36 SPORT AND TRAVEL 



finding a single inhabitant in or near the village, 

 came to the obvious conclusion that an earthquake 

 had swallowed up the entire population. 



Mr. B. had most kindly sent back government 

 elephants for the luggage, and on their return pro- 

 posed that we should take them on to the next post, 

 Grik, where others could probably be hired from the 

 natives. This suggestion we gladly accepted, and 

 on a clear sunny morning, which contrasted cheer- 

 fully with the previous downpour, set out with five 

 elephants and a baby elephant accompanying its 

 mother. The jungle was at its best that morning; 

 the foliage, from the refreshing rains, was of the 

 most vivid green and sparkled in the sun ; on many 

 trees and shrubs rich orchid-like flowers were in 

 full blossom, while among them darted birds of all 

 descriptions, surpassing in the brilliancy of their 

 plumage and sweetness of note any that I have seen 

 in other lands. Occasionally a troop of chattering 

 monkeys swung by us overhead, pausing to regard 

 us with curiosity, and to hurl down twigs and bits 

 of bark as they passed ; the whole jungle-world was 

 full of movement and life, every bird and animal 

 apparently drinking in with pure enjoyment the 

 glorious freshness of the sunshine after rain. 



A source of continuous amusement to us were the 

 antics of the baby elephant. You have seen a kitten 



