inexpressibles.

Whenever an elk has given a long run in the direction of this country,
and after a persevering and arduous chase of many hours, I have at
length killed him on the grassy heights above the villages, I always
take a delight in watching the tiny specks issuing from the green
strips of paddy as the natives start off at the sound of the horn.

At this altitude, it requires a sharp eye to discern a man, but at
length they are seen scrambling up the ravines and gullies and
breasting the sharp pitches, until at last the first man arrives
thoroughly used up and a string of fellows of lesser wind come in, in
sections, all thoroughly blown.

However, the first man in never gets the lion's share, as the poor old
men, with willing spirits and weak flesh, always bring up the rear, and
I insist upon a fair division between the old and young, always giving
an extra piece to a man who happens to know a little English. This is
a sort of reward for acquirements, equivalent to a university degree,
and he is considered a literary character by his fellows.

There is nothing that these people appreciate so much as elk and hog's
flesh. Living generally upon boiled rice and curry composed of
pumpkins and sweet potatoes, they have no opportunities of tasting meat
unless upon these occasions.

During the very wet weather at Newera Ellia I sometimes take the pack
and bivouac for a fortnight in the fine-weather country. About a week
previous I send down word to the village people of my intention, but
upon these occasions I never give them the elk. I always insist upon
their bringing rice, etc., for the dogs and myself in exchange for
venison, otherwise I should have some hundreds of noisy, idle vagabonds
flocking up to me like carrion-crows.

Of course I give them splendid bargains, as I barter simply on the
principle that no man shall come for nothing. Thus, if a man assist in
building the kennel, or carrying a load, or cutting bed-grass, or
searching for lost hounds, he gets a share of meat. The others bring
rice, coffee, fowls, eggs, plantains, vegetables, etc., which I take at
ridiculous rates-a bushel of rice for a full-grown elk, etc., the
latter being worth a couple of pounds and the rice about seven
shillings. Thus the hounds keep themselves in rice and supply me with
everything that I require during the trip, at the same time gratifying
the natives.

The direct route to this country was unknown to Europeans at