228 ` MRS COL. WALKER'S TOUR IN CEYLON. 
gation. As we proceeded, the hills in the distance increased 
in height, and about 2 r.m., we had our first view of Hinni- 
doon Kandy, called by the English the Haycock, from 
form, an object-of interest to us on the present occasion, as 
an ascent to the top of this mountain was to terminate 
excursion in this direction. Our being able to achieve this 
feat or not, had caused much discussion, and given rise to some 
bets among our Galle friends. This hill, though not much 
above two thousand feet in height, so much overtops all 
surrounding country, that it is a very conspicuous object: 
sea, and all ships approaching the island from. the east € 
south, make the Haycock before any other part of the land 
is visible. The» Deputy-assistant quarter-master-g ri 
who had lately ascended it, found it a particularly comm 
ing spot from whence to take angles, make observations, 
By 3 p.m., we arrived at Maplegame, where we WE 
to remain for the night, being obliged to halt where we ¢ 
find lodging ; this was a horrid place, a native house situati 
under foliage so dense as to exclude light and air. Wi 
found however a pleasant walk, with some pretty views 
the surrounding country; the. Haycock conspicuous in í 
distance, and remained out till dark. Our dinner was 
pared in an open space with a roof over it, surrounded by 
wall two or three feet high, in front of the house, leaving ' 
completely exposed to the gaze of a mob of people assem 
from the neighbouring village, who had probably never wit- 
nessed the Knife and Fork exercise. This publicity I disliked 
very much at first, but I found it a vain attempt trying 
get rid of our spectators; for if our servants sent them o 
they either returned immediately, ‘or were succeeded by 
another set as numerous as the first. This was the 
. throughout the whole of our journey, and we found ourse Y 
. obliged to submit quietly. In our walk we observed two e 
three different species of Laurus, and two Loranthi, new to US 
.. Notwithstanding much coughing and squalling of chil 
during the night, we contrived to sleep more c 
^ tis we had expected ; but were glad to take a very 
