chap. viii. A SECOND SOYER. 179 



plains, which gloried in the name of ' Elk Lodge.' 

 This famous hermitage was a substantial building, and 

 afforded excellent accommodation : a verandah in the 

 front, twenty-eight feet by eight ; a dining-room twenty 

 feet by twelve, with a fireplace eight feet wide ; and 

 two bed-rooms of twenty feet by eight. Deer-hides 

 were pegged down to form a carpet upon the floors, 

 and the walls were neatly covered with talipot leaves. 

 The outhouses consisted of the kennel, stables for 

 three horses, kitchen, and sheds for twenty coolies and 

 servants. 



The fireplace was a rough piece of art, upon 

 which we prided ourselves extremely. A party of 

 eight persons could have sat before it with comfort. 

 Many a roaring fire has blazed up that rude chimney ; 

 and dinner being over, the little round table before 

 the hearth has steamed forth a fragrant attraction, 

 when the nightly bowl of mulled port has taken its 

 accustomed stand. I have spent many happy hours 

 in this said spot ; the evenings were of a decidedly 

 social character. The day's hunting over, it was a 

 delightful hour at about seven P.M. — dinner just con- 

 cluded, the chairs brought before the fire, cigars 

 and the said mulled port. Eight o'clock was the 

 hour for bed, and five in the morning to rise, at 

 which time a cup of hot tea, and a slice of toast and 

 anchovy paste were always ready before the start. 

 The great man of our establishment was the cook. 



