chap. xin. CONCLUSION. 353 



able. Our party was an emblem of contentment. 

 The clay's sport concluded, the evenings were most 

 enjoyable, and will never be forgotten. The well- 

 arranged tent, the neatly-spread table, the beds form- 

 ing a triangle around the walls, and the clean guns 

 piled in a long row against the gun-rack, will often 

 recall a tableau in after years, in countries far from 

 this land of independence. The acknowledged sports 

 of England will appear child's play ; the exciting thrill 

 will be wanting, when a sudden rush in the jungle 

 brings the rifle on full cock ; and the heavy guns will 

 become useless mementoes of past days, like the dusty 

 helmets of yore, hanging up in an old hall. The belt 

 and the hunting-knife will alike share the fate of the 

 good rifle, and the blade, now so keen, will blunt trom 

 sheer neglect. The slips, which have held the necks 

 of dogs of such staunch natures, will hang neglected 

 from the wall ; and all these souvenirs of wild sports, 

 contrasted with the puny implements of the English 

 chase, will awaken once more the longing desire, for 

 the ' Rifle and Hound in Ceylon.' 



Printed by Ballantyni:, Hanson &° Co. 

 Edinburgh or* London 



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