was ſaid was one of his Daughters, who were going on a Pilgrimage to Mecca, the Mahometans thinking themſelves obliged once in their Lives to viſit that Place, and they were carrying with them rich Offerings to preſent at the Shrine of Mahomet. It is known that the Eaſtern People travel with the utmoſt Magnificence, ſo that they had with them all their Slaves and Attendants, their rich Habits and Jewels, with Veſſels of Gold and Silver, and great Sums of Money to defray the Charges of their Journey by Land; wherefore the Plunder got by this Prize, is not eaſily computed.
Having taken all the Treaſure on Board their own Ships, and plundered their Prize of every Thing elſe they either wanted or liked, they let her go; ſhe not being able to continue her Voyage, returned back: As ſoon as the News came to the Mogul, and he knew that they were Engliſh who had robbed them, he threatened loud, and talked of ſending a mighty Army with Fire and Sword, to extirpate the Engliſh from all their Settlements on the Indian Coaſt. The Eaſt-India Company in England, were very much alarmed at it; however, by Degrees, they found Means to pacify him, by promiſing to do their Endeavours to take the Robbers, and deliver them into his Hands; however, the great Noiſe this Thing made in Europe, as well as India, was the Occaſion of all theſe romantick Stories which were formed of Avery’s Greatneſs.
In the mean Time our ſucceſsful Plunderers agreed to make the beſt of their Way back to Madagaſcar, intending to make that Place their Magazine or Repoſitory for all their Treaſure, and to build a ſmall Fortification there, and leave a few Hands always aſhore to look after it, and defend it from any Attempts of the Natives; but Avery put an End to this Project, and made it altogether unneceſſary.
