newton forster, or the merchant service, by captain marryat. ________________________________________________________________________ captain frederick marryat was born july , and died august . he retired from the british navy in in order to devote himself to writing. in the following years he wrote books, many of which are among the very best of english literature, and some of which are still in print. marryat had an extraordinary gift for the invention of episodes in his stories. he says somewhere that when he sat down for the day's work, he never knew what he was going to write. he certainly was a literary genius. "newton forster" was published in , the third book to flow from marryat's pen. it was the first of his nautical books in which the hero is not in the royal navy. this e-text was transcribed in by nick hodson, and was reformatted in . ________________________________________________________________________ newton forster, or the merchant service, by captain frederick marryat. volume one, chapter one. and what is this _new_ book the whole world makes such a rout about?-- oh! 'tis out of all plumb, my lord,--quite an irregular thing; not one of the angles at the four corners was a right angle. i had my rule and compasses, my lord, in my pocket.--excellent critic! grant me patience, just heaven! of all the cants which are canted in this canting world--though the cant of hypocrites may be the worst, the cant of criticism is the most tormenting! sterne. what authors in general may feel upon the subject i know not, but i have discovered, since i so rashly took up my pen, that there are three portions of a novel which are extremely difficult to arrange to the satisfaction of a fastidious public. the first is the beginning, the second the middle, and the third is the end. the painter who, in times of yore, exposed his canvass to universal criticism, and found to his mortification that there was not a particle of his composition which had not been pronounced defective by one pseudo-critic or another, did not receive severer castigation than i have experienced from the _unsolicited_ remarks of "damned good-natured friends." "i like your first and second volume," said a tall, long-chinned, short-sighted blue, dressed in yellow, peering into my face, as if her eyes were magnifying glasses, and she was obtaining the true focus of vision, "but you fall off in your last, which is all about that _nasty_ line-of-battle ship." "i don't like your plot, sir," brawls out in a stentorian voice an elderly gentleman; "i don't like your plot, sir," repeated he with an air of authority, which he had long assumed, from supposing because people would not be at the trouble of contradicting his opinions, that they were incontrovertible--"there is nothing but death." "death, my dear sir," replied i, as if i was hailing the look-out man at the mast-head, and hoping to soften him with my intentional bull; "is not death, sir, a true picture of human life?" "ay, ay," growled he, either not hearing or not _taking_; "it's all very well, but--there's too much killing in it." "in a novel, sir, killing's no murder, you surely will admit; and you must also allow something for professional feeling--`'tis my occupation;' and after five-and-twenty years of constant practice, whether i wield the sword or the pen, the force of habit--" "it won't do, sir," interrupted he; "the public don't like it. otherwise," continued this hyper-critic, softening a little, "some of the chapters are amusing, and on the whole, it may be said to be rather--that is--not unpleasantly written." "i like your first and third volume, but not your second," squeaked out _something_ intended to have been a woman, with shoulder-blades and collar-bones, as de ville would say, most strongly developed. "well now, i don't exactly agree with you, my dear miss pegoo; i think the second and third volumes are by far the most _readable_," exclaimed _another thing_, perched upon a chair, with her feet dangling halfway between her seat and the carpet. "if i might presume upon my long-standing in the service, captain ---," said a pompous general officer,--whose back appeared to have been _fished_ with the kitchen poker--"if i might venture to offer you advice," continued he, leading me paternally by the arm a little on one side, "it would be, not again to attempt a defence of smuggling: i consider, sir, that as an officer in his majesty's service, you have strangely committed yourself." "it is not my defence, sir: they are the arguments of a smuggler." "you wrote the book, sir," replied he, sharply; "i can assure you, that i should not be surprised if the admiralty took notice of it." "indeed, sir," replied i, with assumed alarm. i received no answer, except a most significant nod of the head, as he walked away. but i have not yet arrived at the climax, which made me inclined to exclaim with the expiring lion in the fable-- a midshipman--yes, reader, a midshipman--who had formerly belonged to my ship, and had trembled at my frown, ranged up alongside of me, and with a supercilious air, observed-- "i have read your book, and--there are _one_ or _two_ good things in it." hear this, admirals and captains on half-pay! hear this, port-admirals and captains afloat! i have often heard that the service was deteriorating, going to the devil, but i never became a convert to the opinion before. gracious heaven! what a revengeful feeling is there in the exclamation "o that mine adversary had _written a book_!" to be snarled at, and bow-wowed at, in this manner, by those who find fault, because their intellect is not sufficient to enable them to appreciate! authors, take my resolution; which is, never to show your face until your work has passed through the ordeal of the reviews.--keep your room for the month after your literary labour. reviews are like jesuit father confessors-- guiding the opinions of the multitude, who blindly follow the suggestions of those to whom they may have entrusted their literary consciences. if your work is denounced and damned, still you will be the gainer; for is it not better to be released at once from your sufferings, by one blow from the paw of a tiger, than to be worried piecemeal by creatures who have all the will, but not the power, to inflict the _coup de grace_? the author of "cloudesley," enumerating the qualifications necessary to a writer of fiction, observes, "when he introduces his ideal personage to the public, he enters upon his task with a preconception of the qualities that belong to this being, the principle of his actions, and its necessary concomitants, etcetera, etcetera." that such preparation ought to be made, i will not deny; but were i to attempt an adherence to these rules, the public would never be troubled with any production of mine. it would be too tedious a journey in prospective for my wayward intellect; and if i calculated stages before i ordered my horses, i should abandon the attempt, and remain quietly at home. mine is not a journey of that methodical description; on the contrary, it is a ramble hand-in-hand with fancy, with a light heart and a lighter baggage; for my whole wallet, when i set off, contains but one single idea--but ideas are hermaphrodite, and these creatures of the brain are most prolific. to speak more intelligibly, i never have made any arrangement of plot when i commenced a work of fiction, and often finish a chapter without having the slightest idea of what materials the ensuing one is to be constructed. at times i feel so tired that i throw down the pen in despair; but it is soon taken up again, and, like a pigmy antaeus, it seems to have imbibed fresh vigour from its prostration. i remember when the "king's own" was finished, i was as happy as a pedestrian who had accomplished his thousand miles in a thousand hours. my voluntary slavery was over, and i was emancipated. where was i then? i recollect; within two days' sail of the lizard, returning home, after a six weeks' cruise to discover a rock in the atlantic, which never existed except in the terrified or intoxicated noddle of some master of a merchant vessel. it was about half-past five in the evening, and i was alone in my after-cabin, quite alone, as the captain of a man-of-war must be, even when in presence of his ship's company. if being sent to sea has been pronounced by the officers and men to be _transportation_, being the captain of the ship may truly be designated as _solitary confinement_. i could not send for any one to whom i could impart the intelligence-- there was no one whom i could expect to sympathise with me, or to whom i could pour out the abundance of my joy; for that the service prohibited. what could i do? why i could dance; so i sprung from my chair, and singing the tune, commenced a quadrille movement,--"tal de ral la, tal de ral la, lity, lity, lity, liddle-um, tal de ral ha, tal--" "three bells, sir," cried the first lieutenant, who had opened my door unperceived by me, and showed evident surprise at my motions; "shall we beat to quarters?"--"certainly, mr b---," replied i; and he disappeared. but this interruption produced only a temporary cessation: i was in the height of "cavalier seul," when his head popped into the cabin-- "all present, and sober, sir," reported he, with a demure smile. "except the captain, i presume you are thinking," replied i. "oh! no indeed, sir; i observed that you were very merry." "i am, mr b---, but not with wine; mine is a sort of intellectual intoxication not provided for in the articles of war." "a what! sir?" "oh! something that you'll never get drunk upon, as you never look into a book--beat a retreat." "ay, ay, sir," replied the first-lieutenant; and he disappeared. and i also beat a retreat to my sofa; and as i threw myself upon it, mentally vowed that, for two months at the least, i never would take up a pen. but we seldom make a vow which we do not eventually break; and the reason is obvious. we vow only when hurried into excesses; we are alarmed at the dominion which has been acquired over us by our feelings or by our habits. checked for a time by an adherence to our resolutions, they gradually recover their former strength, until they again break forth, and we yield to their overpowering influence. a few days after i had made the resolution, i found myself, like the sailor, _rewarding_ it, by writing more indefatigably than ever. so now, reader, you may understand that i continue to write, as tony lumpkin says--not to please my good-natured friends, "but because i can't bear to disappoint myself;" for that which i commenced as an amusement, and continued as a drudgery, has ended in becoming a _confirmed habit_. so much for the overture. now let us draw up the curtain, and our actors shall appear upon the stage. volume one, chapter two. boldly i venture on a naval scene, nor fear the critics' frown, the pedants' spleen. sons of the ocean, we their rules disdain. hark!--a shock tears her strong bottom on the marble rock. down on the vale of death, with dismal cries, the fated victims shuddering, roll their eyes in wild despair--while yet another stroke with deep convulsion rends the solid oak, till like the mine in whose infernal cell the lurking demons of destruction dwell, at length asunder-torn, her frame divides, and crashing, spreads in ruin o'er the tides. falconer. it was in the dreary month of fog, misanthropy, and suicide--the month during which heaven receives a scantier tribute of gratitude from discontented man--during which the sun rises, but shines not--gives forth an unwilling light, but glads us not with his cheerful rays-- during which large tallow candles assist the merchant to calculate his gains or to philosophise over his losses--in short, it was one evening in the month of november of the year ---, that edward forster, who had served many years in his majesty's navy, was seated in a snug arm-chair, in a snug parlour, in a snug cottage to which he had retired upon his half-pay, in consequence of a severe wound which had, for many years, healed but to break out again each succeeding spring. the locality of the cottage was not exactly so snug as it has been described in itself, and its interior; for it was situated on a hill which terminated at a short distance in a precipitous clift, beetling over that portion of the atlantic which lashes the shores of cumberland under the sub-denomination of the irish sea. but forster had been all his early life a sailor, and still felt the same pleasure in listening to the moaning and whistling of the wind, as it rattled the shutters of his cottage (like some importunate who would gain admittance), as he used to experience when, lying in his hammock, he was awakened by the howling of the blast, and shrouding himself in his blankets to resume his nap, rejoiced that he was not exposed to its fury. his finances did not allow him to indulge in luxuries, and the distillation of the country was substituted for wine. with his feet upon the fender, and his glass of whisky-toddy at his side, he had been led into a train of thought by the book which he had been reading; some passage of which had recalled to his memory scenes that had long passed away--the scenes of youth and hope--the happy castle-building of the fresh in heart, invariably overthrown by time and disappointment. the night was tempestuous; the rain now pattered loud, then ceased as if it had fed the wind, which renewed its violence, and forced its way through every crevice. the carpet of his little room occasionally rose from the floor, swelled up by the insidious entrance of the searching blast; the solitary candle, which from neglect had not only elongated its wick to an unusual extent, but had formed a sort of mushroom top, was every moment in danger of extinction, while the chintz curtains of the window waved solemnly to and fro. but the deep reverie of edward forster was suddenly disturbed by the report of a gun swept to leeward by the impetuosity of the gale, which hurled it with violence against the door and front windows of his cottage, for some moments causing them to vibrate with the concussion. forster started up, dropping his book upon the hearth, and jerking the table with his elbow, so as to dash out the larger proportion of the contents of his tumbler. the sooty coronal of the wick also fell with the shock, and the candle, relieved from its burden, poured forth a brighter gleam. "lord ha' mercy, mr forster; did you hear that noise?" cried the old housekeeper (the only inhabitant of the cottage except himself), as she bolted into the room, holding her apron in both hands. "i did, indeed, mrs beazeley," replied forster; "it's the signal of a vessel in distress, and she must be on a dead lee-shore. give me my hat!" and draining off the remainder in his tumbler, while the old lady reached his hat off a peg in the passage, he darted out from the door of his tenement. the door, which faced to seaward, flew open with violence, as forster disappeared in the darkness of the night. the old housekeeper, on whom had devolved the task of securing it, found it no easy matter; and the rain, blown in by the sweeping gale, proved an effectual and unwelcome shower-bath to one who complained bitterly of the rheumatics. at last her object was accomplished, and she repaired to the parlour to re-light the candle which had been extinguished, and await the return of her master. after sundry ejaculations and sundry wonders, she took possession of his arm-chair, poked the fire, and helped herself to a glass of whisky-toddy. as soon as her clothes and her tumbler were again dry, she announced by loud snores that she was in a happy state of oblivion; in which we shall leave her, to follow the motions of edward forster. it was about seven o'clock in the evening, when forster thus exposed himself to the inclemency of the weather. but a few weeks before how beautiful were the evenings at this hour; the sun disappearing beyond the distant wave, and leaving a portion of his glory behind him until the stars, in obedience to the divine fiat, were lighted up to "shine by night;" the sea rippling on the sand, or pouring into the crevices of the rocks, changing its hue, as daylight slowly disappeared, to the more sombre colours it reflected, from azure to each deeper tint of grey, until darkness closed in, and its extent was scarcely to be defined by the horizontal line. now all was changed, the roaring of the wind and the hoarse beating of the waves upon the streaming rocks deafened the ears of edward forster. the rain and spray were hurled in his face, as, with both hands, he secured his hat upon his head; and the night was so intensely dark, that but occasionally he could distinguish the broad belt of foam with which the coast was lined. still forster forced his way towards the beach, which it is now requisite that we should more particularly describe. as we before observed, the cottage was built upon a high land, which terminated in a precipitous clift about two hundred yards distant, and running in a direct line to the westward. to the northward, the coast for miles was one continual line of rocky clifts, affording no chance of life to those who might be dashed upon them; but to the southward of the clift which formed the promontory opposite to forster's cottage, and which terminated the range, there was a deep indent in the line of coast, forming a sandy and nearly land-locked bay, small indeed, but so sheltered that any vessel which could run in might remain there in safety until the gale was spent. its only occupant was a fisherman, who, with his family, lived in a small cottage on the beach. he was an ally of forster, who had intrusted to his charge a skiff, in which, during the summer months, he often whiled away his time. it was to this cottage that forster bent his way, and loudly knocked when he arrived. "robertson--i say, robertson," called forster, at the full compass of his voice. "he is not here, mr forster," answered jane, the wife of the fisherman; "he is out, looking for the vessel." "which way did he go?" before an answer could be returned, robertson himself appeared. "i'm here, mr forster," said he, taking off his fur cap, and squeezing out with both hands the water with which it was loaded; "but i can't see the vessel." "still, by the report of the gun, she must be close to the shore.--get some fagots out from the shed, and light as large a fire as you can; don't spare them, my good fellow; i will pay you." "that i'll do, sir, and without pay; i only hope that they'll understand the signal, and lay her on shore in the cove. there's another gun!" this second report, so much louder than the former, indicated that the vessel had rapidly neared the land; and the direction from which the report came, proved that she must be close to the promontory of rocks. "be smart, my dear fellow; be smart," cried forster. "i will go up to the clift, and try if i can make her out;" and the parties separated upon their mutual work of sympathy and good will. it was not without danger, as well as difficulty, that forster succeeded in his attempt; and when he arrived at the summit, a violent gust of wind would have thrown him off his legs, had he not sunk down upon his knees and clung to the herbage, losing his hat, which was borne far away to leeward. in this position, drenched with the rain and shivering with the cold, he remained some minutes, attempting in vain, with straining eyes, to pierce through the gloom of the night, when a flash of lightning, which darted from the zenith and continued its eccentric career until it was lost behind the horizon, discovered to him the object of his research. but a few moments did he behold it, and then, from the sudden contrast, a film appeared to swim over his aching eyes, and all was more intensely, more horribly dark than before; but to the eye of a seafaring man, this short view was sufficient. he perceived that it was a large ship, within a quarter of a mile of the land, pressed gunnel under with her reefed courses, chopping through the heavy seas--now pointing her bowsprit to the heavens, as she rose over the impeding swell; now plunging deep into the trough encircled by the foam raised by her own exertions, like some huge monster of the deep, struggling in her toils, and lashing the seas around in her violent efforts to escape. the fire burnt up fiercely in the cove, in defiance of the rain and wind, which, after in vain attempting to destroy it in its birth, now seemed to assist it with their violence. "she may yet be saved," thought forster, "if she will only carry on--two cables' lengths more, and she will be clear of the point." again and again was the vessel momentarily presented to his view, as the forked lightning darted in every quarter of the firmament, while the astounding claps of thunder bursting upon his ears before the lightning had ceased to gleam, announced to him that he was kneeling in the very centre of the war of the elements. the vessel reared the clift in about the same proportion that she forged ahead. forster was breathless with anxiety, for the last flash of electricity revealed to him that two moments more would decide her fate. the gale now redoubled its fury, and forster was obliged to cling for his existence as he sank, from his kneeling posture, flat upon the wet herbage. still he had approached so near to the edge of the clift that his view below was not interrupted by his change of posture--another flash of lightning.--it was enough! "god have mercy on their souls!" cried he, dropping his face upon the ground as if to shut out the horrid vision from his sight. he had beheld the vessel within the surf, but a few yards distant from the outer rocks, thrown on her beam-ends, with both foresail and mainsail blown clear out of their bolt-ropes. the cry for succour was raised in vain; the wail of despair was not heard; the struggles for life were not beheld, as the elements in their wrath roared and howled over their victim. as if satiated with its devastation, from that moment the storm gradually abated, and forster taking advantage of a lull, slowly descended to the cove, where he found robertson still heaping fuel on the fire. "save your wood, my good fellow; it's all over with her; and those who were on board are in eternity at this moment," said forster, in a melancholy tone. "is she gone then, sir?" "right on the outer ledge; there's not a living soul to see your beacon." "god's will be done!" replied the fisherman; "then their time was come-- but he who destroys, can save if he pleases; i'll not put out the fire, while there's a fagot left, for you know, mr forster, that if any one should by a miracle be thrown into the smooth water on this side of the point, he might be saved; that is, if he swam well:"--and robertson threw on more fagots, which soon flared up with a brilliant light. the fisherman returned to the cottage to procure for forster a red woollen cap in lieu of the hat which he had lost; and they both sat down close to the fire to warm themselves, and to dry their streaming clothes. robertson had once more replenished the fuel, and the vivid blaze glared along the water in the cove, when the eye of forster was attracted by the appearance of something floating on the wave, and evidently nearing to the shore. he pointed it out to the fisherman, and they descended to the water's edge, awaiting its approach with intense anxiety. "it's not a man, sir, is it?" observed robertson, after a minute's pause. "i cannot make it out," replied forster; "but i rather think that it is an animal--something living, most assuredly." in another minute or two the point was decided; they distinguished a large dog bearing something white in its mouth, and making for the shore where they were standing. calling to the poor beast to cheer him, for he evidently was much exhausted and approached but slowly, they soon had the satisfaction of seeing him pass through the surf, which, even at this time, was not heavy in the cove, and, with the water pouring from his shaggy coat, stagger towards them, bearing in his mouth his burden, which he laid down at forster's feet, and then shook off the accumulation of moisture from his skin. forster took up the object of the animal's solicitude--it was the body of an infant, apparently a few months old. "poor thing!" cried forster, mournfully. "it's quite dead, sir," observed the fisherman. "i am afraid so," replied forster, "but it cannot have been so long; the dog evidently bore it up clear of the water until it came into the surf. who knows but we might restore it?" "if any thing will restore it, sir, it will be the warmth of woman's breast, to which it hitherto hath clung--jane shall take it in her bed between her and the little ones;" and the fisherman entered the hut with the child, which was undressed, and received by his wife with all the sympathy which maternal feelings create, even towards the offspring of others. to the delight of forster, in a quarter of an hour robertson came out of the cottage with the intelligence that the child had moved and cried a little, and that there was every chance of its recovery. "it's a beautiful little girl, sir, jane says; and if it lives, she will halve her milk between it and our little tommy." forster remained another half-hour, until he had ascertained that the child had taken the breast and had fallen asleep. congratulating himself at having been the means of saving even one little life out of the many which, in all probability had been swallowed up, he called to the dog, who had remained passive by the fire, and rose up to return home; but the dog retreated to the door of the cottage into which he had seen the infant carried, and all attempts to coax him away were fruitless. forster summoned robertson, to whom he gave some further directions, and then returned to his home, where, on his arrival, his old housekeeper, who had never been awakened from her sound nap until roused by his knocking at the door, scolded him not a little for being out in such tempestuous weather, and a great deal more for having obliged her to sit up and _watch_ all night until his return. volume one, chapter three. creation smiles around; on every spray the warbling birds exalt their evening lay: blithe skipping o'er you hill, the fleecy train join the deep chorus of the lowing plain: the glassy ocean hush'd forgets to roar, but trembling murmurs on the sandy shore. falconer. forster was soon fast asleep after his night of exertion: his dreams were confused and wild; but i seldom trouble people about dreams, which are as nought. when reason descends from her throne, and seeks a transitory respite from her labour, fancy usurps the vacant seat, and in pretended majesty, would fain exert her sister's various powers. these she enacts to the best of her ability, and with about the same success as attends a monkey when he attempts the several operations connected with the mystery of shaving:--and thus ends a very short and conclusive dissertation upon dreams. but, to use a nautical phrase, we must "heave to" in our narrative awhile, as it is necessary that we should enter a little more into the previous history of edward forster; which we can now do without interruption, as the parties we have introduced to the reader are all asleep. the father of edward forster was a clergyman, who, notwithstanding he could reckon up some twenty or thirty first, second, and third cousins with high-sounding titles, officiated as curate in a district not far from that part of the country where forster at present was located. he was one of the bees of the church, who are constantly toiling, while the drones are eating up the honey. he preached three sermons, and read three services, at three different stations every sunday throughout the year; while he christened, married, and buried a population extending over some thousands of square acres, for the scanty stipend of one hundred per annum. soon after he was in possession of his curacy he married a young woman, who brought him beauty and modesty as her dower, and subsequently pledges of mutual love _ad lib_. but he that giveth, taketh away; and out of nearly a score of these interesting but expensive presents to her husband, only three, all of the masculine gender, arrived at years of maturity. john (or jock, as he usually was called), who was the eldest, was despatched to london, where he studied the law under a relation; who, perceiving that mrs forster's annual presentation _of_ the living was not followed up by any presentation _to_ the living, kindly took charge of, and received him into his own house. jock was a hard-headed fellow, studied with great diligence, and retained what he read, although he did not read fast; but that which he lost in speed he made up by perseverance, and had now, entirely by his own exertions, risen to considerable eminence in his profession; but he had been severed from his family in early days, and had never been able to return to them. he heard, indeed, of the birth of sundry brothers and sisters; of their deaths; and lastly, of the demise of his parents, the only communication which affected him; for he loved his father and mother, and was anticipating the period when he might possess the means of rendering them more comfortable. but all this had long passed away. he was now a bachelor past fifty, bearish and uncouth in his appearance, and ungracious in his deportment. secluded in his chambers, poring over the dry technicalities of his profession, he had divided the moral world into two parts--honest and dishonest, lawful and unlawful. all other feelings and affections, if he had them, were buried, and had never been raised to the surface. at the time we speak of he continued his laborious, yet lucrative, profession, toiling in his harness like a horse in a mill, heaping up riches, knowing not who should gather them; not from avarice, but from long habit, which rendered his profession not only his pleasure, but essential to his very existence. edward forster had not seen him for nearly twenty years; the last time was when he passed through london upon his retirement from the service. indeed, as they never corresponded (for there was nothing common between them), it is a matter of doubt whether jock was exactly aware which of his brothers remained alive; and had it been a subject of interest, he would, in all probability, have referred to the former letters of his father and mother, as legal documents, to ascertain who was remaining of his kin. the next surviving son was _yclept_ (there's something very _consonant_ in that word) nicholas. the reverend mr forster, who had no inheritance to bequeath to his family except a _good name_, which although better than _riches_, will not always procure for a man one penny loaf, naturally watched for any peculiar symptoms of genius in his children which might designate one of the various paths to wealth and fame, by which it would be most easy for the individual to ascend. now it did occur that when nicholas was yet in womanish attire, he showed a great partiality to a burning-glass, with which he contrived to do much mischief. he would burn the dog's nose as he slept in the sun before the door. his mother's gown showed proofs of his genius by sundry little round holes, which were considerably increased each time that it returned from the wash. nay, heretical and damnable as is the fact, his father's surplice was as a moth-eaten garment from the repeated and insidious attacks of this young philosopher. the burning-glass decided his fate. he was bound apprentice to an optical and mathematical instrument maker; from which situation he was, if possible, to emerge into the highest grade of the profession; but, somehow or another, a want of ambition or of talent did not permit him to ascend the scale, and he now kept a shop in the small seaport town of overton, where he repaired damaged articles of science--a watch one day, a quadrant or a compass another; but his chief employment and his chief forte lay in telescopes; and accordingly, a large board, with "nicholas forster, optician," surmounted the small shop window, at which he was invariably to be seen at his employment. he was an eccentric person, one of those who had narrowly escaped being clever; but there was an obliquity in his mind which would not admit of lucid order and arrangement. in the small town where he resided, he continued to pick up a decent sustenance; for he had no competitor, and was looked upon as a man of considerable ability. he was the only one of three brothers who had ventured upon wedlock. but of this part of our history we shall at present say no more than that he had an only child, and had married his wife, to use his own expression, because she _suited his focus_. edward forster the youngest, whom we have already introduced to the reader, showed strong nautical propensities; he swam nut-shells in a puddle, and sent pieces of lath with paper sails floating down the brook which gurgled by the parsonage. this was circumstantial evidence: he was convicted, and ordered off to sea, to return a nelson. for his conduct during the time he served her, edward forster certainly deserved well of his country, and had he been enabled to continue in his profession, would in all probability have risen by his merit to its highest grades; but having served his time as midshipman, he received a desperate wound in "cutting out," and shortly after obtained his promotion to the rank of lieutenant for his gallant conduct. his wound was of that severe description that he was obliged to quit the service, and, for a time, retire upon his half pay. for many years, he looked forward to the period when he could resume his career:--but in vain; the wound broke out again and again; fresh splinters of the bone continually worked out, and he was doomed to constant disappointment. at last it healed; but years of suffering had quenched the ardour of youth, and when he did apply for employment, his services had been forgotten. he received a cool negative, almost consonant to his wishes: and returned, without feeling mortified, to the cottage we have described, where he lived a secluded yet not an unhappy life. his wants were few, and his half pay more than adequate to supply them. a happy contemplative indolence, arising from a well cultivated mind, feeding rather upon its previous acquirements, than adding to its store--an equanimity of disposition, and a habit of rigid self-command--were the characteristics of edward forster; whom i shall now awaken, that we may proceed with our narrative. "well, i do declare, mr forster, you have had a famous nap," cried mrs beazeley, in a tone of voice so loud as to put an immediate end to his slumber, as she entered his room with some hot water to assist him in that masculine operation, the diurnal painful return of which has been considered to be more than tantamount in suffering to the occasional `pleasing punishment which women bear,' although this cannot be proved until ladies are endowed with beards, (which heaven forfend!) or some modern tiresias shall appear to decide the point, the assertion appears to be borne out, if we reason by analogy from human life; where we find that it is not the heavy blow of sudden misfortune tripping the ladder of our ambition and laying us prostrate, which constitutes life's intermittent "fitful fever;" but the thousand petty vexations of hourly occurrence.--we return to mrs beazeley, who continued--"why, it's nine o'clock, mr forster, and a nice fresh morning it is too, after last night's tempest. and pray what did you hear and see, sir?" continued the old woman, opening the shutters, and admitting a blaze of sunshine, as if determined that at all events he should now both _hear_ and _see_. "i'll tell you all, mrs beazeley, when i am dressed. let me have my breakfast as soon as you can, for i must be off again to the cove. i did not intend to have slept so late." "why, what's in the wind now, mr forster?" said the old lady, borrowing one of his nautical phrases. "if you wish to know, mrs beazeley, the sooner you allow me to get out of bed, the sooner i shall be able to give you the information you require." "but what made you stay out so late, mr forster?" continued the housekeeper, who seemed determined, if possible, to have a little information _en attendant_, to stay her appetite until her curiosity could obtain a more substantial repast. "i am sorry to say, there was a vessel wrecked." "o dear! o dear! any lives lost?" "all, i am afraid, except one, and even that is doubtful." "o lord! o lord! do, pray, mr forster, tell me all about it." "as soon as i am dressed, mrs beazeley," replied mr forster, making a movement indicative that he was about to "_turn out," whether or no_, and which occasioned mrs beazeley to make a hasty retreat. in a few minutes forster made his appearance in the parlour, where he found both the kettle and the housekeeper boiling with impatience. he commenced eating and narrating until the respective appetites of mrs beazeley and himself were equally appeased, and then set off for the abode of robertson, to ascertain the fate of the infant. how different was the scene from that of the night before! the sea was still in commotion, and as the bright sun shone upon its agitated surface, gilding the summits of the waves, although there was majesty and beauty in the appearance, there was nought to excite terror. the atmosphere, purified by the warfare of the elements, was fresh and bracing. the short verdure which covered the promontory and hills adjacent, was of a more brilliant green, and seemed as if to bask in the sun after the cleansing it had received from the heavy rain; while the sheep (for the coast was one extended sheep-walk) studded the sides of the hills, their white fleeces in strong, yet beautiful contrast, with the deep verdure of nature. the smooth water of the cove, in opposition to the vexed billows of the unsheltered ocean; the murmuring of the light waves, running in long and gently curved lines to their repose upon the yellow sand; their surface occasionally rippled by the eddying breeze as it swept along; his own little skiff safe at her moorings, undulating with the swell; the sea-gulls, who but a few hours ago were screaming with dismay as they buffeted against the fury of the gale, now skimming on the waves, or balanced on the wing near to their inaccessible retreats; the carolling of the smaller birds on every side of him, produced a lightness of heart and quickened pulse, to which edward forster had latterly been a stranger. he soon arrived at the cottage, where the sound of his footsteps brought out the fisherman and his wife, the latter bearing in her arms the little object of his solicitude. "see, mr forster," said jane, holding out the infant, "it's quite well and hearty, and does nothing but smile. what a lovely babe it is!" forster looked at the child, who smiled, as if in gratitude; but his attention was called away by the newfoundland dog, who fawned upon him, and after having received his caresses, squatted down upon the sand, which he beat with his tail as he looked wistfully in forster's face. forster took the child from the arms of its new mother. "thou hast had a narrow escape, poor thing," said he, and his countenance assumed a melancholy cast as the idea floated in his mind. "who knows how many more perils may await thee? who can say whether thou art to be restored to the arms of thy relatives, or be left an orphan to a sailor's care? whether it had not been better that the waves should have swallowed thee in thy purity, than thou shouldest be exposed to a heartless world of sorrow and of crime? but he who willed thee to be saved knows best for us who are in darkness;" and forster kissed its brow, and returned it to the arms of jane. having made a few arrangements with robertson and his wife, in whose care he resolved at present to leave the child, forster bent his steps towards the promontory, that he might ascertain if any part of the vessel remained. stretching over the summit of the cliff, he perceived that several of the lower futtocks and timbers still hung together, and showed themselves above water. anxious to obtain some clue to her identity, he prepared to descend by a winding and hazardous path which he had before surmounted. in a quarter of an hour he had gained a position close to the wreck; but, with the exception of the shattered remnant which was firmly wedged between the rocks, there was nothing to be seen; not a fragment of her masts and spars, or sails, not a relic of what was once life remained. the tide, which ran furiously round the promontory, had swept them all away, or the _undertow_ of the deep water had buried every detached particle, to be delivered up again, "far, far at sea." all that forster could ascertain was, that the vessel was foreign built, and of large tonnage; but who were its unfortunate tenants, or what the cargo, of which she had been despoiled by the devouring waves, was not even to be surmised. the linen on the child was marked j de f; and this was the only clue which remained for its identity. for more than an hour did forster remain fixed as a statue upon the rock, where he had taken his station with arms folded, while he contemplated the hoarse waves, dashing against the bends, or dividing as they poured themselves between the timbers of the vessel, and he sunk into deep and melancholy thought. and where is the object exciting more serious reflection than a _wreck_? the pride and ingenuity of man humbled and overcome; the elements of the lord occupying the fabric which had set them at defiance; tossing, tumbling, and dancing, as if in mockery at their success! the structure, but a few hours past, as perfect as human intellect could devise, towering with its proud canvass over space, and bearing man to greet his fellow-man, over the _surface of death_!--dashing the billow from her stem, as if in scorn, while she pursued her trackless way-- bearing tidings of peace and security, of war and devastation--tidings of joy or grief, affecting whole kingdoms and empires, as if they were but individuals! now, the waters delight in their revenge, and sparkle with joy, as the sun shines upon their victory. that keel, which, with the sharpness of a scythe, has so often mowed its course through the reluctant wave, is now buried;--buried deep in the sand, which the angry surge accumulates each minute, as if determined that it never will be subject to its weight again. how many seasons had rolled away, how many millions had returned to the dust from which they sprung, before the kernels had swelled into the forest giants levelled for that structure;--what labour had been undergone to complete the task;--how many of the existent race found employment and subsistence as they slowly raised that monument of human skill;--how often had the weary miner laid aside his tool to wipe his sweating brow, before the metals required for the completion had been brought from darkness;--what thousands had been employed before it was prepared and ready for its destined use! yon copper bolt, twisted with a force not human, and raised above the waters, as if in evidence of their dreadful power, may contain a history in itself. how many of her own structure must have been employed, bringing from the north, the south, the east, and the west: her masts, her spars, her "_hempen tackle_," and her canvass wings; her equipment in all its variety; her stores for the support of life; her magazines of _quiescent death_. and they who so fearlessly trod her decks, conscious of their own powers, and confident in their own skill; they who expanded her thousands of yards of canvass to the pursuing breeze, or reduced them, like magic, at the approaching storm--where are they now? how many sighs have been lavished at their absence! how many hearths would have been gladdened by their return! where are the hopes, the fears, the ambition, and the pride; the courage and the enterprise; the love and the yearnings after their kin; the speculations of the present, and the calculations of the future, which occupied their minds, or were cherished in their bosoms? all--all _wrecked_! days, weeks, and months rolled away; yet every step that could be taken to find out the name of the vessel proved unavailing. although the conjectures of forster, that she was one of the many foreign west indiamen which had met with a similar fate during that tempestuous winter, was probably correct; still no clue could be gathered by which the parentage of the little girl could be ascertained, the linen was indeed marked with initials; but this circumstance offered but a faint prospect of discovery. either her relations, convinced of her loss made no inquiries, or the name of the vessel in which she had been a passenger was not known to them. the child had been weaned, and removed to the cottage, where it occupied much of the attention of the old housekeeper and forster, who, despairing of its ever being reclaimed, determined to bring it up as his own. mrs beazeley, the housekeeper, was a good-tempered woman, long passed the grand climacteric, and strongly attached to forster, with whom she had resided many years. but, like all women, whether married or single, who have the responsibility of a household, she would have her own way; and scolded her master with as little ceremony as if she had been united to him by matrimonial bonds. to this forster quietly submitted: he had lived long enough to be aware that people are not the happiest who are not under control, and was philosopher sufficient to submit to the penal code of matrimony without tasting its enjoyments, the arrival of the infant made him more than ever feel as if he were a married man; for he had all the delights of the nursery in addition to his previous discipline. but, although bound by no ties, he found himself happier. he soon played with the infant, and submitted to his housekeeper with all the docility of a well-trained married man. the newfoundland dog, who, although (like some of his betters) he did not change his name _for_ a fortune, did, in all probability, change it _with_ his fortune, soon answered to the deserved epithet of faithful, and slept at the foot of the crib of his little mistress, who also was to be rechristened. "she is a treasure, which has been thrown up by the ocean," said forster, kissing the lovely infant. "let her name be _amber_." but we must leave her to bud forth in her innocence and her purity, while we direct the attention of the reader to other scenes, which are contemporary with those we have described. volume one, chapter four. a woman moved is like a fountain troubled, muddy, ill-seeming, thick, bereft of beauty; and while 'tis so, none so dry or thirsty will deign to sip, or touch one drop of it. shakespeare. a man may purchase an estate, a tenement, or a horse because they have pleased his fancy, and eventually find out that he has not exactly suited himself; and it sometimes will occur that a man is placed in a similar situation relative to his choice of a wife: a more serious evil; as, although the prime cost may be nothing, there is no chance of getting rid of this latter speculation by re-vending, as you may the former. now it happened that nicholas forster, of whom we have already made slight mention, although he considered at the time of his marriage that the person he had selected would _exactly suit his focus_, did eventually discover that he was more short-sighted in his choice than an optician ought to have been. whatever may have been the personal charms of mrs nicholas forster at the time of their union, she had, at the period of our narrative, but few to boast of, being a thin, sharp-nosed, ferret-eyed, little woman, teeming with suspicion, jealousy, and bad humours of every description: her whole employment (we may say, her whole delight) was in finding fault: her shrill voice was to be heard from the other side of the street from morning until night. the one servant which their finances enabled them with difficulty to retain, and whom they engaged as the maid of all work (and certainly she was not permitted by mrs forster to be idle in her multifarious duty), seldom remained above her _month_; and nothing but the prospect of immediate starvation could induce any one to offer herself in that capacity. mr nicholas forster, fortunately for his own happiness, was of that peculiar temperament, that nothing could completely rouse his anger; he was _absent_ to an excess; and if any language or behaviour on the part of his wife induced his choler to rise, other ideas would efface the cause from his memory; and this hydra of the human bosom, missing the object of its intended attack, again laid down to rest. the violence and vituperation of his spouse were, therefore, lost upon nicholas forster; and the impossibility of disturbing the equanimity of his temper increased the irritability of her own. still mr nicholas forster, when he did reflect upon the subject, which was but during momentary fits of recollection, could not help acknowledging that he should be much more quiet and happy when it pleased heaven to summon mrs forster to a better world: and this idea ultimately took possession of his imagination. her constant turbulence interfered so much with the prosecution of his plans, that, finding it impossible to carry them into execution, every thing that he considered of moment was mentally put off until _mrs forster was dead_! "well, mr forster, how long is the dinner to wait before you think proper to come? every thing will be cold as usual."--(n.b., the dinner consisted of the remains of a cold shoulder of mutton.)--"or do you mean to have any dinner at all? betty, clear away the table; i have my work to do, and won't wait any longer." "i'm coming, my dear, i'm coming; only this balance spring is a job that i cannot well leave," replied nicholas, continuing his vocation in the shop, with a magnifying glass attached to his eye. "coming! yes, and christmas is coming mr forster.--well, the dinner's going, i can tell you." nicholas, who did not want appetite, and who was conscious that if the mutton returned to the cupboard there would be some difficulty made in reproducing it, laid down the watch and came into the back parlour. "well, my dear, here i am; sorry to have kept you waiting so long, but business must be attended to.--dear me, why the mutton is really quite cold," continued nicholas, thrusting a large piece into his mouth, quite forgetting that he had already dined twice off the identical joint. "that's a fine watch of mr tobin's; but i think that my improvement upon the duplex when i have finished it--" "when you have finished it, indeed!" retorted the lady; "why, when did you ever finish any thing, mr forster! finish indeed!" "well, my dear," replied the husband, with an absent air--"i do mean to finish it, when--_you are dead_!" "when i am dead!" screamed the lady, in a rage--"when i am dead!" continued she, placing her arms akimbo, as she started from the chair:--"i can tell you, mr forster, that i'll live long enough to plague you, it's not the first time that you've said so; but depend upon it, i'll dance upon your grave yet, mr forster." "i did not exactly mean to say that; not exactly that, my dear," replied nicholas, confused. "the fact is that i was not exactly aware of what i was saying--i had not precisely the--" "precisely the fiddle-stick, mr forster! you did mean it, and you do mean it, and this is all the return that i am to expect for my kindness and anxiety for your welfare--slaving and toiling all day as i do; but you're incorrigible, mr forster: look at you, helping, yourself out of your snuff-box instead of the salt-cellar. what man in his senses would eat a cold shoulder of mutton with tobacco?" "dear me, so i have," replied forster, removing the snuff taken from the box, which, as usual, lay open before him, not into the box again, but into the salt-cellar. "and who's to eat that salt now, you nasty beast?" "i am not a beast, mrs forster," replied the husband, whose choler was roused; "i made a mistake; i do perceive--now i recollect it, did you send betty with the `day and night glass' to captain simkins?" "yes, i did, mr forster: if i did not look after your business, i should like to know what would become of us; and i can tell, you mr forster, that if you do not contrive to get more business, there will soon be nothing to eat; seventeen and sixpence is all that i have received this last week; and how rent and fire, meat and drink, are to be paid for with that, you must explain, for i can't." "how can i help it, my dear? i never refuse a job." "never refuse a job? no; but you must contrive to make more business." "i can mend a watch, and make a telescope, but i can't make business, my dear," replied nicholas. "yes, you can, and you must, mr forster," continued the lady, sweeping off the remains of the mutton, just as her husband had fixed his eye upon the next cut, and locking it up in the cupboard--"if you do not, you will have nothing to eat, mr forster." "so it appears, my dear," replied the meek nicholas, taking a pinch of snuff; "but i really don't--" "why, mr forster, if you were not one of the greatest--" "no, no, my dear," interrupted nicholas, from extreme modesty, "i am not one of the greatest opticians of the present day; although when i've made my improve--" "greatest opticians!" interrupted the lady. "one of the greatest _fools_, i meant!" "that's quite another thing, my dear; but--" "no _buts_, mr forster; please to listen, and not interrupt me in that bearish manner. why do you repair in the way you do? who ever brings you a watch or a glass that you have handled a second time?" "but why should they, my dear, when i have put them in good order?" "put them in order! but why do you put them in order?" "why do i put them in order, my dear?" replied forster, with astonishment. "yes; why don't you leave a screw loose, somewhere? then they must come again. that's the proper way to do business." "the proper way to do my business, my dear, is to see that all the screws are tight." "and starve!" continued the lady. "if it please god," replied the honest nicholas. but this matrimonial duet was interrupted by the appearance of their son, whom we must introduce to the reader, as he will play a conspicuous part in our narrative. newton forster, for thus had he been christened by his father, out of respect _for the great sir isaac_, who was now about seventeen years' old--athletic and well proportioned in person, handsome in features, and equally gifted in mind. there was a frankness and sincerity in his open brow, an honesty in his smile, which immediately won upon the beholder; and his countenance was but an index to his mind. his father had bestowed all his own leisure, and some expense, which he could ill afford, upon his education, trusting one day that he would rival the genius after whom he had been christened; but newton was not of a disposition to _sit_ down either at a desk or a work-bench. whenever he could escape from home or from school, he was to be found either on the beach or at the pier, under the shelter of which the coasting vessels discharged or received their cargoes; and he had for some years declared his intention to follow the profession of a sailor. to this his father had reluctantly consented, with the proviso that he would first finish his education; and the mutual compact had been strictly adhered to by each party. at the age of fifteen newton had acquired all that could be imparted to him by the pedagogue of the vicinity, and had then, until something better should turn up, shipped himself on board of a coasting vessel, in which, during the last two years he had made several trips, being usually absent about six weeks, and remaining in port about the same time, until another cargo could be procured. young as he was, the superiority of his education had obtained him the situation of mate of the vessel; and his pay enabled him to assist his father, whose business, as mrs forster declared, was not sufficient to "make both ends meet." upon his return, his love of knowledge and active habits induced him to glean as much as he could of his father's profession, and he could repair most articles that were sent in. although newton amused himself with the peculiarities and eccentricity of his father, he still had high respect for him, as he knew him to be a worthy, honest man. for his mother he certainly had none: he was indignant at her treatment of his father, and could find no redeeming quality to make amends for her catalogue of imperfections. still he had a peculiar tact, by which he avoided any serious altercation. never losing his own temper, yet quietly and firmly resisting all control, he assumed a dominion over her, from which her feelings towards him, whatever they may have been in his early years, were now changed into those of positive hatred. his absence this morning had been occasioned by his assistance being required in the fitting of a new main-stay for the sloop to which he belonged. "please god, what, father?" said newton, as he came in, catching his father's last words. "why, your mother says that we must starve, or be dishonest." "then we'll starve, father, with a clear conscience; but i hope things are not so had yet, for i am devilish hungry," continued newton, looking at the dinner-table, which offered to his view nothing but a table-cloth, with the salt-cellar and the snuff-box. "why, mother, is it dead low water, or have you stowed all away in the locker?"--and newton repaired to the cupboard, which was locked. now mrs forster was violent with others, but with newton she was always sulky. "there's nothing in the cupboard," growled the lady. "then why lock up nothing?" rejoined newton, who was aware that veracity was not among mrs forster's catalogue of virtues. "come, mother, hand me the key, and i'll ferret out something, i'll answer for it." mrs forster replied, that the cupboard was her own, and she was mistress of the house. "just as you please, mother. but, before i take the trouble, tell me, father, is there any thing in the cupboard?" "why, yes, newton, there's some mutton. at least, if i recollect right, i did not eat it all--did i, my dear?" mrs forster did not condescend an answer. newton went into the shop, and returned with a chisel and hammer. taking a chair to stand upon, he very coolly began to force the lock. "i am very sorry, mother, but i must have something to eat; and since you won't give me the key, why--" observed newton, giving the handle of the chisel a smart blow with the hammer-- "here's the key, sir," cried mrs forster with indignation, throwing it on the table, and bouncing out of the room. a smile was exchanged between the father and son, as she went backwards, screaming, "betty--i say, betty, you idle slut, where are you?" as if determined to vent her spleen upon somebody. "have you dined, father?" inquired newton, who had now placed the contents of the cupboard upon the table. "why, i really don't quite recollect; but i feel very hungry," replied the optician, putting in his plate to receive two large slices; and father and son sat down to a hearty meal, proving the truth of the wise man's observation, that, "better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than the stalled ox and hatred therewith." volume one, chapter five. whate'er it be, 'tis wondrous heavy. wrench it open straight. if the sea's stomach be o'ercharged with gold, it is a good constraint of fortune, that it belches on us. shakespeare. about three weeks after the events narrated in the preceding chapter, newton forster sailed in his vessel with a cargo to be delivered at the sea-port of waterford. the master of her was immoderately addicted to liquor; and, during the time that he remained in port, seldom was to be found in a state of perfect sobriety, even on a sunday. but, to do him justice, when his vessel was declared ready for sea, he abstained from his usual indulgence, that he might be enabled to take charge of the property committed to his care, and find his way to his destined port. it was a point on which his interest overcame, for a time, his darling propensity: and his rigid adherence to sobriety, when afloat, was so well ascertained, that his character as a trustworthy seaman was not injured by his continual intemperance when in harbour. latterly, however, since newton had sailed with him, he had not acted up to his important resolution. he found that the vessel was as safe under the charge of forster as under his own; and having taken great pains to instruct him in seamanship, and make him well acquainted with the dangers of the coast, he thought that, as newton was fully equal to the charge of the vessel, he might as well indulge himself with an occasional glass or two, to while away the tedium of embarkation. a stone pitcher of liquor was now his constant attendant when he pulled on board to weigh his anchor; which said pitcher, for fear of accidents, he carried down into the cabin himself. as soon as sail was on the vessel, and her course shaped, he followed his darling companion down into the cabin, and until the contents were exhausted was never sufficiently sober to make his appearance on deck; so that newton forster was, in fact, the _responsible_ master of the vessel. the wind, which had been favourable at the time of heaving up the anchor, changed, and blew directly in their teeth, before they were well out of sight of the port of overton. on the third day they were stretching off the land, to meet the first of the tide, under a light breeze and smooth water, when newton perceived various objects floating in the offing. a small thing is a good prize to a coaster; even an empty breaker is not to be despised; and newton kept away a point or two, that he might close and discover what the objects were. he soon distinguished one or two casks, swimming deeply, broken spars, and a variety of other articles. when the sloop was in the midst of them, newton hove to, tossed out the little skiff, and in the course of an hour, unknown to his captain, who was in bed sleeping off the effect of his last potations, brought alongside, and contrived to parbuckle in, the casks, and as many others of the floating articles as he could conveniently stow upon her decks. the boat was again hoisted in, by the united exertions of himself and his crew, consisting of _one_ man and _one_ boy; and the sloop, wearing round, reached in for the land. it was evident to newton that some large vessel had lately been wrecked, for the spars were fresh in the fracture, and clean--not like those long in the water, covered with sea-weed, and encircled by a shoal of fish, who, finding sustenance from the animalculae collected, follow the floating pieces of wood up and down, as their adopted parent, wherever they may be swept by the inconstant winds and tides. newton examined the heels of the spars, but they were not marked with the name of the vessel to which they had belonged. the two casks had only initials branded upon the heads; but nothing could be found which would designate the owners of the property. a large trunk riveted his attention; but he would not open it until the master of the vessel came upon deck. having ascertained by spiling that the contents of the casks were _real jamaica_, he went down into the cabin to announce what he knew would be most grateful intelligence. it was some time before newton could rouse his stupified senior. "spars--wrecked!" "what spars? damn the wreck!" growled old thompson (for such was his name), as he turned his back in no very ceremonious manner, and recommenced his snore. "there's a trunk besides, sir--a large trunk; but i did not open it, as you were not on deck. a large trunk, and rather heavy." "trunk!--well, what then? trunk!--oh, damn the trunk!--let me go to sleep," muttered the master. "there's two large casks, too, sir; i've spiled them, and they prove to be puncheons of rum," bawled newton, who pertinaciously continued. "eh; what?--casks! what casks?" "two puncheons of rum." "rum!--did you say rum?" cried old thompson, lifting his head off the pillow, and staring stupidly at newton; "where?" "on deck. two casks: we picked them up as we were standing off the land." "picked them up?--are they on board?" inquired the master, sitting upright in his bed, and rubbing his eyes. "yes, they're safe on board. won't you come on deck?" "to be sure, i will. two puncheons of rum, you said?"--and old thompson gained his feet, and reeled to the companion ladder, holding on by _all fours_, as he climbed up without his shoes. when the master of the sloop had satisfied himself as to the contents of the casks, which he did by taking about half a tumbler of each, newton proposed that the trunk should be opened. "yes," replied thompson, who had drawn off a mug of the spirits, with which he was about to descend to the cabin, "open it, if you like, my boy. you have made a _bon prize_ to-day, and your share shall be the trunk; so you may keep it, and the things that are stowed away in it, for your trouble: but don't forget to secure the casks till we can stow them away below. we can't break bulk now; but the sooner they are down the better; or we shall have some quill-driving rascal on board, with his _flotsam_ and _jetsam_, for the _lord knows who_;" and thompson, to use his own expression, went down again "to lay his soul in soak." reader, do you know the meaning of _flotsam_ and _jetsam_? none but a lawyer can, for it is old law language. now, there is a slight difference between language in general and law language. the first was invented to enable us to explain our own meaning, and comprehend the ideas of others; whereas, the second was invented with the view that we should not be able to understand a word about it. in former times, when all law, except _club_ law, was in its infancy, and practitioners not so erudite, or so thriving as at present, it was thought advisable to render it unintelligible by inventing a sort of _lingo_, compounded of bad french, grafted upon worse latin, forming a mongrel and incomprehensible race of words, with french heads and latin tails, which answered the purpose intended--that of mystification.--flotsam and jetsam are of this breed. flot, derived from the french _flottant_, floating; and jet, from the verb _jeter_, to _throw up_; both used in seignoral rights, granted by kings to favourites, empowering them to take possession of the property of any man who might happen to be unfortunate, which was in those times tantamount to being guilty. i dare say, if one could see the deed thus empowering them to confiscate the goods and chattels of others for their own use, according to the wording of the learned clerks in those days, it would run thus:--"omnium quod flotsam et jetsam, et every thing else-um, quod findetes;" in plain english, "every thing floating or thrown up, and every thing else you may pick up." now the admiral of the coast had this piratical privilege: and as, in former days, sextants and chronometers were unknown, sea-faring men incurred more risk than they do at present, and the wrecks which strewed the coast were of very great value. i had a proof the other day that this right is still exacted; that is as far as regards property _unclaimed_. i had arrived at plymouth from the western islands. when we hove up our anchor at st. michael's, we found another anchor and cable hooked most lovingly to our own, to the great joy of the first-lieutenant who proposed buying silk handkerchiefs for every man in the ship, and expending the residue in paint. but we had not been at anchor in plymouth sound more than twenty four hours, and he hardly had time to communicate with the gentlemen-dealers in marine stores, when i received a notification from some lynx-eyed agent of the present admiral of the coast (who is a lawyer, i believe), requesting the immediate delivery of the anchor and cable,--upon the plea of his seignoral rights of _flotsam_ and _jetsam_. now the idea was as preposterous as the demand was impudent. we had picked up the anchor in the roadstead of a _foreign power_, about fifteen hundred miles distant from the english coast. we are all lawyers, _now_, on board ship; so i gave him one of my legal answers, "that in the first place, _flotsam_ meant floating, and anchors did not float; in the second place, that _jetsam_ meant thrown up, and anchors never were thrown up; in the third and last place, _i'd see him damned first_!" my arguments were unanswerable. counsel for the plaintiff (i presume) threw up his brief, for we heard no more of "_mr flotsam and jetsam_." but to proceed:--the man and boy, who, with newton, composed the whole crew, seemed perfectly to acquiesce in the distribution made by the master of the sloop; taking it for granted that their silence, as to the liquor being on board, would be purchased by a share of it, as long as it lasted. they repaired forward with a panikin from the cask, with which they regaled themselves, while newton stood at the helm. in half an hour newton called the boy aft to steer the vessel, and lifted the trunk into the cabin below, where he found that thompson had finished the major part of the contents of the mug, and was lying in a state of drunken stupefaction. the hasp of the lock was soon removed by a claw-hammer, and the contents of the trunk exposed to newton's view. they consisted chiefly of female wearing apparel and child's linen; but, with these articles there was a large packet of letters, addressed to madame louise de montmorenci, the contents of which were a mystery to newton, who did not understand french. there were also a red morocco case, containing a few diamond ornaments, and three or four crosses of different orders of knighthood. all the wearing apparel of the lady was marked with the initials lm, while those appertaining to the infant were marked with the letters jf. after a careful examination, newton spread out the clothes to dry, over the cabin lockers and table; and depositing the articles of value in a safe place, he returned on deck. although thompson had presented him with the trunk and its contents, he felt that they could not be considered as his property, and he determined to replace every thing, and, upon his return, consult his father as, to the proper measures which should be taken to discover who were the lawful owners. the sloop, under the direction of newton, had continued her course for two days against the adverse, yet light breeze, when the weather changed. the wind still held to the same quarter: but the sky became loaded with clouds, and the sun set with a dull red glare, which prognosticated a gale from the north west; and before morning the vessel was pitching through a short chopping sea. by noon the gale was at its height; and newton, perceiving that the sloop did not "hold her own," went down to rouse the master, to inquire what steps should be taken, as he considered it advisable to bear up; and the only port under their lee for many miles was one, with the navigation of which he was himself unacquainted. the vessel was under close-reefed mainsail and storm foresail, almost buried in the heavy sea, which washed over the deck from forward to the companion hatch, when newton went down to rouse the besotted thompson, who, having slept through the night without having had recourse to additional stimulus, was more easy to awaken than before. "eh! what?--blows hard--whew!--so it does. how's the wind?" said the master, throwing his feet outside the standing bed-place, as he sat up. "north west, veering to nor'-nor'-west in the squalls.--we have lost good ten miles since yesterday evening, and are close to dudden sands," replied newton. "i think we must bear up, for the gale shows no signs of breaking." "well, i'll be on deck in a moment, my boy," rejoined thompson, who was now quite himself again, and was busy putting on his shoes, the only articles which had been removed when he turned in. "go you up, and see that they keep her clean, full and bye--and those casks well secured.-- dudden sands--awkward place too--but i've not been forty years a-boxing about this coast for nothing." in a minute thompson made his appearance on deck, and steadying himself by the weather topmast backstay, fixed his leaden eyes upon the land on the quarter.--"all right younker, that's the head, sure enough;" then turning his face to the wind, which lifted up his grey curling locks, and bore them out horizontally from his fur cap, "and it's a devil of a gale, sure enough.--it may last a month of sundays for all i know.--up with the helm, tom.--ease off the main sheet, handsomely, my lad--not too much.--now, take in the slack, afore she jibes;" and the master ducked under the main boom and took his station on the other side of the deck. "steady as you go now.--newton, take the helm.--d'ye see that bluff? keep her right for it. tom, you and the boy rouse the cable up-- get about ten fathoms on deck, and bend it.--you'll find a bit of seizing and a marline-spike in the locker abaft."--the sloop scudded before the gale, and in less than two hours was close to the headland pointed out by the master. "now, newton, we must hug the point or we shall not fetch--clap on the main sheet here, all of us.--luff; you may handsomely.--that's all right; we are past the sand-head, and shall be in smooth water in a jiffy. steady, so-o.--now for a drop of _swizzle_," cried thompson, who considered that he had kept sober quite long enough, and proceeded to the cask of rum lashed to leeward. as he knelt down to pull out the spile, the sloop, which had been brought to the wind, was struck on her broadside by a heavy sea which careened her to her gunnel; the lashings of the weather cask gave way, and it flew across the deck, jamming the unfortunate thompson, who knelt against the one to leeward, and then bounding overboard. the old man gave a heavy groan, and fell upon his back; the man and boy ran to his assistance, and by the directions of newton, who could not quit the helm, carried him below, and placed him on his bed. in a few minutes the sloop was safe at anchor, in smooth water, and newton ran down into the cabin. thompson's head had been crushed against the chime of the cask; for an hour or two he breathed heavily; and then--he was no more! volume one, chapter six. the indian weed, unknown to ancient times, nature's choice gift, whose acrimonious fume extracts superfluous juices, and refines the blood distemper'd from its noxious salts; friend to the spirit, which with vapours bland it gently mitigates--companion fit of a _good pot of porter_. phillips. there's a pot of good double beer, neighbour, drink-- shakespeare. the next day the remains of old thompson were carried on shore in the long-boat, and buried in the churchyard of the small fishing town that was within a mile of the port where the sloop had anchored. newton shipped another man, and when the gale was over, continued his voyage; which was accomplished without further adventure. finding no cargo ready for him, and anxious to deliver up the vessel to the owner, who resided at overton, he returned in ballast, and communicated the intelligence of thompson's death; which in so small a town was long the theme of conversation, and the food of gossips. newton consulted with his father relative to the disposal of the trunk; but nicholas could assist him but little with his advice. after many _pros_ and _cons_, like all other difficult matters, it was postponed.--"really, newton, i can't say. the property certainly is not yours, but still we are not likely to find out the lawful owner. bring the trunk on shore, we'll nail it up, and perhaps we may hear something about it by and bye. we'll make some inquiries--by and bye--when your mother--" "i think," interrupted newton, "it would not be advisable to acquaint my mother with the circumstance; but how to satisfy her curiosity on that point, i must leave to you." "to me, boy! no; i think that you had better manage that, for you know you are only _occasionally_ at home." "well, father, be it so," replied newton, laughing: "but here comes mr dragwell and mr hilton, to consult with us what ought to be done relative to the effects of poor old thompson. he has neither kith nor kin, to the ninety-ninth degree, that we can find out." mr dragwell was the curate of the parish; a little fat man with bow-legs, who always sat upon the edge of the chair, leaning against the back, and twiddling his thumbs before him. he was facetious and good-tempered, but was very dilatory in every thing. his greatest peculiarity was, that although he had a hearty laugh for every joke, he did not take the jokes of others at the time that they were made. his ideas seemed to have the slow and silent flow ascribed to the stream of lava (without its fire): and the consequence was, that although he eventually laughed at a good thing, it was never at the same time with other people; but in about a quarter or half a minute afterwards (according to the difficulty of the analysis), when the cause had been dismissed for other topics, he would burst out in a hearty ha, ha, ha! mr hilton was the owner of the sloop: he was a tall, corpulent man, who for many years had charge of a similar vessel, until by "doing a little contraband," he had pocketed a sufficient sum to enable him to purchase one for himself. but the profits being more than sufficient for his wants, he had for some time remained on shore, old thompson having charge of the vessel. he was a good-tempered, jolly fellow, very fond of his pipe and his pot, and much more fond of his sloop, by the employment of which he was supplied with all his comforts. he passed most of the day sitting at the door of his house, which looked upon the anchorage, exchanging a few words with every one that passed by, but invariably upon one and the same topic--his sloop. if she was at anchor--"there she is," he would say, pointing to her with the stem of his pipe. if she was away, she had sailed on such a day;--he expected her back at such a time. it was a fair wind--it was a foul wind for his sloop. all his ideas were engrossed by this one darling object, and it was no easy task to divert him from it. i ought to have mentioned that mr dragwell, the curate, was invariably accompanied by mr spinney, the clerk of the parish, a little spare man, with a few white hairs straggling on each side of a bald pate. he always took his tune whether in or out of church from his superior, ejecting a small treble "he, he, he!" in response to the loud ha, ha, ha! of the curate. "peace be unto this house!" observed the curate as he crossed the threshold, for mrs forster's character was notorious; then laughing at his own wit with a ha, ha, ha! "he, he, he!" "good morning, mr forster, how is your good lady?" "she's safe moored at last," interrupted mr hilton. "who?" demanded the curate, with surprise. "why, the sloop, to be sure." "oh! i thought you meant the lady--ha, ha, ha!" "he, he, he!" "won't you sit down, gentlemen?" said nicholas, showing the way from the shop into the parlour, where they found mrs forster, who had just come in from the back premises. "hope you're well, mr curate," sharply observed the lady, who could not be persuaded, even from respect for the cloth, to be commonly civil--"take a chair; it's all covered with dust! but that betsy is such an idle slut!" "newton handles her, as well as any man going," observed hilton. "newton!" screamed the lady, turning to her son, with an angry inquiring look--"newton handles betsy!" continued she, turning round to hilton. "betsy! no; the sloop i meant, ma'am." newton burst out into a laugh, in which he was joined by hilton and his father. "sad business--sad indeed!" said hilton, after the merriment had subsided, "such an awful death!" "ha, ha, ha!" roared the curate, who had but just then taken the joke about betsy. "he, he, he!" "nothing to laugh at, that i can see," observed mrs forster, snappishly. "capital joke, ma'am, i assure you!" rejoined the curate; "but, mr forster, we had better proceed to business. spinney, where are the papers?" the clerk produced an inventory of the effects of the late mr thompson, and laid them on the table.--"melancholy thing, this, ma'am," continued the curate, "very melancholy indeed! but we must all die." "yes, thank heaven!" muttered nicholas, in an absent manner. "thank heaven, mr forster!" cried the lady,--"why, do you wish to die?" "i was not exactly thinking about myself, my dear," replied nicholas--"i--" "depend upon it she'll last a long while yet," interrupted mr hilton. "do you think so?" replied nicholas, mournfully. "oh! sure of it; i stripped her the other day, and examined her all over; she's as sound as ever." nicholas started, and stared hilton in the face; while newton, who perceived their separate train of thought, tittered with delight. "what are you talking of?" at last observed nicholas. "of the sloop, to be sure," replied hilton. "i rather imagine you were come to consult about mr thompson's effects," observed mrs forster, angrily--"rather a solemn subject, instead of--" "ha, ha, ha!" ejaculated the curate, who had just _taken_ the equivoque which had occasioned newton's mirth. "he, he, he!" this last merriment of mr dragwell appeared to the lady to be such a pointed insult to her, that she bounded out of the room, exclaiming, "that an alehouse would have been a more suitable _rendezvous_." the curate twiddled his thumbs, as the eyes of all the party followed the exit of mrs forster; and there were a few moments of silence. "don't you find her a pleasant little craft, forster?" said hilton, addressing newton. nicholas forster, who was in a brown study about his wife, shook his head without lifting up his eyes, while newton nodded assent. "plenty of accommodation in her," continued hilton.--another negative shake from nicholas, and assentent nod from newton. "if i thought you could manage her, forster," continued hilton,--"tell me, what do you think yourself?" "oh, quite impossible!" replied nicholas. "quite impossible, mr forster! well, now, i've a better opinion of newton--i think he _can_." "why, yes," replied nicholas, "certainly better than i can; but still she's--" "she's a beauty, mr forster." "mrs forster a beauty," cried nicholas, looking at hilton with astonishment. newton and hilton burst into a laugh. "no, no," said the latter, "i was talking about the sloop; but we had better proceed to business. suppose we have pipes, mr forster. mr dragwell, what do you say?" "ha, ha, ha!" roared the curate, who had just taken the last joke. "he, he, he!" "why, yes," continued the curate, "i think it is a most excellent proposition; this melancholy affair requires a great deal of consideration. i never compose so well as i do with a pipe in my mouth: mrs dragwell says that she knows all my best sermons by the smell of them; d'ye take--ha, ha, ha!" "he, he, he!" the pipes, with the addition of a couple of pots of porter, were soon procured from the neighbouring alehouse; and while the parties are filling them, and pushing the paper of tobacco from one to the other, i shall digress, notwithstanding the contrary opinion of the other sex, in praise of this most potent and delightful weed. i love thee, whether thou appearest in the shape of a cigar, or diest away in sweet perfume enshrined in the mereshaum bowl; i love thee with more than woman's love! thou art a companion to me in solitude. i can talk and reason with thee, avoiding loud and obstreperous argument. thou art a friend to me when in trouble, for thou advisest in silence, and consolest with thy calm influence over the perturbed spirit. i know not how thy power has been bestowed upon thee; yet, if to harmonise the feelings, to allow the thoughts to spring without control, rising like the white vapour from the cottage hearth, on a morning that is sunny and serene;--if to impart that sober sadness over the spirit, which inclines us to forgive our enemy, that calm philosophy which reconciles us to the ingratitude and knavery of the world, that heavenly contemplation whispering to us, as we look around, that "all is good;"-- if these be merits, they are thine, most potent weed. what a quiet world would this be if every one would smoke! i suspect that the reason why the fairer sex decry thee is, that thou art the cause of silence. the ancients knew thee not, or the lips of harpocrates would have been closed with a cigar, and his fore-finger removed from the mouth unto the temple. half an hour was passed without any observation from our party, as the room gradually filled with the volumes of smoke which wreathed and curled in graceful lines, as they ascended in obedience to the unchangeable laws of nature. hilton's pipe was first exhausted; he shook the ashes on the table. "a very melancholy business, indeed!" observed he, as he refilled. the rest nodded a grand assent; the pipe was relighted; and all was silent as before. another pipe is empty.--"looking at this inventory," said the curate, "i should imagine the articles to be of no great value. one fur cap, one round hat, one pair of plush breeches, one ---; they are not worth a couple of pounds altogether," continued he, stuffing the tobacco into his pipe, which he relighted, and no more was said. nicholas was the third in, or rather out. "it appears to me," observed he;--but what appeared is lost, as some new idea flitted across his imagination, and he commenced his second pipe, without further remark. some ten minutes after this, mr spinney handed the pot of porter to the curate, and subsequently to the rest of the party. they all took largely, then puffed away as before. how long this cabinet council might have continued it is impossible to say; but silence, who was in "the chair," was soon afterwards driven from his post of honour by the most implacable of his enemies, "a woman's tongue." "well, mr forster! well, gentlemen! do you mean to poison me? have you made smell and dirt enough? how long is this to last, i should like to know?" cried mrs forster, entering the room. "i tell you what, mr forster, you had better hang up a sign at once, and keep an alehouse. let the sign be a fool's head, like your own. i wonder you are not ashamed of yourself, mr curate; you that ought to set an example to your parishioners!" but mr dragwell did not admire such remonstrance; so taking his pipe out of his mouth, he retorted--"if your husband does put up a sign, i recommend him to stick you up as the `good woman;' that would be without your head--ha, ha, ha!" "he, he, he!" "he, he, he! you pitiful 'natomy," cried mrs forster, in a rage, turning to the clerk, as she dared not revenge herself upon the curate. take that for your he, he, he! and she swung round the empty pewter-pot which she snatched from the table, upon the bald pericranium of mr spinney, who tumbled off his chair, and rolled upon the sanded floor. the remainder of the party were on their legs in an instant. newton jerked the weapon out of his mother's hands, and threw it in a corner of the room. nicholas was aghast: he surmised that his turn would come next; and so it proved.--"an't you ashamed of yourself, mr forster, to see me treated in this way--bringing a parcel of drunken men into the house to insult me? will you order them out, or not, sir?--are we to have quiet or not?" "yes, my love," replied nicholas, confused, "yes, my dear, by and bye, as soon as you're--" mrs forster darted towards her husband with the ferocity of a mad cat. hilton perceiving the danger of his host, put out his leg so as to trip her up in her career, and she fell flat upon her face on the floor. the violence of the fall was so great, that she was stunned. newton raised her up; and, with the assistance of his father (who approached with as much reluctance as a horse spurred towards a dead tiger), carried her up stairs, and laid her on her bed. poor mr spinney was now raised from the floor. he still remained stupified with the blow, although gradually recovering. betsy came in to render assistance. "o dear, mr curate, do you think that he'll die?" "no, no; bring some water, betsy, and throw it in his face." "better take him home as he is," replied betsy, "and say that he is killed; when missis hears it, she'll be frightened out of her life. it will keep her quiet for some time at least." "an excellent idea, betty; we will punish her for her conduct," replied hilton. the curate was delighted at the plan. mr spinney was placed in an arm-chair, covered over with a table-cloth, and carried away to the parsonage by two men, who were provided by betsy before nicholas or newton had quitted the room where mrs forster lay in a deplorable condition: her sharp nose broken, and twisted on one side; her eyebrow cut open to the bone, and a violent contusion on her forehead. in less than half an hour it was spread through the whole town that spinney had been murdered by mrs forster, and that his brains were bespattered all over the shop windows! volume one, chapter seven. that she is mad, 'tis true: 'tis true, 'tis pity; and pity 'tis, 'tis true: a foolish figure; but farewell it, for i will use no art. mad let us grant her then; and now remains that we find out the cause of this effect, or rather say, the cause of this defect. shakespeare. mr dragwell has already made honourable mention of his wife; it will therefore only be necessary to add, that he had one daughter, a handsome lively girl, engaged to a mr ramsden, the new surgeon of the place, who had stepped into the shoes and the good-will of one who had retired from forty years' practice upon the good people of overton. fanny dragwell had many good qualities, and many others which were rather doubtful. one of the latter had procured her more enemies than at her age she had any right to expect. it was what the french term "malice," which bears a very different signification from the same word in our own language. she delighted in all practical jokes, and would carry them to an excess, at the very idea of which others would be startled; but it must be acknowledged that she generally selected as her victims those who from their conduct towards others richly deserved retaliation. the various tricks which she had played upon certain cross old spinsters, tatlers, scandalmongers, and backbiters, often were the theme of conversation and of mirth: but this description of _espieglerie_ contains a most serious objection; which is, that to carry on a successful and well arranged plot, there must be a total disregard of truth. latterly, miss fanny had had no one to practise upon except mr ramsden, during the period of his courtship--a period at which women never appear to so much advantage, nor men appear so silly. but even for this, the time was past, as latterly she had become so much attached to him that distress on his part was a source of annoyance to herself. when therefore her father came home, narrating the circumstances which had occurred, and the plan which had been meditated, fanny entered gaily into the scheme. mrs forster had long been her abhorrence; and an insult to mr ramsden, who had latterly been designated by mrs forster as a "pill-gilding puppy," was not to be forgotten. her active and inventive mind immediately conceived a plan which would enable her to carry the joke much farther than the original projectors had intended. ramsden, who had been summoned to attend poor mr spinney, was her sole confidant, and readily entered into a scheme which was pleasing to his mistress, and promised revenge for the treatment he had received; and which, as miss dragwell declared, would be nothing but retributive justice upon mrs forster. late in the evening, a message was received from newton forster, requesting that mr ramsden would attend his mother. he had just visited the old clerk, who was now sensible, and had nothing to complain of except a deep cut on his temple from the rim of the pewter-pot. after receiving a few parting injunctions from miss dragwell, mr ramsden quitted the parsonage. "i am afraid it's a very bad business, mr forster," replied the surgeon to newton, who had been interrogating him relative to the injury received by mr spinney. "evident concussion of the brain: he may live--or he may not; a few days will decide the point: he is a poor feeble old man." newton sighed as he reflected upon the disaster and disgrace which might ensue from his mother's violence of temper. "eh! what, mr ramsden?" said nicholas, who had been for some time contemplating the battered visage of his spouse. "did you say, she'll die?" "no, no, mr forster, there's no fear of mrs forster, she'll do well enough. she'll be up and about again in a day or two, as lively as ever." "god forbid!" muttered the absent nicholas. "mr forster, see if i don't pay you off for that, as soon as i'm up again," muttered the recumbent lady, as well as the bandages passed under her chin would permit her. "pray call early to-morrow, mr ramsden, and let us know how mr spinney is going on," said newton, extending his hand as the surgeon rose to depart. mr ramsden shook it warmly, and quitted the house: he had left them about half an hour when betsy made her appearance with some fomentations, which had been prepared in the kitchen. out of revenge for sundry blows daily received, and sundry epithets hourly bestowed upon her by her mistress, the moment she entered she exclaimed, in a half-crying tone, "o dear, mr newton! there's such shocking news just come from the parsonage; mr spinney is just dead--and my missis will be hanged!" mrs forster said not a word; she quailed under dread of the report being correct. newton and his father looked at each other; their mute anguish was expressed by covering up their faces with their hands. when hilton and the curate arranged their plans for the mortification of mrs forster, it was considered advisable that newton (who was not so easily to be imposed upon) should be removed out of the way. hilton had already stated his intention to give him in charge of the vessel, and he now proposed sending him for a cargo of shingle, which was lying ready for her, about fifty miles down the coast, and which was to be delivered at waterford. at an early hour, on the ensuing morning, he called at forster's house. newton, who had not taken off his clothes, came out to meet him. "well, newton, how is your mother?" said hilton. "i hope you are not angry with me: i certainly was the occasion of the accident, but i could not bear to see your worthy father treated in that manner." "i blush to acknowledge, mr hilton, that she deserved it all," replied newton; "but i am very much alarmed about the condition of mr spinney. have you heard this morning?" "no; but between ourselves, newton, doctors always make the worst of their cases. i never heard of a pewter pot killing a man; he'll do well enough, never fear. i came to tell you that i've a letter last night from repton, who says that the shingle must be delivered before the tenth of next month, or the contract will be void. he desires that i will send the sloop directly, or he must employ another craft. now, i think you had better start at once; there's a nice fair wind for you, and you'll be down afore night." "why, really, mr hilton, i do not exactly like to leave home just now," replied newton, thoughtfully. "well, as you please, mr forster," rejoined hilton, with apparent displeasure. "i have offered you the command of the vessel, and now you object to serve my interests on the very first occasion, merely because there are a couple of broken heads!" "i am wrong, most certainly," replied newton; "i beg your pardon--i will just speak a word or two to my father, and be on board in less than half an hour." "i will meet you there," said hilton, "and bring your papers. be as quick as you can, or you'll lose the first of the tide." newton returned to the house; his father made no objection to his departure; and, in fulfilment of his promise, newton was ready to start, when he encountered ramsden at the door. "mr ramsden," said newton, "i am requested by the owner of my vessel to sail immediately; but if you think that the life of mr spinney is seriously in danger, i will throw up the command of the vessel, rather than leave my mother under such an accumulation of disasters. i beg as a favour that you will not disguise the truth." "you may sail this minute, if you please, mr forster; i am happy to be able to relieve your mind. mr spinney is doing very well, and you'll see him at his desk on the first sunday of your return." "then i am off: good-bye, mr ramsden; many thanks." with a lightened heart, newton leapt into the skiff which was to carry him on board of the sloop; and in less than half an hour was standing away to the southward before a fine wind, to execute the orders which he had received. ramsden remained a few minutes at the door, until he saw newton ascend the side of the vessel; then he entered, and was received by betsy. "well, betsy, you agreed to make mrs forster believe that mr spinney was dead; but we little thought that such would really be the case." "lord love you, sir! why you don't say so?" "i do, indeed, betsy; but mind, we must keep it a secret for the present, until we can get mrs forster out of the way. how is she this morning?" "oh, very stiff, and very cross, sir." "i'll go up to her," replied ramsden "but recollect, betsy, that you do not mention it to a soul;" and ramsden ascended the stairs. "well, mrs forster, how do you feel this morning? do you think you could get up?" "get up, mr ramsden! not to save my soul--i can't even turn on my side." "very sorry to hear it, indeed," replied the surgeon; "i was in hopes that you might have been able to bear a journey." "bear a journey, mr ramsden! why bear a journey?" "i am sorry to inform you that mr spinney's gone--poor old man! there must be a coroner's inquest. now, it would be as well if you were not to be found, for the verdict will be `wilful murder!'" "o dear! o dear!" exclaimed mrs forster, jumping out of her bed with fright, and wringing her hands: "what can i do?--what can i do?" "at present it is a secret, mrs forster, but it cannot be so long. miss dragwell, who feels for you very much, begged me not to say a word about it. she will call and consult with you, if you would like to see her. sad thing indeed, mrs forster, to be placed in such a situation by a foolish husband." "you may well say that, mr ramsden," replied the lady, with asperity; "he is the greatest fool that ever god made! every one knows what a sweet temper i was before i married; but flesh and blood cannot bear what i am subjected to." "would you like to see miss dragwell?" "yes, very much; i always thought her a very nice girl;--a little wild-- a little forward indeed, and apt to be impertinent; but still, rather a nice girl." "well, then, i will tell her to call, and the sooner the better, for when it is known, the whole town will be in an uproar. i should not be surprised if they attacked the house--the people will be so indignant." "i don't wonder at it," replied mrs forster; "nothing can excuse such provocation as i receive from my husband, stupid wretch!" "good morning, mrs forster; do you think then that you could bear moving?" "o yes! o yes! but where am i to go?" "that i really cannot form an idea--you had better consult with miss dragwell.--depend upon it, mrs forster, that i will be most happy to render you all my assistance in this unfortunate dilemma." "you're very good," snarled mrs forster: and ramsden quitted the room. i have one or two acquaintances, to whom, if i wish a report to be circulated, i immediately impart the substance as a most profound secret; and i find that by these means it obtains a much more extensive circulation than if i sent it to the newspapers. ramsden was aware of betsy's cackling propensities, and long before he quitted mrs forster, it was generally believed throughout the good town of overton that mr spinney, although he had not been killed outright, as reported in the first instance, had subsequently died of the injuries received from this modern xantippe. mrs forster had half an hour to reflect upon her supposed awkward situation; and to drive away thought, had sent for nicholas, whom she loaded with the bitterest invectives, when miss dragwell was announced. "see, sir," continued mrs forster, "the condition to which you have reduced a fond and faithful wife--one that has so studied your interests; one--" "yes, indeed," added miss dragwell, who heard the attack as she ascended the stairs, and took up the cause of mrs forster to obtain her confidence--"yes, indeed, mr forster, see the consequences of your folly, your smoking, and your drinking.