258 THE HUNTING GKOUNDS 



der their guidance, we ascended the mountains by 

 a steep pass, extremely difficult for our baggage- 

 animals, and after a hard day's fag, arrived at the 



hut of M , the celebrated elephant shot, who had 



established his head-quarters on a little clearing he 

 had made in the heart of the jungle close to the 

 Tuunacooddoo waterfall. 



He is the Government agent appointed to collect 

 the revenue of this wild district, and also superin- 

 tendent of the teak-forests, no tree being allowed to 

 be cut without the payment of a certain tax. The 

 timber when felled is allowed to remain on the 

 ground a certain time to season, after which it is 

 dragged by elephants, who are trained for the pur- 

 pose, down slopes and slides of the mountain to the 

 low country, were it is collected, and floated down 

 the Ponani Kiver to the town of Ponani, on the coast, 

 from whence it is embarked for Bombay, where 

 aiuch is exported for the purposes of ship-building. 



M received us with great hospitality, and gave 



me a map of his explorings in the surrounding forest. 

 He also deputed six Carders (some people of a wild 

 jungle tribe he has domesticated) to accompany us 

 in our trip. We lighted a huge box-fire outside his 

 hut, and had a good warm, for the night was very 

 chilly ; after which we dined, had a " jaw " as to 

 our future proceedings ; and turned in. 



The next morning went out after bison, soon 

 found a fresh trail, and M got a shot, wound- 

 ing a bull, which was found dead some days after by 



