As he expected, there was no difficulty in obtaining volunteers. Twice
the number required offered their services. They had not found their work
with the Pirate so easy or so well rewarded as to have any great
objection to a change of masters. Moreover, they no doubt feared the
reception they would get from Angria if they returned. And it appeared
afterwards that during the night the Biluchis had recounted many fabulous
incidents, all tending to show that the sahib was a very important as
well as a very ingenious Firangi, so that this reputation, coupled with
an offer of good pay, overcame any scruples the men might retain.
Among those who volunteered and whose services were accepted was the
serang of Angria's gallivat. Unknown to Desmond, while he was holding
this conversation with the Gujarati, the serang, crouching in apparent
apathy on his bench, had really strained his ears to catch what was being
said. He, with the three other men selected, was released from his bonds,
and ordered to lower the longboat of the gallivat and stow in it all the
ammunition for the guns that was to be found in the ship's magazine. This
was then taken on board the grab, and Desmond ordered one of the
Mysoreans to load the grab's stern chasers, telling the Marathas whom he
intended to leave on the gallivat that, at the first sign of any attempt
to pursue, their vessel would be sunk.
Then in two parties the fugitives went on board the grab. Desmond was the
last to leave the gallivat, releasing one of the captive rowers, who in
his turn could release the rest.
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