250 The Rifle and Hound in Ceylon. 



population of this usually extensive lake was now con 

 densed in the comparatively small extent of water be- 

 fore us. The fish of course were equally numerous, 

 and we had an unlimited supply of " lola " of three to 

 four pounds weight at a penny each. Our gang of 

 coolies feasted upon them in immense quantities, and 

 kept a native fully employed in catching them. Our 

 cook exerted his powers in producing some piquante 

 dishes with these fish. Stewed with melted butter 

 (ghee), with anchovy sauce, madeira, sliced onion and 

 green chilies, this was a dish worthy of " Soyer," but 

 they were excellent in all shapes, even if plain boiled or 

 fried. 



Nov. 19. At about four p. M. I scanned the plain 

 with my telescope, in expectation of the arrival of our 

 companions, whom I discovered in the distance, and as 

 they approached within hearing, we greeted them with 

 a shout of welcome to show the direction of our en- 

 campment. * We were a merry party that evening at 

 dinner, and we determined to visit Cowdelle, and track 

 up the herd ihat we had discovered, directly that the 

 Moormen trackers should arrive from Doolana. 



The worst of this country was the swarm of mosqui- 

 toes which fed upon us at night ; it was impossible to 

 sleep with the least degree of comfort, and we always 

 hailed the arrival of morning with delight. 



Nov. 20. At dawn this morning, before daylight 

 could be called complete, Palliser had happened to 

 look out from the tent, and to his surprise he saw a 

 rogue elephant just retreating to the jungle, at about 

 two hundred yards distance. We loaded the guns and 

 went after him in as short a time as possible, but he 

 was too quick for us, and he had retreated to thick jun- 



