ON THE WEST COAST OF CEYLON. 95 



off to arrange a stand for us. and after dinner I 

 accompanied him thither. 



To sit up for possible game in the tropics one 

 must be very keen, for the discomfort is very great. 

 The stand only consisted of a couple of poles to sit 

 on, the mosquitoes, whose numbers were easily ac- 

 counted for by the presence of water, were maddening, 

 and, of course, I couldn't smoke. After straining my 

 eyes for about an hour (for there was no moon), I 

 noticed the tracker was fast asleep and threatening to 

 drop off his perch, he was nodding so violently. I 

 gave him a shake and roused him, although I could 

 hardly help feeling it was a pity he should not drop 

 into the pool and thus obtain the bath, of which, if I 

 could rely on my olfactory organs, he stood so greatly 

 in need. 



Shortly afterwards I heard a stick snap to my 

 right, and all my senses were on the alert at once. 

 I hastily retouched my sights with a little piece of 

 phosphorus I carried on purpose, and listened intently. 

 It was evident from the sound that one or more heavy 

 animals were coming down to drink. At last I felt 

 sure I saw something moving in the deep shade of 

 some wild mango-trees. I half raised my rifle, lean- 

 ing forward to try and distinguish a head or a tail, or 

 anything which could guide me as to where to aim 

 and also what the animals really were. 



Just at that moment a sonorous snore from my 

 left broke the silence. Crash ! went the buffaloes, for 

 such they proved to be, through the jungle, and my 

 chance was gone. A sound cuff aroused Master Jim 



