Between them they carried about two thousand men.

On board the _Morning Star_ there were only six Europeans, a number of native merchants, and about thirty-five or forty lascars, about half of whom were trustworthy.

The first attack was made by the largest of the pirate ships alone, and was beaten off with loss to the assailants.

In the fight, Hamilton had his thigh pierced through with a lance.

For the rest of that day and the whole of the following no further attack was made; but the pirates hung around planning another assault.