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
[They pass the River that divides the King's Countrey from the
Malabars.] We had now Travelled till Thursday Afternoon, when we
crossed the River called Coronda oyah which was then quite dry;
this parts the King's Countrey from the Maladars. We saw no sign
of Inhabitants here. The Woods began to be very full of Thorns,
and shrubby Bushes with Clifts and broken Land; so that we could not
possibly go in the Woods; but now the River grew better being clear
of Rocks, and dry, water only standing in holes. So we marched along
in the River upon the Sand. Hereabouts are far more Elephants than
higher up: by Day we saw none, but by Night the River is full of them.
[After four or five days travel they come among Inhabitants.] Friday
about Nine or Ten in the Morning we came among the Inhabitants. For
then we saw the footing of People on the Sand, and tame Cattel with
Bells about their Necks. Yet we kept on our way right down the River,
knowing no other course to take to shun the People. And as we went
still forwards we saw Coracan Corn, sowed in the Woods, but neither
Towns nor People; nor so much as the Voice of Man. But yet we were
somewhat dismayed, knowing that we were now in a Countrey inhabited
by Malabars. The Wanniounay or Prince of this People for fear pay
Tribute to the Dutch, but stands far more affected towards the King
of Cande. [But do what they can to avoid them.] Which made our care
the greater to keep our selves out of his hands; fearing lest if he
did not keep us himself, he might send us up to our old Master. So
that great was our terror again, lest meeting with People we might be
discovered. Yet there was no means now left us how to avoid the Danger
of being seen. The Woods were so bad, that we could not possibly
Travel in them for Thorns; and to Travel by Night was impossible,
it being a dark Moon, and the River a Nights so full of Elephants
and other wild Beasts coming to drink; as we did both hear and see
laying upon the Banks with a Fire by us. They came in such Numbers
because there was Water for them no where else to be had, the Ponds
and holes of Water, nay the River it self in many places being dry.
[As yet undiscovered.] There was therefore no other way to be taken
but to Travel on in the River. So down we went into the Sand, and put
on as fast as we could set our Legs to the ground, seeing no People
(nor I think no body us), only Buffaloes in abundance in the Water.
CHAP. XI.
Being in the Malabar Territories, how they encountred two Men,
and what passed between them. And of their getting safe unto the
Dutch Fort. And their Reception there, and at the Island Manaar,
until their Embarking for Columbo.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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