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
[But he justifies them.] Into our Houses we got safely. But no sooner
were we there, but immediately we were called again by a great Man,
who had drawn out his Men, and stood in the Field. This Man we thought
had been one of the Rebels, who to secure himself upon this change,
had intended to run away down to Columbo to the Dutch. Which made us
repair to him the more cheerfully, leaving our Meat a roasting on the
Spit. But it proved otherwise. For no sooner had he gotten us unto him,
but he Proclaimed himself for the old King, and forthwith he and his
Company taking us with him marched away to Fight or seize the Rebels,
but meeting none went into the City, and there dismissed us, saying,
He would acquaint the King, how willing and ready we were to fight for
him, if need had required; altho, God knows, it was the least of our
thoughts and intents, yet God brought it to pass for our good. For
when the King was informed of what we had received of the Rebels,
this piece of good Service that we had done, or rather supposed to
have done, was also told unto him. At the hearing of which himself
justified us to be innocent; saying, Since my absence, who was there
that would give them Victuals? And, It was mere want that made them to
take what they did. Thus the Words of the King's own mouth acquitted
us. And when the Sword devoured on every side, yet by the Providence
of God not one hair of our heads perished.
[They are driven to beg in the Highways.] The Tumults being appeased,
and the Rebellion vanished, the King was settled in his Throne
again. And all this happened in five days time. We were now greatly
necessitated for food, and wanted some fresh Orders from the King's
mouth for our future subsistence. So that having no other remedy,
we were fain to go and lay in the High way that leads to the City a
begging; for the People would not let us go any nearer towards the
King, as we would have done. There therefore we lay, that the King
might come to the knowledge of us, and give Command for our allowance
again. By which means we obtained our purpose. For having laid there
some two Months, the King was pleased to appoint our Quarters in
the Countrey as formerly, not mentioning a word of sending us away,
as he had made us believe before the Rebellion.
[Sent into new quarters there, and their Pensions settled again.] Now
we were all sent away indeed, but not into our own Countrey, but
into new Quarters. Which being God would have to be no better we were
glad it was so well, being sore a weary of laying in this manner. For
some three Months time we had no manner of allowance. We were all now
placed one in a Town as formerly, together with the Persia Merchant
men also, who hitherto had lived in the City of Cande, and had their
Provisions brought them out of the King's Palace ready dressed. These
were now sent away with us into the Countrey. And as strict a charge
was given for our good entertainment as before.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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