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JOURNAL, R.A.S. (CEYLON). 



[Vol. XI. 



and Enckhysen* two towards the land Delft and Rotterdam,. 

 with a high wall made of sods about twenty-two feet broad : 

 each bastion had eight guns. There are two ports, the Water 

 Port and the Land Port. Inside there is a castle , protected by 

 two bastions, called Middelburg and Amster dam, huilt of stones 

 to a certain height, and having the rampart above likewise 

 covered with sods. It is surrounded by a ditch, in the middle 

 of which long and pointed palisades are closely fixed. After 

 the conquest of Columbo, however, the fortifications were 

 demolished (saving the stone inner castle), that it should not 

 require such a strong garrison and so much money for its 

 upkeep. 



When the Hollanders appeared before this place [Negombo] 

 the second time the Portuguese might have well prevented 

 their landing and driven them away by cannon and match- 

 locks with very great loss; yet they allowed our people to land 

 unopposed because they were so certain of victory, and in 

 partaking of the holy sacrament had sworn to give no quarter 

 to any Hollander, and not to eat or drink until they had washed 

 their hands in Hollandish blood, and after to try to capture 

 our ships. But God Almighty did not permit their ire to 

 have its way. When we were all ashore we took up a good 

 position, and after prayers had been offered on the field, and 

 the word passed, "God with us," we advanced towards the 

 Portuguese with great courage. Their password was Madore 

 Des.'lf (Mother of God). Then both sides approached each other, 

 and when we halted the Portuguese some 900 strong, fired the 

 first volley, which killed 30 of our men and wounded 50. There- 

 upon we, but 300 in number, fired in return, and at the command 

 of our officers began to use our swords (for it is usual with the 

 Hollanders when they go into action to carry short swords, 

 broad and curved). The Portuguese were attacked with 

 such fury, that within a short time about 700 were slain, and 

 the rest took to their heels. One of the Hollanders, a captain 



* EnTilmizen (Dutch ed.). 

 j Madre de Dios (Dutch ed.). 



