ON THE WEST COAST OF CEYLON. 91 



or jungle sheep, one porcupine, sundry hares, and a 

 diminutive pig, which last, greatly to his delight, fell 

 to our host's " breech-loading rifle." 



When we had finished we dismissed our host* and 

 made for our camp. I had omitted to say that our 

 good friend the Government Agent at Negombo, 

 had kindly sent his travelling bullock-cart out for our 

 use. It was a most comfortable affair, with a painted 

 roof and long enough to sleep in. Before going our 

 host gave us a key, which he said belonged to a 

 drawer underneath it, which we should find most useful 

 as it was practically waterproof. In this we stowed 

 our ammunition. 



Our battery for this trip, where the bag was most 

 likely to consist of deer, consisted of two -450 Express 

 rifles, and our 12-bore guns, which were both cylinders 

 and capable of taking a bullet with five drachms of 

 powder. 



Next day, according to our orders, a start was 

 made before daylight. We simply spread our mat- 

 tresses in the travelling cart and slept quietly on. 



The sun had been up some time when we came 

 to a river, which in the rains was no doubt a for- 

 midable affair. At present it showed a good deal of 

 sand-bank, and our driver, who knew the way, bumped 

 us confidently down the bank. I had resumed my 

 recumbent position, but Will was sitting in his 

 pyjamas at the front of the cart. Without my 



* In the East it is always the etiquette for Europeans to dismiss 

 natives of however exalted rank at the end of an interview. In fact 

 no native thinks of leaving till told he may do so. 



