thap. v. THE RHATAMAHATMEYA'S TALE. 101 



him both barrels. Being forced to run, he went off at 

 full speed, and turning quickly round a tree, he hoped 

 the elephant would pass him. Unfortunately, he did 

 not look behind him before he turned, and the elephant 

 passed round the opposite side of the tree, and, of 

 course, met him face to face. He was instantly 

 trampled to death. 



Mr. Wallet was also killed by a rogue elephant ; 

 this animal was shot a few days afterwards, in a 

 spirited contest, by Captain Galway and Ensign 

 Scroggs, both of whom were very nearly caught in the 

 encounter. A gentleman of the name of Keane was 

 added to the list of victims a few years ago. He had 

 fired without effect, and was almost immediately over- 

 taken by the elephant and crushed to death. The 

 most extraordinary tale that I have ever heard of 

 rogue elephants in Ceylon was told me by the Rhata- 

 mahatmeya of Doolana, who was present at the scene 

 when a lad. I do not profess to credit it entirely ; but 

 I will give it in his own words, and, to avoid the onus 

 of an improbable story, I will entitle it the 'Rhatama- 

 hatmeya's Tale.' In justice to him, I must acknow- 

 ledge that his account was corroborated by all the old 

 men of the village. 



THE RHATAMAHATMEYA'S TALE. 



'There was a notorious rogue elephant at Doolana 

 about thirty years ago, whose ferocity was so extreme 



