CEYLON COCOA ESTATE 97 



upon it. Last week a valuable dog belonging 

 to a neighbour was bitten in its kennel by a 

 cobra, and died in five minutes. The reptile 

 bit two other dogs in the same kennel immed- 

 iately afterwards, but evidently the venom had 

 been exhausted in the first instance, for the two 

 others survived. The kennel adjoined a stable 

 where a much prized horse was in his stall so 

 my friend was only too thankful that the victim 

 happened to be the animal of lesser value. 



May 8th. — The shoot, so long planned, has 

 at last come off. On the evening of the 6th, our 

 neighbour arrived to dinner. Soon afterwards a 

 number of his coolies with dogs innumerable ap- 

 peared, some to act as beaters, and others with 

 funs, hoping to get a shot if the Doreis missed. 

 Everyone retired early to rest. Next morning 

 at daybreak amid much barking of dogs, and 

 much jabbering of Tamil, the gentlemen de- 

 parted, accompanied by their motley crew, 

 anxious to be at work whilst the scent lay on 

 the dew. They did not come back to the 

 bungalow until midday, hungry and tired, but 

 delighted with their bag of red deer, mouse 

 deer, and a huge lizard. Recent tracks of a 

 large cheetah had been seen, but it could not 

 be found anywhere. We are not quite without 

 amusement ; a Saturday and Sunday spent with 

 the Ms. generally means plenty of tennis and 

 golf for Rob and always a most enjoyable time 