--pray leave the room, sir; i wonder how mrs forster can bear the sight of you!" nicholas stared, and was about to throw in a detached word or two, by way of vindication, when a furious "begone!" from his wife occasioned a precipitate retreat. "we have all been consulting about this sad business, my dear mrs forster," commenced miss dragwell; "and after much consideration have hit upon the only plan by which you may escape the penalty of the law. yes, my dear ma'am," continued miss dragwell, in the most bland and affectionate voice, "it is unwise to conceal the truth from you; the depositions of my father and mr hilton, when they are called upon, will be such that `wilful murder!' must be returned, and you--(the young lady faltered, and put up her handkerchief)--you must inevitably be hanged!" "hanged!" screamed mrs forster. "yes, hanged--`hanged by the neck until you are dead! and the lord have mercy upon your soul!' that will be your sentence," replied the young lady, sobbing;--"such an awful, such a disgraceful death for a woman too!" "o lord, o lord!" cried mrs forster, who was now really frightened. "what will become of me?" "you will go to another and a better world, as my papa says in his sermons; i believe that the pain is not very great--but the disgrace--" mrs forster burst into tears. "save me! save me, miss dragwell!--oh! oh! that stupid nicholas, oh! oh!" "my dear mrs forster, we have all agreed at the parsonage that there is but one method." "name it, my dear miss dragwell, name it!" cried mrs forster, imploringly. "you must pretend to be mad, and then there will be a verdict of insanity; but you must carry it through everything, or it will be thought you are shamming. mr ramsden is acquainted with dr b---, who has charge of the asylum at d---. it is only nine miles off: he will take you there, and when the coroner's inquest is over you can return. it will be supposed then to have been only temporary derangement. do you like the proposal?" "why, i have been mad for a long time," replied mrs forster; "the conduct of my husband and my son has been too much for my nerves; but i don't like the idea of actually going to a madhouse.--could not--" "o dear, marm!" cried betsy, running into the room, "there's a whole posse of people about the house; they want to take you to the town jail, for murdering mr spinney. what shall i say to them? i'm feared they'll break in." "go and tell them that mrs forster is too ill to be taken out of bed, and that she is out of her senses--d'ye hear, betsy, tell them all she is _stark staring mad_!" "yes, i will, marm," replied betsy, wiping her eyes as she left the room. miss dragwell walked to the window. although the report spread by betsy had collected a crowd opposite the house, still there was no attempt at violence. "i'm afraid that it's too late," said the young lady, turning from the window. "what a crowd! and how angry they seem to be! you must be hanged now!" "o no! i'll be mad--i'll be anything, my dear miss dragwell." "well, then, we must be quick--don't put your gown on--petticoats are better--i'll dress you up." miss dragwell rummaged the drawers, and collecting a variety of feathers and coloured ribbons, pinned them over the bandages which encircled mrs forster's head; then pulling out a long-tailed black coat of her husband's, which had been condemned, forced her arms through it, and buttoned it in front. "that will do for the present," cried miss dragwell; "now here's the cat, take it in your arms, go to the window and nurse it like a baby. i'll throw it open-- you come forward and make them a curtsy; that will spread the report through the town that you are mad, and the rest will then be easy." "oh! i can't--i can't go to the window, i can't indeed." "i'll open the window and speak to the people," said miss dragwell; and she threw up the sash, informing the gaping multitude that mrs forster was quite out of her senses, but perfectly harmless. "perfectly harmless, after killing a man!" observed one of the party below. "they won't believe me, mrs forster; come, you must, or you will certainly be _hanged_." urged by her fears, mrs forster approached the window, and showed herself to the astonished crowd. "curtsy to them," said miss dragwell; holding her handkerchief before her mouth. mrs forster curtsied. "smile upon them," continued the malicious young lady. mrs forster grinned horribly. "now dance your cat." mrs forster obeyed the injunction. "now give a loud shriek, and toss the cat out of window." mrs forster uttered a hideous yell, and threw the animal at the heads of the spectators, who retreated with alarm in every direction. "now burst into a fit of laughter, curtsy to them, and wave your hand, and that will be sufficient." mrs forster obeyed the last order, and miss dragwell shut the window. in a few minutes the report spread that mrs forster had gone out of her senses; and the murder of mr spinney, a topic which was nearly exhausted, was dismissed for the time to dwell and comment upon the second catastrophe. volume one, chapter eight. mad as the sea and wind, when both contend which is the mightier. shakespeare. "so far we have succeeded, my dear mrs forster," said miss dragwell; "i will now return home, and come back as soon as i can with the post-chaise. mr ramsden's servant shall come with me to conduct you to the asylum, and i trust in a quarter of an hour to see you clear of these foolish people of overton, who think that you are the party in fault: you had better remain in your room, and not appear again at the window; the crowd will disperse when they are tired of watching: good-bye, my dear mrs forster, good-bye." mrs forster was in too sulky a humour to vouchsafe an answer; and miss dragwell quitted the house. betsy had taken advantage of the turmoil and the supposed lunacy of her mistress, to gossip in the neighbourhood. nicholas forster was in the shop, but took no notice of miss dragwell as she passed through. he appeared to have forgotten all that had occurred, and was very busy filing at his bench. there we must leave him, and follow the motions of the mischief-loving miss dragwell. upon her return, the party collected at the parsonage considered that they had proceeded far enough; but miss dragwell thought otherwise; she had made up her mind that mrs forster should pass a day or two in the lunatic asylum, and she felt assured that mr ramsden, through whose assistance her intention must be accomplished, would not venture to dispute her wishes. her father, with a loud ha, ha, ha! proposed that mr spinney should appear as a ghost by the bedside of mrs forster, wrapped up in a sheet, with a he, he, he! and that thus the diversion should end; but this project was overruled by mr spinney, who protested that nothing should induce him again to trust himself, with a he, he, he! in the presence of mrs forster. ramsden, although well acquainted with doctor beddington, who had charge of the asylum, was not sure that he would be pleased with their freak, and earnestly dissuaded his intended from proceeding any farther. "it is useless to argue, my dear george, i am quixote enough to revenge the injuries of those who have been forced to submit to her temper; and moreover i hope to effect a cure. desperate diseases, you must be aware as a medical man, require desperate remedies. i consider that a termagant and a lunatic are during their paroxysms on a par, as rational behaviour in either party may be considered as a lucid interval. let her, if it be only for one hour, witness herself reflected in the various distorted mirrors of perverted mind; and if she has any conscience whatever, good will spring from evil. i joined this plot from a love of mischief; but i carry it on from a feeling that favourable results will be produced." "but my dear fanny--" "i will have it so, ramsden, so don't attempt to dissuade me; we are not married yet, and i must not be thwarted in my short supremacy. surely you ought not to be displeased at my desire to `tame a shrew.' i give a fair promise not to fall into an error which i so ardently detest: now, send for the chaise, write a letter to doctor beddington, and leave me to arrange with mrs forster." ramsden, like many others when teased by a pretty woman, consented against his will; he wrote a letter to doctor beddington, explaining circumstances, and requesting his pardon for the liberty which he had been persuaded to take. miss dragwell, as soon as the letter was sealed, put on her bonnet, and taking mr ramsden's servant with her, stepped into the chaise, and drove to the house of mr nicholas forster. she found mrs forster squatted on the bed in her ludicrous attire, awaiting her return with impatience. "oh! mrs forster, i have had such trouble, such difficulty; but mr ramsden has been persuaded at last. there is a letter to dr beddington, and mr ramsden's servant is in the chaise at the door; the sooner you are off the better; the people are so outrageous, and call you such shocking names." "do they?" replied mrs forster, whose wrath kindled at the information. "yes, indeed; and that wretch betsy declares that she'll put the rope over your neck with her own hands." "does she?" cried mrs forster, her eyes twinkling with rage. "yes; and your husband, your foolish husband, says that he'll be able to make his improvement in the duplex, now that you'll be hanged." "he does, does he?" replied mrs forster, catching her breath, and grinding her teeth as she jumped off the bed. "now, my dear mrs forster, it's no use minding what they say; all you have to do is to escape as soon as possible; the magistrate's warrant may arrive this minute, and then it will be too late; so come down at once:--how lucky that you have escaped! it must be a dreadful thing to be hanged!" this last remark, always brought forward by miss dragwell, when she had a point to carry, induced mrs forster to hasten down stairs to the post-chaise, which she found already occupied by mr ramsden's servant. as soon as she entered, it was driven off with speed in the direction already communicated to the post-boy. we shall leave the town of overton to recover its quiet, for such a bustle had not occurred for many years, and miss dragwell to exult in the success of her plot, while we follow mrs forster to her new quarters. the chaise rattled on, mr ramsden's servant crouching in a corner, as far as possible from mrs forster, evidently about as well pleased with his company as one would be in a pitfall with a tiger. at last it stopped at the door of the lunatic asylum, and the post-boy dismounting from his reeking horses, pulled violently at a large bell, which answered with a most lugubrious tolling, and struck awe into the breast of mrs forster. when the door was opened mr ramsden's servant alighted, and went in to deliver his letter to the doctor. the doctor was not at home; he had obtained his furlough of three weeks, and was very busy with his fishing-rod some thirty miles distant; but the keepers were in attendance, and, as mr ramsden's servant stated the insanity of mrs forster, and that she had been sent there by his master, they raised no objections to her reception. in a few minutes the servant reappeared with two keepers, who handed mrs forster out of the chaise, and conducted her to a receiving-room, where mrs forster waited some minutes in expectation of the appearance of doctor beddington. in the mean time, mr ramsden's servant, having no farther communication to make, left the letter for doctor beddington, and returned in the chaise to overton. after a quarter of an hour had elapsed, mrs forster inquired of one of the keepers, who had, much to her annoyance, taken a chair close to her, whether the doctor intended to come. "he'll come by-and-bye, good woman. how do you feel yourself now?" "very cold--very cold, indeed," replied mrs forster, shivering. "that's what the poor brutes always complain of--ar'nt it, jim?" observed another keeper, who had just entered. "where be we to stow her." "i sent tom to get number ready." "why, you don't think that i'm mad!" cried mrs forster, with terror. "so, softly--so--so," said the keeper next to her, patting her, as he would soothe a fractious child. the violence of mrs forster, when she discovered that she was considered as a lunatic, fully corroborated to the keepers the assertion of mr ramsden's servant; but we must not dwell upon the scene which followed. after an ineffectual struggle, mrs forster found herself locked up in number , and left to her own reflections. the previous scenes which had occurred, added to the treatment which she received in the asylum, caused such excitement, that, before the next morning, she was seized with a brain fever, and raved as loudly in her delirium as any of the other unfortunate inmates there incarcerated. volume one, chapter nine. who by repentance is not satisfied, is not of heaven or earth; for these are pleased; by penitence the eternal's wrath's appeased. shakespeare. mr ramsden's servant returned to overton, stating that the doctor was not at home, but that he had left mrs forster and the letter. the time that doctor beddington was to be absent had not been mentioned by the keepers; and mr ramsden, imagining that the doctor had probably gone out for the evening, made no further inquiries, as he intended, in a day or two, to call and bring mrs forster back to her own house. on the third day of her removal he set off for the asylum; and when he discovered the situation of mrs forster, he bitterly repented that he had been persuaded to a step which threatened such serious results. to remove her was impossible; to assert to the keepers that she was in sound mind, would have been to commit himself; he therefore withdrew his letter to doctor beddington, who was not expected home for a fortnight, and with a heavy heart returned to overton. miss dragwell was as much shocked when she was informed of the unfortunate issue of her plot; and made a resolution, to which she adhered, never to be guilty of another practical joke. in the mean time newton forster had made every despatch, and returned to overton with the cargo of shingle a few days after his mother's incarceration. he had not been ten minutes on shore before he was made acquainted with the melancholy history of her (supposed) madness and removal to the asylum. he hastened home, where he found his father in a profound melancholy: he received newton with a flood of tears, and appeared to be quite lost in his state of widowhood. the next morning newton set off for the asylum, to ascertain the condition of his mother. he was admitted; found her stretched on a bed, in a state of delirium, raving in her fever, and unconscious of his presence. the phrenzy of his mother being substantiated by what he had witnessed, and by the assurances of the keepers, to whom he made a present of half his small finances, to induce them to treat her with kindness, newton returned to overton, where he remained at home shut up with his father. in a few days notice was given by the town-crier, that the remaining stock of mr nicholas forster, optician, was to be disposed of by public auction. the fact was, that nicholas forster, like many other husbands, although his wife had been a source of constant annoyance, had become so habituated to her, that he was miserable now that she was gone. habit is more powerful than even love; and many a married couple continue to live comfortably together long after love has departed, from this most binding of all human sensations. nicholas determined to quit overton; and newton, who perceived that his father's happiness was at stake, immediately acquiesced in his wish. when nicholas forster resolved to leave the town where he had so long resided, he had no settled plans for the future; the present idea to remove from the scene connected with such painful associations, was all which occupied his thoughts. newton, who presumed that his father had some arranged plan, did not attempt to awaken him from his profound melancholy, to inquire into his intentions; and nicholas had never given the subject one moment of his thought. when all was ready, newton inquired of his father, in what manner he intended they should travel?--"why, outside the coach will be the cheapest, newton; and we have no money to spare. you had better take our places to-night." "to what place, father?" inquired newton. "i'm sure i don't know, newton," replied nicholas, as if just awoke. this answer produced a consultation; and after many _pros_ and _cons_, it was resolved that nicholas should proceed to liverpool, and settle in that town. the sloop commanded by newton was found defective in the stern port; and as it would take some little while to repair her, newton had obtained leave for a few days to accompany his father on his journey. the trunk picked up at sea, being too cumbrous, was deposited with the articles of least value, in the charge of mr dragwell; the remainder was taken away by newton, until he could find a more secure place for their deposit. on their arrival at liverpool, with little money and no friends, nicholas rented a small shop; and newton having extended his leave of absence to the furthest, that he might contribute to his father's comfort, returned to overton, to resume the command of the sloop. the first object was to call at the asylum, where he was informed that his mother was much less violent, but in so weak a state that he could not be admitted. doctor beddington had not returned; but a medical gentleman, who had been called in during his absence, stated to newton, that he had no doubt if his mother should recover from her present state of exhaustion, that her reason would be restored. newton returned to overton with a lightened heart, and the next day sailed in the sloop for bristol. contrary winds detained him more than a fortnight on his passage. on his arrival, his cargo was not ready, and newton amused himself by walking about the town and its environs. at last his cargo was on board; and newton, who was most anxious to ascertain the fate of his mother, made all haste to obtain his clearance and other papers from the custom-house. it was late in the evening before he had settled with the house to which the sloop had been consigned; but, as the wind and tide served, and there was a bright moon, he resolved to weigh that night. with his papers carefully buttoned in his coat, he was proceeding to the boat at the jetty, when he was seized by two men, who rushed upon him from behind. he hardly had time to look round to ascertain the cause, when a blow on the head stretched him senseless on the ground. now, my readers may probably feel some little distress at the misfortune of newton, and have some slight degree of curiosity to know the grounds of this severe treatment. i, on the contrary, am never more pleased than when i find my principal character in a state of abeyance, and leave him so with the greatest indifference, because it suits my convenience. i have now an opportunity of returning to mrs forster, or any other of the parties who act a subordinate part in my narrative; and, as newton is down on the ground, and _hors de combat_, why there let him lie--until i want him again. doctor beddington returned home long before the recovery of mrs forster from her severe attack. as it may be presumed, he found her perfectly rational; but still he had no doubt of the assertions of his keepers, that she was insane at the time that she was sent to the asylum by mr ramsden. the latter gentleman kept aloof until the issue of mrs forster's malady should be ascertained: if she recovered, it was his intention to call upon doctor beddington and explain the circumstances; if she died, he had determined to say nothing about it. mrs forster's recovery was tedious; her mind was loaded with anxiety, and, what was infinitely more important, with deep remorse. the supposed death of mr spinney had been occasioned by her violence, and she looked forward with alarm, as great as the regret with which she looked back upon her former behaviour. when she called to mind her unfeeling conduct towards her husband--the many years of bitterness she had created for him, her infraction of the marriage vow--the solemn promise before god to love, honour, and obey, daily and hourly violated,--her unjust hatred of her only son,--her want of charity towards others,--all her duties neglected,--swayed only by selfish and malignant passions,--with bitter tears of contrition and self-abasement, she acknowledged that her punishment was just. with streaming eyes, with supplicating hands and bended knees, she implored mercy and forgiveness of him, to whom appeal is never made in vain. passion's infuriate reign was over--her heart was changed! to doctor beddington she made neither complaint nor explanation. all she wished was to quit the asylum as soon as she was restored to health, and prove to her husband, by her future conduct, the sincerity of her reformation. when she became convalescent, by the advice of doctor beddington, she walked in a garden appropriated for the exercise of the more harmless inmates of the asylum. the first day that he went out she sat down upon a bench near to the keepers, who were watching those who were permitted to take the air and exercise, and overheard their discourse, which referred to herself. "why, what was it as made her mad--d'ye know, tom?" "they say she's been no better all her life," replied the other; "a rat would not live in the house with her: at last, in one of her tantrums, she nearly murdered old spinney, the clerk at overton. the report went out that he was dead; and conscience, i suppose, or summut of that kind, run away with her senses." "oh, he warn't killed, then?" "no, no: i seed him and heard him too, sunday fore last, when i went to call upon old father; i was obligated to go to church, the old gemman's so remarkable particular." "and what's become of her husband, and that handsome young chap, her son?" "i don't know, nor nobody else either. the old man, who was as worthy an old soul as ever breathed (more shame to the old faggot, for the life she led him!) grew very unhappy and melancholy, and would not stay in the place: they disposed of every thing, and both went away together; but nobody knows where the old man is gone to." "and the young un?" "oh, he came back and took command of the sloop. he was here twice, to see how his mother was. poor lad! it was quite pitiful to see how unhappy he was about the old catamaran. he give me and bill a guinea apiece, to be kind to her; but, about three days back, the sloop came into the harbour without him: they suppose that he fell off the jetty at bristol and was drowned for he was seen coming down to the boat; and, a'ter that, they never heard no more about him." "well, but tom, the old woman's all right now?" "yes, she's right enough; but, where be her husband, and where be her son? she'll never plague them any more, that's pretty sartain." the feelings of mrs forster at the finale of this discourse are not easy to be portrayed. one heavy load was off her mind--mr spinney was not dead; but how much had she also to lament? she perceived that she had been treacherously kidnapped by those who detested her conduct, but had no right to inflict the punishment. the kind and feeling conduct of her husband and of her son,--the departure of the one, and supposed death of the other, were blows which nearly overwhelmed her. she tottered back to her cell in a state of such extreme agitation, as to occasion a return of fever, and for many days she was unable to quit her bed. volume one, chapter ten. "when britain first at heaven's command arose from out the azure main, this was the charter, the charter of the land, and guardian angels sung the strain-- rule britannia, britannia rules the waves, for britons never shall be slaves." we left newton forster senseless on the pavement leading to the quay at bristol, floored by a rap on the head from a certain person or persons unknown: he did not however remain there long, being hoisted on the shoulders of two stout fellows, dressed in blue jackets and trousers, with heavy clubs in their hands, and a pistol lying perdu between their waistcoats and shirts. these nautical personages tumbled him into the stern-sheets of a boat, as if not at all sorry to rid themselves of his weight and, in a continued state of insensibility, newton was hoisted up the side of a cutter which lay at anchor about one hundred yards from the shore. when newton recovered his senses, his swimming eyes could just enable him to perceive that something flashed upon them, and in their weak state created a painful sensation. as he became more collected, he discovered that a man was holding a small candle close to them, to ascertain whether the vein which had been opened in his arm had produced the desired effect of restoring him to animation. newton tried to recollect where he was, and what had occurred; but the attempted exercise of his mental powers was too much, and again threw him into a state of stupor. at last he awoke as if from a dream of death, and looking round, found himself lying on the deck attended by a female, who bathed his forehead. "where am i?" exclaimed newton. "is it where you are, that you'd want for to know? a'nt ye on board of the lively cutter, sure? and a'nt you between decks in her, and i looking a'ter ye, honey?" "and who are you?" "and who am i! then if i'm not somebody else, i'm judy malony, the wife of the boatswain's mate, and a lawful married woman." "how did i come here?" continued newton, raising himself on his elbow. "you didn't come at all, honey, you were brought." "who brought me?" "who brought ye! it was either the gig or the jolly boat; but i wasn't on deck at the time, so i can't upon my oath say exactly which." "then pray can you tell me why i was brought here?" replied newton. "sure i can guess, bating you don't know already. it was to sarve your king and your country, like a brave volunteer as you are." "then i'm impressed?" "you may take your bible oath of it, my jewel, and commit no perjury. it's a hard rap that ye got, any how; just a hint that ye were wanted: but plase god, if ye live and do well, 'twill be nothing at all to what we'll have by-and-bye, all for the honour and glory of ould england." newton, who during these remarks was thinking of his father's situation, and the distress he would suffer without his assistance, and then of the state in which he had left his mother, again sank on the deck. "why he's off again!" muttered judy malony; "he's no countryman of mine, that's clear as the mud in the shannon, or he'd never fuss about a rap with a shillelah;" and judy, lifting up her petticoats first, gained her feet, and walked away forward. newton remained in a state of uneasy slumber until daylight, when he was awakened by the noise of boats coming alongside, and loud talking on deck. all that had passed did not immediately rush into his mind; but his arm tied up with the bandage, and his hair matted, and his face stiff with the coagulated blood, soon brought to his recollection the communication of judy malony, that he had been impressed. the 'tween decks of the cutter appeared deserted, unless indeed there were people in the hammocks slung over his head; and newton, anxious to obtain farther information, crawled under the hammocks to the ladder, and went up on deck. about twenty sailors, well armed, were busy handing out of the boats several men whom they had brought on board, who were ordered aft by the officer in command. newton perceived that most of them had not received much better treatment than he had on the preceding evening; some were shockingly disfigured, and were still bleeding profusely. "how many have you altogether, mr vincent?" said the lieutenant to a stout master's mate with a tremendous pair of whiskers, which his loose handkerchief discovered to join together at his throat. "seventeen, sir." "and how many had we before?--twenty-six, i think." "twenty-seven, sir, with the young chap i sent on board last night." "well, that will do; it's quite as many as we can stow away, or take care of:--pass them all down below, forward; take up the ladder, and put on the grating until we are out of the harbour. as soon as the jolly-boat comes on board we'll up anchor." "she'll be off directly, sir; i ordered her to wait for johnson and merton, who did not come down with us." "do you think they have given you the slip?" "i should think not, sir. here is the jolly-boat coming off." "well, pass the men forward, and secure them," replied the lieutenant. "overhaul the boat's falls, and bring to with the windlass." newton thought this a good opportunity to state that he was the master of a vessel, and, as such, protected from the impress; he therefore walked over to the lieutenant, addressing him, "i beg your pardon, sir--" "who are you?" interrupted the lieutenant, gruffly. "i was impressed last night, sir;--may i speak to you?" "no sir, you may not." "it might save you some trouble, sir." "it will save me more to send you down below. mr vincent, shove this man down forward; why is he at large?" "he was under the doctor's hands, i believe, sir. come this way, my hearty--stir your stumps." newton would have expostulated, but he was collared by two of the press-gang, and very unceremoniously handed forward to the hatchway; the grating was taken off, and he was lowered down to the deck below, where he found himself cooped up with more than forty others, almost suffocated for the want of air and space. the conversation (if conversation it could be called) was nothing but one continued string of curses and execrations, and vows of deep revenge. the jolly-boat returned, pulling only two oars; the remainder of her crew, with thompson and merton, having taken this opportunity of deserting from their forced servitude. with some hearty execrations upon the heads of the offending parties, and swearing that by god there was no such thing as _gratitude_ in a sailor, the commander of the cutter weighed his anchor, and proceeded to sea. the orders received by the lieutenant of the cutter, although not precisely specifying, still implying that he was to bring back his cargo alive, as soon as his majesty's cutter, lively, was fairly out at sea, the hatches were taken off, and the impressed men allowed to go on deck in the proportion of about one half at a time, two sailors, with drawn cutlasses, still remaining sentry at the coombings of the hatchway, in case of any discontented fellow presuming to dispute such lawful authority. newton forster was happy to be once more on deck; so much had he suffered during his few hours of confinement, that he really felt grateful for the indulgence. the sky was bright, and the cutter was dashing along the coast with the wind, two points free, at the rate of seven or eight miles an hour. she was what sailors term rather _a wet one_, and as she plunged through the short waves the sea broke continually over her bows and chesstree, so that there was no occasion to draw water for purification. newton washed his face and head, and felt quite revived as he inhaled the fresh breeze, and watched the coast as the vessel rapidly passed each head-land in her course. all around him were strangers, and no one appeared inclined to be communicative; even the most indifferent, the most stoical, expressed their ideas in disjointed sentences; they could not but feel that their project and speculations had been overthrown by a captivity so anomalous with their boasted birthright. "where are we going?" inquired newton of a man who stood next him, silently watching the passing foam created by the rapid course of the vessel. "to _hell_ i hope, with _those who brought us here_!" replied the man, grinding his teeth with a scowl of deep revenge. at this moment judy malony came pattering along the wet deck with a kid of potato-peelings to throw over the bows. newton recognised her, and thanked her for her kindness. "it's a nice boy that you are, sure enough, now that you're swate and clean," replied judy. "bad luck to the rapparee who gave you the blow! i axed my husband if it was he; but he swears upon his salvation that it was no one if it wasn't tim o'connor, the baste!" "where are we going?" inquired newton. "a'nt we going to dinner in a minute or two?" "i mean where is the cutter bound to?" "oh! the cutter you mane! if she can only find her way it's to plymouth, sure;--they're waiting for ye." "who is waiting for us?" "why, three fine frigates as can't go to sea without hands. you never heard of a ship sailing without hands; the poor dumb craturs can't do nothing by themselves." "do you know where the frigates are going?" "going to _say_, i lay my life on't," replied judy, who then walked forward, and broke up the conversation. the next morning the cutter ran into hamoaze, and boats were sent on board to remove the impressed men to the guard-ship. there, much to his annoyance and mortification, newton found, that with the others, he was treated as a close prisoner. the afternoon of the same day another vessel arrived from the eastward with a collection of offenders, who for a variety of crimes and misdemeanors had been sentenced to serve on board of a man-of-war. no distinction was made; all were huddled together, and treated alike, until summoned on the quarterdeck, when their names were called out for distribution to the several men-of-war. each ship having a quota of seamen and pickpockets allotted to her in due proportion, the men were ordered down into the boats; and in less than an hour newton found himself on board of a fine frigate lying in the sound, with her fore-topsail losse, as a signal of her immediate departure. volume one, chapter eleven. 'tis man's bold task the gen'rous strife to try, but in the hands of god is victory. iliad. newton, and the other men who had been selected for the frigate, on board of which they had been despatched (victualled the day discharged), were mustered on the quarter-deck by the first lieutenant, who asked them the questions, whether they were bred to the sea, and could take the helm and lead. having noted down their answers, he stationed them accordingly, and they were dismissed. newton would again have appealed, but on reflection thought it advisable to await the arrival of the captain. beds and blankets were not supplied that evening: the boats were hoisted up, sentries on the gang ways supplied with ball-cartridges to prevent desertion, and permission granted to the impressed men to "prick for the softest plank" which they could find for their night's repose. at daylight the hands were turned up, the capstern manned, the frigate unmoored, and hove "short stay a-peak" on her anchor remaining down. the gig was sent on shore with two midshipmen, one to watch the men and prevent their desertion, while the other went up to the captain's lodgings to report her arrival: the topsails were loosed, sheeted home, and hoisted, the yards braced by, and newton to his sorrow perceived that the captain's arrival would be the signal for immediate departure. the signalman, on the look-out with his glass, reported the gig coming off with the captain; and in obedience to the orders he had received, the first-lieutenant immediately hove up, and the anchor having been "catted and fished," the frigate lay-to in the sound. as soon as the boat came alongside, and the captain had been received with the customary honours, he desired sail to be made on her as soon as the boat was hoisted up, and then descended to his cabin. in three minutes newton perceived that all chance of release for the present was over; the courses and topgallant sails were set, and the frigate darted past the ram head at the rate of ten miles per hour. in about twenty minutes, after the messenger had been stowed away, the cables coiled in the tiers, and the ropes flemished down on deck, the captain made his appearance, and directed the first-lieutenant to send aft the newly impressed men. in few words he pointed out to them the necessity of their servitude; and concluded by recommending them to enter his majesty's service, and receive the bounty to which they would become entitled; observing, that the men who did so would raise themselves in his good opinion, and as far as he had the power, would not be forgotten by him, provided that their general good conduct merited his favour. some few accepted the terms, but the most of them positively refused. when newton was addressed, he stated to the captain that he was master of a vessel, and exempted by law from the impress. "it is easy to assert that," observed the captain; "but where are your proofs? your youth almost denies what you affirm." "there are my papers, sir, my clearance from the custom-house, and my bill of lading, which i had in my pocket, intending to sail a few minutes after the time that i was impressed." "i observe," replied the captain, examining the papers, "they appear to be all correct. what is your name?" "newton forster." "then this is your signature?" "it is, sir." mr pittson, desire the clerk to bring up a pen and ink. the clerk made his appearance.--"now, sign your name."--newton obeyed, and his signature was compared with that on the bill of lading, by the captain and first-lieutenant. "why did you not mention this before?" continued the captain. "i attempted several times, but was not permitted to speak." newton then stated how he had been treated when impressed, and afterwards by the officer commanding the cutter. "you certainly were exempted from the impress, if what you state is true; and i believe it so to be," replied the captain.--"it is a hard case; but what can i do? here we are at sea, and likely to remain on a cruise of several months. you cannot expect to eat the bread of idleness on board of a man-of-war. you will do your duty wherever you are stationed. there is no disgrace in serving his majesty, in any capacity. i tell you candidly, that although i would not have impressed you myself, i am very glad that i have you on board; i wish i had fifty more of the same sort, instead of the sweepings of the gaols, which i am obliged to mix up with prime seamen." "perhaps, sir, you will have the kindness to send me back by the first homeward-bound vessel?" "no, that i cannot do; you are on the ship's books, and the case must be referred to the admiralty on our return: that it will be my duty to attend to, upon your application; but i hope before that you will have entered into his majesty's service." "and in the mean time my poor father may starve," said newton, with a sigh, not addressing those around him, but giving utterance to his thoughts. the captain turned away, and paced the quarter-deck with the first-lieutenant. at last he was overheard to say--"it's a very hard case, certainly. forster, can you navigate?" continued the captain, addressing newton. "yes, sir, i can work up a dead reckoning, and take the sun's altitude." "very well, that will do.--mr pittson, you may dismiss them. are they put into messes?" "all, sir." "it's twelve o'clock, sir," said the master, touching his hat, with his quadrant in his hand. "make it so, and pipe to dinner." newton was stationed in the foretop. in a few days the awkwardness arising from the novelty of the scene and from the superior dimensions of every variety of equipment on board of the frigate, compared to the small craft to which he had been accustomed, passed away. the order which was exacted to preserve discipline, the precision with which the time was regulated, the knowledge of the duty allotted to him, soon made him feel that no more was exacted than what could easily be performed, and that there was no hardship in serving on board of a man-of-war; the only hardship was, the manner in which he had been brought there. although he often sighed as he thought of his father and mother, he did his duty cheerfully, and was soon distinguished as a most promising young sailor. captain northfleet was a humane and good officer, and his first-lieutenant followed in his steps, and equally deserved the character. before the ship's company had been six weeks together, they were in a tolerable state of discipline; and proved such to be the case, by acknowledging that they were happy. this, added to the constant excitement of chasing and capturing the vessels of the enemy with the anticipation of prize-money, soon made most of those who had been impressed, forget what had occurred, or cease to lament it as a hardship. the continual exercise of the guns was invariably followed up by a general wish that they might fall in with an enemy of equal force, to ascertain whether such constant drilling had been thrown away upon them. the terpsichore received supplies of provisions and water from other ships, and for nine months continued a successful cruise. several prizes had already been captured, and sent home to england. the complement of the frigate was materially reduced by so many absentees, although some of her men had been brought out to her by other vessels, when a strange sail was discovered from the mast-head. a few hours sufficed to bring the swift terpsichore alongside of the stranger, who first hoisted, and then immediately hauled down the tricoloured flag in token of submission. she proved to be a french brig, bound to the cape of good hope, with ammunition and government stores. the third-lieutenant, and all the midshipmen who could navigate, were already away; and this prize proving valuable, captain northfleet resolved to send her in. the difficulty relative to a prize-master was removed by the first-lieutenant, who recommended newton forster. to this suggestion the captain acceeded; and newton, with five men, and two french prisoners to assist, was put on board of the estelle, with written instructions to repair to plymouth, and, upon his arrival there, deliver up the prize to the agent, and report himself to the admiral. captain northfleet also returned to newton the papers of his sloop, and gave him a letter to the admiral, stating the hardship of his case. at the same time that he informed him of the contents of his letter, he recommended newton to continue in the service, promising that, if he took the vessel safe into port, he would put him on the quarterdeck, as one of the mates of the frigate. newton thanked captain northfleet for his good intentions; and, requesting permission to reflect upon his proposal, took his leave, and in a few minutes was on board of the estelle. there was a buoyancy of spirits in newton when he once more found himself clear of the frigate. he acknowledged that he had been well treated, and that he had not been unhappy; but still it was emancipation from forced servitude. it is hard to please where there are so many masters; and petty tyranny will exist, and cause much discontent before it is discovered, even where the best discipline prevails. the imperious behaviour of the young midshipmen, who assume the same despotic sway which is exercised over themselves, as soon as their superiors are out of sight and hearing, was often extremely galling to newton forster, and it frequently required much forbearance not to retort. however in strict justice this might be warranted, discipline would not permit it, and it would have been attended with severe punishment. it was therefore with a feeling of delight, that newton found himself his own master, and watched the hull and canvass of the terpsichore, as they gradually sunk below the horizon. the estelle was a fine vessel, and her cargo not being all composed of heavy materials, was sufficiently light on the water to sail well. at the time of her capture, they were, by the reckoning of the frigate, about fourteen hundred miles from the lizard. in a fortnight, therefore, with the wind at all propitious, newton hoped to set his foot upon his native land. he crowded all the sail which prudence would allow; and, with the wind upon his quarter, steered his course for england. the men sent with him in the brig consisted of two able seamen, and three of the gang which had been collected from the gaols and brought round from the eastward. captain northfleet spared the former, as it was necessary that a part of the crew should be able to steer and navigate the vessel; the latter, with the sincere hope of never seeing them again, taking it for granted that they would run away as soon as they arrived at plymouth. with the two prisoners, they were sufficient to work the vessel. during the first ten days the wind was generally in their favour, and the brig was not far off from the chops of the channel, when a low raking vessel was perceived bearing down upon them from the north west. newton had no glass; but as she neared to within three miles, the vessel wore the appearance of a privateer schooner; but whether an enemy or not, it was impossible to decide. the estelle had two small brass guns on her forecastle; and newton, to ascertain the nation to which the privateer belonged, hoisted the french ensign and fired a gun. in a minute the privateer hoisted english colours; but as she continued to bear down upon them, newton, not feeling secure, rove his studding sail gear, and made all preparation for running before the wind, which he knew to be the brig's best point of sailing. the privateer had approached to within two miles, when roberts, one of the seamen, gave his decided opinion that she was a french vessel, pointing out the slight varieties in the rigging and build of the vessel, which would not have been apparent to any one but a thorough-bred seaman. "we'd better up helm, and get the sail upon her. if she be french, she'll soon show herself by firing at us." newton was of the same opinion. the brig was put before the wind, and gradually all her canvass was spread. the privateer immediately shook out all her reefs, set her lofty sails, hoisted french colours, and, in a few minutes, a shot whizzed through the rigging of the estelle, and pitched into the water ahead of them. "i thought so," cried roberts. "it's a johnny crapeau. a starn chase is a long chase, anyhow. the brig sails well, and there ain't more than two hours daylight; so monsieur must be quick, or we'll give him the slip yet." the privateer was now within a mile of them; both vessels had "got their way;" and their respective powers of sailing were to be ascertained. in half an hour the privateer had neared to three quarters of a mile. "i think our little guns will soon reach her," observed newton. "williams, give me the helm. go forward with roberts and the men, and rouse them aft. be smart, my lads, for she has the heels of us." "come along," said roberts. "you, collins, why don't you stir?--do you wish to see the inside of a french prison?" "no," replied collins, sauntering forward, "not particularly." "only by way of a change, i suppose," observed thompson, another of the convicts. "you have been in every gaol in england, to my knowledge-- havn't you, ben?" "mayhap i have," replied collins; "but one gentleman should never interfere with the consarns of another. i warn't whipped at the cart-tail, as you were, last lancaster 'sizes." "no; but you had a taste of it on board of the terpsichore. ben, you aren't forgot that?" retorted hillson, the other of the three characters who had been sent with newton. in a few minutes the guns were run aft, and the ammunition brought on deck. newton then gave the helm to williams, and served one gun; while roberts took charge of the other. the privateer had continued to near them, and was now within their range. a smart fire was kept up on her, which she returned with her superior metal. after the firing had commenced, the approach of the privateer was in some degree checked. the guns fired from the stern of the estelle assisted her velocity through the water; while, on the contrary, the privateer, being obliged to yaw from her course that her guns might bear, and firing from the bow, her impetus was checked. still the privateer had the advantage in sailing, and slowly neared the brig. "there's no need of your coming aft so close upon us," said roberts to the two frenchmen who had been sent on board; "go forward, and keep out of the way. that 'ere chap is after mischief; he had his eye upon the _amminition_," continued the sailor to newton. "go forward--d'ye hear? or i'll split your damned french skull with the handspike." "don't touch him, roberts," said newton. "no, i won't touch him, if he keeps out of my way. do you hear?--go forward!" cried roberts to the frenchman, waving his hand. the frenchman answered with a sneer and a smile, and was turning to obey the order, when a shot from the privateer cut him nearly in two. the other frenchman, who was close to him, made a rapid descent into the cabin. "that was well meant, any how," observed roberts, looking at the dead body; "but it wasn't meant for him. shall i toss him overboard?" "no, no--let him lie. if they capture us, they will perceive it was their own doing." "well, then, i'll only haul him into the lee-scuppers, out of the way." another shot from the privateer passed through the cabin windows, and went forward into the hold. the french prisoner ran on deck with as much haste as before he had run below. "ay, it will be your turn next, my cock," cried roberts, who had been removing the body to the gunnel. "now, let me try my luck again," and he hastened to his gun. newton fired before roberts was ready. the topsail-sheet of the schooner was divided by the shot, and the sail flew out before the yard. "that's a good two cables' length in our favour," cried roberts. "now for me." roberts fired his gun, and was more fortunate; his shot struck away the fore-top-gallant mast, while the royal and top-gallant-sail fell before the topsail. "well done, my little piece of brass!" said roberts, slapping the gun familiarly on the breech; "only get us out of our scrape, and i'll polish you as bright as silver!" whether the gun understood him or not, or, what is more probable, the short distance between the brig and the privateer, made it more effective, more mischief took place in the sails and rigging of the schooner. her topsail-sheet was, however, soon re-bent, the sail reset, and her other casualties made good. she ceased firing her long gun, and at dusk had crept up to within a quarter of a mile, and commenced a heavy fire of musketry upon the brig. "this is rather warm work," observed williams at the helm, pointing to a bullet-hole through his jacket. "rather too warm," observed collins, the convict. "i don't see why we are to risk our lives for our paltry share of prize-money. i vote for hauling down the colours." "not yet," said newton, "not yet, my lads. let us try a few shots more." "try!--to be sure," rejoined roberts, "didn't i say before, that a starn chase was a long one." "that only makes the matter worse," replied collins; "for while we are to be peppered this way, i think the shorter the chase the better. however, you may do as you please, but i'm not so fond of it;--so here's down below to the fore-peak!" "ben, you're a sensible chap, and gives good advice; we'll just follow you," said hillson. "birds of a feather always flock together; so, ben, i'm of your party," added thompson. the convicts then descended forward out of the fire of the musketry, while newton and roberts continued to load and fire, and williams steered the brig. the frenchman had already found his way below again, before the convicts. the schooner was within two cables' length, and the fire of the musketry was most galling; each of the english seamen had received slight wounds, when, just as it was dark, one of the shot from the brig proved more effective. the main-boom of the schooner was either cut in two, or so much injured as to oblige them to lower her mainsail, the brig now increased her distance fast, and in a few minutes they lost sight of the schooner in the darkness of the night. "huzza!" cried roberts, "didn't i tell you that a starn chase was a long one?" not a star was to be seen; the darkness was intense, and newton consulted with williams and roberts, as to what was their best plan of proceeding. it was agreed to haul up for a quarter of an hour, then furl all, and allow the privateer to pass them. this was put in execution; the convicts, now that there was no more firing, coming to their assistance. the next morning the weather proved hazy, and the schooner, who had evidently crowded sail in pursuit of them, was nowhere to be seen. newton and his crew congratulated themselves upon their escape, and again shaped their course for the channel. the wind would not allow them to keep clear of ushant, and two days afterwards they made the french coast, near to that island. the next morning they had a slant of wind, which enabled them to lay her head up for plymouth, and anticipated that in another twenty-four hours they would be in safety. such, however, was not their good fortune; about noon a schooner hove in sight to leeward, and it was soon ascertained to be the same vessel from which they had previously escaped. before dusk she was close to them; and newton, aware of the impossibility of resistance, hove-to, as a signal of surrender. volume one, chapter twelve. misery acquaints a man with strange bedfellows. shakespeare. as the reader may have, before now, occasionally heard comments upon the uncertainty of the moon and of the sea, and also, perhaps, of human life, i shall not venture any farther remarks upon the subject; for were they even new, i should never have the credit of them. this is certain, that instead of finding themselves, as they anticipated to be in the next twenty-four hours, safely moored in the port of plymouth, newton and his comrades found themselves before that time had elapsed safely locked up in the prison of morlaix. but we must not proceed so fast. although the estelle had squared her mainyard as a signal of submission, the privateer's men, as they ranged their vessel alongside, thought it advisable to pour in a volley of musketry: this might have proved serious, had it not been that newton and his crew were all down below, hoping to secure a few changes of linen, which in a prison, might prove very useful. as it was, their volley only killed the remaining french prisoner, who remained on deck, overjoyed at the recapture, and anticipating an immediate return to his own country; by which it would appear that the "_l'homme propose, mais dieu dispose_" of france, is quite as sure a proverb as the more homely "many a slip between the cup and lip" of our own country. the boat of the privateer was sent on board; a dozen men, with their cutlasses flourishing over their heads, leapt on the deck of the estelle, and found nobody to exercise their valour upon, except the body of their departed comrade; upon which they shouted for the "sacre's god dams" to "monter." newton and the rest obeyed the summons, with their bundles in their hands: the latter they were soon relieved of by their conquerors, who, to prove that it was not out of "_politesse_" that they carried their effects, at the same time saluted them with various blows with their cutlasses upon their backs and shoulders. newton, who felt that resistance would only be an excuse for farther aggression, bore with philosophy what he could not prevent, and hastened into the boat. the convicts also took their share with patience--they had been accustomed to "many stripes." roberts and williams, in spite of the remonstrances of newton, with all the reckless spirit of english sailors, would not submit so quietly. the first object which attracted roberts' attention, as he came up the ladder, was the body of the remaining french prisoner. "what! johnny, so you're gone! didn't i tell you that your turn would come next? i say, my hearties, you keep all your bullets for your friends," continued roberts, addressing the privateer's men. a few "sacres" and "f---s" was the reply, as one of them attempted to twitch his bundle out of his hand.--"hold fast there, old chap, don't take what you never paid for." a scuffle now ensued; which ended in roberts, who found that he could not retain possession, shying his bundle at the foremost man, with such force as to lay him on the deck.--"well, if you will have it, take it," cried roberts. "the beggars have chopped my fingers," growled williams. "i say mounseer, don't make quite so free with that iron of yours; or i'll smash your top-lights." "i wish i had three on 'em on point beach, one up and one down. i'd sarve you out, you damned frog-eating sea-cooks!" said roberts, squaring at the privateers' men with clenched fists. this obstreperous conduct produced a shower of blows with the backs of the cutlasses. williams, in a rage, wrenched a cutlass from one of the frenchmen, and laid about him; while roberts, with his fists, rushed within their guards, and laid two of them at his feet. at last they were overpowered and thrown into the boat, bleeding profusely from various cuts which they had received in the unequal scuffle. the privateers' people then shoved off; and rowed on board of the schooner. as soon as newton and the other englishmen were up the side they were pushed aft; their persons were then searched, and every part of their apparel, which appeared to be of good materials or little worn, was taken from them. collins, the convict, was a good prize; he had put on shirt over shirt, stocking over stocking, and trousers over trousers, that the frenchmen began to wonder if ever they should arrive at the "inner man." at last, he was uncased, an old pair of trousers thrown to him, and he was left without any other garment, shivering in the cold. newton, who still retained his waistcoat and shirt, took off the former and gave it to the convict, who whispered as he thanked him, "i don't care a fig, they have left me my old hat." as soon as the recapture was manned, the privateer bore up for the french coast, and before morning anchored in the rocky harbour of morlaix. at daylight the prisoners, who had received no refreshment, were handed into a boat, and on their landing, conducted by a party of _gens d'armes_ to the prison. during their progress to their place of confinement collins excited the amusement of the bystanders, and the surprise of his fellow-prisoners, by walking with his hands and arms raised in a certain position. after they had been locked up, he went to the barred window, and continued the same gestures to the people who were crowded about the prison, most of whom continued their mockery. newton, who came forward to the window to request a little water for roberts and williams, who wished to quench their thirst and wash their wounds, which had not been dressed, inquired of collins his reason for so doing. "it is for your benefit as well as mine," replied collins: "at least i hope so. there are freemasons in all countries." a few minutes afterwards, one of the people outside came forward, and pointed out to the sentry that the prisoners were making signs for water. the _gendarme_, who had paid no attention to newton, listened to the appeal of his countryman, who, upon the grounds of common humanity, persuaded him to allow them such a necessary boon. the water was brought, and as the man walked away a sign unperceived by all but collins, gave him to understand that his appeal had been understood. "all's right," said collins to newton, as he quitted the grating. "we have friends without, and we have friends within." in about an hour some bread was brought in, and among those who brought it collins perceived the person who had answered his signal; but no farther recognition took place. at noon the door of the prison was again unbarred, and a surgeon came to dress the wounded men. he was accompanied by two or three others, deputed by the governor of the town to obtain intelligence, and the new acquaintance of collins appeared as interpreter. while the surgeon dressed the wounds of roberts and williams; which, although numerous, were none of any importance, many questions were asked, and taken down when interpreted. each prisoner was separately interrogated; collins was one of the first examined. the questions put and answers given were carefully intermixed with more important matter. the person who acted as interpreter spoke english too well for a frenchman; apparently he was a dane or russian, who was domiciliated there. he commenced with:-- "no one understands english but me--but they are suspicious; be careful.--what is your name?" "john collins." "comment?" said the french amanuensis, "john co-lin. c'est bien; continuez." "what is your rank--_and in your lodge_?" "common seaman--master," answered collins adroitly. "comment?" said the party with his pen. "matelot," replied the interpreter. "demandez-lui le nom du batiment." "what is the name of your ship?--_how can we assist you_?" "terpsichore--_a boat, with provisions_." "comment?" "fregate croiseur terpsichore." "does she sail well?--_at what time_?" "_to-night, with a guide_." "que dit-il?" "elle marche bien avec le vent large." "demandez-lui la force." "what number of guns?--_how can you get out_?" "thirty-six guns.--_i have the means_." "trente-six canons." "trente-six canons," repeated the frenchman, writing, "c'est bien-- alors, l'equipage." "how many men?--_i will be here at dark_." "two hundred and seventy men; but many away in prizes." "deux cents soixante-dix hommes d'equipage; mais il y a beaucoup dans les batimens pris." newton and the others were also interrogated, the names taken down, and the parties then quitted the prison. "now, if we make a push for it, i think we may get off," said collins to newton and the rest, after the door had closed. "i never saw the prison in england which could hold me when i felt inclined to walk out of it; and as for their bars, i reckon them at about an hour's work. i never travel without my little friends;"--and collins, taking off his old hat, removed the lining, and produced a variety of small saws made from watch-springs, files, and other instruments. "then," continued he, "with these and this piece of tallow stuck outside my hat, i will be through those bars in no time. french iron ar'nt worth a damn, and the sentry shan't hear me if he lolls against them; although it may be just as well if thompson tips a stave, as then we may work the faster." "i say, bill," observed hillson, "who is your friend?" "i don't know--he may be the governor; but this i do know, for the honour of freemasonry, we may trust him and all like him; so just mind your own business, tom."--"he said he would be here at dark," observed newton. "yes,--i must prepare--go to the grating some of you, that they may not look in upon me." this unexpected prospect of deliverance created an anxious joy in the breasts of the prisoners; the day appeared interminable. at last, the shades of night set in, and a clouded sky with mizzling rain raised their hopes. the square in front of the prison was deserted, and the sentinel crouched close against the door, which partially protected him from the weather. in a few minutes a person was heard in conversation with the sentinel. "he must be coming now," observed collins in a low tone: "that must be one of his assistants who is taking off the attention of the _gens d'arme_." "make no noise," said a voice in a whisper, at the outside of the bars. "i am here," replied collins softly. "how can you get out of the prison?" "get the sentry out of the way when we leave off singing; the bars will then be removed." "every thing is prepared outside. when you get out keep close under the wall to the right. i shall be at the corner, if i am not here." the freemason then retired from the grating. "now, thompson, not too loud, there's no occasion for it; two of us can work." thompson commenced his song; newton took a small saw from collins, who directed him how to use it. the iron bars of the prison yielded like wood to the fine-tempered instruments which collins employed. in an hour and a half three of the bars were removed without noise, and the aperture was wide enough for their escape. the singing of thompson, whose voice was tolerably good and ear very correct, had not only the effect of preventing their working being heard, but amused the sentinel, who remained with his back to the wall listening to the melody. their work was so far accomplished. thompson ceased, and all was silence and anxiety; in a few minutes the sentinel was again heard in conversation, and the voices receded, as if he had removed to a greater distance. "now, brother," said the low voice under the aperture. in a minute the whole of the prisoners were clear of the walls, and followed their guide in silence, until they reached the landing-place. "there is the boat, and provisions sufficient," said the freemason, in a low tone; "you will have to pass the sentries on the rocks: but we can do no more for you. farewell, brother; and may you and your companions be fortunate!" so saying, their friendly assistant disappeared. the night was so dark, that although close to the boat it was with difficulty that its outline could be discerned. newton, recommending the strictest silence and care in entering, stepped into it, and was followed by the rest. roberts, whose eyesight was a little affected from the wounds in his head, stumbled over one of the oars. "_qui vive_?" cried out one of the sentries on the rock. no answer was made; they all remained motionless in their seats. the sentry walked to the edge of the rock and looked down; but not distinguishing any thing, and hearing no further noise, returned to his post. for some little while newton would not allow them to move: the oars were then carefully lifted over the gunnel, and their clothes laid in the rollocks, to muffle the sound; the boat was pushed from the landing-place into the middle of the narrow inlet. the tide was ebbing, and with their oars raised out of the water, ready to give way if perceived, they allowed the boat to drift out of one of the narrow channels which formed the entrance of the harbour. the rain now beat down fast, and anxious to be well clear of the coast before daylight, newton thought they might venture to pull. the oars were taken by him and collins; but before they had laid them three times in the water one of the sentries, hearing the noise, discharged his musket in the direction. "give way, now, as hard as we can," cried newton; "it's our only chance." another and another musket was fired. they heard the guard turned out; lights passing on the batteries close to them, and row-boats manning. they double-banked their oars, and with the assistance of the ebb tide and obscurity they were soon out of gunshot. they then laid in their oars, shipped their mast, and sailed away from the coast. it was nine o'clock in the evening when they started, and at daylight the french coast was not to be seen. overjoyed at their escape, they commenced an attack upon the provisions and a small keg of wine; and perhaps a more joyful breakfast never was made. the sun rose in vapour, the sky threatened, but they were free and happy. the wind freshened, and the boat flew before the gale; the running seas topping over her stern, and forcing them continually to bale her out; but all was joy, and freedom turned their "danger to delight." they passed several vessels at a distance, who did not observe them; and before sunset the english coast was in sight. at ten o'clock the double lights on the lizard were on their starboard bow. they hauled up upon the larboard tack with the ebb tide, and having passed the lizard, kept away for mount's bay, to avoid the chance of falling in with any of the king's vessels, and being again impressed. at daylight they ran in under st. michael's mount and once more stepped upon english ground. here, as by previous agreement, they divided the provisions, and took farewell of each other. "good bye, gentlemen," said collins; "allow me to observe that, for once, you may think yourselves fortunate in having been placed in my very respectable company!" volume one, chapter thirteen. once more upon the waters. byron. as newton had lost his credentials from captain northfleet, as well as the vessel confided to his charge, he did not consider it necessary to pay his respects to the port admiral at plymouth. on the contrary, he set off as fast as his legs could carry him to liverpool, to ascertain the condition of his father. we shall pass over the difficulties he experienced on his journey. there is no country where travelling is more easy or more rapid, than in england, provided that you have plenty of money; but when you travel _in forma pauperis_, there is no country in which you get on so badly. parish rates and poor laws have dried up the sources of benevolence; and as newton did not apply to the overseers for his three-half-pence a mile, he got on how he could, which was badly enough. when at last he did arrive at liverpool, he found himself a stone or two the lighter, and would have been pronounced by captain barclay to have been in excellent training. newton had written to his father, acquainting him with his impressment; but was doubtful whether the letter had ever been received, as it had been confided to the care of one of the women who left the frigate the evening previous to her sailing. when he arrived at the house he perceived his father at his bench as usual, but doing nothing, and the shop windows were bare. newton entered, and his father looked up. "why, newton, my dear boy, is it you?" cried nicholas; "what a long while you have been away! well, how is mr hilton?--and how is your poor mother?" "my dear father," replied newton, taking his hand, "did not you receive my letter?" "no, i received no letter. what a time you have been away i declare it must be two or three months, or more." "it is nearly twelve months, my dear father: i was pressed at bristol, have been on board of a man-of-war; and have just escaped from a french prison." newton then entered into a narrative of his adventures, to the astonishment of nicholas, who heard him with open mouth. "dear me! so you've been in a man-of-war, and in france; then you don't know how your poor mother is?" "have you not inquired, my dear father?" "no, i thought you would come home, and tell me all about it," replied nicholas with a sigh. "how have you got on here?" said newton, to change the conversation. "very bad indeed, newton--very bad indeed; i have not had six jobs since you left me." "i am sorry to hear it, father; have you any thing to eat in the house, for i am very hungry?" "i am afraid not much," replied nicholas, going to the cupboard, and producing some bread and cheese. "can you eat bread and cheese, my dear boy?" "i could eat a horse, my dear father," replied newton, who had walked the last twelve hours without sustenance. newton attacked the provender, which soon disappeared. "i have been obliged to sell most of the shop furniture," said nicholas, observing newton to cast his eyes at the empty window. "i could not help it. i believe nobody wears spectacles in liverpool." "it can't be helped, father; we must hope for better times." "yes, we must trust in god, newton. i sold my watch yesterday, and that will feed us for some time. a sailor came into the shop, and asked if i had any watches to sell: i told him that i only repaired them at present; but that when my improvement in the duplex--" here nicholas forgot the thread of his narrative, and was commencing a calculation upon his intended improvement, when newton interrupted him. "well, sir, what did the sailor reply?" "oh! i forgot; i told him that i had a watch of my own, that i would part with it, which went very well; and that it would be cheaper to him than a new one; that it cost fifteen pounds; but i was in want of money, and would take five pounds for it. he saw how sorry i was to part with it--and so i was." here nicholas thought of his watch, and forgot his story. "well, my dear father," said newton, "what did he give you for it?" "oh!--why, he was a kind good creature, and said that he was not the man to take advantage of a poor devil in distress, and that i should have the full value of it. he put the watch in his fob and counted out fifteen pounds on the counter. i wanted to return part: but he walked out of the shop, and before i could get round the counter he had got round the corner of the street." "'twas a god-send, my dear father," replied newton, "for i have not a halfpenny. do you know what became of my chest, that i left on board of the sloop?" "dear me! now i think of it, it came here by the waggon. i put it up stairs. i wondered why you sent it." newton having appeased his hunger, went up stairs, and found all his wearing apparel had been forwarded by mr hilton, who supposed him dead, and that he was enabled to make a more respectable appearance than what the privateer's people had hitherto permitted him. in a few days he felt quite recovered from his fatigue, and sallied forth in search of employment. on the day after his arrival at liverpool he had written to the asylum, to inquire the fate of his mother. the answer which he received was, that mrs forster had recovered, and remained many months in the establishment as nurse; but that ten days back she had quitted the asylum, and that her address was not known. newton, who had no means of prosecuting further inquiry, was obliged to be satisfied with the intelligence that his mother was alive and well. he communicated the information to nicholas, who observed-- "poor thing; she's looking for us, depend upon it, newton, and will be here very soon:" and this expectation was revived whenever nicholas thought of his wife; and he continued satisfied. we must allow many months to pass away in one paragraph--months of ineffectual struggle against poverty and want of employment, which newton made every exertion to obtain as mate of a merchant vessel. the way in which he had been impressed had caused a dread of the king's service, which he could not overcome; and although he had but to choose his ship as a sailor before the mast, he could not prevail upon himself to accept a berth which was not protected from the impress. without recommendation he could not obtain the situation of mate, and he continued to work as a rigger in the docks, until his hand was unfortunately severely jammed by the heel of a topmast, and he was laid up for many weeks. each day their fare became scantier, and they were reduced to their last shilling, when newton was again able to go out and seek employment. it was a rough day, blowing hard from the south east, when newton, who had tried his fortune on board of every vessel (crowded as they were in the docks) without success, walked in a melancholy and disappointed mood along the splendid pier which lines the river-side. few people were out, for the gusts of wind were accompanied by smart driving showers of rain. here and there was to be seen a boat pulling up in shore to fetch the shipping in the stream, who with a heavy strain on their cables were riding to the south east gale, and a strong ebb tide. newton had made up his mind to enter on board of one of these vessels about to, sail, provided they would advance him a part of his wages for his father's support; when, as a heavy squall cleared away, he perceived that a boat had broken adrift from the outermost vessel (a large brig), with only one man in it, who was carried away by the rapid current, assisted by the gale blowing down the river, so as to place him in considerable risk. the man in the boat tossed out his oar, and pulling first on one side, and then on the other, tried to make for the shore; but in vain. he was swept away with a rapidity which threatened in less than an hour to carry him out to sea, unless assistance were afforded him. another heavy squall again hid the boat from the sight of newton, who had been anxiously watching to ascertain if any relief was sent from the shipping, and who was now convinced that the disaster had not been perceived. he therefore ran down the bank of the river, waiting until the squall should blow over, and enable him to discover the boat. in about ten minutes the squall passed over, and the boat was again presented to his sight; she was still in the centre of the stream, about three hundred yards from the shore. the man who was in her, finding all his attempts futile, had lain on his oar, and was kneeling in the stern sheets, apparently in supplication. newton could not resist the appeal; it appeared to point out to him that he was summoned to answer the call made upon providence. the boat was now a quarter of a mile farther down the river than where he stood, and about three miles from the town and shipping, both of which were no longer discernible from the thickness of the weather. newton threw off his coat, and plunging into the agitated water, the cold of which nearly checked his respiration, swam off into the stream in a direction so as to allow himself to fetch to windward of the boat. he was soon carried down to it by the rapidity of the tide, and, as he approached, he shouted to announce his presence. the man in the boat started up at the sound of a human voice, and perceiving newton close to the bows, lent over and extended his hand towards, him. newton seized hold of it, and then was whirled round by the tide fore and aft with the side of the boat, with such violence as nearly to drag the other man out, and half fill the boat with water. it was with great difficulty, although assisted by the occupant, that newton contrived at last to get in; when, exhausted with the efforts he had made, he remained a few seconds without motion; the man, whom he had thus risked his life to save, perceiving his condition, and not speaking to him. "we have no time to lose," said newton, at last: "take an oar, and let us pull in for the shore. if once we are swept down to the narrows there will be little chance for us." the other complied, without speaking; and, after a few minutes exertion the boat was safely landed on the liverpool side of the river. "the lord be praised!" ejaculated newton's companion, as he laid on his oar. "i did not call upon _him_ in vain; your accident has been the means of my preservation." "how do you mean?" inquired newton. "why, did you not fall overboard?" replied the other. newton then explained to his companion what we have already related to the reader, ending his narrative with the observation, that when he perceived him praying for assistance in his peril, he could not resist the appeal. "god will reward you, young man," continued he: "and now i will explain to you how it was that i was adrift, like a bear in a washing-tub. my first-mate was below. i had just relieved the deck, for in this blowing weather we must keep watch in harbour. the men were all at their dinner, when i heard the boat thumping under the main channels. i got into her to ease off a fathom or two of the painter; but as i hauled her ahead to get at the bend, it appears that the monkey of a boy who made her fast, and has been but a few months at sea, had made a `_slippery hitch_;' so away it went, and i was adrift. i hailed them on board; but they did not hear me, although the first-mate might have, for he was in the cabin, and the stern window was up; but hailing to windward is hard work, such weather as this; the words are blown back again down your own throat. and now, let me know a little about you, my lad, and see whether i cannot in return be of some use to you." newton's history was soon told; and, at the conclusion, he had the satisfaction of finding that he had obtained the very situation which he had been in search of. "i have no second mate on board," observed the captain of the brig; "but i intended to have shipped one to-morrow. i was only divided between which to take of two who have offered themselves, with equally good recommendations. fortunately, i would promise neither; and, as i think your own recommendation stronger than theirs, the berth is at your service. i only wish, for your sake, that it was that of first-mate. i am sure you would prove yourself fit for the situation; and i cannot say that i am very partial to the one that i have at present; but he is a relation of the owner's." the arrangements were soon made. mr berecroft, the master of the vessel, advanced newton a sum to fit himself out, and agreed with the owner at liverpool, that one half of newton's wages should be allotted monthly to his father. the next morning (as the vessel had a pilot on board, and the weather had moderated,) newton took leave of his father, and with a light heart accompanied his new acquaintance on board of the vessel. it was early in the morning when they embarked in a hired boat, the one belonging to the brig still remaining down the river, where they had landed. the first-mate, as it appeared, was in the cabin shaving himself, previous to his going on shore to the owner to report the supposed loss of his superior. the sailors were either busy or down below, so that no notice was taken of the boat coming alongside; and newton, with the master, were both on the deck before the circumstance was known to the first-mate. it so happened, that at the very same moment that they came on board, the first-mate was ascending the companion hatch, to order a boat to be lowered down, and manned. when he perceived mr berecroft, he fell back with astonishment, and turned pale. "i thought you were gone," said he: "why, what could have saved you? did you not drift out to sea?" "it appears, then, mr jackson, that you knew that i was adrift," replied the master seriously, looking him steadfastly in the face. "that is,"--replied the mate, confused--"i thought--of course, seeing the boat was not alongside--that you had drifted away in her; how it happened--of course, i know not." "i should trust, for your conscience sake, mr jackson, that you did not; however, here i am again, as you see, by the blessing of providence, and the exertions of this young man, whom i must introduce to you as our second-mate." jackson cast an angry glance at newton upon the conclusion of this speech. the master had truly observed that it was strange the first-mate did not hear him when he had hailed the brig for assistance. the fact was, that jackson had both heard him and seen him; but he was a wretch devoid of all feeling, who consulted nothing except his own interest. he had made sure that the master would be carried out to sea, there to perish by a most miserable death, and that he would succeed in command of the vessel. he was then going on shore to report the supposed "_falling overboard_" of the master: which as the brig was to sail as the weather moderated, would have secured to him the command, and, at the same time, have put an end to the search which (should he have reported the truth) would immediately have taken place for the boat in which the master had been adrift. foiled in his hopes, by the courage of newton, jackson had already formed towards him a deadly hatred and determination of revenge. that evening the wind abated, and the vessel sailed. the ensuing morning she was clear of the sands, and a pilot vessel off holyhead having received the pilot, she steered down the irish channel to join a convoy for the west indies, collecting at falmouth. mr berecroft, the master of the vessel, who has not hitherto been described, was a spare, light-built person, of about sixty years of age, still active, and a thorough seaman. he had crossed the ocean for forty-five years, and his occasional narratives, as he walked the deck, or sat over his evening glass of grog, proved that his life must have been one of no ordinary variety and interest. he was serious and rationally devout. he checked all swearing from the men under his command, and rebuked it, although he could not prevent it, in the first-mate; who, to annoy him, seldom made his appearance on deck without making use of some execration or another. it was mr berecroft's custom to call down the seamen into his cabin every evening, and read to them a short prayer; and, although this unusual ceremony often caused a leer in some of the newly-entered men, and was not only unattended but ridiculed by jackson, still the whole conduct of berecroft was so completely in unison, that even the most idle and thoughtless acknowledged that he was a good man, and quitted the ship with regret. such was mr berecroft; and we have little further to add, except that he was very superior to the generality of masters of merchant vessels. his family, it was reported, were strict quakers. jackson, the first-mate, was a bull-headed, sandy-haired northumbrian; as we before stated, a relation of the owner's, or he never would have been permitted to remain in the ship. the reader has already had some insight into his diabolical character. it will be sufficient to add, that he was coarse and blustering in his manners; that he never forgot and never forgave an injury; gratitude was not in his composition; and, to gratify his revenge, he would stop at nothing. on the third day, the brig, which was named the eliza and jane, after the two daughters of the owner, arrived at falmouth, where she anchored in the outer roads, in company with thirty or forty more, who had assembled at the appointed rendezvous. on the second day after their arrival, a fifty-gun ship, frigate, and two corvettes, made their appearance off the mouth of the harbour; and after a due proportion of guns, some shotted and some not, the whole convoy were under weigh, and hove-to round their protectors. the first step taken by the latter was to disembarrass their _proteges_ of one-third of their crews, leaving them as defenceless as possible, that they might not confide in their own strength, but put their whole trust in the men-of-war, and keep as close to them as possible. having taken out every unprotected man, they distributed convoy signals in lieu, and half a dozen more guns announced that they were to make sail--an order immediately complied with: the merchant vessels, loaded with canvass below and aloft, while the men-of-war, with their topsails on the caps, sailed round and round them, firing shot at every unfortunate vessel which was not able to sail as well as the rest. the convoy left falmouth, seventy-five in number; but in a few days there were but forty in sight. those who remained behind either made their voyage how they could, or were taken by the enemy's privateers, who followed in the wake of the convoy. some few were carried into the french ports; and the underwriters of the policy eat but little dinner on the day which brought the intelligence of their capture. others were retaken by the english blockading squadrons, who received then one eighth for salvage. at last the men-of-war were fairly running down the traders, with about twenty-five of the best sailors in company; and the commodore deemed it advisable to take particular care of the few which remained, lest he should be "_hauled over the coals_" by the admiralty. nothing worth comment occurred during the remainder of the passage. they all arrived safe at barbadoes, when the commodore brought in his returns to the admiral, and complained bitterly of the obstinacy of the masters of merchant vessels, who would part company with him, in defiance of all his injunctions, and in spite of all the powder which he fired away to enforce his signals. there certainly was a fault somewhere. during the passage, which lasted seven weeks, newton had ample opportunity of ascertaining his situation. the master invariably treated him with kindness and consideration; and before the voyage was completed, he treated him as if he were his own son. jackson lost no opportunity of annoying or insulting him; but the support of his patron indemnified newton for the conduct of the first-mate, and he resolved to take no notice of that which could not well be prevented. on their arrival at barbadoes, mr berecroft went on shore to the house of the consignee; and then it was that the malignity of jackson broke out in all its violence. the brig had discharged her cargo, and was lying in carlisle bay, waiting for the sugars which were to be shipped for liverpool. one morning, when newton, who for some time had submitted to the tyranny of jackson without complaint, was standing at the main hatchway, giving directions to the men below, who were arranging the dunnage at the bottom of the vessel, the first-mate came on deck, and, watching his opportunity, staggered, with a rope in his hand, against newton, as if by accident, so as to throw him over the coombings. newton, who would have immediately fallen to the bottom of the hold upon the ballast, at the risk of his life suddenly seized hold of the first-mate, not in sufficient time to recover his own balance, but so firmly as to drag jackson with him; and down they were both precipitated together. the first-mate, having hold of one of the ropes leading down the main-mast, clung fast to save himself, and in so doing also broke the fall of newton; but the weight of their bodies dragged the rope through jackson's hands, which were lacerated to the bone. neither party were much hurt by the fall; so that the treachery of jackson recoiled upon himself. after this specimen of animosity, which was duly reported to mr berecroft, on his return on board, by the seamen, who detested jackson, and any thing like foul play, his protector determined that newton should no longer be subjected to further violence. at the request of mr berecroft, newton was invited to stay at the house of mr kingston, the gentleman to whom the vessel had been consigned--an offer which was gladly accepted. newton had not been many days on shore, when mr kingston, who had taken a strong interest in him, proposed, in answer to his many questions relative to the slave trade, that they should make a party to visit a plantation, the proprietor of which had been a resident since his youth, and judge for himself as to the truth of the reports so industriously circulated by those who were so inimical to the employment of a slave population. volume one, chapter fourteen. "_aboan_. the innocent. _oronoko_. these men are so, whom you would rise against. if we are slaves, they did not make us slaves, but bought us in the honest way of trade, as we have done before 'em, bought and sold many a wretch, and never thought it wrong. they paid our price for us, and we are now their property, a part of their estate, to manage as they please." at an early hour the party, consisting of mr kingston, the master of the brig, and newton, set off upon mules for the habitation of the planter. the sun had illumined the sky, but had not yet made its appearance, although the golden fringes upon the clouds which floated in broad belts in the horizon, indicated his glorious yet withering approach. the dew moistened each leaf, or hung in glittering pendant drops upon the thorn of the prickly pears which lined the roads. the web of the silver-banded spider was extended between the bushes, and, saturated with moisture, reflected the beams of the rising orb, as the animals danced in the centre, to dazzle their expected prey. the mist still hovered on the valleys, and concealed a part of the landscape from their view; and the occasional sound of the fall of water was mingled with the twittering and chirping of the birds, as they flew from spray to spray. the air was fresh, even to keenness, and any one suddenly wafted to the scene would little have imagined that he was under the torrid zone. "how different this is from the ideas generally formed of the climate in the west indies!" observed newton. "in england, we couple it with insufferable heat and the yellow fever." "your reports are from those who seldom leave the harbours or towns, where such indeed prevail," replied kingston. "there is no island in the caribbean sea where the early riser may not enjoy this delightful bracing atmosphere. at jamaica, in particular, where they collect as much snow as they please in the mountains; yet, at the same time, there is not a more fatal and unhealthy spot than port royal harbour, in the same island." "is the plantation we are going to situated as high above the level of the sea as we are now?" "no; most plantations are in the ravines, between the hills. the sugar-cane requires heat. as soon as we are on the summit of this next hill we shall descend to it." in half an hour they arrived at the end of their journey, when they stopped at an extensive range of low buildings, situated at the head of the valley, which descended to the sea, now for the first time presented to their view since they had quitted bridgetown. the owner of the estate was at the door to receive them. he was a tall, spare man, dressed in nankeen jacket and trousers, with a large-brimmed straw-hat upon his head. "welcome, gentlemen, welcome. kingston, how are you?" said he, as they stopped. "now dismount, gentlemen; the boys will take the mules. boy jack, where are you? where's baby and where's bulky? come here you lazy rascals and take the mules. now then, gentlemen, i'll show you the way. i ordered breakfast on the table, as i saw you coming down the hill." so saying, the old gentleman led the way through a portico. at the sight of strangers the windows underneath were crowded with faces of various degrees of colour--eyes and mouths wide open, the latter displaying rows of teeth so even and so brilliantly white, that they might cause a sensation of envy to many an english belle. the party were ushered into a spacious and cool apartment on the ground-floor, where a table was covered with all the varieties of a tropical breakfast, consisting of fried fish, curries, devilled poultry, salt meats, and every thing which could tend to stimulate an enfeebled appetite. "now, gentlemen, let me recommend you to take a white jacket; you'll be more at your ease, and there is no ceremony here. boy jack, where's the sangoree? this is a fine climate, captain berecroft; all you have to attend to is--to be temperate, and not to check the perspiration." boy jack, who, par parenthese, was a stout, well-looking negro, of about forty years of age, now made his appearance with the sangoree. this was a beverage composed of half a bottle of brandy, and two bottles of madeira, to which were added a proportion of sugar, lime-juice, and nutmeg, with water _ad lib_. it was contained in a glass bowl, capable of holding two gallons, standing upon a single stalk, and bearing the appearance of a brobdignag rummer. boy jack brought it with both hands, and placed it before his master. "now, sir, will you drink?" said the planter, addressing mr berecroft. "thank you," replied mr berecroft, "i never drink so early in the morning." "drink! why this is nothing but _swizzle_. here's your health, sir, i'll show you the way." the large goblet was fixed to his lips for upwards of a minute: at last they unwillingly separated, and the old planter recovered his respiration with a deep sigh. "now then, gentlemen, do you take a little, don't be afraid; there's nothing you mayn't do in this climate, only be temperate and don't check the perspiration." at this moment newton was startled, and looked under the table. "i thought it was a dog, but it's a little black child." "oh! there's one out, is there? why, boy jack, did i not tell you to shut them all in?" "yes, sar, so i did," said the black man, looking under the table. "eh!--it's that damned little nigger--two year old sambo--no possible keep him in, sar.