494 JOURNAL, R.A.S. (CEYLON). [VOL. XVII. 



to pass along it ; from which they conclude that our forces 

 could march up the river with great difficulty only and with 

 the loss of many men ; 



Secondly, that all the approaches and passages had been 

 fortified by the enemy and were everywhere occupied by 

 strong guards. 



Thirdly, that in order to get to the open country, they had 

 to cross the river twice, which having been done, they were 

 again obliged to cross the said river over a narrow bridge, 

 which crossing by our forces might there and elsewhere 

 be prevented by the enemy (who was everywhere lying 

 at vantage) with considerable loss on our part. 



Which points and difficulties having been duly weighed, 

 and it having furthermore been considered, that not only 

 can we be prevented from entering the river, but that 

 such entering must in view of the enemy's strength be 

 pronounced utterly impracticable and hopeless, that, on the 

 other hand, the boats must with great labour be dragged 

 overland into the said river, and this done, be rowed up 

 the river for about %\ miles, 



MS.fol 157. 



which would sorely tax the strength of our ships' crews, 

 who are greatly weakening, and of whom many have been 

 disabled through continuous labour ; 



also that, regard being had to the trees and projecting shrub- 

 bery overhanging the river, it would be impossible to tug 

 the boats up the same by means of ropes : 

 that the Portuguese would in the daytime see the said boats 

 and in the night become aware of their presence through 

 the sound of the oars, and fire at them from the brushwood 

 along the river, by which many men would be lost, and the 

 boats would run great risk ; the more so as the path along 

 which the soldiers would have to go does not always follow 

 the river, but at times bends to a considerable distance to 

 landward, so that we should often be unable to protect the 

 boats ; 



