2Q6 THE RIFLE AND HOUND IN CEYLON, chap. xn. 



that we had deserted ; but after a long consultation, 

 we came to the conclusion that every day was of such 

 importance to V. Baker that we could not afford to 

 retrace a single step. 



Thus all this beautiful country, abounding with 

 every kind of game, was actually passed over without 

 firing a single shot. 



I killed a few couple of snipe in a neighbouring 

 swamp to pass the time until the coolies arrived with 

 the baggage ; they were not up until four o'clock P.M., 

 therefore the whole day was wasted, and we were 

 obliged to sleep here. 



Nov. 24. — This being Sunday, the guns were 

 at rest. The whole of this country was dense chenar 

 jungle ; we therefore pushed on, and, after a ride of 

 fourteen miles, we arrived at the Rhatamahatmeya's 

 residence at Doolana. He insisted upon our taking 

 breakfast with him, and he accordingly commenced 

 his preparations. Borrowing one of our hunting- 

 knives, two of his men gave chase to a kid and cut 

 its head off. Half an hour afterwards we were eating 

 it in various forms, all of which were excellent. 



We had thus travelled over forty-four miles of 

 country from Minneria without killing a single head 

 of game. Had we remained a week in the district 

 through which we had passed so rapidly, we must 

 have had most excellent sport. All this was the effect 

 of bein<r hurried for time. 



