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 And so all revolted, and came back to the King again: whilst he only lay still upon his mountain. The King needed not to take care to catch or execute the rebels, for they themselves out of their zeal to him and to make amends for what was past; imprisoned and killed all they met, the plunder being their own. This continued for eight or ten days.

Which the King hearing of, commanded to kill no more: but that whom they took, they should imprison until examination was passed: which was not so much to save innocent persons from violence as that he might have the rebels; to torment them and make them confess their confederates. For he spared none that appeared guilty. Some to this day lie chained in prison; being sequestered from all their estates, and beg for their living.

One of the most notable rebels, called AMBOM WELLARAUL; he sent to Colombo to the Dutch to execute; supposing they would invent new tortures for him, beyond what he knew of: but they—instead of executing him—cut off his chains, and entertained him kindly; and there he is still in the city of Colombo, they reserving him for some designs they may hereafter have against that country.

The King could not but be sensible but that it was his rigorous government that had occasioned this rebellion: yet he amended it not in the least; but on the contrary, like to REHOBOAM, added yet more to the people's yoke.

And being thus safely reinstated in his kingdom again: and observing that the life of his son gave encouragement to the rebellion; he resolved to prevent it for the future by taking him away: which upon the next opportunity he did by poisoning him [pretending to send physic to cure him, when he was sick].

But one thing there is, that argues him guilty of imprudence and horrible ingratitude: that most of those that went along with him when he fled, of whose loyalty he had such ample experience, he has since cut off; and that with extreme cruelty too.

In the month of February, 1666; there appeared in this country another comet or stream in the west; the head end under the horizon, much resembling that which was seen in England in December, 1680. The sight of this did much