An Historical Relation of the Island Ceylon in the East Indies eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 438 pages of information about An Historical Relation of the Island Ceylon in the East Indies.

An Historical Relation of the Island Ceylon in the East Indies eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 438 pages of information about An Historical Relation of the Island Ceylon in the East Indies.
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.

[Fall to Trading, and have more freedom.] We were thus dispersed about the Towns here one and there another, for the more convenient receiving our allowance, and for the greater case of the People.  And now we were far better to pass than heretofore, having the Language, and being acquainted with the Manners and Customs of the People, and had the same proportion of Victuals, and the like respect as formerly.  And now they fall into employments as they please, either Husbandry or Merchandizing, or knitting Caps, being altogether free to do what they will themselves, and to go where they will, excepting running away:  and for that end, we are not permitted to go down to the Sea, but we may travel all about the Countrey, and no man regards us.  For tho the People some of the first years of our Captivity, would scarcely let us go any whither, and had an eye upon us afterwards, yet in process of time all their Suspitions of our going away wore off; especially when several of the English had built them Houses, and others had taken them Wives, by whom they had Children, to the number of eighteen living when I came away.

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An Historical Relation of the Island Ceylon in the East Indies from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.