some distance away. In spite of the odds against them the two English ships held their position, and in the end, by a well-sustained cannonade, inflicted such severe punishment upon the enemy that they were put to flight. All four English ships joined in the chase, which was continued well into the evening when, as the supply of ammunition was running short, the order was given to return to Jask,
Honours decidedly rested with the English. A superior Portuguese fleet had been driven off and the way had been opened for English trade in circumstances which were calculated to impress the Persians with the superior fighting qualities of the new aspirant for commercial favours in the Shah's dominions. The victory, however, had not been won lightly. Amongst the wounded on the English side was Shilling, who early in the action received a bullet in the shoulder as he was directing operations from the half deck. He lingered for some days and then expired, to the great grief of his men, who recognized in him a skilful and kindly leader. The dead commander was given an imposing funeral at Jask. Thereafter the English fleet set sail for Surat.
At the close of 1621 another English fleet of five ships, under the joint command of Captains Blyth and Weddell, was navigating the waters of the Gulf. In the interval which had elapsed since the departure of Shilling's fleet the situation in Persia had markedly changed. The Persians, encouraged by the success of the English operations, had besieged Ormujz, and the Portuguese, in retaliation for Persian hostihty, had laid waste the coast and burnt all Persian shipping that came in their way. On the whole the Portuguese, with their command of the sea, had, so far, a distinct advantage in the struggle.
