PUTLAM. 
the jungle to some fresh-water lakes. My men were completely ex- 
hausted, and obliged to stop every ten minutes. I here quitted 
the island, and got on the main land. The great lagune was in full 
view, and on one side of it the fort of Putlam. Some boys from a 
village assisted me, and I arrived safe about four o'clock, having 
been eight hours in coming twenty miles. Captain Purdon, who 
commands, met me at a short distance, and conducted me to a 
small house built of cocoa leaves, close to the edge of the water, on 
the outside of the fort, but protected by a breast-work, and pali- 
sade extending from it. The fort is tolerably strong, but out of re- 
pair ; economy would not permit it to be put into condition, were it 
of more importance than it really is. The garrison consists of sixty 
Malays, without an European, which is however perfectly sufficient 
to prevent the natives from making any use of the numerous salt 
pans in the neighbourhood. The country still continues flat and 
marshy, consequently extremely unhealthy. The jungle- fever is 
frequent. The late commandant, Captain 0'Connel,died of it, and the 
want of medical assistance ; there being no surgeon nearer than Kal- 
petty on the extremity of the island opposite. Captain Purdon has 
had the fever, but cured himself by large doses of laudanum and 
bark. He administered the same to several of his men with equal 
success, and declares that he has never found it fail. At present there 
is no bark in the stores. Major Beaver was also cured by a native 
medical man. The inhabitants here are Malabars. The head-man, 
and the chiefs of casts, came to pay their respects, and present their 
usual offering of limes. The first was a very fine figure, in the coast 
dress, with a sword by his side given by Mr. North. 
I now learnt that the rains had so completely flooded the 
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