A call brought him home. The howdah was filled--sorry to say without our fair hostess, who had domestic arrangements to supervise. It was not until deep in the jungle that I could form an idea of the sagacity of our mount. He was partly guided by the mahout, but when we came to a thick part of the jungle, where branches could interfere with the howdah, the elephant would stop and break off everything that could interfere with his passengers. We had to cross deep nullahs; if there was the trunk of a tree in the way, he would feel with the upper side of his trunk, and so ascertain what it would bear, and act accordingly. I observed, too, when we neared a tuft of long grass, he would, without stopping, draw it up with his trunk and hold on until within reach of the stump of a tree, then knock the earth off the roots, and so enjoy his meal without slacking his pace. We were several times close to wild beasts that startled us with their discordant roars, but we could not see them, so did not discharge our guns. The mahout pronounced them rhinoceros and tigers. Parrots and monkeys chattered through the upper branches of the trees. Pea-fowl preferred running. We took our tiffin with us. [Sidenote: Jan. 25.] After a rest we took leave of our kind hosts. [Sidenote: Jan. 26.] Weighed from Province Wellesley, and in the evening came to between Nicobar Islands. The natives were much frightened. A chief, however, came off in the early morning and got drunk, which encouraged his people, who commenced to trade in birds’ nests, tortoiseshell, cocoa- and betel-nuts. Having seen enough, we sailed for next island, Nancowry, which has a harbour and some pigeons, affording sport. [Sidenote: Jan. 27.] My cabin carpenter, Wilson, who was landed to cut some large hollow bamboo, fancied he saw a tiger--extraordinary stretch of imagination. He was a good little man, but I got no bamboo! [Sidenote: Feb. 3.] Arrived at Penang. Landed at Captain’s house just after midnight. Took Tottenham under my care, he looking invalidy. [Sidenote: Feb. 6.] Up at daylight with Granville and Tottenham to the hill. Visited Mrs. Lewis. Delightful change of scenery and climate. Continued my taste for ornithology and conchology. Small birds, when we were quiet, were knocked over by pellets from a blow-pipe. To dinner with officers of 24th Madras Native Infantry. Received with usual kindness of the Far East. Had to make a small speech. Home early. [Sidenote: Feb. 8.] Another visit to the hill to Sir William Norris. At daylight Tottenham, Partridge, Maidman, and I went up. A long scramble through jungle. Good “Penang Lawyers” scarce. [Sidenote: Feb. 9.] Knocked down by Lady Norris’s pony at Waterfall, and nearly suspended over the perpendicular edge of the hill. [Sidenote: Feb. 24.]