History of the Parsis : including their manners, customs, religion and present position : with coloured and other illustrations : in two volumes

CHAP. II] A FRENCH PRIVATEER. 87

the Mauritius the goods would be sold at high prices, as it was the entrepdt whence ships sailed with goods for China; but they could not sail for that island, as English men-of-war and frigates were cruising off Mauritius. There they were taking on provisions and water, and were awaiting the arrival of two frigates from the Bay of Bengal. At the time we sailed from False Bay we sighted something like a frigate entering the river, but where she went we do not know.

“On the 26th November, while we were approaching the Bay of Bengal, a French privateer, carrying fourteen guns, steered towards us. Within the preceding seven days she had captured three English ships, with their captains, officers, and men, numbering one hundred in all, who were put on board an American vessel. The said privateer spoke to us and went away. On the 28th November we anchored off the harbour of the Bay of Bengal, waiting for a pilot to steer us home. On the 2d December a boat came alongside, in which were Captain Macnelance of the ship Waldegrave (on his way from China to Bengal) and Captain Dundas of the Phenix. Both these gentlemen came on board of our ship to ask for something to eat. But there was scarcely anything with us. However, the captain gave them some ham, beef, and biscuits. Captain Macnelance in reply to a question informed me that the first fleet that had sailed from Bombay was safe in China, and the last met him