io6 WESTERN H I N D O O S T A N. 



Gallivats. GaUlvats are large row boats, built like the Grabs, but do not 



exceed feventy tons. The larger carry fix or eight cannons, 

 from two to four pounders: the lefTer only pettcraroes : but 

 both are furniilied with forty or fifty ftout oars, which are rowed 

 at the rate of four miles an hour : both Grabs and Galliiats are 

 crowded with men. Eight or ten of the latter, and forty or 

 fifty of the former, compofe Angrla^ principal fleet for attack- 

 ing fliips of force. They fcruple not to make prize of every one 

 which does not condefcend to purchafe their palTports. 



As foon as they defcry a fail they flip from port, and fail as 

 faft as the wind : or, if it is calm, foon reach the object with 

 their oars : the Gallivats taking the Grabs in tow. They then 

 alT^mble on the ilern of the chace within cannon fhot, and at- 

 tempt to difmaft her. As foon as they fucceed, they furround 

 and batter her on all fides. If the fhip makes an obftinate de- 

 fence, a number of Gallivats, with two or three hundred men 

 in each, board her fword in hand from all quarters, and in the 

 fame inftant. I am obliged to Mr. Orme's claflical hiftory for 

 this account. 



This coaft was equally infamous in the days oi Pliny, poflibly 

 long before, even as long as commerce became confiderable in 

 thefe feas. In lib. vi. c. 23, he warns the Roman merchants of 

 the dangers of this rovite, from touching at Muziris, not only 

 becaufe it is not abundant in articles of commerce, but as it 



Hydras. borders upon the Piratd', who had a port at Hydras, fome wTite 



it Nitrias ; yet I think the hiftorian intended the firif, allufive 



to the fabled ferpent which makes every thing its prey. Their 



ports of this coaft are truly defcribed by Pliny to be fliallow, 



9 fo 



