thin me. I was aware that
bears and leopards were likely to abound in the neighbourhood, with
probably serpents of various sorts, and I knew not what other wild
beasts or reptiles I might have to encounter during the dark hours of
night. The first thing I did was wisely to stop and load my rifle,
which I ought to have done long before. This is a safe rule in shooting
in a wild country, never to be tempted to move without first having
reloaded one gun. I next looked out for some elevated spot whence I
could make a survey of the surrounding country, that I might take the
best line to regain the camp. I searched in vain, and at last I
determined to climb a tree from which I might obtain an extensive
look-out. It was some time before I found one which I could manage to
get up, and from the topmost boughs of which I at the same time might
obtain such an extensive view as would be of any use to me, I at last
found a tree answering my wishes. Of course I could not carry my rifle
up with me, so I had to leave it leaning against the trunk. I did not
know the name of the tree I was climbing, but it was a tall and very
handsome one, having dark purple flowers at the end of its branches, of
peculiar richness and beauty. Up I went to the very top, and when I got
there I wished myself down again, for I could not see any points to
assist me in finding my way, while, having bruised some of the
fine-looking flowers, so horrible an odour proceeded from them that I
could scarcely bear to remain where I was. I soon, therefore,
descended; but just as I reached the lower branches, I saw below me an
object which made me thankful that I was safe up the tree. I have since
ascertained that the tree is called the _Sterculia foetida_. It is one
of the greatest and tallest of the Ceylon forest trees, but the flowers
as well as the fruit emit a stench so detestable as properly to entitle
it to its characteristic botanical name. The fruit also is curious. It
consists of several crimson cases of the consistency of leather, which
enclose a number of black seeds, bead-like in form. On the bursting of
their envelope these, when ripe, are dispersed.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN.

ENCOUNTER WITH A BOA-CONSTRICTOR--MEET A GIANT--FIND MYSELF AMONG THE
RUINS OF AN ANCIENT CITY--SURROUNDED BY SNAKES--TAKE SHELTER IN A RUIN--
HORRIBLE ADVENTURES IN IT--ATTACKED BY BEARS--HOW I PASSED THE NIGHT--
SOLON'S RETURN--SEE A LEOPARD ABOUT TO SPRING ON ME--SOLON