Indian Antiquary Vol 49

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple, Devadatta Ramkrishna Bhandarkar
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 61

APRIL, 1020 ]
EPISODES OF PIRACY IN THE EASTERN SEAS
EPISODES OF PIRACY IN THE EASTERN SEAS, 1519 TO 1851.
BY 8. CHARLES HILL.
XX. THE STORY OF THE CASSANDRA, 1720-1723. No. 97. Letter from Richard Lazinby.
(Continued from p. 42.) "Three days after they left the island they arrived off from Tellicherry where they took a small vessel belonging to Governor Adams, 31 John Fawke Master, whom they brought on board very drunk. He having heard of my misfortune, enquired for me, having been acquainted with him in my former voyage to Bengal in the Duke of Cambridge. He began presently to tell me that my old Captain Macrae was fitting out after them, at which nows the Quarter Master told me to prepare, for the next day, he swore, he would hang me like a dog as I was, not doubting, he said, but if I was cleared from them, I would take the first opportunity to come and fight against them as Captain Maorae had, who, they said, like a villain as he was, they had used so civilly in giving him a ship to carry him from Johanna, and swore for the future, if in his power, he would carry the Masters and Offioers of all ships they ever overpowered, to plague them like dogs as they were to abuse oivillity. They then proceeded to Calicut, where they endeavoured to take a large Moor ship out of the Road, but were intercepted by some guns that were mounted on shore. I was down below as usual, thinking the story Captain Fawke told them was forgot, but, unknown to me, the Captain and Quarter Master were so malicious to order me to the Braces on the Booms in hopes I should be shot. When they got clear of the Road they called me up to know the reason why I was not on desk according to their order. I replied I had no business there at the time, entreating to be put on shore. The Quarter Master answered that if ever he knew me off the deck in time of action, he would shoot me through the head. I told him 'twas better directly to do it than keep me in misery there, at which he begged the Captain to correct me for my impudence, he being lame of his hands. According to his desire, he fetched his oane and began to belabour me unmeroifully, which some of their people seeing came to hinder him and said he might be ashamed to abuse me in such manner for nothing, saying they would do their endeavour to have me put on shore at Cochin with Captain Fawke. The next day in their passage down, came up with a Dutoh galliet bound for that place with limestone. They sent their boat on board with Captain Fawke, which the forementioned people seeing, came to the Captain and told him he might as well then let me go as not, and pressed it very hard, but the Captain's answer was that if they had a mind to overset their proceedings by letting a dog go, who had heard their designs and resolutions for the ensuing year, they might, but he would never consent to it. Abundanoe of the Captain's party also objected against it, which occasioned a strong debate, and so far enraged the Captain that he swore if I Font he would have a limb of me first to his share. He likewise added that my going there might be a hindrance of their having a supply from the Dutch.
"Captain Fawke was sent away in the Galliot. The next day they arrived off Cochin, where by a fishing canoe they sent a letter on shore, and, in the afternoon with the seabreezo ran into the Road, where they anchored, saluting the Fort with eleven guns each ship, the Fort returning their salute, gun for gun. At night there came on board a large
31 Robert Adams, Chief of the Company's factory at Calicut, and later of Tellichern