BO OT A N. 
117 
village was also abandoned; and no magic exhibition could display a 
more sudden and striking change of scene. In an instant the whole 
plain, and the rice fields, were covered with an innumerable host; 
every bank and bush gave up their proportion, which much exceeded 
even the numbers that rushed from the houses and from behind the 
walls: yet on the part of the victors there was no pursuit; from whence 
I concluded, that an unmolested egress was the stipulation made in the 
parley between the Raja’s troops and the enemy. Yet some groups of 
the latter retreated slowly, making many pauses, that shewed the re¬ 
luctance with which they submitted to this defeat. Before sunset, each 
of the villages was evacuated by the enemy, except two houses in the 
western village, of which a party still held possession, and declared 
they would never yield themselves prisoners, nor accept of any other 
terms than a free and uninterrupted retreat. 
About an hour after the flight of the rest, we saw these houses 
surrounded by the Raja’s troops, but still occupied by these resolute 
rebels. We walked through the villages, and saw few marks of dis¬ 
order. The women, -children, and pigs, were enjoying full and quiet 
possession. The houses were in no respect damaged, except that a 
great number of impressions had been made by musquetry on their 
walls. There were not many lives lost in the contest; a few men were 
made prisoners, some badly wounded, and several horses taken. Thus 
ended this long conflict, which impressed on us, a very mean idea of 
their military accomplishments, whatever other qualifications they 
may boast. ; 
The Booteeas are a. strong and hardy race, by no means deficient in 
