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 CHAPTER XVI

The English in the Persian Gulf

LL the time that English and Dutch were contending in deadly rivalry in the Eastern Islands, the historic fight against the Portuguese had been proceeding practically without interruption. Though heavily beaten, with some of her best centres of trade captured, her commerce crippled and her prestige shattered, Portugal fought on with all the energy of despair. Driven out of the Eastern seas by Dutch ships she concentrated her resources on the defence of her possessions in India. These were still a splendid heritage worthy of a mighty effort. The capital, Goa, on the West coast, was "no mean city." It sheltered a large and opulent population drawn from every part of the East. The great Cathedral 240