XXV 
THE SAM BUR 
305 
discovered by the hounds. The jungles are thick, 
and it is impossible to get through them without 
noise and considerable exertion. The animals of 
course are alarmed, and retreat before you are near 
enough even to hear their rush. I have often taken 
my rifle, and sallied out before sunrise, upon the wild 
patinas (open ground), where nature rested in 
profound solitude ; but I have never seen a sambur 
on the open. I can safely declare that, during 
seven years’ residence at Newera Ellia, I have never 
fired at any wild animal, except an elephant. The 
jungles formed an impenetrable sanctuary ; and they 
remain in the same condition at the present moment. 
In the spring of 1887 I revisited Ceylon after an 
absence exceeding thirty-three years. There were 
mighty changes in many portions of the country, 
but at Newera Ellia the word “progress” moves 
but slowly. The roads were certainly improved, as 
they were superior to any of our highways in 
England. The bridges were built of stone ; in the 
old days they were dangerous traps of wood ; but I 
was disappointed in the number of private residences, 
which had not increased to the extent that I should 
have expected during so long an interval as thirty- 
three years. I left about twenty-four houses, and 
found only thirty. 
Newera Ellia is a peculiar position, the plain, 
which is 3 miles in length, being 6200 feet above 
the sea. This level surface is surrounded by . 
mountains, among which is Pedrotallagalla, the 
highest point in Ceylon, 8300 feet. A stream runs 
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