--come out, sambo." the child crawled out to his master, and climbed up by his knee: the old planter patted his woolly head, and gave him a piece of grilled turkey, with which he immediately dived again under the table. "the fact is, captain, they are accustomed to come in at breakfast time; they are only shut out to-day because i have company. that door behind me leads into the nursery yard." "the nursery yard!" "yes, i'll show it you by-and-bye; there's plenty of them there." "oh, pray let us have them in--i wish to see them, and should be sorry to be the cause of their being disappointed." "open the door, boy jack." as soon as it was open, about twenty black children from seven to three years old, most of them naked, with their ivory skins like a polished table, and quite pot-bellied from good living, tumbled into the room, to the great amusement of newton and the party. they were followed by seven or eight more, who were not yet old enough to walk; but they crawled upon all-fours almost as fast as the others, who could walk erect after the image of their maker. the company amused themselves with distributing to the children the contents of the dishes on the table--the elder ones nestling alongside of the planter and his friends with the greatest familiarity, while the youngest sat upright on the floor, laughing as they devoured their respective portions. "of course, these are all slaves?" observed mr berecroft. "yes, bred them all myself," replied the planter "indeed, out of two hundred and fifteen which i have on the estate, i think that there are not more than twelve who were not born on this property, during my father's time or mine. perhaps, as breakfast is over, you will like to inspect my nursery." the planter led the way into the yard from which the children had entered. it was a square, of about two roods of ground, three sides of which were enclosed by rows of small houses, of two rooms each; and most of them were occupied by female slaves, either nursing children at the breast, or expecting very soon to have that duty to perform. they received their master with a smiling face, as he addressed a question to each of them when he entered their abode. "now these are all my _breeding_ women; they do no work, only take care of the children, who remain here until they are eight or nine years old. we have a surgeon on the estate, who attends them as well as the other slaves when they are sick. now, if you feel inclined, we will go round the works." the old planter, in a few minutes' walk, brought them to an extensive row of detached cottages, each centred in a piece of garden-ground, well stocked with yams, sweet potatoes, bananas, and other tropical productions. poultry of all descriptions were scattered in profusion about the place, and pigs appeared to be abundant. "now, captain, these are the cottages of the working slaves. the garden-ground is allowed to them; and whatever they can make by its produce, or by their pigs and their poultry, is all their own." "but how are they subsisted?" "by rations, as regularly served out as yours are on board of your vessel, and they have as much as they can consume." "are they all single men?" "no, mostly married to slave girls on the estate: their wives live with them, unless they breed, and then they are removed up to the nurseries." "and what work do you exact from them?" "eight hours a day--except in cropt-time, and then we are very busy; so that they have plenty of leisure to look after their own interests if they choose." "do they ever lay up much money?" "very often enough to purchase their freedom, if they wished it." "if they wished it!" replied mr berecroft, with surprise. "yes; without explanation, that may appear strange to you, and still more strange, the fact, that freedom offered has often been refused. a man who is a clever workman as a carpenter, or any other trade, will purchase his freedom if he can, because artisans can obtain very high wages here; but a slave who, if i may use the term, is only a common labourer, would hardly support himself, and lay by nothing for his old age. they are aware of it. i have offered emancipation to one or two who have grown old, and they have refused it, and now remain as heirlooms on the estate, provided with every thing, and doing little or no work, if they please. you saw that old man sweeping under the portico? well, he does that every day; and it is all he has done for these five years. now, if you please, we will go through the plantations, and visit the sugar-mills." they passed the slaves, who were at work hoeing between the canes; and certainly, if an estimate of their condition was to be taken by the noise and laughter with which they beguiled their labour, they were far from demanding pity. "but, i must confess, that there is something in that cart-whip which i do not like," observed newton. "i grant it; but custom is not easily broken through; nor do we know any substitute. it is the badge of authority, and the noise of it is requisite to summon them to their labour. with me it is seldom used, for it is not required; and if you were captain of a man-of-war i should answer you as i did captain c---; to wit--i question much whether my noisy whip is half so mischievous as your silent _cat_." the sugar-mills, stables of mules, boilers, coolers, etcetera, were all examined, and the party returned to the plantation house. "well, captain, now you have witnessed what is termed slavery, what is your opinion? are your philanthropists justified in their invectives against us?" "first assure me that all other plantations are as well regulated as your own," replied mr berecroft. "if not, they soon will be: it is the interest of all the planters that they should; and by that, like all the rest of the world, they will be guided." "but still there have been great acts of cruelty committed; quite enough to prepossess us against you as a body." "i grant that such has been the case, and may occasionally be so now; but do not the newspapers of england teem with acts of barbarity? men are the same every where. but, sir, it is the misfortune of this world, that we never know _when to stop_. the abolition of the slave-trade was an act of humanity, worthy of a country acting upon an extended scale like england; but your philanthropists, not content with relieving the blacks, look forward to the extermination of their own countrymen, the whites--who, upon the faith and promise of the nation, were induced to embark their capital in these islands." "doubtless they wish to abolish slavery altogether," replied berecroft. "they must be content with having abolished the horrors of it, sir," continued the planter. "at a time when the mart was open, and you could purchase another slave to replace the one that had died from ill treatment, or disease, the life of a slave was not of such importance to his proprietor as it is now. moreover, the slaves imported were adults who had been once free; and torn as they were from their natural soil and homes, where they slept in idleness throughout the day, they were naturally morose and obstinate, sulky and unwilling to work. this occasioned severe punishment; and the hearts of their masters being indurated by habit, it often led to acts of barbarity. but slavery, since the abolition, has assumed a milder form--it is a species of _bond_ slavery. there are few slaves in existence who have not been born upon the estates, and we consider that they are more lawfully ours." "will you explain what you mean by _more lawfully_?" "i mean captain (for instance), that the father of that boy (pointing to one of the negro lads who waited at breakfast), was my slave; that he worked for me until he was an old man, and then i supported him for many years, until he died. i mean, that i took care of this boy's mother, who, as she bore children, never did any work after her marriage, and has since been only an expense to me, and probably will continue to be so for some years. i mean, that that boy was taken care of, and fed by me until he was ten years old, without my receiving any return for the expense which i incurred; and i therefore consider that he is indebted to me as a bond, slave, and that i am entitled to his services; and he in like manner, when he grows too old to work, will become a pensioner, as his father was before him." "i perceive the drift of your argument; you do not defend slavery generally." "no; i consider a man born free and made a slave, is justified in resorting to any means to deliver himself; but a slave that i have reared is lawfully a slave, and bound to remain so, unless he can repay me the expense i have incurred. but dinner is ready, captain; if you wish to argue the matter further, it must be over a bottle of claret." the dinner was well dressed, and the madeira and claret (the only wines produced), of the best quality. their host did the honours of his table with true west indian hospitality, circulating the bottle after dinner with a rapidity which would soon have produced an effect upon less prudent visitors; and when mr berecroft refused to take any more wine, he ordered the ingredients for arrack punch. "now, mr forster, you must take a tumbler of this, and i think that you'll pronounce it excellent." "indeed--!" replied newton. "nay, i will take no denial; don't be afraid; you may do any thing you please in this climate, only be temperate, and don't check the perspiration." "well, but," observed newton, who placed the tumbler of punch before him, "you promised to renew your argument after dinner; and i should like to hear what you have to urge in defence of a system which i never have heard defended before." "well," replied his host, upon whom the wine and punch had begun to take effect, "just let me fill my tumbler again to keep my lips moist, and then i'll prove to you that slavery has existed from the earliest times, and is not at variance with the religion we profess. that it has existed from the earliest times, you need only refer to the book of genesis; and that it is not at variance with our religion, i must refer to the fourth commandment. how can that part of the commandment be construed, `and the stranger that is within thy gates?' to whom can this possibly apply but to the slave? after directing, that the labour of all the household, `man-servant and maid-servant,' should cease, it then proceeds to the ox and the ass, and the stranger that is within thy gates. now, gentlemen, this cannot be applied to the stranger in the literal sense of the word, the hospitality of the age forbidding that labour should be required of him. at that time slaves were brought from foreign lands, and were a source of traffic, as may be inferred by the readiness with which the ishmaelites purchased joseph of his brethren, and resold him in egypt. "nay, that slavery was permitted by the _almighty_ is fully proved by the state of the jewish nation, until _he_ thought proper to bring them out of the house of bondage. "if then the laws of god provided against the ill treatment of the slave, slavery is virtually acknowledged, as not being contrary to his divine will. we have a further proof, _subsequent to the mission of our saviour_, that the apostles considered slavery as lawful." "i remember it: you refer to paul sending back the runaway slave onesimus. well, i'll admit all this," replied mr berecroft, who had a great dislike to points of scripture being canvassed after dinner; "and i wish to know what inference you would draw from it." "that i was just coming to: i assert that my property in slaves is therefore as legally mine as my property in land or money; and that any attempt to deprive me of either is equally a _robbery_, whether it be made by the nation, or by an individual. but now, sir, allow me to ask you a question; show me where liberty is?--run over all the classes of society, and point out one man who is free." mr berecroft, who perceived the effect of the arrack punch, could not refrain from laughing as he replied, "well, your friend mr kingston, is he not free?" "free! not half so free as that slave boy who stands behind your chair. why, he is a merchant, and whether he lives upon a scale of princely expenditure, whether wholesale or retail, banker or proprietor of a chandler's shop, he is a speculator. anxious days and sleepless nights await upon speculation. a man with his capital embarked, who may be a beggar on the ensuing day, cannot lie down upon roses: he is the _slave_ of mammon. who are greater _slaves_ than sailors? so are soldiers, and all who hold employ under government. so are politicians; they are _slaves_ to their tongues, for opinions once expressed, and parties once joined, at an age when reason is borne down by enthusiasm, and they are fixed for life against their conscience, and are unable to follow its dictates without blasting their characters. courtiers are _slaves_ you must acknowledge." "i beg your pardon," interrupted kingston, "but i perceive that you make no distinction between those enthralled by their own consent, and _against_ it." "it is a distinction without a difference," replied the planter, "even if it were so, which it is not, but in particular cases. the fact is, society enthralls us all. we are forced to obey laws, to regard customs, to follow the fashion of the day, to support the worthless by poor-rates, to pay taxes, and the interest of a debt which others have contracted, or we must go to prison." "and the princes and rulers of the land--do you include them?" inquired newton. "they are the greatest of all; for the meanest peasant has an advantage over the prince in the point on which we most desire to be free--that of the choice in his partner in life. he _has none_, but must submit to the wishes of his people, and trammelled by custom, must take to his bed one whom he cannot take to his heart." "well, by your account there is nobody free, unless it be _liberty_ herself." "why, sir," rejoined the planter, "to prove to you that i was correct when i asserted that there was no such thing in this world as liberty, paradoxical as it may appear, liberty is but liberty when in _bondage_. release her, and she ceases to exist; she has changed her nature and character; for liberty _unrestrained_ becomes _licentiousness_." "well," said mr kingston, laughing with the rest at this curious remark, "as you have now arrived at your climax, with your leave we will go to bed." "have i convinced you?" demanded the planter, taking the tumbler from his lips. "at least you have silenced us. now, if you please, we will put on our coats and retire to our apartments." "yes--do," replied the other, who was not very steady "do--or you may check the perspiration. boy jack, where are the lights? good night, gentlemen." the negro led the way to a large room with two beds in it, for newton and the master of the brig. having first pointed out to them that there was a jug of sangoree, "suppose gentlemen thirsty," he wished them good night, and left the room. "well, newton," said mr berecroft as soon as they were alone, "what do you think of the planter?" "i think that, considering his constant advice to be temperate, he swallowed a very large quantity of arrack punch." "he did indeed; but what think you of his arguments?" "i hardly can say, except that none of them were sufficiently convincing to induce me to be a slave proprietor. we may perhaps, as he asserts, have contented ourselves with the shadow instead of the substance; but even the shadow of liberty is to be venerated by an englishman." "i agree with you, my boy. his discourse did however bring one idea into my head; which is, that there is a remarkable connection between religion and slavery. it was in a state of bondage that the jews were prepared to receive the promised land, and whenever they fell off from the true worship they were punished by captivity. it was through the means of slavery that the light of the true faith was first brought to our island, where it has burnt with a purer flame than elsewhere; for, if you recollect, the beauty of some english children exposed for sale at rome, assisted by a latin pun, caused the introduction of christianity into great britain; and who knows but that this traffic, so offensive to humanity, has been permitted by an all-wise power with the intent that some day it shall be the means of introducing christianity into the vast regions of african idolatry?" "true," observed newton, "and the time may not be far distant." "that it is impossible to calculate upon. _he_ worketh by his own means, which are inscrutable. it was not the cause of virtue, but a desire that vice might be less trammelled, which introduced the reformation in england. the more we attempt to interfere with the arrangements of the almighty, the more we shall make evident our own folly and blindness, and his unsearchable and immutable wisdom,--good night, my boy." newton forster--by captain marryat volume one, chapter fifteen. _lucy_. are all these wretches slaves? _stanley_. all sold, they and their posterity, all slaves. _lucy_. o! miserable fortune! _bland_. most of them know no better, but were born so, and only change their masters. oroonoko. the party were up at an early hour on the ensuing morning, that they might enjoy the delightful freshness of the air, which so soon evaporates before the scorching rays of the tropical sun. they were joined at breakfast by the doctor who attended the estate, and who had called in to announce the birth of a little negro boy in the early part of the night. "who did you say, doctor?" answered the planter, "mattee sally? why, i thought jane ascension was in advance of her." "they were running it _neck and neck_, sir," replied the surgeon. "how is she--quite hearty?" "quite, sir; but very anxious about the child's name, and requests to speak with you as soon as you have breakfasted." "we will go to her. you have no idea," observed the planter to mr berecroft and newton, "what importance these people attach to the naming of their children. nothing but a fine long name will satisfy them. i really believe, that if i refused her, or called the boy tom, she would eat dirt. i believe we have all done; boy jack, bring the sangoree. doctor, i dare say that your clay wants moistening, so take the first pull." this important commencement and finale to the repast having been duly administered, they proceeded to the range of buildings before mentioned, in one of which they found the lady _in the straw_, sitting up, and showing her white teeth at her master's approach, as if nothing very particular had occurred. "well, mattee, how are you?" said the planter. "where's the piccaninny?" "ab um here, sar--keep im warm," replied the woman, pointing to a roll of blanket, in which the little creature was enveloped. "let us see him, mattee." "no, sar, too cold yet--bye bye, massa, see um; make very fine sleep now.--suppose white piccaninny, suppose black piccaninny--all same,-- like plenty sleep. um know very well, hab plenty work to do bye and bye--sleep all dey can, when lilly." "but you'll smother him," observed newton. "smoder him?--what dat--eh?--i know now massa mean, stop um breath.--no: suppose him no smoder before, no smoder now, sar. massa," continued the woman, turning to the planter, "no ab name for piccaninny?" "well, mattee, we must find one; these gentlemen will give him a name. come, captain, what name do you propose?" "suppose we christen him _snub_," replied berecroft, winking at the rest. "snob! what sort a name you call dat, sar?" replied the woman, tossing up her head. "snob! no, sar, you 'front me very much. snob not proper name." "well, then mr forster," said the planter, "try if _you_ can be more fortunate." "what do you think of chrononhotonthologus?" said newton to the woman. "eh! what dat?--say dat again, sar," replied the woman. "chrononhotonthologus." "eh! dat real fine name for piccaninny," cried the woman, with delight in her countenance. "many tanky, sar. chroton-polygarse." "no, no," replied newton, laughing; "chrononho-tonthologus." "es, hab now--hoten-tolyglass." "no, that's only part. chronon-hoton-thologus." "i see--very fine name--proton-choton-polly-glass." "yes, that's nearer to it," replied newton. "well, then, that point's settled," said the planter to the woman. "is it all right, mattee?" "es, massa; many tanks to gentleman--very fine name, do very well, sar." "doctor, put the name down opposite the register of the birth. now, mattee, all's right, good bye," said the planter, leaving the room, and followed by the others. "do you really intend to call the child by that name?" inquired mr berecroft. "why not? it pleases the woman, and is as good as any other; it is of no consequence. they almost all have names, certainly not quite so long as the present; but, as they grow longer, their names grow shorter. this name will first be abbreviated to chrony; if we find that too long, it will be reduced again to crow; which by the bye, is not bad name for a negro," said the planter, laughing at the coincidence. reader, did you ever perchance, when in a farm-yard, observe hen or other domestic fowl, who having pounced upon half a potato, or something of the same description too large to be bolted down at once, tries to escape with her prize, followed by all the rest, until she either drops it or eludes their vigilance? if so, you form some idea of a negro woman, with a hard word in her mouth; which, although she does not know the meaning of, she considers as an equal treasure. newton had turned round to the court-yard, in the centre of which several women were sitting down at various employments; when one who had been busied in some little offices for the woman whom they had just visited, and had in consequence been present at the choice of the name, took her seat with the party in question. to several queries put to her, she replied with extreme hauteur, as if she considered them as impertinent, and frowned upon her companions most majestically. after a short time she rose, and turning round, with the look of an empress, said, "now i shall go look after my hoton-poton-polybass." "eh?" cried one, opening her eyes in wonder. "what dat?" screamed another. "how you call dat long ting?" demanded a third. "eh! you stupid black tings," replied the proud possessor of the new word, with a look of ineffable scorn, "you no know what um call poton-hoton-poll-fuss. me _no tell_ you," continued she, as she walked away, leaving the others almost _white_ with envy and astonishment. shortly after this mr kingston with his party took their leave of the hospitable old planter, and commenced their return to bridgetown. they had not proceeded further than a quarter of a mile when, ascending little hill, newton discovered that a negro was assisting his own ascent by hanging on to the tail of his mule. "how you do this morning, sar!" said the man, grinning, as newton looked round. "i'm very well, sir, i thank you; but i'm afraid i shall not be able to keep up with the rest, if my mule has to pull you up hill, as well as carry me." "es, sar, mule go faster. massa not understand; mule very obstinate, sar. suppose you want go one way, he go anoder--suppose you pull him back by tail, he go on more." "well, if that's the case you may hold on. do you belong to the plantation?" "no, sar, me free man. me work there; carpenter, sar." "a carpenter! how did you learn your trade, and obtain your freedom?" "larn trade board man-of-war, sar--man-of-war make me free." mr berecroft, who had been listening to the colloquy, took up the discourse. "were you born in this country?" "no, sar! me ashantee man." "then how did you come here?" "why, sar, ab very fine battle in ashantee country. take me and send me down to coast; sell me for slave. go on board french schooner--english frigate take schooner, send me to sarra leon." "well, what did you do there?" "bind 'prentice, sar, to massa cawly, for farteen years--all de same as slave; work very hard; yam bad; plenty fever in that country--much better here." "then how did you get away from sierra leon?" "go to sleep one day in de bush--tieves come steal me, take me down to coast, sell me again." "well, where did you go then?" "bard schooner again, sar. another man-of-war take schooner in west indies; send her in prize. keep and some on board becase want hands; keep me, becase speak little english." "how did you like a man-of-war?" inquired newton. "man-of-war very fine place; but all slaves there--captain steal men every ship he come to. but sailor no tink so; ebery night we all sing-- britong nebber, nebber, nebber, will be slave. make me laugh, sar," continued the man, showing his teeth with a broad grin. "what was the frigate's name?" "very fine name, sar, call her daddy wise," [_dedaigneuse_, we suppose.] "how long were you on board of her?" "far year, sar; larn carpenter trade--go to england--pay off--get plenty money--come out here in marchant vessel--england very fine place, too much cold," said the negro, shuddering the bare recollection. "now tell me," said kingston, "of course you recollect being in your own country?--which do you like best--that or this?" "ashantee very good country--barbadoes very good country. ashantee nebber work, hab no money--here plenty work, plenty money." "well, but where would you rather be, here or there?" "don't know, sar. like to find country where no work, plenty money." "not singular in his opinion," observed newton. "men do all work here, sar: women only talk," continued the negro. "my country, men nebber work at all--women do all work, and feed men." "then what does the man do?" inquired berecroft. "man, sar," replied the negro proudly, "man go fight--go kill." "is that all?" "yes, sar, that all." "so, you then mean to say, that if you could go back to ashantee now, you would remain there?" "yes, sar, stay there--do no work--sleep all day--make women feed me." "how inveterate is early habit!" observed mr berecroft. "this man, although free in a civilised country, would return to his idleness and resume his former ignorance." "and so would every slave not born in the country. it requires one or two generations to destroy this savage nature," replied kingston. "i believe idleness, like gout, to be an hereditary disease, either in black or white; i have often observed it in the latter. now, until man labours there is no chance of civilisation; and, improved as the race of africa have been in these islands, i still think that if manumitted, they would all starve. in their own country nature is so bountiful that little or no labour is required for the support of life; but in these islands the soil, although luxuriant, must be nurtured." "you do then look forward to their ultimate freedom?" inquired newton. "most assuredly. already much has been done, and if not persecuted, we should be able and willing to do much more." "the public mind in england is certainly much inflamed against you," said berecroft. "it is; or rather, i should say, the more numerous public composed of those persons unable to think for themselves, and in consequence, led by others, styling themselves philanthropists, but appearing to have very jesuitical ideas with regard to truth. this i have no hesitation in asserting, that if philanthropy had not been found to have been so very profitable, it never would have had so many votaries: true philanthropy, like charity, begins at home. observe how the papers teem with the misery of the lower classes in england, yet this affects not the west india philanthropist. you perceive not their voices raised in behalf of their suffering countrymen. they pass the beggar in the street; they heed not the cry of starvation at home; but every where raise petitions for emancipation; or, in fact, for the destruction of the property of others. that it is an invidious property, i grant, and i wish i could dispose of mine; but that is not so easy. my ancestors embarked their capital in these islands upon the faith and promises of the country, when opinions were very different from what they are now, and i cannot help myself. how the time will come when england will bitterly rue the having listened to the suggestions and outcries of these interested people." "i do not understand you:--how do you mean?" "i said before, that it was on the faith of the country that we embarked our property in these islands. you are not perhaps aware, that when in the reign of queen anne the assiento treaty was made, by which we obtained the privilege of supplying all the islands with slaves, it was considered as one of the most important acquisitions that could be obtained. public opinion has now changed; but if a nation changes her opinion, she must at the same time be just. let the country take our estates and negroes at a fair valuation, and we shall be most happy to surrender them. if she frees the slaves without so doing, she is guilty of robbery and injustice, and infringes on the constitution of the country, which protects all property, and will of course allow us to decide upon our own measures." "may i inquire what those would be?" "throwing off the yoke, declaring ourselves independent, and putting ourselves under the protection of america, who will gladly receive us, aware that we shall be a source not only of wealth but of security." "would america risk a war to obtain these islands?" "she would be foolish not to do so; and england would be more than foolish to engage in one. it is true, that if not immediately supported by america, england might create a scene of confusion and bloodshed in the colonies; but the world has too often had the severe lesson, that colonies once detaching themselves are never to be regained. england would therefore be only entailing an useless expense, however gratifying it might be to her feelings of revenge." "but do you think that this is likely to occur?" "i do, most certainly, if those who govern continue to listen to the insidious advice of the party denominated `saints;' and i afraid that it will not be until these islands are separated from the mother-country, that she will appreciate their value. our resolution once formed, white slaves (for slaves we are) will not flinch; and the islands of the caribbean sea will be enrolled as another star, and add another stripe to the independent flag, which is their natural protector." "i trust that will never come to pass." "and so do i, mr berecroft, for i am an englishman, and love my country, and the loss of these colonies would be blow from which england would never recover." "you forget her extensive colonies in the east." "i do not; but the west indies add to her wealth and her commercial prosperity, to her nursery of seamen and her exhausted revenue. they, on the contrary, add only to her grandeur, for they cost the country three millions a year; and i doubt whether at that expense it is worth while to retain any colony, however vast and extensive it may be. i consider, that if the east india ports were open to all the world, and the territory governed by its former princes, england, with all the competition which would take place, would yet be a gainer; and, on the other hand, i know that by the loss of these islands, she would find a decrease of millions in her revenue." "then the philanthropists must pay the national debt," observed newton, laughing. "they be damned!" replied kingston, who was warm with his argument; "they would not pay a farthing." volume one, chapter sixteen. the sea-breach'd vessel can no longer bear the floods that o'er her burst in dread career. the labouring hull already seems half fill'd with water, through an hundred leaks distill'd: thus drench'd by every wave, her riven deck, stript and defenceless, floats a naked wreck. falconer. newton remained at bridgetown, under the roof of mr kingston, for more than three weeks, by which time the brig was laden, and waiting for convoy to proceed to england. mr berecroft had made every preparation for his voyage, when an unexpected circumstance occurred, which eventually proved the occasion of great hardship and danger to newton. this was, the master of a large ship, belonging to the same owners, and then lying in carlisle bay, to proceed homeward by the same convoy, had so ingratiated himself with a wealthy widow residing upon the island, that rather than he should again trust himself to the fickle element, she had been induced to surrender up to him her plantation, her negroes, and her fair self, all equally bound to honour and obey through their future lives. mr berecroft, in consequence of this resignation of his brother captain, was appointed to the command of the larger vessel; and jackson, the first-mate, ordered to take the command of the eliza and jane. this was a sad blow to newton, and one which he could not avoid, as mr berecroft could not take him in his new ship, all the sub ordinate situations being already filled up. at first, he was inclined to quit the brig; but by the advice of mr berecroft and kingston, he was persuaded to go the passage home, as he was now first-mate of the vessel, and would incur forfeiture of all wages if he broke the articles which he had signed at liverpool. unpleasant as the prospect was, he was further induced by berecroft's assurance, that now jackson was provided for, he would arrange with the owners that newton should be appointed the first-mate of his own ship, as soon as they arrived in england. in a few days the men-of-war made their appearance. newton who had remained on shore until the last moment, shook hands with his friendly patron, and thanking mr kingston for his kindness, went on board of the vessel with a sorrowful and foreboding heart. nor was he at all inclined to cheer up as he stepped on the deck of the brig, and beheld jackson with a handspike, still brandishing over his head, standing across the body of one of the seamen, whom he had just dashed to the deck with the implement in his hand. at the sight of newton, the wrath of the new captain appeared to be increased. he eyed him malevolently, and then observed with a sneer, "that's what all skulkers may expect on board of my vessel." newton made no answer, and jackson went forward, where the remainder of the crew were heaving up the anchor with the windlass. newton walked up to the seaman, who appeared still insensible, and examined him. the iron plate at the end of the handspike had cut deep into the skull, and there was every appearance of a contusion of the brain. calling the boy who attended the cabin, newton, with his assistance, carried the man below and laid him in his berth. he then repaired on deck, and took the helm, the anchor of the brig being a-trip. in a quarter of an hour the sail was on her, and she followed the course steered by the men-of-war, who were about to run through the other islands, and pick up several vessels, who were for their protection. "if you expect an easy berth, as first-mate, you are mistaken, my joker," said jackson to newton, as he steered the vessel; "you've skulked long enough, and shall now work double tides, or take the consequence. if you don't, i'll be damned!" "i shall do my duty, mr jackson," replied newton, "and fear no consequences." "indeed! you saw how i settled a skulk just now;--beware of his fate!" "i neither anticipate it nor fear it, mr jackson. if it comes to hand spikes, two can play at that game. i rather think that before many hours are over you will be sorry for your violence, for i believe that man to be in considerable danger. even now, i should recommend you to demand surgical assistance from the frigate." "demand it, if you dare--i am captain of this ship, sir. the rascal may die and be damned!" to this disgusting speech newton made no reply. he had made up his mind to put up with every thing short of downright aggression, and for three days more, he obeyed all orders, however arbitrary and however annoying. during this period the man who had been injured became gradually worse; his illness increased rapidly, and on the fifth day he became delirious and in a state of high fever, when newton again pointed out the propriety of asking surgical aid from one of the men-of-war. this suggestion was answered by jackson, who was now really alarmed, with a volley of oaths and execrations, ending with a fiat refusal. the crew of the brig murmured, and collected together forward, looking occasionally at the men-of-war as they spoke in whispers to each other; but they were afraid of jackson's violence, and none ventured to speak out. jackson paced the deck in a state of irritation and excitement as he listened to the ravings of his victim, which were loud enough to be heard all over the vessel. as the evening closed, the men, taking the opportunity of jackson's going below, went up to newton, who was walking aft, and stated their determination that the next morning, whether the master consented to it or not, they would hail the frigate, and demand surgical assistance for their shipmate. in the midst of the colloquy jackson, who hearing the noise overhead of the people coming aft, had a suspicion of the cause, and had been listening at the bottom of the ladder to what was said, came up the hatchway, and accusing newton of attempting to raise a mutiny, ordered him immediately to his cabin, stating his intention of sending him on board of the frigate the next morning to be placed in confinement. "i shall obey your order," replied newton, "as you are in command of this vessel. i only hope that you will adhere to your resolution of communicating with the frigate." so saying, he descended the companion hatch. but jackson, who, both from the information of the cabin-boy, and the fact that the incoherent ravings of his victim became hourly more feeble, thought himself in jeopardy, had no such intention. as the night closed in, he remained on deck gradually taking off first one sail and then another, until the brig was left far astern of the rest of the convoy, and the next morning there was no other vessel in sight; then, on pretence of rejoining them, he made all sail, at the same time changing his course, so as to pass between two of the islands. newton was the only one on board who understood navigation besides jackson, and therefore the only one who could prove that he was escaping from the convoy. he was in confinement below; and the men, whatever may have been their suspicions, could not prove that they were not steering as they ought. about twelve o'clock on that day the poor sailor breathed his last. jackson, who was prepared for the event, had already made up his mind how to proceed. the men murmured, and proposed securing jackson as a prisoner, and offering the command to newton. they went below and made the proposal to him; but he refused, observing that until it was proved by the laws of the land that jackson had murdered their shipmate, he was not guilty, and therefore they had no right to dispossess him of his command; and until their evidence could be taken by some of the authorities he must remain; further pointing out to them, that as he could be seized immediately upon his arrival at an english port, or falling in with a man-of-war during their passage, the ends of justice would be equally answered, as if they committed themselves by taking the law into their own hands. the men, although not satisfied, acquiesced, and returned to their duty on deck. jackson's conduct towards them was now quite altered; he not only treated them with lenity, but supplied them with extra liquor and other indulgences, which, as captain, he could command. newton, however, he still detained under an arrest, watching him most carefully each time that he was necessitated to come on deck. the fact was, jackson, aware that his life would be forfeited to the laws of his country, had resolved to wreck the brig, upon one of the reefs to the northward, then take to his boats, and escape to one of the french islands. at this instigation, the body of the man had been thrown overboard by some of the crew, when they were in a state of half intoxication. newton, who had been below four days, had retired as usual to his hammock, when a sudden shock, accompanied by the fall of the masts by the board, woke him from a sound sleep to all the horrors of shipwreck. the water pouring rapidly through the sides of the vessel, proved to him that there was no chance of escape except by the boats. the shriek, so awful when raised in the gloom of night by seamen anticipating immediate death, the hurried footsteps above him, the confusion of many voices, with the heavy blows from the waves against the side of the vessel, told him that danger was imminent, even if escape were possible. he drew on his trousers, and rushed to the door of his cabin. merciful heaven! what was his surprise, his horror, to find that it was fastened outside. a moment's thought at the malignity of the wretch (for it was indeed jackson, who, during the night, had taken such steps for his destruction) was followed by exertions to escape. placing his shoulders against his sea-chest, and his feet against the door, his body in nearly a horizontal position, he made a violent effort to break open the door. the lock gave way, but the door did not open more than one or two inches, for jackson to make sure had coiled down against it a hawser which lay a few yards further forward in the steerage, the weight of which the strength of no five men could remove. maddened with the idea of perishing by such treachery, newton again exerted his frantic efforts again and again without success. between each pause, the voices of the seamen asking for the oars and other articles belonging to the long boat, proved to him that every moment of delay was a _nail_ in his coffin. again and again were his efforts repeated with almost superhuman strength; but the door remained fixed as ever. at last, it occurred to him that the hawser, which he had previously ascertained by passing his hand through the small aperture which he had made, might only lay against the lower part of the door, and that the upper part might be _free_. he applied his strength above, and found the door to yield: by repeated attempts he at last succeeded in kicking the upper panels to pieces, and having forced his body through the aperture, newton rushed on deck with the little strength he had remaining. the men--the boat--were not there: he hailed, but they heard him not; he strained his eyes--but they had disappeared in the gloom of the night; and newton, overcome with exhaustion and disappointment, fell down senseless on the deck. volume one, chapter seventeen. _paladore_. i have heard, have read bold fables of enormity, devised to make men wonder, and confirm the abhorrence of our nature; but this hardness transcends all fiction. law of lombardy. we must now relate what had occurred on deck during the struggle of newton to escape from his prison. at one o'clock, jackson had calculated that in an hour, or less, the brig would strike on the reef. he took the helm from the man who was steering, and told him that he might go below. previous to this, he had been silently occupied in coiling the hawser before the door of newton's cabin, it being his intention to desert the brig, with the seamen, in the long boat, and leave newton to perish. when the brig dashed upon the reef, which she did with great violence, and the crew hurried upon deck, jackson, who was calm, immediately proceeded to give the orders which he had already arranged in his mind; and the coolness with which they were given quieted the alarm of the seamen, and allowed them time to recall their scattered senses. this, however, proved unfortunate to jackson. had they all hurried in the boat at once, and shoved off; he would in all probability have been permitted to go with them, and newton in the hurry of their self-preservation, would have been forgotten; but his cool behaviour restored their confidence, and, unhappily for him, gave the seamen time to reflect. every one was in the boat; for jackson had quietly prepared and put into her what he considered requisite, when one of the men called out for newton. "damn newton now!--save your own lives, my lads. quick in the boat, all of you." "not without mr newton!" cried the men, unanimously. "jump down, tom williams, and see where he is; he must sleep devilish sound." the sailor sprung down the companion hatch, where he found the hawser coiled against the door, and heard newton struggling inside. it was enough. he hastened on deck, and told his companions; adding, that "it would take half an hour to get the poor fellow out, and that's longer than we dare stay, for in ten minutes the brig will be to pieces." "it is you, you murdering rascal, who did it!" cried the man to jackson. "i tell you what, my lads, if poor mr newton is to die, let this scoundrel keep him company." a general shout proclaimed the acquiescence of the other seamen in this act of retributive justice. jackson, with a loud oath, attempted to spring into the boat, but was repelled by the seamen; again he made the attempt, with dreadful imprecations. he was on the plane-sheer of the brig, and about to make a spring, when a blow from a handspike (the same handspike with which he had murdered the unfortunate seaman) struck him senseless, and he fell back into the lee-scuppers. the boat then shoved off, and had not gained more than two cables' lengths from the vessel, when newton effected his escape and ran on deck, as narrated in our last chapter. the brig had now beat up so high on the reef, that she remained firmly fixed upon it; and the tide having ebbed considerably, she was less exposed to the beating of the waves. the sun was also about to make his appearance, and it was broad daylight when jackson first came to his recollection. his brain whirled, his ideas were confused, and he had but a faint reminiscence of what had occurred. he felt that the water washed his feet, and with a sort of instinct he rose, and staggered up to windward. in so doing, without perceiving him, he stumbled over the body of newton, who also was roused up by the shock. a few moments passed before either could regain his scattered senses; and, at the same time, both sitting up on the deck, at about a yard distant, they discovered and recognised each other. newton was the more collected of the two, for jackson's insensibility had been occasioned by bodily--his, by mental concussion. the effect of the blow was still felt by jackson; and although recovered from the stupor, a dull, heavy sensation affected his eyesight and confused his ideas. the sight of newton went far to recover jackson, who started up as if to grapple with the object of his hatred. newton was on his legs at the same moment, and retreating, seized upon the handspike which lay on the deck, close to where jackson had been struck down, and placed himself in an attitude of defence. not a word was exchanged between them. they remained a few minutes in this position, when jackson, whose brain was affected by the violence of his feelings, dropped down upon the deck in a renewed state of insensibility. newton had now time to look about him, and the prospect was any thing but cheering. it was almost low water, and in every direction he perceived reefs of coral rock, and large banks of sand, with deep channels between them, through which the tide flowed rapidly. the reef upon which the brig had been grounded was of sharp coral; and, in the deeper parts, the trees could be discerned, extending a submarine forest of boughs; but it was evident that the reef upon which the vessel lay was, as well as most of the others, covered at high water. as a means of escape, a small boat was still hanging over the stern, which newton was able to manage either with her sails or her oars, as might be required. as there was no time to be lost, and the only chance of escape remained with the boat, newton commenced his arrangements. the mast and sails were found, and the latter bent;--a keg was filled with water,--a compass taken out of the binnacle,--a few pieces of beef, and some bread collected in a bag, and thrown in. he also procured some bottles of wine and cider from the cabin: these he stowed away carefully in the little locker, which was fitted under the stern-sheets of the boat. in an hour every thing was ready; and throwing into her some pieces of spare rope, and a small grapnel to anchor with, there being still sufficient water alongside to float her, newton gradually lowered one tackle and then another, until the boat was safe in the water. he then hauled her up alongside, made her fast by the painter, and stepped her mast. all was now ready--but to leave jackson to be washed away by the returning tide, when the brig would unquestionably go to pieces?--newton could not do it. true, he had sought his life, and still displayed the most inveterate rancour towards him; and newton felt convinced that no future opportunity would occur, that his enemy would not profit by, to insure his destruction. yet to leave him--a murderer!--with all his sins upon his soul, to be launched so unprepared into the presence of an offended creator!--it was impossible--it was contrary to his nature, and to the religion which he professed. how could he hope for the divine assistance in his perilous undertaking, when he embarked on it, regardless of the precept to forgive his enemy? newton ascended to that part of the deck where jackson laid, and roused him. jackson awoke, as from a deep sleep, and then stared at newton, who, as a precaution held the handspike in his hand. "mr jackson," said newton, "i have roused you to let you know that the boat is now ready, and that i am going to shove off." jackson, who recollected the scene of the previous night, and perceived newton standing over him with the handspike, appeared wholly unnerved. in point of muscular power, newton was his superior, independent of the weapon in his possession. "not without me!--not without me!" cried jackson, raising himself upon his knees. "for mercy's sake, mr newton, do not leave me to this horrid death!" "you would have left me to one even more dreadful," replied newton. "i beg your pardon!--pardon me, mr newton, i was drunk at the time-- indeed i was. i don't know what i do when i'm in liquor.--don't leave me!--i'll obey your orders, and do any thing you wish!--i'll wait upon you as your servant!--i will indeed, mr newton!" "i neither ask that you will obey my orders, nor wait upon me," replied newton. "all i request is, that you will lay aside your wanton animosity, and exert yourself to save your life. for what you have already attempted against me, may god forgive you, as i do! for what you may hereafter attempt, you will find me prepared. now follow into the boat." without further exchange of words newton, followed by jackson, went into the boat, and shoved off. the weather was moderate and the wind light. there were two islets which newton had marked, which apparently were not covered at high water, one about ten miles distant in the supposed direction of the land, for newton had shrewdly guessed the locality of the reef; and the other about two miles from the first, further out, with trees growing to the water's edge. to this latter, newton proposed pulling, and waiting there until the next morning. when they were both in the boat, newton finding that the wind was contrary, unshipped the mast, and taking the foremost oar, that jackson might not sit behind him, desired him to take the other. the tide, which was now flood, and swept out to the southward, obliged them to pull at an angle to reach their intended destination. it was not until sunset that, with great exertion, they fetched the island nearest to the land, not the one that was covered with trees, as they had its tended. as soon as the boat was secured, exhausted with fatigue, they both threw themselves down on the sand, where they remained for some time. having recovered a little, newton procured from the boat some of the supplies which they required, and after satisfying their hunger in silence, they both lay down to repose. newton, who was still afraid of jackson's diabolical enmity, which his silence implied to be again at work, closed his eyes, and pretended for some time to be asleep. as soon as it was dark, he rose, and first listening to the breathing of his comrade, who appeared to be in a sound slumber, he walked away from him about one hundred yards, so that it would be difficult to find him; he placed the handspike under his head for a pillow, and worn out with; mental and bodily fatigue, was soon in a state of oblivion. his sleep, although profound for three or four hours was subsequently restless. the mind, when agitated, watches for the body, and wakes it at the time when it should be on the alert. newton woke up: it was not yet daylight, and all was hushed. he turned round, intending to get up immediately; yet, yielding to the impulse of wearied nature, he again slumbered. once he thought that he heard a footstep, roused himself, and listened; but all was quiet and still, except the light wave rippling on the sand. again he was roused by a sort of grating noise; he listened, and all was quiet. a third time he was roused by a sound like the flapping of a sail: he listened--he was sure of it, and he sprung upon his feet. it was dawn of day, and as he turned his eyes towards the beach, he perceived to his horror that the boat was indeed under sail, jackson, who was in it, then just hauling aft the mainsheet, and steering away from the island. newton ran to the beach, plunged into the sea, and attempted to regain the boat; but he was soon out of his depth, and the boat running away fast through the water. he shouted to jackson, as a last attempt. the scoundrel waved his hand in ironical adieu, and continued his course. "treacherous villain!" mentally exclaimed newton, as his eyes followed the boat. "was it for this that i preserved your life in return for your attempts on mine? here then must i die of starvation!--god's will be done!" exclaimed he aloud, as he sat down on the beach, and covered his face with his hands. volume one, chapter eighteen. for now i stand as one upon a rock, environed with a wilderness of sea, who marks the waxing tide grow wave by wave, expecting ever when some envious surge will in his brinish bowels swallow him. shakespeare. the tide was on the ebb when newton was left in this desolate situation. after some minutes passed in bitterness of spirit, his natural courage returned; and although the chance of preservation was next to hopeless, newton rose up, resolved that he would use his best efforts, and trust to providence for their success. his first idea was to examine the beach, and see if jackson had left him any portion of the provisions which he had put into the boat; but there was nothing. he then walked along the beach, following the receding tide, with the hope of collecting any shell-fish which might be left upon the sands; but here again he was disappointed. it was evident, therefore, that to stay on this islet was to starve; his only chance appeared to remain in his capability of reaching the islet next to it, which, as we have before mentioned, was covered with trees. there, at least, he might find some means of sustenance, and be able with the wood to make a raft, if nothing better should turn up in his favour. the tide swept down towards the islet, but it ran so strong that there was no chance of his being carried past it; he therefore determined to wait for an hour or two, until the strength of the current was diminished, and then make the attempt. this interval was passed in strengthening his mind against the horror of the almost positive death which stared him in the face. it was about an hour before low water that newton walked into the sea, and commending himself to providence, struck out for the islet, keeping his course well to windward, to allow for the tide sweeping him down. to use a nautical phrase, he "held his own" extremely well, until he reached the centre of the channel, where the water ran with great velocity, and bore him down rapidly with the stream. newton struggled hard; for he was aware that the strength of the current once passed, his labour would be comparatively easy; and so it proved: as he neared the shore of the islet, he made good way; but he had been carried down so far when in the centre of the stream, that it became a nice point, even to the calculation of hope, whether he would fetch the extreme point of the islet. newton redoubled his exertions, when, within thirty yards of the shore an eddy assisted him, and he made sure of success; but when within ten yards, a counter current again caught him, and swept him down. he was now abreast of the very extreme point of the islet; a bush that hung over the water was his only hope; with three or four desperate strokes he exhausted his remaining strength, at the same time that he seized hold of a small bough, it was decayed--snapped asunder, and newton was whirled away by the current into the broad ocean. how constantly do we find people running into real danger to avoid imaginary evil! a mother will not permit her child to go to sea, lest it should be drowned, and a few days afterwards it is kicked to death by a horse. had the child been permitted to go afloat, he might have lived and run through the usual term of existence. wherever we are, or wherever we may go, there is death awaiting us in some shape or another, sooner or later; and there is as much danger in walking through the streets of london as in ploughing the foaming ocean. every tile over our heads contains a death within it, as certain if it were to fall upon us, as that occasioned by the angry surge, which swallows us up in its wrath. i believe, after all, that as many sailors in proportion, run out their allotted span as the rest of the world that are engaged in other apparently less dangerous professions; although it must be acknowledged that occasionally we do become food for fishes. "there is a tide in the affairs of men," says shakespeare; but certainly, of all the tides that ever interfered in a man's prospects, that which swept away newton forster appeared to be the least likely to "lead to fortune." such however was the case. had newton gained the islet which he coveted, he would have perished miserably; whereas it will soon appear, that although his sufferings are not yet ended, his being carried away was the most fortunate circumstance which could have occurred, and proved the means of his ultimate preservation. newton had resigned himself to his fate. he ceased from further exertion, except such as was necessary to keep him above water a little longer. throwing himself on his back, he appealed to heaven for pardon, as he floated away with the stream. that newton had as few errors and follies to answer for as most people, is most certain; yet even the most perfect soon run up a long account. during our lives our sins are forgotten, as is the time at which they were committed; but when death is certain, or appears to be so, it is then that the memory becomes most horribly perfect, and each item of our monstrous bill requires but a few seconds to be read, and to be acknowledged as too correct. this is the horror of death; this it is which makes the body struggle to retain the soul, already pluming herself and rustling her wings, impatient for her flight. this it is which constitutes the pang of separation, as the enfeebled body gradually relaxes its hold, and--all is over, at least on this side of the grave. newton's strength was exhausted; his eyes were fixed on the clear blue sky, as if to bid it farewell; and, resigned to his fate, he was about to give over the last few painful efforts, which he was aware could only prolong, not save his life, when he received a blow on his shoulder under the water. imagining that it proceeded from the tail of a shark, or of some other of the ravenous monsters of the deep, which abound among these islands, and that the next moment his body would be severed in half, he uttered a faint cry at the accumulated horror of his death; but the next moment his legs were swung round by the current, and he perceived, to his astonishment, that he was aground upon one of the sand-banks which abounded on the reef, and over which the tide was running with the velocity of a sluice. he floundered, then rose, and found himself in about one foot of water. the ebb-tide was nearly finished, and this was one of the banks which never showed itself above water, except during the full and change of the moon. it was now about nine o'clock in the morning, and the sun shone with great power. newton, faint from want of sustenance, hardly knew whether to consider this temporary respite as an advantage. he knew that the tide would soon flow again, and felt that his strength was too much spent to enable him to swim back to the islet which he had missed when he had attempted to reach it, and which was more than two miles from the bank upon which he then stood. what chance had he then but to be swept away by the return of the tide? he almost regretted that it had not been a shark instead of the sand-bank which had struck him; he would then have been spared a few hours of protracted misery. as newton had foreseen, the ebb-tide was soon over; a short pause of "slack water" ensued, and there was an evident and rapid increase of the water around him; the wind too freshened, and the surface of the ocean was in strong ripples. as the water deepened, so did the waves increase in size: every moment added to his despair. he had now remained about four hours on the bank! the water had risen to underneath his arms, the waves nearly lifted him off his feet, and it was with difficulty that he could retain his position. hope deserted him, and his senses became confused. he thought that he saw green fields, and cities, and inhabitants. his reason was departing: he saw his father coming down to him with the tide, and called to him for help, when the actual sight of something recalled him from his temporary aberration. there was a dark object upon the water, evidently approaching. his respiration was almost suspended as he watched its coming. at last he distinguished that it must either be a whale asleep, or a boat bottom up. fortunately for newton, it proved to be the latter. at last it was brought down by the tide to within a few yards of him, and appeared to be checked. newton dashed out towards the boat, and in a minute was safely astride upon it. as soon as he had recovered a little from his agitation, he perceived that it was the very boat belonging to the brig, in which jackson had so treacherously deserted and left him on the island! at three o'clock it was high water, and at five the water had again retreated, so that newton could quit his station on the bottom of the boat, and walk round her. he then righted, and discovered that the mast had been carried away close to the step, but, with the sail, still remained fast to the boat by the main sheet, which had jammed on the belaying pin, so that it still was serviceable. every thing else had been lost out of the boat, except the grapnel, which had been bent, and which hanging down in the water, from the boat being capsized, had brought it up when it was floated on the sand-bank. newton, who had neither eaten nor drank since the night before, was again in despair, tormented as he was by insufferable thirst, when he observed that the locker under the stern-sheets was closed. he hastened to pull it open, and found that the bottles of wine and cider, which he had deposited there, were remaining. a bottle of the latter was soon poured down his throat, and newton felt as if restored to his former vigour. at seven o'clock in the evening the boat was nearly high and dry. newton baled her out, and fixing the grapnel firmly in the sand, lay down to sleep in the stern-sheets, covered over with the sail. his sleep was so sound, that he did not wake until six o'clock the next morning, when the boat was again aground. he refreshed himself with some wine, and meditated upon his prospect. thanking heaven for a renewed chance of escape, and lamenting over the fate of the unprepared jackson, who had evidently been upset, from the main-sheet having been jammed, newton resolved to make for one of the english isles, which he knew to be about two hundred miles distant. the oars had been lost, but the rudder of the boat was fortunately made fast by a pennant. in the afternoon he drew up his grapnel, and made sail in the direction, as well as he could judge from the position of the sun, to the english isles. as the night closed in, he watched the stars, and steered his course by them. the next day came, and, although the boat sailed well, and went fast before a free wind, no land was in sight. newton had again recourse to the cider and the wine. the second night he could hardly keep his eyes open; yet, wearied as he was, he still continued his course, and never quitted his helm. the day again dawned, and newton's strength was gone, from constant watching; still he bore up against it, until the sun had set. no land was yet to be seen, and sleep overpowered him. he took a hitch of the main-sheet round his finger, that, should the breeze freshen he might be roused, in case he should go to sleep; and having taken this precaution, in a few minutes the boat _was steering herself_! end of the first volume. volume two, chapter one. but man, proud man, dress'd in a little brief authority, most ignorant of what he's most assured, his glassy essence, like an angry ape, plays such fantastic tricks before high heaven. shakespeare. the reef upon which the brig had been wrecked was one of those extending along the southward of the virgin isles. newton had intended to steer well to the eastward, with the view of reaching one of the northernmost english colonies; but not having a compass, he naturally was not very equal in his course. the fact was, that he steered well to the southward of it, and after he fell asleep, the boat ran away still farther off her course, for she was on the larboard tack, and having no weight in her except newton, who was aft in the stern-sheets, she did not feel inclined to keep her wind. newton's sleep was so profound, that neither the pulling of the main-sheet, which he held with a round turn round his hand, nor the dancing of the boat, which during the night had run fast before an increasing breeze, roused him from his lethargy. on sailed the boat, left to the steerage of providence; on slept newton, as if putting firm reliance on the same. it was not until the break of day that his repose was very abruptly broken by a shock, which threw him from the stern-sheets of the boat, right over the aftermost thwart. newton recovered his legs and his senses, and found himself alongside of a vessel. he had run stem on to a small schooner, which was lying at anchor. as the boat was drifting fast by, newton made a spring, and gained the deck of the vessel. "ah! mon dieu!--les anglois--les anglois nous sommes prisonniers!" cried out the only man on deck, jumping on his feet, and making a precipitate dive below. the vessel, of which newton had thus taken possession, was one employed in carrying the sugars from the plantations round to basseterre, the port of guadaloupe, there to be shipped for europe (newton's boat having run away so far to the southward, as to make this island.) she was lying at anchor off the mouth of a small river, waiting for a cargo. it happened that the crew of the schooner, who were all slaves, were exactly in the same situation as newton, when their vessels came in contact; viz, fast asleep. the shock had wakened them; but they were all below, except the one who had kept such a remarkably good watch. exhausted as newton was, he could not but smile at his uninterrupted possession of the vessel's decks. anxious to have communication with the people on board, he sat down, awaiting their coming up from below. in a minute or two, a black head was seen to rise slowly and fearfully out of the fore-scuttle, then it disappeared. another rose up, and went down again as before; and thus it went on until newton reckoned ten different faces. having individually ascertained that there was but one man, and that one not provided with any weapons, the negroes assumed a degree of courage. the first head that had made its appearance, the woolly hair of which was of a grizzly grey from age, was again popped up the fore-scuttle, with an interrogatory to newton in french, who he was, and what he wanted? newton, who did not understand a word of the language, shook his head, and opening his hands and extending his arms, to show that he had no means of defence, he beckoned to them to come up. the man's head had again disappeared, and, after a little demur, nine or ten negroes crawled up out of the fore-scuttle, one after another, each with some weapon or another by way of security. they remained on the forecastle of the vessel until the last was up, and then at a nod given by their grizzle-headed leader, they advanced aft, in a body, towards newton. newton rose and pointed to the boat, which had now drifted about a quarter of a mile astern. he then made signs, to give them to understand that he had been wrecked. "apparemment c'est un pauvre miserable, qui a fait naufrage," observed the old negro, who appeared to have the charge of the vessel; "gustave adolphe, tu parles bien l'anglois; demandez-lui les nouvelles," continued the old man, folding his arms across, and looking very _big_ indeed, as he reclined against the mainmast of the vessel. gustave adolphe stood forward from the rest of the negroes. he was a short, fat, shiny-faced fellow, with his hair platted into about fifty little tails. he first bowed to his old commander, then placing his arms akimbo, walked up to newton, and looking him full in the face, commenced his duty of interpreter; as follows:-- "i say--god dam--" newton smiled. "oui, monsieur, c'est un anglois." "continuez, gustave adolphe," replied the old negro, with a majestic air. gustave adolphe, with another bow, resumed: "i say--where com?" "barbadoes," replied newton. "monsieur, il vient de barbadoes." "continuez, gustave adolphe," replied his superior, with a wave of his hand. "i say--where go?" "where go?" replied newton, "go to the bottom." "monsieur--il alloit au port de bo---tom." "bo---tom," repeated the old negro. "ou diable est ca?" here a general consultation was held, by which it appeared that such a port had never been heard of in the west indies. "gustave adolphe, demandez-lui si c'est un port anglois." "i say--bo---tom--english port?" "no," replied newton, amused with the mistake; "i should rather call it _neutral_." "c'est un port neutral, monsieur." "gustave adolphe, demandez-lui de quelle ile." "i say, what isle--bo---tom?" newton, who was faint with hunger and thirst, was not inclined at the moment to continue the conversation, which otherwise would have been a source of amusement. he replied by making signs that he wished to eat and drink. "monsieur," said gustave adolphe to the old negro, "le prisonnier refuse de faire reponse, et demande a manger et a boire." "va l'en chercher, gustave adolphe," replied the old man. "allons, messieurs," continued he, addressing the other negroes. "il faut lever l'ancre de suite, et amener notre prisonnier aux autorites; charles philippe, va chercher mon porte-voix." the negro captain walked up and down the deck of the schooner, a vessel about thirty feet long, until charles philippe made his appearance with the speaking-trumpet. he then proceeded to get the vessel under weigh, with more noise and fuss than is to be heard when the proudest three-decker in the english navy expands her lofty canvass to the gale. gustave adolphe, in obedience to the commands he had received, brought up to newton a bunch of bananas, a large piece of salt fish, and a calabash of water. the latter was immediately applied to his lips, and never removed while a drop remained, much to the astonishment of the negro, who again sported his english. "i say--very good--ab more?" "if you please," replied newton. "monsieur," said gustave adolphe to his commander, "le prisonnier a soif, et demande encore de l'eau." "va l'en chercher donc," replied the old negro, with a wave of his speaking-trumpet. "charles philippe, attention a la barre, [mind your weather-helm] sans venir au vent, s'il vous plait. matelots du gaillard d'avant," [forecastle-men, haul aft the jib-sheet] continued he, roaring through his speaking-trumpet; "bordez le grand foc." in the space of two hours, the schooner was brought to an anchor, with as much noise and importance as she had been got under weigh. a boat, capable of holding three people, one rower and two sitters, was shoved off the vessel's deck, and the negro captain, having first descended to his cabin for a few minutes, returned on deck dressed in the extremity of _their_ fashion, and ordered the boat to be manned. gustave adolphe accordingly manned the boat with his own person, and the negro captain politely waved his hand for newton to enter, and then, following himself, gustave adolphe rowed to a landing-place, about twenty yards from the schooner. "gustave adolphe, suivez en arriere, et gardez bien que le prisonnier n'echappe pas;" so saying, monsieur le capitaine led the way to a large white house and buildings, about two hundred yards from the river's banks. on their arrival, newton was surrounded by twenty or thirty slaves of both sexes, who chattered and jabbered a thousand questions concerning him to the negro captain and gustave adolphe, neither of whom condescended to reply. "monsieur de fontanges--ou est-il?" inquired the old negro. "monsieur dort," replied a little female voice. the captain was taken aback at this unfortunate circumstance; for no one dared to wake their master. "et madame?" inquired he. "madame est dans sa chambre." there again he was floored--he could not venture there; so he conducted newton, who was not very sorry to escape from the burning rays of the sun, to his own habitation, where an old negress, his wife, soon obtained from the negro that information relative to the capture of newton, which the bevy of slaves in the yard had attempted in vain: but wives have winning ways with them! volume two, chapter two. what elegance and grandeur wide expand, the pride of turkey and of persia land! soft quilts on quilts, on carpets carpets spread, and couches stretch'd around in seemly band, and endless pillows rise to prop the head. ... here languid beauty kept her pale-faced court. thomson. the female slaves, who could not obtain the history of newton, immediately repaired to the chamber of their mistress, knowing that if they could succeed in raising her curiosity, they would at the same time gratify their own. madame de fontanges was, as they asserted, in her chamber, or, what may now be more correctly styled, her boudoir. it was a room about fourteen feet square, the sides of which were covered with a beautiful paper, representing portions of the history of paul and virginia; the floor was covered with fine matting, with here and there a small persian carpet above it. small marble tables were decorated with a variety of ornaments and french perfumes, or vases filled with the splendid flowers of a tropical clime. there was a large window at each end of the room, cut down to the ground, in the french fashion, and outside of both was a little balcony, the trellice-work covered with passion-flower and clematis. the doors and other compartments of the room were not papered, but had french mirrors let into the panelling. on a low ottoman, of elegant workmanship, covered with a damask french silk, reposed madame de fontanges, attended by three or four young female slaves, of different complexions, but none of pure african blood. others were seated upon the different persian carpets about the room, in listless idleness or strewing the petals of the orange-flower, to perfume the apartment with its odour. the only negro was a little boy, about six years of age, dressed in a fantastic costume, who sat in a corner, apparently in a very sulky humour. madame de fontanges was a creole, that is, born in the west indies, of french parents. she had been sent home to france for her education, and had returned at the age of fourteen to guadaloupe, where she soon after married monsieur de fontanges, an officer of rank, and brother to the governor of the island. her form was diminutive, but most perfect; her hand and arm models for the statuary; while her feet were so small as almost to excite risibility when you observed them. her features were regular, and when raised from their usual listlessness, full of expression. large hazel eyes, beautifully pencilled eyebrows, with long fringed eyelashes, dark and luxuriant hair, grecian nose, small mouth, with thin coral lips, were set off by a complexion which even the climate could not destroy, although it softened it into extreme delicacy. such was the person of madame de fontanges, now about eighteen years old, and one of the most beautiful specimens of the french creoles which could be imagined. her perfect little figure needed no support; she was simply attired in a muslin _robe de chambre_, as she reposed upon the ottoman, waiting with all the impatience of her caste, for the setting in of the sea-breeze, which would give some relief from the oppressive heat of the climate. "eventez! nina, eventez!" cried she to one of her attendants, who was standing at the head of the sofa, with a large feather fan. "oui, madame," replied the girl, stirring up the dormant atmosphere. "eventez! caroline, eventez mes mains, vite." "oui, madame," replied the second, working away with another fan. "eventez! eventez mes pieds, mimi." "oui, madame," replied the third, fanning in the direction pointed out. "louise," said madame de fontanges, languidly, after a short pause, "apporte-moi de l'eau sucree." "oui, madame," replied another, rising, in obedience to the order. "non, non! je n'en veux pas--mais j'ai soif horrible. manchette, va chercher de l'eau cerise." "oui, madame," replied manchette, rising from her seat. but she had not quitted the room before madame de fontanges had changed her mind. "attendez, manchette. ce n'est pas ca. je voudrois de limonade. charlotte, va l'en chercher." "oui, madame," said charlotte, leaving the room to execute the order. "ah! mon dieu! qu'il fait une chaleur epouvantable." "mimi, que tu es paresseuse? eventez! vite, vite." "ou est monsieur?" "monsieur dort." "ah! qu'il est heureux. et cupidon--ou est-il?" "il est ici au coin, madame. il boude." "qu'est-ce qu'il a fait donc?" "ah, madame! il a vole le dindon roti, et l'a tout mange." "ah, le petit polisson! venez ici, cupidon." cupidon, the little negro-boy, we have before mentioned, as sitting in the corner of the room, walked up with a very deliberate pace to the side of the ottoman, his two thick lips sticking out about six inches in advance of the remainder of his person. "cupidon," said the lady, turning a little on one side to speak to him, "tu as mange le dindon entier. tu as mal fait, mon ami. tu seras malade. comprends-tu, cupidon, c'est une sottise que tu as fait?" cupidon made no reply; his head was hung down a little lower, and his lips extended a little farther out. "sache que tu es un petit voleur!" continued his mistress. cupidon did not condescend to answer. "allez, monsieur; ne m'approchez pas." cupidon turned short round without reply, and walked back to his corner with the same deliberate pace as before, when he came out of it. charlotte now returned with the lemonade for which she had been despatched, and informed her mistress as she presented it, that nicholas, who had charge of the schooner, had returned with an european prisoner; but that neither he nor gustave would give her any further information, although she had requested it in the name of her mistress. this was quite an event, and gave a fillip to the inertness of madame de fontanges, whose curiosity was excited. "a-t'-il bonne mine, charlotte?" "oui, madame, c'est un bel homme." "et ou est-il?" "avec nicholas." "et monsieur?" "monsieur dort." "il faut l'eveiller. faites bien mes compliments au monsieur de fontanges, et dites-lui que je me trouve fort malade, et que je voudrois lui parler. entends-tu, celeste; je parle a toi." "oui, madame," replied the girl, throwing some orange flowers off her lap, and rising to deliver her message. monsieur de fontanges, who, like most of the europeans, slept through the hottest portion of the day, rose in compliance with his wife's message, and made his appearance in the boudoir, dressed in a white cotton jacket and trousers. a few polite inquiries after the health of madame de fontanges, which, as he had conjectured from similar previous occurrences, was not worse than usual, were followed by his receiving from her the information of newton's arrival, coupled with an observation, that it would amuse her if the prisoner were interrogated in her presence. newton was summoned to the boudoir, where monsieur de fontanges, who spoke very good english, received from him the history of his disasters, and translated them into french, to gratify the curiosity of his wife. "c'est un beau garcon," observed monsieur de fontanges. "mais quoi faire? il est prisonnier. il faut l'envoyer a mon frere, le gouverneur." "il est joli garcon," replied madame de fontanges. "donnez-lui des habits, fontanges; et ne l'envoyez pas encore." "et pourquoi, mon amie?" "je voudrois lui apprendre le francais." "cela ne se peut pas, ma chere; il est prisonnier." "cela se peut, monsieur de fontanges," replied the lady. "je n'ose pas," continued the husband. "moi j'ose," replied the lady, decidedly. "je ne voudrois pas," said the gentleman. "moi, je veux," interrupted the lady. "mais il faut etre raisonnable, madame." "il faut m'obeir, monsieur." "mais--" "pschut!" replied the lady, "c'est une affaire decidee. monsieur le gouverneur ne parle pas l'anglois. c'est _absolument necessaire_ que le jeune homme apprenne notre langue; et c'est mon plaisir de l'enseigner. au revoir, monsieur de fontanges. charlotte, va chercher des habits." volume two, chapter three. 'tis pleasing to be schooled in a strange tongue by female lips and eyes; that is, i mean when both the teacher and the taught are young, as was the case, at least, where i had been. they smile so when one's right, and when one's wrong they smile still more. byron. monsieur de fontanges, aware of the impetuosity and caprice of his wife (at the same time that he acknowledged her many redeeming good qualities), did not further attempt to thwart her inclinations. his great objection to her plan was, the impropriety of retaining a prisoner, whom he was bound to give up to the proper authorities. he made a virtue of necessity, and having acquainted newton with the wish of madame de fontanges, requested his parole of honour that he would not attempt to escape, if he was not delivered up to the authorities, and remain some time at lieu desire. newton, who had no wish to be acquainted with a french _cachot_, sooner than it was absolutely necessary, gave the promise required by monsieur de fontanges, assuring him that ingratitude was not a part of his character. monsieur de fontanges then requested that newton would accept of a portion of his wardrobe, which he would direct to be sent to the room that would be prepared for him. this affair being arranged, newton made his bow to the lady, and in company with monsieur de fontanges, retired from the boudoir. it may be suspected by the reader, that madame de fontanges was one of those ladies who cared a great deal about having their own way, and very little for her husband. as to the first part of the accusation, i can only observe, that i never yet had the fortune to fall in with any lady who did not try all she could to have her own way, nor do i conceive it to be a crime. as to the second, if the reader has formed that supposition, he is much mistaken. madame de fontanges was very much attached to her husband, and the attachment as well as the confidence was reciprocal. it was not therefore from any feeling of jealousy that monsieur de fontanges had combated her resolution; but, as we have before observed, from a conviction that he was wanting in his duty, when he did not report the arrival of newton at the plantation. the wish of madame de fontanges to detain newton was, as she declared, a caprice on her part, which had entered her head, to amuse herself by teaching him french. it is true that had not newton been remarkably prepossessing in his appearance, the idea would in all probability have never been conceived; but, observing that he was much above the common class, and wishing to relieve the general monotony of her life by any thing which would create amusement, she had formed the idea, which, when combated by her husband, was immediately strengthened to a resolution. of this newton received the benefit. an excellent dinner or rather supper with monsieur de fontanges, a comfortable bed in a room supplied with all that convenience or luxury could demand, enabled him to pass a very different night from those which we have latterly described. about twelve o'clock the ensuing day, newton was summoned by one of the slave girls to the boudoir of madame de fontanges. he found her on the ottoman, as before. newton, who had been operated upon by a black barber, and was dressed in the habiliments of monsieur de fontanges, made a much more respectable appearance than upon his former introduction. "bon jour, monsieur," said the lady. newton bowed respectfully. "comment vous appelez-vous?" newton, not understanding, answered with another bow. "le jeun homme n'entends pas madame," observed mimi. "que c'est ennuyant, monsieur," said madame fontanges, pointing to herself; "moi--madame de fontanges--vous,"--pointing to him. "newton forster." "nu--tong fasta--ah, c'est bon, cela commence," said the lady. "allons, mes enfans repetez lui tous vous noms." "moi--mimi," said the girl bearing that name, going up to newton, and pointing to herself. "mimi," repeated newton, with a smile and nod of his head. "moi--charlotte." "moi--louise." "moi--celeste." "moi--nina." "moi--caroline." "moi--manchette." "et moi--cupidon," finished the little black boy, running up, and then retreating as fast back into his corner. newton repeated all the names, as the individuals respectively introduced themselves to him. then there was a pause, during which, at the desire of monsieur de fontanges, newton was offered a chair, and sat down. "allons--dites lui les noms de toute la garniture," said madame de fontanges to her attendants. "oui, madame," said mimi, going up to newton, and pointing to the fan in her hand,--"eventail." "eventail," repeated newton, who began to be amused, and who now repeated every french word after them. "flacon," said charlotte, showing him the eau de cologne bottle. "chaise," cried louise, holding up a chair. "livre," said nina, pointing to a book. "mouchoir," said caroline, holding up an embroidered handkerchief. "montre" followed up manchette, pointing to her mistress's watch. "canape," cried celeste, pointing to the ottoman. "joli garcon," bawled out cupidon, coming up to newton, and pointing to himself. this created a laugh, and then the lesson was continued. every article in the room was successively pointed out to newton, and he was obliged to repeat the name; and afterwards the articles of their dress were resorted to, much to his amusement. then there was a dead stand:--the fact is, that there is no talking with noun substantives only. "ah! mon dieu! il faut envoyer pour monsieur de fontanges," cried the lady; "va le chercher, louise." monsieur de fontanges soon made his appearance, when the lady explained to him their dilemma, and requested his assistance. monsieur de fontanges laughed, and explained to newton, and then, by means of his interpretation, connected sentences were made, according to the fancy of the lady, some of which were the cause of great merriment. after an hour, the gentlemen made their bows. "i think," observed monsieur de fontanges, as they walked away, "that if you really are as anxious to learn our language as madame is to teach you, you had better come to me every morning for an hour. i shall have great pleasure in giving you any assistance in my power, and i trust that in a very short time that, with a little study of the grammar and dictionary, you will be able to hold a conversation with madame de fontanges, or even with her dark-complexioned page." newton expressed his acknowledgments, and the next day he received his first lesson; after which he was summoned to support the theory by practice in the boudoir of madame de fontanges. it is hardly necessary to observe that each day increased the facility of communication. for three months newton was domiciled with monsieur and madame fontanges, both of whom had gradually formed such an attachment to him, that the idea of parting never entered their head. he was now a very tolerable french scholar, and his narratives and adventures were to his benefactors a source of amusement, which amply repaid them for the trouble and kindness which they had shown to him. newton was, in fact, a general favourite with every one on the plantation, from the highest to the lowest; and his presence received the same smile of welcome at the cottage of the slave, as at the boudoir of madame de fontanges. whatever may have been the result of newton's observations relative to slavery in the english colonies, his feelings of dislike insensibly wore away during his residence at lieu desiree; there he was at least convinced that a slave might be perfectly happy. it must be acknowledged that the french have invariably proved the kindest and most considerate of masters, and the state of bondage is much mitigated in the islands which appertain to that nation. the reason is obvious: in france, there is a _bonhommie_, a degree of equality established between the different grades of society by universal politeness. a french servant is familiar with his master at the same time that he is respectful: and the master, in return, condescends to his inferior without forgetting their relative positions. this runs through society in general, and as no one can well be polite without some good-nature (for politeness, frivolous as it may appear, is a strong check upon those feelings of selfishness, too apt to be indulged in), it leads to a general feeling of good will towards others. this has naturally been practised by frenchmen wherever they may be; and the consequence is, that the slaves are treated with more consideration, and, in return, have warmer feelings of attachment towards their owners than are to be found in colonies belonging to other nations. newton perceived and acknowledged this, and, comparing the condition of the people at lieu desiree with that of most of the peasantry of europe, was unwillingly obliged to confess that the former were in every respect the more fortunate and the more happy of the two. one morning, soon after newton had breakfasted with monsieur de fontanges, and had been summoned to the boudoir, a letter was brought in. it was from the governor to monsieur de fontanges, stating that he had heard with great surprise that monsieur de fontanges concealed an english prisoner in his house, and desiring that he might be immediately sent up to head-quarters. that there might be no delay or refusal, a corporal, accompanied by two file of men, brought down the intimation to the plantation. newton was in the very middle of a long story, madame de fontanges on the ottoman, and her attendants collected round her, seated on the floor--even cupidon had advanced from his corner to within half distance, his mouth and eyes wide open, when monsieur de fontanges entered the boudoir, with anxiety and chagrin expressed in his countenance. "qu'est ce qu'il y a, mon ami?" said madame de fontanges, rising hastily and running up to her husband. monsieur de fontanges answered by putting the governor's letter into his wife's hands. "ah! les barbares!" cried madame de fontanges, "est il possible? pauvre monsieur nutong! on l'amene au cachot." "au cachot!" cried all the coloured girls at a breath, and bursting into tears--"oh ciel!" monsieur de fontanges then explained to newton the order which he had received. newton replied that he had had no right to expect otherwise on his first landing on the island; that he had incurred a heavy debt of gratitude to them for having preserved him so long from a prison; and that the remembrance of their kindness would tend to beguile the tedious hours of captivity (from which it may appear that newton, in point of expressing himself, was half a frenchman already). he then kissed the hand of madame de fontanges, tried to console the little slave girls, who were all _au desespoir_, patted cupidon on the head, by way of farewell, and quitted the boudoir, in which he had passed so many happy hours. when he was outside, he again expressed his obligations to monsieur de fontanges, who then stated his determination to call upon his brother, the governor, and try to alleviate the hardships of his lot as much as was possible. in less than an hour newton, in company with his host, was on the road to basse terre, leaving the corporal and his two file of men to walk back as fast as they could; the corporal having sufficient _savoir vivre_ not to refuse the pledge of the governor's brother for the safe delivery of the prisoner. it was not until late in the evening that they arrived at basse terre, when they immediately proceeded to the house of the governor, and were admitted to his presence. the governor, who had been much displeased at the circumstance of newton having remained so long on the island, was more pacified when monsieur de fontanges explained to him the way in which he had been made prisoner, and the hardships which he had previously endured. monsieur de fontanges accounted for his long detention at lieu desiree by stating the real fact, _viz_, the pertinacity of madame de fontanges; which, although it might have been considered a very poor argument in england, had its due weight in a french colony. the governor entered into conversation with newton, who detailed to him the horrors of the shipwreck which he had undergone. the narrative appeared to affect him much. he told newton that under such circumstances he could hardly consider him as a prisoner, and would take the first opportunity of releasing him, and would accept his parole for not quitting the island. newton returned his thanks for so much courtesy, and withdrew in company with monsieur de fontanges. "monsieur le marquis has much sympathy for those who have been shipwrecked," observed monsieur de fontanges, after they had quitted the room. "poor man! he lost his wife, a beautiful young woman, and his only child, a little girl, about seven years back, when they were proceeding home in a vessel bound to havre. the vessel has never been heard of since, and he has never recovered the loss." "in what year was it?" inquired newton. "in the autumn of the year ---." "there were many vessels wrecked on our coast during that dreadful winter," replied newton: "i myself, when in a coaster, picked up several articles belonging to a french vessel. i have them in my possession now;--they are of some value." "what did they consist of?" inquired monsieur de fontanges. "a large trunk, containing the wearing apparel of a female and a child: there were also several orders of knighthood, and some jewels; but i hardly know what they were, as it is some time since i have looked at them." "how strange that you could find no clue to discover the names of the parties!" "there were french letters," replied newton, "which i could not read; they were only signed by initials, which did not correspond with the marks on the linen belonging to the lady, although the surname might have been the same as that of the child." "do you recollect the initials?" "perfectly well: the marks on the lady's apparel were lc, that on the linen of the infant jf." "mon dieu! mon dieu!" cried monsieur de fontanges; "then it may indeed have been the apparel of the marquise de fontanges. the linen must have been some marked with her maiden name, which was louise de colmar. the child was christened julie de fontanges, after her grandmother. my poor brother had intended to take his passage home in the same vessel, his successor being hourly expected; but the frigate in which the new governor had embarked was taken by an english squadron, and my brother was forced to remain here." "then the property must undoubtedly belong to the marquis," replied newton: "i only wish i could have been able to assure him that his wife and child were equally safe; but that i am afraid is impossible, as there can be no doubt but that they were all lost. do you mean to communicate what i have told you to the marquis?" "by no means; it will only tear open a wound which has but partially healed. if you will send me all the particulars when you return i shall feel much obliged, not that the effects are of any consequence. the marquise and her child are undoubtedly lost, and it could be no consolation to my brother to ascertain that a trunk of their effects had been saved." here the conversation dropped, and was never again renewed. newton was heartily welcomed again at lieu desiree, where he remained three weeks, when a note from the governor informed him that a cartel was about to sail. it was with mutual pain that newton and his kind friends took their farewell of each other. in this instance monsieur de fontanges did not accompany him to basse terre; but bade him adieu at his own door. newton, soon after he was on the road, perceived that monsieur de fontanges had acted from a motive of delicacy, that he might not receive the thanks of newton for two valises, well furnished, which overtook newton about a quarter of a mile from the plantation, slung on each side of a horse, under the guidance of a little negro, perched on the middle. newton made his acknowledgments to the governor for his kind consideration, then embarked on board of the marie therese schooner, and in three days he once more found himself on shore in an english colony; with which piece of information i conclude this chapter. volume two, chapter four. mercy on us! a bairn, a very pretty bairn, a boy, a child. shakespeare. when newton was landed from the cartel at jamaica, he found the advantage of not being clad in the garb of a sailor, as all those who were in such costume were immediately handed over to the admiral of the station, to celebrate their restoration to liberty on board of a man-of-war; but the clothes supplied to him by the generosity of monsieur de fontanges had any thing but a maritime appearance, and newton was landed with his portmanteaus by one of the man-of-war's boats, whose crew had little idea of his being a person so peculiarly suited to their views, possessing as he did the necessary qualifications of youth, activity, and a thorough knowledge of his profession. newton was so anxious to return home, that after a few days' expensive sojourn at an hotel, frequented chiefly by the officers of the man-of-war in port, he resolved to apply to the captain of a frigate ordered home with despatches, to permit him to take a passage. he had formed a slight intimacy with some of the officers, who assured him that he would experience no difficulty in obtaining his request. his application was made in person, and after his statement that he had been released in the last cartel which had come from guadaloupe, his request was immediately granted, without any farther questions being put relative to his profession, or the manner in which he had been captured. the captain very civilly gave him to understand, that he might mess with the gun-room officers, if he could arrange with them, and that he expected to sail on the evening of the ensuing day. newton immediately repaired on board of the frigate, to ascertain if the officers would receive him as a messmate; and further, whether the amount of his mess-money would be more than he could in prudence afford. at the bottom of one of the portmanteaus he had found a bag of two hundred dollars, supplied by his generous host, and in the same bag there was also deposited a small note from madame de fontanges, wishing him success, and enclosing (as a _souvenir_) a ring, which he had often perceived on her finger; but, adequate as was this supply to his own wants, newton did not forget that his father was, in all probability, in great distress, and would require his assistance on his return. he was therefore naturally anxious not to expend more than was absolutely necessary in defraying his passage. the old first-lieutenant, to whom, upon his arrival on board, he was introduced as commanding officer, received him with much urbanity; and when newton stated that he had obtained the captain's permission to make the application immediately acceded to his wishes on the part of his messmates as well as of himself. when newton followed up his application, by requesting to know the expense which he would incur, as, in case of its being greater than his finances could meet, he would request permission to choose a less expensive mess. "i am aware," replied the veteran, "that those who have been shipwrecked, and in a french prison, are not likely to be very flush of cash. it is, however, a point on which i must consult my messmates. excuse me one moment, and i will bring you an answer: i have no doubt but that it will be satisfactorily arranged; but there is nothing like settling these points at once. mr webster, see that the lighter shoves off the moment that she is clear," continued the first-lieutenant to one of the midshipmen as he descended the quarter-deck ladder, leaving newton to walk the quarter-deck. in a few minutes the first-lieutenant reappeared, with one or two others of the gun-room mess, who greeted him most cordially. "i have seen all that are requisite," said he to newton. "two i have not spoken to, the master and the purser; they are both poor men, with families. if, therefore, you will not be too proud to accept it, i am requested to offer you a free passage from the other officers of the mess, as we feel convinced that your company will more than repay us. the proportion of the expense of your passage to the other two will be but one or two pounds;--a trifle, indeed, but still of consequence to them; and that is the only expense which you will incur. if you can afford to pay that, any time after your arrival in england, we shall be most happy to receive you, and make the passage as comfortable and pleasant as circumstances will permit." to this most liberal proposition newton most gladly acceded. the officers who had come on deck with the first-lieutenant invited newton below, where he was introduced to the remainder of the mess, who were most of them fine young men, as happy and careless as if youth was to last for ever. having pledged each other in a glass of grog, newton returned on shore. the next morning he made his arrangements, paid his bill at the hotel, and before twelve o'clock was again on board of the frigate, which lay with the blue peter hoisted, and her fore-topsail loose, waiting for her captain, who was still detained on shore while the admiral and governor made up their despatches. when newton had applied to the captain of the frigate for a passage home, he could hardly believe it possible that the person to whom he was introduced could be entrusted with the command of so fine a vessel. he was a slight-made, fair-complexioned lad of nineteen or twenty years at the most, without an incipient mark of manhood on his chin. he appeared lively, active, and good-natured; but what were the other qualifications he possessed, to discover such a mark of confidence, were to newton an enigma requiring solution. it was, however, to be explained in very few words. he was the son of the admiral of the station, and (as at that period there was no regulation with respect to age, to check the most rapid promotion), after he had served his time as midshipman, in less than two months he had been raised through the different ranks of lieutenant, commander, and post-captain. on receiving the latter step, he was at the same time appointed to the frigate in question, one of the finest which belonged to his majesty's service. in order, however, that he should to a certain degree be in leading-strings, a very old and efficient officer had been selected by the admiral as his first-lieutenant. whether, in common justice, the captain and his subordinate ought not to have changed places, i leave the reader to guess; and it was the more unfair towards the worthy old first-lieutenant, as, if the admiral had not entertained such a high opinion of his abilities and judgment, as to confide to him the charge of his son, he would long before have been promoted himself to one of the many vacancies which so repeatedly occurred. captain carrington had all the faults, which, if not inherent, will naturally be acquired by those who are too early intrusted with power. he was self-sufficient, arbitrary, and passionate. his good qualities consisted in a generous disposition, a kindness of heart when not irritated, a manly courage, and a frank acknowledgment of his errors. had he been allowed to serve a proper time in the various grades of his profession,--had he been taught to _obey_ before he had been permitted to _command_,--he had within him all the materials for a good officer: as it was, he was neither officer, sailor, nor any thing else, except a _spoiled boy_. he would often attempt to carry on the duty as captain, and as often failed from want of knowledge. he would commence manoeuvring the ship, but find himself unable to proceed. at these unfortunate _break downs_, he would be obliged to resign the speaking-trumpet to the first-lieutenant; and if, as sometimes happened, the latter (either from accident, or perhaps from a pardonable pique at having the duty taken out of his hands), was not at his elbow to prompt him when at fault--at these times the cant phrase of the officers, taken from some farce, used to be, "_york, you're wanted_." about an hour before sunset the juvenile captain made his appearance on board, rather _fresh_ from taking leave of his companions and acquaintances on shore. the frigate was got under weigh by the first-lieutenant, and before the sun had disappeared was bounding over the foaming seas in the direction of the country which had nurtured to maturity the gnarled oak selected for her beautiful frame. newton joined his new messmates in drinking a prosperous passage to old england; and, with a heart grateful for his improved prospects, retired to the hammock which had been prepared for him. when newton rose in the morning, he found that the wind, had shifted contrary during the night, and that the frigate was close hauled, darting through the smooth water with her royals set. at ten o'clock the master proposed tacking the ship, and the first-lieutenant went down to report his wish to the captain. "very well, mr nourse," replied the captain; "turn the hands up." "ay, ay, sir," replied the first-lieutenant, leaving the cabin. "call the boatswain, quarter-master--all hands 'bout ship." "all hands 'bout ship," was now bellowed out by the boatswain, and re-echoed by his mates at the several hatchways, with a due proportion of whistling from their pipes. "tumble up, there--tumble up smartly, my lads." in a minute every man was on deck, and at his station; many of them, however, _tumbling down_ in their laudable hurry to _tumble up_. "silence there, fore and aft--every man to his station," cried the first-lieutenant, through his speaking trumpet. "all ready, sir," reported the first-lieutenant to the captain, who had followed him on deck. "shall we put the helm down?" "if you please, mr nourse." "down with the helm." when the master reported it down, "the helm's a-lee," roared the first-lieutenant. but captain carrington, who thought light winds and smooth water a good opportunity for practice, interrupted him as he was walking towards the weather gangway: "mr nourse, mr nourse, if you please, i'll work the ship." "very good, sir," replied the first-lieutenant, handing him the speaking-trumpet. "rise tacks and sheets, if you please, sir," continued the first-lieutenant (_sotto voce_), "the sails are lifting." "tacks and sheets!" cried the captain. "gather in on the lee main-tack, my lads," said the first-lieutenant, going to the lee gangway to see the duty performed. now captain carrington did know that "mainsail haul" was the next word of command; but as this order requires a degree of precision as to the exact time at which it is given, he looked over his shoulder for the first-lieutenant, who usually prompted him in this exigence. not seeing him there, he became disconcerted; and during the few seconds that he cast his anxious eyes about the deck, to discover where the first-lieutenant was, the ship had passed head to wind. "mainsail haul!" at last cried the captain; but it was too late; the yards would not swing round; every thing went wrong; and the ship was _in irons_. "you hauled a little too late, sir," observed the first-lieutenant, who had joined him. "you must box her off, sir, if you please." but captain carrington, although he could put the ship in irons, did not know how to take her out. "the ship is certainly most cursedly out of trim," observed he; "she'll neither wear nor stay. try her yourself, mr nourse," continued the captain, "i'm sick of her;"--and with a heightened colour he handed the speaking-trumpet over to the first-lieutenant. "york, you're wanted," observed the lieutenant abaft to the marine-officer, dropping down the corners of his mouth. "york, you're wanted," tittered the midshipmen, in whispers, as they passed each other. "well, i've won your grog, jim," cried one of the marines, who was standing at the forebrace; "i knew he'd never do it." "he's like me," observed another, in a low tone; "he left school too arly, and lost his edication." such were the results of injudicious patronage. a fine ship intrusted to a boy, ignorant of his duty, laughed at, not only by the officers, but even by the men; and the honour of the country at stake, and running no small risk of being tarnished, if the frigate met with a vigorous opponent. [it is true that an officer must now serve a certain time in the various grades before promotion, which time as supposed to be sufficient for him to acquire a knowledge of his profession; but whether that knowledge is obtained, depends, as before, upon the young officer's prospects in life. if from family interest he is _sure_ of promotion, he is not quite so sure of being a seaman.] thank god, this is now over! judicious regulations have put a stop to such selfish and short-sighted patronage. selfish, because those who were guilty of it risked the honour of the nation to advance the interests of their _proteges_; short-sighted, because it is of little use making a young man a captain if you cannot make him an officer. i might here enter into a discussion which might be of some use, but it would be out of place in a work intended more for amusement than for instruction; nor would it in all probability be read. i always make it a rule myself, to skip over all those parts introduced in a light work which are of denser materials than the rest; and i cannot expect but that others will do the same. there is a time and place for all things; and like the master of ravenscourt, "i bide my time." the frigate dashed gallantly through the water, at one time careening to an adverse wind, at another rolling, before a favouring gale: and, to judge from her rapid motion, she was not in such very bad trim as captain carrington had found out. each day rapidly brought her nearer to their cherished home, as "she walked the waters like a thing of life." i can conceive no prouder situation in this world than being captain of a fine frigate, with a well-disciplined crew; but damn your _eight-and-twenties_! "we had better take in the royals, if you please, sir," said the first-lieutenant, as he came, with his hat in his hand, into the cabin, where the captain was at dinner with several of the officers, the table crowded with a variety of decanters and french green bottles. "pho! nonsense! mr nourse, we'll carry them a little longer," replied the captain, who had been _carrying too much sail_ another way. "sit down and take a glass of wine with us. you always cry out before you're hurt, nourse." "i thank you, sir," replied the first-lieutenant, seriously; "you will excuse me: it is time to beat to quarters." "well, then, do so; i had no idea it was so late. mr forster, you don't pass the bottle." "i have taken enough, i thank you, sir." the officers present also made the same statement. "well, then, if you won't, gentlemen--steward, let's have some coffee." the coffee appeared and disappeared; and the officers made their bows and quitted the cabin as the first-lieutenant entered it to report the muster at quarters. "all present and sober, sir. i am afraid, sir," continued he, "the masts will be over the side, if we do not clew up the royals." "stop a moment, if you please, mr nourse, until i go up and judge for myself," replied the captain, who was inclined to be pertinacious. captain carrington went on deck. the men were still ranged round the decks, at their quarters; more than one pair of eyes were raised aloft to watch the masts, which were bending like coach-whips, and complaining bitterly. "shall we beat a retreat, and pipe hands to shorten sail, sir? we had better take in the third reefs, sir? it looks, very squally to-night," observed the first-lieutenant. "really, mr nourse, i don't exactly perceive the necessity--" but at that moment the fore and main-top-gallant-masts went over the side; and the look-out man at the fore-top-gallant-mast-head, who had been called down by the first-lieutenant, but did not hear the injunction, was hurled into the sea to leeward. "helm down!" cried the master. "man overboard!