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
[Treated by English there.] After my Consort's Fit was over, our
Countreymen and their Friends invited us abroad, to walk and see
the City. We being barefoot and in the Chingulay Habit, with great
long Beards, the People much wondred at us, and came flocking to see
who and what we were; so that we had a great Train of People about
us as we walked in the Streets. After we had walked to and fro, and
had seen the City, they carried us to their Land-Ladies House, where
we were kindly treated both with Victuals and Drink; and returned to
the Trumpetter's Chamber, as he had desired us, when we went out. In
the Evening came a Boy from the Governor's House to tell us, that the
Governor invited us to come to Supper at his House. But we having Dined
late with our Countreymen and their Friends, had no room to receive
the Governor's Kindness: and so Lodged that Night at the Trumpetters.
[They come into the Governor's presence. His state.] The next Morning
the Governor, whose Name was Ricklof Van Gons, Son of Ricklof Van Gons
General of Batavia, sent for us to his House. Whom we found standing in
a large and stately Room, paved with black and white Stones; and only
the Commander, who brought us from Manaar, standing by him: who was
to succeed him in the Government of that place. On the further side
of the Room stood three of the chief Captains bare-headed. First,
He bid us welcom out of our long Captivity, and told us, That we
were free men, and that he should have been glad if he could have
been an Instrument to redeem us sooner, having endeavoured as much
for us as for his own People. For all which we thanked him heartily,
telling him, We knew it to be true.
[Matters the Governor enquired of.] The Governor perceiving I could
speak the Portugueze Tongue, began to inquire concerning the Affairs
of the King and Countrey very particularly, and oftentimes asked about
such Matters as he himself knew better than I. To all his Questions
my too much Experience inabled me to give a satisfactory Reply. Some
of the most remarkable matters he demanded of me were these.
First, They inquired much about the reason and intent of our coming
to Cuttiar. To which I answered them at large. Then they asked,
If the King of Cande had any Issue? I told them, As report went,
he had none. And, Who were the greatest in the Realm next to him? I
answered. There were none of Renown left, the King had destroyed them
all. How the hearts of the People stood affected? I answered, Much
against their King. He being so cruel. If we had never been brought
into his presence? I told them, No, nor had ever had a near sight
of him. What strength he had for War. I answered, Not well able to
assault them, by reason the hearts of his People were not true to
him. But that the strength of his Countrey consisted in Mountains
and Woods, as much as in the People.
What Army he could raise upon occasion? I answered, I knew not well,
but as I thought about Thirty Thousand men.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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