34 TEA 



whereupon they rush along down the perilous track 

 which bridges yawning chasms, and find their own 

 way safely to the factory-station. 



After we have watched the pluckers for some little 

 time, we make our way to a bungalow, which is perched 

 on the summit of a neighbouring peak. Here we do 

 full justice to a very good breakfast, and soon we are 

 feehng as fresh as when we started out on our journey' 

 But although we are much looking forward to seeing 

 the factory, it is with regret that we turn our backs 

 on the httle chalet, whose warm hospitaUty we shall 

 ever remember, and on the magnificent panorama 

 which it overlooks. 



Some of the most adventurous of you are thinking 

 that you would like to travel back by the aerial 

 railway ? Once upon a time a new assistant, a sportive 

 and sporting young " creeper," thought likewise. He 

 suspended himself on the line by a wonderful appar- 

 atus of his own invention, that was intended to hold 

 him up comfortably, and limit his speed — for his own 

 unchecked momentum might lead to a fatal smash 

 at the journey's end. When he was about midway 

 between the termini the apparatus played the part of 

 break much too effectually, and for a very long hour 

 he was hung fast in space, with his feet dangling more 

 than a couple of thousand feet off the ground. 



CHAPTER VIII 



A CEYLON TEA FACTORY 



Tea leaves harbour various ingredients which make 

 the beverage that can be obtained from them by in- 

 fusion a pleasant and refreshing drink. Foremost in 



