A yungle Trip. 247 



It was the exact spot upon which I had been accus- 

 tomed to encamp some years ago. The servants had 

 received orders when they started from Kandy to have 

 dinner prepared at five o'clock on the 17th November; 

 it was accordingly ready on our arrival. 



Minneria was the appointed rendezvous from which 

 this trip was to commence. Our party was to consist 

 of the Honorable Stuart Wortley, E. Palliser, Esq., 

 Lieutenant V. Baker, S. W. Baker. My brother had 

 unfortunately only fourteen days' leave from his regi- 

 ment, and he and I had accordingly hurried on a day in 

 advance of our party, they having still some prepara- 

 tions to complete in Kandy, and not being quite so well 

 horsed for a quick journey. 



Nothing could be more comfortable than our arrange- 

 ments. Our followers and establishment consisted of 

 four personal servants, an excellent cook, four horse- 

 keepers, fifty coolies and Wallace ; in all, sixty people. 

 The coolies were all picked men, who gave not the 

 slightest trouble during the whole trip. We had two 

 tents, one of which contained four beds and a general 

 dressing-table ; the other, which was my umbrella- 

 shaped tent, was arranged as the dining-room, with 

 table and chairs. With complete dinner and breakfast 

 services for four persons, and abundance of table linen, 

 we had everything that could be wished for. Although 

 I can rough it if necessary, I do not pretend to prefer 

 discomfort from choice. A little method and a trifling 

 extra cost will make the jungle trip anything but un- 

 comfortable. There was nothing wanting in our sup- 

 plies. We had sherry, madeira, brandy and curacoa, 

 biscuits, tea, sugar, coffee, hams, tongues, sauces, pick- 

 les, mustard, sardines en Ziuile, tins of soups and pre- 



