318 



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



Book II., Chapter VII. 



Amo 1661. 



***** 



[The Dutch had determined to make themselves masters of places on. 

 the Malabar coast ( Cochin, Cranganor, Cananor, and Coylan ) held still by, 

 or for, the Portuguese. The naval force was to rendeizvous at Colombo, 

 before starting for the expedition. The man-of-war the " Red Lion " 

 (ale Boode Leeneo), in which Wouter Schouten served as surgeon, was 

 sent ahead (with the yacht Sluys ) from Batavia, to give timely notice to 

 Adriaen Boothaes, Commandant at Puncto gale. — B., Hon. Sec.] 



HEN everything was ready, and we had taken 

 leave of our friends, on the 12th of August we 

 left Batavia for the fourth time, as already 

 mentioned, for the Cinnamon Island of 

 Ceilon. 



***** 



At last on the 6th of September we came in sight of the 

 green mountains of the Island of Ceilon. On approaching 

 land, however, we found ourselves much to the south of 

 Punto gale. A terrible current ran towards the east, and 

 we were in danger of being driven past Ceilon, and into the 

 Kormandel sea. We just succeeded, however, in finding 

 anchor ground ; we let go from each ship two of the heaviest 

 anchors into a depth of 40 fathoms, and so rode at anchor in 

 a very heavy sea, constantly washed by huge waves that 

 swept the poops. 



Lying about a league from shore, we hoisted the Prince's 

 flag, and fired a cannon shot to let those on shore know that 

 we were Hollanders arrived from Batavia. That day, 

 however, nobody could near us owing to the strong current 

 and the heavy seas. 



The next day, when the force of the current had lessened, 

 the Commanders of the ships thought it expedient to send 

 to shore a sloop manned by a double crew of rowers with 

 a sergeant and soldiers, who were to make for the town of 

 Puncto gale. This plan was immediately put into execution* 



