178 SPORT IN BENGAL. 



story of this terrible calamity as related to me by one who 

 barely escaped with his life, presents some strange features, 

 the flood having poured over the island in the 'daytime when 

 the sun was shining, and all nature was rejoicing in its bright 

 warmth, and not during any cyclone or storm ; it came too 

 without warning or cause apparent to persons ignorant of 

 submarine earthquakes and other great natural disturbances, 

 and therefore filled their minds with the idea of a super- 

 natural visitation. 



In those days Hatia was more than double its present 

 size, the northern or landward portions having been of late 

 years washed away by the gradual southward and seaward 

 sweep of the Megna, or rather of the great tideway which 

 divides the island from the mainland. Although much of 

 the surface was covered with jungle, in which tigers, buffaloes, 

 hog-deer, and wild hog abounded, the cultivated parts were 

 thickly inhabited, and supported a considerable 'population of 

 cultivators. 



My informant, a lad of twelve or fourteen at the time 

 of the fearful disaster, resided with his parents in the northern 

 or landward portion of the island, and was tending cattle in 

 the fields about noon, when the dull roar of advancing waters 

 first reached his ears. His statement was that no tempest 

 disturbed the air or sea, but a fresh gale blew from the south, 

 no uncommon occurrence in those stormy regions, where 

 violent winds blow daily from sunrise to sunset at certain 

 seasons for weeks at a time. The hour was that for the in- 

 coming of the flood tide then at the spring ; and the impres- 

 sion made upon his mind by the sounds he heard, was that 

 the tide that day was coming up with greater force, and with 

 a higher and heavier bore than usual. Presently the sullen 

 roar grew louder and louder, and he became conscious of 

 some impending calamity "by the wild and noisy flights of 

 birds, and the terrified rush of cattle northwards, followed 

 by the cries of the villagers residing south of his own home, 

 whose houses had been nearly approached by the flood. Next 

 he perceived in the distance a huge white-crested wave pour- 



