men embarked. By this time the hue and cry had been raised, and the boat had to be pushed off, though some stragglers were still in sight. Amongst these unfortunates was Femell, whose "unwieldy fatness" made his progress slow. Afterwards the factor in a letter complained bitterly to Middleton of "the foolish dealing of that idiot and white-livered fellow, the coxswain," who, seeing Femell and those with him hardly pursued, failed to respond to the frantic signals made to him to bring the boat in, with the consequence that, though up to their armpits in the water, the fugitives were captured. Femell consoled himself to some extent with the reflection that he had done some execution with his pistol on the pursuing soldiers before he was taken.
Once on board the Darling Middleton again became master of the situation. He acted with promptitude and resolution. Having sent off a pinnace to Downton, who was at Assab Bay with the Traders Increase and the Peppercorn, he forwarded an intimation to Rejib Aga that he was resolved to make himself extremely unpleasant if the remaining captives were not released and full compensation paid for the injuries inflicted upon him and his colleagues.
Almost at once the aspect of affairs changed. The Indian merchants, fearful of the consequences which they apprehended would involve their ships, waited upon Femell with a peace offering in the shape of "two sheep, one great basket of rice, another great basket of bread and some green ginger." Meanwhile, a lively exchange of compliments was proceeding between Rejib Aga and Middleton. The latter in reply to a defiant message declared that he would not forbear to burn the Indian ships which belonged to his friends rather than that he should lose the opportunity of revenge upon so vile a traitor. Though Rejib Aga
