158 THE RIFLE AND HOUND IN CEYLON, chap. VII. 



had been feeding during the night within half a mile 

 of the tent. During my walk I. saw innumerable pea- 

 fowl, jungle-fowl, hares and ducks, in addition to 

 several herds of deer ; but not wishing to disturb the 

 country, I did not fire, but returned to the tent and 

 sent out trackers. 



In the afternoon the natives returned with intelli- 

 gence of a small pool two miles from the opposite 

 shore of the lake, situated in dense jungle ; here they 

 had seen fresh elephant tracks, and they proposed that 

 we should watch the pool that evening at the usual 

 drinking hour of the game. As this was the only pool 

 of water for miles round with the exception of the lake, 

 I thought the plan likely to succeed, and we therefore 

 started without loss of time. 



On arrival at the pool we took a short survey of our 

 quarters. A small round sheet of water of perhaps 

 eighty yards in diameter lay in the midst of a dense 

 jungle. Several large trees were growing close to the 

 edge, and around these lay numerous rocks of about 

 four feet high, forming a capital place for concealment. 

 Covering the tops of the rocks with boughs to conceal 

 our heads, we lay quietly behind them in expectation 

 of the approaching game. 



The sun sank, and the moon rose in great beauty, 

 throwing a silvery light upon the surface of the water 

 chequered by the dark shadows of the surrounding 

 trees. Suddenly the hoarse bark of an elk sounded 



