Travels in India (Tavernier) 32.1.8

32.1.8

Dom Philippe was a gallant gentleman, and when he had seen them he resolved to take them with him to Goa, either because he thought he would have there the best opportunity of promoting them, or because he liked to have with him a body of resolute men on account of the Malabaris, who were lying in wait for him with about forty vessels, whereas he had but twenty-two. When near Cape Comorin the wind became so contrary, and so violent a tempest arose, that the whole fleet was dispersed, and many vessels were unhappily lost. Those who were in that of Dom Philippe exercised all their skill to bring it to land, but seeing that they were unable to accomplish their object, and that it was breaking up, St. Amant, with five or six others of his companions, which number included Des Marests, Du Belloy, and Jean de Rose, threw themselves into the sea with cords and pieces of wood, and managed so well that they saved Dom Philippe, and they themselves also escaped together with him. To shorten this long story, on their arrival at Goa, Dom Philippe, as soon as he had made his entry as Viceroy, gave to St. Amant the post of Grand Master of Artillery and Inspector-General of all the fortresses belonging to the Portuguese in India. He subsequently brought about his marriage to a young girl, with whom he received a fortune of 20,000 écus. Her father was an Englishman, who had quitted the service of the Company, and had married the illegitimate daughter of a Viceroy of Goa.