a fleet of nine Dutch ships appeared off Poolo Ai with the declared determination of either driving the English ships away or sinking them.
At a council of war held on the English Admiral's ship it was decided to "stand the coming of the Hollanders." Two days later, when the Dutch ships had approached much nearer a second council was held at which the resolution was formed to "cut hawsers, let slip their cables and go out to meet the Hollanders." The Dutch, on their side, were not idle. Four of their ships "worked to the windward and seized the weathergage," while the remainder spread to leeward to block the progress of the ships in that direction. The manoeuvre brought home to the English Commander the risks which he would rim in forcing an action. While the Dutch ships were all well found and well manned, his own vessels were small and had only weak crews. On resurveying the situation he came to the conclusion that he ought not to incur the great responsibility of fighting with the odds so heavily against him. He therefore concluded an arrangement with the Dutch by which he withdrew his vessels, leaving the unfortunate natives once more to the tender mercies of their taskmasters. An attempt was made by the so-called rebels on Poolo Ai to secure immunity by hoisting the English flag, but the Dutch landed on the island, tore down the flag and afterwards built a strong fort, which they christened Fort Revenge, to strengthen their hold upon the island.
