'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.' [‎498] (529/582)

498
DEPARTURE FROM THE BAY.
the Arabian side, to Cape Jasks on the Persian shore; and five
other sail blockading the entrance of the Bussorah river. At all
events, it would have been wise to have first weighed all the obsta
cles, so as to decide whether they could be overcome or not, before
undertaking what, if accomplished, would have been a very doubt
ful benefit; and what, if failed in, was likely to make the most
unfavourable impressions, and lead to very serious consequences
before they could be provided against by any counteracting force.
It was about four o'clock when we made sail from the bay and
stood out to sea. We now all disarmed; since every one in the
ship, whether passengers, servants, or others, had girded on his
weapons, under an idea that, as the boats were hoisted out to attack,
our own vessels might have to repel an assault in return ; and that
all, in short, might be called upon to lift their hands in defence.
It would be difficult to paint the trembling alarm, the tears, and
womanish agitation of the two Persian Secretaries of the English
Resident on this occasion. Colonel Corsellis and myself had
succeeded in animating all the rest, however, by our example;
and Mr. Bruce and Mr. Taylor, who had gone on board the Chal
lenger before the bombarding commenced, had taken the Arab
Mollah and the Bahrain pilot with them.
At sun-set the crew were summoned by the tolling of the
ship's bell to attend the funeral service of one of their shipmates.
This was an European, who had been some time in a state of great
weakness; and, on hearing of the preparation for battle, was so much
agitated by the discharge of the first gun, that he fell back and
expired. The simplicity with which this solemn service was per
formed, and the devout attention with which it was witnessed by
the sailors, who but an hour before were lost in one roar of bias-
phefny and imprecation, was particularly impressive ; though, like
the track which their vessel ploughs so deeply on the ocean, it was
in a moment afterwards forgotten and effaced.
Dec. 2d. The squadron had continued together during the
night, on their way to Sharjee, where demands similar to those