SECTION III.— THE MOUNTAIN RANGES. 



CHAPTER XIV. 



THE NEILGHEKKIES. 



" Primseval woods, and forests vast aud rude, 

 Where reigns a deep unbroken solitude : 

 Eternal teaks, who 've wider stretch'd their arms 

 And deeper struck their roots amid the storms." 



Index. — Pleasing recollections. — The deep forest described. — 

 The pleasures and excitement of a hunter's life. — The requi- 

 site qualifications. — The Neilgherries and their productions. 

 — Variety of game. — Ootacamund. — Englishmen and their 

 love of Sport. — Dawson's Hotel. — Burnside Cottage. — Mala- 

 mund. — The Todas : their women, habitations, and strange 

 customs. — News of elk. — The start : preliminaries. — The 

 drive. — Game afoot. — A capital shot. — Three deer bite the 

 dust, and Bruin yields up his spoils. — A stag at bay. — The 

 return. — Convivial gathering. — The Major's story. 



The Neilgherries. How many pleasing recollec- 

 tions of heart- stirring events are associated with 

 that name ; how many glorious days' sport does it 

 recall to mind; how many a dear friend does it 

 bring before me, with whom I have bearded the 



