Polynesian., 1851-10-11


those beneath. In this way the work Of de-
struction went rapidly on from row to row.
Nothing was heard but groaning, cracking.
crashing and splintering it was some little
time before got the sounds well out Of my
ears. AT the time it appeared as though the
whole ofthe forest-world about me was tumb-
ling to pieces only those fell, however.
which had been cut, and of such not one was
left standing. There they would lie until
sufficiently dry for the torch that would
blacken their massive trunks, and calcine
their many branches into dusty heaps Of al
kali.
BY the time this was completed, and the
men put on to fresh "cut," we were ready
for our midday meal, the planter breakfast.
Away we toiled toward the bungalow. Pass
ing through few acres Of standing forest,
and over a stream, we came to a small clear
ed space well sheltered from wind, and quite
snug in every respect. 1t was thickly sown
with what imagined to be young iettuces, or.
perhaps, very Juvenile cabbage-plants, but
was told this was the Nursery, and those
tiny green things were intended to form the
future Soolookande Estate. On learning
that we had reached the Bungalow, look
ed about me to discover its locality, but in
vain; there was no building to be seen; but
presently my host pointed out to me what
had not noticed before-a small, low rooted,
matched place, close under projecting rock,
and half hid by thorny creepers. ] imagined
this to be his fowl-house, or, perhaps a recep-
tacle for tools; but was not little astonished
when saw my friend beckon me on, and en-
ter at the low, dark door. This miserable
little cavern could not have been more than
twelve feet long by about six feet vide, and
as high at the walls. This small space was
lessened by heaps of tools, coils of string,
for ''lining" the ground before planting, sun
dry boxes and baskets, an old rickety table
and one chair. At the farther end-if any
thing could be far in that hole-was jungle
bedstead, formed by driving green stakes in
the floor and walls, and stretching rope across
them. could not help expressing astonish-
ment at the miserable quarters provided for
one who had so important charge, and such
costly outlay to make. My host. however,
treated the matter very philosophically.-
Every thing, he observed, is good or bad by
comparison and wretched as the accommo-
dation appeared to me, who had been accuse
toned to the large, airy houses Of Colombo,
lie seemed to be quite satisfied; indeed, he
told me, that when he had finished putting up
this little crib, had moved in his one table
and chair, and was seated, cigar in mouth,
inside the still damp mud walls, he thought
himself the happiest Of mortals. l felt some
what curious to know where he had dwelt
previous to the erection Of this unique build
ing-whether he had perched up in the forest
trees, or in holes in the rocks, like the wild
Veddahs of Bintenne.
Twas told that his first habitation. when
commencing work up there, was then sus-
pended over my head. l looked up to the
dark, dusty roof, and perceived a bundle of
what conceived to be old dirty, brown pa
per, or parchment-skin. Perceiving my utter
ignorance of the arrangement, he took down
the roll, and spread it open outside the door.
Ii turned out TO be huge TALBOT leaf, which
he assured me was the only shelter he had
possessed for nearly two months, and that,
too, during the rainy season. II might have
measured ten feet in length, and possibly six
in width; pretty well for leaf; it was used
bv fastening stout pole lengthways 10 two
stakes driven in the ground the leaf was
hung across this ridgepole, midway, and the
corners Of it made fast by cords: common
mats being hung at each end, and under the
leaf
The s'Lines," long row Of mud huts for
the coolies, appeared to be much more COM
Portable than their masters dwelling. But
this is nc ecessarily the case, for, unless they
be well cared for, they will not remain on q
remote estate, such as this one vas then con-
sidered The FIRST thing good planter sees
TO is a roomy and dry set Of Lines" for the
people then the Nursery " Of coffee plants,
IL sb;~1ix q hof .fs,r himself