Page 541 - INDIANNAVYV1

HISTORY OF THE INDIAX NAVY. 509
the object of his cruise, and, between that date and the 30tli of
He says in his journal —
May, shipped tliirty negro boys. :
" May 8th. Entered for the Service seven boys, rated them
He informed me that he was the
whom I communicated the object of mj yisit.
Imaum's vakeel from Keelwar to Ibo, where the Portuguese Grovernment
commences. He assured me he would do all in his power to assist me—that at
Lindej, where he resides, he could insure me all that I required, and that he
would return after two or tlireo days. In this he failed ; but as I saw not the
least chance of getting to Mozambique or Madagascar, I was fain to endeavour to
obtain the object of the voyage at Lindej, in prosecution of which I bore up for
that river on the' 27tli of April, having procured a pilot at Mickindamy,(a)
where we ancliored for the niglit.
" Next day, tlie 28th, arrived at Lindej ; found here a whaler, the ' Ann
Elizabeth,' nineteen months from London. Commenced filling witli wood and
water, of both of whicih there is abundance. May the 1st, the master of tiie
whaler having applied to me for assistance, his crew being unruly, two having
deserted, and two refusing dutj, sent an otlicer on board to harangue them into
better order, and to threaten punishment (having apprehended tiie two deserters
through the Sheikli, who liad returned from Toonga, and sent tiicm on board).
On tliis daj received a visit from the Slieikli and his brother, Mahommed bin
Easser; saluted him with tliree guns. On conferring with liim, he agreed to do
all in his power towards our wishes. May the 3nd, found it necessary from the
stay we were likely to make at this place to put tlie crew on half allowance of
biscuits and flour. May the 3rd, having anotlier application from tiie master
of the ' Ann Eiizabetli,' as also from two men— foreigners—to do them justice,
tlie master came on board with them. He wishecl to discliarge tbem (they
volunteering for the 'Clive'), they refusing their duty, and using threatening
language ; but the sliip being short of hands, he could not spare tlicm, though
apprehensive of bad conduct at sea. I agreed, much to his satisfaction, to let
him have one volunteer from tlie ' Clive' in lieu of tiie malcontents, and tiiis, I
trust, will meet witli tlie ajjprobation of Sir Charles Malcolm, Superintendent, as
I liad nothing in view but the furtlierance of the Service. May the 4th, one of
the original deserters having again deserted and given himself up on board the
I sent for the master and crew of the
' Clive,' ' Ann Eiizabetli,' and punished
the deserter with three dozen lashes for frequent desertions and refusing his
duty.
" May the 5th. I went with a party of ofncei-s and men, in tiie launch, with
the intention of opening a communication with the natives for supplies, and to
explore the country. We had arms in the boat ; liaving proceeded twelve or
fifteen miles up the river, we remained for the night in the boat, and in tiie
morning landed, liaving but four muskets, and the men with cutlasses, not
wishing to alarm them by appearing in force. After walking about four or live
miles to the top of a hill, we came to some of the habitations of the natives, but
tlie most of them lied at our approach. On our talking with an old man, and
explaining what we wanted, lie appeared satisfied, and conducted mytclf and
some of the men to tlie top of the lull where the country was well cultivated and
populous ; but meeting with a party of twelve or fifteen men, they threatened us
from some high groves, into which they had immediately jumped on seeing us,
that they would let fly their arrows if we did not go away ; and as no explanation
would satisfy tbem—they being concealed from our view—wo retired, but on
joining the rest of the party, that had remained half-way down the hill, at the
first houses, we were attacked by between forty and fifty with bows and arrows,
spears, and large stones, which latter they threw with unerring aim. I w-as
extremely loath to fire at these poor creatures until 1 was struck several times
with stones, all the time begging them to desist, and that we wouKl go away.
But finding they gathered boldness on my clemency, and having received a
severe contusion on the head, I fired, and brought tiicir chief down. On this
they again rushed up to the rear of our party, and nothing but pointing the
(a) Probably IVIizimbary.