chkp. vi. CHARACTER OF THE VEDDAHS. 107 



CHAPTER VI. 



Character of the Veddahs — Description of the Veddahs — A Monampitya 

 Rogue — Attacking the Rogue — Breathless Excitement — Death of a 

 Large Rogue— Utility of the Four-ounce — A Curious Shot — Fury of 

 a Bull Buffalo — Character of the Wild Buffalo — Buffalo-shooting at 

 Minneria Lake — Charge in High Reeds — Close of a Good Day's 

 Sport — Last Day at Minneria — A Large Snake — An Unpleasant 

 Bedfellow. 



DOOLANA is upon the very verge of the most northern 

 point of the Veddah country, the whole of which wild 

 district is the finest part of Ceylon for sport. Even 

 to this day few Europeans have hunted these secluded 

 wilds. The wandering Veddah, with his bow and 

 arrows, is occasionally seen roaming through his 

 wilderness in search of deer, but the report of a 

 native's gun is never heard ; the game is therefore 

 comparatively undisturbed. I have visited every por- 

 tion of this fine sporting country, and since I have ac- 

 quired the thorough knowledge of its attractions, I 

 have made up my mind never to shoot anywhere but 

 there. The country is more open than in most parts 

 of Ceylon, and the perfect wildness of the whole dis- 

 trict is an additional charm. 