--man overboard!" echoed round the decks; while some of the officers and men jumped into the quarter boats, and off the gripes and lashings. captain carrington, who was immediately sobered by the catastrophe, which he felt had been occasioned by his own wilfulness, ran aft to the taffrail; and when he saw the poor sailor struggling in the waves, impelled by his really fine nature, he darted overboard to save him; but he was not by any means a powerful swimmer, and, encumbered with his apparel, it was soon evident that he could do no more than keep himself afloat. newton, who perceived how matters stood, with great presence of mind caught up two of the oars from the boat hanging astern, and darted over to the assistance of both. one oar he first carried to the seaman, who was exhausted and sinking. placing it under his arms, he then swam with the other to captain carrington, who could not have remained above water but a few seconds more without the timely relief. he then quietly swam by the side of captain carrington, without any attempt at extra exertion. the boat was soon lowered down, and in a few minutes they were all three again on board, and in safety. captain carrington thanked newton for his assistance, and acknowledged his error to the first-lieutenant. the officers and men looked upon newton with respect and increased goodwill; and the sailors declared that the captain was a prime little fellow, although he hadn't had an "edication." nothing worthy of remark occurred during the remainder of the passage. the ship arrived at plymouth, and newton took leave of his friendly shipmates, captain carrington requesting that newton would command any interest that he had, if ever it should be required. it was with a throbbing heart that newton descended from the outside of the coach which conveyed him to liverpool, and hastened towards the obscure street in which he left his father residing. it was about four o'clock in the afternoon when newton arrived at his father's door. to his delight, he perceived through the shop-window that his father was sitting at his bench;--but his joy was checked when he perceived his haggard countenance. the old man appeared to be absorbed in deep thought, his cheek resting upon his hand, and his eyes cast down upon the little bench, to which the vice used to be fixed, but from which it was now removed. the door was ajar, and newton entered with his portmanteau in his hand; but whatever noise he might have made was not sufficient to rouse nicholas, who continued in the same position. with one glance round the shop newton perceived that it was bare of every thing; even the glazed cases on the counter, which contained the spectacles, etcetera, had disappeared. all bespoke the same tale, as did the appearance of his father--misery and starvation. "my dearest father!" cried newton, unable to contain himself any longer. "how!--what?" cried nicholas, starting at the voice, but not looking round. "pho! nonsense! he's dead," continued the old man, communing with himself, as he again settled into his former position. "my dearest father, i'm not dead!--look round--'tis newton! alive and well." "newton!" replied the old man, rising from his stool, and tottering to the counter, which was between them, on which he laid both his hands to support himself, as he looked into his son's face. "'tis newton, sure enough! my dear, dear boy!--then you an't dead?" "no, indeed, father; i am alive and well, thank god!" "thank god too!" said nicholas, dropping his face on the counter, and bursting into tears. newton sprung over to the side where his father was, and embraced him. for some time they were locked in each other's arms; when nicholas, who had recovered his composure, looked at newton, and said, "are you hungry, my dear boy?" "yes, indeed i am," replied newton, smiling, as the tears coursed down his cheeks; "for i have had nothing since breakfast." "and i have had nothing for these two days," replied nicholas, leaning back to the wall in evident exhaustion. "good god! you don't say so?" cried newton, "where can i buy something ready cooked?" "at the shop round the corner; there's a nice piece of boiled beef there; i saw it yesterday. i offered my improvement on the duplex for a slice; but he would not trust me, even for that." newton ran out, and in a few minutes re-appeared with the beef in question, some bread, and a pot of porter, with two plates and knives and forks, which the people had lent him, upon his putting down a deposit. he laid them on the counter before his father, who, without saying a word, commenced his repast: the beef disappeared--the bread vanished--the porter-pot was raised to his mouth, and in a moment it was dry! "never made a better dinner, newton," observed nicholas; "but i wish there had been a little more of it!" newton, who had only been a spectator, immediately went out for another supply; and on his return assisted his father in its demolition. "newton," said nicholas, who for a few moments had relinquished his task, "i've been thinking--that--i should like another slice of that beef! and newton, as i said before--i'll trouble you for the porter!" volume two, chapter five. _orlando_. then forbear your food a little while, while, like a doe, i go to find my fawn, and give it food. there is a poor old roan oppressed with two weak evils, age and hunger. shakespeare. reader, were you ever really hungry? i do not mean the common hunger arising from health and exercise, and which you have the means of appeasing at the moment when it may be considered a source of pleasure rather than of pain:--i refer to the gnawing of starvation; because if you have not, you can form no conception of the agony of the suffering. fortunately, but very few of my readers can have any knowledge of it; the general sympathy which it creates is from an ideal, not a practical knowledge. it has been my lot during the vicissitudes of a maritime life to have suffered hunger to extremity; and although impossible to express the corporeal agony, yet some notion of it may be conceived from the effect it had upon my mind. i felt that i hated the whole world, kin or no kin; that theft was a virtue, murder excusable, and cannibalism any thing but disgusting; from which the inference may be safely drawn, viz, that i was devilish hungry. i mention this, because nicholas forster, although he had been two days without food, and had disposed of every article which was saleable, was endued with so much strength of principle, as not to have thought (or if he had thought of it, immediately to have dismissed the thought) of vending the property found in the trunk by his son, and which had remained so long in their possession. that few would have been so scrupulous, i will acknowledge: whether nicholas was over-scrupulous, is a question i leave to be debated by those who are fond of argument. i only state the fact. until the arrival of the ship brought home by mr berecroft, the allotment of newton's wages had been regularly paid to his father; but when the owner discovered that the brig had parted company with the convoy, and had not since been heard of, the chance of capture was considered so great that the owner refused to advance any more on newton's account. nicholas was thus thrown upon his own resources, which were as small as they well could be. the crew of the brig, who quitted her in the boat, were picked up by a homeward-bound vessel, and brought what was considered the certain intelligence of jackson and newton having perished on the wreck. nicholas, who had frequently called at the owner's since his allowance had been stopped, to obtain tidings of his son, was overwhelmed with the intelligence of his death. he returned to his own house, and never called there again. mr berecroft, who wished to find him out and relieve him, could not ascertain in what quarter of the town he resided, and shortly after was obliged to proceed upon another voyage. thus was the poor optician left to his fate; and it is probable that, but for the fortunate return of newton, it would soon have been miserably decided. newton was much pleased when he learnt from his father that he had not disposed of the property which he had picked up at sea, for he now felt assured that he had discovered the owner at guadaloupe, and intended to transmit it to monsieur de fontanges as soon as he could find a safe conveyance; but this at present was not practicable. as soon as his father had been re-established in his several necessaries and comforts, newton, aware that his purse would not last for ever, applied to the owner of the brig for employment; but he was decidedly refused. the loss of the vessel had soured his temper against any one who had belonged to her. he replied that he considered newton to be an unlucky person, and must decline his sailing in any of his vessels, even if a vacancy should occur. to every other application made elsewhere newton met with the same ill fortune. mr berecroft was not there to recommend or to assist him, and months passed away in anxious expectation of his patron's return, when the intelligence was brought home that he had been carried off by the yellow fever, which that year had been particularly malignant and fatal. the loss of his only protector was a heavy blow to poor newton; but he bore up against his fortune, and redoubled his exertions. as before, he could always obtain employment before the mast; but this he refused, knowing that if again impressed, however well he might be off himself, and however fortunate in prize-money, his father would be left destitute, and in all probability be starved before he could return. the recollection of the situation in which he had found him on his return from the west indies made newton resolve not to leave his father without some surety of his being provided with the means of subsistence. he was not without some employment, and earned sufficient for their mutual maintenance by working as a rigger on board of the ships fitting for sea; and he adhered to this means of livelihood until something better should present itself. had newton been alone in the world, or his father able to support himself, he would have immediately applied to captain carrington to receive him in some capacity on board of his frigate, or have entered on board of some other man-of-war. newton's heart was too generous, and his mind too truly english, not to bound when he read or heard of the gallant encounters between the vessels of the rival nations, and he longed to be one of the many thousands so diligently employed in twining the wreath of laurel round their country's brow. nearly one year of constant fatigue, constant expectation, and constant disappointment was thus passed away; affairs grew daily worse, employment scarce, money scarcer. newton, who had been put off from receiving his wages until the ensuing day, which, as they had no credit, was in fact putting off their dinner also to the morrow, went home, and dropped on a chair in a despondent mood, at the table, where nicholas was already seated. "well, newton, what's for dinner?" said nicholas, drawing his chair close to the table, in preparation. "i have not been paid the money due to me," replied newton, "and, father, i'm afraid there's nothing." nicholas backed his chair from the table again, with an air of resignation, as newton continued-- "indeed, father, i think we must try our fortune elsewhere. what's the use of staying where we cannot get employment? every thing is now gone, except our wearing apparel. we might raise some money upon mine, it is true; but had we not better, before we spend it, try if fortune will be more favourable to us in some other place?" "why, yes, newton, i've been thinking that if we were to go to london, my improvement on the duplex--" "is that our only chance there, sir?" replied newton, half smiling. "why no; now i think of it, i've a brother there, john forster, or jack, as we used to call him. it's near thirty years since i heard of him; but somebody told me when you were in the west indies, that he had become a great lawyer, and was making a large fortune. i quite forgot the circumstance till just now." newton had before heard his father mention that he had two brothers, but whether dead or alive he could not tell. the present intelligence appeared to hold out some prospect of relief, for newton could not for a moment doubt that if his uncle was in such flourishing circumstances, he would not refuse assistance to his brother. he therefore resolved not to wait until their means were totally exhausted: the next day he disposed of all his clothes except one suit, and found himself richer than he had imagined. having paid his landlord the trifle due for rent, without any other incumbrance than the packet of articles picked up in the trunk at sea, three pounds sterling in his pocket, and the ring of madame de fontanges on his little finger, newton with his father set off on foot for the metropolis. volume two, chapter six. i labour to diffuse the important good till this great truth by all be understood, that all the pious duty which we owe our parents, friends, our country, and our god, the seed of every virtue here below, from discipline and early culture grow. west. the different chapters of a novel remind me of a convoy of vessels. the incidents and _dramatis personae_ are so many respective freights, all under the charge of the inventor, who, like a man-of-war, must see them all safely, and together, into port. and as the commanding officer, when towing one vessel which has lagged behind up to the rest, finds that in the mean time another has dropped nearly out of sight, and is obliged to cast off the one in tow, to perform the same necessary duty towards the stern-most, so am i necessitated for the present to quit nicholas and newton, while i run down to edward forster and his _protegee_. it must be recollected that during our narrative, "time has rolled his ceaseless course," and season has succeeded season, until the infant, in its utter helplessness to lift its little hands for succour, has sprung up into a fair blue-eyed little maiden of nearly eight years old, light as a fairy in her proportions, bounding as a fawn in her gait; her eyes beaming with joy, and her cheeks suffused with the blush of health, when tripping over the sea-girt hills; meek and attentive when listening to the precepts of her fond and adopted parent. faithful, the newfoundland dog is no more, but his portrait hangs over the mantle-piece in the little parlour. mrs beazeley, the housekeeper, has become inert and querulous from rheumatism and the burden of added years. a little girl, daughter of robinson, the fisherman has been called in to perform her duties, while she basks in the summer's sun or hangs over the winter's fire. edward forster's whole employment and whole delight has long been centred in his darling child, whose beauty of person, quickness of intellect, generous disposition, and affectionate heart, amply repay him for his kind protection. of all chapters which can be ventured upon, one upon education is perhaps the most tiresome. most willingly would i pass it over, not only for the reader's sake, but for mine own; for his--because it cannot well be otherwise than dry and uninteresting; for mine--because i do not exactly know how to write it. but this cannot be. amber was not brought up according to the prescribed maxims of mesdames appleton and hamilton; and as effects cannot be satisfactorily comprehended without the causes are made known, so it becomes necessary, not only that the chapter should be written, but, what is still more vexatious, absolutely necessary that it should be read. before i enter upon this most unpleasant theme--unpleasant to all parties, for no one likes to teach and no one likes to learn, i cannot help remarking how excessively _au fait_ we find most elderly maiden ladies upon every point connected with the rearing of our unprofitable species. they are erudite upon every point _ab ovo_, and it would appear that their peculiar knowledge of the _theory_ can but arise from their attentions having never been diverted by the _practice_. let it be the teeming mother or the new-born babe--the teething infant or the fractious child--the dirty, pin-before urchin or sampler-spoiling girl--school-boy lout or sapling miss--voice-broken, self-admiring hobby-de-hoy, or expanding conscious and blushing maiden, the whole arcana of nature and of art has been revealed to them alone. let it be the scarlet-fever or a fit of passion, the measles or a shocking fib--whooping-cough or apple-stealing--learning too slow or eating too fast--slapping a sister or clawing a brother--let the disease be bodily or mental, they alone possess the panacea; and blooming matrons, spreading out in their pride, like the anxious chuckling hen, over their numerous encircling offspring, who have borne them with a mother's throes, watched over them with a mother's anxious mind, and reared them with a mother's ardent love, are considered to be wholly incompetent, in the opinion of these desiccated and barren branches of nature's stupendous, ever-bearing tree. mrs beazeley, who had lost her husband soon after marriage, was not fond of children, as they interfered with her habits of extreme neatness. as far as amber's education was concerned, all we can say is, that if the old housekeeper did her no good, she certainly did her no harm. as amber increased in years and intelligence, so did her thirst for knowledge on topics upon which mrs beazeley was unable to give her any correct information. under these circumstances, when applied to, mrs beazeley, who was too conscious to mislead the child, was accustomed to place her hand upon her back, and complain of the rheumatiz--"such a stitch, my dear love, can't talk now--ask your pa' when he comes home." edward forster had maturely weighed the difficulties of the charge imposed upon him, that of educating a female. the peculiarity of her situation, without a friend in the wide world except himself; and his days, in all probability, numbered to that period at which she would most require an adviser--that period, when the heart rebels against the head, and too often overthrows the legitimate dynasty of reason, determined him to give a masculine character to her education, as most likely to prove the surest safeguard through a deceitful world. aware that more knowledge is to be imparted to a child by conversation than by any other means (for by this system education is divested of its drudgery), during the first six years of her life amber knew little more than the letters of the alphabet. it was not until her desire of information was excited to such a degree as to render her anxious to obtain her own means of acquiring it that amber was taught to read; and then it was at her own request. edward forster was aware that a child of six years old, willing to learn, would soon pass by another who had been drilled to it at an earlier age and against its will, and whose mind had been checked in its expansive powers by the weight which constantly oppressed its infant memory. until the above age the mind of amber had been permitted to run as unconfined through its own little regions of fancy as her active body had been allowed to spring up the adjacent hills--and both were equally beautified and strengthened by the healthy exercise. religion was deeply impressed upon her grateful heart; but it was simplified almost to unity, that it might be clearly understood. it was conveyed to her through the glorious channel of nature, and god was loved and feared from the contemplation and admiration of his works. did amber fix her eyes upon the distant ocean, or watch the rolling of the surf; did they wander over the verdant hills, or settle on the beetling clift; did she raise her cherub-face to the heavens, and wonder at the studded firmament of stars, or the moon sailing in her cold beauty, or the sun blinding her in his warmth and splendour; she knew that it was god who made them all. did she ponder over the variety of the leaf; did she admire the painting of the flower, or watch the motions of the minute insect, which, but for her casual observation, might have lived and died unseen;--she felt--she knew that all was made for man's advantage or enjoyment, and that god was great and good. her orisons were short, but they were sincere; unlike the child who, night and morning, stammers through a "belief" which it cannot comprehend, and whose ideas of religion are, from injudicious treatment, too soon connected with feelings of impatience and disgust. curiosity has been much abused. from a habit we have contracted in this world of not calling things by their right names, it has been decried as a vice, whereas it ought to have been classed as a virtue. had adam first discovered the forbidden fruit, he would have tasted it, without, like eve, requiring the suggestions of the devil to urge him on to disobedience. but if by curiosity was occasioned the fall of man, it is the same passion by which he is spurred to rise again, and reappear only inferior to the deity. the curiosity of little minds may be impertinent; but the curiosity of great minds is the thirst for knowledge--the daring of our immortal powers--the enterprise of the soul, to raise itself again to its original high estate. it was curiosity which stimulated the great newton to search into the laws of heaven, and enabled his master-mind to translate the vast mysterious page of nature, ever before our eyes since the creation of the world, but never till he appeared, to be read by mortal man. it is this passion which must be nurtured in our childhood, for upon its healthy growth and vigour depend the future expansion of the mind. how little money need be expended to teach a child, and yet what a quantity of books we have to pay for! amber had hardly ever looked into a book, and yet she knew more, that is, had more general useful knowledge than others who were twice her age. how small was edward forster's little parlour--how humble the furniture it contained!--a carpet, a table, a few chairs, a small china vase, as an ornament, on the mantle-piece. how few were the objects brought to amber's view in their small secluded home! the plates and knives for dinner, a silver spoon or two, and their articles of wearing apparel. yet how endless, how inexhaustible was the amusement and instruction derived from these trifling sources!--for these were forster's books. the carpet--its hempen ground carried them to the north, from whence the material came, the inhabitants of the frozen world, their manners and their customs, the climate and their cities, their productions and their sources of wealth. its woollen surface, with its various dyes--each dye containing an episode of an island or a state, a point of natural history, or of art and manufacture. the mahogany table, like some magic vehicle, transported them in a second to the torrid zone, where the various tropical flowers and fruit, the towering cocoa-nut, the spreading palm, the broad-leaved banana, the fragrant pine--all that was indigenous to the country, all that was peculiar in the scenery and the clime, were pictured to the imagination of the delighted amber. the little vase upon the mantle-piece swelled into a splendid atlas of eastern geography, an inexhaustible folio, describing indian customs, the asiatic splendour of costume, the gorgeous thrones of the descendants of the prophet, the history of the prophet himself, the superior instinct and stupendous body of the elephant; all that edward forster had collected of nature or of art, through these extensive regions, were successively displayed, until they returned to china, from whence they had commenced their travels. thus did the little vase, like the vessel taken up by the fisherman in the arabian nights, contain a giant confined by the seal of solomon--knowledge. the knife and spoon brought food unto the mind as well as to the body. the mines were entered, the countries pointed out in which they were to be found, the various metals, their value, and the uses to which they were applied, the dress again led them abroad; the cotton hung in pods upon the tree, the silkworm spun its yellow tomb, all the process of manufacture was explained. the loom again was worked by fancy, until the article in comment was again produced. thus was amber instructed and amused; and thus, with nature for his hornbook, and art for his primer, did the little parlour of edward forster expand into "the universe." volume two, chapter seven. "they boast their noble birth; conduct us to the tombs of their forefathers, and from age to age ascending, trumpet to their illustrious race." cowper. devoted as he was to the instruction of his adopted child, edward forster was nevertheless aware that more was required in the education of a female than he was competent to fulfil. many and melancholy were his reveries on the forlorn prospects of the little girl (considering his own precarious life and the little chance that appeared of restoring her to her friends and relations), still he resolved that all that could should be done; the issue he left to providence. that she might not be cast wholly unknown upon the world, in case of his death, he had often taken amber to a neighbouring mansion, with the owner of which, lord aveleyn, he had long been on friendly terms; although, until latterly, he had declined mixing with the society which was there collected. many years before, the possessor had entered the naval service, and had, during the few months that he had served in the capacity of midshipman, been intrusted to the charge of edward forster. it is a curious fact, although little commented upon, how much society in general is affected by the entailment of property in aristocratical families upon the male heir; we may add, how much it is demoralised. the eldest son, accustomed from his earliest days to the flattery and adulation of dependents, is impressed with but one single idea, namely, that he is the fortunate person deputed by chance to spend so many thousands per annum, and that his brothers and sisters, with equal claims upon their parent, are to be almost dependent upon him for support. of this the latter are but too soon made conscious, by the difference of treatment which they experience from those around them; and feelings of envy and ill-will towards their eldest brother are but too often the result of such inequality. thus one of the greatest charms of life, unity between brethren, is destroyed. the possessor of the title and the estates is at last borne to his long home, there to lie until summoned before that presence where he and those who were kings, and those who were clowns, will stand trembling as erring men, awaiting the fiat of eternal justice. in his turn, the young lord revels in his youth. then how much more trying is the situation of the younger brothers. during their father's lifetime they had a home, and were brought up in scenes and with ideas commensurate with the fortune which had been entailed. now, they find themselves thrown upon the world, without the means of support, even adequate to their wants. like the steward in the parable, "they cannot dig, to beg they are ashamed;" and like him, they too often resort to unworthy means to supply their exigences. should the young heir prove sickly, what speculations on his demise! the worldly stake is so enormous, that the ties of nature are dissolved, and a brother rejoices at a brother's death! one generation is not sufficient to remove these feelings; the barrenness of his marriage bed, or the weakly state of his children, are successively speculated upon by the presumptive heir. let it not be supposed that i would infer this always to be the fact. i have put the extreme case, to point out what must ensue, according to the feelings of our nature, if care is not taken to prevent its occurrence. there is a cruelty, a more than cruelty, in parents bringing up their children with ideas which seldom can be realised, and rendering their future lives a pilgrimage of misery and discontent, if not of depravity. but the major part of our aristocracy are neither deficient in talent nor in worth. they set a bright example to the nobles of other countries, and very frequently even to the less demoralised society of our own. trammelled by the deeds of their forefathers, they employ every means in their power to remedy the evil, and a large proportion of their younger branches find useful and honourable employment in the army, the navy, or the church. but their numbers cannot all be provided for by these channels, and it is the country at large which is taxed to supply the means of sustenance to the younger scions of nobility; taxed directly in the shape of place and sinecure, indirectly in various ways, but in no way so heavily as by the monopoly of the east india company, which has so long been permitted to oppress the nation, that these _detrimentals_ (as they have named themselves) may be provided for. it is a well-known fact, that there is hardly a peer in the upper house, or many representatives of the people in the lower, who are not, or who anticipate to be, under some obligation to this company by their relations or connections being provided for in those distant climes; and it is this bribery (for bribery it is, in whatever guise it may appear) that upholds one of the most glaring, the most oppressive of all monopolies, in the face of common sense, common justice and common decency. other taxes are principally felt by the higher and middling classes; but this most odious, this most galling tax, is felt even in the cottage of the labourer, who cannot return to refresh himself after his day of toil with his favourite beverage without paying twice its value out of his hard-earned pittance, to swell the dividend of the company, and support these _pruriencies_ of noble blood. and yet, deprecating the evils arising from the system of entail, i must acknowledge that there are no other means by which (in a monarchical government) the desirable end of upholding rank is to be obtained. i remember once, when conversing with an american, i inquired after one or two of his countrymen, who but a few years before were of great wealth and influence. to one of my remarks he answered, "in our country all the wealth and power at the time attached to it does not prevent a name from sinking into insignificance, or from being forgotten soon after its possessor is dead, for we do not entail property. the distribution scatters the amassed heap, by which the world around him had been attracted; and although the distribution tends to the general fertilisation of the country, yet with the disappearance, the influence of the possessor and even his name are soon forgotten." these remarks, as will appear in the sequel, are apposite to the parties which i am about to introduce to the reader. as, however, they are people of some consequence, it may appear to be a want of due respect on my part, if i were to introduce them at the fag-end of a chapter. volume two, chapter eight. "'twas his the vast and trackless deep to rove, alternate change of climates has he known, and felt the fierce extremes of either zone, where polar skies congeal th' eternal snow, or equinoctial suns for ever glow; smote by the freezing or the scorching blast, a ship-boy on the high and giddy mast." falconer. the father of the present lord aveleyn had three sons, and, in conformity with the usages commented upon in the preceding chapter, the two youngest were condemned to the army and navy; the second, who had priority of choice, being dismissed to gather laurels in a red coat, while the third was recommended to do the same, if he could, in a suit of blue. fairly embarked in their several professions, a sum of fifty pounds per annum was placed in the hands of their respective agents, and no more was thought about a pair of "detrimentals." lord aveleyn's father, who had married late in life, was summoned away when the eldest brother of the present lord aveleyn, the heir, was yet a minor, about two years after he had embarked in the ship to which edward forster belonged. now it was the will of providence that, about six months after the old nobleman's decease, the young lord and his second brother, who had obtained a short furlough, should most unadvisedly embark in a small sailing boat on the lake close to the mansion, and that, owing to some mismanagement of the sail, the boat upset, and they were both drowned. as soon as the melancholy intelligence was made known to the trustees, a letter was despatched to captain l---, who commanded the ship in which young aveleyn was serving his time, acquainting him with the catastrophe, and requesting the immediate discharge of the young midshipman. the captain repaired on board; when he arrived on the quarter-deck, he desired the first-lieutenant to send down for young aveleyn. "he is at the mast-head, sir," replied the first-lieutenant, "for neglect of duty." "really, mr w---," replied the captain, who had witnessed the boy's _ascent_ at least a hundred times before with perfect indifference, and had often sent him up himself, "you appear to be very sharp upon that poor lad; you make no allowance for youth--boys will be boys." "he's the most troublesome young monkey in the ship sir," replied the first-lieutenant, surprised at this unusual interference. "he has always appeared to me to be a well-disposed, intelligent lad, mr w---; and i wish you to understand that i do not approve of this system of eternal mast-heading. however, he will not trouble you any more, as his discharge is to be immediately made out. he is now," continued the captain, pausing to give more effect to his communication, "lord aveleyn." "whew! now the murder's out," mentally exclaimed the first-lieutenant. "call him down immediately, mr w---, if you please--and recollect that i disapprove of the system." "certainly, sir; but really, captain l---, i don't know what i shall do if you restrict my power of punishing the young gentlemen; they are so extremely unruly. there's mr malcolm," continued the first-lieutenant, pointing to a youngster who was walking on the other side of the deck, with his hands in his pockets, "it was but yesterday that he chopped off at least four inches from the tail of your dog `ponto,' at the beef-block, and pretends it was an accident." "what! my setter's tail?" "yes, sir, he did, i can assure you." "mr malcolm," cried the captain, in great wrath, "how came you to cut off my dog's tail?" before i went to sea i had always considered a london cock-sparrow to be the truest emblem of consummate impudence; but i have since discovered that he is quite modest compared to a midshipman. "me, sir?" replied the youngster, demurely. "i didn't cut off his tail, sir; he _cut it off himself_!" "what, sir!" roared the captain. "if you please, sir, i was chopping a piece of beef, and the dog, who was standing by, turned short round, and put his tail under the chopper." "put his tail under the chopper, you little scamp!" replied captain l---, in a fury. "now just put your head above the maintop-gallant cross-trees, and stay there until you are called down. mr w---, you'll keep him up till sunset." "ay, ay, sir," replied the first-lieutenant, with a satisfactory smile at the description of punishment inflicted. when i was a midshipman, it was extremely difficult to avoid the mast-head. out of six years served in that capacity, i once made a calculation that two of them were passed away perched upon the cross-trees, looking down, with calm philosophy, upon the microcosm below. yet, although i _never_ deserved it, i derived much future advantage from my repeated punishments. the mast-head, for want of something _worse_ to do, became my study; and during the time spent there, i in a manner finished my education. volumes after volumes were perused to while away the tedious hours; and i conscientiously believe it is to this mode of punishment adopted by my rigid superiors that the world is indebted for all the pretty books which i am writing. i was generally exalted either for _thinking_ or _not thinking_; and as i am not aware of any medium between the active and passive state of our minds (except dreaming, which is still more unpardonable), the reader may suppose that there is no exaggeration in my previous calculation of one-third of my midshipman existence having been passed away upon "the high and giddy mast." "mr m---," would the first-lieutenant cry out, "why did you stay so long on shore with the jolly-boat?" "i went to the post-office for the officers' letters, sir." "and pray, sir, who ordered you?" "no one, sir; but i _thought_--" "you _thought_, sir! how dare _you think_?--go up to the mast-head, sir." so much for _thinking_. "mr m---," would he say at another time, when i came on board, "did you call at the admiral's office?" "no, sir; i had no orders. i didn't _think_--" "then why _didn't you think_, sir? up to the mast-head, and stay there till i call you down." so much for _not thinking_. like the fable of the wolf and the lamb, it was all the same; bleat as i pleased, my defence was useless, and i could not avert my barbarous doom. to proceed: captain l--- went over the side; the last pipe had been given, and the boatswain had returned his call into his jacket-pocket, and walked forward, when the first-lieutenant, in pursuance of his orders, looked up aloft, intending to have hailed the new lord, and have requested the pleasure of his company on deck; but the youngster, feeling a slight degree of appetite, after enjoying the fresh air for seven hours without any breakfast, had just ventured down the topmast rigging, that he might obtain possession of a bottle of tea and some biscuit, which one of his messmates had carried up for him, and stowed away in the bunt of the maintopsail. young aveleyn, who thought that the departure of the captain would occupy the attention of the first-lieutenant, had just descended to, and was placing his foot on, the topsail yard, when mr w--- looked up, and witnessed this act of disobedience. as this was a fresh offence committed, he thought himself warranted in not complying with the captain's mandate, and the boy was ordered up again, to remain till sunset. "i would have called him down," muttered mr w---, whose temper had been soured from long disappointment; "but since he's a lord, he shall have a good spell of it before he quits the service; and then we shall not have his recommendation to others in his own rank to come into it, and interfere with our promotion." now, it happened that mr w---, who had an eye like a hawk, when he cast his eyes aloft, observed that the bunt of the maintopsail was not exactly so well stowed as it ought to be on board of a man-of-war; which is not to be wondered at, when it is recollected that the midshipmen had been very busy enlarging it to make a pantry. he therefore turned the hands up, "mend sails," and took his station amidship on the booms, to see that this, the most delinquent sail, was properly furled. "trice up--lay out--all ready forward?"--"all ready, sir."--"all ready abaft?"--"all ready, sir."--"let fall."--down came the sails from the yards, and down also came the bottle of tea and biscuit upon the face of the first-lieutenant, who was looking up; the former knocking out three of his front teeth, besides splitting open both his lips and chin. young aveleyn, who witnessed the catastrophe, was delighted; the other midshipmen on deck crowded round their superior, to offer their condolements, winking and making faces at each other in by-play, until the first-lieutenant descended to his cabin, when they no longer restrained their mirth. about an hour afterwards, mr w--- reappeared, with his face bound up, and summoned all the young gentlemen on deck, insisting upon being informed who it was who had stowed away the bottle in the bunt of the sail; but midshipmen have most treacherous memories, and not one of them knew anything about it. as a last resource, young aveleyn was called down from the mast-head. "now, sir," said mr w---, "either inform me directly who it was who stowed away the bottle aloft, or i pledge you my word you shall be discharged from his majesty's service tomorrow morning. don't pretend to say that you don't know--for you must." "i do know," replied the youngster, boldly; "but i never will tell." "then either you or i shall leave the service. man the first cutter;" and when the boat was manned, the first-lieutenant sent some papers on shore, which he had been desired to do by the captain. when the boat returned, the clerk was sent for, and desired by mr w--- to make out mr aveleyn's discharge, as the officers and midshipmen thought (for mr w--- had kept his secret), for his disobedient conduct. the poor boy, who thought all his prospects blighted, was sent on shore, the tears running down his cheeks, as much from the applause and kind farewells of his shipmates, as from the idea of the degradation which he underwent. now, the real culprit was young malcolm, who, to oblige the captain, had taken his station at the foretop-gallant mast-head, because the dog "ponto" thought proper to cut off his own tail. the first-lieutenant, in his own woe, forgot that of others; and it was not until nine o'clock at night, that malcolm, who thought that he had stayed up quite long enough, ventured below, when he was informed of what had taken place. the youngster immediately penned a letter to the captain acknowledging that he was the offender, and requesting that mr aveleyn might not be discharged from the service; he also ventured to add a postscript, begging that the same lenity might be extended towards himself; which letter was sent on shore by the captain's gig, when it left the ship the next morning, and was received by captain l--- at the very same time that young aveleyn, who had not been sent on shore till late in the evening, called upon the captain to request a reprieve from his hard sentence. the boy sent up his name and was immediately admitted. "i presume you know why you are discharged from the service?" said captain l---, smiling benignantly. "yes, sir," replied the boy, holding his head down submissively, "because of that accident--i'm very sorry, sir." "of course you must, and ought to be. such heavy blows are not common, and hard to bear. i presume you go immediately to buckhurst?" "i suppose i must, sir; but i hope, captain l---, that you'll look over it." "i shall have very great pleasure in so doing," replied captain l---; "i hear that it is--" "thanky, sir, thanky," replied the youngster, interrupting the captain. "then i may go on board again and tell the first-lieutenant?" "tell the first-lieutenant what?" cried captain l---, perceiving some mistake. "why, has not mr w--- told you?" "yes, sir, he told me it was your orders that i should be dismissed his majesty's service." "discharged--not dismissed. and i presume he told you why: because your two elder brothers are dead, and you are now lord aveleyn." "no, sir!" cried the youngster with astonishment; "because his three front teeth are knocked out with a bottle of _scaldchops_ and i would not peach who stowed it away in the bunt of the sail." "this is excessively strange!" replied captain l---. "do me the favour to sit down, my lord; the letters from the ship will probably explain the affair." there was, however, no explanation, except from young malcolm. the captain read his letter, and put it into the hands of lord aveleyn, who entered into a detail of the whole. captain l--- produced the letter from the trustees, and, desiring his lordship to command him as to any funds he might require, requested the pleasure of his company to dinner. the boy, whose head wheeled with the sudden change in his prospects, was glad to retire, having first obtained permission to return on board with young malcolm's pardon, which had been most graciously acceded to. to the astonishment of everybody on board, young aveleyn came alongside in the captain's own gig, when the scene in the midshipmen's berth and the discomfiture of the first-lieutenant may be imagined. "you don't belong to the service, frank," said the old master's mate; "and, as peer of the realm, coming on board to visit the ship, you are entitled to a salute. send up and say you expect one, and then w--- must have the guard up, and pay you proper respect. i'll be hanged if i don't take the message, if you consent to it." but lord aveleyn had come on board to pay a debt of gratitude, not to inflict mortification. he soon quitted the ship, promising never to forget malcolm; and, unlike the promises of most great men, it was fulfilled, and malcolm rose to be a captain from his own merit, backed by the exertions of his youthful patron. for the next week the three mast-heads were so loaded with midshipmen, that the boatswain proposed a preventer backstay, that the top-masts might not go over the side; but shortly after, captain l---, who was not pleased at the falsehood which mr w--- had circulated, and who had many other reasons for parting with him, succeeded in having him appointed to another ship; after which the midshipmen walked up and down the quarter-deck with their hands in their pockets, as before. volume two, chapter nine. but adeline determined juan's wedding in her own mind, and that's enough for woman; but then with whom? there was the sage miss redding, miss raw, miss flaw, miss showman, and miss knowman, and the two fair co-heiresses giltbedding. she deem'd his merits something more than common. all these were unobjectionable matches, and might go on, if well wound up, like watches. byron. the young lord aveleyn returned to the hall of his ancestors, exchanging the gloomy cockpit for the gay saloon, the ship's allowance for sumptuous fare, the tyranny of his mess-mates and the harshness of his superiors for adulation and respect. was he happier? no. in this world, whether in boyhood or riper years, the happiest state of existence is when under control. although contrary to received opinion, this is a fact; but i cannot now stop to demonstrate the truth of the assertion. life may be compared to a gamut of music: there are seven notes from our birth to our marriage, and thus may we run up the first octave; milk, sugar-plums, apples, cricket, cravat, gun, horse; then comes the wife, a _da capo_ to a new existence, which is to continue until the whole diapason is gone through. lord aveleyn ran up his scale like others before him. "why do you not marry, my dear frank?" said the dowager lady aveleyn, one day, when a thick fog debarred her son of his usual pastime. "why, mother, i have no objection to marry, and i suppose i must one of these days, as a matter of duty; but i really am very difficult, and if i were to make a bad choice, you know a wife is not like this gun, which will go _off_ when i please." "but still my dear frank, there are many very eligible matches to be made just now." "i do not doubt it, madam; but pray who are they?" "why, miss riddlesworth." "a very pretty girl, and i am told a large fortune. but let me hear the others first." "clara beauchamp, well connected, and a very sweet girl." "granted also, for any thing i know to the contrary. have you more on your list?" "certainly. emily riddlesdale; not much fortune, but very highly connected indeed. her brother, lord riddlesdale is a man of great influence." "her want of money is no object, my dear mother, and the influence of her brother no inducement. i covet neither. i grant you that she is a very nice girl. proceed." "why, frank, one would think that you were a sultan with his handkerchief. there is lady selina armstrong." "well, she is a very fine girl, and talks well." "there is harriet butler, who has just come out." "i saw her at the last ball we were at--a very pretty creature." "lady jemima calthorpe." "not very good-looking, but clever and agreeable." "there is louisa manners, who is very much admired." "i admire her very much myself." "well, frank, you have exhausted my catalogue. there is not one i have mentioned who is not unexceptionable, and whom i would gladly embrace as a daughter-in-law. you are now turned of forty, my dear son, and must make up your mind to have heirs to the title and estates. i am however afraid that your admiration is so general, that you will be puzzled in your choice." "i will confess to you, my dearest mother, that i have many years thought of the necessity of taking to myself a wife, but have never yet had courage to decide. i admit that if all the young women you have mentioned were what they appear to be, a man need not long hesitate in his choice; but the great difficulty is, that their real tempers and dispositions are not to be ascertained till it is too late. allow that i should attempt to discover the peculiar disposition of every one of them, what would be the consequence?--that my attentions would be perceived. i do not exactly mean to accuse them of deceit; but a woman is naturally flattered by perceiving herself an object of attraction; and, when flattered, is pleased. it is not likely, therefore, that the infirmities of her temper (if she have any) should be discovered by a man whose presence is a source of gratification. if artful, she will conceal her faults; if not so there will be no occasion to bring them to light. and even if, after a long courtship, something wrong should be discovered, either you have proceeded too far in honour to retract, or are so blinded by your own feelings as to extenuate it. now it is only the parents and near relations of a young woman who can be witnesses to her real character, unless it be indeed her own maid, whom one could not condescend to interrogate." "that is all very true, frank; but recollect the same observations apply to your sex as well as ours. lovers and husbands are very different beings. it is quite a lottery on both sides." "i agree with you, my dear mother; and as marry i must, so shall it be a lottery with me; i will leave it to chance, and not to myself: then, if i am unfortunate, i will blame my stars and not have to accuse myself of a want of proper discrimination." lord aveleyn took up a sheet of paper, and dividing it into small slips, wrote upon them the names of the different young ladies proposed by his mother. folding them up, he threw them on the table before her, and requested that she would select any one of the papers. the dowager took up one. "i thank you, madam," said lord aveleyn, taking the paper from her hand, and opening it--"`louisa manners.' well, then, louisa manners it shall be; always provided that she does not refuse me. i will make my first advances this very afternoon; that is, if it does not clear up, and i can take out the pointers." "you surely are joking, frank?" "never was more serious. i have my mother's recommendation, backed by fate. marry i must, but choose i will not. i feel myself desperately in love with the fair louisa already. i will report my progress to you, my dear madam, in less than a fortnight." lord aveleyn adhered to his singular resolution, courted, and was accepted. he never had reason to repent his choice; who proved to be as amiable as her countenance would have indicated. the fruits of his marriage was one son, who was watched over with mingled pride and anxiety, and who had now arrived at the age of fifteen years. such was the history of lord aveleyn, who continued to extend his friendship to edward forster, and if he had required it, would gladly have proffered his assistance, in return for the kindness which forster had shown towards him when he was a midshipman. the circumstances connected with the history of the little amber were known to lord aveleyn and his lady, and the wish of forster, that his little charge should derive the advantage of mixing in good female society, was gladly acceded to, both on his account and on her own. amber would often remain for days at the mansion, and was a general favourite, as well as an object of sympathy. but the growth of their son, too rapid for his years, and which brought with it symptoms of pulmonary disease, alarmed lord and lady aveleyn; and by the advice of the physicians, they broke up their establishment, and hastened with him to madeira, to re-establish his health. their departure was deeply felt both by forster and his charge; and before they could recover from the loss; another severe trial awaited them in the death of mrs beazeley, who, full of years and rheumatism, was gathered to her fathers. forster, habituated as he was to the old lady, felt her loss severely; he was now with amber, quite alone; and it so happened that in the following winter his wound broke out, and confined him to his bed until the spring. as he lay in a precarious state, the thought naturally occurred to him, "what will become of this poor child if i am called away? there is not the slightest provision for her: she has no friends; and i have not even made it known to any of my own that there is such a person in existence." edward forster thought of his brother, the lawyer, whom he knew still to be flourishing, although he had never corresponded with him, and resolved that as soon as he was able to undertake the journey, he would go to town, and secure his interest for the little amber, in case of any accident happening to himself. the spring and summer passed away before he found himself strong enough to undertake the journey. it was late in the autumn that edward forster and amber took their places in a heavy coach for the metropolis, and arrived without accident on the day or two subsequent to that on which nicholas and newton had entered it on foot. newton forster--captain marryat volume two, chapter ten. through coaches, drays, choked turnpikes, and a whirl of wheels, and roar of voices, and confusion, here taverns wooing to a pint of "purl," there mails fast flying off; like a delusion. through this, and much and more, is the approach of travellers to mighty babylon; whether they come by horse, or chair, or coach, with slight exceptions, all the ways seem one. byron. when newton forster and his father arrived at london, they put up at an obscure inn in the borough. the next day newton set off to discover the residence of his uncle. the people of the inn had recommended him to apply to some stationer or bookseller, who would allow him to look over a red-book; and in compliance with these instructions, newton stopped at a shop in fleet-street, on the doors of which was written in large gilt letters--"law bookseller." the young men in the shop were very civil and obliging, and, without referring to the guide, immediately told him the residence of a man so well known as his uncle; and newton hastened in the direction pointed out. it was one of those melancholy days in which london wears the appearance of a huge scavenger's cart. a lurid fog and mizzling rain, which had been incessant for the previous twenty-four hours; sloppy pavements, and kennels down which the muddy torrents hastened to precipitate themselves in the sewers below; armies of umbrellas, as far as the eye could reach, now rising, now lowering, to avoid collision; hackney-coaches in active sloth, their miserable cattle plodding along with their backs arched and heads and tails drooping like barn-door fowls crouching under the cataract of a gutter; clacking of pattens and pestering of sweepers; not a smile upon the countenance of one individual of the multitude which passed him;--all appeared anxiety, bustle, and selfishness. newton was not sorry when he turned down the narrow court which had been indicated to him, and, disengaged from the throng of men, commenced a more rapid course. in two minutes he was at the door of his uncle's chambers, which, notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather, stood wide open, as if there should be no obstacle in a man's way, or a single moment for reflection allowed him, if he wished to entangle himself in the expenses and difficulties of the law. newton furled his weeping umbrella, and first looking with astonishment at the mud which had accumulated above the calves of his legs, raised his eyes to the jambs on each side, where in large letters, he read at the head of a long list of occupants, "mr forster, ground floor." a door with mr forster's name on it, within a few feet of him, next caught his eye. he knocked, and was admitted by the clerk, who stated that his master was at a consultation, but was expected back in half an hour, if he could wait so long. newton assented, and was ushered into the parlour, where the clerk presented the newspaper of the day to amuse him until the arrival of his uncle. as soon as the door was closed newton's curiosity as to the character of his uncle induced him to scrutinise the apartment and its contents. in the centre of the room, which might have been about fourteen feet square, stood a table, with a shadow lamp placed before the only part of it which was left vacant for the use of the pen. the remainder of the space was loaded with parchment upon parchment, deed upon deed, paper upon paper. some, especially those underneath, had become dark and discoloured by time; the ink had changed to a dull red, and the imprint of many a thumb inferred how many years they had been in existence, and how long they had lain as sad mementos of the law's delay. others were fresh and clean, the japanned ink in strong contrast with the glossy parchment, new cases of litigation fresh as the hopes of those who had been persuaded by flattering assurances to enter into a labyrinth of vexation, from which, perhaps, not to be extricated until these documents should assume the hue of the others, which silently indicated the blighted hopes of protracted litigation. two massive iron chests occupied the walls on each side of the fireplace; and round the whole area of the room were piled one upon another large tin boxes, on which, in legible roman characters, were written the names of the parties whose property was thus immured. there they stood like so many sepulchres of happiness, mausoleums raised over departed competence, while the names of the parties inscribed appeared as so many registers of the folly and contention of man. but from all this newton could draw no other conclusion than that his uncle had plenty of business. the fire in the grate was on so small a scale, that although he shivered with wet and cold, newton was afraid to stir it, lest it should go out altogether. from this circumstance he drew a hasty and unsatisfactory conclusion that his uncle was not very partial to spending his money. but he hardly had time to draw these inferences and then take up the newspaper, when the door opened, and another party was ushered into the room by the clerk, who informed him, as he handed a chair, that mr forster would return in a few minutes. the personage thus introduced was a short young man, with a round face, bushy eyebrows, and dogged countenance, implying wilfulness, without ill-nature. as soon as he entered he proceeded to divest his throat of a large shawl, which he hung over the back of a chair; then doffing his great-coat, which was placed in a similar position, he rubbed his hands, and walked up to the fire, into which he insinuated the poker, and immediately destroyed the small symptoms of combustion which remained, reducing the whole to one chaos of smoke. "better have left it alone, i believe," observed he, re-inserting the poker, and again stirring up the black mass, for the fire was now virtually defunct. "you're not cold, i hope, sir?" said the party, turning to newton. "no, sir, not very," replied newton, good-humouredly. "i thought so; clients never are; nothing like law for _keeping you warm_, sir. always bring on your cause in the winter months. i do, if i can, for it's positive suffocation in the dog-days!" "i really never was _at law_," replied newton, laughing; "but if ever i have the misfortune, i shall recollect your advice." "never was at law! i was going to say, what the devil brings you here? but that would have been an impertinent question.--well, sir, do you know there was a time at which i never knew what law was," continued the young man, seating himself in a chair opposite to newton. "it was many years ago, when i was a younger brother and had no property: no one took the trouble to go to law with me; for if they gained their cause there were no effects. within the last six years i have inherited a considerable property, and am always in hot water. i heard that the lawyers say, `causes produce effects.' i am sure i can say that `effects have produced causes!'" "i am sorry that your good fortune should be coupled with such a drawback." "oh, it's nothing! it's just to a man what a clog is to a horse in a field, you know pretty well where to find him. i'm so used to it-- indeed so much so, that i should feel rather uncomfortable if i had nothing on my hands: just keeps me from being idle. i've been into every court in the metropolis, and have no fault to find with one of them, except the court of rights." "and pray, sir, what is that court, and the objection you have to it?" "why, as to the court, it's the most confounded rascal; but i must be careful how i speak before strangers, you'll excuse me, sir (not that i suspect you, but i know what may be considered as a libel). i shall therefore just state, that it is a court at which no gentleman can appear; and if he does, it's of no use, for he'll never get a verdict in his favour." "what, then it is not a court of justice?" "court of justice! no, it's a court for the recovery of small debts: but i'll just tell you, sir, exactly what took place with me in that court, and then you will be able to judge for yourself. i had a dog; sir, it was just after i came into my property; his name was caesar, and a very good dog he was. well, sir, riding out one day about four miles from town, a rabbit put his nose out of a cellar, where they retailed potatoes. caesar pounced upon him, and the rabbit was dead in a moment. the man who owned the rabbit and the potatoes, came up to me and asked my name, which i told him; at the same time, i expressed my sorrow at the accident, and advised him in future to keep his rabbits in hutches. he said he would, and demanded three shillings and sixpence for the one which the dog had killed. now, although he was welcome to advice, money was quite another thing; so he went one way, muttering something about law, and i another, with caesar at my heels, taking no notice of his threat. well, sir, in a few days my servant came up to say that somebody wished to see me upon _particular_ business, and i ordered him to be shown up. it was a blackguard-looking fellow, who put a piece of dirty paper in my hand; summoned me to appear at some dog-hole or another, i forget where. not understanding the business, i enclosed it to a legal friend, who returned an answer, that it was a summons to the court of rights; that no gentleman could go there; and that i had better let the thing take its course. i had forgotten all about it, when, in a few days, a piece of paper was brought to me, by which i found that the court adjudged me to pay pound, shillings, pence, for damages and costs. i asked who brought it, and was told it was the son of the potato-merchant, accompanied by a tipstaff. i requested the pleasure of their company, and asked the legal gentleman what it was for. "`eighteen shillings, for ten rabbits destroyed by your dog, and shillings, pence, for costs of court.' "`ten rabbits!' exclaimed i; `why he only killed one.' "`yes, sir,' squeaked out the young potato-merchant; `but it was a doe rabbit, in the family way; we counted nine young ones, all killed too!' "`shameful!' replied i. `pray, sir, did your father tell the court that the rabbits were not born?' "`no, sir; father only said that there was one doe rabbit and nine little ones killed. he asked shillings, pence, for the old one, but only shilling, pence a-piece for the young ones.' "`you should have been there yourself, sir,' observed the tipstaff. "`i wish caesar had left the rabbit alone. so it appears,' replied i, `he only asked shillings, pence, at first; but by this _caesarean operation_, i am nineteen shillings out of pocket.'--now, sir, what do you think of that?" "i think that you should exclaim against the dishonesty of the potato-merchant, rather than the judgment of the court. had you defended your own cause, you might have had justice." "i don't know that. a man makes a claim against another, and takes his oath to it; you must then either disprove it, or pay the sum; your own oath is of no avail against his. i called upon my legal friend, and told him how i had been treated, and he then narrated the following circumstance, which will explain what i mean:-- "he told me that he never knew of but one instance in which a respectable person had gained his cause, and in which, he was ashamed to say, that he was a party implicated. the means resorted to were as follows:--a jew upholsterer sent in a bill to a relation of his for a chest of drawers, which had never been purchased or received. refusing to pay, he was summoned to the court of rights. not knowing how to act, he applied to my informant, who, being under some obligations to his relative, did not like to refuse. "`i am afraid that you'll have to pay,' said the attorney to his relation, when he heard the story. "`but i never had them, i can swear to it.' "`that's of no consequence; he will bring men to swear to the delivery. there are hundreds about the court who are ready to take any oath, at half-a-crown a head; and that will be sufficient. but, to oblige you, i'll see what i can do.' "they parted, and in a day or two my legal acquaintance called upon his relation, and told him that he had gained his cause. `rather at the expense of my conscience, i must acknowledge,' continued he; `but one must fight these scoundrels with their own weapons.' "`well, and how was it?' inquired the other. "`why, as i prophesied, he brought three men forward, who swore to the delivery of the goods. aware that this would be the case, i had provided three others, who swore to their having been witness to the _payment of the bill_! this he was not prepared for; and the verdict was given in your favour.'" "is it possible," exclaimed newton, "that such a court of belial can exist in england?" "even so; and, as there is no appeal, pray keep out of it. for my--" but here the conversation was interrupted by the entrance of mr john forster, who had returned from his consultation. we have already described mr john forster's character; we have now only to introduce his person. mr john forster was about the middle height, rather inclined to corpulency, but with great show of muscular strength. his black nether garments and silk stockings, fitted a leg which might have been envied by a porter, and his breadth of shoulder was extreme. he had a slouch, probably contracted by long pouring over the desk; and his address was as abrupt as his appearance was unpolished. his forehead was large and bald, eye small and brilliant, and his cheeks had dropped down so as to increase the width of his lower jaw. deep, yet not harsh, lines were imprinted on the whole of his countenance, which indicated inflexibility and self-possession. "good morning, gentlemen," said he, as he entered the room; "i hope you have not been waiting long. may i request the pleasure of knowing who came first? `first come, first served,' is an old motto." "i _believe_ this gentleman came first," replied the young man. "don't you _know_, sir? is it only a _believe_?" "i did arrive first, sir," replied newton; "but as i am not here upon legal business, i had rather wait until this gentleman has spoken to you." "not upon legal business--humph!" replied mr forster, eyeing newton. "well, then, if that is the case, do me the favour to sit down in the office until i have communicated with this gentleman." newton, taking up his hat, walked out of the door, which was opened by mr forster, and sat down in the next room until he should be summoned. although the door between them was closed, it was easy to hear the sound of the voices within. for some minutes they fell upon newton's ears; that of the young man like the loud yelping of a cur; that of his uncle like the surly growl of some ferocious beast. at last the door opened:-- "but, sir," cried the young man, _in alto_. "_pay_, sir, _pay_! i tell you _pay_!" answered the lawyer, in a stentorian voice. "but he has cheated me, sir!" "never mind--pay!" "charged twice their value, sir!" "i tell you, pay!" "but, sir, such imposition!" "i have told you twenty times, sir, and now tell you again--and for the last time--_pay_!" "won't you take up my cause, sir, then?" "no, sir! i have given you advice, and will not pick your pocket!--good morning, sir;" and mr forster, who had backed his client out of the room, shut the door in his face, to prevent further discussion. the young man looked a moment at the door after it was closed, and then turned round to newton. "if yours is really law business, take my advice, don't stay to see him; i'll take you to a man who _is_ a lawyer. here you'll get no law at all." "thank-ye," replied newton, laughing, "but mine really is not law business." the noise of the handle of the door indicated that mr forster was about to reopen it, to summon newton; and the young man, with a hasty good morning, brushed by newton, and hastened into the street. volume two, chapter eleven. _hamlet_. is not parchment made of sheepskin? _horatio_. ay, my lord, and of calves' skins too. _hamlet_. they are sheep and calves which seek out their assurance in that-- shakespeare. the door opened, as intimated at the end of our last chapter, and newton obeyed the injunction from the lawyer's eye to follow him into the room. "now, sir, your pleasure?" said mr forster. "i must introduce myself," replied newton: "i am your nephew, newton forster." "humph! where's your documents in proof of your assertion?" "i did not consider that any thing further than my word was necessary. i am the son of your brother, nicholas forster, who resided many years at overton." "i never heard of overton: nicholas i recollect to have been the name of my third brother; but it is upwards of thirty years since i have seen or heard of him. i did not know whether he was alive or dead. well, for the sake of argument, we'll allow that you are my nephew--what then?" newton coloured up at this peculiar reception. "what then, uncle?--why i did hope that you would have been glad to have seen me; but as you appear to be otherwise, i will wish you good morning;"--and newton moved towards the door. "stop, young man; i presume that you did not come for nothing? before you go, tell me what you came for." "to tell you the truth," replied newton, with emotion, "it was to ask your assistance and your advice; but--" "but jumping up in a huff is not the way to obtain either. sit down on that chair, and tell me what you came for." "to request you would interest yourself in behalf of my father and myself; we are both out of employ, and require your assistance." "or probably i never should have seen you!" "most probably: we knew that you were in good circumstances, and thriving in the world; and as long as we could support ourselves honestly, should not have thrust ourselves upon you. all we wish now is that you will, by your interest and recommendation, put us in the way of being again independent by our own exertions; which we did not consider too much to ask from a brother, and an uncle." "humph!--so first you keep aloof from me, because you knew that i was able to assist you, and now you come to me for the same reason!" "had we received the least intimation from you that our presence would have been welcome, you would have seen us before." "perhaps so; but i did not know whether i had any relations alive." "had i been in your circumstances, uncle, i should have inquired." "humph!--well, young man, as i find that i have relations, i should like to hear a little about them;--so now tell me all about your father and yourself." newton entered into a detail of the circumstances, with which the reader is already acquainted. when he had finished, his uncle, who had listened with profound attention, his eye fixed upon that of newton, as if to read his inmost thoughts, said, "it appears, then, that your father wishes to prosecute his business as optician. i am afraid that i cannot help him. i wear spectacles certainly when i read; but this pair has lasted me eleven years, and probably will as many more. you wish me to procure you a situation in an east indiaman as third or fourth mate. i know nothing about the sea; i never saw it in my life; nor am i aware that i have a sailor in my acquaintance." "then, uncle, i will take my leave." "not so fast, young man; you said that you wanted my _assistance_ and my _advice_. my assistance i cannot promise you for the reasons i have stated; but my advice is at your service. is it a legal point?" "not exactly, sir," replied newton, who was mortified almost to tears; "still i must acknowledge that i now more than ever wish that the articles were in safe keeping, and out of my hands." newton then entered into a detail of the trunk being picked up at sea; and stated his having brought with him the most valuable of the property, that it might be deposited in safe bands. "humph!" observed his uncle, when he had finished. "you say that the articles are of value." "those who are judges consider the diamonds and the other articles to be worth nearly one hundred pounds; i cannot pretend to say what their real value is." "and you have had these things in your possession these seven years?" "i have, sir." "did it never occur to you, since you have been in distress, that the sale of these articles would have assisted you?" "it often has occurred to me, when i have found that the little i could earn was not sufficient for my father's support; but we had already decided that the property was not _legally mine_, and i dismissed the idea as soon as i could from my thoughts. since then i have ascertained to whom the property belongs, and of course it has become more sacred." "you said a minute ago that you now more than ever wished the property in safe keeping. why so?" "because, disappointed in the hopes i had entertained of receiving your assistance, i foresaw that we should have more difficulties than ever to struggle against, and wished not to be in the way of temptation." "you were right. well, then bring me those articles to-morrow, by one o'clock precisely; i will take charge of them, and give you a receipt. good morning, nephew; very happy to have had the pleasure of making your acquaintance. remember me kindly to my brother, and tell him i shall be happy to see him at one, precisely." "good morning, sir," replied newton, with a faltering voice, as he hurried away to conceal his disappointment and indignation, which he felt at this cool reception and dismissal. "not _legally_ mine--humph! i like that boy," muttered the old lawyer to himself, when newton had disappeared.--"scratton!" "yes, sir," replied the clerk, opening the door. "fill up a check for five hundred pounds, self or bearer, and bring it to me to sign." "yes, sir." "is it this evening or to-morrow, that i attend the arbitration meeting?" "this evening, seven o'clock." "what is the name of the party by whom i am employed?" "bosanquet, sir." "east india director, is he not?" "yes, sir." "humph!--that will do." the clerk brought in the draft, which was put into his pocket-book without being signed; his coat was then buttoned up, and mr john forster repaired to the chop-house, at which for twenty-five years he had seldom failed to make his appearance at the hour of three or four at the latest. it was with a heavy heart that newton returned to the inn in the borough, at which he left his father, whom he found looking out of window, precisely in the same seat and position where he had left him. "well, newton, my boy, did you see my brother?" "yes, sir; but i am sorry to say that i have little hopes of his being of service to us." newton then entered into a narration of what had passed. "why really, newton," said his father in his single-heartedness, "i do not see such cause of despair. if he did doubt your being his nephew, how could he tell that you were? and if he had no interest with naval people why it's not his fault. as for my expecting him to break his spectacles on purpose to buy new ones of me, that's too much, and it would be foolish on his part. he said that he was very happy to have made your acquaintance, and that he should be glad to see me. i really don't know what more you could expect. i will call upon him to-morrow, since he wishes it. at five o'clock precisely, don't you say?" "no, sir, at one." "well, then, at one; those who have nothing to do must suit their hours to those who are full of business. recollect now, two o'clock precisely." "one o'clock, sir." "ay, very true, one o'clock i meant; now let's go to dinner." nicholas forster appeared in excellent spirits: and newton, who did not like to undeceive him, was glad to retire at an early hour, that he might be left to his own reflections, and form some plan as to their proceedings in consequence of this unexpected disappointment. volume two, chapter twelve. "now, by two-headed janus, nature hath framed strange fellows in her time; some that will ever more peep through their eyes, and laugh like parrots at a bagpiper; and others of such vinegar aspect, that they'll not show their teeth in way of smile, though nestor swear the jest be laughable." shakespeare. the next forenoon nicholas and his son left the inn in good time to keep their appointment. the weather had changed, and the streets through which they passed were crowded with people who had taken advantage of the fine weather to prosecute business which had admitted of being postponed. nicholas, who stared every way except the right, received many shoves and pushes, at which he expostulated, without the parties taking even the trouble to look behind them as they continued their course. this conduct produced a fit of reverie, out of which he was soon roused by another blow on the shoulder, which would twist him half round; and thus he continued in an alternate state of reverie and excitement, until he was dragged by newton to his brother's chambers. the clerk, who had been ordered to admit them, opened the parlour-door, where they found mr john forster, sitting at his table, with his spectacles on, running through brief. "your servant, young man.--nicholas forster, i presume," said he, taking his eyes off the brief, and looking at forster without rising from his chair--"how do ye do, brother?" "are you my brother john?" interrogated nicholas. "i am john forster," replied the lawyer. "well, then, i am really very glad to see you, brother," said nicholas, extending his hand, which was taken with a `humph!'--(a minute's pause.) "young man, you're ten minutes fast your time," said john, turning to newton. "i told you _one o'clock precisely_." "i am afraid so," replied newton; "but the streets were crowded, and my father stopped several times." "why did he stop?" "to expostulate with those who elbowed him: he is not used to it." "he soon will be, if he stays here long.--brother nicholas," said forster, turning round, but perceiving that nicholas had taken up his watch, and was examining the interior, his intended remark was changed. "brother nicholas, what are you doing with my watch?" "it's very dirty," replied nicholas, continuing his examination; "it must be taken to pieces." "indeed it shall not," replied john. "don't be alarmed, i'll do it myself, and charge you nothing." "indeed you will not do it yourself, brother. my watch goes very well, when it's left alone.