NO. 41.— 1890.] KEBELION DE CEYLAN. 



597 



advance. But by this time it had got dark, and the General 

 presumed that during this cessation the barbarians would 

 not dare to attack before the traitors had given the signal for 

 the declaration of rebellion. With this misgiving, after 

 seeing his own men placed in the very centre of all, he 

 spoke to them in words like these : — 



My friends and comrades ! You are now aware of a conspiracy of 

 traitors. It came late to our knowledge, because there is nothing so easy 

 as to deceive a loyal heart. The only remedy we have is in God's 

 hands, to whom we ought to pray first of all, and then our constancy 

 and steady resolution will not fail us in the last extremity. I confess 

 that great is the peril of the present moment ; but the greater the 

 danger the greater will be your courage. The memory of the many 

 victories we have gained over these barbarians should verily, comrades, 

 give us hope. These are the same enemies whose backs we have so often 

 seen : they fight with numbers on their side ; but we have valour. 

 Heaven, whose cause we fight for, will not forsake us, inasmuch as we 

 have always found it favourable. Unless we had experience of the 

 cowardice of these barbarians, it was sufficient demonstration of it to 

 see how their princes make use of traitors to carry out their plans. It 

 shames me to think that, for the space of even a night, they should be 

 allowed to remain in our midst ; for there is nothing more hateful to the 

 good than evil companionship. But the light will soon come which will 

 separate us from this contagion, and then we shall be able to distinguish 

 the traitor from the obedient, the infamous from the faithful. If God 

 spares my life, I hope that there will be no rewards wanting for some 

 and punishments for others. With this fervent wish I give you my word 

 not to forsake you. Here you see your General, your friend, and your 

 comrade : may he be a refuge to you in this great peril. These bar- 

 barians will not delay more than beyond the night their attack on us, 

 nor the traitors in leaving us. It is better that we should give up all 

 but our arms, for we shall be the lighter to use them and less impeded 

 for whatever might happen. We shall only reserve a little rice sufficient 

 to last us two days, and just enough to be carried in the girdle : the rest 

 will be given to the flames ; for should we come out conquerors, what 

 greater riches do you require than victory? If, with all, God will be 

 served by the triumph of our enemies, we shall find the greatest 

 happiness in so honourable a death ; since we shall die so gloriously, 

 doing our duty for the service of our religion and our king. 



The faithful with great alacrity obeyed their General, and 

 with great protestations and oaths swore to die by his side. 

 After this they immediately made a pile of everything they 

 had brought with them for their food and comfort and put 



