278 TWO YEAKS IN THE JUNGLE. 



one tree-top to the next, and, unless the ground below is very open, 

 they are gone from the hunter's gaze like a flash. Their minds 

 must act like lightning-flashes to enable them to choose the safe 

 and unbroken line of retreat. There is no time to stop and study 

 as to which branch they shall jump upon next, no halting between 

 two opinions, but on they go, the hand and the eye keeping time 

 exactly in the dangerous race. Unless the hunter brings down his 

 specimen before the gang has fairly recovered from its surprise 

 and started off, he may as well give up the chase. 



" In these hot jungles the game is afoot in the morning from sun- 

 rise till about nine o'clock, and also in the evening just before sun- 

 set. Any animal that would go prowling about at midday, instead 

 of lying close in the shade, deserves to be shot. This morning we 

 saw a wild hog trot across the road ahead of us, and a little later a 

 jackal loafing along in a trampish sort of a way. I tried to get 

 within range of him, but he was too knowing for me. We also 

 saw three spotted deer standing quietly in the jungle less than fifty 

 yards from the road, in full view ; and six miles from MuUaitivu, we 

 saw three more in the road ahead of us. Had I not killed twenty 

 in the Animallais there would have been a death in each of those 

 families ; but having specimens already, and not caring to i*un the 

 unnecessary risk of being mulcted by the Ceylon Government in 

 the sum of £5 for shooting a deer without a license, I let the 

 tempting creatures go in peace." 



On reaching MuUaitivu I found a fat packet of letters from 

 home, some containing money, some good news, and one the com- 

 forting assurance that the expedition to the East Indies should go 

 on as planned. After resting a day, I spent two more in getting my 

 collection into shape, and then engaged two bullock bandys to take 

 me to Jaffna forthwith. The trip was, to me, full of interest, and I 

 again yield to the temptation to di'op into journalism. 



"April 12th. — Kose early, loaded up with a rush, and after a few 

 any-thing-but-tearful good-byes, we were off. Both bandys were 

 heavily loaded. Of course, I took plenty of cocoanuts (twenty) to 

 drink on the way. A-? we crossed the two bridges I took a last 

 fond look at my Crocodile Pool, but not a head was above water to 

 shed a tear at our departure. I rode in the front bandy and read 

 'Hypatia.' At the six-mile post the handymen begged a halt, for 

 by that time old Sol was getting down to business. For breakfast 



