414 THE NORTHERN FORESTS. [rARX IX. 



two hollowed trunks of trees. Whenever it was prac- 

 ticable, we halted for the night in the pansela of a temple ; 

 and on the more frequented tracks, towards the coast, we 

 had occasionally tlie shelter of the government rest-houses ; 

 but in the majority of instances, we spent the night either 

 under tents, or in booths which the natives rapidly con- 

 structed of fresh branches, dexterously covered with leaves 

 and grass. 



The servants and attendants were formed into two 

 companies, of which one was always in advance, sent 

 forward to make arrangements for our arrival at the 

 next halting place, so that the set of tents in which we 

 dined and slept passed us on our subsequent march and 

 were ready for our reception at breakfast on the following 

 morninG;. We were in the saddle before sunrise, and our 

 arrival at the scene of our mid-day rest, which was gene- 

 rally beside a river or a tank, was the signal for the light- 

 ing of the cooking fires, the compounding of curries, the 

 preparation of coffee, the roasting of game on wooden 

 spits, and the other arrangements for a morning repast. 

 By the time that we had fully enjoyed the luxmy of a 

 bath, breakfast was ready to be eaten with the rehsli 

 which morning; exercise alone can secure. When the 

 heat of noon was past, we resumed oiu: route, to reach 

 our next encampment after sunset, and there to dine and 

 spend the night. Such traveUing was unaccompanied 

 with privations or discomfort ; its freedom was indescri- 

 bably exhilarating and enjoyable, and I shall ever look 

 back to these journeys as the most agreeable of the many 

 pleasant incidents that marked my residence in Ceylon. 



