36 
ARABIAN PIRATES. 
substantial for a prey, they returned to wait for something better 
adapted to their means. We edged away gradually after them, but 
owing to their excellent sailing, we despaired of getting up with them, 
before they reached the land. Although hauled close to the wind, 
they appeared to make as good way as we who were going large; and 
when we hauled to the wind after them, we found that they could lie 
three points higher than we. We expected that they would run 
between Busheab and the main, where there is a channel of eight or 
nine miles in breadth; bu*^ when they had reached Busheab, they wore 
(for their large sail will not permit them to tack) and stood close to 
the shore, over a reef that extends itself four miles to the W. and N. 
of the island. They doubtless hoped to decoy us on to the reef; but 
we satisfied ourselves with standing close to the edge of it, and 
firing two or three broadsides at them ; but when we found that our 
shot did no execution, owing to the distance that separated us, we 
again stood on our course. Some time after they came to an anchor, 
when the largest dow, which we supposed to bear their chief, fired 
five guns, either as a mark of contempt, or as signals to the squa¬ 
dron. It was impossible that we could be mistaken as to the nature 
of these vessels, for they swarmed with men ; and as they took no 
notice of our shot, it was plain that they were not merchantmen, who 
lower their sails upon the least appearance of danger. 
On the westward of Busheab, where this scene took place, we saw 
several large villages, and many trees, the inhabitants of which came 
out in great numbers to see a sight doubtless quite new to them. 
They had hoisted a red flag (the colour common to the Arabs) on a 
small round tower, but whether in compliment to us or to the pirates^ 
we could not decide. 
On the 28th of February, a very fine breeze from the southward 
and eastward carried us past Congoon and the Barn Hill; and before it 
was dark we had passed the Verdistan Shoal. 
On the 1st of March we were about ten miles from Bushire at break 
of day, and finally got to our anchorage by ten o’clock, in six fathoms, 
at about four miles from the shore. We found that the longitudes 
