encamped, must have furnished to agriculturists of former days,
when its precious waters were husbanded and drawn off to fertilise the
surrounding country.

This stupendous monument of the wealth and industry of some former
race is placed on ground slightly elevated above the districts lying
between it and the sea, which, in a direct line, may be distant about
twelve or fourteen miles. We could not ascertain exactly what was the
precise elevation, but, from the remains of trenches, sluices, and
other contrivances for drawing off and distributing the water, it
appeared that the fall in the ground must have been sufficient to
enable the husbandmen to irrigate the fields at pleasure; though, to
our eyes, no inclination could be perceived. The lake itself is now
greatly diminished in extent, from the dilapidations in its "bund," or
retaining embankment, but still it stretches over many square miles of
area. On three sides it is confined by the swelling nature of the
ground, and it is only on the fourth that any extensive artificial
means have been resorted to for confining the water. At this place,
across a flat broad valley, there has been thrown a huge embankment,
constructed chiefly of oblong stones, many of them as big as a sofa,
extending in a zig-zag line for several miles. At some places it rises
to the height of thirty or forty feet, and the courses of stone being
laid above one another with considerable regularity, this great
retaining wall assumes the appearance of a gigantic flight of steps,
and being crowned at top by an irregular line of tall trees, it breaks
the sky-line beyond the lake in a manner extremely picturesque. Here
and there lateral gaps between the hills occur in the other sides, all
of which are filled up with similar embankments.

Near one end of the principal wall we could distinctly trace the ruins
of a considerable tower, beneath which the great tunnel or outlet used
for tapping the lake most probably passed. It is said that some early
European settlers, a century or two ago, impressed with an idea that
treasure was hid in this building, had torn it down to get at the gold
beneath.

CHAPTER XIX.

GRIFFINS IN INDIA--SINBAD'S VALLEY OF DIAMONDS--A MOSQUITO-HUNT.

On the evening of the 18th of November, 1812, we sailed, in his
Majesty's ship Illustrious, from the magnificent harbour of
Trincomalee. In attempting to get out we were sadly baffled by light
shifting winds, which knocke