Mucrob Khan, To Get Possession Of My Goods,
Took What He Chose, And Left What He Pleased, Giving Me Such Price As
His Own Barbarous Conscience Dictated; Where Thirty-Five Was Agreed,
Giving Me Only Eighteen, Not Regarding His Brother's Bill, Who Had His
Full Authority.
Even on his own terms, it was hardly possible to get any
money from his chief servant, as we
Only received a small part after the
time appointed was expired, before Mucrob came to Surat; and after he
came I was debarred of all, though he outwardly flattered and dissembled
for almost three months, feeding me with continual promises. In the
meantime he came three times to my house, sweeping me clean of all
things that were good; and when he saw I had no more worth coveting, he
gradually withdrew his attentions and pretended kindness. Most of this
time William Finch was ill of the flux, but, thank God, he recovered
past all hope. As for me I durst not venture out of doors, as the
Portuguese were lurking about in crowds to assault or murder me, their
armada being then at Surat.
Their first plot against me was thus. I was invited by Hagio [Haji]
Nazam to the dispatching of his ship for Mecca, as it is the custom on
such occasions to make great feasts for all the principal people of the
town. It was my good fortune at this time, that a great captain
belonging to the viceroy of Guzerat, residing in Amadavar,
[Ahmedabad,] was then at Surat, and was likewise invited to this feast,
which was held at the water-side, near which the Portuguese had two
frigates of their armada, which came there to receive tribute for the
ships about to depart, and likewise to procure refreshments.
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