CHAPTER VI. 



Character of the Veddahs — Description of the Veddahs 

 — A Monampitya Rogue — Attacking the Rogue— Breath- 

 less Excitement — Death of a Large Rogue — Utility of 

 the Four-ounce — A Curious Shot — Fury of a Bull Buf- 

 falo — Character of the Wild Buffalo — Buffalo Shoot- 

 ing AT MlNNERIA LAKE — CHARGE IN HlGH REEDS — CLOSE 



of a Good Day's Sport — Last Day at Minneria — A 

 Large Snake — An Unpleasant Bedfellow. 



DOOLANA is upon the very verge of the most 

 northern point of the Veddah country, the 

 whole of which wild district is the finest part of Cey- 

 lon for sport. Even to this day few Europeans have 

 hunted these secluded wilds. The wandering Veddah, 

 with his bow and arrows, is occasionally seen roaming 

 through his wilderness in search of deer, but the report 

 of a native's gun is never heard ; the game is therefore 

 comparatively undisturbed. I have visited every por- 

 tion of this fine sporting country, and since I have ac- 

 quired the thorough knowledge of its attractions, I have 

 made up my mind never to shoot anywhere but there. 

 The country is more open than in most parts of Ceylon, 

 and the perfect wildness of the whole district is an ad- 

 ditional charm. 



The dimensions of the Veddah country are about 

 eighty miles from north to south, by forty in width. 

 A fine mountain, known as the " Gunner's Coin," is 



101 



