The Whole Vale Seemed Like A Magnificent City, No
Mean Tents Or Baggage Being Allowed To Mix Among These Splendid
Pavilions.
I was utterly unprovided with carriages or tent, and ashamed
of my situation, for indeed five years of my
Allowances would not have
enabled me to take the field any thing like the others; every one having
a double set of pavilions, one of which goes before to the next station,
where it is set up a day before the king removes. On this account, I was
obliged to return to my poor house in the town.
On the 5th November I rode about five miles, to the tents of the prince,
Sultan Churrum. I made him my compliments of leave taking, wishing him
all prosperity and success; but he ordered me to return and take my
leave two days afterwards, as I had moved him on some business,
respecting debts due to the English, which he promised to examine and
dispatch. He sat in state, in the same greatness and magnificence I have
mentioned of his father; his throne being plated all over with silver,
inlaid with gold flowers, having a square canopy over head, borne up by
four pillars covered with silver; his arms, such as his sword, buckler,
bows, arrows, and lance, being on a table before his throne. I observed
him curiously, now that he was in absolute authority, and took especial
notice of his actions and behaviour. He had just received two letters,
which he read standing, before he ascended his throne. I never saw any
one having so settled a countenance, or maintain a so constant gravity
of deportment, never once smiling, or shewing by his looks any respect
or distinction of persons, but evincing an extreme pride and thorough
contempt for all around him. Yet I could perceive that he was every now
and then assailed by some inward trouble, and a kind of distraction and
brokenness in his thoughts, as he often answered suitors in a disjointed
manner, as if surprised, or not hearing what they had said. If I can
judge, he has left his heart among his father's women, with whom he is
allowed to converse. The day before, Noormahal went to visit him in the
English coach; and, on taking leave of him, she presented him with a
robe, all embroidered with diamonds, rubies, and pearls; and, if I do
not mistake, she carried away with her all his attentions from other
business.
The 6th I had a letter from Mr Brown at Ahmedabad, giving an account of
a fray begun by the Portuguese. Five of them assailed an English boy at
Cambay, whose arms they took from him. On notice of this, John Brown and
James Bickeford went to rescue the boy, and were set upon by seven
Portuguese, one of whom fired a pistol and wounded Brown in the hand.
They defended themselves bravely and honourably like Englishmen, killed
one, wounded some others, and chaced the rest up and down the town like
cowards, to the great shame of such villains, and the reputation of our
nation. To revenge this, the Portuguese came ashore in considerable
numbers from their frigates, no more English being in the town except
the three already mentioned. The governor, being informed of this
affair, sent the cutwall with a guard to our house, and ordered the
water port to be shut, expelling the Portuguese from the town, and
commanding them, on pain of chastisement, not to meddle with the
English, whom he dismissed in safety from Cambay, and they are now
returned to Ahmedabad.
The 9th, the prince being to remove, sent one of his guards for me in
haste. I was not prepared for going, but the messenger pressed me,
urging that his master waited for me, and he had orders not to return
without me. He added, that the whole court talked of the prince's favour
for me, and it was reported he had asked leave from the king for me to
accompany him to the war, and had promised to use me so well that I
should be forced to acknowledge his favour to our nation. I accordingly
took horse after dinner; but on my arrival, I found the prince already
under march. I met a Dutchman, the prince's jeweller, who confirmed
every thing the soldier had said, and added so much more in the same
strain, that I disbelieved the whole. I sent word to the prince of my
arrival, when he returned for answer, That I should go on before to the
tents, and wait his arrival, when he would speak with me. It was night
when he came. He sat a short while, only giving me a look, and arose to
retire among his women. As he passed, he sent a servant to desire me to
wait a little, till he came out to hold his guzalcan, when he should
take leave of me.
He came out in half an hour, but I could not get any one to remind him
of me, and he was fallen to play, and either forgot me, or proposed to
play me a state trick. I then told the waiters, that I had been sent for
by the prince, and only waited his orders, for which I had too long
waited, as it was late, and I must return to my house; and therefore, if
the prince had any business for me, I desired it might be sent after me,
as I scorned to be so used. Before I could mount, messengers came
running after me, and called me back to wait upon the prince. Going in,
I found him earnestly engaged at cards, but he excused himself of
forgetfulness, blaming the officers formally for not reminding him, and
shewed more than ordinary attention, calling me to see his cards, and
asking me many questions. I expected he would have spoken of my going
along with him; but, finding no such discourse, I told him I had come
only in obedience to his commands, and to take my leave, and craved his
pardon for being in haste, as I had to return to Agimere, having no
convenience for staying all night in camp.
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