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HISTORY OP THE INDIAN NAVY, 207

forty-four guns, Captain Pakenbam, and the Company's
frigate ' Bombay,' commanded by Lieutenant Henry Frost,
anchored off the fort of Coupang, in Timor, the principal settle-
ment of the Dutch who had conquered the island from the Por-
tuguese in 1613. In answer to a summons to surrender Fort Con-
cordia, a strong place having a large garrison, the Dutch Governor*
at once gave up the fort, which was occupied by the marines
from the ships. Lieutenant Frost, and the surgeon and purser
of the ' Resistance,' were appointed Commissioners to receive
over the island, and it was settled that they should meet the
Dutch delegates at the Council House near the fort. In the
meantime, a conspiracy had been formed by some native chiefs,
the object of which was to murder the English Commissioners
and seize the fort. It was never proved that the Governor was
privy to this plot ; ho denied all knowledge of it, and attributed
it to one of his sons, who was married to the daughter of a Malay
chief and tacitly acknowledged his participation by abscond-
ing when the scheme was providentially frustrated. However
this may be, on the day appointed, the British Commissioners,
anticipating no treachery', quitted the fort and proceeded to the
place of assembly, where they awaited the advent of their Dutch
colleagues. There was no suspicion of foul play until, in place
of the Commissioners, they only saw the scowling faces of armed
Malays ; but, at length, Lieutenant Frost apprehending the
treachery that was brewing, suddenly quitted the Council
House, and the signal for the massacre not having been given,
passed through the crowd in safety. He had nearly reached
the fort when the attack commenced ; the surgeon was killed,
and the purser only escaped with his life through the kindness
of an old woman who concealed him. Lieutenant Frost owed
his escape to his having taken the precaution to station at the
bridge of the fort, a havildar (or native sergeant) and six
marines, who behaved with great gallantry. As he neared
the bridge the signal was given, and a rush took place, but he
just managed to enter the fort. ]\Ieantimc the pressure at the
bridge was tremendous, but the havildar and marines nobly
defended it, and kept the crowd at bay until succour arrived,
and the fort guns opened fire upon the dense mob, who were
relieve her ; meantime Captain Pakenliam had sailed for Aniboyna, snul fell in
with the ' Bombay' on the voyage. After relltting at Amboyna, the ' Kesistance'
sailed to Booroo and Banda, and her last service alloat was the dispersion of
several pirate craft in the Straits of Banea, where she met with the terrible
catastrophe already mentioned. James places the total loss at three hundred and
thirty -two souls.
* This was the governor who had displayed great hospitality towards Captains
Bligh and Edwards, and the people that remained of the ' Bounty' and ' Pandora,'
for which he received a splendid testimonial from the British Government, lie
had also been equally hospitable towards Captain MeClucr, and the ollicers and
crews of the ' Panther' and 'Endeavour' during their stay tliere in the early part
of 1792.