FURTHER EXPERIENCES 0¥ MR. STALE. 
living on a tea plantation, just as we bought and 
drunk tea because we had no coffee, although from 
our front verandah, it might be nothing was to be 
seen but coffee as far as the eye could reach. 
Our matins, or matinal refreshment, being ove7% 
our host is thanked for his hospitality and informed,, 
we will do as much for him any day he may re- 
quire or desire it.. But before starting on the return 
trip, a consultation was held what course was best 
to adopt in order to- prevent any risk of again being 
lost. “Lost!"^ cries Mr. Obstinate, “ no fear of that. 
I know the land well now ; the idea that an old 
jungle cock like me could be lost twdce in the same 
forest. Ha, ha, come on, man!” But, before coming on,, 
two coolies with bill-hooks were obtained from our 
host in order to clear the way in advance^ and see- 
ing a pocket compass on the table, the loan of it 
was asked and obtained. Arrived at the jungle edge„ 
the coolies were pub it advance under orders to clear 
away roughly, just to leave a free passage through. 
We fallowed up behind, compass in. hand, keeping 
them to the right line, but, as the small underwood 
would speedily grow up again and obliterate the 
path, in order to leave a permanent trace, at every 
big tree we came to three or four good hacks of 
the bill-hook were made into its trunk. Under this 
plan, if you could not preserve the path open with ' 
very little examination you could always keep to 
the path line, for it was a long time before these 
marks on the trees healed up, and even, after they 
did, the bark still shewed where they had been. Most 
of the old surveyors had their own marks on the 
boundary lines, Hacked deep into some large trees, so 
that, when in search of boundaries, years after the 
underwood was all overgrown, one would suddenly 
exclaim, Here it is, for we know Braybrooke, or 
Wilson, cut this boundary, and here are their or his marks 
on this big tree.” Of course we knew the direction in 
which the boundary ought to lie, say norths so with 
compass, another and another mark was discovered 
and then the underwood opened up between. This was 
called defining or clearing out our boundaries. Our 
friend was in a great hurry to get home, he had so 
much to do and really could not put of time wait- 
ing on this slow (but sure) process. I am quite 
sure of my way, ” says he, and will just push on 
alone, and leave you to crawl at this snail’s pace, 
and, as I will pass by your bungalow, will look in 
and tell the boy you will arrive some three or 
four hours after and to have your dinner cocked.” 
The reply is, “Do, like an obliging fellow, a woithy 
descendant from Jock Tamson.’^ 
