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dered existence almost impossible in his close confinement in the 

 hold of a gallivat, passed the sultaun's centinel in his disguise of a 

 Lascar, and was once more safely lodged in the fort ; there he 

 remained until the 26th, the day destined for embarking the private 

 baggage, the sick, unnecessary servants, women, children, and all 

 but the men under arms; nor were the brahmins forgot. But the 

 hopes for their safety were slender, and the general prospect dis- 

 couraging. Maw Mirza, in obedience to the sultaun's orders, in- 

 sisted on posting confidential persons to examine the contents of 

 all chests and packages, and the countenance of every person who 

 should embark; some of these inspectors had been employed in 

 the fort, and resided in the town, so that neither sircar property, 

 nor any inhabitant of Onore, could be clandestinely carried off. 

 The keen vigilance of these examiners suggested the idea of 

 making it the instrument of their own deception. The venerable 

 vicar of the Romish church, lately deceased, had deposited in the 

 fort, with the commandant's leave, several large chests filled with 

 images and ornaments belonging to the Portugueze church at 

 Onore ; these were sent down to the beach with the greatest care, 

 and particular orders given that the sultaun's people should on no 

 account be permitted to open them, except in the commandant's 

 presence. The extraordinary magnitude of the chests, and the 

 affected mystery of the attendants, did not fail to excite the ex- 

 pected curiosity. At length captain Torriano arrived, and order- 

 ing the chests to be unlocked, instead of the expected brahmins, 

 they turned out twelve images of the apostles, with a number of 

 saints, all the size of life, and splendidly dressed. While the 

 attention of the inspectors was thus engaged, the poor shivering 



