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
[How the Rebellion began.] The time appointed to put their design
in action was the one and twentieth of December 1664. about Twelve
in the night. And having gotten a select company of men, how many
well I know not, but as is supposed, not above two hundred, neither
needed they many here, having so many Confederates in the Court;
in the dead of the night they came marching into the City. The Watch
was thought to be of their confedracy: but if he were not, it was not
in his power to resist them. Howbeit afterwards, whether he were not,
he was executed for it. The said men, being thus in the City, hastened
and came down to the Court; and fell upon the great men, which then
laid without the Palace upon Watch: since which by the Kings order
they lye allways within the Palace. For they were well informed before
who were for them and who not. Many who before were not intrusted to
know of their design, were killed and wounded; and those that could,
seeing the slaughter of others, got in unto the King. Who was walled
about with a Clay-wall, thatched: that was all his strength. Yet these
people feared to assault him, laying still until the morning. At
which time the [The King Flyes.] King made way to flee, fearing to
stay in his Palace, endeavouring to get unto the mountains, and had
not with him above fifty persons. There were horses went with him,
but the wayes were so bad, that he could not ride. They were fain
to drive an Elephant before him, to break the way through the Woods,
that the King with his followers might pass.
[They pursue him faintly.] As he fled, they pursued him, but at a
great distance, fearing to approach within shot of him. For he wanted
not for excellent good Fowling-pieces, which are made there. So he
got safe upon a Mountain, called Gauluda, some fifteen miles distant,
where many of the Inhabitants, that were near, resorted to him. Howbeit
had the people of the Rebel-party been resolute, who were the major
part (almost all the Land;) this Hill could not have secured him,
but they might have driven him from thence; there being many ways by
which they might have ascended. There is not far from thence a high
and peaked hill called Mondamounour, where there is but one way to
get up, and that very steep, at the top are great stones hanging in
chains to let fall when need requireth. Had he fled hither, there
had been no way to come at him. But he never will adventure to go,
where he may be stopped in.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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