had; but went to eat from house to house, each house taking its turn.
On the 16th of September 1660, my father and I were placed in a town called Bonder Coswat. The situation was very pleasing and commodious, lying about thirty miles to the northward of the city of Kandy, in the country called Hotkorle [? Hewarrisse Korle], and distant from the rest of our people a full day's journey. We were removed hither from another town nearer to the city of Kandy, where the nobles at Court supposing that the King would call for us, had placed us to have us ready.
Being thus brought to Bonder Coswat; the people put it to our choice, which house we would have to reside in. The country being hot, and their houses dark and dirty; my father chose an open house; having only a roof, but no walls: wherein they placed a cot or bedstead with a mat only upon it for him, which in their account is an extraordinary lodging; and for me, a mat on the ground.
Money at that time was very low with us. For although we wanted not for opportunity to send for what we would have brought unto us from the ship; yet fearing we should be plundered of it, we sent not for anything save a pillow for my father. For we held it a point without dispute, that they that made prisoners of our bodies would not spare to take our goods: my father also alleging that he had rather his children at home should enjoy them.
But to make amends for that; we had our provisions brought us without money, and that twice a day, so much as we could eat and as good as their country yielded. To wit, a pot of good rice, and three dishes of such things as with them are accounted good cheer; one always either flesh, fish or eggs, but not overmuch of this dish; the other dishes, herbs, pumpkins or such like, one of which was always made sour.
The first year that we were brought to this town; this part of the land was extraordinarily sickly with agues and fevers, whereof many people died: insomuch that many times we were forced to remain an hungry; there being none well enough either to boil or bring victuals unto us.
We had with us a Practice of Piety, and Master ROGER'S Seven Treatises called The Practice of Christianity. With which
