46 
RESIDENCE OF THE MISSION AT BUSHIRE. 
In the space of an hour they had thus put to death twenty-two persons; 
and were proceeding with lights to look for more, when they were asto¬ 
nished by a shot through the Sylph from the Nereide. On perceiving 
the disaster of the Sylph , Captain Corbett had immediately hauled** 
up; and though far to the windward his shot still reached. The Arabs 
immediately took to their dom; and, elated by the havock of their 
success, made for the Nereide. As soon as Captain Corbett per¬ 
ceived that they were bearing down upon him, he ceased firing altoge¬ 
ther. The Persian Secretary told us, that he saw the dows approach so 
close to the frigate, that the Arabs were enabled to commence the at¬ 
tack in their usual manner by throwing stones. Still the Nereide 
did not fire; till at length when both dows were fairly alongside, she 
opened two tremendous broadsides. The Secretary said he saw one 
dow disappear totally, and immediately; and the other almost as in¬ 
stantaneously : they went down with the crews crying, “ Allah , Allah , 
“ Allah!* Nine men only escaped, who had previously made off in a 
boat. The Sylph was taken to Muscat , where the Persian Secretary 
was put on board the Minerva.* 
* 44 This account is from the mouth of a Persian; it may therefore not be unintei’esting to 
44 contrast it with the statement in the log-book of the Nereide. 
44 H. M. S. Nereide , Thursday, 21 Oct. 1808. 
44 At 9. A. M. saw two dows standing tow ards us under Arabian colours. 10.30. saw a 
44 strange sail S. S. E. Employed working up junk, &c. Noon: the above vessel past us, 
44 which proved to be the Honourable Company’s schooner Sylph. P. M. moderate 
44 breezes and fine. 1.30. observed the dows haul-up and board the schooner; in studding 
44 sails, and haul’d our wind in chase of them ; by this time they had the schooner in tow. 
44 Tacked occasionally to close. At 4. got within gun-shot and commenced firing. 4.30. 
44 observed the schooner’s tow-rope gone, supposed by our shot; still keeping a constant 
44 fire on the dows. 5.30. shot away one of the dow’s yards. At 6. ditto, firing whenever 
44 the guns would bear: observed the schooner make signals of distress, and fire guns. 
44 The crew immediately deserted the dow when the yard was shot away, and went on 
44 board the other; continuing firing within musket shot round grape and musketry; 
44 hailed her repeatedly, but received no answer. At 8. ceased firing; the dows apparently 
44 sinking: made sail for the schooner: at 9. hove-to, and sent a boat for the commander 
44 of the schooner; he being severely wounded, gave Lieutenant C • — charge of the 
44 schooner, but returned with a seapoy severely wounded,” 
