Page 512
An.1690
The Authors Arrival at Bencouli.
always told him I had a great desire to go to the Bay of Bengal, and that I had now an offer to go thither with Captain Metcalf, who wanted a Mate, and had already spoke to me. Mr. Moody, to in- courage me to go with him, told me, that if I would go with him to Indrapore, he would buy a small Vessel there, and send me to the Island Me- angis, Commander of her; and that I should carry Prince Jeoly and his Mother with me (that being their Country) by which means I might gain a Commerce with his People for Cloves.
This was a design that I liked very well; there- fore I consented to go thither. It was some time in July 1690. when we went from Fort St. George, in a small Ship called the Diamond, Captain Howel Commander. We were about 50 or 60 Passengers in all; some ordered to be left at Indrapore, and some at Bencouly: 5 or 6 of us were Officers; the rest Soldiers to the Company. We met nothing in our Voyage that deserves notice, till we came abreast of Indrapore: and then the Wind came at N. W. and blew so hard that we could not get in, but were forced to bear away to Bencouli, another En- glish Factory on the same Coast; lying 50 or 60 leagues to the Southward of Indrapore.
Upon our arrival at Bencouli we saluted the Fort, and were welcomed by them. The same day we came to an anchor; and Captain Howel, and Mr. Moody, with the other Merchants went ashore, and were all kindly received by the Governour of the Fort. It was 2 days after before I went ashore; and then I was importuned by the Gover- nour to stay there, to be Gunner of this Fort; be- cause the Gunner was lately dead: and this being a place of greater import than Indrapore, I should do the Company more service here than there. I told the Governour if he would augment my Salle- ry, which by agreement with the Governor of Fort