THE ISLAND OF CEYLON, 
275 
posit in a place where it is likely immediately to be dis- 
covered, a certain quantity of their goods, along with a tali- 
pot leaf expressive of what they want in return. On a fol- 
lowing night they repair again to the same place, and gene- 
rally find their expected reward awaiting them. For although 
they are easily satisfied, and readily allow the advantage to 
the person with whom they deal, yet if their requests are 
treated with neglect, they will not fail to watch their oppor- 
tunity of doing him a mischief. The Cinglese, as they can 
afterwards dispose of the articles afforded by the Bedahs, find 
the traffic profitable; and in some parts frequently go into the 
woods carrying with them articles of barter. This trade, 
however, can only be carried on in the manner I have already 
described; for no native of the woods can be more afraid of 
approaching a stranger than the Bedahs. A few, as I have 
already said, will venture even to converse with the other 
natives ; but the wilder class, known by the name of Ram- 
ba Vaddahs, are more seldom seen even by stealth than the 
most timid of the wild animals. 
As the Bedahs chiefly live by the produce of the chace, 
they acquire by habit an astonishing dexterity in this employ- 
ment. They learn to steal through the bushes so warily and 
silently, that they often come unperceived within reach of the 
deer; when they throw their little axes so dexterously that 
the animal seldom escapes alive. Honey, which is found in 
great abundance in every part of their woods, forms another 
article of their food, and also serves the purposes of salt, which 
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