CHAPTER XIII
Faithful unto Death
New expedition to the Moluccas under Nathaniel Courthope—Occupation of Poolo Roon by the English—Dutch expedition to evict the English—Courthope's defiance—The Dutch capture the English ship Swan—Courthope prepares for a Dutch attack—The English ship Defence captured by the Dutch—The Dutch Governor General Reaal seeks an accommodation with Courthope—Courthope declines his terms—Dutch proclamation against the English—Unsuccessful attempt to relieve Courthope—Courthope's indomitable spirit—Sir Thomas Dale conducts an expedition against the Dutch—Action off Batavia—The Dutch retire to the Moluccas—English occupation of Jakatra (Batavia)—Dale returns to India—His death—Dutch attack on English ships at Patani—Jourdain is treacherously slain—Isolation of Courthope — His gallant fight against odds and his heroic end
JOURDAIN, though naturally mortified at the failure of his plans, was not disposed to give up the attempt to break the Dutch monopoly, more especially as he was imbued with the belief that the Hollanders would not use force if they were put to the extreme test. Once more he prepared to send an expedition to the Eastward. Besides the Defence, of 300 tons, he had available for the purpose a new ship, the Swan, of 400 tons. What was more to the purpose, he had at hand in Nathaniel Courthope just the right kind of man to take the command in such an enterprise.
Courthope is a name little known in English history,
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