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

CHAP. 11] CAPTURED BY THE FRENCH. 81

Brunswick and took charge of her. The French manof-war and the frigate sailed towards the south of Ceylon. On their way they met an American vessel, which spoke of five British ships as cruising about the Mauritius. The French squadron thereupon followed us and overtook us on the 29th.

“When the French captured us they inquired of us where the James Drummond and Cambrian had proceeded, and were told that they and the Brunswick and Sarah had started with the intention of sailing for China. There were some French prisoners on board the Prime, who were sent to the Mauritius. In consequence of this information the French manof-war and the frigate stayed at Ceylon for a further period of about fifteen days. There was no water on the Brunswick. The French, however, supplied water. A sealed letter was delivered to the French captain, with verbal instructions to open it when parting their company, and to follow the directions therein given.

“In latitude 22 degrees, longitude 78, we sighted eleven English ships on the 9th August. The weather was then cloudy and the distance at which we saw them great. The wind was blowing very hard, and owing to the clouds one ship could not be distinguished from the other. One vessel, however, came forward and made a signal, to which the French did not reply. The Brunswick was signalled, however, to continue her course. The English and French

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