitherto you have obeyed my orders; do so now."
The Indian trembled, but dared not protest.
"Fill up the sea with milk in fourteen days from now and your reward shall be all that even you can desire;--fail to do so and you shall die by all the tortures possible within an hour. Do as I say and your place shall be the very highest here: your power shall be well-nigh limitless, your name shall be on all lips; men shall crouch at your feet; you shall have a finer palace and greater wealth than any in the land. Save myself, you shall be great and free, while those whom you love shall be raised also."
Nicomar salaamed silently.
The King continued:
"You have known what it is to be lowly and despised; you have been mocked and reviled at,--what greater or sweeter vengeance then to see those very people bow down before you your slaves? I desire this thing so much that any price you like to name I am prepared to give."
The Indian answered never a word.
He knew of old that once the King commanded it was useless to do aught but comply.
This reward, great as it was, could never be his, for to earn it was beyond anybody"s power.
"Begone, now," continued His Majesty, "and return in fourteen days" time to claim your prize, or----" and his gesture was more eloquent than words.
Nicomar, with sorrowful, halting gait, went from his august presence.
He sought without delay the quietude of his own rooms. He was well-nigh distracted. From many difficult predicaments he had with consummate tact and skill extricated himself, but from this there seemed no escape.
He beat his breast and tore his hair. He consulted the wise men and the stars; looked for this sign and for that; prayed long and fervently, and propitiated the G.o.ds in many ways, but all to no purpose.
He took no food or rest; he dared not think of what awaited him in the near future.
So a week went by, and he was no nearer finding a loophole through which to escape.
On the seventh day he sought the King, and craved humbly to know if he had understood him aright, or had he been but jesting with him.
He lingered but a short while in doubt.
His Majesty was deeply incensed at being questioned, and let the full torrent of his displeasure fall upon the head of his luckless servitor.
Swearing many oaths by the sacred hairs of Buddha that his will should be obeyed, he had him thrust ignominiously from his presence.
Then Nicomar went from out the palace and the city far into the lonely country, seeking he knew not what. For days he wandered wearily through thick jungle and silent forest ways, stepping but slowly in the long, dank gra.s.s.
He suffered greatly, and suffered without hope.
On the fifth day he came to where a broad river flowed and sparkled between high green banks.
Some Burmese, driving bullocks, were resting beside it, while in the distance were a few mud huts.
Nicomar, who was footsore and faint, sank down at the foot of a banana tree.
His garments were torn by branches and brambles, his sight was blinded by the sun, his mouth parched with thirst.
Idly he watched the Burmese from where he sat.
Soon it became apparent that they desired to cross that glittering expanse of water, but evidently knew not how to accomplish it.
Nicomar, tired of thinking of his own miseries, grew unconsciously interested.
Three of them twisted their silk pasohs up about their waists, and tried to wade the river; but it was too deep, and they returned, seemingly much perplexed.
Then they consulted together; whereupon one among them--evidently against the desire of his companions, as their gestures betokened--took the rope of his bullock between his teeth, and diving into the river, with a good imitation of swimming reached the other side.
His fellows watched the performance with open-eyed wonder, but could not be induced to follow his example.
Nicomar, looking on, thought that the young man must have a mind full of resource, and so determined to seek him and consult with him. He could not have told what was exactly the impulse that urged him to this course, but he rose, and staggering a little because he was faint, made his way to the river bank.
The young fellow leant a very interested and attentive ear to the strange story that Nicomar told to him. When he had finished he took him to his hut and gave him a meal of rice, then bade him go over the tale once more in all its details.
Whereupon he asked at the conclusion--
"If I, poor and ignorant, satisfy the King that his command can be performed, what will you give unto me?"