198 ISLAND OF DUMARAN. [1844. 



whilst the French frigate 'Madagascar', not having 

 cleared the shoals, was wrecked on the Bombay reef. 

 On the eastern side, we endeavoured to keep just within 

 the soundings, varying from seven to thirty fathoms; 

 and until we reached the Island of Dumaran, in 

 Lat. 10 29' 12" N., had light favourable airs, enabling 

 us to carry all possible canvass; our passage from 

 Mantanani to this position was thus effected in the short 

 period of eight days. 



As I found the western extremity of Dumaran to dis- 

 agree considerably with the position assigned to it upon 

 our Admiralty charts, I determined upon landing and 

 fixing the position of it, or of the nearest available terra 

 firma. I had selected one of the small off-lying islets to 

 the N.E., when I noticed through my telescope, several 

 suspicious looking characters showing from among the 

 trees, which fringed the western side, and immediately 

 after discerned the hull of a vessel too large and rakish 

 for fishing pursuits. As I did not then contemplate 

 meeting an Tllanon pirate in this unfrequented spot, I 

 merely ordered the two cutters to be fully armed, and 

 under the command of Lieuts. Anderson and Robertson, 

 to accompany me ; the former, on further noticing a move 

 on the part of the people on shore to their vessel, being 

 directed, " to join me by a circuit round the eastern end 

 of the island." 



We had scarcely quitted the ship, when the boat from 

 the island, which we now discerned to be pulling a number 

 of oars, made an attempt to escape to windward, but the 

 fleetness of our boats rendering such a manoeuvre in that 

 direction impossible, he with great rapidity raised his tripod 



