'Journal of the British Embassy to Persia; Embellished with Numerous Views taken in India and Persia: also a Dissertation upon the Anqituities of Persepolis' [‎5] (38/174)

PERSIAN GULF—ISLAND OF KENN.
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to at night; ttiey were detained till the following day at noon, when, as no proof of
piracy could be brought against them, they were dismissed.
19th!—Passed Cape Mussendom, entered the
PERSIAN GULF The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ,
and passed the island of Kishma.
21st. Becalmed all day off the island of Polior. Saw several pirates in-shore.
25th.—Being off the
ISLAND OF KENN,
and the cutter being manned and armed, I accompanied Lieutenant Young on shore
to procure some live stock : the water near the coast was remarkably transparent, and
shewed great quantities of coral and sponge on the rocks. Part of us landed about
seven in the morning, at a ruined village, the houses of which had been built with
sun -dried bricks and mud, and ordered some of the boat's crew to row round the
island; the only inhabitant we observed was an old Arab, of whom I inquired where
the chief resided, and where we could be supplied with some live stock. He directed
us to a place on the other side of the island. When we had gone about a league, we
came to a hut, and found a woman in it washing linen : she promised to let us have
some butter, and directed Us to the village, where she said we might be supplied with
other things. She told us, the inhabitants were Wahabees, governed by an Amir»
As we approached the village walls, a woman with two children in arms and one by
her side, appeared alarmed at the sight of our party, but I endeavoured to re-assure her.
We were met by several men at the gate of the village, who at first gave evasive
answers to the enquiries I made 3 but after a short conference, they agreed to supply
us with any thing the place afforded. At their request, we entered within the walls
and found several rows of huts built with earth and lava; one end of the village was
set apart for the females, and a kind of curtain was drawn across to prevent the gaze
of the vulgar eye. The Amir came to bid us welcome, and ordered mats to be spread
that we might be seated; but the sun being very hot, we retired to a spot in the shade
by the sea side. After taking a repast, we perceived the pirates in arms flocking round
us in great numbers; Mr. Young then ordered Mr. Hutchinson ( midshipman An experienced sailor, but not a commissioned officer. ) to give
a signal to the boat's crew to pull round to the landing- place, as we had bought a
bullock, a sheep, some poultry and other things; and finding the people growing inso
lent, it was thought necessary for each one to arm himself. Taking with us the greater
part of the boat's crew, we made another excursion through the island, to a certain
point where the cutter met us : the land was for the most part cultivated, and bore
good crops of wheat, rice, and other grain, the palm tree and the brab grew sponta
neously in great numbers ; but the most singular tree was a banian Merchant of Indian extraction. , the main trunk
of which was large, but it had spread to such an extent that it appeared to have
innumerable trunks from the branches, which having touched the ground, had struck
root in all directions. The herbs resembled many that are indigenous to our own
climate, the mash-mallow was very common. There appeared to have been at some
former period a volcanic eruption, from the streams of lava that had run into the sea
from the interior of the island. We gathered a basket full of shells, some of which
might have been esteemed curious, but being beaten by the waves, there were but few
perfect. The wind having changed, the Lion fired a gun as a signal, and we hastened
on board.
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BUSHEAB—PERSIA—BUSHEHER,
27th.—About seven in the morning, several pirate vessels were discovered; and
about nine o'clock, there appeared twelve in number, full of men ; we let go the grab Shallow vessel with a projecting bow.
ship, which we had in tow, and gave chase—the shot was seen to fall near some of
them, but the whole contrived to get over a reef of rocks at the Island of
BUSHEAB,
out of the reach of our guns, and we gave up the chase. Such a roaring of can
non on board an English line-of-battle ship, seemed a novelty to the Persian Am
bassador, who was almost stunned with the noise.
28th.—Crossed the bank opposite Cape Verdistan.
PERSIA.
March 1st.—Cast anchor at
jAj BUSHEHER.
A boat arrived soon after with Mr. Bruce, the Honorable East India Company's Resi
dent, with several Persians; and another boat brought the Governor (Mohammed
Jaafer Khan) with a numerous retinue and a band of music. On his coming on board,
he was saluted with eleven guns, and the same at his departure. Many shore boats
flocked to the ship, some bringing fish and vegetables, and others sets of singers and
buffoons, and some brought presents with a view of receiving richer presents in
return: among the latter was a young lioness,* which Sir Gore left on board, as a
present to his Britannic Majesty.
5th.—The English Embassy landed at Busheher, near the Governor's house. All due
honours were paid by the Governor and the people, and wrestlers, dancers, singers,
trumpeters, &c. accompanied it to the Governor's residence, which was considered a
mark of high distinction paid to a foreign Ambassador. As soon as Sir Gore was
seated, he received a salute of cannon; and, on rising, after taking some refreshments,
another salute was fired, and a third on clearing the gate of the town. The same train
of wrestlers, dancers, &c. led the way about two miles, to a spot called Baughi
Frank, or the Frank's Garden, where tents were pitched for the reception of the
Embassy. The town of Busheher, like most towns in Persia, is built with sun-dried
brick and mud, the streets are narrow and uneven; and some of the principal houses
have ventillators, called Baudgeers, which appear like towers at a distance. It is
fenced with a wall flanked with round towers, and is situated on a sandy plain. The
water of the town being brackish, the place is supplied from wells at the Frank's Garden,
chiefly carried in skins, some on the backs of women, and some on those of mules, &c.
13th.—Much thunder and lightning, and hot blasts of Wind, bringing a swarm of
locusts which covered the sea and land.
14th.—Many Arab women employed in filling bags with locusts, to be preserved-
and eaten like shrimps.
* She was christened Fanny, and became one of the finest lionesses in the Tower.