Admiral Watson and the fleet then returned to Bombay, in order to
repair the damages which had been inflicted upon them during the
bombardment. There were great rejoicings upon their arrival there; the
joy of the inhabitants, both European and native, being immense at the
destruction of the formidable pirate colonies, which had so long
ravaged the seas.
After the repairs were completed, the fleet, with the troops which had
formed the expedition, were to sail for Madras. Charlie, however, did
not wait for this; but, finding that one of the Company's ships would
sail, in the course of a few days after their return to Bombay, he
obtained leave from Colonel Clive to take a passage in her, and to
proceed immediately to Madras. Tim and Hossein, of course, accompanied
him; and the voyage down the west coast of India, and round Ceylon,
was performed without any marked incident.
When within but a few hours of Madras, the barometer fell rapidly.
Great clouds rose up upon the horizon, and the captain ordered all
hands aloft to reduce sail.
"We are in," he said, "for a furious tempest. It is the breaking up of
the monsoon. It is a fortnight earlier than usual. I had hoped that we
should have got safely up the Hoogly before it began.
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