the other dragons had returned with better luck from their hunting , and maximus triumphantly deposited on the deck a pair of smallish elephants , of which he had already eaten three ; he pronounced them very good eating , and temeraire sighed a little , but they were earmarked at once for the celebration ; which though necessarily muted by their larger circumstances , could not be much longer delayed and yet leave the bride in a state convenient to walking the deck of a rolling ship .