Burnes, Alexander: Travels into Bokhara: containing the narrative of a voyage on the Indus from the sea to Lahore, ... and an account of a journey from India to Cabool, Tartary and Persia ; performed by order of the supreme government of India, in the years 1831, 32, and 33 (Band 1) (London, 1835)

chap. i. NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE AMEER. 19

which ran with terrific violence, cast us on the
breakers of the bar; the sea rolled over us, and
we struck the ground at each succeeding wave.
In despair, the anchor was dropped; and when
we thought only of saving our lives, we found
our vessel had rubbed over the breakers of the
bank, and floated. I admired the zeal and bravery
of our crew; and was much struck with their
pious ejaculations to the tutelar saint of Cutch,
Shah Peer, when they found themselves beyond
the reach of danger. " Oh ! holy and generous
" saint," shouted the whole crew, "you are truly
" good." Frankincense was forthwith burned to his
honour; and a sum of mone}' was collected, and
hallowed by its fragrance, as the property of the
saint. The amount subscribed testified the sincerity
of the poor men's gratitude; and if I believed not
the efficacy of the offering, I did not refuse, on that
account, to join, by their request, in the manifest-
ations of their duty and gratitude. Our other vessel,
not so fortunate as ourselves, was cast on shore,
though on a less dangerous bank. We rendered
her assistance, and sailed for Cutch, and anchored
in Mandivee roads after a surprising run of thirty-
three hours.

It could not now be concealed that the conduct
of the Ameer of Sinde was most unfriendly;
but he yet betrayed no such feeling in his let-
ters. He magnified the difficulties of navigating
the Indus, and arrayed its rocks, quicksands,
whirlpools, and shallows, in every communication;
asserting that the voyage to Lahore had never

c 2