AFTER THE ADJUTANTS. 31 



in the east. Having washed and dressed, I walked over to 

 K/s tent and found he had got up ; and, though feeling 

 extremely weak and ill, was determined to try the hills on the 

 opposite bank. Breakfast was first the order of the day ; 

 that finished, and all things packed, (for we did not intend 

 to come back) we took boat and set off down the river a 

 little. 



I had by much questioning 1 ascertained from our guides that 

 the most accessible point was on the south-west side of the 

 hills, which consisted of six or seven peaks joined by a con- 

 tinuous knife-like ridge. Passing the overhanging rocks, we 

 landed as soon as we could find a suitable spot for getting on 

 shore, as the tide was out, and there was a long reach of deep 

 mud to get across. A walk of ten minutes across old deserted 

 gardens overgrown with kyne grass, and past a ruined hut, put 

 us at the foot of the hill. 



Here we found that the path up the rocks, for there actually 

 was one at this place, used by the Karens for getting to the caves 

 where the honey bee builds its combs, presented as rugged a 

 climb as the hill of yesterday. For Mr. K. in his weak state 

 it was impossible to get up, but for me I had the whole day 

 before me, and determined to do it leisurely, collect the plants for 

 Mr. K., eggs for myself, and search particularly for Turdini 

 which I knew frequented these rocks. 



Leaving one Karen with Mr. K., and taking with me a 

 basket for plants, my gun, bird stick, and a few cartridges, I 

 started. At first the road was easy enough, but about a third 

 of the way up we came to a non-plus, at the foot of a very 

 steep cliff. Here, while my guide was searching about for the 

 lost track, I set to work to collect a few plants. 



" Chucka— ~ chucka — chucka" — and a flock of little brown 

 birds came down the hill flitting in and out of the holes in 

 the limestone, and disappearing in a mysterious manner. 



Before, however, they had scrambled quite out of sight I 

 managed to shoot two j they proved to be Turdinus crispi~ 

 from. I had just slung these on to the bird-stick, when my 

 guide returned and informed me that he could find no path up. 

 I looked at the cliff in front, a root of some species of Ficus 

 hung from the top to within six feet of where we were : as it 

 would never have done to turn back, I slung my gun and bird- 

 stick, and giving the basket of plants to my follower, began 

 the climb ; and a fearfully tough struggle it was, but I succeed- 

 ed. What a sight burst on my eyes ! Right in front of me, the 

 face of the rock for a considerable way, right and left, was 

 covered with a lovely pink orchid (Callanthi rosea) flowerino- 

 in the wildest luxuriance. After waiting awhile to take breath 



