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228 HISTORY OF the indian naxt.

abjure thoir allegiance, and join the French, but all solicitations
were without eflfect. A new system was then trie'l, which will
ever reflect dishonour on General Decaen. Everything short of
torture that could be devised was put in practice; tiie Sepoys
were forced to perforna dirty work and to endure hardships and
want of provisions. Each morning also they were brought out
and shown the captured Bengal and Madras Sepoys, in French
uniforms, enjoying luxuries, but all was without effect ; persua-
sion was again tried in vain, for the Marines answered by abusing
the traitors, who had forgotten their military oath, and deserted
tlieir colours, and such an effect had their noble example upon
these men, that, at length, overcome with shame, a large body
of them threw down their arms and quitted the ranks. After
this unexpected event, the Bombay marines were confined on
board the hulks and in cells, enduring every hardship until they
were released by the capture of the island in the following
year. On the return of the 'Aurora' to Bombay, the whole of
the preceding details were brought to the notice of Government,
when every man had a handsome medal presented to him
having on one side an inscription, in the native language,
detailing their noble conduct, and, on the reverse, the satne in
English. Each man received promotion of one step, and was
noted for further advancement, and other privileges were con-
ferred, while a Government Order was published paying a high
and just compliment to their fidelity, and stated the rewards
granted to them. This order, moreover, was read at the head
of every Native regiment in the Bombay army, and explained
to the men. These faithful fellows were Concanny Purwarries,
and there can be no doubt that the loyalty they exhibited
against every allurement and threat, was, in no small measure,
due to the good treatment they received at the hands of the
officers of the ' Aurora.'
During the year 1809, Isle Bourbon, which had been aban-
doned after its conquest in the previous September, and Isle-de-
la Passe, a rocky islet about four miles from Grand Port, in
Mauritius, were captured by the British squadron under Com-
modore Rowley ; but the effect of these successes was neutral-
ized by the loss of four British frigates, the ' Nereide,' 'Iphi-
genia,' 'Magicienne,' and ' Sirius,' though Captain Willoughby,
of the ' Nereide,' still further increased his reputation for un-
surpassed gallantry by his brilliant defence of his ship, when
ninety-two men were killed and one hundred and thirty-eight
wounded. These disasters, though they were redeemed by the
stubborn valour shown by the officers and crews of the
vanquished frigates, were yet almost unexampled in our annals,
and their effect was still further increased by the loss of Isle de
la Passe, which the Captain of the ' Iphigenia ' was forced to
surrender with his frigate, and by the capture of the ' Africaine,'