XXV 
THE SAM BUR 
33i 
track over the mountain which had been used for 
many years. It immediately struck me that it was 
by this easy route that the stag had always escaped 
over, and not round the hills, which I had hitherto 
supposed. Fully convinced of this, I hurried up the 
path as fast as I was able, and when about half-way 
up the hill, sure enough there were the deer’s fresh 
tracks in the path, together with those of the whole 
pack likewise, taking the same direction up the hill. 
“ The hillside was about a mile in length, and a 
regular breather, but the excitement kept up a sort 
of shuffling run, until at last the summit was gained. 
“ From the top of this ridge is a very magnificent 
view over a jungle country of .about 30 miles, 
bounded by lofty mountains, among which Adam’s 
Peak towers majestically in the distance. A few 
small patinas (grass lands) are dotted about in the 
vast expanse of forest, and countless dark ravines 
furrow the mountain sides. The ridge upon which 
I stood formed the bold outline to this side of the 
panorama. On the right hand, far below, lay 
several coffee plantations, i.e. Palliser’s and Hunter’s, 
etc. 
“ A steep but regular inclination led from the 
point upon which I stood for about 5 miles down¬ 
wards, to the level of the large river which flowed 
through the coffee estates, and a dark hollow in the 
face of the mountain marked the source and rapid 
increase of the Diggamy Oya, which meets the 
larger river below at right angles. 
“To this dark line in the mountain side my eyes 
