CHAPTER IV.

ADAM’S PEAK AND THE BLACK RIVER.

Ascent of Adam’s Peak--A night on the summit--The unclad natives endure the cold--Advantage of sun-baths--A society for the encouragement of nudity--Moonlight view from the summit of the Peak--History of the mountain-- Sunrise--The shadow on the mist, and other phenomena-- Adam’s foot-print--The pavilion on the summit, and the priests--Caliban doing _poojah_--Descent by the pilgrim-track--The great woods--Fauna and Flora-- Ratnapura, the city of jewels--Boat-voyage down the Kaluganga to Kalutara--Descent of rapids--Kalua enjoys the voyage--A tea-planter at home--Wage-slavery on the tea-plantations--The tea-factory--Letters from “Ajax” about the coolies 60–85