CHAP.  XI.

Being in the Malabar Territories, how they encountred two Men, and what passed between them.  And of their getting safe unto the Dutch Fort.  And their Reception there, and at the Island Manaar, until their Embarking for Columbo.

[They met with two Malabars.  To whom they relate their Condition.] Thus we went on till about three of the Clock afternoon.  At which time coming about a Point, we came up with two Bramins on a sudden, who were sitting under a Tree boyling 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 flee 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 Countrey and pursue us.  So we made a stand, and in the Chingulay Language asked their leave to come near to 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 shewing them our bloody Backs we made them 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 Heaven, often repeating Tombrane which is God in the Malabar Tongue.

[They are courteous to them.] And by their signs we understood they would have us bring our Bags and Axes nearer; which we had no sooner done, but they brought the Rice and Herbs which they had boiled for themselves to us, and bad us eat; which we were not fitted to do, having not long before eaten a hearty Dinner of better fare; yet could not but thankfully accept of their compassion and kindness, and eat as much as we could; and in requital of their courtesie, we gave them some of our Tobacco.  Which after much entreating they did receive, and it pleased them exceedingly.

[But loathe to conduct them to the Hollander.] After these civilities passed on either side, we began by signs to desire them to go with us and shew us the way to the Dutch Fort:  which they were very unwilling to do, saying, as by signs and some few words which we could understand, that our greatest danger was past, and that by Night we might get into the Hollanders Dominions.  Yet we being weary with our tedious