chap. vii. WIHAREWELI.E. 157 



About two miles from the opposite bank of the 

 river, having journeyed through a narrow path 

 bordered upon either side by thick jungle, we opened 

 upon an extensive plain close to the village of Wihard- 

 welle. This plain was covered with wild indigo, and 

 abounded with peafowl. Passing through the small 

 village at the extremity of the plain, we pitched the 

 tent upon the borders of the lake, about a quarter 

 of a mile beyond it. This tank was about three 

 miles in circumference, and, like that of Sitrawelle, 

 was one of the ancient works of the Mahagam 

 princes. 



The village was almost deserted ; none but the old 

 men and women and children remained, as the able- 

 bodied men had gone to the Kattregam festival. 

 We could, therefore, obtain no satisfactory information 

 regarding elephants ; but I was convinced, from the 

 high grass around the lake, that if any elephants were 

 in the district some would be here. It was late in the 

 evening, the coolies were heaping up the night-fires, 

 and as darkness closed upon us, the savoury steam of 

 a peacock that was roasting on a stick betokened the 

 welcome approach of dinner. We had already com- 

 menced, when the roaring of elephants within a short 

 distance of the tent gave us hope of sport on the follow- 

 ing day. 



At daybreak the next morning I strolled round 

 the lake to look for tracks. A herd of about seven 



