An Historical Relation of the Island Ceylon in the East Indies: Together with an Account of the Detaining in Captivity the Author and Divers other Englishmen Now Living There, and of the Author's Miraculous EscapeKnox, Robert
History
An Historical Relation of the Island Ceylon in the East Indies: Together with an Account of the Detaining in Captivity the Author and Divers other Englishmen Now Living There, and of the Author's Miraculous Escape
Knox, Robert
Sri Lanka -- Description and travel -- Early works to 1800; Sri Lanka -- Social life and customs
[The Captain and his Son and two more quartered together.] The Captain
Mr. John Loveland, my self and John Gregory were parted from the rest,
and brought nearer to the City, to be ready when the King should
send for us. All the Rest were placed one in a Town according to the
aforesaid Order. Special Command also was given from the King, that
we all should be well entertained, and according to the Countrey fare
we had no cause to complain. We four were thus kept together some
two Months, faring well all the while. But the King minding us not,
[Parted.] Order came from the great Men in Court to place us in
Towns, as the rest were; only my Father and I were still permitted
to be together, and a great Charge given to use us well. [How they
fared.] And indeed twice a Day we had brought unto us as good fare as
the Countrey afforded. All the rest had not their Provisions brought
to them, as we had, but went to eat from house to house, each house
taking its turn.
[The Captain and his Son placed in Coos-wat.] On the Sixteenth of
September, 1660. My Father and I were placed in a Town called Bonder
Coos-wat the situation was very pleasing and commodious, lying about
Thirty Miles to the Northward of the City of Cande, in the Countrey
called Hotcurly and distant from the rest of our People a full days
journey. We were removed hither from another Town nearer to the City
where the Nobles at Court supposing that the King would call for us,
had placed us to have us ready. Being thus brought to Bonder Cooswat,
the People put it to our choice which House we would have to reside
in. The Countrey being hot and their Houses dark and dirty, my Father
chose an open House, having only a Roof but no Walls. Wherein they
placed a Cot, or Bed-stead only with a Mat upon it for him, which
in their Account is an extraordinary Lodging; and for me a Mat upon
the Ground.
[Moneys scarce with them.] Moneys at that time were very low with
us. For although we wanted not for opportunity to send for what
we would have brought unto unto us from the Ship, yet fearing we
should be plundered of it, sent not for any thing only a Pillow for
my Father. For we held it a point without dispute, that they that
made Prisoners of our Bodies would not spare to take our Goods;
my Father also alledging, that he had rather his Children at home
should enjoy them.
[But they had good Provisions without it.] But to make amends for
that, we had our Provisions brought us without money, and that twice a
Day, so much as we could eat, and as good as their Countrey yielded;
to wit, a Pot of good Rice, and three Dishes of such things as with
them is accounted good Cheer; one always either Flesh, Fish or Eggs;
but not over much of this Dish, the other Dishes, Herbs, Pumkins or
such like, one of which is always made sower.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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