--do me the favour to hand it to me." nicholas shut up the watch, and handed it to his brother over the table. "it ought not to go well in that state, brother." "but i tell you that _it does_, brother," replied john, putting the watch into his fob. "i have brought the things that i mentioned, sir," said newton, taking them out of his handkerchief. "very well, have you the inventory?" "yes, sir, here it is." "number . a diamond ring." "number . ---." "i should rather think that they were number ," observed nicholas, who had taken up his brother's spectacles. "you're not very short-sighted, brother." "i am not, brother nicholas;--will you oblige me by giving me my spectacles?" "yes, i'll wipe them for you first," said nicholas, commencing his polish with an old cotton handkerchief. "thanky, thanky, brother, that will do," replied john, holding out his hand for the spectacles, which he immediately put in the case and conveyed into his pocket. the lawyer then continued the inventory. "it is all right, young man; and i will sign a receipt." the receipt was signed, and the articles deposited in the iron chest. "now, brother nicholas, i have no time to spare; have you any thing to say to me?" "no," replied nicholas, starting up. "well, then, i have something to say to you. in the first place, i cannot help you in your profession (as i told my nephew yesterday). neither can i afford you any time, which is precious; so good bye, brother. here is something for you to read, when you go home." john forster took out his pocket-book, and gave him a sealed letter. "nephew, although i never saw the sea, or knew a sailor in my life, yet the law pervades every where. an east india director, who is under obligations to me, has promised a situation for you as third-mate on board of the bombay castle. here is his address; call upon him, and all will be arranged. _you_ may come here again before you sail; and i expect you will make proper arrangements for your father, who, if i can judge from what i have already seen, will lose that paper i have given him, which contains what is not to be picked up every day." nicholas was in a deep reverie; the letter had dropped from his hand, and had fallen, unnoticed by him, on the carpet. newton picked it up, and, without nicholas observing him, put it into his own pocket. "now, good bye, nephew; take away my brother, pray. it's a good thing, i can tell you, sometimes to find out an uncle." "i trust my conduct will prove me deserving of your kindness," replied newton, who was overjoyed at the unexpected issue of the meeting. "i hope it will, young man. good morning. now, take away your father, i'm busy;" and old forster pulled out his spectacles, and recommenced his brief. newton went up to his father, touched him on the shoulder, and said in a low tone, and nodding his head towards the door--"come, father." nicholas got upon his legs, retreated a few steps, then turned round--"brother, didn't you say something about a letter i was to put in the post?" "no, i didn't," replied john, shortly, not raising his eyes from the brief. "well, i really thought i heard something--" "come, father; my uncle's busy." "well, then, good bye, brother." "good bye," replied john, without looking up; and newton, with his father, quitted the room. no conversation passed during the walk to the inn, except an accidental remark of nicholas, that it appeared to him that his brother was very busy. when they arrived, newton hastened to open the enclosure, and found it to be a draft for pounds, which his uncle had ordered to be filled up the day before. nicholas was lost in astonishment; and newton, although he had already gained some insight into his uncle's character, was not a little surprised at his extreme liberality. "now," cried nicholas, rubbing his hands, "my improvement upon the duplex;" and the subject brought up by himself, again led him away, and he was in deep thought. there was a little piece of advice upon the envelope--"when you cash the draft take the number of your notes." this was all; and it was carefully attended to by newton, who took but pounds, and left the remainder in the hands of the banker. the next day newton called upon the east india director, who gave him a letter to the captain of the ship, lying at gravesend, and expecting to sail in a few days. to gravesend he immediately repaired, and, presenting his credentials, was favourably received; with an intimation that his company was required as soon as convenient. newton had now no other object to occupy him than to secure an asylum for his father; and this he was fortunate enough to meet with when he little expected. he had disembarked at greenwich, intending to return to london by the coach, when having an hour to spare, he sauntered into the hospital, to view a building which had so much of interest to a sailor. after a few minutes' survey, he sat down on a bench, occupied by several pensioners, outside of the gate, wishing to enter into conversation with them relative to their condition, when one addressed the other--"why, stephen, since the old man's dead, there's no one that'll suit us; and i expects that we must contrive to do without blinkers at all. jim nelson told me the other day, that the fellow in town as has his shop full of polished brass, all the world like the quarter-deck of the le amphitrite, when that sucking honourable (what was his name?) commanded her--jim said to me, as how he charged him one-and-sixpence for a new piece of flint for his starboard eye. now you know that old wilkins never axed no more than threepence. now, how we're to pay at that rate, comes to more than my knowledge. jim hadn't the dirt, although he had brought his threepence; so his blinkers are left there in limbo." "we must find out another man: the shop's to let, and all handy. suppose we speak to the governor?" "no use to speak to the governor; he don't use blinkers; and so won't have no fellow feeling." newton entered into conversation, and found that an old man, who gained his livelihood in a small shop close to the gate, by repairing the spectacles of the pensioners, had lately died, and that his loss was severely felt by them, as the opticians in town did not work at so reasonable a rate. newton looked at the shop, which was small and comfortable, commanding a pleasant view of the river, and he was immediately convinced that it would suit his father. on his return, he proposed it to nicholas, who was delighted at the idea; and the next day they viewed the premises together, and took a short lease. in a few days nicholas was settled in his new habitation, and busily employed in enabling the old pensioners to read the newspapers and count their points at cribbage. he liked his customers, and they liked him. his gains were equal to his wants; and, unless on particular occasions--such as a new coat, which, like his birth-day, occurred but once a year,--he never applied to the banker's for assistance. newton, as soon as his father was settled and his own affairs arranged, called upon his uncle previous to his embarkation. old forster gave a satisfactory "humph!" to his communication: and newton, who had tact enough to make his visit short, received a cordial shake of the hand when he quitted the room. volume two, chapter thirteen. poor short-lived things! what plane we lay! ah! why forsake our native home, to distant climates speed away. for self sticks close, where'er we roam. care follows hard, and soon o'ertakes the well-rigg'd ship; the warlike steed her destin'd quarry ne'er forsakes: nor the wind flees with half the speed. cowper. newton, who had made every preparation, as soon as he had taken leave of his uncle, hastened to join his ship, which still remained at gravesend, waiting for the despatches to be closed by the twenty-four leaden heads, presiding at leadenhall street. the passengers, with the exception of two, a scotch presbyterian divine and his wife, were still on shore, divided amongst the inns of the town, unwilling until the last moment to quit terra firma for so many months of sky and water, daily receiving a visit from the captain of the ship, who paid his respects to them all round, imparting any little intelligence he might have received as to the probable time of his departure. when newton arrived on board, he was received by the first-mate, a rough, good-humoured, and intelligent man, about forty years of age, to whom he had already been introduced by the captain, on his previous appearance with the letter from the director. "well, mr forster, you're in very good time. as in all probability we shall be shipmates for a voyage or two, i trust that we shall be good friends. now for your _traps_:" then turning round, he addressed, in the hindostanee language, two or three lascars (fine olive-coloured men, with black curling bushy hair), who immediately proceeded to hoist in the luggage. the first-mate, with an "excuse me a moment" went forward to give some directions to the english seamen, leaving forster to look about him. what he observed, we shall describe for the benefit of our readers. the indiaman was a twelve hundred ton ship, as large as one of the small class seventy-four in the king's service, strongly built, with lofty bulwarks, and pierced on the upper deck for eighteen guns, which were mounted on the quarter-deck and forecastle. abaft, a poop, higher than the bulwarks, extended forward, between thirty and forty feet, under which was the cuddy or dining-room, and state-cabins, appropriated to passengers. the poop, upon which you ascended by ladders on each side, was crowded with long ranges of coops, tenanted by every variety of domestic fowl, awaiting in happy unconsciousness the day when they should be required to supply the luxurious table provided by the captain. in some, turkeys stretched forth their long necks, and tapped the decks as they picked up some ant who crossed it, in his industry. in others, the crowing of cocks and calling of the hens were incessant: or the geese, ranged up rank and file, waited but the signal from one of the party to raise up a simultaneous clamour, which as suddenly was remitted. coop answered coop, in variety of discord, while the poulterer walked round and round to supply the wants of so many hundreds committed to his charge. the booms before the main-mast were occupied by the large boats, which had been hoisted in preparatory to the voyage. they also composed a portion of the farm yard. the launch contained about fifty sheep, wedged together so close that it was with difficulty they could find room to twist their jaws round, as they chewed the cud. the stern-sheets of the barge and yawl were filled with goats and two calves, who were the first destined victims to the butcher's knife; while the remainder of their space was occupied by hay and other provender, pressed down by powerful machinery into the smallest compass. the occasional baa-ing and bleating on the booms were answered by the lowing of three milch-cows between the hatchways of the deck below; where also were to be descried a few more coops, containing fowls and rabbits. the manger forward had been dedicated to the pigs; but, as the cables were not yet unbent or bucklers shipped, they at present were confined by gratings between the main-deck guns, where they grunted at each passer-by, as if to ask for food. the boats hoisted up on the quarters and the guys of the davits, to which they were suspended, formed the kitchen gardens, from which the passengers were to be supplied, and were loaded with bags containing onions, potatoes, turnips, carrots, beets, and cabbages, the latter in their full round proportions, hanging in a row upon the guys, like strings of heads, which had been demanded in the wrath or the caprice of some despot of mahomed's creed. forster descended the ladder to the main-deck which he found equally encumbered with cabins for the passengers, trunks and bedding belonging to them, and many other articles which had not yet found their way into the hold, the hatches of which were open, and in which lanterns in every direction partially dispelled the gloom, and offered to his view a confused outline of bales and packages. carpenters sawing deals, sail-makers roping the foot of an old mainsail, servants passing to and fro with dishes, lascars jabbering in their own language, british seamen damning their eyes, as usual, in plain english, gave an idea of confusion and want of method to newton forster, which, in a short time, he acknowledged himself to have been premature in having conceived. where you have to provide for such a number, to separate the luggage of so many parties, from the heavy chest to the fragile bandbox, to take in cargo, and prepare for sea, all at the same time, there must be apparently confusion. in a few days every thing finds its place; and, what is of more consequence, is itself to be found as soon as it may be required. according to the regulations on board of east india ships, forster messed below with the junior mates, midshipmen, surgeon's assistant, etcetera; the first and second mates only having the privilege of constantly appearing at the captain's table; while the others receive but an occasional invitation. forster soon became on intimate terms with his shipmates. as they will however appear upon the stage when required to perform their parts, we shall at present confine ourselves to a description of the captain and the passengers. captain drawlock was a man of about fifty years of age. report said that in his youth he had been wild, and some of his contemporary commanders in the service were wont to plague him by narrating divers freaks of former days, the recollection of which would create any thing but a smile upon his face. whether report and the other captains were correct or not in their assertions, captain drawlock was in appearance quite a different character at the time we introduce him. he was of sedate aspect, seldom smiled, and appeared to be wrapt up in the importance of the trust confided to him, particularly with respect to the young women who were sent out under his protection. he talked much of his responsibility, and divided the whole of his time between his chronometers and his young ladies; in both of which a trifling error was a source of irritation. upon any deviation on the part of either, the first were rated carefully, the latter were _rated soundly_; considering the safety of the ship to be endangered on the one hand, and the character of his ship to be equally at stake on the other. it was maliciously observed that the latter were by far the more erratic of the two; and still more maliciously, that the austere behaviour on the part of captain drawlock was all pretence; that he was as susceptible as the youngest officer in the ship; and that the women found it out long before the voyage was completed. it has been previously mentioned that all the passengers were on shore, except two, a presbyterian divine and his wife, the expenses attending whose passage out were provided for by a subscription which had been put on foot by some of the serious people of glasgow, who prayed fervently, and enlivened their devotions with most excellent punch. the worthy clergyman (for worthy he was) thought of little else but his calling, and was a sincere, enthusiastic man, who was not to be checked by any consideration in what he considered to be his duty; but although he rebuked, he rebuked mildly, and never lost his temper. stern in his creed, which allowed no loophole by which the offender might escape, still there was a kindness and even a humility in his expostulation, which caused his zeal never to offend, and often to create serious reflection. his wife was a tall, handsome woman, who evidently had usurped an ascendancy over her husband in all points unconnected with his calling. she too was devout; but hers was not the true religion, for it had not charity for its basis. she was clever and severe; spoke seldom; but the few words which escaped from her lips were sarcastic in their tendency. the passengers who still remained on shore were numerous. there was an old colonel, returning from a three years' furlough, the major part of which had been spent at cheltenham. he was an adonis of sixty, with yellow cheeks and white teeth; a man who had passed through life doing nothing; had risen in his profession without having seen service, except on one occasion, and of that circumstance he made the most. with a good constitution and happy temperament, constantly in society, and constantly in requisition, he had grown old without being aware of it, and considered himself as much an object of interest with the other sex as he was formerly when a gay captain of five-and-twenty, with good prospects. amusing and easily amused, he had turned over the pages of the novel of life so uninterruptedly, that he had nearly arrived at the last page without being conscious that the finis was at hand. then there were two cadets from the college, full of themselves and their own consequence, fitted out with plenty of money and plenty of advice, both of which were destined to be thrown away. there was also a young writer, who talked of his mother lady elizabeth, and other high relations, who had despatched him to india, that he might be provided for by a cholera morbus or a lucrative post; a matter of perfect indifference to those who had sent him from england. then, let me see, oh! there were two officers of a regiment at st. helena, with tongues much longer than their purses; who in the forepart of the day condescended to talk nonsense to the fairer of the other sex, and in the evening to win a few pounds from the weaker of their own. but all these were nobodies in the eyes of captain. drawlock; they were a part of his cargo, for which he was not responsible. the important part of his consignment were four unmarried women; three of them were young, good-looking, and poor; the other ill-favoured, old, but rich. we must give precedence to wealth and age. the lady last mentioned was a miss tavistock, born and educated in the city, where her father had long been at the head of the well-established firm of tavistock, bottlecock, and company, dyers, callenderers, and scourers. as we before observed, she was the fortunate sole heiress to her father's accumulation, which might amount to nearly thirty thousand pounds; but had been little gifted by nature. in fact, she was what you may style most preposterously ugly; her figure was large and masculine; her hair red; and her face very deeply indented with the small pox. as a man, she would have been considered the essence of vulgarity; as a woman she was the quintessence: so much so, that she had arrived at the age of thirty-six without having, notwithstanding her property, received any attentions which could be construed into an offer. as we always seek most eagerly that which we find most difficult to obtain, she was possessed with _une fureur de se marier_; and, as a last resource, had resolved to go out to india, where she had been informed that "any thing white" was acceptable. this _passion_ for matrimony (for with her it had so become, if not a disease) occupied her whole thoughts; but she attempted to veil them by always pre tending to be extremely sensitive and refined; to be shocked at any thing which had the slightest allusion to the "increase and multiply;" and constantly lamented the extreme fragility of her constitution; to which her athletic bony frame gave so determined a lie, that her hearers were struck dumb with the barefaced assertion. miss tavistock had kept up a correspondence with an old schoolmate, who had been taken away early to join her friends in india, and had there married. as her hopes of matrimony dwindled away, so did her affection for her old friend appear, by her letters, to increase. at last, in answer to a letter, in which she declared that she would like to come out, and (as she had long made a resolution to continue single) adopt one of her friend's children, and pass her days with them, she received an answer, stating how happy they would be to receive her, and personally renew the old friendship, if indeed she could be persuaded to venture upon so long and venturous a passage. whether this answer was sincere or not, miss tavistock took advantage of the invitation; and writing to intimate her speedy arrival, took her passage in the bombay castle. the other three spinsters were sisters; charlotte, laura, and isabel revel, daughters of the honourable mr revel, a _roue_ of excellent family, who had married for money, and had dissipated all his wife's fortune except the marriage settlement of pounds per annum. their mother was a selfish, short-sighted, manoeuvring woman, whose great anxiety was to form establishments for her daughters, or, in other terms, remove the expense of their maintenance from her own to the shoulders of other people, very indifferent whether the change might contribute to their happiness or not. mr revel may be said to have long deserted his family; he lived nobody knew where, and seldom called, unless it was to "raise the wind," upon his wife, who by intreaties and threats was necessitated to purchase his absence by a sacrifice of more than half her income. of his daughters he took little notice, when he _did_ make his appearance; and if so, it was generally in terms more calculated to raise the blush of indignant modesty than to stimulate the natural feelings of affection of a daughter towards a parent. their mother, whose income was not sufficient to meet the demands of a worthless husband, in addition to the necessary expenses attendant on three grown-up women, was unceasing in her attempts to get them off her hands: but we will introduce a conversation which took place between her and a sedate-looking, powdered old gentleman, who had long been considered as a "friend of the family," as thereby more light will perhaps be thrown upon her character. "the fact is, my dear mr heaviside, that i hardly know what to do. mr revel, who is very intimate with the theatre people, proposed that they should try their fortune on the stage. he says (and indeed there is some truth in it) that, now-a-days, the best plan for a man to make himself popular, is to be sent to newgate, and the best chance that a girl has of a coronet, is to become an actress. well, i did not much like the idea; but at last i consented. isabel, my youngest, is, you know, very handsome in her person, and sings remarkably well, and we arranged that she should go on first; and if she succeeded, that her sister charlotte should follow her; but isabel is of a very obstinate disposition, and when we proposed it to her, she peremptorily refused, and declared that she would go out as governess, or any thing rather than consent. i tried what coaxing would do, and her father tried threatening; but all was in vain. this was about a year ago, and she is now only seventeen; but she ever was a most decided, a most obstinate character." "very undutiful, indeed, ma'am; she might have been a duchess before this:--a very foolish girl, indeed, ma'am," observed the gentleman. "well, mr heaviside, we then thought that charlotte, our eldest, had the next best chance of success. although not by any means so good-looking as her sister; indeed, to tell you the truth, mr heaviside, which i would not do to every body,--but i know that you can keep a secret, charlotte is now nearly thirty years old, and her sister laura only one year younger." "is it possible, madam!" replied mr heaviside, looking at the lady with well feigned astonishment. "yes, indeed," replied the lady, who had forgotten that in telling her daughters' secrets, she had let out her own; "but i was married so young, so very young, that i am almost ashamed to think of it. well, mr heaviside, as i was saying, although not so good--looking as her sister, mr revel, who is a good judge in these matters, declared that by the theatre lights charlotte would be reckoned a very fine woman. we proposed it to her, and, after a little pouting, she consented; the only difficulty was, whether she should attempt tragedy or comedy. her features were considered rather too sharp for comedy, and her figure not quite tall enough for tragedy. she herself preferred tragedy, which decided the point; and mr revel, who knows all the actors, persuaded mr y--- (you know whom i mean, the great tragic actor) to come here, and give his opinion of her recitation. mr y--- was excessively polite; declared that she was a young lady of great talent; but that a slight lisp, which she has, unfitted her most decidedly for tragedy. of course it was abandoned for comedy, which she studied some time; and when we considered her competent, mr revel had interest enough to induce the great mr m--- to come and give his opinion. charlotte performed her part as i thought remarkably well, and when she had finished she left the room, that mr m--- might not be checked by her presence from giving me his unbiassed opinion." "which was favourable, ma'am, i presume; for, if not fitted for the one, she naturally must have been fit for the other." "so i thought," replied the lady, to this polite _non sequitur_ of the gentleman. "but mr m--- is a very odd man, and, if i must say it, not very polite. what do you think, mr heaviside, as soon as she left the room he rose from his chair, and, twisting up the corner of his mouth, as he looked me in the face, he said, `madam, it is my opinion that your daughter's comedy, whenever she makes her appearance on the boards, will, to use a yankee expression, _be most particularly damned_! i wish you a very good morning.'" "very rude indeed, madam; most excessively unpolite of mr m---. i should not have thought it possible." "well, mr heaviside, as for laura; poor thing! you are aware that she is not quite so clever as she might be; she never had any memory: when a child, she never could recollect the evening hymn if she missed it two nights running; so that acting was out of the question with her. so that all my hopes of their forming a splendid establishment by that channel have vanished. now, my dear mr heaviside, what would you propose?" "why, really, ma'am, it is so difficult to advise in these times; but, if anxious to dispose of your daughters, why not send them out to india?" "we have thought of it several times; for mr revel has an uncle there unmarried, and they say very rich. he is a colonel in the bombay marine, i believe." "more probably in the bengal army, ma'am." "well, i believe you are right; but i know it's in the company's service. but the old gentleman hates my husband, and will not have any thing to say to him. i did write a very civil letter to him, in which i just hinted how glad one or two of my daughters would be to take care of his house; but he never condescended to give me an answer. i am told that he is a very unpleasant man." "a difficult thing to advise, ma'am, very difficult indeed! but i can tell you a circumstance which occurred about five years ago, when a similar application to a relative in india was made by a friend of mine. it was no more attended to than yours has been. nevertheless, as it was supposed the answer had miscarried, the young lady was sent out to her relative with a decent equipment, and a letter of introduction. her relation was very much surprised: but what could he do? he could not permit the young lady to remain without a roof over her head; so he received her; and as he did not like to say how he had been treated, he held his tongue. the young lady in the course of three months, made a very good match; and is, to my knowledge, constantly sending home india shawls and other handsome presents to her mother." "indeed, mr heaviside, then do you advise--" "it is difficult, extremely difficult to advise upon so nice a point. i only state the fact, my dear madam: i should think the colonel must feel the want of female society; but, god bless me! it's nearly two o'clock.--good morning, my dear mrs revel--good morning." "good morning, my dear mr heaviside; it's very kind of you to call in this sociable way, and chat an hour or two.--good morning." the result of the above conversation was a consultation between mr revel and his wife upon their first meeting. mr revel was delighted with the plan, not so much caring at the disposal of his daughters as he was pleased with the idea of annoying his uncle, from whom he, at one time, had had great expectations: but, as it was necessary to be circumspect, especially with isabel, mr revel took the opportunity of a subsequent visit to state that he had received a letter from his uncle in india, wishing one of his daughters to go out and live with him. in a few months he read another letter (composed by himself, and copied in another hand), earnestly desiring that they might all come out to him, as it would be much to their advantage. the reluctance of the two eldest was removed by pointing out the magnificent establishments they might secure: the consent of isabel by a statement of difficulty and debt on the part of her parents, which would end in beggary if not relieved from the burden of their support. by insuring her life, a sum of money sufficient for their outfit and passage was raised on mrs revel's marriage settlement; and the three miss revels were thus shipped off by their affectionate parents, as a "venture," in the bombay castle. volume two, chapter fourteen. "thus the rich vessel moves in trim array, like some fair virgin on her bridal day: thus like a swan, she cleaves the watery plain, the pride and wonder of the aegean main. "the natives, while the ship departs the land, ashore, with admiration gazing stand: majestically slow before the breeze, in silent pomp, she marches on the seas." falconer. much to the satisfaction of captain drawlock, the chronometers and the ladies were safe on board, and the bombay castle proceeded to the downs, where she was joined by the purser, charged with the despatches of the august directors. once upon a time a director was a very great man, and the india board a very great board. there must have been a very great many plums in the pudding, for in this world people do not take trouble for nothing; and until latter years, how eagerly, how perseveringly was this situation applied for--what supplicating advertisements--what fawning and wheedling promises of attention to the interests of the proprietors--your "voices, good people!" but now nobody is so particularly anxious to be a director, because another board "bigger than he" has played the kittiwake, and forced it to disgorge for the consumption of its superior,--i mean the board of control: the reader has probably heard of it; the board which, not content with the european residents in india being deprived of their proudest birthright, "the liberty of the press," would even prevent them from having justice awarded to them, by directing two tame elephants (thereby implying two --- ---) to be placed on each side of a wild one (thereby implying an honest and conscientious man). notwithstanding all which, for the present, the tongue, the ears and the eyes are permitted to be made discreet use of, although i believe that the new charter is to have a clause introduced to the contrary. the prevalent disease of the time we live in is ophthalmia of intellect, affecting the higher classes. monarchs, stone-blind, have tumbled headlong from their thrones, and princes have been conducted by their subjects out of their principalities. the aristocracy are purblind, and cannot distinctly decipher the "signs of the times." the hierarchy cannot discover why people would have religion at a reduced price: in fact, they are all blind, and will not perceive that an enormous mass, in the shape of public opinion, hangs over their heads and threatens to annihilate them. forgetting that kings, and princes, and lords, spiritual or temporal, have all been raised to their various degrees of exaltation by public opinion alone, they talk of legitimacy, of vested rights, and deuteronomy.--well, if there is to be a general tumble, thank god, i can't fall far! we left the bombay castle in the downs, where she remained until joined by several other india vessels. on the arrival of a large frigate, who had orders to escort them as far as the island of st. helena, they all weighed, and bore down the channel before a strong south east gale. the first ten days of a voyage there is seldom much communication between those belonging to the ship and the passengers; the former are too much occupied in making things shipshape, and the latter with the miseries of sea-sickness. an adverse gale in the bay of biscay, with which they had to contend, did not at all contribute to the recovery of the digestive powers of the latter; and it was not until a day or two before the arrival of the convoy at madeira that the ribbon of a bonnet was to be seen fluttering in the breeze which swept the decks of the bombay castle. the first which rose up from the quarter-deck hatchway was one that encircled the head of mrs ferguson, the wife of the presbyterian divine, who crawled up the ladder, supported on one side by her husband, and on the other by the assiduous captain drawlock. "very well done, ma'am, indeed!" said the captain, with an encouraging smile, as the lady seized hold of the copper stanchions which surrounded the sky-lights, to support herself, when she had gained the deck. "you're a capital sailor, and have by your conduct set an example to the other ladies, as i have no doubt your husband does to the gentlemen. now allow me to offer you my arm." "will you take mine also, my dear," said mr ferguson. "no, mr ferguson," replied the lady, tartly; "i think it is enough for you to take care of yourself. recollect your scripture proverb of `the blind leading the blind.' i have no inclination to tumble into one of those pits," added she, pointing to the hatchway. captain drawlock very civilly dragged the lady to the weather-side of the quarter-deck, where, after in vain attempting to walk, she sat down upon one of the carronade slides. "the fresh air will soon revive you, ma'am; you'll be much better directly," observed the attentive captain. "i beg your pardon one moment, but there is another lady coming out of the cuddy." the cabins abaft the cuddy or dining-room were generally occupied by the more distinguished and wealthy passengers (a proportionate sum being charged extra for them). the good people of glasgow, with a due regard to economy, had not run themselves into such unnecessary expenses for the passage of mr and mrs ferguson. mr revel, aware of the effect produced by an appearance of wealth, had taken one of them for his daughters. the other had been secured by miss tavistock, much to the gratification of the captain, who thus had his unmarried ladies and his chronometers both immediately under his own eye. the personage who had thus called away the attention of the captain was isabel revel, whom, although she has already been mentioned, it will be necessary to describe more particularly to the reader. isabel revel was now eighteen years old, endowed with a mind so superior, that had not her talents been checked by a natural reserve, she might have stepped from the crowd, and have been hailed as a genius. she had been brought up by a foolish mother, and had in her earlier years been checked by her two insipid sisters, who assumed over her an authority which their age alone could warrant. seldom, if ever, permitted to appear when there was company, that she might not "spoil the market" of the eldest, she had in her solitude applied much to reading, and thus had her mind been highly cultivated. the conduct of her father entitled him to no respect; the heartlessness of her mother to no esteem; the tyranny of her sisters, to no affection; yet did she strive to render all. until the age of sixteen she had been the cinderella of the family, during which period of seclusion she had learned to think and to act for herself. her figure was a little above the middle size, light and elegant; her features beautiful, with an expression of seriousness, arising probably from speaking little and reflecting much. yet she possessed a mind ardent and enthusiastic, which often bore her away in animated discourse, until the eye of admiration fixed upon her, would suddenly close her lips, for her modesty and her genius were at perpetual variance. it is well known to most of my readers that woman is a problem; but it may not be as well known that now-a-days, she is a _mathematical problem_. yet so it is. as in the latter you have certain known quantities given by which you are to find a quantity unknown, so in a lady you have the hand, the foot, the mouth, etcetera, apparent; and 'tis only by calculation, now that modern dresses are made so full, that you can arrive at a just estimate of her approach to total perfection. all good arithmeticians, as they scrutinised the outward and the visible of isabel revel, were perfectly assured as to her quotient. but if i talked for hours, i could say no more than that she was one of those ideal images created in the dream of youth and poetry, fairly embodied in flesh and blood. as her father had justly surmised, could she have been persuaded to have tried her fortune on the stage, she had personal attractions, depth of feeling, and vivacity of mind to have rendered her one of the very first in a profession, to excel in which, perhaps, there is more correct judgment and versatility of talent required than in any other, and would have had a fair prospect of obtaining that coronet which has occasionally been the reward of those fair dames who "stoop to conquer." mr revel, who had been made acquainted with the customs on board of east india ships, had been introduced to mrs ferguson, and had requested her to take upon herself the office of _chaperone_ to his daughters, during the passage; a nominal charge indeed, yet considered to be etiquette. mrs ferguson, pleased with the gentleman--like demeanour and personal appearance of mr revel, and perhaps at the same time not sorry to have an authority to find fault, had most graciously acquiesced, and the three miss revels were considered to be under her protection. as i said before, miss isabel revel made her appearance not unattended, for she was escorted by doctor plausible, the surgeon of the ship. and now i must again digress while i introduce that gentleman. i never shall get that poor girl from the cuddy-door. doctor plausible had been summoned to prescribe for miss laura revel, who suffered extremely from the motion of the vessel, and the remedies which she had applied to relieve her uneasiness. miss laura revel had been told by somebody, previous to her embarkation, that the most effectual remedy for sea-sickness was gingerbread. in pursuance of the advice received, she had provided herself with ten or twelve squares of this commodity, about one foot by eighteen inches, which squares she had commenced upon as soon as she came on board, and had never ceased to swallow, notwithstanding various interruptions. the more did her stomach reject it, the more did she force it down, until, what, with deglutition, _et vice versa_, she had been reduced to a state of extreme weakness, attended with fever. how many panaceas have been offered without success for two evils-- sea-sickness and hydrophobia! and between these two there appears to be a link, for sea-sickness as surely ends in hydrophobia, as hydrophobia does in death. the sovereign remedy prescribed, when i first went to sea, was a piece of fat pork, tied to a string to be swallowed, and then pulled up again; the dose to be repeated until effective. i should not have mentioned this well-known remedy, as it has long been superseded by other nostrums, were it not that this maritime prescription has been the origin of two modern improvements in the medical catalogue--one is the stomach pump, evidently borrowed from this simple engine; the other is the very successful prescription now in vogue, to those who are weak in the digestive organs, to eat fat bacon for breakfast, which i have no doubt was suggested to doctor vance, from what he had been eye-witness to on board of a man-of-war. but here i am digressing again from doctor plausible to dr vance. reader, i never lose the opportunity of drawing a moral; and what an important one is here! observe how difficult it is to regain the right path when once you have quitted it. let my error be a warning to you in your journey through life, and my digressions preserve you from diverging from the beaten track, which, as the americans would say, leads _clean slick_ on to happiness and peace. doctor plausible was a personable man, apparently about five-and-thirty years old: he wore a little powder in his hair, black silk stockings, and knee-breeches. in this i consider doctor plausible was right; the above look much more scientific than wellington trousers; and much depends upon the exterior. he was quite a ladies' man; talked to them about their extreme sensibility, their peculiar fineness of organic structure, their delicacy of nerves; and soothed his patients more by flattery than by physic. having discovered that miss laura was not inclined to give up her gingerbread, he immediately acknowledged its virtues, but recommended that it should be cut into extremely small dice, and allowed, as it were, to melt, away upon the tongue; stating, that her digestive organs were so refined and delicate, that they would not permit them selves to be loaded with any large particles, even of farinaceous compound. isabel revel, who had been informed that mrs ferguson was on deck, expressed a wish to escape from the confined atmosphere of the cabin; and doctor plausible, as soon as he had prescribed for miss laura, offered miss isabel his services; which, for want of a better, perhaps, were accepted. the ship at this time had a great deal of motion. the gale was spent; but the sea created by the violence of the wind had not yet subsided, and the waves continued still to rise and fall again, like the panting breasts of men who have just desisted from fierce contention. captain drawlock hastened over to receive his charge from the hands of the medical attendant; and paying isabel some compliments on her appearance, was handing her over to the weather-side, where mrs ferguson was seated, when a sea of larger dimensions than usual careened the ship to what the sailors term a "heavy lurch." the decks were wet and slippery. captain drawlock lost his footing and was thrown to leeward. isabel would have most certainly kept him company; and indeed was already under weigh for the lee-scuppers, had not it been that newton forster, who stood near, caught her round the waist, and prevented her from falling. it certainly was a great presumption to take a young lady round the waist previous to any introduction; but, at sea, we are not very particular; and if we do perceive that a lady is in danger of a severe fall, we do not stand upon etiquette. what is more remarkable, we generally find that the ladies excuse our unpolished manners, either upon the score of our good intentions, or because there is nothing so very impertinent in them after all. certain it is, that isabel, as soon as she had recovered from her alarm, thanked newton forster, with a sweet smile, for his timely aid, as she again took the arm of captain drawlock, who escorted her to the weather-side of the quarter-deck. "i have brought you one of your _protegees_, mrs ferguson," said captain drawlock. "how do you feel, miss revel?" "like most young ladies, sir, a little giddy," replied isabel. "i hope you were not hurt, captain drawlock; i'm afraid that you fell by paying more attention to me than to yourself." "my duty, miss revel. allow me to add, my pleasure," replied the captain, bowing. "that's very politely said, captain drawlock," replied isabel. "almost too polite, i think," observed mrs ferguson (who was out of humour at not being the first object of attention), "considering that captain drawlock is a married man, with seven children." the captain looked glum, and miss revel observing it, turned the conversation, by inquiring--"who was that gentleman who saved me from falling?" "mr newton forster, one of the mates of the vessel. would you like to walk miss revel or remain where you are?" "thank you, i will stay with mrs ferguson." the gentlemen passengers had as yet but occasionally appeared on deck. men generally suffer more from the distressing sickness than women. as soon, however, as the news had been communicated below, that the ladies were on deck, some of the gentlemen immediately repaired to their trunks, to make themselves presentable, and then hastened on deck. the first on deck was the old colonel, who tottered up the hatchway, and by dint of seizing rope after rope, at last succeeded in advancing his lines to within hearing range of mrs ferguson, to whom he had been formally introduced. he commenced by lamenting his unfortunate sufferings, which had prevented him from paying those attentions, ever to him a source of enjoyment and gratification; but he was a martyr-- quite a martyr; never felt any sensation which could be compared to it, except when he was struck in the breast with a spent ball, in the battle of ---; that their appearance had made him feel revived already; that as the world would be a dark prison without the sun, so would a ship be without the society of ladies; commenced a description of calcutta, and then--made a hasty retreat to the lee-gangway. the young writer next made his appearance, followed by two boys, who were going out as cadets; the first, with a new pair of grey kid gloves, the others in their uniforms. the writer descanted long upon his own miseries, without any inquiry or condolement for the sufferings of the ladies. the cadets said nothing; but stared so much at isabel revel, that she dropped her veil. the ladies had been about a quarter of an hour on deck, when the sun, which had not shown itself for two days, gleamed through the clouds. newton, who was officer of the watch, and had been accustomed when with mr berecroft, to work a chronometer, interrupted the captain, who was leaning on the carronade, talking to mrs ferguson. "the sun is out, and the horizon pretty clear, sir; you may have sights for the chronometers." "yes, indeed," said the captain, looking up; "be quick, and fetch my sextant. you'll excuse me, ladies, but the chronometers must be attended to." "in preference to us, captain drawlock?--fie for shame!" replied mrs ferguson. "why, not exactly," replied the captain, "not exactly; but the fact is that the sun may go in again." "and we can stay out, i presume?" replied isabel, laughing. "i think, mrs ferguson, we ought to go in too." "but, my dear young lady, if the sun goes in, i shall not get a _sight_!" "and if we go in, you will not get a sight either," replied mrs ferguson. "between the two, sir," observed newton, handing captain drawlock his sextant, "you stand a chance of losing both. there's no time to spare; i'm all ready." captain drawlock walked to the break of the gangways, so far concealed from the ladies that they could not perceive that he was looking through his sextant, the use of which they did not comprehend, having never seen one before. newton stood at the capstern, with his eyes fixed on the watch. "captain drawlock," said mrs ferguson, calling to him, "allow me to observe--" "_stop_," cried captain drawlock, in a loud voice. newton, to whom this was addressed, noted the time. "good heavens what can be the matter;" said mrs ferguson, with astonishment, to those near her; "how excessively rude of captain drawlock;--what can it be?" continued she, addressing the colonel, who had rejoined them. "really, madam, i cannot tell; but it is my duty to inquire," replied the colonel, who, going up to captain drawlock, commenced--"have the ladies already so fallen in your estimation--" "forty degrees!" cried captain drawlock, who was intent upon his sextant. "excuse me, sir, just now." "when will you be at leisure, sir?" resumed the colonel, haughtily. "twenty-six minutes," continued the captain, reading off his sextant. "a little sooner, i should hope, sir," retorted the colonel. "forty-five seconds." "this is really quite insufferable! miss revel, we had better go in." "stop!" again cried captain drawlock, in a loud voice. "stop!" repeated mrs ferguson, angrily; "surely we are not slaves." newton, who heard what was passing, could not repress his laughter. "indeed, i am sure there must be some mistake, mrs ferguson," observed isabel. "wait a little." "forty-six minutes, thirty seconds," again read off the captain. "capital sights both! but the sun is behind that dark cloud, and we shall have no more of his presence." "nor of ours, i assure you, sir," said mrs ferguson, rising, as captain drawlock walked from the gangway to the capstern. "why, my dear madam, what is the matter?" "we have not been accustomed to such peremptory language, sir. it may be the custom on board ship to holla `stop' to ladies when they address you, or express a wish to leave the deck." "my dearest madam, i do assure you, upon my honour, that you are under a mistake. i ordered mr forster to stop, not you." "mr forster!" replied the lady; "why, he was standing still the whole time!" it was not until the whole system of taking sights for chronometers had been satisfactorily explained that the lady recovered her good-humour. while the captain was thus employed with mrs ferguson, newton, although it was not necessary, explained the mystery to miss revel, who, with mrs ferguson, soon after quitted the deck. the sights taken proved the ship to be to the eastward of her reckoning. the other ships in company had made the same discovery, and the course was altered one quarter of a point. in two days they dropped their anchor in funchal roads. but i must for a little while recross the bay of biscay, and with my reader look into the chambers of mr john forster. look upon this child i saved her, must not leave her life to chance; but point me out some nook of safety, where she less may shrink and grieve. ... this child, who parentless, is therefore mine. byron. a few minutes after newton had quitted the chambers of his uncle the clerk made his appearance, announcing to mr john forster that a gentleman requested to speak to him. "i asked the gentleman's name, sir," observed the clerk, shutting to the door, "but he did not choose to give it. he has a little girl with him." "very well, scratton, the little girl cannot concern me," replied the old lawyer; "ask him to walk in;"--and he again conned over the brief, not choosing to lose the minute which might elapse before he was again to be interrupted. the door was reopened, and edward forster, with amber holding him by the hand, entered the room. "your servant, sir. scratton, a chair--two chairs, scratton. i beg your pardon, young lady." when the clerk had retired, mr john forster commenced as usual. "now, sir, may i request the favour of asking your business with me?" "you do not recollect me; nor am i surprised at it, as it is fifteen years since we last met. time and suffering, which have worn me to a skeleton, have also worn out the remembrance of a brother. i am edward forster." "edward forster!--humph! well, i did not recollect you; but i'm very glad to see you, brother. very strange never have heard of one of my family for years, and now they all turn up at once! no sooner get rid of one than up starts another. nicholas came from the lord knows where, the other day." edward forster, who was better acquainted with his brother's character than newton, took no notice of the abruptness of his remarks, but replied:-- "nicholas! is he then alive? i shall be delighted to see him." "humph!" replied john, "i was delighted to get rid of him. take care of your watch or spectacles when you meet him." "indeed, brother! i trust he is not such a character." "but he is a character, i can tell you; not what you suppose--he's honest enough. let me see if my memory serves me, brother edward, we last met when you were passing through london on your way to ---, having been invalided, and having obtained a pension of forty pounds per annum for a severe wound received in action. and pray, brother, where have you been ever since?" "at the same spot, from which i probably never should have been induced to remove, had it not been for the sake of this little girl who is now with me." "and pray who may be that little girl? is she your daughter?" "only by adoption." "humph, brother! for a half-pay lieutenant that appears rather an expensive whim!--bad enough to maintain children of our own begetting." "you say true," replied edward; "but if in this instance i have incurred an expense and responsibility, it must be considered to be more my misfortune than my fault." edward forster then entered into the particulars connected with amber's rescue. "you must acknowledge, brother john," observed edward, as he closed his narrative, "that i could not well have acted otherwise; you would not have yourself." "humph! i don't know that; but this i do know, that you had better have stayed at home!" "perhaps so, considering the forlorn prospects of the child; but we must not judge. the same providence which willed that she should be so miraculously saved, also willed that i should be her protector;--why otherwise did the dog lay her at my feet?" "because it had been taught to `fetch and carry,' i suppose: but, however, brother edward, i have no right to question your conduct. if the girl is as good as she is pretty, why all the better for her; but, as i am rather busy, let me ask if you have any more to say to me?" "i have, john; and the discourse we have had is preliminary. i am here with a child, forced upon me i may say, but still as dear to me as if she were mine own. you must be aware that i have nothing but my pension and half-pay to subsist upon. i can save nothing. my health is undermined and my life precarious. last winter i never expected to quit my bed again and, as i lay in it, the thought naturally occurred of the forlorn and helpless state in which this poor little girl would be in case of my decease. in a lonely cottage,--without money--without family or friends to apply to--without any one near her being made acquainted with her unfortunate history. what would have become of her? it was this reflection which determined me, if my life was spared, as soon as my health would permit, to come to you, the only relative i was certain of still having in the world, that i might acquaint you with her existence, and, with her history, confide to you the few articles of dress which she wore when rescued, and which may eventually lead to her recognition:--a case of extreme doubt and difficulty, i grant; but the ways of providence are mysterious, and her return to the arms of her friends will not be more wonderful than her preservation on that dreadful night. brother! i never have applied to you in my own behalf, although conscious how ample are your means--and i never will; but i do now plead in favour of this dear child. worn out as i am, my pilgrimage on earth can be but short; and if you would smooth the pillow of a dying brother, promise him now that you will extend your bounty to this poor orphan, when i'm no more!" edward forster's voice was tremulous at the close of his appeal, and his brother appeared to be affected. there was a silence of a minute, when the customary "humph!" was ejaculated, and john forster then continued: "a very foolish business, brother--very foolish indeed. when nicholas and his son came here the other day and applied to me--why, it was all very well there was relationship;--but really, to put another man's child upon me!" "not while it pleases heaven to spare _my_ life, brother." "`may you live a thousand years!' then, as the spanish say; but, however, brother edward, as you say, the poor thing must not starve; so, if i am to take care of a child of another man's begetting, as soon as you are dead, i can only say, it will very much increase my sorrow at your loss. come here, little one: what's your name?" "amber." "amber! who the devil gave you that fool's name?" "i did, brother," replied edward, "i thought it appropriate." "humph! really can't see why. why did you not call her sukey, or some name fit for a christian? amber! amber's a gum, is it not? stop, let's see what johnson says." the lawyer went to a case of books which were in the next room, and returned with a quarto. "now," said he, seating himself; "ag--al--am--ambassador--ambassadress-- amber! humph! here it is, `a yellow transparent substance of a gummous or bituminous consistence, but of a resinous taste, and a smell like oil of turpentine; chiefly found in the baltic sea or the coast of prussia.' humph! `some have imagined it to consist of the tears of birds; others the'--humph!--`of a beast; others the scum of the lake cephesis, near the atlantic; others a congelation in some fountains, where it is found swimming like pitch.' really, brother," continued the lawyer, fixing his eyes on the little girl, and shutting the book, "i can't see the analogy." "be her godfather, my dear brother, and call her any name you please." "humph!" "pray, papa," said amber, turning to edward forster, "what's the meaning of humph?" "humph!" repeated the lawyer, looking hard at amber. "it implies yes or no, as it may be," replied edward forster, smiling. "i never heard any one say it before, papa. you're not angry with me, sir?" continued amber, turning round to john forster. "no, not angry, little girl; but i'm too busy to talk to you--or indeed with you, brother edward. have you any thing more to say?" "nothing, my dear brother, if i have your promise." "well, you have it; but what am i to do with her, god only knows! i wish you had kept better hours. you mentioned some clothes which might identify her to her relations; pray let me have them, for i shall have the greatest pleasure in restoring her to them, as soon as possible, after she is once in my hands." "here they are, brother," replied edward, taking a small packet from his coat-pocket: "you had better take charge of them now; and may god bless you for having relieved my mind from so heavy a load!" "humph! by taking it on my own shoulders," muttered john, as he walked to the iron safe, to deposit the packet of linen; then returning to the table, "have you any thing more to say, brother?" "only to ask you where i may find my brother nicholas?" "that i can't tell; my nephew told me somewhere down the river; but, it's a long way from here to the nore. nephew's a fine lad; i sent him off to the east indies." "i am sorry then that i have no chance of seeing him:--but you are busy, brother?" "i have told you so three times, as plain as i could speak?" "i will no longer trespass on your time. we return home to-morrow morning; and, as i cannot expect ever to see you again, god bless you, my dear john! and farewell, i am afraid i may say, in this world at least, farewell for ever!" edward held out his hand to his brother. it was taken with considerable emotion. "farewell, brother, farewell!--i'll not forget." "good-bye, sir," said amber, going close up to john forster. "good-bye, my little girl," replied he, looking earnestly in her face; and then, as if thawing towards her, as he scanned her beautiful and expressive features, removing his spectacles and kissing her, "good-bye." "oh! papa," cried amber, as she went out of the room, "he kissed me!" "humph!" said john forster, as the door closed upon them. the spectacles were put on, and the reading of the brief immediately continued. volume two, chapter sixteen. _strickland_. "these doings in my house distract me. i met a fine gentleman, when i inquired who he was--why, he came to clarinda. i met a footman too, and he came to clarinda. my wife had the character of a virtuous woman--" _suspicious husband_. "let us no more contend each other, blamed enough elsewhere, but strive in offices of love, how we may lighten each other's burden in our share of woe." milton. i do not know a spot on the globe which astonishes and delights, upon your first landing, as the island of madeira. the voyager embarks, and is in all probability confined to his cabin, suffering under the dreadful protraction of seasickness. perhaps he has left england in the gloomy close of the autumn, or the frigid concentration of an english winter. in a week, or even in a shorter period, he again views that terra firma which he had quitted with regret, and which in his sufferings he would have given half that he possessed to regain. when he lands upon the island, what a change! winter has become summer, the naked trees which be left are exchanged for the most luxuriant and varied foliage, snow and frost for warmth and splendour; the scenery of the temperate zone for the profusion and magnificence of the tropics; fruit which he had never before seen, supplies for the table unknown to him; a bright sky, a glowing sun, hills covered with vines, a deep-blue sea, a picturesque and novel costume; all meet and delight the eye, just at the precise moment, when to have been landed even upon a barren island would have been considered as a luxury. add to all this, the unbounded hospitality of the english residents, a sojourn too short to permit satiety and then is it to be wondered that the island of madeira is a "green spot" in the memory of all those who land there, or that they quit it with regret? the bombay castle had not been two hours at anchor before the passengers had availed themselves of an invitation from one of the english residents, and were quartered in a splendid house, which hooked upon a square and one of the principal churches in the city of funchal. while the gentlemen amused themselves at the extensive range of windows with the novelty of the scene, and the ladies retired to their apartments to complete the hasty toilet of their disembarkation, captain drawlock was very busy in the counting-house below, with the master of the house. there were so many pipes of madeira for the honourable company; so many for the directors' private cellars, besides many other commissions for friends, which captain drawlock had undertaken to execute; for at that period madeira wine had not been so calumniated as it latterly has been. a word upon this subject.--i am a mortal enemy to every description of humbug; and i believe there is as much in the medical world as in any other. madeira wine had for a century been in high and deserved reputation, when on a sudden some fashionable physician discovers that it contained more acid than sherry. whether he was a sleeping partner in some spanish house, or whether he had received a present of a few pipes of sherry, that he might turn the scale of public favour towards that wine, i know not; but certain it is, that it became fashionable with all medical gentlemen to prescribe sherry; and when once any thing becomes fashionable, _c'est une affaire decide_. i do not pretend to be much of a pathologist; but on reading mr f---'s analysis on the component parts of wine, i observed that in one hundred parts there are perhaps twenty-two parts of acid in madeira, and nineteen in sherry; so that, in fact, if you reduce your glass of madeira wine, just _one sip_ in quantity, you will imbibe no more acid than in a full glass of sherry; and when we consider the variety of acids in sugar and other compounds, which abound in culinary preparations, the fractional quantity upon which has been grounded the abuse of madeira wine, appears to be most ridiculous. but if not a pathologist, i have a most decided knowledge of what is good wine; and if the gout should some day honour me with a visit, i shall at least have the consolation to know that i have by potation most honestly _earned_ it. but allowing that the medical gentlemen are correct, still their good intentions are frustrated by the knavery of the world; and the result of their prescriptions is, that people drink much more acid than they did before. i do every justice to good old sherry when it does make its appearance at table; it is a noble wine when aged and unsophisticated from its youth; but for once that you meet with it genuine, you are twenty times disappointed. when madeira wine was in vogue, the island could not produce the quantity required for consumption, and the vintage from the north side of the island, or of teneriffe, was substituted. this adulteration no doubt was one cause of its losing its well established reputation. but madeira wine has a quality which in itself proves its superiority over all other wines--namely, that although no other wine can be passed off as madeira, yet with madeira the wine-merchants may imitate any other wine that is in demand. what is the consequence? that madeira, not being any longer in request as madeira, now that sherry is the "correct thing," and there not being sufficient of the latter to meet the increased demand, most of the wine vended as sherry is made from the inferior madeira wines. reader, if you have ever been in spain, you may have seen the xerez or sherry wine brought from the mountains to be put into the cask. a raw goat-skin, with the neck-part and the four legs sewed up, forms a leathern bag, containing perhaps from fifteen to twenty gallons. this is the load of one man, who brings it down on his shoulder exposed to the burning rays of the sun. when it arrives, it is thrown down on the sand, to swelter in the heat with the rest and remains there probably for days before it is transferred into the cask. it is this proceeding which gives to sherry that peculiar leather twang which distinguishes it from other wines--a twang easy to imitate by throwing into a cask of cape wine a pair of old boots, and allowing them to remain a proper time. although the public refuse to drink madeira, as madeira, they are in fact drinking it in every way disguised--as port, as sherry, etcetera; and it is a well-known fact that the poorer wines from the north side of the island are landed in the london docks, and shipped off to the continent, from whence they reappear in bottles as "peculiarly fine flavoured hock!" now, as it is only the indifferent wines which are thus turned into sherry,--and the more inferior the wine, the more acid it contains,--i think i have made out a clear case that people are drinking more acid than they did before this wonderful discovery of the medical gentlemen, who have for some years led the public by the nose. there are, however, some elderly persons of my acquaintance who are not to be dissuaded from drinking madeira, but who continue to destroy themselves by the use of this acid, which perfumes the room when the cork is extracted. i did represent to one of them, that it was a species of suicide, after what the doctors had discovered; but he replied, in a very gruff tone of voice, "may be, sir; but you can't teach an old dog new tricks!" i consider that the public ought to feel very much indebted to me for this _expose_. madeira wine is very low, while sherry is high in price. they have only to purchase a cask of madeira and flavour it with wellington boots or ladies' shippers, as it may suit their palates. the former will produce the high-coloured, the latter the pale sherry. further, i consider that the merchants of madeira are bound to send me a letter of thanks, with a pipe of bual, to prove its sincerity. now i recollect stoddart did promise me some wine when he was last in england; but i suppose he has forgotten it. but from the produce i must return to the island and my passengers. the first day of their arrival they eat their dinner, took their coffee, and returned to bed early to enjoy a comfortable night after so many of constant pitching and tossing. the next morning the ladies were much better, and received the visits of all the captains of the india ships, and also of the captain of the frigate who escorted them. the officers of the bombay castle had been invited to dinner; and the first-mate not being inclined to leave the ship, newton had for one accepted the invitation. on his arrival he discovered in the captain of the frigate his former acquaintance, captain carrington, in whose ship he had obtained a passage from the west indies, and who on the former being paid off had been appointed to the command of the boadicea, captain carrington was delighted to meet newton; and the attention which he paid to him, added to the encomiums bestowed when newton was out of bearing, raised him very high in the opinion, not only of captain drawlock, but also in the estimation of the ladies. at the request of captain carrington newton was allowed to remain on shore till their departure from the island; and from this circumstance he became more intimate with the ladies than he would in all probability have otherwise been in the whole course of the voyage. we must pass over the gallop up to nostra senhora da monte, an expedition opposed by captain drawlock on the score of his responsibility; but he was over-ruled by captain carrington, who declared that newton and he were quite sufficient convoy. we must pass over the many compliments paid to isabel revel by captain carrington, who appeared desperately in hove after an acquaintance of four-and-twenty hours, and who discovered a defect in the boadicea which would occupy two or three days to make good, that he might be longer in her company; but we will not pass over one circumstance which occurred during their week's sojourn at this delightful island. a certain portuguese lady of noble birth had been left a widow with two daughters, and a fine estate to share between them. the daughters were handsome; but the estate was so much handsomer, that it set all the mandolins of the portuguese inamoratos strumming under the windows of the lady's abode from sunset to the dawn of day. now it did so occur that a young english clerk in a mercantile house, who had a fresh complexion and a clean shirt to boast of (qualifications unknown to the portuguese), won the heart of the eldest daughter; and the old lady, who was not a very strict catholic, gave her consent to this heretical union. the catholic priests, who had long been trying to persuade the old lady to shut up her daughters in a convent, and endow the church with her property, expressed a holy indignation at the intended marriage. the portuguese gentlemen, who could not brook the idea of so many fair hills of vines going away to a stranger were equally indignant: in short, the whole portuguese population of the island were in arms; but the old lady, who had always contrived to have her way before her husband's death, was not inclined to be thwarted now that she was her own mistress; and, notwithstanding threats and expostulations from all quarters, she awaited but the arrival of an english man-of-war that the ceremony might be performed, there being at that time no protestant clergyman on the island; for the reader must know that a marriage on board of a king's ship, by the captain duly entered in the log-book, is considered as valid as if the ceremony were performed by the archbishop of canterbury. i once married couple on board of a little ten-gun brig of which i condescended to take the command, to oblige the first lord of the admiralty; offered, i believe to _provide_ for me, and rid the board of all future solicitations for employment or promotion. it was one of my sailors, who had come to a determination to make an honest woman of poll and an ass of himself, at one and the same time. the ceremony took place on the quarter-deck. "who gives this woman away?" said i, with due emphasis, according to the ritual. "i do," cried the boatswain in a gruff voice, taking the said lady by the arm and shoving her towards me, as if he thought her not worth keeping. every thing went on seriously, nevertheless. the happy pair were kneeling down on the union-jack, which had been folded on the deck in consideration of the lady's knees, and i was in the middle of the blessing, when two pigs which we had procured at st. jaco's, being them off that island (creatures more like english pigs on stilts than any thing else, unless you could imagine a cross between a pig and a greyhound), in the lightness of their hearts and happy ignorance of their doom, took a frisk, as you often see pigs do on shore, commenced a run from forward right aft, and galloping to the spot where we were all collected, rushed against the two just made one, destroying their centre of gravity, and upsetting them; and, indeed, destroying the gravity and upsetting the seriousness of myself and the whole of the ship's company. the lady recovered her legs, damned the pigs, and, taking her husband's arm, hastened down the hatchway; so that i lost the kiss to which i was entitled for my services. i consoled myself by the reflection that, "please the pigs," i might be more fortunate the next time that i officiated in my clerical capacity. this is a digression i grant, but i cannot help it; it is the nature of man to digress. who can say that he has through life kept in the straight path? this is a world of digression; and i beg that critics will take no notice of mine, as i have an idea that my digressions in this work are as agree able to my readers, as my digressions in life have been agreeable to myself. when captain carrington anchored with his convoy in funchal roads, immediate application was made by the parties for the ceremony to be performed on board of his ship. it is true that, as mr ferguson had arrived, it might have taken place on shore; but it was considered advisable, to avoid interruption and insult, that the parties should be under the sanctuary of a british man-of-war. on the fourth day after the boadicea's arrival the ceremony was performed on board of her by mr ferguson; and the passengers of the bombay, residing at the house of mr ---, who was an intimate friend of the bridegroom, received and accepted the invitation to the marriage-dinner. the feast was splendid, and after the portuguese custom. the first course was _boiled_: it consisted of boiled beef, boiled mutton, boiled hams, boiled tongues, boiled bacon, boiled fowls, boiled turkeys, boiled sausages, boiled cabbages, boiled potatoes, and boiled carrots. duplicates of each were ranged in opposition, until the table groaned with its superincumbent weight. all were cut up, placed in one dish, and handed round to the guests. when they drank wine, every glass was filled, and every body who filled his glass was expected to drink the health of every guest separately and by name before he emptied it. the first course was removed, and the second made its appearance all roasted. roast beef, roast veal, roast mutton, roast lamb, roast joints of pork, roasted turkeys, roasted fowls, roasted sausages, roasted every thing; the centre dish being a side of a large hog, rolled up like an enormous fillet of veal. this too was done ample justice to by the portuguese part of the company, at least, and all was cleared away for the dessert, consisting of oranges, melons, pine-apples, guavas, citrons, bananas, peaches, strawberries, apples, pears, and indeed of almost every fruit which can be found in the whole world, all of which appear to naturalise themselves at madeira. it was now supposed by the uninitiated that the dinner was over; but not so; the dessert was cleared away, and on came an _husteron proteron_ medley of pies and puddings, in all their varieties, smoking hot, boiled and baked, custards and sweetmeats, cheese and olives, fruits of all kinds preserved, and a hundred other things, from which the gods preserve us! at last the feast was really over; the portuguese picked their teeth with their forks, and the wine was circulated briskly. on such an occasion as the marriage of her daughter, the old lady had resolved to take a pipe of madeira, which was, at the very least, fifty years old, very fine in flavour, but, from having been so long in the wood, little inferior in strength to genuine cogniac. the consequence was, that many of the gentlemen became noisy before the dinner was over; and their mirth was increased to positive uproar upon a message being sent by the bishop, ordering upon pain of excommunication, that the ceremony should proceed no further. the ladies retired to the withdrawing room; the gentlemen soon followed; but the effects of the wine were so apparent upon most of them, that captain drawlock summoned newton to his assistance, and was in a state of extreme anxiety until his "responsibilities" were safe at home. shortly afterwards, captain carrington and those who were the least affected, by persuasion or force, removed the others from the house; and the bridal party were left to themselves, to deliberate whether they should or should not obey the preposterous demands of the reverend bishop. captain carrington was excessively fond of a joke, and never lost the opportunity when it occurred; now it happened, that in the party invited there was a merchant of the name of sullivan, who, upon his last visit to england, had returned with a very pretty, and at the same time, a very coquettish young lady as his wife. it happened, in the casualties of a large dinner party, that the old colonel (ellice was his name, if i have not mentioned it before) was seated next to her, and, as usual, was remarkably attentive. mr sullivan, like many other gentlemen, was very inattentive to his wife, and, unlike most irishmen, was very jealous of her. the very marked attention of the colonel had not escaped his notice; neither did his fidgeting upon this occasion escape the notice of those about him, who were aware of his disposition. the poor colonel was one of those upon whose brain the wine had taken the most effect, and it was not until after sundry falls, and being again placed upon his legs, that he had been conveyed home, between captain carrington and mr ---, the merchant at whose house the party from the bombay castle were residing. the ensuing morning he did not make his appearance at breakfast; and the gentlemen residing on the island, commenting upon the events of the evening before, declared in a joking way that they should not be surprised at mr sullivan sending him a challenge in the course of the morning; that was, if he was up so soon, as he had quitted the house in a greater state of inebriety than even the colonel. it was upon this hint that captain carrington proposed to have some amusement; and having arranged with one of the junior partners of the house, he went into the room of the colonel, whom he found still in bed. "well, colonel, how do you find yourself?" said captain carrington, when he had roused him. "oh! very bad indeed: my head is ready to split: never felt such a sensation in my head before, except when i was struck with a spent ball at the battle of--" "i am very sorry for your headache, colonel, but more sorry that the wine should have played you such a trick last night." "trick indeed!" replied the colonel; "i was completely overcome: i do not recollect a word that passed after i had quitted the dinner table." "are you serious? do you not recollect the scene with mrs sullivan?" "mrs sullivan! my dear sir, what scene? i certainly paid every attention due to a very pretty woman; but i recollect no further." "not the scene in the drawing-room?" "god bless me!--no--i do not even recollect ever going into the drawing-room! pray tell me what i said or did: i hope nothing improper." "why that depends very much whether a lady likes it or not: but in the presence of so many people--" "merciful powers! captain carrington, pray let me know at once what folly it was that i committed." "why, really, i am almost ashamed to enter into particulars: suffice to say, that you used most unwarrantable freedom towards her." "is it possible?" cried the colonel.--"now, captain carrington, are you not joking?" "ask this gentleman; he was present." the assertion of the captain was immediately corroborated, and the colonel was quite aghast. "excuse me, gentlemen, i will run immediately--that abominable wine; i must go and make a most ample apology. i am bound to do it, as a gentleman, as an officer, and as a man of honour." captain carrington and his confederate quitted the room, satisfied with the success of their plot. the colonel rose, and soon afterwards made his appearance. he swallowed a cup of coffee, and then proceeded on his visit, to make the _amende honorable_. when mr sullivan awoke from the lethargy produced from the stupefying effects of the wine, he tried to recollect the circumstances of the preceding evening; but he could trace no further than to the end of the dinner, after which his senses had been overpowered. all that he could call to memory was, that somebody had paid great attention to his wife, and that what had passed afterwards was unknown. this occasioned him to rise in a very jealous humour; and he had not been up more than an hour, when the colonel sent up his card, requesting, as a particular favour that the lady would admit him. the card and messenger were taken by the servant to mr sullivan, whose jealousy was again roused by the circumstance; and wishing to know if the person who had now called was the same who had been so attentive to his wife on the preceding evening, and the motives of the call, he requested that the colonel might be shown in, without acquainting his wife, whom he had not yet seen, with his arrival. the colonel, who intended to have made an apology to the lady without the presence of a third person, least of all of her husband, ascended the stairs, adjusting his hair and cravat, and prepared with all the penitent assurance and complimentary excuses of a too ardent lover. the fact was, that, although the colonel had expressed to captain carrington his regret and distress at the circumstance, yet, as an old adonis, he was rather proud of this instance of juvenile indiscretion. when therefore he entered the room, and perceived, instead of the lady. mr sullivan raised up to his utmost height, and looking any thing but good humoured, he naturally started back, and stammered out something which was unintelligible. his behaviour did not allay the suspicions of mr sullivan, who requested, in a haughty tone, to be informed of the reason why he had been honoured with a visit. the colonel became more confused, and totally losing his presence of mind, replied:-- "i called, sir,--on mrs sullivan,--to offer an apology for my conduct last night; but as i perceive that she is not visible, i will take a more favourable opportunity." "any apology you may have to offer to my wife, sir," replied mr sullivan, "may be confided to me. may i inquire the circumstances which have occurred to render an apology necessary?" and mr sullivan walked to the door and closed it. "why, really, mr sullivan, you must be aware that circumstances may occur," replied the colonel, more confused: "the fact is, that i consider it my duty, as a gentleman and a man of honour, to express my regrets to your fair lady." "my fair lady! for what, sir, may i ask?" "why, sir," stammered the colonel, "to state the truth, for, as a gentleman, and a man of honour, i ought not to be ashamed to acknowledge my error--for--the very improper behaviour which i was guilty of last night." "improper behaviour, sir!--damnation! with my wife?" roared mr sullivan, in his rage. "what behaviour, sir? and when, sir?" "really, sir, i was too much affected with the wine to know any thing which passed. i did hope to have addressed the lady in person on the subject, and i came here with that intention." "i dare say you did, sir?" "but," continued the colonel, "as it appears i am not to have that honour, i consider that i have done my duty in requesting that you will convey my sentiments of regret for what has passed;--and, now, sir, i wish you a good morning." "good morning," retorted the husband, with a sneer; "and observe, sir, i will not trouble you to call again, william, show this gentleman outside the door." the colonel, who was descending the stairs, turned round to mr sullivan at the latter part of his speech, and then, as if thinking better of it, he resumed his descent, and the door was immediately closed upon him. mr sullivan, as soon as he was satisfied that the colonel was shut out, immediately repaired to his wife's dressing-room, where he found her reading. "madam," said he, fixing his eyes sternly on her, "i have been informed of what took place last night." "i'm sure i do not know what that was," replied the lady, coolly, "except that you were very tipsy." "granted, madam: you took advantage of it; and your conduct--" "my conduct, mr sullivan!" replied his wife, kindling with anger. "yes, mrs sullivan, your conduct. a married woman, madam, who allows gentlemen--" "gentlemen, mr sullivan! i allow no gentlemen but yourself. are you sure that you are quite sober?" "yes, madam, i am; but this affected coolness will not avail you: deny, if you can, that colonel ellice did not last night--" "well, then, i do deny it. neither colonel ellice nor any other man ever did--" "did what, madam?" interrupted the husband, in a rage. "i was going to observe, if you had not interrupted me, that no one was wanting in proper respect towards me," replied the lady, who grew more cool as her husband increased in choler. "pray, mr sullivan, may i inquire who is the author of this slander?" "the author, madam! look at me--to your confusion look at me!" "well, i'm looking." "'twas, madam--the colonel himself." "the colonel himself!" "yes, madam, the colonel himself, who called this morning to see you, and renew the intimacy, i presume; but, by mistake, was shown up to me, and then made an apology for his conduct." "it's excessively strange! first the colonel is rude, without my knowledge, and then apologises to you! mr sullivan, i'm afraid that your head is not right this morning." "indeed, madam, i only wish that your heart was as sound," replied the husband with a sneer; "but, madam, i am not quite blind. an honest woman--a virtuous woman, mrs sullivan, would have immediately acquainted her husband with what had passed--not have concealed it; still less have had the effrontery to deny it, when acknowledged by her _paramour_." "_paramour_!" cried the lady, with an hysterical laugh; "mr sullivan! when i select a _paramour_, it shall be a handsome young man--not an old, yellow-faced--" "pshaw, madam! there's no accounting for taste; when once a woman deviates from the right path--" "right path! if ever i deviated from the right path, as you call it, it was when i married such a wretch as you! yes, sir! continued the lady, bursting into tears, i tell it you now--my life has been a torment to me ever since i married (sobbing)--always suspected for nothing (sob, sob)--jealous, detestable temper (sob)--go to my friends (sob)-- hereafter may repent (sob)--then know what you've lost" (sob, sob, sob). "and, madam," replied mr sullivan, "so may you also know what you have lost, before a few hours have passed away; then, madam, the time may come when the veil of folly will be rent from your eyes, and your conduct appear in all its deformity. farewell, madam--perhaps for ever!" the lady made no reply; mr sullivan quitted the room, and, repairing to his counting-house, wrote a challenge to the colonel, and confided the delivery of it to one of his friends, who unwillingly accepted the office of second. volume two, chapter seventeen. he's truly valiant, that can wisely suffer the worst that man can breathe, and make his wrongs his outsides; to wear them, like his raiment, carelessly, and ne'er prefer his injuries to his heart, to bring it into danger. shakespeare. the colonel, in the meantime, had returned to the house where he was residing, when he was immediately accosted by captain carrington, and the other gentlemen who had been let into the secret of the plot. during his walk home the colonel had been ruminating on his dismissal, and had not quite made up his mind whether he ought or ought not to resent the conduct of mr sullivan. naturally more inclined for peace than war, by the time that he arrived home he had resolved to pocket the affront, when captain carrington called him on one side, and obtained from him a recapitulation of what had passed; which probably never would have been given if the colonel had not considered the communication as confidential. this, however, did not suit the intentions of captain carrington, who felt inclined for more mischief; and when the colonel had concluded his narrative, he replied, "upon my word, colonel, as you observe, this conduct on the part of mr sullivan, is not exactly what can be permitted by us military men. i hardly know bow to advise; indeed i would not take the responsibility; however, i will consult with mr s--- and mr g---, and if you will leave your honour in our hands, depend upon it we will do you strict justice:" and captain carrington quitted the colonel, who would have expostulated, and, walking up to the other gentlemen, entered into a recapitulation of the circumstances. a wink of his eye, as his back was turned to the colonel, fully expressed to the others the tenor of the advice which they were to offer. "well, gentlemen, what is your opinion?" said the captain, as he concluded his narrative. "i think," replied mr s---, with a serious face, "there can be but one--our gallant friend has been most grossly insulted. i think," continued he, addressing the colonel, who had quitted the sofa, in his anxiety to know the issue of their debate, "that i should most decidedly ask him what he meant." "or rather demand an apology," observed mr g---. "which mr sullivan as a man of honour is bound to offer, and the colonel as a gentleman and an officer has a right to insist upon. do you not think so, captain carrington?" said mr s---. "why, i always have been more inclined to be a peacemaker than otherwise, if i can," replied captain carrington. "if our gallant friend the colonel is not sure that mr sullivan did use the words, `i won't trouble you to call again,'--are you positive as to the exact words, colonel?" "why, to the best of my recollection," replied the colonel, "i rather think those were the words.--i may be mistaken:--it was certainly--most certainly--something to that effect." "were they, `requesting you to call again?'" said captain carrington. "no, no,--that they certainly were not." "well, they could be but one or the other.--then, gentlemen, the case is clear--the words were uttered," said mr s---, "now, captain carrington, what would you advise?" "i really am vexed to say, that i do not see how our friend, colonel ellice, can do otherwise than demand an apology, or a meeting." "could not i treat him with contempt, captain carrington?" demanded the colonel. "why, not exactly," replied mr s---. "sullivan is of good family; the sullivans of bally cum poop. he was some time in the th regiment, and was obliged to retire from it for challenging his colonel." "well, gentlemen," replied the colonel, "i suppose i must leave my honour in your hands, although it does appear to me that our time is very short for such arrangements. we sail early to-morrow morning; captain carrington; at daylight, i think you said, and it will be too late to-night." "my dear colonel, i will risk a rebuke from the admiralty," replied the captain, "rather than not allow you to heal your wounded honour. i will stay till the day after to-morrow, should it be requisite for the arrangement of this business." "thank you: many thanks," replied the colonel, with an expression of disappointment. "then i had better prepare the letter?" "carta por senhor commandante," interrupted a portuguese, presenting a letter to the colonel; "o senhor embaixo; queir risposta." the colonel opened the letter, which contained mr sullivan's challenge,--pistols--to-morrow morn, at daylight--one mile on the road to machico. the colonel's countenance changed two or three shades less yellow as he read the contents: recovering himself with a giggle, he handed the letter to captain carrington. "you see, captain, the gentleman has saved me the trouble--he, he, he! these little affairs are common to gentlemen of our profession--he, he! and since the gentleman wishes it, why, i presume--he, he! that we must not disappoint him." "since you are both of one mind, i think there will be some business done," observed mr s---. "i perceive that he is in earnest by the place named for the meeting. we generally settle our affairs of honour in the loo-fields; but i suppose he is afraid of interruption.--they want an answer, colonel." "oh! he shall have one," replied the colonel, tittering with excitement; "he shall have one. what hour does he say?" "oh! we will arrange all that. come, colonel," said captain carrington, taking him familiarly by the arm, and leading him away. the answer was despatched, and they sat down to dinner. many were the friendly and encouraging glasses of wine drank with the colonel, who recovered his confidence, and was then most assiduous in his attentions to the ladies to prove his perfect indifference. he retired at an early hour nevertheless. in the mean time mr sullivan had received the answer, and had retired to his counting-house, to arrange his affairs in case of accident. he had not seen his wife since the fracas. and now we will leave them both for awhile, and make a few remarks upon duelling. most people lament, many abuse the custom as barbarous; but barbarous it is not, or it would not be necessary in a state of high civilisation. it is true that by the practice we offend laws human and divine; but at the same time, it must be acknowledged, that neither law nor religion can keep society in such good order, or so restrain crime. the man who would defy the penalty of the law, and the commandments of his god against seduction, will, however pause in his career when he finds that there are brothers to avenge an injured sister. and why so?--because in this world we live as it were in a tavern, careless of what the bill is which we run up, but dreading the day of reckoning, which the pistol of our adversary may bring at once. thus duelling may be considered as a necessary evil, arising out of our wickedness; a crime in itself rare in occurrence, but which prevents others of equal magnitude from occurring every day; and until the world is reformed, nothing can prevent it. men will ever be governed by the estimation of the world: and until the whole world decide against duelling--until it has become the usage to offer the other cheek upon the first having been smitten, then, and not till then, will the practice be discontinued. when a man refuses to fight a duel, he is stigmatised as a coward, his company is shunned; and, unless he is a wretch without feeling, his life becomes a burden. men have refused from purely conscientious motives, and have subsequently found themselves so miserable from the neglect and contumely of the world, that they have _backslided_, and have fought to recover their place in society. there have been some few, very few, who, having refused from conscientious motives, have adhered to these resolutions, because they feared god and not man. there was more courage in their refusal than if they had run the gauntlet of a hundred duels; a moral courage, which is most rare, preferring the contempt of man to the wrath of god. it is, however, the most trying situation on this side of the grave. to refuse to fight a duel, is in fact to obey the stern injunction, "leave all, and follow me." for my part, i never have and never will fight a duel, if i can help it. i have a double motive for my refusal; in the first place, i am afraid to offend the deity; and in the next, i am afraid of being shot. i have therefore made up my mind never to meet a man except upon what i consider fair terms; for when a man stakes his life, the gambling becomes rather serious, and an equal value should be laid down by each party. if, then, a man is not so big--not of equal consequence in the consideration of his fellow mites--not married, with five small children, as i am--not having so much to lose--why it is clear that i risk more than he does; the stake is not equal, and i therefore shall not meet him. if, on the contrary, he presents a broader target,--if he is my superior in rank, more patriarchal at home, or has so many hundreds per annum more, why then the disadvantages will be on his side; and i trust i am too much of a gentleman, even if he offers to waive all these considerations, to permit him to fight. it would be _swindling_ the man out of his life. the best advice i can offer to my friends under these unpleasant circumstances is, first to try if they cannot persuade their adversaries to make an apology: and if he will not, why then let them make one themselves; for although the making an apology creates a very uneasy sensation, and goes very much _against_ the stomach, yet, depend upon it, a well-directed bullet creates a much more uneasy feeling, and, what is worse, goes _directly into it_. we left mrs sullivan sobbing in her anger, when her husband bounded out of the room in his heroics. at the time that he made the threat she was in no humour to regard it; but as her anger gradually subsided, so did her alarm increase. notwithstanding that she was a coquette, she was as warmly attached to her husband as he was to her; if she trifled, it was only for her amusement, and to attract that meed of admiration to which she had been accustomed previous to her marriage, and which no woman can renounce on her first entry into that state. men cannot easily pardon jealousy in their wives; but women are more lenient towards their husbands. love, hand-in-hand with confidence, is the more endearing; yet, when confidence happens to be out of the way, love will sometimes associate with jealousy; still, as this disagreeable companion proves that love is present, and as his presence is what a woman and all a woman asks, she suffers jealousy, nay, sometimes even becomes partial to him for the sake of love. now that mrs sullivan had been most unjustly accused, the reader must know, and moreover, that she had great reason to feel irritated. when her tears had subsided, for some time she continued in her chair, awaiting with predetermined dignity the appearance and apology of mr sullivan. after some time had elapsed, she wondered why he did not come. dinner was announced, and she certainly expected to meet him then, and she waited for some minutes to see if he would not take this opportunity of coming up to her;--but no. she then presumed that he was still in the sulks, and had sat down to table without her, and therefore, as he would not come--why, she went; but he was not at the table. every minute she expected him:--had he been told?--where was he?--he was in the counting-house, was the reply. mrs sullivan swallowed a few mouthfuls, and then returned up stairs. tea was made-- announced to mr sullivan, yet he came not. it remained on the table; the cup poured out for him was cold. the urn had been sent down, with strict injunctions to keep the water boiling, and all was cleared away. mrs sullivan fidgeted and ruminated, and became uneasy. he never had been at variance for so many hours since their marriage, and all for nothing! at last the clock struck ten, and she rang the bell.--"where was mr sullivan?"--"in the counting-house."--"tell him that i wish to speak with him." mr sullivan had not answered him, and the door was locked inside. this intelligence created a little irritation, and checked the tide of affection. "before all the servants--so inconsiderate--it was quite insulting!" with a heavy heart, mrs sullivan lighted the chamber candle, and went up stairs to bed. once she turned down the stairs two or three steps, intending to go to the counting-house door; but her pride restrained her, and she re-ascended. in an hour mrs sullivan was in bed, expecting her husband every minute, listening at the slightest sound for his footstep; but two o'clock came and he was still away. she could bear up against her suspense and agitation no longer; she rose, threw on her _robe de nuit_, and descended the stairs. all the family had long retired, and every thing was still: her light foot made no noise as she tripped along. as she neared the door, she perceived the light gleaming through the key-hole. whether to peep or to speak first--he might be fast asleep. curiosity prevailed--she looked through the key-hole, and perceived her husband very busy writing. after he had finished his letter he threw down the pen, pressed his forehead with both hands, and groaned deeply. mrs sullivan could refrain no longer. "william! william!" cried she, in a soft imploring voice: but she was not answered. again and again did she repeat his name, until an answer, evidently wrung from him by impatience, was returned--"it is too late now." "too late, dear william! yes, it is very late, it's almost three o'clock. let me in william,--pray do!" "leave me alone: it's the last favour i probably shall ever request of you." "the last favour! oh, william! you frighten me so:--dear william--do-- do let me in. i'm so cold, i shall die:--only for one moment, and i'll bless you. pray do, william!" it was not until after repeated and repeated entreaties of this kind, that mr sullivan, worn out by importunity, at last opened the door. "mary, i am very busy; i have opened the door to tell you so, and to request that you will not interrupt me. now oblige me by going to bed." but getting in was every thing; and a young and pretty wife, in dishabille and in tears, imploring, entreating, conjuring, promising, coaxing, and fondling, is not quite so easy to be detached when once she has gained access. in less than half an hour mr sullivan was obliged to confess that her conduct had been the occasion of a meeting being agreed for upon that morning, and that he was arranging his affairs in case of a melancholy termination. "you now, mary, must see the consequences of your conduct. by your imprudence, your husband's life is risked, probably sacrificed; but this is no time to be at variance. i forgive you, mary,--from my soul, i do, as i hope for pardon myself." mrs sullivan burst into a paroxysm of tears; and it was some time before she could answer. "william," cried she energetically, "as you well say, this is no time to be at variance, neither is it a time for falsehood. what i stated to you this morning was true:--if not, may i never hope for pardon! and may heaven never be opened to me! you have been deceived, grossly deceived; for what purpose, i know not; but so it is. do not therefore be rash. send for all who were present, and examine them; and if i have told you a falsehood, put me away from you, to the shame and seclusion i shall so well deserve." "it is too late, mary; i have challenged him, and he has accepted it. i fain would believe you; but he told me so himself." "then he told a lie! a base cowardly lie! which sinks him beneath the notice of a gentleman. let me go with you and confront him. only let him dare to say it to my face: 'tis all i ask, william, that i may clear my fame with you. come to bed--nay, nay, don't refuse me;" and poor mrs sullivan again burst into tears. we must leave the couple to pass the remaining hours in misery, which, however, reclaimed them both from faults. mrs sullivan never coquetted more, and her husband was, after this, never jealous but on trifles. the colonel was just as busy on his side, in preparing for the chances of the morrow: these chances however were never tried; for captain carrington and his confederates had made their arrangements. mr sullivan was already dressed, his wife clinging to him in frantic despair, when a letter was left at his door, the purport of which was that colonel ellice had discovered that his companions had been joking with him, when they had asserted that during his state of inebriety, he had offered any rudeness to mrs sullivan. as therefore no offence had been committed, colonel ellice took it for granted that mr sullivan would be satisfied with the explanation. mrs sullivan, who devoured the writing over her husband's shoulder, sunk down on her knees in gratitude, and was raised to her husband's arms, who, as he embraced her, acknowledged his injustice. the same party who wrote this epistle also framed another in imitation of mr sullivan's hand-writing, in which mr sullivan acquainted the colonel, that having been informed by a mutual friend that he had been in error relative to colonel ellice's behaviour of the night before, he begged to withdraw the challenge, and apologise for having suspected the colonel of incivility, etcetera. that having been informed that colonel ellice embarked at an early hour, he regretted that he would not be able to pay his respects to him, and assure him, etcetera. the receipt of this letter, just as the colonel had finished a cup of coffee, preparatory to starting, made him, as a single man, quite as happy as the married couple; he hastened to put the letter into the hands of captain carrington, little thinking that he was handing it over to the writer. "you observe, captain carrington, he won't come to the scratch. perhaps as well for him that he does not," said the colonel, chuckling in his glee. the breakfast was early; the colonel talked big, and explained the whole affair to the ladies, quite unconscious that every one in the company knew that the hoax had been played upon him. before noon, every one had re-embarked on board of their respective ships, and their lofty sails were expanded to a light and favouring breeze. volume two, chapter eighteen. _isabel_. any where to avoid matrimony: the thought of a husband is terrible to me. _inis_. but if you might choose for yourself, i fancy matrimony would be no such frightful thing to you. _the wonder_. the boadicea, with the indiamen, proceeded on to their destination, captain carrington taking every opportunity which light winds and smooth water afforded him, of paying his respects to the ladies on board of the bombay castle, or of inviting them on board of the frigate. the fact was, that he had fallen most desperately in love with isabel revel, and paid her the most marked attention; but, although a pleasant, light-hearted companion, and a young man of good family and prospects, isabel revel had not fallen in love with him: she liked his company, but nothing more. in a month the squadron had arrived at the island of st. helena, to which captain carrington had been ordered to convey them: his directions were then to cruise in a certain latitude, and ultimately to proceed on to the east indies, if he did not fall in with the vessels he expected. it was, therefore, but parting to meet again; but during the short time that they refitted and completed their water at st. helena, captain carrington proposed, and was politely refused by isabel revel. impatient as a boy who has been denied his plaything, he ordered his stores immediately on board, and the next day quitted the island. it may appear strange that a young lady, obviously sent out on speculation, should have refused so advantageous an offer; for the speculation commences with the voyage. some ladies are selected at madeira. since the cape has been in our possession, several have been induced to stay in that colony; and very often ships arrive with only the _refuse_ of their cargo; for the intended market in the east. but isabel revel had consented to embark on the score of filial duty, not to obtain a husband unless she liked the gentleman who proposed; and captain carrington did not happen to come up to her fanciful ideas of the person to be chosen for life. captain carrington did not impart the intelligence of his ill success to any one but newton, who was employed to carry his farewell message. his secret was faithfully kept by both. isabel revel was not one of those young ladies who would make use of such an unworthy advantage to heighten her consequence in the eyes of others. but there was another reason, not exactly known to isabel herself at the time, which prevented her from listening to the proposals of captain carrington. had she questioned her own heart, she would have discovered that she was prepossessed in favour of one, who as unconsciously had become attached to her. he knew his own feelings, but had checked them in the bud, aware that he had nothing to offer but himself. this person was newton forster. his intimacy with captain carrington, the attention shown him by captain drawlock, (who trusted him to work the chronometers!!) his own excellent character and handsome person, had raised him to more importance than his situation as a junior officer would have warranted; and his behaviour was such as to have secured him the good-will of every one on board of the ship. newton's unassuming frank manner, added to a large stock of general information, occasioned his society to be courted, even by those who would otherwise have been inclined to keep at a distance one in his subordinate rank. when they arrived at st. helena, the first-mate, for a wonder, no longer made any difficulty of going on shore for an hour or two, if he knew that newton would be the commanding officer during his absence; nay, so high did he stand in the opinion of his captain, that nut only was he permitted to take charge of the chronometers, but, if called away for a time below, captain drawlock would hand over to newton's charge any one of the unmarried _responsibilities_, who might happen to be leaning on his arm. the indiamen being now left to protect themselves, the senior officer, commodore bottlecock, issued most elaborate memoranda, as to the order of sailing, exercise of the men at the great guns and small arms, and every other point which could tend to their security by due preparation. nevertheless, the ladies continued to appear on deck. mrs ferguson sat in her majesty; the young ladies tittered, and were reprimanded; the young gentlemen were facetious, and were rebuked; the old colonel talked of his adventure at madeira, and compared every thing to the spent ball at the battle of ---. dr plausible had become a most assiduous attendant upon miss tavistock, ever since he had satisfactorily ascertained that she had property of her own; every body had become intimate; every one was becoming tired, when the bearings and distance at noon placed them about two hundred miles from point de galle, the southernmost extremity of ceylon. the wind was fresh and fair, and they congratulated each other upon a speedy termination to their tedious voyage. dinner was announced by the old tune of "oh! the roast beef of old england;" and during a long voyage the announcement of dinner is a very great relief every way. as had been the invariable rule throughout the whole of the voyage, miss charlotte and miss laura revel were placed on the one side of captain drawlock, miss tavistock and isabel revel on the other. they were flanked on the other side by mrs and mr ferguson, who thus separated them from any undue collision with the gentlemen passengers or officers of the ship. the colonel was placed next to mrs ferguson, the young writer next to her husband; then the two cadets, supported by the doctor and purser, the remainder of the table being filled up with the officers of the ship, with the first-mate at the foot. such was the order of captain drawlock's dinner--sailing; as strictly adhered to as the memoranda of commodore bottlecock: the only communication permitted with the young ladies under his charge (unless married men) being to "request the honour of drinking a glass of wine with them." all this may appear very absurd; but a little reflection will convince the reader to the contrary. there is a serious responsibility on a captain of an indiaman, who takes charge of perhaps a dozen young women, who are to be cooped up for months in the same ship with as many young men. love, powerful every where, has on the waters even more potent sway, hereditary i presume, from his mother's nativity. idleness is the friend of love; and passengers have little or nothing to do to while away the tedium of a voyage. in another point, he has great advantage, from the limited number of the fair sex. in a ball or in general society, a man may see hundreds of women, admire many, yet fall in love with none. numbers increase the difficulty of choice, and he remains delighted, but not enslaved. but on board of a ship, the continued presence of one whom he admires by comparison out of the few,--one who, perhaps, if on shore, would in a short time be eclipsed by another, but who here shines without competition,--gives her an advantage which, assisted by idleness and opportunity, magnifies her attractions, and sharpens the arrow of all-conquering love. captain drawlock perhaps knew this from experience; he knew also that the friends of one party, if not of both, might be displeased by any contract formed when under his surveillance, and that his character and the character of his ship (for ships now-a-days have characters, and very much depend upon them for their well doing) might suffer in consequence. strict as he might therefore appear, he was only doing his duty. grace being requested from mr ferguson, he indulged the company with one quite as long as usual; rather too long considering that the ship was very unsteady, and the ladies had to cling to the table for support. but mr ferguson was not a sailor, or he would have known that it is the custom to reduce the grace in proportion with the canvass. when the royals are set, we submit to a homily; under double-reefed topsails, a blessing; but under storm stay-sails, an ejaculation is considered as orthodox. "mrs ferguson, will you permit me to send you a little mulligatawney? said captain drawlock. if you prefer it, there is sheep's-head broth at the other end of the table." "then i will take a little of the broth, if you please, captain drawlock." "mr mathews, mrs ferguson will take some broth. i am sorry, mrs ferguson, that our table is so ill-supplied; but a long voyage and bad weather has been very fatal to our hen-coops." "indeed, captain drawlock, you need not apologise." nor was there any occasion, for the table was loaded. "perhaps miss laura revel will permit me to send her a slice of this mutton?" said the obsequious colonel. "no, i thank you; i have eaten nothing but mutton lately. i think i shall be a sheep myself soon," added the young lady, tittering. "that would be very much against your inclination, i should think, miss laura," observed mrs ferguson, tartly. "la! why so? how do you know, mrs ferguson?" "because a sheep never changes its name until after it is dead. i shrewdly suspect you would like to change yours before."