Page:An English Garner Ingatherings from Our History and Literature (Volume 1 1877).pdf/429

 Chapter XI.

''Being in the Malabar territories; how they encountered two men, and what passed between them. And of their getting safe unto the Dutch fort; and their reception there, and at the Island of Manaar; until their embarking for Colombo.''

Thus we went on till about three o'clock in the afternoon. At which time, coming about a point, we came up with two Brahmins on a sudden; who were sitting under a tree, boiling rice. We were within forty paces of them. When they saw us they were amazed at us; and as much afraid of us, as we were of them. Now we thought it better policy to treat with them, than to fly from them: fearing they might have bows and arrows, whereas we were armed only with axes in our hands, and knives by our sides; or else that they might raise the country and pursue us. So we made a stand, and in the Cingalese language, asked their leave to come near and treat with them, but they did not understand it: but being risen up, spake to us in the Malabar tongue, which we could not understand. Then, still standing at a distance, we intimated our minds to them by signs, beckoning with our hand: which they answered in the same language.

Then offering to go towards them, and seeing them to be naked men, and no arms near them; we laid our axes upon the ground with our bags: lest we might scare them, if we had come up to them with those weapons in our hands; and so went towards them with only our knives by our sides.

By signs with our hands, showing them our bloody backs; we made understand whence we came, and whither we were going: which when they perceived, they seemed to commiserate our condition, and greatly to admire at such a miracle which GOD had brought to pass; and as they talked one to another, they lifted up their hands and faces towards