Travels in India (Tavernier) 43.9

43.9

this was done, and I took them with me the same evening, giving them, as far as I was able, whatever was necessary for their comfort. The vessels which go from Persia to India are generally laden with wine and money, and that which went to the bottom carried more than the others ; this was the reason why it held aloof, not joining in the fray. This was a great loss, which might have been avoided if the Dutch had had more courage and more prevision ; and the English Admiral, seeing the misfortune which had happened to one of his vessels, joined his own with another, and they took flight together. For indeed, to say the truth, the want of enterprise on the part of the Dutch Admiral and the other Captains caused them to miss the certain capture of these fugitives ; and it would have been an easy victory if they had known how to profit by their opportunities.