ON THE WEST COAST OF CEYLON. 103 



the chain which was fastened to a strap round his 

 waist. I recollect an amusing incident about this 

 bear. The Archdeacon, when on a journey, happened 

 to put up at my friend's house, and was duly introduced 

 to the bear. 



"But why," asked the man of both worlds, "do 

 you call him John the Baptist ? " 



"Because he wears a leathern girdle round his loins 

 and is very fond of honey." The Archdeacon laughed 

 heartily. 



To return, however, to our trip. We travelled 

 again that night, towards the coast this time. In the 

 morning we went out with our rifles. In a piece of 

 fairly open ground we saw a herd of axis. We began 

 our stalk, but to our disgust, just as we were getting 

 near them, they bounded to their feet and made off. 

 I was greatly puzzled to account for this, as they 

 had not looked our way and could not have got 

 our wind. 



The mystery, however, was soon explained. From 

 behind the slope which had hidden him walked a fine 

 leopard, looking after the retreating deer. He was 

 about a hundred and twenty yards off. It was Will's 

 shot. 



" Better take the shot," I said. " He's standing 

 quite still now, and if we try to stalk him he is just as 

 likely to move off after the deer." 



Will lay down and took a steady shot. The 

 leopard disappeared. We walked across, and found 

 him lying dead, shot through the heart. 



Three days after we were at Chilaw. We had to 



