136 



possession of the vessels, but, if wood for fuel was not immediately 

 supplied for the garrison, the ships would be broken up for that 

 purpose. This answer was just delivered, when a boat proceeding 

 from Onore fort to Fortified Island was prevented going out of the 

 river. To the spirited remonstrance on this fresh insult Mirza re- 

 plied, that as no anxiety had been expressed to continue on a 

 friendly footing with him, no favours were to be expected. 



As yet there had been only a war of words, affairs seemed now 

 ripening to action; and few situations were more unpleasant than 

 that to which the garrison was now reduced. The commandant 

 seized the opportunity afforded by the detention of the boat, to 

 inform Mirza, that finding him resolved on a recommencement of 

 hostilities, he should regulate himself accordingly. If cattle were 

 not sent in the next day, he would recall the English guard from 

 the sultaun's trenches, and order his men out of the fort — if the 

 boats going from Onore to Fortified Island met with any further 

 impediment, the English galliot (an armed vessel) should be sta- 

 tioned at the entrance of the river, to ward off any insult, and pre- 

 vent the passage of all boats belonging to the sultaun. And that 

 although he wished not to be the aggressor, he would certainly 

 defend himself if attacked, having every thing to hope from the 

 bravery and attachment of his garrison ; which, although consider- 

 ably weakened by death and the desertion of the Mai war pol- 

 troons, was fully sufficient to resent insult ; and, wearied by the 

 mean and paltry impositions daily practised by an insidious ene- 

 my, was impatient for an opportunity of becoming their own 

 avengers. 



This line of conduct produced the same effect on Mirza as it 



