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
