THE ISLAND OF CEYLON. 
05 
determined to display a desperate courage when it was now 
too late. The Malay troops alone kept up any appearance 
of discipline. Even they, however, were led away by the 
contagious example of the rest ; and several of them in con- 
cert with the jacobin party among the Dutch, attacked the 
Governors house, and fired into it with an intent to kill 
him ; crying aloud, that he had betrayed them and sold 
them to the English. Nor was it without much difficulty 
that these mutineers were compelled to evacuate the fort, 
and ground their arms. 
It was grateful to the heart of a Briton to behold the 
steady conduct and excellent discipline of our troops on this 
occasion, when contrasted with the riotous and shameful con- 
duct of the Dutch soldiers. An officer who was an eye- 
witness, assured me that the Dutch soldiers went so far as 
even to strike at our men with their muskets, calling them 
insulting and opprobrious names, and even spitting upon 
them as they passed. This behaviour entirely corresponded 
with their former cowardice, and was equally despised by our 
countrymen. I have often since conversed on the subject 
with the Malay officers, who seemed to have embraced en- 
tirely the same sentiments with regard to it. They were all 
highly disgusted with the pusillanimous conduct of the Dutch, 
particularly in the affair at the Grand Pass, where they left 
them without any assistance to fight by themselves. Their 
contempt for their former masters, and their admiration of 
the valour of our troops, has served to render the Malays 