--(this was a hard hit.) "as you have yours, mrs ferguson," quietly answered isabel, in support of her sister. "very fair on both sides," said the colonel, bowing to the ladies, who sat together. "pray miss laura, don't talk of being a sheep, we are all ready to devour you as it is." "la! you don't say so?" replied the young lady, much pleased. "colonel ellice," interrupted captain drawlock, with a serious air, "several of the company will thank you to carve that joint, when you have finished paying your compliments. miss tavistock, the honour of a glass of wine. we have not had the pleasure of your company on deck to-day." "no, captain drawlock. i did intend to come, but my health is in such a delicate state, that by the advice of dr plausible i remained below." "miss tavistock will you allow me to send you some mutton?" "if you please, colonel; a very small slice." "mr forster, what have you in that dish before you?" "a chicken, captain drawlock." "miss isabel revel, will you take some chicken?" "no, i thank you, captain drawlock," replied isabel. "did you say yes or no?" inquired newton, who had caught her eye. "i'll change my mind," said isabel, smiling. now, i know it for a fact, although i shall not give up my authority, that isabel revel never wanted any chicken until she perceiveth that newton was to help her. so, if love occasionally takes away the appetite, let us do him justice--he sometimes creates one. "miss tavistock, allow me to send you a little of this turkey," said dr plausible; "it is easy of digestion." "if you please, doctor," replied miss tavistock, cramming the last mouthful of mutton into her mouth, and sending away her plate to be changed. "will you not take a little ham with it, miss tavistock?" said captain drawlock. "if you please, sir." "the honour of a glass of wine, miss tavistock," said the colonel. "with pleasure, sir." "miss charlotte revel, you have really eaten nothing," said captain drawlock. "that proves you have not paid me the least attention," replied the young lady. "had you honoured me with a single glance during dinner, you could not but have observed that i have been dining very heartily." "i really am quite shocked, miss charlotte, and bow to your reproof. will you take a glass of wine with me in reconciliation?" "i consider a glass of madeira a very poor bribe, sir." "well, then, miss charlotte, it shall be champagne," replied captain drawlock, in his gallantry. "steward, champagne." a fortunate hit for the company, as champagne was in general only produced upon what sailors call `clean shirt days,' viz. sundays and thursdays. "we are highly indebted to miss revel," observed the colonel, bowing to her; "and i think we ought to drink her health in a bumper." agreed to, _nem con_. champagne, thou darling of my heart! to stupefy oneself with other wines, is brutal; but to raise oneself to the seventh heaven with thee, is quite ethereal. the soul appears to spurn the body, and take a transient flight without its dull associate--the--the--broke down, by jupiter! all i meant to say was, that champagne is very pretty _tipple_; and so thought the dinner party, who were proportionally enlivened. "is this orthodox, mr ferguson?" inquired the colonel, holding up his glass. "so far orthodox, that it is very good; and what is orthodox is good," replied the divine, with good-humour. "the asia has made the signal for `a strange sail--suspicious,'" said the second-mate to captain drawlock, putting his head into the cabin. "very well, mr jones, keep a glass upon the commodore." "mrs ferguson, will you take some of this tart? damascene, i believe," said the first-mate. "if you please, mr mathews.--did not mr jones say suspicious?--what does that imply?" "imply, madam; why that he don't like the cut of her jib!" "and pray what does that mean?" "mean, madam; why, that for all he knows to the contrary, she may be a french frigate." "a french frigate! a french frigate! o dear! o dear!" cried two or three ladies at a breath. "mr mathews," said captain drawlock, "i am really surprised at your indiscretion. you have alarmed the ladies. a suspicious sail, mrs ferguson, merely implies--in fact, that they do not know what she is." "is that _all_ it means?" replied mrs ferguson, with an incredulous look. "nothing more, madam; nothing more, i assure you." "commodore has made a signal that strange vessel is a man-of-war bearing down," said the second-mate, again entering the cabin. "very well, mr jones," said captain drawlock, with assumed indifference, but at the same time fidgeting on his chair. the first-mate and newton immediately quitted the cabin. "miss tavistock, will you take a little of this pudding?" "if you please, sir, a very little." "a man-of-war! i'll go and have a look at her," said the colonel; who rose up, bowed to the ladies, and left the cuddy. "most probably one of our cruisers," observed captain drawlock. "the commodore has made the signal to prepare for action, sir," said the second-mate. "very well, mr jones," said captain drawlock, who could now restrain himself no longer. "you must excuse me, ladies, for a moment or two, but our commodore is so _very_ prudent a man, and i am under his orders. in a short time i hope to return to the pleasure of your society." captain drawlock's departure was followed by that of all the male party, with the exception of doctor plausible and mr ferguson, both of whom however were anxious to go upon deck, and ascertain how matters stood. "mr ferguson, where are you going?" said his wife, sharply. "pray, sir, do us the favour to remain. your profession, if i mistake not, is one of peace." "oh! doctor plausible, i feel very unwell," cried miss tavistock. "i will stay with you, my dear madam," replied the doctor. a gun from the commodore's ship, which was close to windward of them, burst upon their ears, rattling the cabin windows, and making every wine-glass on the table to dance with the concussion. "oh! oh! oh!" screamed miss tavistock, throwing herself back in her chair, and expanding her arms and fingers. doctor plausible flew to the lady's assistance. "the extreme fineness of her organic structure--a little water, if you please, miss charlotte revel." a tumbler of water was poured out, and doctor plausible, dipping the tip of his fore-finger into it, passed it lightly over the lady's brows. "she will be better directly." but the lady did not think proper to _come to_ so soon as the doctor prophesied, and mrs ferguson, snatching up the tumbler, dashed the contents with violence in miss tavistock's face; at which miss tavistock not only revived, but jumped up from her chair, blowing and spluttering. "are you better now, miss tavistock?" said mrs ferguson, soothingly, at the same time glancing her eyes at the other ladies, who could not restrain their mirth. "oh! doctor plausible, that shock has so affected my nerves, i feel that i shall faint again, i do indeed--i'm going--" "lean upon me, miss tavistock, and permit me to conduct you to your cabin," replied the doctor; "the extreme delicacy of your constitution," continued he whispering as they left the cuddy, "is not equal to the boisterous remedies of mrs ferguson." as they went out, newton forster came in. "you must not be alarmed, ladies, when i state that i am commissioned by captain drawlock to inform you that the stranger's manoeuvres are so doubtful, that we think she is an enemy. he has desired me to request you will accept my convoy to the lower-deck, where you will be safe from accident, in the event of our coming to an engagement. mr ferguson, the captain intrusts the ladies to your charge, and requests that you will not leave them upon any consideration. now, mrs ferguson, will you permit me to escort you to a place of security?" at this intelligence laura revel stared, charlotte burst into tears, and isabel turned pale. mrs ferguson took the arm of newton without saying a word, when the other was offered and accepted by isabel. mr ferguson, with the two other sisters, brought up the rear. the ladies had to pass the quarter-deck, and when they saw the preparations, the guns cast loose, the shot lying on the deck, and all the various apparatus for destruction, their fears increased. when they had been conducted to their place of safety, newton was about to return on deck, when he was seized by miss charlotte and laura revel, who entreated him not to leave them. "do stay with us, mr forster; pray don't go," cried they both. "i must indeed, ladies; you are perfectly safe here." "for god's sake, don't you go away, mr forster!" cried laura, falling on her knees. "i shall die of fright.--you shan't go!" screamed laura, as the two sisters clung on to the skirts of his jacket, and effectually prevented his escape, unless, like the patriarch, he had left his garment behind. newton cast an appealing glance at isabel, who immediately interfered,--"charlotte, for shame! you are preventing mr forster from going to his duty. my dear laura, do not be so foolish; mr forster can be of no service to us: but he will be on deck. let go, laura." newton was released. "i am much obliged to you, miss isabel," said newton, with his foot on the ladder; "but i have no time now to express my thanks--not to be on deck--" "i know it, mr forster: go up, i beseech you, do not wait a moment;" and newton sprung up the ladder; but not before he had exchanged with isabel a glance, which, had he been deficient in courage, would have nerved him for the approaching combat. we must leave the ladies with mr ferguson (who had no pleasant office), while we follow newton on deck. the stranger had borne down with studding-sails, until within three miles of the india-men, when she rounded to. she then kept away a little, to close nearer, evidently examining the force opposed to her. the indiamen had formed the line of battle in close order, the private signal between english men-of-war and east india ships flying at their mast-heads. "extremely strange, that she does not answer the private signal," said the colonel to the second-mate. "not at all, if she don't know how." "you are convinced, then, that she is a french frigate?" "no, not positive; but i'll bet you ten to one she is:--bet off, if either of us are killed, of course!" "thanky; i never bet," answered the colonel, turning away. "what do you think of her, mr mathews?" said captain drawlock to the first-mate, who had his eye on the ship. "she is english built and english rigged, sir, that i'll swear; look at her lower yard-arms, the squaring of her topsails. she may be french now, but the oak in her timbers grew in old england." "i agree with you," said newton: look at the rake of her stern; she's english all over. "then why don't she answer the private signal?" said captain drawlock. "she's right in the wind's eye of us, sir, and our flags are blowing end on from her." "there goes up her bunting, sir," cried the first-mate. "english, as i said. the commodore is answering, sir. up with the ensign there abaft. all's right, tell the ladies." "i will; i'll go and inform them," said the colonel; who immediately descended to impart the joyful intelligence. the frigate bore down, and hove to. the commodore of the india squadron went on board, when he found that she was cruising for some large dutch store-ships and vessels armed _en flute_, which were supposed to have sailed from java. in a quarter of an hour, she again made sail, and parted company, leaving the indiamen to secure their guns, and pursue their course. there are two parties, whose proceedings we had overlooked; we refer to miss tavistock and dr plausible. the latter handed the lady to her cabin, eased her down upon her couch, and, taking her hand gently, retained it in his own, while with his other he continued to watch her pulse. "do not alarm yourself, my dear miss tavistock; your sensibility is immense. i will not leave you. i cannot think what could have induced you to trust yourself on such a voyage of danger and excitement." "oh! dr plausible, where my affections are centred, there is nothing, weak creature that i am, but my soul would carry me through:--indeed i am all soul.--i have a dear friend in india." "he is most happy," observed the doctor, with a sigh. "he, dr plausible! you quite shock me!--do you imagine for a moment that i would go out to follow any gentleman? no, indeed, i am not going out on speculation, as some young ladies:--i have enough of my own, thank god! i keep my carriage and corresponding establishment, i assure you."--(the very thing that dr plausible required.) "indeed! my dear miss tavistock, is it then really a female friend?" "yes! the friend of my childhood. i have ventured this tedious, dangerous voyage, once more to fold her in my arms." "disinterested affection! a heart like yours, miss, were indeed a treasure to be won. what a happy man would your husband be!" "husband! oh, dr plausible don't mention it: i feel convinced,-- positively convinced, that my constitution is not strong enough to bear matrimony." the doctor's answer was too prolix for insertion; it was a curious compound dissertation upon love and physic, united. there was devoted attention, extreme gentle treatment, study of pathology, advantage of medical attendance always at hand, careful nursing, extreme solicitude, fragility of constitution restored, propriety of enlarging the circle of her innocent affections, ending at last in devoted love, and a proposal--to share her carriage and establishment. miss tavistock assumed another faint--the shock was so great; but the doctor knelt by her, and kissed her hand, with well-affected rapture. at last, she murmured out a low assent, and fell back, as if exhausted with the effort. the doctor removed his lips from her hand to her mouth, to seal the contract; and, as she yielded to his wishes, almost regretted that he had not adhered to his previous less assuming gallantry. volume two, chapter nineteen. 'tis sweet to hear the watch-dog's honest bark, bay deep-mouth'd welcome as we draw near home; 'tis sweet to know there is an eye will mark our coming--and look brighter when we come. byron. edward forster returned home with his little _protegee_, his mind relieved from the weight which had oppressed it: he knew that the word of his brother was his bond, and that under a rough exterior he concealed a generous and sympathising heart. it was in the early part of the autumn that he again took possession of the cottage; and as he once more seated himself in his old arm-chair, he mentally exclaimed, "here then am i again at anchor for a short time, until summoned to another world." his prophecy was correct; during the severe winter that followed, his wound opened again, and his constitution, worn out, gave way to repeated suffering. he had not been confined to his bed more than a fortnight when he felt that his end was approaching. he had long been prepared: nothing remained to be done but to write a letter to his brother, which he confided to robinson, the fisherman, with directions that it should be put into the post-office immediately after his death; and a strict charge to watch over the little girl, until she should be sent for by his brother. this last necessary act had been completed when robinson, who was standing by the side of the bed, with the letter in his hand, informed him that the family at the hall had returned from the continent on the evening before, with their only son, who was now restored to health. this intelligence induced forster to alter his plans; and trusting to the former friendship of lord aveleyn, he despatched robinson to the hall, stating his own condition, and requesting that his lordship would come to the cottage. lord aveleyn immediately obeyed the summons, and perceiving at the first glance that forster's situation debarred all chance of recovery, took upon himself with willingness the charge of the letter, and promised to receive amber into his house until it was convenient that she should be removed. it was dark when lord aveleyn, with melancholy foreboding, took his last farewell; for, ere the sun had risen again, the spirit of edward forster had regained its liberty, and soared to the empyrean, while the deserted amber wept and prayed. edward forster had not concealed from her the precarious tenure of his existence, and since their return from london had made her fully acquainted with all the particulars connected with her own history. the last few weeks, every interval of suffering had been devoted by him to enforce those principles which he ever had inculcated, and to prepare for the event which had now taken place. amber was kneeling by the side of the bed; she had been there so long, that she was not aware that it was broad day. her face laid upon her hands, was completely hid by her luxuriant hair, which had escaped from the confinement of the comb, when the door of the chamber of death was softly opened. amber, who either did not hear the noise, or thought it was the daughter of robinson, who lived as servant in the cottage, raised not her head. the steps continued to approach, then the sound ceased, and amber felt the arms of some one encircling her waist to raise her from her kneeling posture. she lifted up her head, and dividing the hair from her forehead, that she might see who it was, perceived that it was young aveleyn who was hanging over her. "my poor little girl!" said he in a tone of commiseration. "oh! william aveleyn," cried amber, bursting into a paroxysm of tears, as she was folded in his arms. the sorrow of youth is sympathetic, and william aveleyn, although seventeen years old, and fast advancing to manhood, did not disdain to mingle his tears with those of his former playmate. it was some time before he could persuade amber, who clung to him in her grief, to any degree of serenity. "amber, dear, you must come to us at the hall; this is no place for you now." "and why not, william? why should i leave so soon? i'm not afraid of being here, or lying by his side alone: i've seen other people die. i saw mrs beazeley die--i saw poor faithful die; and now, they _all_ are dead," said amber, bursting into tears, and burying her face in william aveleyn's bosom. "i knew that he was to die," said she, raising her head after a time--"he told me so; but, to think that i shall never hear him speak again--that very soon i shall never see him more--i must cry, william." "but your father is happy, amber." "_he_ is happy, i know; but he was not my father, william. i have no father--no friend on earth i know of. he told me all before he died; faithful brought me from the sea." this intelligence roused the curiosity of william aveleyn, who interrogated amber, and obtained from her the whole of the particulars communicated by edward forster; and, as she answered to his many questions, she grew more composed. the narrative had scarcely been finished, when lord aveleyn, who had been summoned by robinson, drove to the door, accompanied by lady aveleyn, who thought that her presence and persuasions would more readily induce amber to heave the cottage. convinced by her of the propriety of the proposal, amber was put into the carriage without resistance, and conveyed to the hall, where every thing that kindness and sympathy could suggest was resorted to, to assuage her grief. there we must leave her, and repair to the metropolis. "scratton," said mr john forster to his clerk, who had answered the bell, "recollect i cannot see any one to-day." "you have several appointments, sir," replied the clerk. "then send, and put them all off." "yes, sir; and if any one calls, i am to say that you are not at home?" "no, i am at home; why tell a lie? but i cannot see any body." the clerk shut the door; john forster put on his spectacles to reperuse the letter which lay before him. it was the one from edward, inclosed in a frank by lord aveleyn, with a few lines, announcing his brother's death, and stating that amber was at the hall, where they should be glad that she should remain until it was convenient to send for her. edward's letter repeated his thanks to his brother for his kind promise, and took a last and affectionate farewell. john forster struggled for a time with his feelings; but the more he attempted to repress them, the more violent they became. he was alone, and he gave them vent. the legal documents before him, arising from the bitterness of strife, were thus unusually moistened with a tribute to a brother's memory. but in a few moments the old lawyer was himself again; all traces of emotion had disappeared, and no one who had seen him then would ever have imagined that john forster could have been thus moved. the next day he was not as usual to be found at his chambers: the fact was, that he had set off immediately after breakfast, upon what is generally termed "house hunting." the apartments which he occupied in his chambers were not sufficient for the intended increase of his establishment; and when he had given his promise to edward, he was fully aware of the expense which would be entailed by receiving amber, and had made up his mind to incur it. he therefore fixed upon a convenient house in lincoln's-inn-fields, which would not detach him far from his chambers. having arranged for a lease of twelve years, john forster returned to his chambers. "scratton," said he, "look out for a man-servant, a cook, housemaid, and a steady woman, as housekeeper--good characters, and undeniable reference. the housekeeper must be a somewhat superior person, as she will have to take charge of a young miss, and i do not want her spoiled by keeping company with the general description of servants. do you understand?" scratton did; and in less than a month, as every thing is to be obtained for money in the city of london, the house was furnished by a city upholsterer in a plain way, and all the servants installed in their respective situations. mr john forster took possession of his new house, and tried for a week if all worked well. ascertaining that the furniture was complete, the under-servants well behaved, and the housekeeper a mild and very intelligent personage, fit to be intrusted with the charge of a little girl, he then wrote to lord aveleyn, reiterating the thanks conveyed in his former letter, and requesting that amber might be delivered into the charge of the bearer. with this letter mr scratton was despatched, and, in due time, arrived at the hall. amber wept bitterly at the idea of parting with those who had been so kind to her, and passing into the hands of one who was a stranger. having exacted a promise from william aveleyn that he would call as he passed through on his way to cambridge, she bade her kind friends farewell, entered the chaise in company with mr scratton, and was hurried off to london. mr scratton was one of those personages who never spoke except on business; and, having no business to transact with a girl of twelve years old, he never spoke at all except when necessity rendered it imperative. amber was therefore left to her own reflections. what they all were i cannot tell; but one certainly was, that travelling in a chaise for two days with mr scratton was not very agreeable. most happy was she when they drove up to the door of mr john forster's new habitation. the old gentleman, who had calculated the hour of her arrival after the receipt of a letter from her companion, was there to receive her. amber, who had been prepossessed in his favour by edward forster, who had told her that in his brother she would find a protector and indulgent parent, ran up to him when she entered the room, and burst into tears as the injunctions of edward forster returned to her memory. john forster took her in his arms, and kissed her. "my little girl," said he, "what my brother was, such will i be to you. consider me as your father; for his memory, and i hope soon, for your own sake, i shall rejoice to be so." after an hour, by which time amber had recovered her serenity, and become almost cheerful, she was consigned to the charge of mrs smith the housekeeper, and john forster hastened back to his chambers and his clients, to make up for so much lost time. it was not long before the old gentleman discovered that the trouble and expense which he had incurred to please his brother was the occasion of pleasure and gratification. he no longer felt isolated in the world: in short, he had a _home_, where a beaming eye met his return, and an affectionate heart ministered to his wishes; where his well-known rap at the door was a source of delight, and his departure one of regret. in a few months amber had entwined herself round the old man's heart; the best masters were procured for her, and all the affection of a doting parent upon an only child was bestowed by him who, when the proposition was made, had declared that "it was bad enough to maintain children of one's own begetting." bless my soul! how poor authors are obliged to gallop about. now i must be off again to india, and get on board of the bombay castle. end of the second volume. volume three, chapter one. a green and gilded snake had wreathed itself, who, with her head, nimble in threats, approach'd the opening of his mouth. shakespeare. the bombay castle arrived at madras without further adventure. a few hours after she had anchored, all the passengers, receiving kind messages from, or escorted on shore by their relatives or consignees, had landed; all, with the exception of the three miss revels, whose anxiety to land was increased by the departure of the others, and the unpleasant situation in which they were placed, by remaining a clog upon captain drawlock, who would not quit his ship until he had surrendered up his charge. by inquiry of the dubashes, captain drawlock found out that an old colonel revel was residing at his bungalo, about two miles distant from the fort, and supposing him not to be aware of the arrival of his grand-nieces, he despatched newton forster to acquaint him with the circumstance. it was late in the afternoon when newton arrived at the residence of the colonel, when he perceived immediately that every thing was on the establishment of an old indian nabob. a double set of palanquin-bearers were stretched under the verandas; syces were fanning the horses with their chowries; tailors and various craftsmen were at work in the shade, while a herd of consumers, butlers, and other indian domestics, were loitering about, or very busy doing nothing. it will be necessary, before newton is introduced to the colonel, that the colonel should be introduced to the reader. he was a man of nearly sixty years of age, forty-five of which, with the exception of occasional furlough, had been passed in the country. having held several lucrative situations for many years, and, although not parsimonious, being very prudent in money concerns, he had amassed a very large fortune. more than once he had returned to england on leave, and with the full intention of remaining there, if he could be comfortable; but a few months in his native country only made him more anxious to return to india. his habits, his tastes were all eastern; the close hospitality, the cold winter of england, the loss of consequence, naturally resulting when a man mixes in the crowd of london, all disgusted him, and he invariably returned to india long before his furlough had expired. he was a bachelor from choice. when young he had been very cruelly treated by the object of his admiration, who deserted him for a few lacks of rupees, which offered themselves with an old man as their appendage. this had raised his bile against the sex in general, whom he considered as mercenary and treacherous. his parties were numerous and expensive: but women were never to be seen in his house; and his confirmed dislike to them was the occasion of his seldom visiting, except with those who were like himself, in a state of happy singleness. in other points, he was a liberal, worthy man, and a perfect gentleman, but extremely choleric in his disposition. newton addressed himself to one of the butlers, requesting to be announced. the man led the way to a spacious hall, coated and floored with chunam, when newton perceived the colonel, who presented rather a singular spectacle. "burra saib; saib," said the indian; and immediately retired. the colonel was a tall gaunt man, with high cheek-bones, bushy eyebrows, and white hair. he was seated on a solitary chair in the centre of the hall; his dress consisting of a pair of white nankeen trousers and a white shirt, the sleeves of the latter tucked up to his shoulders, and exposing sinewey arms, covered with hair. by his side lay a basket of mangoes, and before his chair a large tub of water. as newton entered, he had an opportunity of witnessing the most approved method of eating this exquisite fruit. the colonel had then one as large as a cassowary's egg, held in both hands, and applied to his mouth, while he held his head over the tub of water, to catch the superabundant juice which flowed over his face, hands, and arms, and covered them with a yellow stain. the contents of the mango were soon exhausted; the stone and pulp were dropped into the tub of water, and the colonel's hand was extended to the basket for a repetition of his luxurious feast, when newton was announced. newton was sorry to interrupt him, and would have made an apology, had he not observed that the colonel, whose back was towards him, continued his pleasing avocation: the fact was, that the colonel was so intent upon his occupation, that he had neither heard the announcement, nor could he perceive newton, who thus had an opportunity of witnessing the demolition of at least two dozen more mangoes without the colonel having turned his eyes in that direction, or being aware that he was not alone. but something at length attracted the attention of newton, and induced him to come forward, and put an end to the colonel's repast. the colonel had just taken another mango out of the basket, when newton perceived a small snake wind itself over the rim, and curl up one of the feet of the colonel's chair, in such a position that the very next time that the colonel reached out his hand, he must have come in contact with the reptile. newton hardly knew how to act; the slightest movement of the old gentleman might be fatal to him; he therefore walked up softly, and was about to strike the animal on the head with his stick, when the colonel, as he leant over the tub, half rose from the chair. in an instant, newton snatched it from under him, and jerked it, with the snake, to the corner of the hall. the colonel, whose centre of gravity had not been sufficiently forward to enable him to keep his feet, fell backward, when newton and he both rolled on the floor together; and also both recovered their legs at the same time. "you'll excuse me, sir," said newton. "i'll be damned if i do, sir!" interrupted the colonel, in a rage; "who the devil are you?--and how dare you presume to play off such impertinent jokes upon a stranger?--where did you come from, sir?--how did you get in, sir?" "is that a joke, sir?" replied newton, calmly pointing to the snake, which was still hissing in its wrath at the corner of the room where the chair lay. newton then briefly explained the circumstances. "sir, i beg your pardon a thousand times, and am very much your debtor. it is the most venomous snake that we have in the country. i trust you will accept my apology for a moment's irritation; and, at the same time, my sincere thanks." the colonel then summoned the servants, who provided themselves with bamboos, and soon despatched the object which had occasioned the misunderstanding. the colonel then apologised to newton, while he repaired to the bath, and in a few minutes returned, having undergone the necessary ablution after a mango feast. his dress was changed, and he offered the appearance of an upright gentlemanlike, hard-featured man, who had apparently gone through a great deal of service without his stamina having been much impaired. "i beg your pardon, my dear sir, for detaining you. may i request the pleasure of your name, and the occasion of your providential visit." "i have a letter for you, sir," replied newton, who had been intrusted with the one which mr revel had given to his daughters on their embarkation. "oh! a letter of introduction. it is now quite superfluous; you have already introduced yourself." "no sir, it is not a letter of recommendation in my behalf; but to announce the arrival of your three grand-nieces--daughters of the honourable mr revel--in the bombay castle, the ship to which i belong." "what?" roared the colonel, "my three grand-nieces! daughters of mr revel!" "so i have understood from them, sir." the colonel tore open the letter, in which mr revel very coolly informed him that not having received any answer to his former epistles on the subject, he presumed that they had miscarried, and had therefore been induced in consequence of the difficulties which he laboured under to send his daughters out to his kind protection. the colonel, as soon as he had finished the perusal of the letter, tore it into pieces again and again, every renewed action showing an increase of excitement. he then threw the fragments on the floor, stamping upon them in an ecstasy of rage. "the damned scoundrel!--the villain!--the rascal!--do you know, sir, that when i was last in england, this fellow swindled me out of a thousand pounds? yes, sir, a thousand pounds, by god! promised to pay me in three weeks; and when i was coming back, and asked for my money, he laughed at me, and ordered his servant not to let me in. and now he has sent out his three daughters to me--pawned them off upon me, laughing i suppose in his sleeve, as he did when he cheated me before. i'll not receive them, by god! they may find their way back again how they can;" and the colonel paced the room up and down, throwing his arms about in his fury. newton waited some time before he ventured to make any observation; indeed he was so astonished at such unheard-of proceeding, and so shocked at the unfortunate situation of isabel, that he hardly knew what to say. "am i then to inform the young ladies that you will not receive them?" "you don't know me, sir.--when did i ever receive a woman into my house? they are all alike, sir.--plotted with their father, i'll answer for, with the hopes of getting husbands. tell them, sir, that i'll see them damned first--swindling scoundrel!--first cheats me out of a thousand pounds, and then tries to cheat me into providing for his family!" newton paused a little, to allow the colonel's wrath to subside, and then observed--"i never was so much distressed as to be the bearer of your message. the young ladies are certainly no parties to their father's dishonesty, and are in a situation much to be pitied. in a foreign country, thousands of miles from their friends, without means of subsistence, or of paying their passage home. what is to become of them?" "i don't care." "that your indignation is just, colonel revel, i admit;--but allowing that you will not receive them, how are they to return home? captain drawlock, i am sure, would give them a passage; but we proceed to china. poor girls!" continued newton, with a sigh. "i should like to make a remark, colonel revel, if it were not considered too great a liberty in a stranger." "you have already taken a liberty, which in all probability has saved my life. i shall be happy to listen to any remark that you may wish to offer." "it was, sir, that reprehensible as their father's conduct may be, common humanity, and a regard for your own character, will hardly warrant their being left thus destitute. they at least are your relations, and have neither offended nor deceived you; on the contrary, are, with you, joint victims of their father's deception." "you appear to take a great interest in these young ladies," observed the colonel, sharply. "if i had never seen them, sir, their present unfortunate dilemma would be sufficient. knowing them intimately as i do, i must say, that this intelligence will be to one; at least, a death-blow. i would to god that i were able to assist and to protect her!" "very handsome then i presume?" replied the colonel, with a sneer. "she certainly is, sir; but it was not admiration of her beauty which occasioned the remark. if you knew her, sir, you would be as sorry to part with her, as you now appear to be to receive her." the colonel continued to pace the room, but with less violence than before. newton observed this, and therefore was silent, hoping that reflection would induce him to alter his resolution. in a few minutes, apparently forgetting the presence of newton, the colonel commenced talking to himself aloud, muttering out the following detached phrases: "must take them in by god! couldn't show my face--nowhere--damned scoundrel! keep them here till next ship--till they are as yellow as gamboge, then send them home--revenge in that." thus did the old gentleman mutter loud enough for newton to overhear. a few minutes more were spent in perambulation, when he threw himself into the chair. "i think, my young acquaintance, you appear to be interested for these relations of mine; or at least for one of them." "i certainly am, sir; and so is every one who is acquainted with her." "well, i am glad to hear that there is one good out of the three. i have been put in a passion--no wonder; and i have said more than should be repeated. were it known that these girls had been sent out to me in this way, the laugh would be raised against me, as it is known that i am not very partial to women; and it would also be of serious injury to them and their prospects. i have determined upon receiving them, for the best of all possible reasons--i can't help myself. you will therefore add to the obligations of this day, by saying nothing about what has been made known to you." "most certainly, sir; i will pledge you my honour, if it is requested." "when i say not mention it, i mean to other parties; but to the girls, i must request you to state the facts. i will not have them come here, pawing and fondling, and wheedling me as an old bachelor, with a few lacks of rupees to be coaxed out of. it would make me sick; i detest women and their ways. now if they are informed of the real state of the case, that they are here only on sufferance; that i neither wished nor want them; and that i have been imposed upon by their scoundrel of a father, i may keep them at the other end of the bungalo, and not be annoyed with their company; until, upon plea of bad health, or some other excuse, i can pay their passage back again." "could you not state these facts yourself, sir?" "no, i never meddle with women; besides, it is better that they should know it before they come here. if you will promise me what i now request, why i will consent to give them house-room; if not, they may stay where they are. it will be but a few days laugh at me, or abuse of me, i care little which." "well, sir, unpleasant as this intelligence must be, their present suspense is still more so. you will allow me to disclose it in as delicate a manner as possible." "you may be as refined as you please, provided that you tell the exact truth, which i am convinced that you will, by your countenance." "then i will take my leave, sir," replied newton. "fare you well, my dear sir; recollect that my house is your home; and although not fond of the society of women, i shall be delighted with yours. the young ladies may be brought on shore to the hotel, and i will send a carriage for them. good-bye.--what is your name?" "forster, sir." "good-bye then, mr forster, for the present;" and the colonel quitted the room. volume three, chapter two. then there were sighs, the deeper for suppression, and stolen glances, sweeter for the theft, and burning blushes, though for no transgression. tremblings when met, and restlessness when left. all these are little preludes to possession, of which young passion cannot be bereft, and merely tend to show how greatly love is embarrassed, at first starting, with a novice. byron. it was in no very happy frame of mind that newton quitted the colonel's house to execute his mission to the miss revels. that the two eldest, provided they were admitted, would not much take to heart, either the conduct of their father, or the coolness of their relation, he was pretty well assured; but he was too well acquainted with isabel's character, not to know that she would deeply feel the humiliating situation in which she was placed, and that it would prey upon her generous and sensitive mind. as, however, there was no remedy, he almost congratulated himself that, as the colonel's message was to be delivered, the commission had been placed in his trust. captain drawlock, tired of waiting, had escorted the young ladies on shore to the hotel, anxiously expecting the arrival of newton, who was conducted there by a messenger despatched to intercept him. "well, mr forster, is it all right?" said captain drawlock, on his appearance. "the colonel's carriage will be here for the ladies in less than half an hour," replied newton, evasively. "then, miss revels, as i am extremely busy, i shall wish you good morning, and will have the pleasure of paying my respects before i sail. allow me to offer you my best thanks for your company during our voyage, and to assure you how much your presence has contributed to enliven it. forster, you will of course remain with the miss revels, and see them safe in the carriage;" and captain drawlock, who appeared to consider his responsibility over with the voyage, shook hands with them and quitted the hotel. "mr forster," said isabel, as soon as captain drawlock was out of hearing, "i am sure by your countenance that there has been something unpleasant. is it not so?" "i am sorry to answer in the affirmative, and more sorry to be forced to impart the cause." newton then entered into a detail of what had passed at the colonel's house. isabel listened to it with attention, her sisters with impatience. miss charlotte, with an air of consternation, inquired whether the colonel had refused to receive them: on being informed to the contrary, she appeared to be satisfied. laura simpered, and observed, "how very odd of papa!" and then seemed to think no more about it. isabel made no observation; she remained on her chair, apparently in deep and painful thought. a few minutes after the communication the colonel's carriage made its appearance, and newton proposed that they should quit the hotel. charlotte and laura were all ready and impatient, but isabel remained seated by the table. "come, isabel," cried charlotte. "i cannot go, my dear charlotte," replied isabel; "but do not let me prevent you or laura from deciding for yourselves." "not go!" cried the two sisters at once. isabel was firm; and newton, who did not think himself authorised to interfere, was a silent witness to the continued persuasions and expostulations of the two elder, and the refusal of the younger sister. nearly half an hour thus passed away when charlotte and laura decided that they would go, and send back the carriage for isabel, who by that time would have come to her senses. the heartless, unthinking girls tripped gaily down to the carriage, and drove off. newton, who had escorted them, retraced his steps, with a beating heart, to the room where he had left isabel. she was in tears. "do i intrude, miss revel?" said newton, who could not repress his emotion at the sight. "oh, no! i expected and wished that you would return, mr forster. do you think that you could find captain drawlock? i should feel much obliged if you would take that trouble for me." "i will immediately go in search of him, if you wish it. believe me, miss revel, i feel most sincerely for your situation; and, if it were not considered an impertinent question, i should ask you what may be your present intentions?" "acquainted as you are with all the circumstances, mr forster, the question is not impertinent, but kind. god knows that i require an adviser. i would, if possible, conceal the facts from captain drawlock. it is not for a daughter to publish a father's errors; but you know all, and i can therefore have no scruple in consulting with you: i do not see why i should. my resolution is, at best a hasty one; but it is, never to enter the house of my relation, under such humiliating circumstances--that is decided: but how to act, or what to do, is where i require advice. i am in a cruel situation. what a helpless creature is a woman! were i a man, i could have worked my passage home; or have honestly obtained my bread in this place; but a woman--a young and unprotected woman--in a distant clime, and without a friend--" "do not say that you are without a friend; one who has at least the will, if not the power to serve you," replied newton. "no--not without a friend; but what avails a friend whose assistance i could not accept? it is to captain drawlock, therefore, that i must apply, and, painful as it may be, throw myself upon his generosity; for that reason i wished to see him. he may advise some means by which i may obtain a passage home. i will return in any capacity, as a nurse to children, as an attendant--any thing that is creditable. i would watch over the couch of fever, pestilence, and plague, for months, rather than appear to be a party to my father's duplicity. oh! mr forster, what must you think of the daughters, after what you have heard of the parent's conduct?"--and isabel burst into tears. newton could contain himself no longer. "my dear miss revel, let me persuade you to compose yourself," said he, taking her hand, which was not withdrawn; "if you feel on this occasion, so do i most deeply;--most deeply, because i can only lament, and dare not offer to assist you. the means of returning to your own country, i can easily procure from captain drawlock; but would you accept it from me? i know--i cannot expect that you would; and that, under such circumstances, it would be insulting in me to offer it. think, then, what pain i must feel to witness your distress, and yet dare not offer to assist one for whom-- oh! my god--" ended newton, checking his feelings. "i feel the kindness and the delicacy of your conduct, mr forster; and i will candidly acknowledge, that, could i accept it, there is no one to whom i would more cheerfully be under an obligation; but the world will not permit it." "what shall i do, miss revel?--shall i go for captain drawlock?" "stay a little while, i wish to reflect. what would you advise? as a friend, tell me candidly, mr forster." "i am indeed proud that you allow me that title. it is all that i ever dare hope for;--but isabel--i beg your pardon, miss revel, i should have said--" "nay, nay, i am not displeased. why not isabel? we have known one another long enough, and deserted as i feel a kind word now."--isabel covered her face with her hand. newton, who was standing by her, was overcome by the intensity of his feelings; gradually they approached nearer, until by, i suppose, the same principle which holds the universe together, the attraction of cohesion, newton's arm encircled the waist of isabel, and she sobbed upon his shoulder. it was with difficulty that newton refrained from pouring out his soul, and expressing the ardent love which he had so long felt for her; but it was taking advantage of her situation. he had nothing to offer but himself and beggary. he did refrain. the words were not spoken; yet isabel divined his thoughts, appreciated his forbearance, and loved him more for his resolution. "isabel," said newton, at length, with a sigh, "i never valued or wished for wealth till now. till this hour i never felt the misery of being poor." "i believe you, mr forster; and i am grateful, as i know that it is for my sake that you feel it; but," continued she, recovering herself, "crying will do no good. i asked you for your advice, and you have only given me your arm." "i am afraid it is all i shall ever have to offer," replied newton. "but, isabel, allow me to ask you one question:--are you resolved never to enter your relation's house?" "not on the humiliating terms which he has proposed. let the colonel come here for me and take me home with him, and then i will remain there until i can return to england; if not, i will submit to any privation, to any honest humiliation, rather than enter under his roof. but indeed, mr forster, it is necessary that captain drawlock should be summoned. we are here alone: it is not correct: you must feel that it is not." "i do feel that it is not; but, isabel, i was this morning of some trifling service to the colonel, and may have some little weight with him. will you allow me to return to him and try what i can do? it will not be dark for these two hours, and i will soon be back." isabel assented. newton hastened to the colonel, who had already been much surprised when he had been informed by his domestics (for he had not seen them) that only two ladies had arrived. the old gentleman was now cool. the explanation and strong persuasions of newton, coupled with the spirited, behaviour of isabel, whose determination was made known to him, and which was so different from the general estimate he had formed of the sex, at last prevailed. the colonel ordered his carriage, and, in company with newton, drove to the hotel, made a sort of apology--a wonderful effort on his part, and requested his grand-niece to accept of his hospitality. in a few minutes isabel and the colonel were out of sight, and newton was left to his own reflections. a few days afterwards newton accepted the colonel's invitation to dine, when he found that affairs were going on better than he expected. the old gentleman had been severely quizzed by those who were intimate with him, at the addition to his establishment, and had winced not a little under the lash; but, on the whole, he appeared more reconciled than would have been expected. newton, however, observed that, when speaking of the three sisters, he invariably designated them as "my grand-niece, and the two other young women." volume three, chapter three. rich in the gems of india's gaudy zone, and plunder piled from kingdoms not their own, degenerate trade! thy minions could despise thy heart-born anguish of a thousand cries: could lock, with impious hands, their teeming store, while famish'd nations died along the shore; could mock the groans of fellow men, and bear the curse of kingdoms, peopled with despair; could stamp disgrace on man's polluted name, and barter with their gold eternal shame. campbell. gold!--gold! for thee, what will man not attempt? for thee, to what degradation will he not submit?--for thee, what will he not risk in this world, or prospectively in the next;--industry is rewarded by thee; enterprise is supported by thee; crime is cherished, and heaven itself is bartered for thee, thou powerful auxiliary of the devil! one tempter was sufficient for the fall of man; but thou wert added, that he ne'er might rise again. survey the empire of india; calculate the millions of acres, the billions with which it is peopled, and then pause while you ask yourself the question--how is it that a company of merchants claim it as their own? by what means did it come into their possession? honestly, they will reply. honestly! you went there as suppliants; you were received with kindness and hospitality, and your request was granted, by which you obtained a footing on the soil. now you are lords of countless acres, masters of millions, who live or perish as you will; receivers of enormous tribute.--why, how is this? honestly, again you say; by treaty, by surrender, by taking from those who would have destroyed us, the means of doing injury. honestly! say it again, that heaven may register, and hell may chuckle at your barefaced, impudent assertion. no! by every breach of faith which could disgrace an infidel; by every act of cruelty which could disgrace our nature; by extortion, by rapine, by injustice, by mockery of all laws or human or divine. the thirst for gold, and a golden country, led you on; and in these scorching regions you have raised the devil on his throne, and worshipped him in his proud pre-eminence as mammon. let us think. is not the thirst for gold a temptation to which our natures are doomed to be subjected--part of the ordeal which we have to pass? or why is it that there never is sufficient? it appears to be ordained by providence that this metal, obtained from the earth to feed the avarice of man, should again return to it. if all the precious ore which for a series of ages has been raised from the dark mine were now in tangible existence, how trifling would be its value! how inadequate as a medium of exchange for the other productions of nature, or of art! if all the diamonds and other precious stones which have been collected from the decomposed rocks (for hard as they once were, like all sublunary matter, they too yield to time), why, if all were remaining on the earth, the frolic gambols of the may-day sweep would shake about those gems, which now are to be found in profusion only where rank and beauty pay homage to the thrones of kings.--arts and manufactures consume a large proportion of the treasures of the mine, and as the objects fall into decay, so does the metal return to the earth again. but it is in eastern climes, where it is collected, that it soonest disappears. where the despot reigns, and the knowledge of an individual's wealth is sufficient warranty to seal his doom, it is to the care of the silent earth alone that the possessor will commit his treasures; he trusts not to relation or to friend, for gold is too powerful for human ties. it is but on his death-bed that he imparts the secret of his deposit to those he leaves behind him; often called away before he has time to make it known, reserving the fond secret till too late; still clinging to life, and all that makes life dear to him. often does the communication, made from the couch of death, in half-articulated words, prove so imperfect, that the knowledge of its existence is of no avail unto his intended heirs; and thus it is, that millions return again to the earth from which they have been gathered with such toil. what avarice has dug up, avarice buries again; perhaps in future ages to be regained by labour, when, from the chemical powers of eternal and mysterious nature, they have again been filtered through the indurated earth, and reassumed the form and the appearance of the metal which has lain in darkness since the creation of the world. is not this part of the grand principle of the universe? the eternal cycle of reproduction and decay, pervading all and every thing, blindly contributed to by the folly and the wickedness of man? "so far shalt thou go, but no further," was the fiat; and, arrived at the prescribed limit, we must commence again. at this moment intellect has seized upon the seven-league boots of the fable, which fitted every body who drew them on, and strides over the universe. how soon, as on the decay of the roman empire, may all the piles of learning which human endeavours would rear as a tower of babel to scale the heavens, disappear, leaving but fragments to future generations, as proofs of pre-existent knowledge! whether we refer to nature or to art, to knowledge or to power, to accumulation or destruction, bounds have been prescribed which man can never pass, guarded as they are by the same unerring and unseen power, which threw the planets from his hand, to roll in their appointed orbits. all appears confused below, but all is clear in heaven. i have somewhere heard it said, that where heaven may be, those who reach it will behold the mechanism of the universe in its perfection. those stars now studding the firmament in such apparent confusion, will there appear in all their regularity, as worlds revolving in their several orbits, round suns that gladden them with light and heat, all in harmony, all in beauty, rejoicing as they roll their destined course in obedience to the almighty fiat; one vast, stupendous, and, to the limits of our present senses, incomprehensible mechanism, perfect in all its parts, most wonderful in the whole. nor do i doubt it: it is but reasonable to suppose it. he that hath made this world and all upon it, can have no limits to his power. i wonder whether i shall ever see it. i said just now, let us think. i had better have said, let us not think; for thought is painful, even dangerous when carried to excess. happy is he who thinks but little, whose ideas are so confined as not to cause the intellectual fever, wearing out the mind and body, and often threatening both with dissolution. there is a happy medium of intellect, sufficient to convince us that all is good--sufficient to enable us to comprehend that which is revealed, without a vain endeavour to pry into the hidden; to understand the one, and lend our faith unto the other; but when the mind would soar unto the heaven not opened to it, or dive into sealed and dark futurity, how does it return from its several expeditions? confused, alarmed, unhappy; willing to rest, yet restless; willing to believe, yet doubting; willing to end its futile travels, yet setting forth anew. yet, how is a superior understanding envied! how coveted by all! a gift which always leads to danger, and often to perdition. thank heaven! i have not been intrusted with one of those thorough-bred, snorting, champing, foaming sort of intellects, which run away with common sense, who is jerked from his saddle at the beginning of its wild career. mine is a good, steady, useful hack, who trots along the high-road of life, keeping on his own side, and only stumbling a little now and then, when i happen to be careless,--ambitious only to arrive safely at the end of his journey, not to pass by others. why am i no longer ambitious? once i was, but 'twas when i was young and foolish. then methought "it were an easy leap to pluck bright honour from the pale-faced moon;" but now i am old and fat, and there is something in fat which chokes or destroys ambition. it would appear that it is requisite for the body to be active and springing as the mind; and if it is not, it weighs the latter down to its own gravity. who ever heard of a fat man being ambitious? caesar was a spare man; bonaparte was thin, as long as he climbed the ladder; nelson was a shadow. the duke of wellington has not sufficient fat in his composition to grease his own wellington-boots. in short, i think my hypothesis to be fairly borne out, that fat and ambition are incompatible. it is very melancholy to be forced to acknowledge this, for i am convinced that it may be of serious injury to my works. an author with a genteel figure will always be more read than one who is corpulent. all his etherealness departs. some young ladies may have fancied me an elegant young man, like lytton bulwer, full of fun and humour, concealing all my profound knowledge under the mask of levity, and have therefore read my books with as much delight as has been afforded by pelham. but the truth must be told. i am a grave, heavy man, with my finger continually laid along my temple, seldom speaking unless spoken to--and when ladies talk, i never open my mouth; the consequence is, that sometimes, when there is a succession of company, i do not speak for a week. moreover, i am married, with five small children; and now all i look forward to, and all i covet, is to live in peace, and die in my bed. i wonder why i did not commence authorship before! how true it is that a man never knows what he can do until he tries! the fact is, i never thought that i could make a novel; and i was thirty years old before i stumbled on the fact. what a pity! writing a book reminds me very much of making a passage across the atlantic. at one moment, when the ideas flow, you have the wind aft, and away you scud, with a flowing sheet, and a rapidity which delights you: at other times, when your spirit flags, and you gnaw your pen (i have lately used iron pens, for i'm a devil of a crib-biter), it is like unto a foul wind, tack and tack, requiring a long time to get on a short distance. but still you do go, although but slowly; and in both cases we must take the foul wind with the fair. if a ship were to furl her sails until the wind again was favourable, her voyage would be protracted to an indefinite time; and, if an author were to wait until he again felt in a humour, it would take a life to write a novel. whenever the wind is foul, which it now most certainly is, for i am writing any thing but "newton forster," and which will account for this rambling, stupid chapter, made up of odds and ends, strung together like what we call "skewer pieces" on board of a man-of-war; when the wind is foul, as i said before, i have, however, a way of going a-head, by getting up the steam which i am now about to resort to--and the fuel is brandy. all on this side of the world are asleep, except gamblers, house breakers, the new police, and authors. my wife is in the arms of morpheus--an allegorical _crim con_, which we husbands are obliged to wink at; and i am making love to the brandy bottle, that i may stimulate my ideas, as unwilling to be roused from their dark cells of the brain as the spirit summoned by lochiel, who implored at each response, "leave me, oh! leave me to repose." now i'll invoke them, conjure them up, like little imps, to do my bidding:-- by this glass, which now i drain, by this spirit, which shall cheer you, as its fumes mount to my brain, from thy torpid slumbers rear you. by this head, so tired with thinking, by this hand, no longer trembling, by these lips, so fond of drinking, let me feel that you're assembling. by the bottle placed before me, (food for you, ere morrow's sun), by this second glass, i pour me, come, you _little beggars_, route. volume three, chapter four. "british sailors have a knack, haul away, yo ho, boys, of hauling down a frenchman's jack 'gainst any odds, you know, boys."--old song. there was, i flatter myself, some little skill in the introduction of the foregoing chapter, which has played the part of chorus during the time that the _bombay castle_ has proceeded on to canton, has taken in her cargo, and is on her passage home, in company with fifteen other east indiamen and several country ships, all laden with the riches of the east, and hastening to pour their treasures into the lap of their country. millions were floating on the waters, intrusted to the skill of merchant-seamen to convey them home in safety, and to their courage to defend them from the enemy, which had long been lying in wait to intercept them. by a very unusual chance or oversight, there had been no men-of-war despatched to protect property of such enormous value. the indian fleet had just entered the straits of malacca, and were sailing in open order, with a fresh breeze and smooth water. the hammocks had been stowed, the decks washed, and the awnings spread. shoals of albicore were darting across the bows of the different ships; and the seamen perched upon the cat-heads and spritsail-yard, had succeeded in piercing with their harpoons many, which were immediately cut up, and in the frying-pans for breakfast. but very soon they had "other fish to fry:" for one of the indiamen, the _royal george_, made the signal that there were four strange sail in the south west. "a gun from the commodore, sir," reported newton, who was officer of the watch. "the flags are up--they are not our pennants." it was an order to four ships of the fleet to run down and examine the strange vessels. half an hour elapsed, during which time the glasses were at every mast-head. captain drawlock himself, although not much given to climbing, having probably had enough of it during his long career in the service, was to be seen in the main-top. doubts, suspicions, declarations, surmises, and positive assertions were bandied about, until they were all dispelled by the reconnoitring ships telegraphing, "a french squadron, consisting of one line-of-battle ship, three frigates, and a brig." it was, in fact, the well-known squadron of admiral linois, who had scoured the indian seas, ranging it up and down with the velocity as well as the appetite of a shark. his force consisted of the _marengo_, of eighty guns; the famed _belle poule_, a forty-gun frigate, which outstripped the wind; the _semillante_, of thirty-six guns; the _berceau_, ship corvette, of twenty-two, and a brig of sixteen. they had sailed from batavia on purpose to intercept the china fleet, having received intelligence that it was unprotected, and anticipating an easy conquest, if not an immediate surrender to their overpowering force. "the recall is up on board of the commodore," said mathews, the first-mate, to captain drawlock. "very well, keep a good look-out; he intends to fight, i'll answer for it. we must not surrender up millions to these french scoundrels without a tussle." "i should hope not," replied mathews; "but that big fellow will make a general average among our tea canisters, i expect when we do come to the scratch. there go the flags, sir," continued mathews, repeating the number to captain drawlock, who had the signal-book in his hand. "form line of battle in close order, and prepare for action," read captain drawlock from the signal-book. a cheer resounded through the fleet when the signal was made known. the ships were already near enough to each other to hear the shouting, and the confidence of others added to their own. "if we only had _all_ english seamen on board, instead of these lascars and chinamen, who look so blank," observed newton to mathews, "i think we should show them some play." "yes," growled mathews; "john company will some day find out the truth of the old proverb, `penny wise and pound foolish!'" the french squadron, which had continued on the wind to leeward until they could fetch the india fleet, now tacked, and laid up directly for them. in the meantime, the english vessels were preparing for action: the clearing of their lumbered decks was the occasion of many a coop of fowls, or pig of the true china breed, exchanging their destiny for a watery grave. fortunately, there were no passengers. homeward-bound china ships are not encumbered in that way, unless to astonish the metropolis with such monstrosities as the mermaid, or as the siamese twins, coupled by nature like two hounds (separated lately indeed by lytton bulwer, who has satisfactorily proved that "unity between brethren," so generally esteemed a blessing, on the contrary, is a bore). in a short time all was ready, and the india fleet continued their course under easy sail, neither courting nor avoiding the conflict. at nightfall, the french squadron hauled to the wind; the conduct of the china fleet rendered them cautious, and the french admiral considered it advisable to ascertain, by broad daylight, whether a portion of the english ships were not men-of-war; their cool and determined behaviour certainly warranted the suspicion. it was now to be decided whether the indiamen should take advantage of the darkness of the night to escape, or wait the result of the ensuing day. the force opposed to them was formidable and concentrated; their own, on the contrary, was weak from division, each ship not having more than sixty english seamen on board; the country ships none at all, the few belonging to them having volunteered on board the indiamen. in this decision, commodore dance proved his judgment as well as his courage. in an attempt to escape, the fleet would separate; and, from the well-known superior sailing of the french squadron, most of them would be overtaken, and, being attacked single-handed, fall an easy prey to the enemy. in this opinion the captains of the indiamen, who had communicated during the night, were unanimous, and equally so in the resolution founded upon it, "to keep together and fight to the last." the india fleet lay to for the night, keeping their lights up and the men at their quarters; most of the english seamen sound asleep, the lascars and chinese sitting up in groups, expressing, in their own tongues, their fear of the approaching combat, in which, whether risked for national honour or individual property, they could have no interest. the morning broke, and discovered the french squadron about three miles to windward. admiral linois had calculated that if the fleet consisted only of merchant vessels they would have profited by the darkness to have attempted to escape, and he had worked to windward during the night, that he might be all ready to pounce down upon his quarry. but when he perceived that the english ships did not attempt to increase their distance he was sadly puzzled. the french tricolour hardly had time to blow clear from their taffrails, when the english unions waved aloft in defiance; and that admiral linois might be more perplexed by the arrangements of the night, three of the most warlike indiamen displayed the red ensign, while the remainder of the ships hoisted up the blue. this _ruse_ led the french admiral to suppose that these three vessels were men-of-war, composing the escort of the fleet. at nine o'clock the commodore made the signal to fill; and the french squadron not bearing down, the india fleet continued its course under easy sail. the french admiral then edged away with his squadron, with the intention of cutting off the country ships, which had been stationed to leeward; but which, since the british fleet had hauled their wind, had been left in the rear. it was now requisite for the british commander to act decidedly and firmly. captain timmins, an officer for courage and conduct not surpassed by any in our naval service, who commanded the _royal george_, edged to within hail of the commodore, and recommended that the order should be given to tack in succession, bear down in a line a-head, and engage the enemy. this spirited advice was acted upon; the _royal george_ leading into action, followed by the other ships in such close order that their flying jib-booms were often pointed over the taffrails of their predecessors. in a quarter of an hour was to be witnessed the unusual spectacle of a fleet of merchant ships exchanging broadsides with the best equipped and highest disciplined squadron that ever sailed from france. in less than an hour was presented the more unusual sight of this squadron flying from the merchant ships, and the signal for a general chase answered with enthusiastic cheers. that admiral linois might have supposed, previous to the engagement, that some of the british ships were men-of-war, is probable; but that he knew otherwise after they had commenced action, must also have been the case. the fact was, he was frightened at their determined courage and their decided conduct; and he fled, not from the guns, but from the _men_. i do not know on record any greater instance of heroism on the part of british seamen; and i am delighted that newton forster was in the conflict, or of course i could not have introduced it in this work. and now, those who read for amusement may, if they please, skip over the next chapter. there are points connected with the india service which i intend to comment upon; and as all the wisdom of the age is confined to novels, and nobody reads pamphlets, i introduce them here. when one man is empowered to hold in check, and to insist upon the obedience of a large proportion of his fellows, it can only be by "opinion" that his authority can be supported. by "opinion" i mean the knowledge that he is so empowered by the laws of the country to which they all belong, and by which laws they will be punished, if they act in opposition to his authority. the fiat of the individual commanding is in this case the fiat of the nation at large; to contend with this fiat is not contending with the individual, but with the nation, to whose laws they must submit, or to return to their country no more. a commander of a vessel, therefore, armed with martial law, is, in fact, representing and executing, not his own will, but that of the nation who have made the law; for he is amenable, as well as his inferiors, if he acts contrary to, or misuses it. in the merchant service martial law is not permitted; the bye-laws relative to shipping, and the common law of the country, are supposed to be sufficient; and certainly the present system is more advisable than to vest such excessive power in the hands of men, who, generally speaking, neither require nor are fit to be entrusted with it. where, as in the greater number of merchant vessels, the master and his subordinate officers compose one-third, if not one-half of the complement on board, nothing but the most flagrant conduct is likely to produce insubordination. but in the east india service the case is different. the vessels themselves are of dimensions equal, if not superior, to our largest class of frigates, and they carry from thirty to forty guns; the property embarked in them is also of such an extent, that the loss almost becomes national: their commanders are men of superior attainments, as gentlemen and as officers; finally, the complement of seamen under their command is larger than on board of many of the king's ships. the above considerations will at once establish that those bye-laws which afford protection to the well-governing of the merchant service in general, are not sufficient to maintain the necessary discipline on board of the east india ships. the greater the disproportion between the unit who commands and the numbers who obey, the greater the chance of mutiny. sedition is the progeny of assembly. even where grievances may be real, if there is no contact and no discussion, there will be no insubordination; but imaginary grievances, canvassed and discussed in assembly, swell into disaffection and mutiny. when, therefore, numbers are collected together, as in the vessels of the east india service, martial law becomes indispensable; and the proof of it is, that the commanders of these vessels have been forced to exercise it upon their own responsibility. a letter of marque should be granted to all vessels carrying a certain number of men, empowering the commanders, under certain sureties and penalties, to exercise this power. it would be a boon to the east india ships, and ultimately a benefit to the navy. to proceed. the merchant ships of the company are men-of-war; the men-of-war of the company are--what shall i call them? by their right names--they are all _bombay marine_: but let me at once assert, in applying their own name to them as a reproach, that the officers commanding them are not included in the stigma. i have served with them, and have pleasure in stating that, taking the average, the vessels are as well officered as those in our own service; but let us describe the vessels and their crews. most of the vessels are smaller in scantling than the run down (and constantly _going down_) ten-gun brigs in our own service, built for a light draft of water (as they were originally intended to act against the pirates, which occasionally infest the indian seas), and unfit to contend with anything like a heavy sea. many of them are pierced for, and actually carry fourteen or sixteen guns; but, as effective fighting vessels, ought not to have been pierced for more than eight i have no hesitation in asserting that an english cutter is a match for any of them, and a french privateer has, before now, proved that she was superior. the crews are composed of a small proportion of english seamen, a small proportion of portuguese sea-cunnies, a proportion of lascars, and a proportion of hindoo bombay marines. it requires two or three languages to carry on the duty; custom; religions, provisions, all different, and all living and messing separate. how is it possible that any officer can discipline a ship's company of this incongruous description, so as to make them "pull together?" in short, the vessels and the crews are equally contemptible, and the officers, in cases of difficulty, must be sacrificed to the pride and meanness of the company. my reason for taking notice of the "bombay marine" arises from an order lately promulgated, in which the officers of this service were to take rank and precedence with those of the navy. now, as far as the officers themselves are concerned, so far from having any objection to it, i wish, for their own merits and the good-will that i bear them, that they were incorporated into our navy-list; but as long as they command vessels of the above description, in the event of a war, i will put a case, to prove the absurdity and danger which may result. there is not one vessel at this present time in their service which would not be sunk by one well-directed broadside from a large frigate; yet, as many of their officers are of long standing, it is very probable that a squadron of english frigates may fall in with one of these vessels, the captain of which would be authorised by his seniority to take the command of the whole of them. we will suppose that this squadron falls in with the enemy, of equal or superior force; can the officer in command lead on the attack? if so, he will be sent down by the first broadside. if he does not, from whom are the orders to proceed during the action? the consequences would be as injurious as the arrangement is ridiculous. the charter of the east india company will soon expire; and if it is to be renewed, the country ought to have some indemnification for the three millions which this colony or conquest (which you please) annually draws from it. now there is one point which deserves consideration: the constitutional protection of all property is by the nation, and as a naval force is required in india, that force should be supplied by the armaments of the nation, at the expense of the company. i have already proved that the bombay marine is a useless and incompetent service: let it be abolished altogether, and men-of-war be sent out to supply their place. it is most important that our navy should be employed in time of peace, and our officers gain that practical knowledge without which the theoretical is useless. was this insisted upon, a considerable force would be actively employed, at no expense to the country, and many officers become valuable, who now are remaining inactive, and forgetting what previous knowledge they may have acquired of their nautical duties. at the same time, every east india ship should be compelled to take on board her whole complement of english seamen, and not be half manned by lascars and chinamen. but i presume i must be careful how i attempt to legislate for that country, or i shall have two tame elephants sent after me by the man _what_ puts his hair in papers! volume three, chapter five. "what singular emotions fill their bosoms, who have been induced to roam, with flattering doubts, if all be well or ill, with love for many, and with fears for some!" byron. the china fleet arrived without encountering any further danger; the commodore and commanders of the several ships composing the fleet received that praise from their countrymen to which their conduct had so fully entitled them. as soon as the _bombay castle_ had entered the basin of the east india docks, newton requested, and easily obtained, permission to leave the ship. he immediately directed his steps to greenwich, that he might ascertain if his father was in existence; for he had received no letters since his departure, although he had taken several opportunities to write. it is true that he had not expected any; he knew that his father was too absent ever to think about writing to him, and his uncle much too busy to throw away any portion of his time in unnecessary correspondence. when we approach the dwelling containing, or supposed to contain, an object of solicitude, of whose existence we are uncertain, what a thrill of anxiety pervades the frame! how quickened is the throbbing of the heart! how checked the respiration! thus it was with newton forster as he raised his hand to the latch of the door. he opened it, and the first object which delighted his eyes was his father seated upon a high stool smoking his pipe, in the company of two veterans of the hospital, who had brought their old bones to an anchor upon a large trunk. they were in earnest conversation, and did not perceive the company of newton, who waited a little while, holding the door ajar, as he contemplated the group. one of the pensioners was speaking, and continued:--"may be, or may not be, mr forster, that's _dubersome_; but if so be as how he is alive, why you'll see him soon, that's sartain--take my word for it. a good son, as you say he was, as soon as he can get over the side of the ship, always bears up for his parent's house. with the help of your barnacles, i worked my way clean through the whole yarn, and i seed the report of killed and wounded; and i'll take my affidavy that there warn't an officer in the fleet as lost the number of his mess in that action, and a most clipping affair it was; only think of mounseer turning tail to marchant vessels! damn my old buttons! what will our jolly fellows do next?" "next, bill! why there be nothing to do, 'less they shave off the beard of the grand turk to make a swab for the cabin of the king's yacht, and sarve out his seven hundred wives amongst the fleet. i say, i wonder how he keeps so many of them craft in good order?" "i knows," replied the other, "for i axed the very question when i was up the dardanelles. there be a big black fellow, a _unique_ they calls him, with a large sword and a bag of sawdust, as always stands sentry at the door, and if so be a woman kirks up a bobbery, why plump her head goes into the bag." "well, that's one way to make a good woman on her; but as i was saying, mr forster, you mustn't be down in the mouth; a seaman as knows his duty, never cares for leave till all the work be done. i'd bet a yard of pigtail that mr newton--" "is here, my good fellow!" interrupted newton. "my dear father!" nicholas sprang off his seat and embraced his son. "my dear, dear boy! why did you not come to me before? i was afraid that you had been killed. well, i'm glad to see you, newton. how did you like the west indies?" "the east hinges, you mean, mr forster.--newton," continued the old pensioner, wiping both sides of his hand upon his blue breeches, and then extending it--"tip us your daddle, my lad; i like to touch the flipper of one who has helped to shame the enemy, and it will be no disgrace for you to grapple with an old seaman, who did his duty as long as he had a pin to stand upon." "with pleasure, my friend," replied newton, taking the old man's hand, while the other veteran seized the one unoccupied, and, surveying newton from top to toe, observed, "if your ship be manned with all such lads as you--why, she be damned well manned, that's all." newton laughed and turned to his father. "well, father, how are you?--have you been quite well? and how do you like your berth here?" "why, newton, i get on much better than i did at bristol." "it be liverpool he mean, mr newton; but your good father be a little damaged in his upper works; his memory-box is like a sieve.--come, bill, we be two too many. when father and son meet after a india voyage, there be much to say as wants no listeners.--good-bye, mr forster; may you never want a son, and may he never want a ship!" newton smiled his thanks to the considerate old pensioners, as they stumped out of the door, and left him alone with his father. the communications of nicholas were as concise as usual. he liked his situation, liked his company, had as much work as he wished for, and had enjoyed good health. when newton entered upon pecuniary matters, which he was the sooner induced to do by observing that his father's coat and smallclothes were in a most ruinous condition, he discovered, that though the old gentleman had provided himself with money from the bankers, during the first year, to purchase a new suit of clothes, latterly he not only had quite forgotten that there were funds at his disposal, but even that he had procured the clothes, which had remained in the chest from the day they had been sent home without having been tried on. "dear me! now i recollect, so i did; and i put them upstairs somewhere. i was busy at the time with my improvement on the duplex." "have you seen much of my uncle, sir?" inquired newton. "your uncle!--dear me, no! i don't know where he lives; so i waited until you came back. we'll go to-morrow, newton, or he may think me unkind. i'll see if his watch goes well; i recollect he said it did. but, newton, tell me all about your voyage, and the action with the french ships." newton entered into a detail, during which he perceived by his father's questions that his memory had become more impaired, and that he was more absent than ever. he arranged to call upon his uncle the ensuing day; and then it was his intention, without communicating it to his father, to make every inquiry and advertise to ascertain the fate of his mother. this was a duty which he had long wished to repeat; but his necessities and want of time had hitherto prevented the renewal of the task. early the next morning, newton and his father went up to london by the greenwich coach; and a walk of a few minutes after they were put down, brought them to the chambers of mr john forster. "how do you do, mr scratton? is my uncle at home?" inquired mr newton. mr scratton immediately recognised him, and very graciously replied, that his uncle was at home and would be very glad to see him, having talked very often of him lately. newton and his father were ushered into the parlour, where he found his uncle precisely in the same position as when he last saw him;--it would almost have appeared that he had not quitted his seat during newton's tedious voyage. "nephew," said mr john forster, without rising from his chair, "i am very glad to see you.--brother nicholas, i am very glad to see you too.--chairs, scratton," continued the old lawyer, taking his watch off the table, and placing it in his fob. "well, nephew, i am very glad to hear such good accounts of you. i saw mr bosanquet yesterday, and he told me that you had for your good conduct been promoted to the rank of second-mate." "it is more than i am aware of," replied newton, much pleased with the information. "i am much obliged to you for the intelligence, as i am for your many other acts of kindness." "well, so you ought to be; it's no bad thing, as i told you before, to find out an uncle. by-the-bye, there has been some alteration in my establishment since we parted, nephew. i have a house in lincoln's inn fields, and a spare bed, if you will accept of it. we dine at six; brother nicholas, i shall be very happy to see you, if you can stay. it will be too late to go home after dinner, but you can share my nephew's bed." "i shall be most happy to accept your kind offer for a few days, sir, if it does not incommode you," replied newton. "no; you will not incommode me _there_, but you do very much _here_, where i am always busy. so good-bye, my boy; i shall be at home at six. brother nicholas, you did not vouchsafe me an answer." "about what, brother john?" replied nicholas, who had been in the clouds. "oh, i'll tell you all about it, father," said newton, laughing. "come away now--my uncle is busy." and nicholas rose up, with the observation-- "brother john, you appear to me to read a great deal." "yes, i do, brother." "how much do you read a day?" "i really cannot say; much depends upon whether i am interrupted or not." "it must be very bad for your eyes, brother john." "it certainly does not improve them," replied the lawyer, impatiently. "come, father, my uncle is very busy," said newton, touching nicholas on the arm. "well, good-bye, brother john. i had something to say--oh! i hope you are not displeased at my not coming to see you before?" "humph! not in the least, i can assure you, brother nicholas; so good-bye. newton, you'll bring him with you at six," said mr john forster; and he resumed his brief before they had quitted the room. newton was much surprised to hear that his uncle had taken a house, and he surmised whether he had not also been induced to take a wife. he felt an inclination to put the question to mr scratton, as he passed through the office; but checked the wish, lest it should appear like prying into his uncle's affairs. being the month of february, it was dark long before six o'clock, and newton was puzzled what to do with his father until that time. he returned to the salopian coffee-house, opposite to which they had been put down by the greenwich coach; and taking possession of a box, called for some biscuits and a pint of sherry; and requesting his father to stay there until his return, went out to purchase a sextant, and some other nautical luxuries, which his pay enabled him to procure without trespassing upon the funds supplied by the generosity of his uncle. he then returned to his father, who had finished the vine and biscuits, and had his eyes fixed upon the ceiling of the room; and calling a hackney coach, drove to the direction which his uncle had pointed out as his residence. mr john forster had already come home, and they found him in the dining-room, decanting the wine for dinner, with amber by his side. newton was surprised at the appearance of a little girl; and, as he took her proffered hand, inquired her name. "amber. papa says it's a very foolish name; don't you, papa?" "yes, my dear, i do; but now we are going to dinner, and you must go to mrs smith: so good-night." amber kissed the old lawyer, as he stooped to her; and wishing the company good-night, she left the room. "brother john," said nicholas, "i really had no idea that you were a married man." "humph! i am not a married man, brother." "then pray, brother, how is it _possible_ for that little girl to be your daughter?" "i did not say she was my daughter: but now we will go upstairs into the drawing-room, while they put the dinner on the table." the dinner was soon announced; the cookery was plain, but good, the wine excellent. when the dessert was placed on the table, mr john forster rose, and taking two bottles of port wine from the sideboard, placed them on the table, and addressed newton. "nephew, i have no time to _sip_ wine, although it is necessary that i drink it. now, we must drink fast, as i have only ten minutes to spare; not that i wish you to drink more than you like, but i must push the bottle round, whether you fill or no, as i have an appointment, what we call a consultation, at my chambers. pass the bottle, brother," continued the lawyer, helping himself, and shoving the decanter to nicholas. nicholas, who had been little accustomed to wine, obeyed mechanically, swallowing down each glass _a gorge deployee_, as he was awoke from his meditations by the return of the bottle, and then filling up his glass again. newton, who could take his allowance as well as most people, could not, however, venture to drink glass for glass with his uncle, and the bottle was passed several times without his filling. when the ten minutes had elapsed, mr john forster took his watch from the table, replaced it in his fob, and rose from his chair. locking up the remainder of the wine, he quitted the house without apology, leaving his guests to entertain themselves, and order tea when they felt inclined. "my brother seems to be very busy, newton," observed nicholas. "what wine was that we have been drinking? it was very strong; i declare my head turns round;" and in a few moments more nicholas dropped his head upon the table, and was fast asleep. newton, who perceived that his father was affected by the wine which he had been drinking, which was, in the sum total, a pint of sherry at the coffee-house before dinner, and at least a bottle during and after his meal, thought it better that he should be allowed to take his nap. he therefore put out the candles, and went up into the drawing-room, where he amused himself with a book until the clock struck twelve. according to the regulations of the house, the servants had retired to bed, leaving a light in the passage for their master on his return, which sometimes was at a very late hour, or rather, it should be said, at a very early one. newton lighted a chamber-candlestick, and went down into the parlour to rouse his father; but all his attempts were in vain. the wine had taken such an effect upon him, that he was in a state of lethargy. newton observed that the servant had cleared the table, and that the fire was out: and, as there was no help for it, he removed the chairs to the end of the room, that his father might not tumble over them if he awoke in the dark, and then retired to his own bed. volume three, chapter six. angels and ministers of grace defend us! ... be thy intents wicked or charitable, thou com'st in such a questionable shape that i will speak to thee. shakespeare. it was past two o'clock when mr john forster returned from his chambers and let himself in with a pass-key. having secured the street door, the old gentleman lighted his candle from the lamp, which he then blew out, and had his foot upon the first step of the stairs, when he was startled by a loud snore from nicholas in the dining-room; he immediately proceeded there, and found his brother, with his heed still lying on the table. "humph!" ejaculated the lawyer. "why brother nicholas! brother nicholas!" nicholas, who had nearly slept off the effects of the wine, answered with an unintelligible sort of growling. "brother nicholas, i say--brother nicholas--will you get up, or lie here all night?" "they shall be cleaned and ready by to-morrow morning," replied nicholas, dreaming. "humph! that's more than you will be, apparently.