NO. 37—1888.] CAPTURE OF COLOMBO. 



373 



been engaged only to serve the Company ; but they were all 

 compelled to depart under promise to the latter that their 

 discharges wouldfbe granted to them as soon as they arrived 

 at Madras. Nevertheless a large number of them deserted. 



Captain Zuelf, Aide-Major of this regiment, was ordered 

 by the Governor to Galle to superintend the embarkation 

 of the two companies which were stationed there. 



Finally, in accordance with a convention between Colonel 

 de Meuron and the Governor, the sick who were not 

 able to leave remained in the Dutch hospital, and were 

 treated as though still in service. As soon as the Meuron 

 regiment left, the Council resolved to evacuate Galle, and 

 only to defend Colombo. All the artillery and stores were 

 withdrawn, and Colonel Hugues, who was stationed there 

 with a company of the Wurtemburg regiment, was ordered 

 to return [to Colombo]. He halted, however, at Kalutara 

 for two days until the former regiment had all embarked. 



The Malays, the artillery, three officers, and the sailors of 

 the privateer Le Mutin who were at Galle, had also orders to 

 return to the town [Colombo]. 



It was at this time that the frigate V Heroine, which was 

 cruising before this fortress, anchored opposite Barberyn. 

 Some armed sailors landed, spread alarm in the neighbour- 

 hood, bought provisions, and cut down cocoanut and palm 

 trees to get the fruit. The officer in command ordered the 

 postmaster (posthorider) — an 'invalid corporal from the 

 garrison of Kalutura — to have in readiness for him the next 

 day cattle and wood, for which he promised to pay. He 

 then returned on board his vessel. 



The corporal promised everything, but he informed the 

 Commandant of Kalutara, and sent him three English 

 sailors who had remained on shore. They were passed on 

 to the Governor of Colombo, and imprisoned with a deserter 

 from Trincomalee who had come through Jaffna. 



There had already been posted at Bentota beyond Barberyn, 

 a company of Malays commanded by Lieutenant Driberg, 

 to defend the entrance of the river and the seacoast, and 



