NO. 41.— 1890.] REBELION DE CEYLAN. 



Batecalou, and many other strongholds, redoubts, and castles 

 of less size and armament scattered over the Island, so that 

 the Portuguese nation appeared to be the absolute master 

 of it. 



Already menaced from every direction, and fighting for the 

 existence and freedom of his kingdom, as he had done up 

 till then for the supreme lordship of Ceylan, the Candian 

 king took up arms against the Portuguese and commenced 

 hostilities on the frontiers, devastating the outlying lands, 

 with all the rancour and impetus of a declared enemy. To 

 repair this injury Constantino de Sa went in person to the 

 rescue with wonderful swiftness and with very little over 

 five hundred Portuguese, and compelling the idolater to 

 retire, the war was openly declared, which began with the 

 year [1]627 with great animosity and fury on the part of 

 both nations. 



It is probable that about this time the King of Gandia had 

 bought over the fidelity of the four Zingalas of Columbo, 

 who were the ringleaders (as we will tell further on) of 

 those who were conspiring against the General. Constantino 

 de Sa had foreseen this. In a letter he wrote to His Majesty 

 from Columbo on the 3rd December, [1]626, upon the break- 

 ing out of the war with the king of Gandia, were these 

 words : — 



But it is certain, according to what has reached the ears of the 

 most experienced in this Island, that if the king of Candia breaks 

 out he will not be without favour with those natives who are obedient 

 to your Majesty. 



And by other conjectures it appears that the traitors delayed 

 the execution of their evil plans for three years after they 

 had conceived them and arranged with the Candian. But 

 they were so slowly and so secretly hatched, with such cun- 

 ning and caution, that these very same men were those who 

 showed themselves most ready and obedient to the General, 

 who took them into his favour and confidence, by which 

 means it appeared that he had insured their fidelity ; for 

 whatever they knew or thought in their heart of hearts 

 never once made itself known. On the Portuguese side it 



