230 GUN, RIFLE, AND HOUND. 



What was to be done ? I held council with two or 

 three others, and we decided to write to him the day 

 before we went. I need hardly say we well knew we 

 should be there before his post. Accordingly one 

 morning, to the surprise of the janitor, the Kandy 

 Hounds, attended by a small field, entered the 

 Gardens. Alas ! we were never to enjoy a spin over 

 the park. Hardly had I entered than old Druid 

 broke away on a fresh scent, and entering a thicket of 

 young shrubs disappeared from view. It was in vain 

 to attempt to restrain the pack. The scene that 

 follows beggars description. The Gardens must have 

 been sanctuary for hares for years. Here were two or 

 three hounds tearing a hare to pieces on a bed of rare 

 seedlings, there two or three more going full cry through 

 a fernery. Here, there, and everywhere were single 

 hounds running separate hares. In the midst of the 

 hurly-burly the new director appeared on the scene, 

 furious. I am sorry to say the scene so tickled my 

 risible faculties that I was simply rolling in my saddle 

 with laughter. Indeed it was impossible for me to 

 hear a word for the noise of the hounds. At last I 

 was able to explain, apologise, and generally soothe 

 the irate botanist. He accepted my apologies, but 

 asked me to withdraw my hounds. This was done 

 with difficulty, and we rode on to the neighbouring 

 sugar estate. Here we soon found, and after a good 

 gallop returned home. 



One more run, and I have done. The meet was at 

 the Commissariat Stores, and a hare was soon afoot. 

 After running a ring or two she went off down the 



