Lonthor to fill his water casks. When Courthope found that his colleague was not to be dissuaded from his headstrong course by his earnest representations as to the danger which he would incur in separating from him at such a time of crisis, he instructed him to proceed to Rosengyn and establish there a factory which the natives had expressed their willingness to permit. Davis carried out this order, entering into an agreement with the island authorities similar to that concluded by Courthope at Poolo Roon. He then directed his course to Ceram to a point where he knew he could obtain water. After a few days spent at this spot in watering and victualling operations he started on the return voyage to Poolo Roon. But he had not proceeded far before he encountered the Dutch ship Morgenstine with Dedel in command.
A fierce attack was at once delivered by the Hollanders whose superiority in men and armament was so marked that the result of the conflict was never seriously in doubt. In a short space of time many of the small crew were either killed or wounded by the well sustained fire maintained by the Dutch soldiers who crowded the deck of the Morgenstine. The vessel then fell an easy prize to the Dutch. It was taken in triumph to Neira, the Hollanders " much glorying in this victory, showing the Bandanese their exploit in the great disgrace of the English . . . saying that the King of England might not compare with their great King of Holland, and that one Holland ship would take ten of the English ships and that St. George is now turned child."
When Courthope heard of the capture of the Swan he sent the purser of the Defence under a flag of truce to demand her restitution. As he had probably anticipated,
