'Travels in Assyria, Media, and Persia, including a journey from Bagdad by Mount Zagros, to Hamadan, the ancient Ecbatana, researches in Ispahan and the ruins of Persepolis, and journey from thence by Shiraz and Shapoor to the sea-shore. Description of Bussorah, Bushire, Bahrein, Ormuz, and Muscat, narrative of an expedition against the pirates of the Persian Gulf, with illustrations of the voyage of Nearchus, and passage by the Arabian Sea to Bombay.' [‎487] (518/582)

NEGOTIATION WITH THE PIRATES.
487
we waited until the hour of noon had passed, when a gun was
fired, the topsails sheeted home, and the signal made to prepare
to weigh anchor. This was instantly followed by the whole of the
squadron, though it was intended to wait another hour of grace
for the answer from the shore. In the mean time a boat arrived,
with deputies from the Chief, bringing a reply to the requisitions
sent. In this, he stated the impossibility of restoring either the
property demanded, since that had long since been divided and con
sumed ; or paying the amount of its value in money, as this was
more than their whole wealth at the present moment could furnish.
He peremptorily refused to deliver up the Ameer Ibrahim, who was
his kinsman and near friend ; denying also that this chief was guilty
of any thing which deserved punishment, in capturing, with the
vessels under his command, the persons and property of idolaters
and strangers to the true God. Deputies were offered to be sent
to Bombay to treat on the affair; but not in the light of hostages,
as demanded,—since safe protection would be required for their
going and returning. It was added however, that, as all things
were of God, deliberation might possibly accord better with his
councils, than hasty determination ; and it was therefore requested
that time might be granted until the next day's noon, to know
what His wisdom had decreed to take place between them.
The Letter of Public Instructions from the Government of
Bombay had ordered that, on the refusal of the Joassamee Chief
to comply with the requisitions therein stated, the squadron was
to quit the place, but not without signifying to him that he might
expect the displeasure of the British Government to be visited on
him and his race. Notwithstanding this, however, and the inso
lent as well as evasive answer of the Chief, it was determined to
allow him until the following noon to deliberate; and our sails
were accordingly furled, and the signal for weighing anchor again
for the present annulled.
At sun-set the wind having freshened from the north-west, and
a heavy swell setting into the bay, it was deemed imprudent to