the northern ports belonging to the Dutch: which road, we judged led also towards Manaar, a Dutch northern port also, which was the place that we endeavoured to get to; it lying about two or three days' journey distant from us. But in this road there was a Watch laid which must be passed. Where this Watch was placed, it was necessary for us punctually [precisely] to know, and to endeavour to get a sight of it: and if we could do this, our intent was to go unseen by night—the people being then afraid to travel—and being come up to the Watch, to slip aside into the woods, and so go on until we were passed it; and then to strike into the road again. But this project came to nothing, because I could not without suspicion and danger, go and view this Watch; which lay some four or five miles below this plain: and so far I could not frame any business to go.
But several inconveniences we saw here, insomuch that we found it would not be safe for us to go down in this road. For if we should have slipped away from them by night; in the morning, we should be missed: and then most surely, they would go that way to chase us; and, ten to one, overtake us, being but one night before them. Also we knew not whether or not, it might lead us into the country of the Malabar Prince; of whom we were much afraid.
Then resolving to let the great road alone, we thought of going right down through the woods, and steer our course by the sun and moon; but the ground being so dry, we feared we should not meet with water. So we declined that counsel also.
Thus being in doubt, we prayed to God to direct us, and to put it into our heads which way to take. Then, after a consultation between ourselves, all things considered, we concluded it to be the best course to go back to Malwatta Oya; the river that we had well viewed, and that lay in our way as we came hither.
