71 



APPENDIX TO CHAPTER II. 



NARRATIVES OF THE NATIVES OF CEYLON RELATIVE 

 TO ENCOUNTERS WITH ROGUE ELEPHANTS. 



The following narratives have been taken down by a 

 Singhalese gentleman, from the statements of the natives 

 by whom they are recounted ;^ — and they are here inserted, 

 in order to show the opinion prevalent amongst the people 

 of Ceylon as to the habits and propensities of the rogue 

 elephant. The stories are given in words of my correspon- 

 dent, who writes in English, as follows :— 



I. " We," said my informant, who was a native trader of 

 Caltura, " were on our way to Badulla, by way of Ratnapoora 

 and Balangodde, to barter our merchandise for coffee. 

 There were six in our party, myself, my brother-in-law, and 

 four coolies, who carried on pingoes ^ our merchandise, 

 which consisted of cloth and brass articles. About 

 4 o'clock, P. M., we were close to Idalgasinna, and our 

 coolies were rather unwilling to go further for fear of 

 elephants, which they said were sure to be met with at that 

 noted place, especially as there had been a slight drizzling 

 of rain during the whole afternoon. I was as much afraid 

 of elephants as the coolies themselves; but I was anxious 



' Yokes borne on the shoulder with a package at each end. 



