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Updated: May 19, 2025
But for the shouting on shore the noise of the sweeps must by this time have been heard. In the glow of the blazing vessels in mid channel the moving gallivat had almost certainly been seen. Desmond grew more and more anxious. "Hail the grab," he said to the serang as the vessel loomed up ahead. "Hai, hai, Tremukji!" cried the man. There came an answering hail.
His share of the sale price of the Tremukji, together with the Gheria prize money, amounted to more than a thousand pounds, and this had been invested for him by his friend. "For myself," added Merriman, "I shall remain. My wounds are not severe; I am accustomed to the climate; and though India is now odious to me, I shall not leave Indian soil until I find traces of my dear wife and daughter.
Once on board her, and beyond reach of the guns of the fort, he might fairly hope to get clear away in spite of his miscellaneous crew. Giving to the Gujarati the order to go ahead, he questioned the serang. "What is the name of the serang in charge of the Tremukji?" "Pandu, sahib." "How many men are on board her?" "Three, sahib."
He dare not reply himself, lest his accent should betray him. "Tell him all is well. We have a message from the fort to the Tremukji," he said in a whisper. The serang repeated the words aloud. "Well, huzur. But what is the meaning of the noise and the torches and the blaze on the sea?" "Tell him we have no time to waste. Ask him where the Tremukji lies."
The entrance of a strange grab had not passed unnoticed. Before the anchor had been dropped, the harbor master put off in a toni. "What grab is that?" he shouted in Urdu, as he came alongside. "The Tremukji, sir," replied Desmond in English. "Eh! what! who in the name of Jupiter are you?" "You'd better come aboard, sir, and I'll explain," said Desmond with a smile.
"The Tremukji is only a few cable lengths away, sir, and there's a man on board who knows the harbor. I will take him, with your permission." "Very well. Good luck go with you." Desmond saluted, and stepping into the boat which had rowed him to the Kent, he was quickly conveyed to the grab. In a few minutes he left this in a skiff accompanied only by Fuzl Khan and a lascar.
Seeing Desmond hold his nose at the all-prevailing stench of fish, Mr. Johnson laughed. "You'll soon get used to that," he said. Having sent a trustworthy crew on board the Tremukji, the harbor master led Desmond to his house near the docks. Here, while a native barber plied his dexterous razor on Desmond's cheeks and chin, Mr.
His aim was fatally true; the man was killed on the spot. With his eyes Desmond thanked the Babu; there was no time for words. The hostile grabs were undoubtedly making chase. They had separated, with the intention of bearing down upon and overhauling the Tremukji in whatever direction she might flee. Fuzl Khan still lay helpless upon the deck. "Secure that man," said Desmond to two of the crew.
There were six line-of-battle ships, six Company's vessels, five bomb ketches, four Maratha grabs one of them Angria's own grab, the Tremukji, on which Desmond had escaped and forty gallivats. The Tyger led the van. Admiral Watson's flag was hoisted on the Kent, Admiral Pocock's on the Cumberland.
The Gujarati performed his work at the helm skilfully, and about five o'clock, when the sun was setting, casting a romantic glow over the long straggling settlement, the Tremukji ran to her anchorage among a host of small craft, within a few cable lengths of the vessels of Admiral Watson's squadron, which had arrived from Madras a few weeks before.
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