COACHING IN CEYLON 183 



of the place, resembling a demoralised 

 growler, with Venetians instead of glass) 

 had been aptly fitted with an extemporised 

 dickey and coach-seat facing it. Between 

 these was an enormous lunch hamper. On 

 top of this " coach " were a wild crew of the 

 most notorious practical jokers of the com- 

 munity. In smartness of get-up, frock-coats, 

 white hats, and blue veils, they were in no 

 way inferior to the load on the drag which 

 had preceded them. The imitation article 

 was, however, "horsed" with a team of the 

 big grey bullocks which come from Southern 

 India ; and these, stimulated by the whacks 

 and shouts of their drivers who ran beside 

 themi, rapidly approached the stand amidst 

 the yells of the natives and the roars of 

 laughter of the European population of 

 Colombo. Lest the laughter should not 



