SEVERNDR00G. 
187 
day ; but so backward were the Mahrattas to engage 
their formidable foe apart from the English com- 
modore, that although, from the light structure of 
their boats, which carried a single sail of immense di- 
mensions, that turned readily to the wind, thus catch- 
ing every breath of the breeze, they had, during the 
several preceding days, considerably outsailed our 
vessels, yet now, when the opportunity presented 
itself of showing their skill and spirit against an 
enemy from whom they had received such grievous 
injury, instead of embracing it with that alacrity 
which the impulse of retribution would naturally 
dictate, they kept far astern, while the pirates 
showed a perseverance and dexterity in their flight 
as surprising as it was successful. They threw out 
from their vessels everything that tended in the 
slightest degree to perplex or interrupt their course; 
and as there was scarcely any wind, they not only 
crowded all their canvass upon the yards, but fas- 
tened to the flag-staffs rugs, jackets, turbans, and 
anything that could tend in the slightest degree to 
accelerate their progress. By these means they baf- 
fled all the exertions of the English commander, 
and drew him so far from his station that he was 
obliged to relinquish the pursuit and return to Severn- 
droog. 
This fortress was situated on an island within a 
quarter of a mile from the main land ; but the water 
within the frith was so shallow, that no ship above 
three hundred tons 5 burthen could pass through it. 
The fort was strongly, but not regularly fortified. 
Like that at Gibraltar, a great part of the works were 
