To show his goodwill to the crowd, he ordered his men to fire a salvo, and then he found that the ammunition carried by the coolies had been secured, and they were defenceless.

In this hopeless position, he managed to entrust a letter addressed to the storekeeper at Anjengo, to the hands of a friendly native.

It reached Anjengo at one o'clock next day, and ran as follows:-- "Captain Sewell.

We are treacherously dealt with here, therefore keep a very good look-out of any designs on you.

Have a good look to your two Trankers,[9] We hope to be with you to-night.