;N0, 40.— 1890.] ACCOUNT OF CEYLON. 



331 



Negumbo fell a second time into our hands by the skill of 

 Heer Francoys Caron, and has since remained with us. 



From Negumbo our people crossed the river Chylauiv, and 

 proceeded through the thinly inhabited district of Medampe, 

 where there is no cinnamon, but plenty of buffaloes ; 

 and beyond through the districts of Putelaon, the Wannias, 

 .Jaffanapatnam, passing on the way the Islands of Cal- 

 pentyn, Caredive, Manaer* and the others which lie to the 

 north of A darn's Bridge. 



Between Calpentyn, a poor and barren spot, and Manaer, 

 lie the banks, which were formerly called "the Pearl Banks 

 of Manaer"; but after fishing there a few years, the pearl 

 fishery has been carried on to the westward near Tutecoryn. 



The Island of Manaer is supposed to have been formerly 

 united with the mainland of India, for between the two 

 there lies Adam's Bridge, of which we have already 

 spoken. 



This Island was for a great many years in the hands of the 

 Portuguese, but about the year 1658 it fell under the blessed 

 rule of the Honourable Company. The Portuguese en- 

 deavoured with a large force and by entrenching themselves 

 to prevent the landing of our people. But when the illustrious 

 Heer Rycklof van Goens, with nine ships and 1,500 valiant 

 men, approached the place, he trained all his ships, fully 

 armed with heavy cannon, broadside on to the shore. Soon 

 they belched out shot and grape. Meanwhile our men bravely 

 pushed ashore in sloops and boats, despite the sturdy 

 opposition of the Portuguese, and rushed like heroes against 

 the glittering sabres, shot, and death-dealing cannon of the 

 enemy. Here the fight was very severe. Anthonio Amiral 

 de Meneses, the Portuguese Governor, and Anthonio Mendes, 

 a brave captain, and other gallant men were killed by our 

 shot. Finally the enemy fled, with the greatest part of their 

 force, to Jaffanapa tn am, trusting themselves no longer to 

 the fortress of Manaer. The small garrison, which stood out 

 after receiving the fire from our mortars, heavy grenades, 

 and great shot, surrendered unconditionally, including 



8—93 C 



