352 THE RIFLE AND HOUND IN CEYLON. CHAP. XIII. 



CHAPTER XIII. 



CONCLUSION. 



Thus ended a trip, which exhibited the habits and 

 character of elephants in a most perfect manner. 

 From the simple experience of these three weeks' 

 shooting a novice might claim some knowledge of the 

 elephant ; and the journal of this tour must at once 

 explain, even to the most uninitiated, the exact pro- 

 portion of risk with which this sport is attended, when 

 followed up in a sportsmanlike manner. These days 

 will always be looked back to by me with the greatest 

 pleasure. The moments of sport lose none of their 

 brightness by age, and when the limbs become en- 

 feebled by time, the mind can still cling to scenes long 

 past, with the pleasure of youth. 



One great addition to the enjoyment of wild sport 

 is the companionship of thorough sportsmen. A con- 

 fidence in each other is absolutely necessary ; without 

 this, I would not remain a day in the jungle. An 

 even temper, not easily disturbed by the little annoy- 

 ances inseparable from a trip in a wild country, is also 

 indispensable ; without this, a man would be insuffer- 



