Page 100 - INDIANNAVYV1

68 HISTORY OF THE INDIAN NA\^".
" three frigates of three masts," and
large sliips, fifteen stout
galivats, in which, besides the Lascars, were seven hundred
picked soldiers. They arrived at Bombay on the 10th of
November, and, after conference with the Council there, joined
the Company's fleet off Kenery, whose ofiBcers, at the same time,
received instructions to be cautious.
Seedee Cossim, having rowed round the island, proposed to
assault it with his own men, if the Company's vessels would
cover the landing; but Captain Keigwin discovered that he
intended to keep it, if carried, and, as Bombay might receive
more detriment from the island being in his possession than that
of Sevajee, evaded giving assistance. On this the Seedee
cannonaded the island from his two ships for several days,
which was returned, but with little effect on either side ; during
this time no firing passed between the Company's fleet and the
island. This wariness confirmed the intelligence the Seedee
had gained concerning the negociations between Bombay and
Sevajee, and, in order to break them off, he sent his galivats in
the night to ravage the neighbouring towns. Dowlet Khan
prepared to come out of Negotan with a numerous convoy, laden
with provisions and ammunition, and all his grabs appeared
one morning at the mouth of the river; but, on the approach of
the English and Mogul fleets from their stations, retired again.
The smaller vessels were then left to block the outlets ; but
the Seedee, fearing his own might be surprised, withdrew them,
and the watch was continued by only two of the Company's.
The Seedee continued firing at Kenery until the 9th Januar}',
1680, when, says Bruce, " without intimating his design to the
English captains, he anchored his fleetatHenery, a smallerneigh-
bouring island, from which it is separated by a shallow channel,
on which he landed men and cannon, and declared his intention
of fortifying it, as a check on Kenery. Four days later, Dowlet
Khan came out, with all his vessels, from the river of Negotan,
and a general engagement ensued, with little damage, for it was
over before the English could take any share in it. Dowlet
Khan then brought guns to a rising ground on the mainland
opposite Henery, against which they fired, and were answered
as well by the Seedee's ships as the guns in the island. This
cannonade continued several days. On the 27th Dowlet Khan
came out again with his whole fleet and engaged the Seedee's
for four hours, until he had lost four grabs, and as many of the
smaller vessels, with five hundred men killed and wounded,
besides the prisoners, and was himself severely wounded. The
Seedee lost no vessels, and had only ten men killed. After the
engagement the grabs, leaving the galivats to guard the
neighbouring rivers, bore away to refit at Rajahpore, which is
one hundred miles to the south of Negotan.
The Bombay Council were, at this time, negotiating a treaty