--i say, brother nicholas." "yes brother," replied nicholas, raising his head and staring at the candle. "why, what's the matter?" "the matter is, that i wish to go to bed, and wish to see you in bed before i go myself." "yes, brother john, if you please, certainly. where's my bed? i do believe i have been asleep." "humph! i have no doubt upon the subject," replied john forster, lighting another candle. "come this way, brother nicholas," and they both ascended the stairs. when mr john forster arrived at the door of his own room, on the first story, he stopped. "now, brother nicholas, are you quite awake? do you think that i may trust you with a candle?" "i should hope so," replied nicholas; "i see that it is silver, but i hope i'm honest, brother john." "humph! i mean, can i trust you to put it out?" "yes, i think that you may. pray which is my room?" "the first door on the left, when you are at the top of the stairs." "the first door." "yes, the first on the left; do you understand?" "yes, brother, i do; the first door on the left." "very well; then i wish you a good-night." "good-night, brother," replied nicholas, ascending the stairs as john forster entered his room. nicholas arrived at the head of the stairs; but his brain was not very clear. he muttered to himself "i think i'm right--yes, i'm right--the first door--to the right--yes--that's it," and instead of the room to the left, where newton was, he walked into the one to the right, which appertained to the housekeeper, mrs smith. the old lady was fast asleep. nicholas threw off his clothes, put out his candle, and stepped into bed without waking the old lady, whom he supposed to be his son, and in a few minutes they snored in concert. the morning dawned. the watchmen (london nightingales) ceased their notes and retired to their beds. the chimney-sweeps (larks of the metropolis) raised their shrill cry as they paced along with chattering teeth. house-maids and kitchen-maids presented their back views to the early passengers, as they washed off the accumulation of the previous day from the steps of the front door. "milk below," (certainly much below "proof"), was answered by the assent of the busy cooks, when a knock at the door of mrs smith's room from the red knuckles of the housemaid, awoke her to a sense of her equivocal situation. at her first discovery that a man was in her bed, she uttered a scream of horror, throwing herself upon her knees, and extending her hands before her in her amazement. the scream awoke nicholas, who, astonished at the sight, and his modesty equally outraged, also threw himself in the same posture, facing her, and recoiling. each looked aghast at each: each considered the other as the lawless invader; but before a word of explanation could pass between them, their countenances changed from horror to surprise, from surprise to anxiety and doubt. "why!" screamed the housekeeper, losing her breath with astonishment. "it is!" cried nicholas, retreating further. "yes--yes--it is--my _dear_ nicholas!" "no--it can't be," replied nicholas, hearing the fond appellation. "it is--oh yes--it is your poor unhappy wife, who begs your pardon, nicholas," cried the housekeeper, bursting into tears, and falling into his arms. "my dear--dear wife!" exclaimed nicholas, as he threw his arms around her, and each sobbed upon the other's shoulder. in this position they remained a minute, when mr john forster, who heard the scream and subsequent exclamations, and had taken it for granted that his brother had been guilty of some _contre temps_, first wiped the remaining lather from his half-shaved chin, and then ascended to the housekeeper's room from whence the noise had proceeded. when he opened the door, he found them in the position we have described, both kneeling in the centre of the bed embracing and sobbing. they were so wrapped in each other, that they did not perceive his entrance. mr john forster stared with amazement for a few seconds, and thus growled out:-- "why, what are you two old fools about?" "it's my husband, sir,"--"it's my wife, brother john," cried they, both at once, as the tears coursed down their cheeks. "humph!" ejaculated the lawyer, and he quitted the room. we must let the reader imagine the various explanations which took place between nicholas and his truly reformed wife, newton and his uncle, amber, and every body in the household, while we narrate the events which had brought about this singular _denouement_. the reader may recollect that we left mrs forster in the lunatic asylum, slowly recovering from an attack of the brain-fever, which had been attended with a relapse. for many weeks she continued in a state of great feebleness, and during that time, when, in the garden, in company with other denizens of this melancholy abode (wishing to be usefully employed), she greatly assisted the keepers in restraining them, and, in a short time, established that superiority over them, which is invariably the result of a pane intellect. this was soon perceived by doctor beddington, who (aware of her destitute condition) offered her a situation as nurse in the establishment, until the inspecting magistrates should make their appearance, with the promise that she might continue in it afterwards, if she thought proper. this proposal was accepted by mrs forster, until she might resolve what course to take, and she soon! became a most invaluable person in the establishment, effecting more by lenient and kind treatment than the keepers were able to do by their violence. so completely changed was mrs forster in disposition, that so far from feeling any resentment against those who had been the means of her confinement, she acknowledged to herself that her own conduct had been the occasion of her misfortune, and that those who had contributed to open her eyes to her former insanity, were her best friends. she was humbled, and unhappy; but she kissed the rod. all that she now wished was to find out her husband, and by her future conduct to make reparation for the past. one of the gaolers, at her request, made every inquiry as to the part of england nicholas had removed; but it was without success. all trace was lost, and mrs forster accepted the situation of nurse, until she might be enabled to prosecute her search, or obtain the intelligence which she desired. for nine months mrs forster remained on the establishment, during which time she had saved a sum of money sufficient for her support and travelling expenses. she then resolved to search after her husband, whose pardon for her previous conduct seemed to be the _sine qua non_ for which she continued to exist. she took leave of the doctor; and, strange to say, it was with feelings of regret that she quitted an abode, once the source of horror and disgust: but time reconciles us to every thing, and she made a half promise to dr beddington, that if she could not hear any tidings of her husband, or should discover that he was no more, that she would return to the situation. mrs forster directed her course to london; why, or wherefore, she hardly knew; but she had imbibed the idea that the metropolis was the most likely place to meet with him. her first inquiries were about any families of the name of forster; but the directory gave such an enormous list of forsters, of all trades and callings, and in every situation in life, that she closed it with despair. she had a faint recollection that her husband (who was not very communicative, and least of all to her), had stated that he had a brother alive somewhere; but this was all that she knew. nevertheless, she set about her task in good earnest, and called upon every one of the name in the middling classes of life, to ascertain if they were relations of her husband. there were many in high life whose names and addresses she had obtained from the red-book; but to them she dared not apply. all she could do was to question the servants; but every answer was unsatisfactory; and mrs forster, whose money was nearly expended, had serious thoughts of returning to the lunatic establishment, when the advertisement in the newspapers of mr scratton, for a housekeeper, which mr john forster had desired him to procure, met her, eye. unwilling to leave london, she applied for, and obtained the situation, having received an excellent character from doctor beddington, to whom she had written and explained her views. her heart leapt when she discovered that her master's name was forster; and when she first saw him she could not but persuade herself that there was a family likeness. the germs of hope were, however, soon withered, when amber, in answer to her inquiries, stated, that mr forster had a brother lately dead, who had never been married, and that she never heard of his having another. her fellow-servants were all as strange as herself; and mrs forster (who had assumed the name of smith) was obliged to have recourse to that patience and resignation which had been so severely inculcated. the charge of amber soon proved a source of delight; the control which she had over the household a source of gratification (not as before, for the pleasure of domineering, but for the sake of exercising kindness and forbearance), and mrs forster was happy and resigned. it may be surmised as strange, that during the period which she remained in this capacity, she had never heard mention made of her husband or her son; but it must be remembered that nicholas had never called upon his brother, and that newton was in the east indies; and, moreover, that mr john forster was just as little inclined to be communicative as her husband. indeed, he never came in contact with his housekeeper, except to pay the bills, which was regularly once a month, when he called her down after dinner, and after the accounts were settled, offered her a glass of wine, as a proof of his being satisfied with her conduct. when newton and his father arrived at the chambers on the day before the discovery, and were invited to dinner, his note of communication was as laconic as usual. "mrs smith--i have invited two gentlemen to dine with me to-day, six precisely." "john forster." "ps. let the spare bed be ready." mrs forster prepared every thing as directed, and having done her duties below, retired to her room, where she usually sat with amber. she did not therefore see the parties when they entered; and amber, who had run down to meet her protector, heard nothing during her short stay in the room, to suppose that they were relatives of mr john forster. all that she had to communicate was, that the parties were an elderly gentleman and a very handsome young man. yet, even this simple communication caused the pulse of mrs forster to accelerate. they might be her husband and her son. it was the first time the spare bed had been ordered. reflection, however convinced her that her hopes were strung upon too slight a thread; and, musing on the improbability of not having ascertained during a year the fact of her master having so near a relative--moreover, her son was not in existence, she sighed, and dismissed the idea as ridiculous. before the gentlemen had finished their wine, amber was in bed, and mrs forster invariably sat at the side of it until her own hour of repose had arrived. a certain indefinable curiosity still remained lurking; yet, as she could not gratify it without intrusion (if the strangers were still up), she retired to bed, with the reflection, that all her doubts would be relieved in the morning; and, after lying awake for some hours in a state of suspense, she at last fell into that sound sleep, which is usually produced by previous excitement. how she was awakened from it, the reader has been already informed. "it's rather awkward, newton," said mr john forster, about ten days afterwards. "i cannot do without your mother, that's certain: but what am i to do with your father? humph! well, she must take charge of him as well as amber. she must teach him--" "teach him what, sir?" replied newton, laughing. "teach him what? why to leave my watch and spectacles alone. i dare not lay them down for a moment." "i think we may teach him that, sir, if it is all that you require." "i ask no more: then he may go about the house like a tame rabbit. when will your ship be ready, boy?" "in about a fortnight, sir. i called upon captain oughton the day before yesterday, but he was not at home. his steward gave me the information." "what is the name of the ship?" "the windsor castle, sir." "why all the india ships appear to be called castles. your last ship was the bombay castle i think?" "yes, sir: there are a great many of them so named:--they really are floating castles." "and full of ladies. you `castle your queens,' as they do at chess. humph!" a pun from mr john forster was a rarity: he never had been known to make one before: and newton asserts that he never heard him guilty of it afterwards. it deserves, therefore, bad as it was, to be recorded. volume three, chapter seven. but to stick to my route 'twill be hard, if some novelty can't be struck out. is there no algerine, no kamschatkan arrived? no plenipo-pacha, three tail'd and three wived? no russian, whose dissonant, consonant name almost rattles to fragments the trumpet of fame? postscript. by the bye, have you found any friend who can construe that latin account, t'other day, of a monster? if we can't get a russian--and that story in latin be not _too_ improper, i think i'll bring that in. moore. a few mornings after this colloquy with his uncle, newton was very busy perambulating the streets of london, in search of various requisites for his trip to india, when his hand was seized before he had time to call to mind the features of the party who shook it with such apparent warmth. "my dear mr forster, i am so delighted to see you, so happy to hear of your gallant adventure with the french squadron. mrs plausible will be quite pleased at meeting her old shipmate; she often talks about you. i must make sure of you," continued the doctor, drawing from his pocket a large packet of cards, and inserting, at the top of one of them, newton forster's name with his pencil. "this is an invitation to our _conversazione_ of to-morrow night, which you must do us the honour to accept. we shall have all the scientific men of the day, and a very pretty sprinkling of nobility, if not something more. however, you will see. shall i tell mrs plausible that you will come, or will you disappoint her?" "why," replied newton, "if i possibly can i will. i presume the hour is not very precise?" "o no, from nine until two or three; but if you wish to see great people, about eleven is the exact time." "well, then," replied newton, "the time which suits great people also suits me. i hope mrs plausible is quite well." "quite well, i thank you. good-bye;" and dr plausible hurried off so quickly, that newton was induced to look after him, to ascertain what could induce such precipitation. he perceived dr plausible shaking hands warmly with another gentleman, and after a few seconds, the packet of cards was again pulled out of his pocket, and the pencil in requisition. it will be necessary to go back a little, to acquaint the reader with what had occurred since the acceptation of dr plausible by miss tavistock, when they were on board of the bombay castle. on their arrival at madras, miss tavistock's early and dearest friend, who resided in the up-country, had commissioned an acquaintance to receive miss tavistock until they could make arrangements for her journey to the interior. by this female acquaintance miss tavistock was kindly welcomed, and received into her house; but miss tavistock's prospects having altered, so had all her devoted attachments to the friend of her early years. she wrote, announcing her intended change of condition, and regretting that dr plausible's affairs, requiring his immediate presence in england, would prevent her having the delight of embracing one, who was so entwined round her heart. the letter was nevertheless very cold, and miss tavistock was very much abused by her dearest friend, who, disappointed in her expectations, did not even condescend an answer. in a week miss tavistock was united to dr plausible, and in less than a fortnight afterwards they were on their passage home. dr plausible found that his wife's report of her circumstances was correct, and that now he had the means of keeping his carriage and of seeing company in moderation. shortly after their return dr plausible took the lease of a house in a betwixt and between fashionable street, and not wishing to remain idle, attempted to get into practice as an accoucheur; for although the fortune brought by his wife was considerable, still, to keep his carriage in london, he was obliged "to sail nearer to the wind," in other points than he found agreeable: moreover he was ambitious. a night-bell, with "night-bell" in capital letters over it, that people might be aware in the broad day that it was a night-bell, which of course they could not read in the dark, was attached to one side of the street door. it was as loud as an alarum-bell, and when rung, was to be heard from number to number , in the street where dr plausible resided. there are little secrets in all trades; and one is, how to obtain practice as a medical man, which whole mystery consists in making people believe that you have a great deal. when this is credited, practice immediately follows; and dr plausible was aware of the fact. at first setting off the carriage drew up to the door occasionally, and stood there for some time, when the doctor made his appearance, and stepped in. he then took a round of about three hours through every fashionable part of the town, sitting well forward, that every body might see him, apparently examining his visiting-book. at times he would pull up at some distinguished person's door, where were two or three carriages before him, and getting out, would go in to the porter to ask some frivolous question. another _ruse_ was, to hammer at some titled mansion, and inquire for another titled person, by mistake. this occupied the morning; after which doctor plausible returned home. during the first month the night-bell was rung two or three times a week by the watchman, who was fee'd for his trouble; but after that period it increased its duties, until it was in motion once, if not twice, every night, and his disturbed neighbours wished doctor plausible and his extensive practice at the devil. the carriage also was now rattled to the door in a hurry, and doctor plausible was seen to enter with his case of instruments, and drive off with rapidity, sometimes twice a day. in the mean time mrs plausible did her part, as she extended her acquaintance with her neighbours. she constantly railed against a medical husband; declared that doctor plausible was never at home, and it was impossible to say at what hour they might dine. the tables also were strewed with the cards of great and fashionable people, obtained by doctor plausible from a celebrated engraver's shop, by a douceur to the shopman, when the master was absent. at last doctor plausible's instruments were used in good earnest; and, although not known or even heard of in the fashionable world, he was sent for by the would-be fashionables, because they imagined that he was employed by their betters. now it so happened that in the same street there lived another medical man, almost a prototype of doctor plausible, only not quite so well off in the world. his name was doctor feasible. his practice was not extensive, and he was incumbered with a wife and large family. he also very naturally wished to extend his practice and his reputation; and, after many fruitless attempts, he at last hit upon a scheme which he thought promised to be successful. "my dear," said he, one morning to his wife, "i am thinking of getting up a _conversazione_." "a _conversazione_, my love!--why, is not that a very expensive affair?" "why, not very. but if it brings me practice, it will be money well laid out." "yes, my love, if it does, and if we had the money to lay out." "something must be done. i have hardly a patient left. i have an idea that it will succeed. go, my dear, and make up this prescription, and let the boy take it to mrs bluestone's. i wish i had a couple of dozen of patients like her.--i write her prescriptions, take my fee, and then, that i may be sure that it is properly made up, i volunteer to take it to the chemist's myself." "pray, what is the complaint of mrs bluestone, my love?" "nothing; she over-eats herself--that's all. abernethy would cure her in twenty-four hours." "well, but, my love, about this _conversazione_?" "go, and make up the prescription, my dear, and we'll talk the matter over afterwards." they did so. a list of the people they were acquainted with was drawn out, the expense calculated, and the affair settled. the first point to be considered was the size of the cards. "these, my love," said mrs feasible, who came in from a long walk with her bonnet still on, "these are three shillings and sixpence a hundred; and these, which are a size larger, are four-and-sixpence. which do you think we ought to have?" "why, really, my dear, when one sends out so many, i do not see why we should incur unnecessary expense. the three-and-sixpenny ones are quite large enough." "and the engraving will be fourteen shillings." "well, that will only be a first expense. _conversazione_, in old english, of course." "and here, my love, are the ribbons for the maid's caps and sashes; i bought them at waterloo house, very cheap, and a very pretty candle-light colour." "did you speak to them about their gowns?" "yes, my love; sally and peggy have each a white gown, betty i can lend one of my own." the difference between a _conversazione_ and a rout is simply this:--in the former you are expected to talk or listen; but to be too ethereal to eat. in the latter, to be squeezed in a crowd, and eat ices, etcetera, to cool yourself. a _conversazione_ has, therefore, a great advantage over the latter, as far as the pocket is concerned, it being much cheaper to procure food for the mind than food for the body. it would appear that tea has been as completely established the beverage of modern scientific men, as nectar was formerly that of the gods. the athenaeum gives tea; and i observed in a late newspaper, that lord g--- has promised tea to the geographical society. had his lordship been aware that there was a beverage invented on board a ship much more appropriate to the science over which he presides than tea, i feel convinced he would have substituted it immediately; and i therefore take this opportunity of informing him that sailors have long made use of a compound which actually goes by the name of _geograffy_, which is only a trifling corruption of the name of the science, arising from their laying the accent on the penultimate. i will now give his lordship the receipt, which is most simple. take a tin-pot, go to the scuttle-butt (having obtained permission from the quarter-deck), and draw off about half a pint of very offensive smelling water. to this add a gill of vinegar and a ship's biscuit broke up into small pieces. stir it well up with the fore-finger; and then with the fore-finger and thumb you may pull out the pieces of biscuit, and eat them as fast as you please, drinking the liquor to wash all down. now this would be the very composition to hand round to the geographical society. it is not christened geography without a reason; the vinegar and water representing the green sea, and the pieces of biscuit floating in it, the continents and islands which are washed by it. now, my lord, do not you thank me for my communication? but we must return to the _conversazione_ of doctor and mrs feasible. the company arrived. there was rap after rap. the whole street was astonished with the noise of the wheels and the rattling of the iron steps of the hackney-coaches. doctor feasible had procured some portfolios of prints: some indian idols from a shop in wardour street, duly labelled and christened, and several other odds and ends, to create matter of conversation. the company consisted of several medical gentlemen and their wives, the great mr b---, and the facetious mr c---. there were ten or twelve authors, or gentlemen suspected of authorship, fourteen or fifteen chemists, all scientific of course, one colonel, half-a-dozen captains, and, to crown all, a city knight and his lady, besides their general acquaintance, unscientific and unprofessional. for a beginning this was very well; and the company departed very hungry, but highly delighted with their evening's entertainment. "what can all that noise be about?" said mrs plausible to her husband, who was sitting with her in the drawing-room, reading the lancet, while she knotted, or _did not_. "i am sure i cannot tell, mrs plausible." "there, again! i'm sure if i have heard one, i have heard thirty raps at a door within this quarter of an hour. i'm determined i will know what it is," continued mrs plausible, getting up and ringing the bell. "thomas, do you know what all that noise is about?" said mrs plausible, when the servant answered the bell. "no, ma'am, i doesn't." "well, then, go and see." "yes, ma'am." the impatience of mrs plausible, during the absence of thomas, increased with the repetition of the knocks. "well, thomas?" said she, as the footman entered. "if you please, ma'am, mr feasible has got a conwersation--that's all." "got a what?" "a _conversazione_ he means, my dear. it's very strange that mr feasible should pretend to give such a thing!" "i think so too," replied the lady. "he keeps no carriage. what can be his inducement!" "i perceive," replied dr plausible, "he wants to get practice. depend upon it that's his plan. a sprat to catch a mackerel!" husband and wife were again silent, and resumed their occupations; but the lancet was not read, and the knotting was all in knots, for they were both in a brown study. at last mrs plausible commenced-- "i really do not see, my dear, why we should not give a _conversazione_ as well as dr feasible?" "i was just thinking that we could give them much better; our acquaintance now is very numerous." "and very respectable," replied the lady; "it will make us more known in the world." "and add to my practice. i'll soon beat doctor feasible out of the field!" the result of this conversation was a _conversazione_, which certainly was on a much better scale, and better attended than the one collected by doctor feasible. doctor plausible had pumped a mutual acquaintance as to the merits of his rival, and had set to work with great diligence. he ordered his carriage, and for two or three days previous to the one fixed, went round to all his friends, who had curiosities, foreign, indigenous, or continental, admired them, talked learnedly, expressed a wish to exhibit them to several gentlemen of talent at his next conversazione, pulled out a card for the party, and succeeded in returning home with his carriage stuffed with curiosities and monstrosities. negus and cherry-water were added to tea in the refreshment-room; and the conversazione of doctor plausible was pronounced by those who had been invited to both, infinitely superior to that of doctor feasible. a good-natured friend called upon doctor and mrs feasible with the news. they pretended indifference, as they bit their lips to conceal their vexation. as soon as he took his leave-- "well, my dear," said mrs feasible, "what do you think of this? very unhandsome on the part of doctor plausible! i was told this morning that several of our acquaintances have expressed a wish to be introduced to him." "we must not give up the point, my love. doctor plausible may make a splash once; but i suspect that his horses eat him out of house and home, and interfere very much with the butcher's bills. if so, we who keep no carriage can afford it better. but it's very annoying, as there will be an increase of expense." "very annoying, indeed!" replied the lady. "look at his card, my dear, it is nearly twice as large as ours. i begged it of mr tomkins, on purpose to compare it." "well then, my dear, we must order others, and mind that they measure an inch more than his. it shall cost him something before we have done, i'm determined." "you heard what mr smithson said? they gave negus and cherry-water." "we must do the same. i've a great mind to give ices." "oh! my love, remember the expense." "very true; but we can ice our negus and cherry-water. rough ice is only two-pence a pound, i believe." "well, that will be an improvement." "and there shall be more, or i'll be in the bench," replied the doctor in his wrath. the next _conversazione_, for which cards were issued by doctor feasible, was on a superior scale. there was a considerable increase of company. he had persuaded a country baronet; secured the patronage of two ladies of rank (with a slight blot on their escutcheons), and collected, amongst others, a french count (or adventurer), a baron with mustachios, two german students in their costumes and long hair, and an actress of some reputation. he had also procured the head of a new zealand chief; some red snow, or rather red water (for it was melted), brought home by captain ross; a piece of granite from the croker mountains; a kitten in spirits, with two heads and twelve legs, and half-a-dozen abortions of the feathered or creeping tribes. every thing went off well. the two last fees he had received were sacrificed to have the party announced in the morning post, and doctor feasible's triumph was complete. but it was not to last long. in ten days dr plausible's cards were again issued, larger than doctor feasible's, and with a handsome embossed border of lilies and roses. male attendants, tea and coffee, ices and liqueurs were prepared; and dr feasible's heart failed him, when he witnessed the ingress and egress of the pastrycooks, with their boxes on their heads. among his company he had already mustered up five celebrated blues; four ladies of quality, of better reputation than dr feasible's; seven or eight baronets and knights; a bishop of fernando po; three or four general officers; and a dozen french and german visitors to the country, who had not only titles, but wore orders at their button-holes. thus far had he advanced when he met newton forster, and added him to the list of the invited. in about two hours afterwards dr plausible returned home to his wife, radiant with smiles. "my dear, who _do_ you think has promised to come to-morrow night?" "who, my love?" "prince fizzybelli!" "you don't say so?" screamed the lady with her delight. "yes, most faithfully promised." "what _will_ the feasibles say?" cried the lady;--"but--is he a real prince?" "a real prince! o yes, indeed is he! well known in tartary." "well, dr plausible, i have good news for you. here is a note from mr h---, in answer to yours, in which he promises you the loan of the wax figure from germany, of a female in the first stage of par--partu--i can't make out the word." "excellent! most excellent!" cried the doctor, rubbing his hands; "now we _shall_ do." newton, who had some curiosity to see a _conversazione_, which to him was a _terra incognita_, did not fail to go at the appointed hour. he was ushered up stairs into the drawing-room, at the door of which he was received by mrs plausible, in blue and silver. the rooms not being very large, were extremely crowded, and newton at one moment found himself jammed against some curiosity, and at another treading on the toes or heels of people who accepted his apologies, looking daggers; and with a snarling, "don't mention it." but a thundering knock at the door was followed by the announcement of his highness prince fizzybelli--prince fizzybelli at the door--prince fizzybelli coming up--prince fizzybelli (enters). had it been permitted, dr plausible would have received his guest with a flourish of trumpets, as great men are upon the stage, without which it is impossible now-a-days to know a great man from a little one. however, the hired attendants did their duty, and the name of fizzybelli was fizzed about the room in every direction. dr plausible trod on the corns of old lady g---, upset miss periwinkle, and nearly knocked down a french _savant_, in his struggle to obtain the door to receive his honoured guest, who made a bow, looked at the crowd--looked at the chandelier--looked at his watch, and looked very tired in the course of five minutes, when prince fizzybelli ordered his carriage, and was off. newton, who had examined several very strange things, which occupied the tables about the room, at last made his way to the ante-room, where the crowd was much more dense than elsewhere. taking it for granted that there was something interesting to be seen, he persevered until he had forced his way to the centre, when what was his astonishment when he beheld under a long glass-case a figure of a woman modelled in wax, of exact and certainly of beautiful proportion! it was as large as life, and in a state of perfect nudity. the face lifted up, and discovered the muscles beneath: in fact, every part of the image could be removed, and presented to the curious, every part of the human frame, modelled exact, and coloured. newton was indeed astonished: he had witnessed several articles in the other room, which he had considered more fitted for the museum of an institution than a drawing-room; but this was indeed a novelty; and when, to crown all, he witnessed certain little _demireps_ of science, who fancied that not to be ashamed was now as much a proof of knowledge, as in our first parents it was of innocence, and who eyed the figure without turning away from it or blushing, he quitted the room with disgust, and returned home quite satisfied with one _conversazione_. i am not partial to blues: generally speaking, ladies do not take up science until they find that the men will not take up them; and a remarkably clever woman by reputation is too often a remarkably unpleasant, or a remarkably ugly one. but there are exceptions; exceptions that a nation may be proud of--women who can fulfil their duties to their husbands and their children, to their god and to their neighbour, although endowed with minds more powerful than allotted to one man in tens of thousands. these are heavenly blues; and, among the few, no one shines more pre-eminent than my dear mrs s---e. however, whether newton was satisfied or not, this _conversazione_ was a finisher to dr feasible, who resigned the contest. dr plausible not only carried away the palm--but, what was still worse, he carried off the "practice!" volume three, chapter eight. their only labour is to kill the time; and labour dire it is, and weary woe. they sit--they lounge--turn o'er some idle rhyme; then rising sudden--to the glass they go, or saunter forth with loitering step and slow. _castle of indolence_. captain oughton who commanded the windsor castle was an original. his figure was short and thickset, his face broad, and deeply pitted with the small-pox, his nose an apology for a nose, being a small tubercle arising mid-way between his eyes and mouth, the former of which were small, the latter wide, and displaying a magnificent row of white teeth. on the whole, it was impossible to look in his face without being immediately struck with his likeness to a bull-dog. his temperament and his pursuits were also analogous; he was a great pugilist, knew the merits of every man in the ring, and the precise date and circumstances attending every battle which had been fought for the previous thirty years. his conversation was at all times interlarded with the slang terms appropriated to the science, to which he was so devoted. in other points he was a brave and trust-worthy officer, although he valued the practical above the theoretical branches of his profession, and was better pleased when superintending the mousing of a stay or the strapping of a block, than when "flooring" the sun, as he termed it, to ascertain the latitude, or "breaking his noddle against the old woman's," in taking a lunar observation. newton had been strongly recommended to him, and captain oughton extended his hand as to an old acquaintance, when they met on the quarterdeck. before they had taken a dozen turns up and down, captain oughton inquired if newton could handle the mauleys; and on being answered in the negative, volunteered his instruction during their passage out. "you heard the end of it, i suppose?" said captain oughton, in continuance. "the end of what, sir?" "what! why, the fight. spring beat. i've cleared three hundred by him." "then, sir, i am very glad that spring beat," replied newton. "i'll back him against a stone heavier any day in the week. i've got the newspaper in the cabin, with the fight--forty-seven rounds; but we can't read it now; we must see after these soldiers and their traps. look at them," continued captain oughton, turning to a party of the troops ordered for the passage, who were standing on the gangway and booms; "every man jack, with his tin pot in his hand, and his great-coat on. twig the drum-boy, he has turned his coat--do you see, with the lining outwards to keep it clean. by jove, that's a _wrinkle_!" "how many officers do you expect, captain oughton." "i hardly know, they make such alterations in their arrangements; five or six, i believe. the boat went on shore for them at nine o'clock. they have sent her back, with their compliments, seven times already, full of luggage. there's one lieutenant, i forget his name, whose chests alone would fill up the main-deck. there's six under the half-deck," said captain oughton, pointing to them. "lieutenant winterbottom," observed newton, reading the name. "i wish to heaven that he had remained the winter, or that his chests were all to the bottom! i don't know where the devil we are to stow them. o! here they come! boatswain's mate, 'tend the side there." in a minute or thereabouts, the military gentlemen made their appearance one by one on the quarter-deck, scrutinising their gloves as they bade adieu to the side-ropes, to ascertain if they had in any degree been defiled by the adhesive properties of the pitch and tar. captain oughton advanced to receive them. "welcome, gentlemen," said he, "welcome on board. we trip our anchor in half an hour. i am afraid that i have not the pleasure of knowing your names, and must request the honour of being introduced." "major clavering, sir," said the major, a tall handsome man, gracefully taking off his hat; "the officers who accompany are (waving his hand towards them in succession) lieutenant winterbottom." lieutenant winterbottom bowed. "i've had the pleasure of reading lieutenant winterbottom's name several times this forenoon," observed captain oughton, as he returned the salute. "you refer to my luggage, i'm afraid, captain oughton?" "why, if i must say it, i certainly think you have enough for a general." "i can only reply, that i wish my rank were equal to my luggage: but it is a _general_ complaint every time i have the misfortune to embark. i trust, captain oughton, it will be the only one you will have to make of me during the passage." major clavering, who had waited during this dialogue, continued-- "captain majoribanks, whom i ought to apologise to for not having introduced first." "not at all, major: you just heard the brevet rank which winterbottom's baggage has procured him." "not the first time a man has obtained rank through his `baggage,'" observed one of the officers, _sotto voce_. "mr ansell, mr petres, mr irving." the necessary bows were exchanged, and mr williams, the first-mate, desired to show the officers to their respective accommodations, when he would be able to ascertain what part of their luggage was required, and be enabled to strike the remainder down into the after-hold. as the officers followed the first-mate down the companion-ladder, captain oughton looked at mr ansell, and observed to newton, "that fellow would _peel_ well." the windsor castle sailed, and in a few days was clear of the channel. newton, whose thoughts were of isabel revel, felt not that regret at quitting the country, usually attached to those who leave all dear to them behind. he knew that it was by following up his profession alone that he ever could have a chance of obtaining her; and this recollection, with the hopes of again beholding the object of his affections, lightened his heart to joy, as the ship scudded across the bay of biscay, before a north east gale. that he had little chance at present of possessing her, he knew; but hope leads us on, and no one more than the youth who is in love. the table of captain oughton was liberally supplied, and the officers embarked proved (as they almost invariably do) to be pleasant gentlemanlike companions. the boxing-gloves were soon produced by captain oughton, who soon ascertained that in the officer who "would _peel_ so well," he had found his match. the mornings were passed away in sparring, fencing, reading, walking the deck, or lolling on the hen-coops upon the poop. the announcement of the dinner-hour was a signal for rejoicing; and they remained late at the table, doing ample justice to the captain's excellent claret. the evening was finished with cards, cigars, and brandy _pawnee_. thus passed the time away for the first three weeks of the passage, during which period all parties had become upon intimate terms. but the voyage is in itself most tedious, and more tedious to those who not only have no duty to perform, but have few resources. as soon as the younger officers thought they might take a liberty, they examined the hen-coops, and selecting the most promising looking cocks, trimmed them for fighting; chose between themselves as their own property those which they most approved of, and for some days fed and sparred them to get them into wind, and ascertain the proper way in which they should be spurred. in the mean time, two pair of spurs were by their directions clandestinely made by the armourer of the ship, and when ready, they took advantage of the time when captain oughton was every day employed with the ship's reckoning, and the poulterer was at his dinner (viz, from twelve to one), to fight a main. the cocks which were killed in these combats were returned to the hen-coops, and supposed by the poulterer, who very often had a glass of grog, to have quarrelled within the bars. "steward," said captain oughton, "why the devil do you give us so many fowls for dinner? the stock will never last out the voyage: two roast fowls, two boiled fowls, curried fowl, and chicken pie! what can you be thinking of?" "i spoke to the poulterer on the subject, sir: he constantly brings me down fowls, and he tells me that they kill each other fighting." "fighting! never heard of fowls fighting in a coop before. they must be all game fowls." "that they are, most of them," said mr petres; "i have often seen them fighting when i have been on the poop." "so have i," continued ansell? "i have seen worse cocks in the pit." "well it's very odd; i never lost a cock this way in all my voyages. send the poulterer here; i must inquire about it." "yes, sir," replied the steward; and he quitted the cabin. with the exception of the major, who knew nothing of the circumstances, the officers thought it advisable to de-camp, that they might not be present when the _denouement_ took place. the poulterer made his appearance, was interrogated, and obliged in his own defence to criminate the parties, corroborating his assertions by producing a pair of spurs found upon a cock, which had been killed, and thrown behind the coop in a hurry at the appearance of captain oughton on deck. "i am sorry that my officers should have taken such a liberty," observed the major, gravely. "o never mind, major, only allow me to be even with them; i shouldn't have minded if i had seen the fighting. i think you said that you would like to exercise your men a little this afternoon?" "i did; that is, if not inconvenient." "not in the least, major; the quarter-deck is at your service. i presume you do not superintend yourself?" "yes, i generally do." "well, don't this time, but let all the officers; and then i shall be able to play them a little trick that will make us all square." major clavering consented. the officers were ordered up to drill their men. captain majoribanks and mr irving had one party at the platoon exercise. "third man, your hand a little higher on the barrel of your musket. as you were; support--the word support is only a caution--arms,--too--too." "two and two make four," observed one of the seamen. lieutenant winterbottom had another party on the lee-side of the quarter-deck. "ram down--cartridge.--number , slope your musket a little more--_too--too_--only two taps at the bottom of the barrel. return--ramrods. number , why don't you draw up the heel of your right leg level with the other? recollect now, when you shoulder arms, to throw your muskets up smartly.--shoulder--as you were--the word shoulder is only a caution; shoulder--arms. dress up a little number , and don't stick your stomach out in that way." mr ansell and mr petres had two fatigue parties on the poop, without muskets. "to the right--face--to the right face. to the right--face-- to the right--face." "it's a dead calm with them soldiers--head round the compass," said one of the seamen to another. "to the left--face--quick march, to the left--turn--to the right--turn-- close files--mark time--right--left--right--left--forward." "them ere chaps legs all going together put one in mind of a centipee-- don't they, tom?" "yes, but they don't get on quite so fast. holloh, what pipe's that?--`all hands, air bedding.'" the ship was hauled close to the wind, which was light. at the pipe, the sailors below ran up the hatchway, and those on deck threw down their work. in a minute every hammock was out of the netting, and every seaman busy at unlashing. "now, major, we had better go into the cabin," said captain oughton, laughing. "i shall, i can assure you." beds and blankets which are not aired or shook more than once a month, are apt to be very full of what is termed _fluff_ and blanket _hairs_, and they have a close smell, by no means agreeable. the sailors, who had an idea that the order had been given inconsiderately, were quite delighted, and commenced shaking their blankets on the forecastle and weather gangway, raising a cloud, which the wind carried aft upon the parties exercising upon the quarterdeck. "what the devil is all this?" cried captain majoribanks, looking forward with dismay. "order--arms." lieutenant winterbottom and half of his party were now seized with a fit of coughing. "confound it!--shut--pans--handle--upon my soul i'm choked." "this is most excessively disagreeable," observed mr petres; "i made up my mind to be _tarred_ when i came on board, but i had no idea that we should be _feathered_." "support--damn it, there's no supporting this!" cried captain majoribanks. "where's major clavering? i'll ask to dismiss the men." "they are dismissing a great many little men, forward, i suspect," said the first-mate, laughing. "i cannot imagine what induced captain oughton to give the order: we never shake bedding except when the ship's before the wind." this last very consoling remark made it worse than all; the officers were in an agony. there was not one of them who would not have stood the chance of a volley from a french regiment rather than what they considered that they were exposed to. but without major clavering's permission they could not dismiss their men. captain majoribanks hastened to the cabin, to explain their very un-pleasant situation, and received the major's permission to defer the exercise. "well, gentlemen," said captain oughton, "what is the matter?" "the matter!" replied ansell. "why, my flesh creeps all over me. of all the thoughtless acts, captain oughton, it really beats--" "cock-fighting," interrupted the captain, with a loud laugh. "now we are quits." the officers hastened below to wash and change their dress after this very annoying retaliation on the part of captain oughton. when they felt themselves again clean and comfortable, their good-humour returned, although they voted their captain not to be very refined in his ideas, and agreed with him that his practical joke beat "cock-fighting." i believe there are no classes of people who embark with more regret, or quit a ship with more pleasure, than military men. nor is it to be wondered at, if we consider the antithesis which is presented to their usual mode of life. few military men are studious, or inclined to reading, which is almost the only resource which is to be found against the tedium of long confinement and daily monotony. i do not say this reproachfully, as i consider it arises from the peculiarity of their profession, and must be considered to be more their misfortune than their fault. they enter upon a military life just after they have left school, the very period at which, from previous and forced application, they have been surfeited with books _usque ad nauseam_. the parade, dress, the attention paid to them, which demands civilities in return; society, and the preference shown by the fair sex; their happy and well-conducted mess; the collecting together of so many young men, with all their varied plans of amusement, into which the others are easily persuaded to enter, with just sufficient duty on guard, or otherwise, not to make the duty irksome; all delight too much at first, and, eventually from habit, too much occupy their minds, to afford time for study. in making this observation, i must be considered to speak generally. there are many studious, many well-stored minds, many men of brilliant talents, who have improved the gift of nature by constant study and reflection, and whose conduct must be considered as the more meritorious, from having resisted or overcome the strong temptation to do otherwise, which is offered by their profession. "i wish," said irving, who was stretched out his full length on one of the coops abaft, with the front of his cap drawn over his eyes--"i wish this cursed voyage was at an end. every day the same thing; no variety--no amusement--curry for breakfast--brandy pawnee as a finish. i really begin to detest the sight of a cigar or a pack of cards." "very true," replied ansell, who was stretched upon an adjacent coop in all the listlessness of idleness personified--"very true, irving; i begin to think it worse than being quartered in a country town inhabited by nobodies, where one has nothing to do but to loll and spit over the bridge all day, till the bugle sounds for dinner." "oh! that was infinitely better; at least, you could walk away when you were tired, or exchange a word or two with a girl as she passed over it, on her way to market." "why don't you take a book, irving?" observed the major, laying down the one with which he had been occupied to join the conversation. "a book, major? oh, i've read until i am tired." "what have you read since you embarked?" inquired his senior. "let me see--ansell, what have i read?" "read!--nothing at all--you know that." "well, perhaps so; we have no mess-newspapers here: the fact is, major, i am not very partial to reading--i am not in the habit of it. when on shore i have too much to do; but i mean to read by-and-bye." "and pray, when may that by-and-bye be supposed to arrive?" "oh! some day when i'm wounded or taken prisoner, and cannot do any thing else; then i shall read a good deal. here's captain oughton-- captain oughton, do you read much?" "yes, mr irving, i read a great deal." "pray, may i take the liberty to ask you what you read?" "what i read! why, i read horsburgh's directory:--and i read--i read all the fights." "i think," observed ansell, "that if a man gets through the newspaper and the novels of the day, he does a great deal." "he reads a great deal, i grant you," replied the major; "but of what value is that description of reading?" "there, major," replied ansell, "we are at issue. i consider a knowledge of the passing events of the day, and a recollection of the facts which have occurred during the last twenty years, to be more valuable than all the ancient records in existence. who talks of caesar or xenophon now-a-days, except some cambridge or oxford prig? and of what value is that knowledge in society? the escape of a modern pickpocket will afford more matter of conversation than the famous retreat of the ten thousand." "to be sure," replied captain oughton; "and a fair stand-up fight between humphreys and mendoza create more interest than the famous battles of ---, i'm sure i forget." "of marathon and thermopylae; they will do," added ansell. "i grant," replied the major, "that it is not only un-necessary, but conceited in those who would show their reading; but this does not disprove the advantages which are obtained. the mind well fed becomes enlarged: and if i may use a simile, in the same way as your horse proves his good condition by his appearance, without ascertaining the precise quantity of oats which has been given him; so the mind shows by its general vigour and power of demonstration, that it has been well supplied with `hard food.'" "very _hard food_ indeed," replied captain oughton; "nuts that i never could crack when i was at school, and don't mean to break my teeth with now. i agree with mr ansell, `that sufficient for the day is the knowledge thereof.'" "well as the tree of knowledge was the tree of evil, perhaps that is the correct reading," replied ansell, laughing; "captain oughton, you are a very sensible man; i hope we shall see you often at our mess, when we're again on shore." "you may say so now," replied captain oughton, bluntly, "and so have many more said the same thing to me; but you soldiers have cursed short memories in that way after you have landed." "i trust, captain oughton," replied major clavering, "that you will not have to make that accusation general." "oh! never mind, major, i never am affronted; the offer is made in kindness, and at the time sincere; but when people get on shore, and are so occupied with their own amusements, it is not to be wondered if they are thoughtless and forget. at one time, it did annoy me, i confess; for when i say i should be happy to see a man, i mean it; and if i did not mean it, i never would ask him. i thought that other people did the same; but i have lived long enough to discover that a `general invitation,' means, `don't come at all.'" "then i most certainly shall not say one word on the subject at present," replied the major. "how many bells was that?" "six; dinner will be on the table in a few minutes." "then, gentlemen, we had better go down and prepare. why, mr irving, you have not shaved this morning." "no, major, i mean to do it after dinner." "i should rather think that you intended to say before," replied major clavering. this gentlemanlike hint was taken by the young ensign, who was aware that major clavering, although invariably polite even in reproof, was not a commanding officer to be trifled with; and mr irving made his appearance at the dinner table with his "chin new reaped," and smooth as if appertaining to one of the fairer sex. volume three, chapter nine. come o'er the sea, maiden, with me, mine through sunshine, storm and snows; seasons may roll, but the true soul burns the same where'er it goes. let fate frown on, so we love and part not, 'tis life where thou art, 'tis death where thou'rt not. moore. the voyage was at last accomplished without adventure or interest, the windsor castle not having fallen in with more than two or three vessels during her passage. happy were the military officers to hear the order given for the anchor to be let go upon their arrival in madras roads; more happy were they to find themselves again on shore; and most happy were captain oughton and his officers to witness the debarkation of the troops, who had so long crowded their decks and impeded their motions. parting was indeed sweet sorrow, as it always will be when there is short allowance of room and still shorter allowance of water. newton forster was in a state of anxiety during the quarter of an hour in which he was obliged to attend to his duty, furling the sails and squaring the yards; and the time appeared most insupportably long, until he could venture aft to make some inquiries from the dubashes, who were crowding alongside, as to the fate of isabel revel. time and absence had but matured his passion, and it was seldom that isabel was away from his thoughts. he had a faint idea formed by hope that she was partial to him; but this was almost smothered by the fears which opposed it, when he reflected upon what might be produced by absence, importunity, and her independent spirit, which might, if not well treated by her relation, reconcile her to a marriage, which, although not in every way eligible, secured her a prospect of contentment and of peace. at last the yards were squared to the satisfaction of the boatswain, the ropes were hauled taut, and coiled down, and the men sent below to their dinners. newton walked aft, and the first person he met was the dubash who had attended the bombay castle. the cheeks of newton flushed, and his heart throbbed quick, and his lips quivered, as he asked intelligence of the colonel and his family. "colonel saib quite well, sir. two ladies marry officer." "which two?" demanded newton, eagerly. "not know how call bibi saib's names. but one not marry--she very handsome--more handsome than all." the heart of newton bounded at this intelligence, as he knew that it must be isabel who was still a spinster. this was shortly after corroborated by an english gentleman who came on board. their stay at madras was intended to be short, and newton resolved to ask immediate leave on shore. apologising to captain oughton for making such an unusual request, which he was induced to do from intelligence he had just received relative to his friends, he expressed his anxious wish. captain oughton, who had reason to be highly satisfied with newton, gave his consent in the kindest manner; "and, forster, if you wish to remain, you have my permission. we will manage without you: only recollect, we sail on thursday night." newton was soon ready, and quitted the ship with major clavering; to whose credit it ought here to be observed, that a _daily_ note was despatched to captain oughton, requesting the pleasure of his company at the mess, until he was satisfied that, in this instance, the general invitation was sincere. as soon as he was clear of the surf, and out of the masulah boat, newton hired a conveyance, and drove out to the bungalo of the old colonel. he trembled as he announced his name to the butler, who ushered him half way to the receiving room; and, like most of the natives, finding some difficulty in pronouncing english, contented himself with calling out "burrah saib," and then walked off. newton found himself in the presence of the old veteran and isabel. the latter had been reading a new publication, which she laid down at the voice of the butler announcing a visitor. but "burrah saib" may be any body; it implies a gentleman. what then was the surprise of isabel, who had no intimation of his arrival, when newton forster made his appearance? her exclamation of delight, as she ran to him and extended her hand, made newton forster but too happy; and, as for a few seconds he held the hand not withdrawn, and looked in her beaming eyes, he quite forgot the presence of the colonel. a glance from the eye of isabel in the direction where the old gentleman was seated, brought newton to his recollection. he walked up to the colonel, who shook hands, and declared that he was most glad to see him. "you take up your quarters here, of course, mr forster?" "i shall have great pleasure in availing myself of your kind offer for a day or two," replied newton. "i trust that you have been in good health since we parted." "not very; that is, latterly. i am thinking of a change of climate. i intend to go home in october. i suppose you have been informed that the two young women have married?" "i was told so by some one who came on board." "yes. isabel, my dear, order a chamber for mr forster." isabel left the room. "yes, both married--thought of nothing else--regularly came out on spec. in less than a month they knew the exact rank of every gentleman in the presidency; ascertained their prospects, and the value of their appointments; turned the rupees into pounds sterling; broke off a conversation with an ensign at the sight of a lieutenant; cut the lieutenant for a captain; were all smiles for a major; and actually made love themselves to any body who was above that rank, and a bachelor. they made their decision at last; indeed pretty quick. they were only four months on my hands. both up the country now." "i trust they have married well, sir?" "that depends upon circumstances. they have married young men not used to the climate. may be widows in half a year. if their husbands weather it, of course they will come in for their share of the good things; but i'll warrant they will never be able to leave the country." "not leave the country, sir! may i ask why?" "because they have married foolish, extravagant wives, who will run them in debt; and when once in debt, it is no easy matter in this country to get out of it. they must insure their lives for the money which they borrow; and as the house of agency will be gainers by their demise, of course they will not be permitted to leave the country and their chance of the _cholera morbus_. don't you think that my niece looks remarkably well?" "i do; the climate does not appear to have affected her." "rather improved her," replied the colonel; "she is not so thin as when she came on shore. god bless her! i'm sure, mr forster, i am under great obligations to you for having persuaded me to go for the dear girl when she arrived. she has been a treasure to me! if she has had one, she has had twenty offers since you left; many unexceptionable; but she has refused them all. in some instances i have persuaded her--i thought it was my duty. but no; she has but one answer, and that is a decided one. she will not leave me. she has watched and attended me in my sickness as my own daughter. i say again, god bless her!" it was with delight that newton heard these encomiums upon isabel, and, her resolution not to marry. whether it was wholly on account of not wishing to leave the colonel or not, still every delay gave him more chance of ultimate success. isabel, who had stayed away that the colonel might have time to make any communications to newton, now returned, and the conversation became general. newton entered into a narrative of what had occurred during his passage home, and amused them with his anecdotes and conversation. in about an hour the colonel rose from his chair that he might prepare for dinner; and then it was that newton perceived the great change which had taken place. he was no longer upright but bowed down; his step was no longer firm, it was almost tottering; and, as he left the room, newton's eyes met those of isabel. "you think him ill?" said isabel, inquiringly. "yes, i do, miss revel. he is very much changed; his stamina appears to have been exhausted by the climate. i trust he will go home, as he proposes." "he has been ill--very ill indeed. he talks constantly of going home; he has done so for months; but when the time comes he puts it off. i wish you would persuade him." "i will do all i can; but if you cannot prevail, i'm afraid that my persuasion will be of little use." "indeed, i think otherwise; you have power over him, mr forster. i have not forgot how kindly you exercised it in my behalf. we--that is," continued isabel, colouring up, "the colonel has often talked of you since you quitted us." "i feel highly flattered by his remembrance," replied newton; "but you are in mourning, miss revel. if not a liberty from one who feels an interest in all concerning you, may i inquire for whom?" "it is for my father," replied isabel, with emotion, sitting down and passing her hand across her eyes. "i never heard of his death, and must apologise for having been so indiscreet as to renew your sorrow. how long is it since? and what was his complaint?" "he had no complaint--would to god that he had had! he was shot in a duel," replied isabel, as the tears coursed down her cheeks. "oh! mr forster, i trust i am resigned to the dispensations of providence, but-- that he should be summoned away at the moment when he was seeking the life of his fellow-creature, with all the worst passions in excitement-- unprepared--for he was killed on the spot. these reflections will make his death a source of bitter regret, which can terminate but with existence." "your mother is still alive?" inquired newton, to change the painful subject. "yes, but very ill; the last accounts were very distressing; they say that her complaint is incurable." newton regretted having brought up so painful a subject. a few words of condolence and sympathy were offered, and they separated to prepare for dinner. newton remained four days under the roof of the colonel, during which time he was constantly in the society of isabel; and when the period of his departure arrived, he had just grounds to imagine that were all obstacles in other points removed, isabel revel would not, on her part, have raised any against the accomplishment of his wishes; but their mutual dependent situations chased away all ideas of the kind for the present, and although they parted with unconcealed emotion, not a word which could be construed into a declaration of attachment was permitted to escape his lips. the windsor castle sailed for calcutta, and in a few days anchored at kedgeree to wait for a pilot to come down the river. during their short stay at this anchorage, mr williams, the first-mate, who was an old indian voyager, went on shore every evening to follow up his darling amusement of shooting jackals, a description of game by no means scarce in that quarter of the world. often remonstrated with for his imprudence in exposing himself to the heavy night-dew he would listen to no advice. "it was very true," he acknowledged, "that his brother had died of a jungle fever in pursuing the same amusement, and what was more, the fowling-piece in his hand belonged to his brother, who had bequeathed it to him; but as he had never heard of two brothers dying from a jungle fever taken by shooting jackals, he considered that the odds were strongly in his favour." this argument, however specious, did not prove good. the third morning he returned on board, complaining of a head-ache and shivering. he was bled and put into his bed, which he never left again. before the windsor castle was ready to sail, the remains of mr williams were consigned to the burying-ground at diamond harbour, and newton forster was promoted to the rank of first-mate of the windsor castle. this, as will hereafter be proved, was a most fortunate occurrence to newton forster. the windsor castle sailed with leave to call at madras for letters or passengers, and in a few days was again at anchor in the roadstead. the first intelligence which they received upon their arrival was, that the cholera morbus had been very fatal, and that among others, the old colonel had fallen a victim to the disease. newton again obtained permission to go on shore to isabel. he found her in distress at the house of a mrs enderby, a lady who had lost her husband by the same ravaging epidemic, and who had long been the intimate friend of the colonel and of isabel. mrs enderby was about to return to england by the first vessel, and had advised isabel to take so favourable an opportunity of a chaperone. isabel, who had many reasons for wishing to leave the country, particularly the declining state of her mother's health, had consented; and it was with great pleasure that she received from newton the information of the best cabins of the windsor castle not having been hitherto engaged. the colonel's will had been opened. he had bequeathed his property, the whole of which, with the exception of his establishment in india, was invested in the english funds, to his grand-niece isabel revel. it amounted to nearly seventy thousand pounds. it would be difficult to say whether newton forster felt glad or sorry at this intelligence. for isabel's sake, he undoubtedly was glad, but he could not but feel that it increased the distance between them, and on that account, and on that alone, his reflections were painful. "had it," thought he, "been five thousand, or even ten thousand pounds, it would have been different. in the course of a few years i might have been able to produce an equivalent to it, and--but this fortune has raised her above my hopes; even if she had a prepossession in my favour, it would be dishonest to take advantage of it." isabel revel had very different feelings on the subject;--she was her own mistress, and her manner to newton was more cordial, more confidential than before. she had not forgotten that newton had shown the same regard and partiality for her when she was going out to india; and afterwards, when in distress, he had been her friend and admirer when in adversity. she knew his feelings towards her, and she had appreciated his delicacy and forbearance. lately she had seriously analysed her own, and her analysis was wound up by a mental acknowledgment, that her wealth would be valueless, if she could not share it with newton forster. at the request of mrs enderby, the poop cabins were engaged for isabel and herself. their time for preparation was short; but one day more having been obtained from captain oughton, through the influence of newton, mrs enderby and isabel embarked, and the windsor castle spread her canvas, sailing away from pestilence and death. newton forster--by captain marryat volume three, chapter ten. "britannia needs no bulwark, no towers along the steep, her march is o'er the mountain waves, her home is on the deep." campbell. the _windsor castle_ ploughed through the vast ocean of waters before a propitious gale, laden with treasure, in the safe arrival of which so many were interested. but what were all the valuables stowed away in her frame, in the opinion of newton forster, in comparison with the lovely being who had intrusted them with her safe conduct to her native country! the extreme precautions adopted or suggested by newton for security during the night--his nervous anxiety during the day--became a source of laughter and ridicule to captain oughton; who once observed to him,--"newton, my boy, i see how the land lies, but depend upon it the old ship won't tumble overboard a bit sooner than before; so one reef in the top-sails will be quite sufficient." indeed, although they "never mentioned it," it was impossible for either of them to disguise their feelings. their very attempts at concealment only rendered them more palpable to everyone on board. captain oughton, who was very partial to newton, rejoiced in his good fortune. he had no objection to young people falling or being in love on board of his ship, although he would not have sanctioned or permitted a marriage to take place during the period that a young lady was under his protection. once landed on deal beach, as he observed, they might "buckle to" as soon as they pleased. the _windsor castle_ was within two hundred miles of the mauritius, when a strange vessel was discovered on the weather beam, bearing down to them with all the canvas she could spread. her appearance was warlike; but what her force might be, it was impossible to ascertain at the distance she was off, and the position which she then offered, being then nearly "end on." "can you make out her hull, mr forster?" cried captain oughton, hailing newton, who was at the mast-head with a glass. "no, sir; her fore-yard is but now clear of the water, but she rises very fast." "what do you think of her spars, forster?" said captain oughton to newton, who had just descended to the last rattling of the main-rigging. "she is very taut, sir, and her canvas appears to be foreign." "i'll bet you what you please it's that damned fellow surcoeuf. this is just his cruising-ground, if the report of that neutral vessel was correct." "another hour will decide the point, sir," replied newton; "but i must say i think your surmise likely to prove correct. we may as well be ready for him: a cruiser she certainly is." "the sooner the better, mr forster. he's but a `rum customer,' and `a hard hitter' by all accounts. clear up the decks, and beat to quarters." the strange vessel came down with such rapidity that, by the time the captain's orders were obeyed, she was not more than two miles distant. "there's `in studding-sails,'--and in devilish good style too!" observed captain oughton. "now we shall see what he's made of." the vessel rounded to the wind as soon as she had reduced her sails, on the same tack as the _windsor castle_, displaying her broadside, as the french would say, _herisee des canons_. "a corvette, sir," said newton, reconnoitring through his glass; "two-and-twenty guns besides her bridle ports. she is french rigged;-- the rake of her stern is french;--in fact, she is french all over." "all lombard street to a china orange, 'tis surcoeuf," replied captain oughton, who, with the rest of his officers, had his glass upon the vessel. "there goes the tricoloured flag to prove i've won my bet. answer the challenge. toss my hat up.--pshaw! i mean hoist the colours there abaft. mr thomas," continued captain oughton, addressing the boatswain, "send the ship's company aft.--forster, you had better see the ladies down below." at the summons of the boatswain, the men came aft, and stood in a body on the leeside of the quarterdeck, with their hats off, and impatience in their looks. "now, my lads," said captain oughton, "if i am not mistaken, that vessel is commanded by the very best seaman that ever left a french port, and to do him justice, he's a damnation fine fellow!--a severe punisher, and can take a mauling as well as give one." "yes, sir, so can we," replied several of the men together. "i know you can, my lads; and give and take is fair play. all i say is, let it be a fair stand up fight, and `may the best man win.' so now, my lads, if you're ready to come to the scratch, why, the sooner we peel the better--that's all." "hurrah!" cried the seamen, as they separated to their quarters; and, in compliance with the injunctions of the captain, threw off their jackets, and many of them their shirts, to prepare for the conflict. the corvette, after she had rounded to, and exchanged colours, reduced her sails to precisely the same canvas as that carried by the _windsor castle_. this was to try her rate of sailing. in a quarter of an hour, her superiority was manifest. she then hauled up her courses, and dropped to her former position on the _windsor castle's_ weather-beam. "the fellow has the heels of us, at all events," observed captain oughton; "but, forster, the ladies are not yet below. mrs enderby, i am sorry to be obliged to put you in confinement for a short time. miss revel, you must do me the favour to accept of mr forster's convoy below the water-line." newton offered his arm to isabel, and followed captain oughton, who escorted mrs enderby. his heart was swelling with such variety of feeling that he could not at first trust himself to speak. when they had descended the ladder, and were picking their way, stepping over the rammers, sponges, and tackles, stretched across the main-deck, newton observed--"this is not the first time i have been commissioned to place you in security. i trust i shall again have the pleasure of relieving you from your bondage." isabel's lips quivered as she replied, "i trust in god that you may, mr forster!--but--i feel more anxious now than i did on the former occasion. i--" "i have a foreboding," interrupted newton, "that this day's work is to make or mar me! why, i cannot tell, but i feel more confident than the chances would warrant; but farewell, isabel--god bless you!"--and newton, pressing her hand, sprang up the ladder to his station on the quarter-deck. i have before observed that a man's courage much depends upon his worldly means or prospects. a man who has much to lose, whatever the property may consist of, will be less inclined to fight than another whose whole capital consists of a "light heart and a thin pair of breeches." upon the same reasoning, a man in love will not be inclined to fight as another. death then cuts off the sweetest prospects in existence. lord st. vincent used to say that a married man was damned for the service. now (bating the honeymoon), i do not agree with his lordship. a man in love may be inclined to play the mark antony; but a married man, "come what will, he has been blessed." once fairly into action, it then is of little consequence whether a man is a bachelor, or married, or in love; the all-absorbing occupation of killing your fellow-creatures makes you for the time forget whether you are a beggar or a prince. when newton returned on deck, he found that the corvette had gradually edged down until nearly within point-blank range. "shall we lay the main-topsail to the mast?" observed newton. "we shall see his manoeuvres." "why, he hardly would be fool enough to bear down to us," replied captain oughton; "he is a determined fellow, i know; but i believe not a rash one. however, we can but try. square the main-yard." as soon as the _windsor castle_ was hove-to, the courses of the enemy were seen to flutter a few moments in the breeze, and then the canvas was expanded. when the vessel had gathered sufficient way, she hove in stays, and crossed the _windsor castle_ on the opposite tack. "i thought so," observed captain oughton. "the fellow knows what he is about. he'll not `put his head in chancery,' that's clear. how cautious the rascal is! it's very like the first round of a fight--much manoeuvring and wary sparring before they begin to make play." the corvette stood on the opposite tack until well abaft the beam. she then wore round, and ranged up on the weather quarter of the indiaman. when within two cables' length of the _windsor castle_, who had, a little before, filled her main-topsail to be in command, the frenchman hauled up his foresail, and discovered his lower rigging manned by the ship's company, who gave a loud but hasty cheer, and then disappeared. one cock crowing is a challenge, sure to be answered, if the antagonist is game. the english seamen sprang up to return the compliment, when captain oughton roared out, "to your guns, you fools! hard down with the helm--fly the jib-sheet--check headbraces--look out now, my lads." the corvette had already put her helm up and paid off to pass under the stern of the _windsor castle_, with the intention, of raking her. the promptitude of captain oughton foiled the manoeuvre of the frenchman; which would have been more fatal had the english seamen been in the rigging to have been swept off by his grape-shot. as the _windsor castle_ was thrown upon the wind, an exchange of broadsides took place, which, according to the usual custom of all well regulated broadsides in close conflict, cut away a certain proportion of the spars and rigging, and cut up a proportion of the ships' companies. the _windsor castle_, worked by newton, bracing round on the other tack, and the corvette rounding to on the same, the two vessels separated for a few minutes. "devilish well stopped, newton, wasn't it?" said captain oughton, showing his white teeth. "look out again--here she comes." the corvette again attempted to rake as she ranged up after tacking, by throwing herself up in the wind; but captain oughton, watching the slightest variation of his adversary's career, gradually edging away, and then putting his helm up, manoeuvred that the broadsides should again be exchanged. this second exchange was more effectual than the first. "a stomacher, and both down!" cried captain oughton, as he surveyed the deck. "be quick, newton, hand the men below. don't bring her to the wind yet, he has lost his way by luffing up, and cannot make play again for a few minutes." after the second broadside, the vessels were much further apart, from the _windsor castle_ running off the wind, while the corvette was too much crippled to work with her usual rapidity. this was convenient to both parties, as the last broadside had been very mischievous. the frenchman, low in the water, had suffered less in her hull and ship's company, but more in her spars and rigging. the foremast was nearly cut in half by the carronade shot of her antagonist; her mainyard was badly wounded, and her wheel knocked to atoms, which obliged them to steer on the lower deck. the _windsor castle_ had received five shots in her hull, three men killed, and six wounded; three of her main shrouds cut in two, and her mizzenmast badly wounded. it was a quarter of an hour before the frenchman returned to the attack. captain oughton had again hauled his wind, as if not wishing to decline the combat; which, indeed, the superior sailing of his antagonist prevented. the corvette appeared to have given up manoeuvring; whether from the crippled state of her spars and sails, or from perceiving that he had hitherto gained nothing by his attempts. he now ranged up to within two cables' lengths of the _windsor castle_, and recommenced the action, broadside to broadside. the breeze was lulled by the concussion of the air; and both vessels continued in the same position, and at the same distance for upwards of an hour, pouring in their broadsides, every shot of which was effectual. "now, this is what i call a reg'lar set-to. fire away, my lads," cried captain oughton, rubbing his hands. "a proper rally this. damn it, but he's game!" the wounded mizzen-mast of the _windsor castle_ received another shot in the heart of it, which threw it over the side. every part of her hull proved the severe and well directed fire of the enemy; her sails were as ragged as jeremy didler's pocket-handkerchief; her remaining masts pitted with shot; the bulwarks torn away in several places; the boats on the booms in shivers; rigging cut away fore and aft, and the ends swinging to and fro with the motion of the vessel; her decks in confusion; and some of her guns, from necessity, deserted. captain oughton, newton, and the rest of the officers, continued to encourage the men, giving them assistance in working the guns; and the ship's company appeared to have fully imbibed the bull-dog spirit of their commander. the fire of the _windsor castle_ had been equally destructive. the vessels had gradually neared each other in the calm; and the height of the _windsor castle_ out of the water, in comparison with the corvette, had given her the advantage in sweeping the decks of the enemy. the contending vessels were in this situation, when, for a minute or two, a cessation of firing took place, in consequence of the accumulation of smoke, which had so completely enshrouded them both that they knew not where to direct their guns; and they waited until it should clear away, that the firing might recommence. a light air gradually swept the veil to leeward, and discovered both vessels to each other, at the distance of half a cable's length. captain oughton was with newton on the poop, and the commander of the french corvette was standing on the hammock nettings of his own vessel. the latter took off his hat, and courteously saluted his adversary. captain oughton answered the salutation; and then waving his hat, pointed to the english colours, which had been hoisted at the main; as much as to say, "they never shall come down!" the frenchman (it was surcoeuf) did the same to the tricolour, and the action recommenced. "well done, my lads!" cried captain oughton; "well done! that broadside was a staggerer--right into his ribs. hurrah now, my hearts of oak! this fellow's worth fighting. aim at his foremast--another broadside will floor it. it's on the reel. newton, jump forward, and--" but the order was stopped by a grape-shot, which struck captain oughton in the breast. he staggered and fell from the poop to the quarter-deck. newton leapt down, and went to him. the torrents of blood from his breast at once told the tale: and newton called to some of the men, that his commander might be taken below. "wait a moment, my dear lad," said captain oughton, faintly, and catching his breath at every word; "it's a finisher--can't come to time--i die game." his head fell on his breast, and the blood poured out of his mouth. newton directed the body to be taken into the cuddy, that the men might not be dispirited by the sight. he then hastened to the poop, that he might reconnoitre the enemy. he perceived that the corvette had hauled on board his tattered courses, and was standing ahead of them. "he's off, sir," cried one of the quarter-masters. "i suspect not," replied newton, who had his glass to his eye, looking upon the decks of the french vessel. "they are preparing to board, and will be round again in five minutes. cutlasses and pikes ready-- forward, my lads, all of us! we must beat them off!" "and will, too," cried the seamen, as in obedience to their orders, they collected on the forecastle. but they mustered thin; nearly half of the ship's company were either lying dead or under the hands of the surgeon; and, as newton surveyed his little force, fatigued as they were with their exertions, black with powder, stained with blood, and reeking with perspiration, he could not but acknowledge how heavy were the odds against the attack of a vessel so well manned as the corvette appeared to be. newton said but a few words; but they were to the point; and he had the satisfaction to perceive, as they grasped their cutlasses, that if their numbers were few and their frames exhausted, their spirit was as unsubdued as ever. the corvette had in the meantime run ahead on a wind, about a mile, when she wore round, and was now standing right on to the _windsor castle_, and had neared to within three cables' lengths. a few minutes were to decide the point. her courses were again hauled up, and discovered her lee fore-rigging, bowsprit, cat-heads, and forecastle, crowded with men ready for the dash on board, as soon as the vessels should come in contact newton stood on one of the forecastle guns surrounded by his men; not a word was spoken on board of the _windsor castle_, as they watched their advancing enemy. they were within a cable's length of each other, and newton could plainly distinguish the features of the gallant surcoeuf, who was in advance on the knight-heads, when a puff of wind, which at any other time would not have occasioned the starting of a royal sheet, took the sails of the corvette; and her wounded foremast, laden with men in the lee-rigging, unable to bear the pressure, fell over the side, carrying with it the maintop-mast, and most of the crew, who had been standing in the rigging, and leaving the corvette an encumbered wreck. a loud shout from the forecastle of the _windsor castle_ announced that the english seamen were but too well aware of their desperate situation, and that they hailed the misfortune of the frenchmen as their deliverance. "now, my lads, be smart," cried newton, as he sprang aft to the wheel, and put up the helm; "man the flying jib-halyards (the jib was under the forefoot); let go the main-top bowling; square the main-yard. that will do; she's paying off. man your guns; half a dozen broadsides, and it's all our own." the sun had disappeared below the horizon, and the shades of evening had set in, before this manoeuvre had been accomplished. several broadsides were poured into the corvette, which had the desired effect of crippling her still more, and her encumbered condition prevented any return. at last the night hid both vessels from each other; and the breeze freshening fast, it was necessary that the remaining masts of the _windsor castle_ should be properly secured. the guns were therefore abandoned; and during the time the seamen were employed in knotting the rigging and bending the spare sails, newton consulted with his brother officers, who were unanimous in agreeing that all had been done that could be expected, and that to wait till the ensuing day, when the corvette would have repaired her damages, would be attended with a risk of capture, which the valuable property entrusted to their charge would never authorise. it was not until past midnight that the _windsor castle_ was in a condition to make sail; but long before this, newton had contrived to leave the deck for a few minutes to communicate with isabel. with most of the particulars, and with the death of captain oughton, she had already been made acquainted; and if there could be any reward to newton, for his gallantry and his prudence, more coveted than another, it was the affectionate greeting with which he was welcomed and congratulated by isabel, her eyes beaming with tears of delight as they glanced from his face, and were shrouded on the deck. love and murder make a pretty mixture, although as antithetical as the sweet and acid in punch,--a composition which meets the approbation of all sensible, discriminating people. but i shall leave the reader to imagine all he pleases, and finish the chapter by informing him that, when the sun again made his appearance, the corvette was not to be discovered from the mast-head. the guns were therefore properly secured; the decks washed; a jury mizzen-mast stuck up abaft; captain oughton, and the gallant fellows who had fallen in the combat, committed to the deep with the usual ceremonies; the wounded made as comfortable as possible in their hammocks; the carpenters busied with the necessary repairs; and the _windsor castle_, commanded by newton forster, running before a spanking breeze, at the rate of eight knots per hour. volume three, chapter eleven. ships are but boards, sailors but men; there be land rats, and water rats, water thieves, and land thieves; i mean pirates. shakespeare. most prophetical was the remark made by newton forster to isabel previous to the action; to wit, that it would make or mar him. the death of captain oughton, and the spirited defence of the windsor castle, were the _making_ of newton forster. as a subordinate officer he might have been obliged to toil many years before he could have ascended to the summit of the ladder of promotion; and during the time which he remained in that situation, what chance had he of making an independence, and proposing for the hand of isabel revel? but now, that by a chain of circumstances peculiarly fortuitous, he was in command of an east indiaman, returning home after having beat off a vessel of equal if not superior force, and preserved a cargo of immense value, he felt confident that he not only would be confirmed to his rank which he was now called upon to assume, but that he had every prospect of being employed. as a captain of an indiaman, he was aware that reception into society, wealth, and consideration awaited him; and, what made his heart to swell with gratitude and exultation, was the feeling that soon he would be enabled to aspire to the hand of one to whom he had so long been ardently attached. as the windsor castle plunged through the roaring and complaining seas, with all the impetus of weight in motion, newton's eyes were radiant with hope, although his demeanour towards isabel was, from the peculiar circumstances attending their situation, more delicately reserved than before. when the windsor castle touched at st. helena, newton had the good fortune to obtain a supply of able seamen, more than sufficient for the remanning of his ship. they had been sent there in an empty brig by a french privateer, who had captured many vessels, and had been embarrassed with the number of her prisoners. having obtained the stores which were required, newton lost no time in prosecuting his voyage to england. it was about a fortnight after they had quitted st. helena that a strange sail was reported on the starboard bow; and, as they neared her, it was evident that her foremast was gone, and that she was otherwise in a disabled state.--when the indiaman was within a mile, the stranger threw out neutral colours, and hoisted a whiff, half-mast down, as a signal that she was in distress. newton ordered the ship to be kept away, and when alongside of the vessel, lowered down a boat, and sent the third mate to ascertain what assistance could be afforded. with sailors, thank god! distress, is sufficient to obtain assistance, and the nation or country are at once merged in that feeling of sympathy for those misfortunes, which may perhaps but the next hour befall ourselves. the boat returned, and the officer informed newton that the vessel was from the island of bourbon, bound to hamburgh;--that she had been dismasted and severely injured in a gale off the cape of good hope; and that when her mast went over the side, one half of her crew, who were up at the time on the fore-yard had been cast overboard and drowned: that from the want of men and material, they had been unable to rig an effective jury-mast, and had in consequence been so long on their passage, that their provisions and water were nearly expended. the officer concluded by stating, that there were a french lady and two gentlemen, with their attendants, who had taken their passage home in the vessel. newton immediately went down the side, and pulled on board of the vessel to ascertain what assistance could be afforded. when he arrived on board, he was met by the flemish captain, who commenced a statement of his misfortunes and his difficulties, when the french lady, who, unobserved by newton, had come up the companion-ladder, screamed out as she ran into his arms-- "ah! mon dieu!--c'est monsieur nu-tong!" newton looked at the lady, who had burst into tears, as her face laid upon his shoulder, and immediately recognised his former kind and affectionate friend, madame de fontanges: close to him, with his hand extended, was her generous husband. the meeting was joyful, and newton was delighted that circumstances had enabled him to render assistance to those who had been so kind to him in his former distress. "oh! monsieur nu-tong, nous avons tant soufferts! ah! mon dieu!