Page 76 - The Pirate Coast (By Sir Charles Belgrave)

Both booms and baggalows arc still used in the Persian Gulf.
Darkness fell, and the moon came up over the sea. It was so
bright that Loch was able to watch from afar the manoeuvres of
the enemy ships which were silhouetted against the moon, the
Eden remaining out of sight. The pirates, believing that they had
got away from the British ship, seemed to think that they were
no longer in danger. They began to sing, and to beat their
drums. Meanwhile the Eden crept silently towards them, slipping
through the water with her sails just full on a sea which was so
smooth that there was hardly a ripple. All was so still on board,
that the steps of the officers’ feet walking the quarter-deck was the
only sound that could be heard, apart from the drumming and
chanting of the pirates which came louder over the water as the
Eden approached them. The ship went along as if she knew that
she must exert herself.
The breeze strengthened. The Edcti shot abreast of one of the
pirate ships, which had a captured vessel in tow. She was within
half a musket’s shot distant, when she fired her starboard broad­
side of grape and round shot, with such effect that the pirate had
hardly time to haul the dhow which she had in tow under her
quarter. As the pirate sliip sank, those who could, jumped on
board the prize, cutting her adrift and leaving their comrades to
their fate. Meanwhile the leading pirate vessel, with a dhow in
tow, made all sail before the wind, crossing ahead of the Edciij and
soon ran out of sight.
At daylight, Loch sent the cutter with Moffath and Adey to
take possession of one of the vessels. When they went on board,
they found that the pirates had hidden themselves down below,
but by dint of threats and persuasion, they were induced to come
out from their concealment. There were only thirteen of them,
the rest of the crew must have been drowned. They were taken
on board the Eden ‘and most uncouth, athletic and almost naked
wretches were they’.
‘Never shall I forget the scene that took place when they were
first assisted on to the quarter deck, for they could not themselves
ascend from the boat. They crept, knelt, and prostrated them­
selves, seizing the feet of those who were near them, kissing and
hugging them. They showed all the extravagant misery of
people who expected a most cruel and protracted death. Their
own love of cruelty was such that they considered it totally out
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