d on his voyage to Madagascar, and it does not appear that
he captured any vessels upon his way. When arrived at the northeast part
of that island, he found two sloops at anchor, which, upon seeing him,
slipped their cables and ran themselves ashore, while the men all landed
and concealed themselves in the woods. These were two sloops which the
men had run off with from the East Indies, and seeing Avery's ship,
supposed that he had been sent out after them. Suspecting who they were,
he sent some of his men on shore to inform them that they were friends,
and to propose a union for their common safety. The sloops' men being
well armed, had posted themselves in a wood, and placed sentinels to
observe whether the ship's men were landing to pursue them. The
sentinels only observing two or three men coming towards them unarmed,
did not oppose them. Upon being informed that they were friends, the
sentinels conveyed them to the main body, where they delivered their
message. They were at first afraid that it was a stratagem to entrap
them, but when the messengers assured them that their captain had also
run away with his ship, and that a few of their men along with him would
meet them unarmed, to consult matters for their common advantage,
confidence was established, and they were mutually well pleased, as it
added to their strength.

Having consulted what was most proper to be attempted they endeavored to
get off the sloops, and hastened to prepare all things, in order to sail
for the Arabian coast. Near the river Indus, the man at the mast-head
espied a sail, upon which they gave chase; as they came nearer to her,
they discovered that she was a tall vessel, and might turn out to be an
East Indiaman. She, however, proved a better prize; for when they fired
at her she hoisted Mogul colors, and seemed to stand upon her defence.
Avery only cannonaded at a distance, when some of his men began to
suspect that he was not the hero they had supposed. The sloops, however
attacked, the one on the bow, and another upon the quarter of the ship,
and so boarded her. She then struck her colors. She was one of the Great
Mogul's own ships, and there were in her several of the greatest persons
in his court, among whom, it was said, was one of his daughters going
upon a pilgrimage to Mecca; and they were carrying with them rich
offerings to present at the shrine of Mahomet. It is a well known fact,
that the people of the east travel with great mag