The Pirates of Malabar, and an Englishwoman in India Two Hundred Years Ago by John Biddulph
page 30 of 246 (12%)
page 30 of 246 (12%)
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ran below at the sight of the white faces. His crew followed his example,
and the vessel was taken almost without resistance. So rich a prize was not to be relinquished without a very complete search. For a whole week the _Gunj Suwaie_ was rummaged from stem to stern, while the crew of the _Fancy_ indulged in a horrible orgy, excited beyond measure by the immense booty that had fallen into their hands. Several of the women threw themselves into the sea or slew themselves with daggers; the last piece of silver was sought out and carried on board the _Fancy_, the last jewel torn from the passengers and crew, and then the _Gunj Suwaie_ was left to find its way to Surat as it best could. The vials of long-accumulated wrath were poured out on the English. Instigated by Abdul Guffoor, the populace of Surat flew to arms to wreak vengeance on the factory. The Governor, Itimad Khan, was well disposed to the English, but popular excitement ran so high that he found it difficult to protect them. Guards were placed on the factory to save it from plunder. A mufti urged that the English should be put to death in revenge for the death of so many true believers, and quoted an appropriate text from the Koran. Soon came an order from Aurungzeeb directing the Seedee to march on Bombay, and for all the English in Surat and Broach to be made prisoners. President Annesley and the rest, sixty-three in all, were placed in irons, and so remained eleven months. To make matters worse, news arrived of Every having captured the _Rampura_, a Cambay ship with a cargo valued at Rs.1,70,000. "It is strange," wrote Sir John Gayer, "to see how almost all the merchants are incensed against our nation, reproaching the Governor extremely for taking our part, and as strange to see that notwithstanding all, he stems the stream against them more than well |
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