412 



JOURNAL, R.A.S. (CEYLON). [VOL. X. 



Ramisekam. 



This island, about ten or twelve miles long, and half that breadth, 

 and which is situated at the head of the gulph of Manaar, is separated 

 from the mainland of the peninsula by a narrow ferry, and from 

 Ceylon by Adam's bridge and the island of Manaar. Its Pagodas, 

 celebrated all over India for their sanctity, are at the eastern end of 

 the island ; they are lofty, and in good repair, though of great anti- 

 quity. The Brahmins have a neat little village in the neighbourhood, 

 and there is a fine square stone tank, with a small island in the centre, 

 luring the unwary to destruction, for its approach appears clear of all 

 impediments. I had swam across to look at its images, and returning, 

 carelessly allowed my legs to sink beneath me, when they were immedi- 

 ately entangled in weeds, which pulled me under water two or three 

 times ; until, at length, I tore them up from the bottom in the struggle, 

 and reached the bank with great difficulty, dragging behind me several 

 thin cords of many feet in length. Although it is not very likely that 

 any of my readers may have occasion to try the same experiment, yet 

 I could not resist the temptation of holding out a warning to those 

 who might be led into a similar danger through similar inadvertency. 



Here, on very good ground, the troops were encampad as they 

 arrived ; and about January 10, we took our final departure, in large 

 open boats ; crossing under the bridge, as it is called, we coasted along, 

 by Arepoo, Calpenteen, &c, running on shore every evening, to cook 

 and eat our diurnal meal, and sleep on the beach ; but without any 

 shelter from the weather, which being particularly inclement, we 

 generally had our clothes wet through all night, and dried during the 

 day upon our bodies : experiencing both extremes in the course of the 

 twenty-four hours. Our first rendezvous was Negumbo, about thirty 

 miles north of Colombo, then in the enemy's possession. Our flotilla 

 being drawn up in order, a landing was effected, and we found the 

 works abandoned without resistance. Here, then, we landed our 

 stores, camp equipage, &c, as also the fascines and gabions we had 

 made, under the erroneous impression that we were not likely to find 

 materials in Ceylon, the best wooded country in the world ; and I may 

 as well anticipate the catastrophe, by remarking, that they were after- 

 wards all served out to the Bombay Grenadier battalion, at Columbo, 

 for firewood ! — the useless cost and labour being carried to the 

 account of experience and geographical knowledge. Leaving our boats 

 to carry on the heavy articles, for which cattle could not be procured, 

 the army marched by land, and arrived within four miles of Columbo, 

 without meeting the slightest resistance, as it was not until after we 

 had crossed a broad and rapid river that the enemy attempted to 

 impede our approach. 



Columbo. 



Advancing at daylight, we crossed the great ferry, called Grand 

 Pass, and forming on the other side, moved on, uncertain what recep- 



