198 FOREST LIFE AND SPORT IN INDIA 
goon River, driven by a flowing tide and the force 
of a cyclonic storm. These heavy logs, probably 
averaging 2 tons each, appeared to be enjoying 
their release and the return journey towards their 
mountain homes. They came in solid phalanxes, 
bounding like porpoises, crushing all the wooden 
craft they encountered, and bumping joyously against 
the iron steamers that lay straining at their anchors, 
and so passed out of sight in the gloomy night. 
Then with the ebb they returned; such as had 
not been stranded in the intricacies of tidal creeks 
sullenly heading downwards to the sea, unable to 
avert recapture, save in the case of a happy few 
that, buoyant in the sea-water, ended their journey, 
perhaps, on some remote island where axes and saw- 
mills were unknown. 
The hot weather of 1902 saw us again at Maymyo, 
this time in a house made of matting, with elastic 
walls and flooring. It was owing to the kindness of 
Sir Frederic Fryer that we were able to pass some 
months in a better climate so far from our head- 
quarters. There was, however, much sickness in the 
station, and a change to Rangoon, with its damp 
warmth, from the chilly mists of Maymyo was often 
effective in staying the prevalent disease. I spent 
some pleasant days on the Strand there, in the 
magnificent house occupied by my friend the late 
Mr. Roberts, then one of the principals in the 
Bombay-Burma Corporation, visiting from thence 
various district headquarters by boat or rail to in- 
spect offices and arrange for the next season’s work ; 
then in the commencement of the winter, while still 
retaining charge of my duties as Conservator in 
