CHAPTER III.
_THE RISE OF CONAJEE ANGRIA_ Native piracy hereditary on the Malabar coast--Marco Polo's account--Fryer's narrative--The Kempsant--Arab and Sanganian pirates--Attack on the _President_--Loss of the _Josiah_--Attack on the _Phoenix_--The _Thomas_ captured--Depredations of the Gulf pirates--Directors' views--Conajee Angria--Attacks English ships--Destroys the _Bombay_--Fortifies Kennery--Becomes independent--Captures the Governor's yacht--Attacks the _Somers_ and _Grantham_--Makes peace with Bombay--His navy--Great increase of European and native piracy.
Europeans were not the only offenders.

The Delhi Emperor, who claimed universal dominion on land, made no pretension to authority at sea.

So long as the Mocha fleet did not suffer, merchants were left to take care of themselves.

There was no policing of the sea, and every trader had to rely on his own efforts for protection.

The people of the Malabar coast were left to pursue their hereditary vocation of piracy unmolested.