Page 192 - Early English Adventurers in the Middle East_Neat

192 EARLY ENGLISH ADVENTURERS IN THE EAST

Lonthor to fill his water casks. When Courthope found
that his colleague was not to be dissuaded from his
headstrong course by his earnest representations as to
the danger which he would incur in separating from him
at such a time of crisis, he instructed him to proceed to
Rosengyn and establish there a factory which the natives
had expressed their willingness to permit. Davis carried
out this order, entering into an agreement with the island
authorities similar to that concluded by Courthope at
Poolo Roon. He then directed his course to Ceram to a
point where he knew he could obtain water. After a few
days spent at this spot in watering and victualling opera­
tions he started on the return voyage to Poolo Roon. But
he had not proceeded far before he encountered the Dutch
ship Morgenstine with Dedel in command.
A fierce attack was at once delivered by the Hollanders
whose superiority in men and armament was so marked
that the result of the conflict was never seriously in doubt.
In a short space of time many of the small crew were
either killed or wounded by the well sustained fire main­
tained by the Dutch soldiers who crowded the deck of the
Morgenstine. The vessel then fell an easy prize to the
I
Dutch. It was taken in triumph to Neira, the Hollanders
“ much glorying in this victory, showing the Bandanese
their exploit in the great disgrace of the English . . .
saying that the King of England might not compare with
their great King of Holland, and that one Holland ship
.
would take ten of the English ships and that St. George is
now turned child.”
When Courthope heard of the capture of the Swan he
sent the purser of the Defence under a flag of truce to
demand her restitution. As he had probably anticipated,

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