to the Court of Candy. 379 
Some of the natives, who had been appointed to look for the 
body of the man we lost the preceding day, found it near 
the spot where he had sunk. Slight rain and thunder at night. 
13th. Marched about eight miles to Cudaviili, the road 
lying along the river in a very agreeable manner. Here we 
encountered a very strong and narrow pass : on our left lay the 
uncommonlj/^ steep banks of the river : our right was skirted 
by hills covered with thick jungle; and in front appeared a 
kind of fort or breast-work which had been thrown up by the 
Cinglese during their rebellion against our government in 1797- 
This entrenchment, if held by an enemy possessed of any de- 
gree of military skill, could not be forced without considerable 
difficulty, as the approach to it is by a deep hollow defile, 
lined on each side with bushes, where troops might easily be 
stationed in such a manner as to annoy the enemy severely with- 
out exposing themselves. We had several sepoys killed and wound- 
ed here at difterent times before the rebellious Cinglese could 
be subdued. A considerable number of years ago, the Dutch had 
about four hundred of their troops surrounded and cut off near 
this spot. Our escort encamped about half a mile beyond the 
pass, in an open plain, nearly surrounded by the river, which 
winds here in a variety of directions. The situation of Cuda- 
viili is delightfully romantic. 
14th. Halted this day. From Columbo we learnt that the 
51st regiment from Madras had arrived there and disembarked 
in order to form part of the garrison. Rain, thunder, and 
lightning at night. 
15th. Marched twelve miles to Gurrawaddi, a very pretty 
place situated in a pleasant and romantic country, with several 
high and steep hills in the neighbourhood. An extensive choul- 
3 c 2 
