382 
Journal of the Embassy 
message from the Adigar, witii leave to pass the river at the 
time he had appointed. This night we had rain, with thunder 
and lightning. 
19th. About twelve o’clock we struck our tents, and began 
crossing the river. A vast number of Candians flocked doMm 
to the water edge to see our troops, and were not a little 
astonished at the quicknejgs and facility with which we drew 
the guns and artillery waggons over. No such appearance had 
been presented to them for many years before, nor had there 
ever been such heavy metal introduced into their country. 
The ford where we crossed was not more than from three to 
four feet deep, it being then the dry season. The descent 
from our side was so great, that the bullocks were obliged to 
be taken from the waggons, and the troops employed to draw 
the artillery through the water, while the ammunition was 
transported on the heads of the lascars and pioneers attached 
to the guns. We encamped close to the banks of the river 
at Golobodivilli, where is a Candian village, with a choultry, 
and several ranges of buildings erected on purpose for the re- 
ception of the ambassadors and their trains when they repair 
hither to have an interview with the Europeans. The general 
went to the choultry, where he received a visit from the Adi- 
gar, who came preceded by a Candian, carrying the King’s 
letter wrapped up in a white cloth, and bearing it over his 
head ; a mark of profound respect always paid to white, which 
is the royal colour. The General, in return, delivered Gover- 
nor North’s letter to the Adigar. The heat to day was ex- 
cessive ; thermometer at 98°* 
20th. I took the opportunity of our halting this day to go 
to see the ruins of a temple which lay close by our encamp- 
