Storia do Mogor 276.6

276.6

The king, aware that the Portuguese would come to no terms and meant to continue their attacks, sent secret overtures to the Dutch, who at the time were actually at war with the Portuguese, promising that if they would come and make war he would assist them. In effect, they did come with a fleet of twelve vessels, under a Dutch captain of sea and war called Riclof, manned by six thousand Europeans, mostly of French nationality, commanded by a general named Tuf de Barbon, a Dutchman, and other valiant leaders, such as Arriam Vandermuis Coquinto, and others like him. With the help of the king [of Ceylon] they took some places and fortresses from the Portuguese. Finally they occupied the town of Colombo, the principal fortified place within the island. But both sides lost heavily before it was reduced. It surrendered in the year 1656, on the 12th May, and to this day [? 1699] it is held by the Dutch. A few months before the Portuguese lost these territories there were signs from heaven, for it rained blood in various places. The blood congealed in pieces the size of cowries, and from it came insects with wings, which, if they touched any animal — a buffalo, cow, goat, or human being — it at once fell dead. This plague lasted some days. There were other portents, such as the falling of fire from heaven, which burnt woods, villages, and houses in many directions.