Jon Hagadorn

But now they hoped to fly at high game, and Avery was as well pleased at this reinforcement to strengthen them for any brave enterprise, and though the booty must be lessened to each by being divided into so many shares, yet he found out an expedient not to suffer by it himself as shall be shown in its place.

having consulted what was to be done, they resolved to sail out together upon a cruise, the galley, and the two sloops.

They therefore fell to work to get the sloops off, which they soon effected, and steered towards the Arabian coast, near the river Indus.

The man at the masthead spied a sail, upon which they gave chase, and as they came nearer to her they perceived her to be a tall ship, and fancied she might be a Dutch East India man homeward bound.

But she proved to be a better prize.

When they fired at her to bring to, she hoisted mogul's colors, and seemed to stand upon her defense.

Avery only cannonaded at a distance, and some of his men began to suspect that he was not the hero they took him for.

However, the snoops made use of their time, and coming one on the bow and the other on the quarter of the ship, clapped her on board, and entered her, upon which she immediately struck her colors and yielded.

She was one of the great mogul's own ships, and there were in her several of the greatest persons of his court, among whom, it was said, was one of his daughters, who were going up on a pilgrimage to Mecca.

The Mohammedans, thinking themselves obliged once in their lives to visit that place, and they were carrying with them rich offerings to present at the shrine of Muhammad.

It is known that the eastern people traveled with utmost magnificence, so that they had with them all their slaves and attendants, their rich habits and jewels, with vessels of gold and silver, and great sums of money to defray the charges of their journey by land.

Wherefore the plunder got by this prize is not easily computed.

having taken all the treasure on board their own ships, and plundered the prize of everything else they either wanted or liked, they let her go, she not being able to continue her voyage, returned back.

As soon as the news came to the mogul, and he knew that they were English who had robbed him, he threatened loud, and talked of sending a mighty army with fire and sword to extirpate the English from all their settlements on the Indian coast.

the East India Company in England were very much alarmed at that.

However, by degrees, they found means to pacify him by promising to do their endeavors to take the robbers and deliver them into his hands.

However, the great noise this thing made in Europe, as well as India, was the occasion of all those romantic stories which were formed of Avery's greatness.

In the meantime, our successful plunderers agreed to make the best of their way back to Madagascar, intending to make that place their magazine or repository for all their treasure, and to build a small fortification there, and leave a few hands always assured to look after it, and defend it from any attempts of the natives.

But Avery put an end to this project, and made it altogether unnecessary.

As they were steering their course, it has been said, he sends a boat on board each of the sloops, desiring the chief of them to come on board of him, in order to hold a council.