FROM KANBY TO OALTtlBA. 
409 
books respecting Buddhoo, it appears that he stepped from 
the top of the Peak to the kingdom of Siam. The Bud- 
dhists profess to believe the impression is a mark made by 
the last foot of Buddhoo which left Ceylon. But so little 
did the contrivers of the fable know of geography, that 
even the direction of the impression is destructive of the 
credibility of the story regarding the stepping of Buddhoo 
from Ceylon to Siam. From heel to toe, the direction of 
the impression is NW. by W., while Siam lies very differ- 
ently from Ceylon. It seems to have been intended that 
the mark in the rock should resemble the impression of the 
left foot. 
From the time we resolved upon visiting the Sri pade, 
it was our intention to remain for a night on the top of the 
Peak. We found some difficulty in carrying this intention 
into elfect. Our servants and followers anxiously requested 
us to change the resolution we had formed. They pleaded 
want of accommodation and extreme cold, as excuses for 
wishing to abandon the top of the mountain as soon as pos- 
sible. These were only pretences; the real cause of their 
reluctance to remain on the Peak may be attributed to the 
superstitious awe and dread with which they are impressed 
when near to places held sacred by the tenets of Buddhism. 
Immediately upon our reaching the top of the mountain, 
the chief priest waited upon us, and affected to be much 
concerned respecting our welfare. He asked us whether 
we intended to remain there all night, and was answered 
in the affirmative. He then most earnestly begged that we 
should alter our determination. Disease, he said, would be 
the inevitable consequence of our remaining on the Peak 
during night. He told us only one white man had ever 
slept there, and that he sickened soon after. By what mo- 
tives the priest was actuated, when he entreated us so earnest- 
ly to leave the Peak, it is difficult to conjecture. When lie 
