JAUNTS IN THE JUNGLE. 67 



elephant in every two thousand in Ceylon that 

 possesses tusks, they are considered a great rarity ; 

 and such a distinguishing mark of beauty are they 

 regarded by the animals themselves, that on the 

 approach of danger, the " tusker" is invariably sur- 

 rounded by the remainder of the herd, and, thus 

 forming literally a body-guard, they protect him 

 until the danger is over, or until each elephant 

 has been shot down dead as he stood. 



Five o'clock the following morning is the hour 

 fixed upon for commencing hostilities, and the old 

 native, having been constrained to drink our healths 

 in a bumper of brandy-pawnee (a proceeding, 

 though hostile to his creed, apparently not by any 

 means so to his personal feelings) is allowed to de- 

 part to acquire fresh information of recent arrivals, 

 whilst for our own part, having put our house in 

 order, we turn our attention to assisting the cook in 

 getting ready the " feed" for the evening ; nor on 

 such an occasion did I ever know the old adage to 

 hold good, of " too many cooks spoiling the broth," 

 as every body has a great idea of culinary art in the 

 jungle, and much latent gastronomic talent is therein 

 developed ; besides, as every-orie concocts a hash of 

 his own, he is obliged to praise and eat it in self- 

 defence, so the whole party is pretty sure of being 

 satisfactorily accommodated. 



If one could but virtuously and determinedly resolve 

 on going to sleep as soon as dinner was over and 

 F 2 



