AT SEA. 333 
late Commandants, who speaks Malabar, Portuguese, Cingalese, and 
a little English, and who, aa servant to Captain Purdon, would have 
more authority over the boatmen than my lascaryns. I had also a 
guard of sepoys. Our boats were small, but rowed well ; our boys 
stout, and very fine figures. They exerted themselves to the 
utmost, and when the breeze would permit, hoisted sail ; but it was 
generally against us, being the sea-breeze. Our course was north up 
the lagune, which is filled with islands, mostly covered with wood. 
It v/as no where so deep but the man at the head could reach the 
bottom with his bamboo ; generally about six or seven feet of it was 
sufficient. I cannot but believe, from the appearance of the sand- 
bank that forms the outer boundary of the lagune, that this was 
formerly a part of the ocean. The lagune will probably soon be filled 
up, and the sea itself may be driven, by these gradual encroachments, 
to a still greater distance. Tradition speaks of very extensive 
tracts, which have been carried away from the Eastern shore of the 
island, either by the effect of the monsoon, or by some violent con- 
cussion. At present no further encroachment seems likely, for the 
Eastern coast is composed of rocks, and the hills near the shore 
are lofty, and of the most durable materials. At four we came 
to, at a flat jungly spot on the main land. A fisherman's hut was 
at a small distance, whence the rowers procured some articles for 
themselves. At eight the land breeze set in, and we departed with 
it. My bed was laid at the bottom of the boat, which being uneven, 
rendered me very uncomfortable. I lay in my cloaths. dressing 
gown, and a boat cloak, and had two shawls over me, yet the cold 
was so intense that I could hardly sleep, the ends of the boat being 
ill closed up with dry palmira leaves. The men however slept on 
