"دليل الخليج. مجلد I. القسم التاريخي. الأجزاء Iأ و Iب. ج.ج. لوريمر ١٩١٥" [‎١‎٢‎٥‎٢] (١٧٨٢/١٤٠٧)

1252
between the British squadron and the Ka'ab fleet having meanwhile
taken place, the ketch had to pass the Persian batteries once more on her
downward voyage ; and, on the Persian authorities requiring her com
mander to land and pay them a visit, he sent a private soldier named
Ryley, whom he dressed in his own clothes, on shore to personate him,
while two Persian hostages were at the same time taken on board the
ketch. Through some accident the Persians then opened fire upon the ketch,
as did also the Ka'ab Gallivats, which were lying near the western bank
of the river; the ketch returned the fire ; and, after two men had been
wounded on board, she proceeded on her way to Basrah. Ryley was thus
left behind, but the imposture of which he was the instrument was not
discovered ; and on the 27th, having been well treated during his stay
among the Persians, and having obtained valuable information with
respect to their movements, he reached Basrah in safety, and the Persian
hostages were discharged with presents.
On the 23rd of March two emissaries from Sadiq Khan arrived at
Basrah and interviewed first the Mutasallim and then the British Agent;
they came to demand a sum of Rs. 20,00,000 as the ransom of Basrah;
threatening that, if it were not paid, the town would presently be taken
by storm; but they were dismissed, as on the former occasion, without
any answer.
On the same day, at the suggestion of Mr. A. Parsons, the traveller
already more than once quoted, who had been a sea captain and more
recently Consul and Factor-Marine at Alexandretta under the Turkey
Company, and who happened to be now at Basrah in a private capacity,
the construction of a boom across the Shatt-al-'Arab immediately above
the ■'Ashar creek was commenoed : it was composed of boats moored in a
line across the river and connected by chains and cables. The object of
this work was to prevent other Persian fleets, which were expected, from
joining that of the Ka'ab above Basrah.
By the incessant labour of the British marine officers and the Kapitan
Pasha's men, the boom was finished on the evening of the 25th, " to the
satisfaction of everyone interested in the preservation of Basrah "; and
hopes e\en began to be entertained "that the Persian army, without
further supply of cannon, ammunition and provisions, must soon
decamp. Two Gallivats of the Kapitan Pasha^s fleet, each carrying
8 guns and SO to 109 men, had meanwhile been placed under British
commanders, and tht British flag hoisted on board of them.
On the 2{)th of March the Ka'ab Gallivat taken by the u Eagle
was destroyed under the orders of the British Agent. In the course of