CONTENTS. CHAP. I.-I am introduced to May Ford, with whom I go to sea, and make acquaintance with two queer people-Bob Chase and CHAP. II. We escape the jaws of a shark, and land in Ceylon, CHAP. V. May has an adventure with a leopard, and Bob hears CHAP. VI.-Bob meets with an accident-Fos relates the history CHAP. VII.-I witness a duel between two serpents-fight one CHAP. VIII.-We save the daughter of our enemy-Fos shows his antipathies—and Bob is cured by the savages, pp. 156—173 CHAP. IX.-Bob has a queer adventure with a toucan-we fall CHAP. XI. We all find a friend-Fos is upon and off the sick CHAP. XII.-We ask a chief to dine with us, and he is horrified at the behaviour of a couple of crows, who having robbed Bob, CHAP. XIII.-Terrible alarm caused by a great rogue, whom we volunteer to hunt, but first visit a comical smith, and attend CHAP. XV.-The pluck of the natives is tried-May performs a gallant deed, and Bob takes a prisoner CHAP. XVI.-A terrible encounter with the rogue-The widower has a narrow escape, and my life is saved by May, who proves CHAP. XVIII.-We witness some strange doctoring, and have a day's sport among the fishermen and crocodiles, pp. 331-353 CHAP. XIX.-We hear news of my father, and set out for Kandy, but meet with a wild man on the way, pp. 354-374 CHAP. XX.-We make a sensation among the wild people of the woods, but are kindly received CHAP. XXI.-We take leave of the LOST IN CEYLON. CHAPTER I. I AM INTRODUCED TO MAY FORD, WITH WHOM I GO TO SEA, AND MAKE ACQUAINTANCE WITH TWO QUEER PEOPLE-BOB CHASE AND FOSFORUS. So lively is my disposition, so buoyant my spirits, and so elastic in general my gait, that at times I am inclined to think the original intention of nature was to keep me a boy the whole of my days, even at this present writing, an it were not for a semi-girdle of lumbago, and the by no means light weight of some eighty years piled upon my shoulders, I should feel game for a match at cricket, leap-frog, or fly-the-garter. As, however, I think it quite possible that at eighty I might not be a match for twenty-eight, eighteen, or even eight, I shall instead take up my pen and perform a solo-for your amusement I believe, and for your instruction I hope. Do not let the latter word frighten you; for the experience of the old should always be for the benefit L.I.C. B of the young; but at the outset let me impress upon your minds that in the following narrative I shall put forth no incident or adventure that has not fact for its basis. The two chief events which led to my after adventures in the island of Ceylon, were, first, the appointment of one Thomas Elton (namesake and father of mine) to the command of a ship belonging to a very old person, recently deceased, one John Coompany-better, however, known as the Honourable East India Company-in whose service my father had spent the greater portion of his life. That appointment was my first heart's rejoicing; for I heard him tell my mother that he had at length obtained that which would not only enable him to place me in a position in the world, but which, under Providence, must in a few years give them both the means of passing the evening of their lives in comfort and repose. Event number two was the return of my father from his first voyage in command. Having embraced my mother and me, he said— "I have a present for thee, wife, and for thee also, son Tom." "A present!" repeated my mother; "surely it is the parrot you have so often promised me." "No, no, mother; it is the monkey father promised me," said I, with a thrill of delight at the fun I should have with the animal. A PRESENT FROM THE INDIES. 3 "Nay, neither parrot nor monkey exactly, though mayhap a little of each; but rest patient, and you shall judge for yourselves." So saying my father ran back to the hackney coach which had brought him from the docks, and then stood waiting at our door. During his short absence my brain was strangely puzzled: "Part parrot, part monkey! What animal is this my father has brought us from those wonderful Indies?" I muttered to myself. But guess my astonishment when in another minute he returned, bringing a little girl about two years younger than myself, with light olive complexion, smiling face, features as beautifully chiselled as the statue of a Greek goddess, lithe fairy figure, and an abundance of very dark brown hair, which hung around her fair brow, and, falling over her shoulders, almost reached her waist. "Lord a mercy, Tom! why, what a little beauty!" said my mother, starting with surprise. "Is it parrot or monkey ?" said my father, laughing. 66 Fie, fie, Tom," replied my mother, snatching the child up in her arms and kissing her. "What a pretty girl. How jolly! wont she do for a sister ?" said I, running up to her and taking both her hands in mine; adding, "You will be my sister, little girl, wont you ?" But although she smiled very prettily, and seemed |