--point de l'eau--rien a manger," cried madame de fontanges; then smiling through her tears, "mais ce rencontre est charmant;--n'est ce pas mon ami?" continued the lady, appealing to her husband. "you do not remember monsieur le marquis?" said monsieur de fontanges to newton, newton turned his head, and recognised the governor of guadaloupe, who had expressed such sympathy at his shipwreck, and had sent him away in the cartel instead of detaining him as a prisoner. the vessel was indeed in a deplorable condition, and had she not received the timely assistance now afforded, would in all probability have soon been a scene of horror and of suffering. they had not more than three days' water remaining on board, and provisions barely sufficing for three days. newton hastened to send back the boat with orders for an immediate and ample supply of these necessaries, in case of bad weather coming on, and preventing further communication. satisfied that their immediate wants were relieved, newton took leave of his friends for the present, and returned on board of his own ship, despatching his carpenters and part of his crew to the immediate refit of the vessel, and then selecting a part of every thing that the windsor castle contained in her store-rooms or on her decks, which he thought would administer to the comfort or the luxury of the passengers on board of the neutral. in two hours, they, who were in a state bordering upon famine, found themselves revelling in plenty. before night, the english seamen had a jury-mast up, and the sails set. the hollanders on board would have given their assistance, but they were told to remain on deck and make up for lost time, which they acquiesced in very readily, eating and drinking as if they were determined to lay in a stock for the remainder of the voyage. newton, who had returned on-board of the neutral to superintend the repairs and enjoy the society of his old friends, received from them a long account of what had occurred since their separation. at nightfall he took his leave, promising to continue under easy sail and remain with them for a day or two, until they were satisfied that all was right, and that they no longer required his assistance. the narrative obtained by newton may be thus condensed for the information of the reader. the marquis de fontanges had been appointed from the government of guadaloupe, to that of the island of bourbon, which was considered of more importance. monsieur and madame de fontanges accompanied him to his new command; and they had remained there for two years, when the ruling powers, without any ground, except that the marquis had received his appointment from the former government, thought proper to supersede him. frigates were not so plentiful as to spare one for the return of an ex-governor; and the marquis being permitted to find his way home how he could, had taken advantage of the sailing of the hamburgher, to return to europe or to france, or as he might find it advisable. for two days, during which the weather was so fine that madame de fontanges and the gentlemen went on board of the windsor castle, and were introduced to the ladies, newton continued under easy sail, each day despatching to the neutral every thing which his gratitude could suggest; but, as newton was most anxious to proceed on his voyage, it was agreed that the next morning they should part company. at the close of the evening a strange sail was observed on the weather-beam; but, as she carried no foretop-gallant sail, and appeared to be steering the same course as the windsor castle, she excited but a momentary observation, supposing that she was some homeward-bound neutral, or a merchant vessel which had separated from her convoy. during the night, which was dark, the moon being in her first quarter, the officer of the middle-watch lost sight of their _protegee_; but this was to be expected, as she did not carry a light. before morning the wind fell, and when the sun arose it was a perfect calm. the officer of the watch, as the day dawned, went on the poop, surveying the horizon for their companion, and discovered her six or seven miles astern, lying alongside of the strange vessel which they had seen the day before. both vessels, as well as the windsor castle, were becalmed. he immediately went down to newton, acquainting him with the circumstance, which bore a very suspicious appearance. newton hastened on deck; with his glass he could plainly distinguish that the stranger was a vessel of a low, raking description, evidently no merchant-man, but built for sailing fast, and in all probability a privateer. the man at the mast-head reported that boats were constantly passing between the two vessels, newton, who felt very anxious for the safety of his friends, accepted the offer of the second-mate to take the gig, and ascertain what was going on. in little more than an hour the gig was seen from the mast-head to arrive within half a mile of the vessels, and shortly afterwards the smoke from a gun, followed by a distant report. the gig then winded, and pulled back towards the windsor castle. it was in a state of great excitement that newton waited for her return, when the second-mate informed him that on his approach he discovered that she was a flush vessel, pierced for fourteen guns, painted black, and apparently well manned; that she evidently, to use a nautical term, was "gutting the neutral;" and that, as they had witnessed, on their boat coming within range, the vessel had fired a round of grape, which fortunately fell short of them. she had shown no colours; and, from her appearance and behaviour (as all privateers respect neutrals), he had no doubt that she was the pirate vessel, stated, when they were at st. helena, to be cruising in these latitudes. newton was of the same opinion; and it was with a heavy heart that he returned to the cabin, to communicate the unpleasant intelligence to mrs enderby and isabel. there is nothing more annoying in this world than the will without the power. at any time, a vessel becalmed is considered a very sufficing reason for swearing by those who are on board of her. what then must have been the feelings of newton, lying on the water in a state of compelled inaction, while his friends were being plundered, and perhaps murdered by a gang of miscreants before his eyes! how eagerly and repeatedly did he scan the horizon for the coming breeze! how did hope raise her head at the slightest cat's paw that ruffled the surface of the glassy waters! three successive gales of wind are bad enough; but three gales blowing hard enough to blow the devil's horns off are infinitely preferable to one idle, stagnant, motionless, confounded calm, oppressing you with the blue devils, and maddening you with the fidgets at one and the same time. at last, as the sun descended, the breeze sprung up, first playing along the waters in capricious and tantalising airs, as if uncertain and indifferent in its infancy to which quarter of the compass it should direct its course. the ship again answered her helm; her head was put the right way, and the sails were trimmed to every shift which it made, to woo its utmost power. in a quarter of an hour it settled, blowing from a quarter which placed them to-windward of, and they carried it down with them to within two miles of the stranger and the neutral, who still remained becalmed. but, as the wind freshened, it passed a-head of them, sweeping along the surface, and darkening the colours of the water, until it reached the vessels to leeward; one of which, the one that newton was so anxious to get along-side of, immediately took advantage of it, and, spreading all her canvas, soon increased her distance. when the windsor castle arrived abreast of the neutral, the stranger was more than two miles to leeward. a little delay was then necessary to ascertain what had occurred. newton, who perceived monsieur de fontanges on the deck, shouting to them and wringing his hands, rounded to, lowered down a boat, and pulled on board of the neutral. the intelligence communicated was distressing. the strange vessel was a pirate, who had plundered them of every thing, had taken away madame de fontanges, mimi and charlotte, her two female attendants. the captain of the pirates had wounded, and severely beaten monsieur de fontanges, who had resisted the "_enlevement_" of his wife; and, after having cut away all the standing rigging, and nearly chopped through the masts with axes, they had finished their work by boring holes in the counter of the vessel; so that, had not newton been able to come up with her, they must all have perished during the night. there was no time to be lost; the marquis de fontanges, monsieur de fontanges, and the crew, were hurried on board of the windsor castle (the pirate had taken care that they should not be delayed in packing up their baggage,) and newton, as soon as he returned on board, and hoisted up his boat, crowded every stitch of canvas in pursuit of the pirate, who was now more than four miles distant. but, although the wind gradually increased, and was thus far in their favour, as they first benefited by it, yet, as the sun went down, so did their hopes descend. at night-fall the pirate had, increased her distance to seven miles. newton pursued, watching her with a night-glass until she could no longer be distinguished. still, their anxiety was so great, that no one went to bed on board of the windsor castle. when the day broke, the pirate was not to be discovered in any quarter of the horizon from the mast-head of the windsor castle. volume three, chapter twelve. she stood a moment as a pythoness stands on her tripod, agonised and full of inspiration gather'd from distress, when all the heart-strings, like wild horses, pull the heart asunder; then, as more or less their speed abated or their strength grew dull, she sunk down on her seat by slow degrees, and bow'd her throbbing head o'er trembling knees. byron. it was with deep regret that newton gave directions for the ship's head to be again directed on her course to england; but the property under his charge was of too great value to warrant risking it by cruising after the pirates, the superior sailing of whose vessel afforded no hopes of success. the melancholy situation of madame de fontanges threw a gloom over the party, which was communicated even to the seamen; while the anguish of monsieur de fontanges, expressed with all the theatrical violence characteristic of his nation, was a source of continual reminiscence and regret. they had been four days on their voyage, making little progress with the light and baffling winds, when they were shrouded in one of those thick fogs which prevail in the latitude of the cape de verds, and which was rendered more disagreeable by a mizzling rain. on the sixth day, about twelve o'clock, the horizon cleared to the northward, and the fog in that quarter was rolled away by a strong breeze which rippled along the water. newton, who was on deck, observed the direction of the wind to be precisely the reverse of the little breeze to which their sails had been trimmed; and the yards of the windsor castle were braced round to meet it. the gust was strong, and the ship, laden as she was, careened over to the sudden force of it, as the top-gallant sheets and halyards were let fly by the directions of the officer of the watch. the fog, which had still continued thick to leeward, now began to clear away; and, as the bank dispersed, the marquis de fontanges, who was standing on the poop by the side of newton, cried out "_voila un batiment_!" newton looked in the direction pointed out, and discovered the hull of a vessel looming through the fog, about a quarter of a mile to leeward of the windsor castle. one minute's scrutiny convinced him that it was the pirate, who, not having been expeditious in trimming his sails, _laid in irons_, as seamen term it, heeling over to the blast. the windsor castle was then running free, at the rate of four miles an hour. "starboard the helm--all hands to board--steady so. be smart, my lads-- it's the pirate--port a little. hurrah! my lads--be quick, and she's all our own. quartermaster, my sword--quick!" the crew, who were all on deck, snatched their cutlasses from the capstern-head, in which they were inserted, and before three minutes elapsed, during which the pirate had not time to extricate himself from his difficulty, were all ready for the service. they were joined by the flemish sailors belonging to the neutral vessel, who very deliberately put their hands in their breeches-pockets and pulled out their knives, about as long as a carpenter's two-foot rule, preferring this weapon to any thing else. monsieur de fontanges, bursting with impatience, stood with newton at the head of the men. when the collision of the two vessels took place, the windsor castle, conned so as not to run down the pirate, but to sheer alongside, stove in the bulwarks of the other, and carried away her top masts, which, drawn to windward by the pressure on the back-stays, fell over towards the windsor castle, and, entangling with her rigging, prevented the separation of the two vessels. "no quarter, my friends!" cried monsieur de fontanges, who darted on board of the pirate vessel at the head of some men near the main-rigging, while newton and the remainder, equally active, poured down upon his quarter. such had been the rapidity of the junction, and such the impetuosity of the attack, that most of the pirates had not had time to arm themselves, which, considering the superiority of their numbers, rendered the conquest more equal. a desperate struggle was the result; the attacked party neither expecting, demanding, nor receiving quarter. it was blow for blow, wound for wound, death to one or both. every inch of the deck was disputed, and not an inch obtained until it reeked with blood. the voices of newton and monsieur de fontanges, encouraging their men, were answered by another voice--that of the captain of the pirates, which had its due effect upon the other party, which rallied at its sound. newton, even in the hurry and excitement of battle, could not help thinking to himself that he had heard that voice before. the english seamen gained but little ground, so obstinate was the resistance. the pirates fell; but, as they lay on the deck, they either raised their exhausted arms to strike one last blow of vengeance before their life's blood had been poured out, or seized upon their antagonists with their teeth in their expiring agonies. but a party, who, from the sedateness of their carriage, had hitherto been almost neutral, now forced their way into the conflict. these were the flemish seamen, with their long snick-a-snee knives, which they used with as much imperturbability as a butcher professionally employed. they had gained the main rigging of the vessel, and, ascending it, had passed over by the catharpins, and descended with all the deliberation of hears on the other side, by which tranquil manoeuvre the pirates were taken in the flank; and, huddled as they were together, the knives of the flemings proved much more effective than the weapons opposed to them. the assistance of the flemings was hailed with a shout from the english seamen, who rallied, and increased their efforts. newton's sword had just been passed through the body of a tall powerful man, who had remained uninjured in the front of the opposing party since the commencement of the action, when his fall discovered to newton's view the captain of the vessel, whose voice had been so often heard, but who had hitherto been concealed from his sight by the athletic form which had just fallen by his hand. what was his astonishment and his indignation when he found himself confronted by one whom he had long imagined to have been summoned to answer for his crimes--his former inveterate enemy, jackson! jackson appeared to be no less astonished at the recognition of newton, whom he had supposed to have perished on the sand-bank. both mechanically called each other by name, and both sprung forward. the blow of newton's sword was warded off by the miscreant; but at the same moment that of monsieur de fontanges was passed through his body to the hilt. newton had just time to witness the fall of jackson, when a tomahawk descended on his head; his senses failed him, and he laid among the dead upon the deck. there was a shriek, a piercing shriek heard when newton fell. it passed the lips of one who had watched, with an anxiety too intense to be portrayed, the issue of the conflict;--it was from isabel, who had quitted the cabin at the crash occasioned by the collision of the two vessels, and had remained upon the poop "spectatress of the fight." where were no fire arms used; no time for preparation had been allowed. there had been no smoke to conceal--all had been fairly presented to her aching sight. yes! there she had remained, her eye fixed upon newton forster, as, at the head of his men, he slowly gained the deck of the contested vessel. not one word did she utter; but, with her lips wide apart from intensity of feeling, she watched his progress through the strife, her eye fixed--immoveably fixed upon the spot where his form was to be seen; hope buoyant, as she saw his arm raised and his victims fall--heart sinking, as the pirate sword aimed at a life so dear. there she stood like a statue--as white as beautiful--as motionless as if indeed she had been chiselled from the parian marble; and, had it not been from her bosom heaving with the agony of tumultuous feeling, you might have imagined that all was as cold within. newton fell--all her hopes were wrecked--she uttered one wild shriek, and felt no more. after the fall of jackson the pirates were disheartened, and their resistance became more feeble. monsieur de fontanges carved his way to the taffrail, and then turned round to kill again. in a few minutes the most feeble-hearted escaped below, leaving the few remaining brave to be hacked to pieces, and the deck of the pirate vessel was in possession of the british crew. not waiting to recover his breath, monsieur de fontanges rushed below to secure his wife. the cabin-door was locked, but yielded to his efforts, and he found her in the arms of her attendants in a state of insensibility. a scream of horror at the sight of his bloody sword, and another of joy at the recognition of their master, was followed up with the assurance that madame had only fainted, monsieur de fontanges took his wife in his arms, and carried her on deck, where, with the assistance of the seamen, he removed her on board of the windsor castle, and in a short time had the pleasure to witness her recovery. their first endearments over, there was an awkward question to put to a wife. after responding to her caresses, monsieur de fontanges inquired, with an air of anxiety very remarkable in a frenchman, how she had been treated. "il n'y a pas de mal, mon ami," replied madame de fontanges. this was a jesuitical sort of answer, and monsieur de fontanges required further particulars. "elle avoit temporisee" with the ruffian, with the faint hope of that assistance which had so opportunely and unexpectedly arrived. monsieur de fontanges was satisfied with his wife's explanation; and such being the case, what passed between jackson and madame de fontanges can be no concern of the reader's. as for mimi and charlotte, they made no such assertion; but, when questioned, the poor girls burst into tears, and, calling the captain and first-lieutenant of the pirate barbarians, and every epithet they could think of, complained bitterly of the usage which they had received. we left newton floored (as captain oughton would have said) on the deck of the pirate vessel, and isabel in a swoon on the poop of the windsor castle. they were both taken up, and then taken down, and recovered according to the usual custom in romances and real life. isabel was the first to _come to_, because, i presume, a blow on the heart is not quite so serious as a blow on the head. fortunately for newton, the tomahawk had only glanced along the temple, not injuring the skull, although it stunned him, and detached a very decent portion of his scalp, which had to be replaced. a lancet brought him to his senses, and the surgeon pronounced his wound not to be dangerous, provided that he remained quiet. at first newton acquiesced with the medical adviser, but an hour or two afterwards a circumstance occurred, which had such a resuscitating effect, that, weak as he was with the loss of blood, he would not resign the command of the ship, but gave his orders relative to the captured vessel, and the securing of the prisoners, as if nothing had occurred. what had contributed so much to the recovery of newton, was simply this, that _somehow or another_ mrs enderby left him for a few minutes _tete a tete_ with isabel revel; and, during those few minutes, _somehow or another_, a very interesting scene occurred, which i have no time just now to describe. it ended, however, _somehow or another_, in the parties plighting their troth. as i said before, love and murder are very good friends; and a chop from a tomahawk was but a prelude for the descent of love, with "healing on his wings." the windsor castle lost five men killed and eleven wounded in this hard contest. three of the flemings were also wounded. the pirate had suffered more severely. out of a crew of seventy-five men, as no quarter had been given, there remained but twenty-six, who had escaped and secreted themselves below, in the hold of the vessel. these were put in irons under the half-deck of the windsor castle, to be tried upon their arrival in england. as i may as well dispose of them at once, they were all sentenced to death by sir william scott, who made a very impressive speech upon the occasion; and most of them were hanged on the bank of the thames. the polite valet of the marquis de fontanges hired a wherry, and escorted mademoiselles mimi and charlotte to witness the "_barbares_" dangling in their chains; and the sooty young ladies returned, much gratified with their interesting excursion. it will be necessary to account for the re-appearance of jackson. the reader may recollect that he made sail in the boat, leaving newton on the island which they had gained after the brig had been run on shore and wrecked. when the boat came floating down with the tide, bottom up, newton made sure that jackson had been upset and drowned; instead of which, he had been picked up by a providence schooner; and the boat having been allowed to go adrift with the main-sheet belayed to the pin, had been upset by a squall, and had floated down with the current to the sand-bank where newton was standing in the water. jackson did not return to england, but had entered on board of a portuguese slave-vessel, and had continued some time employed in this notorious traffic, which tends so much to demoralise and harden the heart. after several voyages, he headed a mutiny, murdered the captain and those who were not a party to the scheme, and commenced a career of piracy, which had been very successful, from the superior sailing of the vessel, and the courage of the hardened villains he had collected under his command. volume three, chapter thirteen. hopes of all passions, most befriend us here; joy has her tears and transport has her death: hope, like a cordial, innocent, tho' strong. man's heart at once inspirits and serenes; nor makes him pay his wisdom for his joys. 'tis all our present state can safely bear: health to the frame and vigor to the mind, and to the modest eye, chastised delight, like the fair summer evening, mild and sweet, 'tis man's full cup--his paradise below. young. with what feelings of delight did newton forster walk the deck of the windsor castle, as she scudded before a fine breeze across the bay of biscay! his happiness in anticipation was so great, that at times he trembled lest the cup should be dashed from his lips; and at the same time that he thanked god for blessings received, he offered up his prayer that his prospects might not be blighted by disappointment. how happy did he feel when he escorted isabel on deck, and walked with her during the fine summer evenings, communicating those hopes and fears, recurring to the past, or anticipating the future, till midnight warned them of the rapidity with which time had flown away! the pirate vessel, which had been manned by the crew of the neutral and part of the ship's company of the windsor castle, under charge of the fourth-mate, sailed round and round them, until at last the channel was entered, and, favoured with a westerly breeze, the windsor castle and her prize anchored in the downs. here mrs enderby and isabel quitted the ship, and newton received orders to proceed round to the river. before the windsor castle had anchored, the newspapers were put into his hands containing a report of the two actions, and he had the gratification of acknowledging that his countrymen were not niggardly in the encomiums upon his meritorious conduct. newton presented himself to the court of directors, who confirmed his rank, and promised him the command of the first ship which was brought forward, with flattering commendations for his gallantry in protecting property of so much value. newton took his heave of the august _leaden-hall_ board, and hastened to his uncle's house. the door was opened by a servant who did not know him: newton passed him, and ran up to the drawing-room, where he found amber in company with william aveleyn, who was reading to her the despatch containing the account of the action with surcoeuf. amber _sprung_ into his arms. she had grown into a tall girl of nearly fifteen, budding into womanhood and beauty; promising perfection, although not yet attained to it. william aveleyn was also nearly half a foot taller; and a blush which suffused his handsome face at being surprised alone with amber, intimated that the feelings of a man were superseding those of boyhood. "where is my mother?" inquired newton. "she is not at home, dear newton," replied amber; "she walked out with your father. they are both well." "and my uncle?" "quite well, and most anxious to see you. he talks of nobody but you, and of nothing but your actions, which we were just reading about when you came in. pray _captain_ newton, may i inquire after your french friends? what has become of them?" "they are at sablonniere's hotel. miss amber; they have obtained their parole at the alien-office." the conversation was interrupted by the return of newton's father and mother, and shortly afterward mr john forster made his appearance. after the first greeting and congratulations were over-- "well, newton," observed nicholas, "so you beat off a pirate, i hear." "no, my dear father, we boarded one." "ah! very true; i recollect--and you killed surcoeuf." "no, father, only beat him off." "so it was; i recollect now.--brother john, isn't it almost dinner-time?" "yes, brother nicholas, it is; and i'm not sorry for it. mr william aveleyn, perhaps you'd like to wash your hands? a lad's paws are never the worse for a little clean water." william aveleyn blushed: his dignity was hurt: but he had lately been very intimate at mr forster's, and he therefore walked out to comply with the recommendation. "well, brother nicholas, what have you been doing all day?" "doing all day, brother? really, i don't exactly know. my dear," said nicholas, turning to his wife, "what have i been doing all day?" "to the best of my recollection," replied mrs forster, smiling, "you have been asking when dinner would be ready." "uncle nicholas," said amber, "you promised to buy me a skein of blue silk." "did i, my dear? well, so i did, i declare. i'm very sorry--dear me, i forgot, i did buy it. i passed by a shop where the windows were full of it, and it brought it to my mind, and i did buy it. it cost--what was it, it cost?" "oh! i know what it cost," replied amber. "i gave you three-pence to pay for it. where is it?" "if i recollect, it cost seven shillings and six-pence," replied nicholas, pulling out, not a skein of blue silk, but a yard of blue sarsenet. "now, papa, do look here! uncle nicholas, i never will give you a commission again. is it not provoking? i have seven shillings and six-pence to pay for a yard of blue sarsenet, which i do not want. uncle nicholas, you really are very stupid." "well, my dear, i suppose i am. i heard william aveleyn say the same, when i came into the room this morning, because--let me see--" "you heard him say nothing, uncle," interrupted amber, colouring. "yes, i recollect now--how stupid i was to come in when i was not wanted!" "humph!" said john forster; and dinner was announced. since the recognition of mrs forster by her husband, she had presided at her brother-in-law's table. the dinner provided was excellent, and was done ample justice to by all parties, especially nicholas, whose appetite appeared to increase from idleness. since newton had left england he had remained a pensioner upon his brother; and, by dint of constant exertion on the part of mrs forster, had been drilled out of his propensity of interfering with either the watch or the spectacles. this was all that was required by mr john forster; and nicholas walked up and down the house, like a tame cat, minding nobody, and nobody paying any attention to him. after dinner the ladies retired, and shortly afterwards william aveleyn quitted the room. newton thought this to be a good opportunity to acquaint his uncle with his attachment to miss revel, and the favourable result. mr john forster heard him without interruption. "very nice girl, i dare say, nephew, but you are too young to marry. you can't marry and go to sea. follow your profession, newton; speculate in opium--i'll find the means." "i trust, sir, that i never should speculate in marrying; but, had i acted on that plan, this would prove the best speculation of the two. miss revel has a very large fortune." "so much the worse: a man should never be indebted to his wife for his money--they never forget it. i'd rather you had fallen in love with a girl without a shilling." "well, sir, when i first fell in love she had not a six-pence." "humph!--well, nephew, that may be very true; but, as i said before, follow your profession." "marriage will not prevent my so doing, uncle. most captains of indiamen are married, men." "more fools they! leaving their wives at home, to be flattered and fooled by the lord knows who. a wife, nephew--is a woman." "i hope that mine will be one, sir," replied newton,--laughing. "nephew, once for all, i don't approve of your marrying now--that's understood. it's my wish that you follow your profession. i'll be candid with you; i have left you the heir to most of my fortune; but--i can alter my will. if you marry this girl i shall do so." "alter your will, brother?" said nicholas, who had been attentive to the conversation.--"why, who have you to leave your money to, except to newton?" "to hospitals--to pay off the national debt--to any thing. perhaps i may leave it all to that little girl, who already has come in for a slice." "but, brother," replied nicholas, "will that be just, to leave all your money away from the family?" "just, yes, brother nicholas, quite just. a man's will is his _will_. if he makes it so as to satisfy the wishes or expectations of others, it is no longer _his will_, but theirs. nephew, as i said before, if you marry against my consent, i shall alter my will." "i am sorry, sir, very sorry, that you should be displeased with me; but i am affianced to this lady, and no worldly consideration will induce me not to fulfil an engagement upon which, indeed, my future happiness depends. i have no claim upon you, sir; on the contrary, i have incurred a large debt of gratitude, from your kind protection. any thing else you would require of me--" "humph! that's always the case; any thing else except what is requested. brother nicholas, do me the favour to go up stairs; i wish to speak with my nephew alone." "well, brother john, certainly, if you wish it--if you and newton have secrets;" and nicholas rose from his chair. "surely, sir," observed newton, not pleased at the abrupt dismissal of his father, "we can have no secrets to which my father may not be a party." "yes, but i have, nephew. your father is my brother, and i take the liberty with my brother, if you like that better--not with your father." in the mean time nicholas had stalked out of the room. "nephew," continued mr john forster, as the door closed, "i have stated to you my wish that you should not marry this young woman; and i will now explain my reasons. the girl left in my charge by my brother edward has become the same to me as a daughter. i intend that you shall make three or four voyages as captain of an india-man; then you shall marry her, and become the heir to my whole fortune. now you understand me. may i ask, what are your objections?" "none, sir, but what i have already stated--my attachment and engagement to another person." "is that all?" "is it not enough?" "it appears that this young woman has entered into an engagement on board ship, without consulting her friends." "she has no father, sir. she is of age, and independent." "you have done the same." "i grant it, sir; but even were i inclined, could i, in honour or honesty, retract?" "humph!" "perhaps, sir, if you were acquainted with the young lady you might not be so averse to the match." "perhaps, if i saw with your eyes, i might not; but that is not likely to be the case. old men are a little blind and a little obstinate. after toiling through life to amass a fortune, they wish to have their own way of disposing of it. it is the only return they can receive for their labour. however, nephew, you will act as you please. as i said before, if you marry against my consent, i shall alter my will. now, empty the bottle, and we'll go up stairs." volume three, chapter fourteen. and, betty, give this cheek a little red. pope. the departure of isabel in the windsor castle, so immediately after the death of colonel revel, prevented her communicating to her mother the alteration which had taken place in her circumstances, and her intended return to england. the first intimation received by mrs revel was from a hurried note sent on shore by a pilot-boat off falmouth, stating isabel's arrival in the channel, and her anticipation of soon embracing her mother, isabel did not enter into any particulars, as she neither had time, nor did she feel assured that the letter would ever reach its destination. the letter did however come to hand two days before isabel and mrs enderby arrived at the metropolis, much to the chagrin of mrs revel, who imagined that her daughter had returned pennyless, to be a sharer of her limited income. she complained to mr heaviside, who as usual stepped in, not so much from any regard for mrs revel, but to while away the time of a _far niente_ old bachelor. "only think, mr heaviside," said the lady, who was stretched on a sofa, supported on pillows, "isabel has returned from india. here is a letter i have just received, signed by her maiden name! her sisters so well married too! surely she might have stayed out with one of them! i wonder how she got the money to pay her passage home! dear me! what shall i do with her?" "if i may be allowed to see the letter, mrs revel," said the old gentleman-- "oh, certainly, it's nothing but a note." mr heaviside read the contents. "there is very little in it indeed, mrs revel; not a word about the colonel, or why she left india. perhaps the colonel may be dead." "then she might have gone to live with one of her sisters, mr heaviside!" "but perhaps he may have left her some property." "and do you, a sensible man, think that if such was the case, my daughter would not have mentioned it in her note? impossible, mr heaviside!" "she may intend to surprise you, mrs revel." "she has surprised me," replied the lady, falling back upon the pillows. "well, mrs revel, you will soon ascertain the facts. i wish you a good morning, and will pay my devoirs in a day or two to inquire after your health, and hear what has taken place." to defray the expenses attending the "consignment" of the three miss revel's to india, mrs revel had consented to borrow money, insuring her life as a security to the parties who provided it. her unprincipled husband took this opportunity of obtaining a sum which amounted to more than half her marriage settlement, as mrs revel signed the papers laid before her without examining their purport. when her dividends were become due this treachery was discovered, and mrs revel found herself reduced to a very narrow income, and wholly deserted by her husband, who knew that he had no chance of obtaining further means of carrying on his profligate career. his death in a duel, which we have before mentioned, took place a few months after the transaction, and mrs revel was attacked with that painful disease, a cancer, so deeply seated as to be incurable. still she was the same frivolous, heartless being; still she sighed for pleasure, and to move in those circles in which she had been received at the time of her marriage. but, as her income diminished, so did her acquaintances fall off, and at the period of isabel's return, with the exception of mr heaviside, and one or two others, she was suffered to pine away in seclusion. isabel was greeted with querulous indifference until the explanation of the first ten minutes; then, as an heiress, with the means as well as the desire of contributing to her mother's comforts, all was joy and congratulation. her incurable disease was for the time forgotten, and although pain would occasionally draw down the muscles of her face, as soon as the pang was over, so was the remembrance of her precarious situation. wan and wasted as a spectre, she indulged in anticipation of again mixing with the fashionable world, and talked of _chaperoning_ isabel to private parties and public amusements, when she was standing at the brink of eternity. isabel sighed as she listened to her mother, and observed her attenuated frame; occasionally she would refer to her mother's state of health, and attempt to bring her to that serious state of mind which her awful situation demanded; but in vain: mrs revel would evade the subject. before a week had passed she had set up an equipage, and called upon many of her quondam friends to announce the important intelligence of her daughter's wealth. most of them had long before given orders not to be "at home to mrs revel." the few to whom, from the remissness of their porters, she obtained admittance, were satisfied at their servants' negligence when they heard the intelligence which mrs revel had to communicate. they were so delighted; isabel was always such a sweet girl; hoped that mrs revel would not be such a recluse as she had been, and that they should prevail upon her to come to their parties! an heiress is of no little consequence when there are so many younger brothers to provide for; and, before a short month had flown away, mrs revel, to her delight, found that the cards and invitations of no inconsiderable portion of the _beau monde_ covered the table of her confined drawing-room. to isabel, who perceived that her mother was sinking every day under the exertion she went through, all this was a source of deep regret. it occurred to her that to state her engagements with newton forster would have some effect in preventing this indirect suicide. she took an opportunity of confiding it to her mother, who listened to her with astonishment. "isabel! what do i hear? what! that young man who calls here so often? you, that can command a title, rank, and fashion, engage yourself to a captain of an indiaman! recollect, isabel, that now your poor father is dead, i am your legal protector; and without my permission i trust you have too much sense of filial duty to think of marrying. how you could venture to form an engagement without consulting me is quite astonishing! depend upon it, i shall not give my consent; therefore, think no more about it." how often do we thus see people, who make no scruples of neglecting their duties, as eagerly assert their responsibility, when it suits their convenience. isabel might have retorted, but she did not. in few words, she gave her mother to understand that she was decided, and then retired to dress for a splendid ball, at which, more to please her mother than herself, she had consented to be present. it was the first party of any consequence to which mrs revel had been invited. she considered it as her _re-entree_ into the fashionable world, and the presentation of her daughter; she would not have missed it for any consideration. that morning she had felt more pain than usual, and had been obliged to have recourse to restoratives; but once more to join the gay and fashionable throng--the very idea braced her nerves, rendered her callous to suffering, and indifferent to disease. "i think," said mrs revel to her maid--"i think," said she, panting, "you may lace me a little closer, martyn." "indeed, madam, the holes nearly meet; it will hurt your side." "no, no, i feel no pain this evening--there, that will do." the lady's maid finished her task, and left the room. mrs revel rouged her wan cheeks, and, exhausted with fatigue and pain, tottered to an easy chair, that she might recover herself a little before she went down stairs. in a quarter of an hour isabel, who had waited for the services of martyn, entered her mother's room, to announce that she was ready. her mother, who was sitting in the chair, leaning backwards, answered her not. isabel went up to her, and looked her in the face--she was _dead_! volume three, chapter fifteen. my dearest wife was like this maid, and such my daughter might have been. shakespeare. the reader may be surprised at the positive and dictatorial language of mr john forster, relative to newton's marriage, as detailed in a former chapter; but, as mr john forster truly observed, all the recompense which he had to expect for a life of exertion was to dispose of the fruits of his labour according to his own will. this he felt, and he considered it unreasonable that what he supposed a boyish attachment on the part of newton was to overthrow all his preconcerted arrangements. had mr forster been able to duly appreciate the feelings of his nephew, he probably would not have been so decided; but love had never been able to establish himself as an inmate of his breast. his life had been a life of toil. love associates with idleness and ease. mr forster was kind and cordial to his nephew as before, and the subject was not again renewed; nevertheless, he had made up his mind, and having stated that he would alter his will, such was his intention, provided that his nephew did not upon mature reflection accede to his wishes. newton once more enjoyed the society of isabel, to whom he imparted all that had occurred. "i do not wish to play the prude," answered isabel, "by denying that i am distressed at your uncle's decision; to say that i will never enter into his family without having received his consent, is saying more than my feelings will bear out; but i must and will say, that i shall be most unwilling so to do. we must, therefore, as madame de fontanges did with the pirate captain, temporise, and i trust we shall be as successful." newton, more rational than most young men in love, agreed with isabel on the propriety of the measure, and, satisfied with each other's attachment, they were by no means in a hurry to precipitate their marriage. it may be recollected that newton forster felt convinced that the contents of the trunk which he picked up at sea, when mate of the coasting vessel, was the property of the marquis de fontanges, during their passage home in the windsor castle, he had renewed the subject to monsieur de fontanges, and from the description which he gave from memory, the latter appeared to be of the same opinion. the conversation had not been revived until some time after their arrival in england, when newton, anxious to restore the articles, desired monsieur de fontanges to communicate with the marquis, and request that he would appoint a day upon which he would call at his uncle's and identify the property. the marquis, who had never been informed by monsieur de fontanges, that any supposed relics of his lost wife remained, sighed at the memory of his buried happiness--buried in that vast grave, which defrauds the earth of its inherent rights--and consented to call upon the ensuing day. when the marquis arrived, accompanied by monsieur and madame de fontanges, he was received in the drawing-room by mr john forster, who had brought from his chamber the packet in question, which had remained locked up in the iron safe ever since newton had first committed it to his charge. after their introduction to each other, the marquis observed, in english-- "i am giving you a great deal of trouble; unavailing indeed; for, allowing that the articles should prove to be mine, the sight of them must be a source of renewed misery." "sir," replied mr john forster, "the property does not belong to my nephew, and he has very properly reserved it until he could find out the legal owner. if the property is yours, we are bound to deliver it into your hands. there is an inventory attached to it," continued the old lawyer, putting on his spectacles, and reading, "one diamond ring--but perhaps it would be better that i should open the packet." "will you permit me to look at the diamond ring, sir?" observed monsieur de fontanges. "the sight of that will identify the whole." "there it is, sir," replied mr john forster. "it is, indeed, that of my poor sister-in-law!" said monsieur de fontanges, taking it up to the marquis. "my brother, it is louise's ring!" "it is," cried the marquis, passionately, "the ring that i placed in the centre of her _corbeille de mariage_. alas! where is the hand which graced it?" and the marquis retreated to the sofa, and covered his face. "we have no occasion then to proceed further," observed mr john forster, with emotion. "the other articles you of course recognise?" "i do," replied monsieur de fontanges. "my brother had taken his passage in the same vessel, but was countermanded. before he had time to select all his own baggage, which was mixed with that of his wife, the ship was blown out to sea, and proceeded on her voyage. these orders of merit were left with her jewels." "i observe," said the old lawyer, "which i did not when newton entrusted the packet to my charge, that the linen has not all the same marks; that of the adult is marked l de m, while that which belonged to the child is marked j de f. was it the marquis's child?" "it was; the linen of the in other was some belonging to her previous to her marriage. the maiden name was louise de montmorenci; that of the child has the initials of its name, julie de fontanges." "humph! i have my reasons for asking that question," replied the old lawyer. "newton, do me the favour to step to my chambers and open the safe. you will find in it, on the right hand side, another small bundle of linen: bring it here. stop, newton, blow the dust out of the pipe of the key before you put it in, and be careful that it is well inserted before you turn it, or you may strain the wards. in all other points, you may be as quick as you please. my lord marquis, will you allow me to offer you some refreshment?--a glass of wine will be of service. brother nicholas, do me the favour to call amber." newton and nicholas both departed on their respective missions. amber made her appearance. "papa," said amber, "do you want me?" "yes, my dear," said mr forster, handing her the keys, "go down to the cellaret and bring up some wine. i do not wish the servants to come in just now." amber reappeared with a small tray. she first handed it to the marquis, who roused at her voice. "papa requests that you will take some wine, sir. it will be of service to you." the marquis, who had looked earnestly in her face when she had spoken, took the wine, and drinking it off, bowed as he replaced the glass. he then sunk back on the sofa. when the rap at the door announced the return of newton, mr john forster requested monsieur de fontanges, in a low voice, to follow him, and directing newton, whom they met on the stairs, to return, they proceeded to the dining-parlour. "i have requested you to come down, sir," said mr john forster, "that i might not, without being certain, raise hopes in your brother the marquis, which, if not realised, would create bitter feelings of disappointment; but i remarked the initials on the linen of the child; and if my memory, which is not very bad, fails me not, we shall find corresponding ones in the packet now before us;" and the old lawyer opened the bundle and displayed the contents, which proved to be marked as he had surmised. "most true," replied monsieur de fontanges. "they are the same, and of course part of the property which was picked up." "yes; but not picked up at the same time, or at the same spot, or by the same person. those above stairs were, as you know, picked up by my nephew; these by a brother, who is since dead; and in these clothes an infant was also washed upon the beach." "his child!" exclaimed monsieur de fontanges. "where was it buried?" "the child was restored to life, and is still living." "if it is," replied monsieur de fontanges, "it can be no other than the young lady who just now called you father. the likeness to madame la marquise is most astonishing." "it is as you suppose, sir," replied mr john forster. "at my brother's death, he bequeathed the little girl to my protection; and i trust i have done justice to the deposit. indeed, although an alien by blood, she is as dear to me as if she were my own daughter; and," continued the old lawyer, hesitating a little, "although i have the satisfaction of restoring her to her father's arms, it will be a heavy blow to part with her! when my brother spoke to me on the subject, i told him it was trouble and expense enough to bring up a child of one's own begetting. i little thought at the time how much more i should be vexed at parting with one of another's. however, with the bundle she must be returned to the lawful owner. i have one more remark to make, sir. do me the favour to look at that drawing of my poor brother's, which hangs over the sideboard. do you recognise the portrait?" "triton!" cried monsieur de fontanges; "the dog which i gave my poor sister-in-law!" "you are indebted to that dog for the life of your niece. he brought her on shore, and laid her at my brother's feet; but i have all the documents, which i will send for your perusal. the facts i consider so well established as to warrant a verdict in any court of justice; and now, sir, i must leave you to make the communication as soon, and, at the same time, as cautiously as you please. newton, send amber down to me." we will pass over the scenes which followed in the dining-parlour and drawing-room. the marquis de fontanges discovered that he was blessed with a daughter, at the same time that amber learnt her own history. in a few minutes amber was led up stairs to the arms of her father, whose tears of sorrow at the loss of his wife were now mingled with those of delight, as he clasped his daughter to his heart. "what obligations do i owe to your whole family, my dear friend!" said the marquis to newton. "i will not deny it, sir," replied newton; "but allow me to observe, that for the recovery of your daughter you are equally indebted to the generosity of your own relatives and your own feeling disposition. had not monsieur and madame de fontanges protected and assisted me in my distress; had not you, instead of throwing me into prison, set me at liberty, you never would have known where your daughter was to be found. had not one of my uncles hastened to the relief of the vessel in distress, and the other protected your little girl after his death, she would not have been now in existence. my gratitude for your kindness induced me to remain by your ship, and subsequently to rescue you from the pirate, or you would not have now been a prisoner in this country-- an evil which, under divine providence, has been changed to a blessing, by restoring to you your daughter. we have all, i trust, done our duty, and this happy issue is our full reward." "humph!" observed the old lawyer. volume three, chapter sixteen. thus far our chronicle--and now we pause, though not for want of matter, but 'tis time. byron. amber, or julie de fontanges, as we must now call her, quitted the abode of her kind protector, in such distress, that it was evident she regretted the discovery which had been made. she was too young to be aware of the advantages of high birth, and her removal was for some time a source of unfeigned regret. it appeared to her that nothing could compensate for the separation from her supposed father, who doated on her, from mrs forster, who had watched over her, from nicholas, who amused her, and from newton, whom she loved as a brother. but the idea of going to a foreign country, and never seeing them or william aveleyn again, and, though last, not least, to find that she was not an englishwoman, and in future must not rejoice at their victories over her own nation, occasioned many a burst of tears when left alone to her own meditations. it was long before the devotion of her father, and the fascinating attentions of monsieur and madame de fontanges, could induce her to be resigned to her new condition. mr john forster felt his bereavement more deeply than could have been supposed. for many days after the departure of julie, he seldom spoke, never made his appearance, except at dinner-time, and as soon as the meal was finished hastened to his chambers, where he remained very late. intense application was the remedy which he had selected to dispel his care, and fill up the vacuum created by the absence of his darling child. "newton," said he, one evening, as they discussed a bottle of port, "have you considered what i proposed? i confess to you that i am more than ever anxious for the match; i cannot part with that dear child, and you can bring her back to me." "i have reflected, sir; but the case must be viewed in a very different light. you might affiance your adopted daughter at her early age, but the marquis de fontanges may not be so inclined; nay, further, sir, it is not impossible that he may dislike the proposed match. he is of a very noble family." "i have thought on that subject," replied mr john forster; "but our family is as well descended, and quite well enough for any frenchman, let him be a marquis, or even a duke. is that the only obstacle you intend to raise--or, if this is removed, will you again plead your attachment to another?" "it is the only one which i mean to raise at present, sir. i acknowledge julie de fontanges to be a sweet girl, and, as a relation, i have long been much attached to her." "humph!" replied the old lawyer, "i always thought you a sensible lad-- we shall see." now, be it observed, that there was a certain degree of the jesuitical on the part of our friend newton on this occasion, excusable only from his wish that the mortification of his uncle at the disappointment of his hopes should not be occasioned by any further resistance on his part. to monsieur de fontanges, who was aware of newton's attachment to isabel, he had, previous to the discovery which had taken place, communicated the obstacle to his union, raised by the pertinacity of his uncle. after the removal of julie, monsieur de fontanges acquainted his brother with the wishes of mr john forster, and explained to him how much they were at variance with those of newton. the first time that newton called upon the marquis, the latter shaking him warmly by the hand, said,--"i have been informed, my dear newton, by my brother, of the awkward predicament in which you are placed by the wish of your uncle that you should marry my julie when she grows up. believe me, when i say it, there is no man to whom i would sooner confide the happiness of my daughter, and that no consideration would induce me to refuse you, if you really sought her hand; but i know your wishes, and your attachment to miss revel, therefore be quite easy on the subject. your uncle made his proposition when julie had no father to be consulted; the case is now different, and, for your sake, i intend, for a time, to injure myself in the opinion of your good relation. i shall assume, i trust, what, if ever i had it, would be immediately sacrificed to gratitude--i mean high aristocratical pride; and should your uncle make the proposal, refuse it upon the grounds that you are not noble by _descent_. no one will deny your nobility on any other point. do you understand me, newton? and will my so doing be conformable to your wishes?" "it will, monsieur le marquis, and i thank you most sincerely." "then make no objection when he proposes the match a second time; leave all the obloquy on my shoulders," said the marquis, smiling. this arrangement having been made, it was not surprising that newton heard his uncle's renewal of the proposition with such calmness and apparent acquiescence. "we dine with the marquis to-morrow, newton," observed mr john forster; "i shall take an opportunity after dinner of requesting a few minutes' interview, when i shall put the question to him." "certainly, sir, if you think right," replied newton. "well, i'm glad the dear girl has changed that foolish name of amber. what could possess my brother! julie is very fine, nevertheless; but then she was christened by french people." the next day the parties met at dinner. isabel revel had been asked; and, having heard from madame de fontanges of the plan agreed upon, and anxious to see the old lawyer, she had consented to join the party. the dinner passed off as most dinners do when the viands and wines are good, and every body is inclined to be happy. isabel was placed next to mr forster, who, without knowing who she was, felt much pleased with the deference and attention of so beautiful a young woman. "newton," said his uncle, when the ladies retired, and the gentlemen packed up their chairs, "who was that young lady who sat next to me?" "the young lady, my dear uncle, whom i did wish to introduce to you as my intended wife--miss isabel revel." "humph!--why, you never spoke to her before dinner, or paid her any common civility!" "you forget, sir, your injunctions, and--" "that's no reason, nephew, why you should forget common civility. i requested that you would not marry the young lady; but i never desired you to commit an act of rudeness. she is a very nice young person; and politeness is but a trifle, although marriage is a very serious thing." in pursuance of his plans, when the gentlemen rose, mr john forster requested a few minutes' conversation with the marquis, who, bowing politely, showed the way to a small study on the same floor. mr forster immediately stated his wish that an engagement should be formed between his nephew and julie de fontanges. "mr forster," replied the marquis, drawing up proudly, the obligations i am under to your family are so great, that there are but few points in which i could refuse you; and i therefore am quite distressed that, of this proposal, i am obliged to decline the honour. you may be ignorant, mr forster, that the family of the de fontanges is one of the oldest in france; and, with every respect for you and your nephew, and all gratitude for your kindness, i cannot permit my daughter to form a _mesalliance_. "a _mesalliance_!--humph! i presume, sir, in plain english, it means marrying beneath her rank in life?" the marquis bowed. "i beg to observe, sir," said mr john forster, "that our family is a very old one. i can show you our pedigree. it has lain for some years by the side of your daughter's bundle in the iron safe." "i have no doubt of the excellence of your family, mr forster. i can only express my deep regret that it is not _noble_. excuse me, mr forster; except you can prove that--" "why, i could prove it by purchasing a dozen marquisates, if i thought proper!" "granted, mr forster. in our country they are to be purchased; but we make a great difference between the _parvenus_ of the present day and the _ancienne noblesse_." "well, mr marquis, just as you please; but i consider myself quite as good as a french marquis," replied mr forster, in a tone of irritation. "better than many, i have no doubt; but still, we draw the line. noble blood, mr forster." "noble fiddlestick! monsieur le marquis, in this country, and the inhabitants are not fools, we allow money to weigh against rank. it purchases that as it does everything else, except heaven. now, monsieur le marquis--" "excuse me, sir; no money will purchase the hand of julie de fontanges," replied the marquis. "well, then, monsieur le marquis, i should think that the obligations you are under in restoring your daughter to your arms--" "warrants your asking for her back again, mr forster?" replied the marquis, haughtily; "a labourer might find this diamond _solitaire_ that's now upon my finger. does it therefore follow that i am to make him a present of it?" "humph!" ejaculated mr forster, much affronted with the comparison. "in short, my dear sir, any thing which you or your family can think of; which it is in our power to grant, will make us most happy; but to _sully_ the blood of the most ancient--" john forster would hear no more; he quitted the room and walked up stairs before the marquis had completed his speech. when he entered the drawing-room, his countenance plainly expressed his disappointment. like all men who have toiled for riches, he had formed plans in which he considered his wealth was to command success, and had overlooked every obstacle which might present itself against the completion of his wishes. "newton," said he, as they stood apart near the window, "you have been a good lad in not persisting to thwart my views, but that french marquis, with his folly and his `ancienne noblesse,' has overthrown all my plans. now, i shall not interfere with yours. introduce me to miss what's her name; she is a very fine girl, and from what i saw of her during dinner, i like her very much." isabel exerted herself to please, and succeeded. satisfied with his nephew's choice, flattered by his previous apparent submission, and disgusted with the marquis, mr john forster thought no more of mademoiselle de fontanges. his consent was voluntary, and in a short time isabel revel changed her name. it was about five months after newton's marriage that he received a letter from the board, appointing him to the command of a ship. newton handed the letter over to mr forster. "i presume, sir, it is your wish that i should accept the offer?" "what offer?" said the old lawyer, who was reading through a case for counsel's opinions. "melville--for madras and china.--why, newton, i really do not see any occasion for your going afloat again. there is an old proverb--`the pitcher that goes often to the well is broken at last.' you're not tired of your wife already?" "i hope not, sir; but i thought it might be your wish." "it's my wish that you should stay at home. a poor man may go to sea, because he stands a chance to come home rich; but a man who has money in hand and in prospect, if he goes to sea, he is a fool. follow your profession as long as you require it, but no longer." "why then do you work so hard, my dear sir," said isabel, leaning over the old gentleman, and kissing him, in gratitude for his decision. "surely you can afford to relax a little now?" "why do i work so hard, isabel?" replied mr forster, looking up at her through his spectacles. "why you expect to have a family, do you not?" isabel blushed; the expectation was undeniable. "well, then, i presume the children will have no objection to find a few thousands more to be divided among them by-and-bye--will they, daughter?" the conversation was interrupted by the entry of a servant with a letter; mr forster broke the seal, and looked at the signature. "humph! from the proud old marquis. `very sorry, for a short period, to have fallen in your good opinion--should have rejoiced to have called newton my son-in-law!'--humph! `family pride all assumed--newton's happiness at stake--trust the deceit will be pardoned, and a renewal of former intimacy.' why, newton, is all this true?" "ask isabel, sir," replied, newton, smiling. "well, then, isabel, is all this true?" "ask newton, sir," replied isabel, kissing him. "the fact is, my dear sir, i could not afford to part with newton, even to please you, so we made up a little plot." "humph!--made up a little plot--well--i shan't alter my will, nevertheless;" and mr forster recommenced the reading of his brief. such is the history of newton forster, which, like most novels or plays, has been wound up with marriage. the last time that i appeared before my readers, they were dissatisfied with the termination of my story; they considered i had deprived them of a happy marriage, to which, as an undoubted right, they were entitled, after wading through three tedious volumes. as i am anxious to keep on good terms with the public, i hasten to repair the injury which it has sustained, by stating that about three years after the marriage of newton forster, the following paragraph appeared in the several papers of the metropolis. "yesterday, by special license, the right honourable william lord aveleyn to mademoiselle julie de fontanges, only daughter of the marquis de fontanges, late governor of the island of bourbon. the marriage was to have been solemnised in december last, but was postponed, in consequence of the death of the late lord aveleyn. after the ceremony, the happy couple," etcetera, etcetera, etcetera. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ and now, most arbitrary public, i consider that i have made the _amende honorable_, and that we are quits; for, if you were minus a happy marriage in the last work, you have a couple to indemnify you in the present. the end. proofreaders newton forster or, the merchant service by captain marryat london j.m. dent and co. boston: little, brown and co. mdcccxcv , [illustration] contents chapter i chapter ii chapter iii chapter iv chapter v chapter vi chapter vii chapter viii chapter ix chapter x chapter xi chapter xii chapter xiii chapter xiv chapter xv chapter xvi chapter xvii chapter xviii chapter xix chapter xx chapter xxi chapter xxii chapter xxiii chapter xxiv chapter xxv chapter xxvi chapter xxvii chapter xxviii chapter xxix chapter xxx chapter xxxi chapter xxxii chapter xxxiii chapter xxxiv chapter xxxv chapter xxxvi chapter xxxvii chapter xxxviii chapter xxxix chapter xl chapter xli chapter xlii chapter xliii chapter xliv chapter xlv chapter xlvi chapter xlvii chapter xlviii chapter xlix chapter l chapter li chapter lii chapter liii prefatory note _newton forster, or the merchant service_, first appeared in the _metropolitan magazine_, . it is one of the novels which specially suggests a comparison between marryat and smollett, both authors having described acts of impressment with vigour and indignation. jeffrey, of the _edinburgh review_, wrote to mrs marryat, january :---- "that i have read it [_newton forster_] all through in the week i have to finish the preparation of our scotch reform bill (if you will forgive me for mentioning such a thing) is proof enough, i think, that my opinion is very favourable. it is certainly very entertaining, which i take to be the first virtue of a work of this description; but it is interesting as well as entertaining, and not only shows great power of invention, but a very amiable nature and a kind heart." the _editor_ quoted on page is presumably marryat himself. at least the footnote occurs in the first edition, and was probably reprinted from the magazine, where the identity of editor and author was not so patent. it is here printed from the first edition, in three volumes; motto: honesty is the best policy. james cochrane & co., .[ ] r.b.j. [footnote : thompson has been changed to johnson and, in another place, robinson to robertson, in order to let the same characters act under one name throughout the book.] newton forster; or, the merchant service * * * * * chapter i "and what is this new book the whole world makes such a rout about? ----oh! 'tis out of all plumb, my lord,----quite an irregular thing; not one of the angles at the four corners was a right angle. i had my rule and compasses, my lord, in my pocket----excellent critic! "grant me patience, just heaven! of all the cants which are canted in this canting world----though the cant of hypocrites may be the worst, the cant of criticism is the most tormenting!"----sterne. what authors in general may feel upon the subject i know not, but i have discovered, since i so rashly took up my pen, that there are three portions of a novel which are extremely difficult to arrange to the satisfaction of a fastidious public. the first is the beginning, the second the middle, and the third is the end. the painter who, in times of yore, exposed his canvas to universal criticism, and found, to his mortification, that there was not a particle of his composition which had not been pronounced defective by one pseudo-critic or another, did not receive severer castigation than i have experienced from the _unsolicited_ remarks of "d----d good-natured friends." "i like your first and second volume," said a tall, long-chinned, short-sighted blue, dressed in yellow, peering into my face, as if her eyes were magnifying glasses, and she was obtaining the true focus of vision, "but you fall off in your last, which is all about that _nasty_ line-of-battle ship." "i don't like your plot, sir," bawls out in a stentorian voice an elderly gentleman; "i don't like your plot, sir," repeated he with an air of authority, which he had long assumed, from supposing because people would not be at the trouble of contradicting his opinions, that they were incontrovertible--"there is nothing but death." "death, my dear sir," replied i, as if i was hailing the lookout man at the mast-head, and hoping to soften him with my intentional bull; "is not death, sir, a true picture of human life?" "ay, ay," growled he, either not hearing or not _taking_; "it's all very well, but--there's too much killing in it." "in a novel, sir, killing's no murder, you surely will admit; and you must also allow something for professional feeling--''tis my occupation;' and after five-and-twenty years of constant practice, whether i wield the sword or the pen, the force of habit----" "it won't do, sir," interrupted he; "the public don't like it. otherwise," continued this hypercritic, softening a little, "some of the chapters are amusing, and, on the whole, it may be said to be rather--that is--not unpleasantly written." "i like your first and third volume, but not your second," squeaked out _something_ intended to have been a woman, with shoulder-blades and collar-bones, as de ville would say, most strongly developed. "well now, i don't exactly agree with you, my dear miss peego; i think the second and third volumes are by far the most _readable_" exclaimed _another thing_, perched upon a chair, with her feet dangling half way between her seat and the carpet. "if i might presume upon my long standing in the service, captain----," said a pompous general officer, whose back appeared to have been _fished_ with the kitchen poker--"if i might venture to offer you advice," continued he, leading me paternally by the arm a little on one side, "it would be not again to attempt a defence of smuggling: i consider, sir, that as an officer in his majesty's service, you have strangely committed yourself." "it is not my defence, sir: they are the arguments of a smuggler." "you wrote the book, sir," replied he, sharply; "i can assure you that i should not be surprised if the admiralty took notice of it." "indeed, sir!" replied i, with assumed alarm. i received no answer, except a most significant nod of the head, as he walked away. but i have not yet arrived at the climax, which made me inclined to exclaim, with the expiring lion in the fable---- a midshipman--yes, reader, a midshipman--who had formerly belonged to my ship and had trembled at my frown, ranged up alongside of me, and, with a supercilious air, observed-- "i have read your book, and--there are _one_ or _two_ good things in it." hear this, admirals and captains on half-pay! hear this, port-admirals and captains afloat! i have often heard that the service was deteriorating, going to the devil, but i never became a convert to the opinion before. gracious heaven! what a revengeful feeling is there in the exclamation "o that mine adversary had _written a book_!" to be snarled at, and bow-wowed at, in this manner, by those who find fault because their intellect is not sufficient to enable them to appreciate! authors, take my resolution; which is, never to show your face until your work has passed through the ordeal of the reviews--keep your room for the month after your literary labour. reviews are like jesuit father confessors--guiding the opinions of the multitude, who blindly follow the suggestions of those to whom they may have entrusted their literary consciences. if your work is denounced and to be released at once from your sufferings by one blow from the paw of a tiger, than to be worried piecemeal by creatures who have all the will, but not the power, to inflict the _coup de grace_? the author of "cloudesley," enumerating the qualifications necessary to a writer of fiction, observes, "when he introduces his ideal personage to the public, he enters upon his task with a preconception of the qualities that belong to this being, the principle of his actions, and its necessary concomitants, &c, &c." that such preparation ought to be made, i will not deny; but were i to attempt an adherence to these rules, the public would never be troubled with any production of mine. it would be too tedious a journey in perspective for my wayward intellect; and if i calculated stages before i ordered my horses, i should abandon the attempt, and remain quietly at home. mine is not a journey of that methodical description; on the contrary, it is a ramble hand-in-hand with fancy, with a light heart and a lighter baggage; for my whole wallet, when i set off, contains but one single idea--but ideas are hermaphrodite, and these creatures of the brain are most prolific. to speak more intelligibly, i never have made any arrangement of plot when i commenced a work of fiction, and often finish a chapter without having the slightest idea of what materials the ensuing one is to be constructed. at times i feel so tired that i throw down the pen in despair; but t is soon taken up again, and, like a pigmy ant, it seems to have imbibed fresh vigour from its prostration. i remember when the "king's own" was finished, i was as happy as a pedestrian who had accomplished his thousand miles in a thousand hours. my voluntary slavery was over, and i was emancipated. where was i then? i recollect; within two days' sail of the lizard, returning home, after a six weeks' cruise to discover a rock in the atlantic, which never existed except in the terrified or intoxicated noddle of some master of a merchant vessel. it was about half-past five in the evening, and i was alone in my after-cabin, quite alone, as the captain of a man-of-war must be, even when in presence of his ship's company. if being sent to sea has been pronounced by the officers and men to be _transportation_, being the captain of the ship may truly be designated as _solitary confinement_. i could not send for any one to whom i could impart the intelligence--there was no one whom i could expect to sympathise with me, or to whom i could pour out the abundance of my joy; for that the service prohibited. what could i do? why, i could dance; so i sprang from my chair, and singing the tune, commenced a quadrille movement,--tal de ral la, tal de ral la, lity, lity, lity, liddle-um, tal de ral la, tal-- "three bells, sir," cried the first lieutenant, who had opened my door unperceived by me, and showed evident surprise at my motions; "shall we beat to quarters?"-- "certainly, mr b--," replied i, and he disappeared. but this interruption produced only a temporary cessation: i was in the height of "cavalier seul," when his head popped into the cabin-- "all present, and sober, sir," reported he, with a demure smile. "except the captain, i presume you are thinking," replied i. "oh! no, indeed, sir; i observed that you were very merry." "i am, mr b--, but not with wine; mine is a sort of intellectual intoxication not provided for in the articles of war." "a what! sir?" "oh! something that you'll never get drunk upon, as you never look into a book--beat a retreat." "ay, ay, sir," replied the first lieutenant; and he disappeared. and i also beat a retreat to my sofa; and as i threw myself upon it, mentally vowed that, for two months at the least, i never would take up a pen. but we seldom make a vow which we do not eventually break; and the reason is obvious. we vow only when hurried into excesses; we are alarmed at the dominion which has been acquired over us by our feelings, or by our habits. checked for a time by an adherence to our resolutions, they gradually recover their former strength, until they again break forth, and we yield to their overpowering influence. a few days after i had made the resolution, i found myself, like the sailor, _rewarding_ it by writing more indefatigably than ever. so now, reader, you may understand that i continue to write, as tony lumpkin says, not to please my good-natured friends, "but because i can't bear to disappoint myself;" for that which i commenced as an amusement, and continued as a drudgery, has ended in becoming a _confirmed habit_. so much for the overture. now let us draw up the curtain, and our actors shall appear upon the stage. chapter ii "boldly i venture on a naval scene, nor fear the critics' frown, the pedants' spleen. sons of the ocean, we their rules disdain. hark!--a shock tears her strong bottom on the marble rock. down on the vale of death, with dismal cries, the fated victims, shuddering, roll their eyes in wild despair--while yet another stroke with deep convulsion rends the solid oak, till like the mine in whose infernal cell the lurking demons of destruction dwell, at length, asunder torn, her frame divides, and crushing, spreads in ruin o'er the tides." falconer. it was in the dreary month of fog, misanthropy, and suicide--the month during which heaven receives a scantier tribute of gratitude from discontented man--during which the sun rises, but shines not--gives forth an unwilling light, but glads us not with his cheerful rays--during which large tallow candles assist the merchant to calculate his gains or to philosophise over his losses--in short, it was one evening in the month of november of the year l --, that edward forster, who had served many years in his majesty's navy, was seated in a snug armchair, in a snug parlour, in a snug cottage to which he had retired upon his half-pay, in consequence of a severe wound which had, for many years, healed but to break out again each succeeding spring. the locality of the cottage was not exactly so snug as it has been described in itself and its interior; for it was situated on a hill which terminated at a short distance in a precipitous cliff, beetling over that portion of the atlantic which lashes the shores of cumberland under the sub-denomination of the irish sea. but forster had been all his early life a sailor, and still felt the same pleasure in listening to the moaning and whistling of the wind, as it rattled the shutters of his cottage (like some importunate who would gain admittance), as he used to experience when, lying in his hammock, he was awakened by the howling of the blast, and shrouding himself in his blankets to resume his nap, rejoiced that he was not exposed to its fury. his finances did not allow him to indulge in luxuries, and the distillation of the country was substituted for wine. with his feet upon the fender and his glass of whiskey-toddy at his side, he had been led into a train of thought by the book which he had been reading, some passage of which had recalled to his memory scenes that had long passed away--the scenes of youth and hope--the happy castle-building of the fresh in heart, invariably overthrown by time and disappointment. the night was tempestuous; the rain now pattered loud, then ceased as if it had fed the wind, which renewed its violence, and forced its way through every crevice. the carpet of his little room occasionally rose from the floor, swelled up by the insidious entrance of the searching blast; the solitary candle, which from neglect had not only elongated its wick to an unusual extent, but had formed a sort of mushroom top, was every moment in danger of extinction, while the chintz curtains of the window waved solemnly to and fro. but the deep reverie of edward forster was suddenly disturbed by the report of a gun, swept to leeward by the impetuosity of the gale, which hurled it with violence against the door and front windows of his cottage, for some moments causing them to vibrate with the concussion. forster started up, dropping his book upon the hearth, and jerking the table with his elbow, so as to dash out the larger proportion of the contents of his tumbler. the sooty coronal of the wick also fell with the shock, and the candle, relieved from its burden, poured forth a brighter gleam. "lord ha' mercy, mr forster; did you hear that noise?" cried the old housekeeper (the only inhabitant of the cottage except himself), as she bolted into the room, holding her apron in both hands. "i did, indeed, mrs beazely," replied forster; "it's the signal of a vessel in distress, and she must be on a dead lee-shore. give me my hat!" and draining off the remainder in his tumbler, while the old lady reached his hat off a peg in the passage, he darted out from the door of his tenement. the door, which faced to seaward, flew open with violence, as forster disappeared in the darkness of the night. the old housekeeper, on whom had devolved the task of securing it, found it no easy matter; and the rain, blown in by the sweeping gale, proved an effectual and unwelcome shower-bath to one who complained bitterly of the rheumatics. at last her object was accomplished, and she repaired to the parlour to re-light the candle which had been extinguished, and await the return of her master. after sundry ejaculations and sundry wonders, she took possession of his arm-chair, poked the fire, and helped herself to a glass of whiskey-toddy. as soon as her clothes and her tumbler were again dry, she announced by loud snores that she was in a happy state of oblivion; in which we shall leave her, to follow the motions of edward forster. it was about seven o'clock in the evening when forster thus exposed himself to the inclemency of the weather. but a few weeks before how beautiful were the evenings at this hour; the sun disappearing beyond the distant wave, and leaving a portion of his glory behind him, until the stars, in obedience to the divine fiat, were lighted up to "shine by night;" the sea rippling on the sand, or pouring into the crevices of the rocks, changing its hue, as day-light slowly disappeared, to the more sombre colours it reflected, from azure to each deeper tint of grey, until darkness closed in, and its extent was scarcely to be defined by the horizontal line. now all was changed. the roaring of the wind and the hoarse beating of the waves upon the streaming rocks deafened the ears of edward forster. the rain and spray were hurled in his face, as, with both hands, he secured his hat upon his head; and the night was so intensely dark that but occasionally he could distinguish the broad belt of foam with which the coast was lined. still forster forced his way towards the beach, which it is now requisite that we should more particularly describe. as we before observed, the cottage was built upon a high land, which terminated in a precipitous cliff about two hundred yards distant, and running in a direct line to the westward. to the northward the coast for miles was one continued line of rocky cliffs, affording no chance of life to those who might be dashed upon them; but to the southward of the cliff which formed the promontory opposite to forster's cottage, and which terminated the range, there was a deep indent in the line of coast, forming a sandy and nearly land-locked bay, small indeed, but so sheltered that any vessel which could run in might remain there in safety until the gale was spent. its only occupant was a fisherman, who, with his family, lived in a small cottage on the beach. he was an ally of forster, who had entrusted to his charge a skiff, in which, during the summer months, he often whiled away his time. it was to this cottage that forster bent his way, and loudly knocked when he arrived. "robertson--i say, robertson," called forster, at the full compass of his voice. "he is not here, mr forster," answered jane, the wife of the fisherman; "he is out, looking for the vessel." "which way did he go?" before an answer could be returned, robertson himself appeared. "i'm here, mr forster," said he, taking off his fur cap, and squeezing out with both hands the water with which it was loaded; "but i can't see the vessel." "still, by the report of the gun, she must be close to the shore. get some fagots out from the shed, and light as large a fire as you can: don't spare them, my good fellow; i will pay you." "that i'll do, sir, and without pay; i only hope that they'll understand the signal, and lay her on shore in the cove. there's another gun!" this second report, so much louder than the former, indicated that the vessel had rapidly neared the land; and the direction from which the report came proved that she must be close to the promontory of rocks. "be smart, my dear fellow, be smart," cried forster. "i will go up to the cliff, and try if i can make her out;" and the parties separated upon their mutual work of sympathy and good will. it was not without danger, as well as difficulty, that forster succeeded in his attempt; and when he arrived at the summit, a violent gust of wind would have thrown him off his legs, had he not sunk down upon his knees and clung to the herbage, losing his hat, which was borne far away to leeward. in this position, drenched with the rain and shivering with the cold, he remained some minutes, attempting in vain, with straining eyes, to pierce through the gloom of the night, when a flash of lightning, which darted from the zenith, and continued its eccentric career until it was lost behind the horizon, discovered to him the object of his research. but a few moments did he behold it, and then, from the sudden contrast, a film appeared to swim over his aching eyes, and all was more intensely, more horribly dark than before; but to the eye of a seafaring man this short view was sufficient. he perceived that it was a large ship, within a quarter of a mile of the land, pressed gunnel under with her reefed courses, chopping through the heavy seas--now pointing her bowsprit to the heavens, as she rose over the impeding swell; now plunging deep into the trough encircled by the foam raised by her own exertions, like some huge monster of the deep, struggling in her toils and lashing the seas around in her violent efforts to escape. the fire burnt up fiercely in the cove, in defiance of the rain and wind, which, after in vain attempting to destroy it in its birth, now seemed to assist it with their violence. "she may yet be saved," thought forster, "if she will only carry on. two cables' length more, and she will be clear of the point." again and again was the vessel momentarily presented to his view, as the forked lightning darted in every quarter of the firmament, while the astounding claps of thunder bursting upon his ears before the lightning had ceased to gleam, announced to him that he was kneeling in the very centre of the war of the elements. the vessel neared the cliff in about the same proportion that she forged ahead. forster was breathless with anxiety, for the last flash of electricity revealed to him that two moments more would decide her fate. the gale now redoubled its fury, and forster was obliged to cling for his existence as he sank, from his kneeling posture, flat upon the wet herbage. still he had approached so near to the edge of the cliff that his view below was not interrupted by his change of posture. another flash of lightning. it was enough! "god have mercy on their souls!" cried he, dropping his face upon the ground as if to shut out the horrid vision from his sight. he had beheld the vessel within the surf, but a few yards distant from the outer rocks, thrown on her beam-ends, with both foresail and mainsail blown clear out of their bolt-ropes. the cry for succour was raised in vain; the wail of despair was not heard; the struggles for life were not beheld, as the elements in their wrath roared and howled over their victim. as if satiated with its devastation, from that moment the storm gradually abated, and forster, taking advantage of a lull, slowly descended to the cove, where he found robertson still heaping fuel on the fire. "save your wood, my good fellow; it's all over with her; and those who were on board are in eternity at this moment," said forster, in a melancholy tone. "is she gone then, sir?" "right on the outer ledge; there's not a living soul to see your beacon." "god's will be done!" replied the fisherman; "then their time was come--but he who destroys, can save if he pleases; i'll not put out the fire while there's a fagot left, for you know, mr forster, that if anyone should by a miracle be thrown into the smooth water on this side of the point, he might be saved; that is, if he swam well:"--and robertson threw on more fagots, which soon flared up with a brilliant light. the fisherman returned to the cottage, to procure for forster a red woollen cap in lieu of the hat which he had lost; and they both sat down close to the fire to warm themselves and to dry their streaming clothes. robertson had once more replenished the fuel, and the vivid blaze glared along the water in the cove, when the eye of forster was attracted by the appearance of something floating on the wave, and evidently nearing to the shore. he pointed it out to the fisherman, and they descended to the water's edge, awaiting its approach with intense anxiety. "it's not a man, sir, is it?" observed robertson after a minute's pause. "i cannot make it out," replied forster; "but i rather think that it is an animal--something living, most assuredly." in another minute or two the point was decided; they distinguished a large dog bearing something white in its mouth, and making for the shore where they were standing. calling to the poor beast to cheer him, for he evidently was much exhausted, and approached but slowly, they soon had the satisfaction of seeing him pass through the surf, which, even at this time, was not heavy in the cove, and, with the water pouring from his shaggy coat, stagger towards them, bearing in his mouth his burden, which he laid down at forster's feet, and then shook off the accumulation of moisture from his skin. forster took up the object of the animal's solicitude--it was the body of an infant, apparently a few months old. "poor thing!" cried forster, mournfully. "it's quite dead, sir," observed the fisherman. "i am afraid so," replied forster, "but it cannot have been so long; the dog evidently bore it up clear of the water until it came into the surf. who knows but we might restore it?" "if anything will restore it, sir, it will be the warmth of a woman's breast, to which it hitherto hath clung. jane shall take it in her bed, between her and the little ones;" and the fisherman entered the hut with the child, which was undressed, and received by his wife with all the sympathy which maternal feelings create, even towards the offspring of others. to the delight of forster, in a quarter of an hour robertson came out of the cottage with the intelligence that the child had moved and cried a little, and that there was every chance of its recovery. "it's a beautiful little girl, sir, jane says; and if it lives, she will halve her milk between it and our little tommy." forster remained another half-hour, until he had ascertained that the child had taken the breast and had fallen asleep. congratulating himself at having been the means of saving even one little life out of the many which, in all probability, had been swallowed up, he called to the dog, who had remained passive by the fire, and rose up to return home; but the dog retreated to the door of the cottage into which he had seen the infant carried, and all attempts to coax him away were fruitless. forster summoned robertson, to whom he gave some further directions, and then returned to his home, where, on his arrival, his old housekeeper, who had never been awakened from her sound nap until roused by his knocking at the door, scolded him not a little for being out in such tempestuous weather, and a great deal more for having obliged her to sit up and _watch_ all night until his return. chapter iii "creation smiles around; on every spray the warbling birds exalt their evening lay; blithe skipping o'er yon hill, the fleecy train join the deep chorus of the lowing plain: the glassy ocean, hush'd, forgets to roar, but trembling, murmurs on the sandy shore." falconer. forster was soon fast asleep after his night of exertion: his dreams were confused and wild; but i seldom trouble people about dreams, which are as naught. when reason descends from her throne, and seeks a transitory respite from her labour, fancy usurps the vacant seat, and in pretended majesty, would fain exert her sister's various powers. these she enacts to the best of her ability, and with about the same success as attends a monkey when he attempts the several operations connected with the mystery of shaving:--and thus ends a very short and conclusive dissertation upon dreams. but, to use a nautical phrase, we must "heave-to" in our narrative awhile, as it is necessary that we should enter a little more into the previous history of edward forster; which we can now do without interruption, as the parties we have introduced to the reader are all asleep. the father of edward forster was a clergyman, who, notwithstanding he could reckon up some twenty or thirty first, second, and third cousins with high-sounding titles, officiated as curate in a district not far from that part of the country where forster at present was located. he was one of the bees of the church, who are constantly toiling, while the drones are eating up the honey. he preached three sermons, and read three services, at three different stations every sunday throughout the year; while he christened, married, and buried a population extending over some thousands of square acres, for the scanty stipend of one hundred per annum. soon after he was in possession of his curacy, he married a young woman, who brought him beauty and modesty as her dower, and subsequently pledges of mutual love ad lib. but he that giveth, taketh away; and out of nearly a score of these interesting but expensive presents to her husband, only three, all of the masculine gender, arrived at years of maturity. john (or jock as he usually was called), who was the eldest, was despatched to london, where he studied the law under a relation; who, perceiving that mrs forster's annual presentation _of_ the living was not followed up by any presentation _to_ the living, kindly took charge of and received him into his own house. jock was a hard-headed fellow, studied with great diligence, and retained what he read, although he did not read fast; but that which he lost in speed he made up by perseverance, and had now, entirely by his own exertions, risen to considerable eminence in his profession; but he had been severed from his family in early days, and had never been able to return to them. he heard, indeed, of the birth of sundry brothers and sisters; of their deaths; and lastly, of the demise of his parents,--the only communication which affected him; for he loved his father and mother, and was anticipating the period when he might possess the means of rendering them more comfortable. but all this had long passed away. he was now a bachelor past fifty, bearish and uncouth in his appearance, and ungracious in his deportment. secluded in his chambers, poring over the dry technicalities of his profession, he had divided the moral world into two parts--honest and dishonest, lawful and unlawful. all other feelings and affections, if he had them, were buried, and had never been raised to the surface. at the time we speak of, he continued his laborious, yet lucrative, profession, toiling in his harness like a horse in a mill, heaping up riches, knowing not who should gather them; not from avarice, but from long habit, which rendered his profession not only his pleasure, but essential to his very existence. edward forster had not seen him for nearly twenty years; the last time was when he passed through london upon his retirement from the service. indeed, as they never corresponded (for there was nothing in common between them), it is a matter of doubt whether jock was exactly aware which of his brothers remained alive; and had it been a subject of interest, he would, in all probability, have referred to the former letters of his father and mother, as legal documents, to ascertain who was remaining of his kin. the next surviving son was _yclept_ (there's something very _consonant_ in that word) nicholas. the reverend mr forster, who had no inheritance to bequeath to his family except a _good name_, which, although better than _riches_, will not always procure for a man one penny loaf, naturally watched for any peculiar symptoms of genius in his children which might designate one of the various paths to wealth and fame by which it would be most easy for the individual to ascend. now it did occur that when nicholas was yet in womanish attire, he showed a great partiality to a burning-glass, with which he contrived to do much mischief. he would burn the dog's nose as he slept in the sun before the door. his mother's gown showed proofs of his genius by sundry little round holes, which were considerably increased each time that it returned from the wash. nay, heretical and damnable as is the fact, his father's surplice was as a moth-eaten garment from the repeated and insidious attacks of this young philosopher. the burning-glass decided his fate. he was bound apprentice to an optical and mathematical instrument maker; from which situation he was, if possible, to emerge into the highest grade of the profession; but somehow or another, a want of ambition or of talent did not permit him to ascend the scale, and he now kept a shop in the small seaport town of overton, where he repaired damaged articles of science--a watch one day, a quadrant or a compass another; but his chief employment and his chief forte lay in telescopes; and accordingly, a large board, with "nicholas forster, optician," surmounted the small shop window, at which he was invariably to be seen at his employment. he was an eccentric person, one of those who had narrowly escaped being clever; but there was an obliquity in his mind which would not admit of lucid order and arrangement. in the small town where he resided, he continued to pick up a decent sustenance; for he had no competitor, and was looked upon as a man of considerable ability. he was the only one of the three brothers who had ventured upon wedlock. but of this part of our history we shall at present say no more than that he had an only child, and had married his wife, to use his own expression, because she _suited his focus_. edward forster, the youngest, whom we have already introduced to the reader, showed strong nautical propensities; he swam nut-shells in a puddle, and sent pieces of lath with paper sails floating down the brook which gurgled by the parsonage. this was circumstantial evidence: he was convicted, and ordered off to sea, to return a nelson. for his conduct during the time he served her, edward forster certainly deserved well of his country; and had he been enabled to continue in his profession, would in all probability have risen by his merit to its highest grades; but having served his time as midshipman, he received a desperate wound in "cutting out," and shortly after obtained his promotion to the rank of lieutenant for his gallant conduct. his wound was of that severe description that he was obliged to quit the service, and, for a time, retire upon his half-pay. for many years he looked forward to the period when he could resume his career:--but in vain; the wound broke out again and again; fresh splinters of the bone continually worked out, and he was doomed to constant disappointment. at last it healed; but years of suffering had quenched the ardour of youth, and when he did apply for employment, his services had been forgotten. he received a cool negative, almost consonant to his wishes: and returned, without feeling mortified, to the cottage we have described, where he lived a secluded yet not unhappy life. his wants were few, and his half-pay more than adequate to supply them. a happy contemplative indolence, arising from a well-cultivated mind, feeding rather upon its previous acquirements than adding to its store--an equanimity of disposition, and a habit of rigid self-command--were the characteristics of edward forster; whom i shall now awaken, that we may proceed with our narrative. "well, i do declare, mr forster, you have had a famous nap," cried mrs beazely, in a tone of voice so loud as to put an immediate end to his slumber, as she entered his room with some hot water to assist him in that masculine operation, the diurnal painful return of which has been considered to be more than tantamount in suffering to the occasional "pleasing punishment which women bear." although this cannot be proved until ladies are endowed with beards (which heaven forfend!), or some modern tiresias shall appear to decide the point, the assertion appears to be borne out, if we reason by analogy from human life; where we find that it is not the heavy blow of sudden misfortune tripping the ladder of our ambition and laying us prostrate, which constitutes life's intermittent "fitful fever," but the thousand petty vexations of hourly occurrence.----we return to mrs beazely, who continued--"why, it's nine o'clock, mr forster, and a nice fresh morning it is too, after last night's tempest. and pray what did you hear and see, sir?" continued the old woman, opening the shutters and admitting a blaze of sunshine, as if determined that at all events he should now both _hear_ and _see_. "i'll tell you all, mrs beazely, when i am dressed. let me have my breakfast as soon as you can, for i must be off again to the cove. i did not intend to have slept so late." "why, what's in the wind now, mr forster?" said the old lady, borrowing one of his nautical phrases. "if you wish to know, mrs beazely, the sooner you allow me to get out of bed, the sooner i shall be able to give you the information you require." "but what made you stay out so late, mr forster?" continued the housekeeper, who seemed determined, if possible, to have a little information _en attendant_, to stay her appetite until her curiosity could obtain a more substantial repast. "i am sorry to say, there was a vessel wrecked." "oh dear! o dear! any lives lost?" "all, i am afraid, except one, and even that is doubtful." "o lord! o lord! do, pray, mr forster, tell me all about it." "as soon as i am dressed, mrs beazely," replied mr forster, making a movement indicative that he was about to _"turn out," whether or no_, and which occasioned mrs beazely to make a hasty retreat. in a few minutes forster made his appearance in the parlour, where he found both the kettle and the housekeeper boiling with impatience. he commenced eating and narrating until the respective appetites of mrs beazely and himself were equally appeased, and then set off for the abode of robertson, to ascertain the fate of the infant. how different was the scene from that of the night before! the sea was still in commotion; and as the bright sun shone upon its agitated surface, gilding the summits of the waves, although there was majesty and beauty in the appearance, there was nought to excite terror. the atmosphere, purified by the warfare of the elements, was fresh and bracing. the short verdure which covered the promontory and hills adjacent was of a more brilliant green, and seemed as if to bask in the sun after the cleansing it had received from the heavy rain; while the sheep (for the coast was one extended sheep-walk) studded the sides of the hills, their white fleeces in strong yet beautiful contrast with the deep verdure of nature. the smooth water of the cove, in opposition to the vexed billows of the unsheltered ocean; the murmuring of the light waves, running in long and gently curved lines to their repose upon the yellow sand; their surface occasionally rippled by the eddying breeze as it swept along; his own little skiff safe at her moorings, undulating with the swell; the sea-gulls, who but a few hours ago were screaming with dismay as they buffeted against the fury of the gale, now skimming on the waves, or balanced on the wing near to their inaccessible retreats; the carolling of the smaller birds on every side of him, produced a lightness of heart and quickened pulse, to which edward forster had latterly been a stranger. he soon arrived at the cottage, where the sound of his footsteps brought out the fisherman and his wife, the latter bearing in her arms the little object of his solicitude. "see, mr forster," said jane, holding out the infant, "it's quite well and hearty, and does nothing but smile. what a lovely babe it is!" forster looked at the child, who smiled, as if in gratitude; but his attention was called away by the newfoundland dog, who fawned upon him, and after having received his caresses, squatted down upon the sand, which he beat with his tail as he looked wistfully in forster's face. forster took the child from the arms of its new mother. "thou hast had a narrow escape, poor thing," said he, and his countenance assumed a melancholy cast as the ideas floated in his mind. "who knows how many more perils may await thee? who can say whether thou art to be restored to the arms of thy relatives, or to be left an orphan to a sailor's care? whether it had not been better that the waves should have swallowed thee in thy purity, than thou shouldest be exposed to a heartless world of sorrow and of crime? but he who willed thee to be saved knows best for us who are in darkness;" and forster kissed its brow, and returned it to the arms of jane. having made a few arrangements with robertson and his wife, in whose care he resolved at present to leave the child, forster bent his steps towards the promontory, that he might ascertain if any part of the vessel remained. stretching over the summit of the cliff, he perceived that several of the lower futtocks and timbers still hung together, and showed themselves above water. anxious to obtain some clue to her identity, he prepared to descend by a winding and hazardous path which he had before surmounted. in a quarter of an hour he had gained a position close to the wreck; but, with the exception of the shattered remnant which was firmly wedged between the rocks, there was nothing to be seen; not a fragment of her masts and spars, or sails, not a relic of what once was life remained. the tide, which ran furiously round the promontory, had swept them all away, or the _undertow_ of the deep water had buried every detached particle, to be delivered up again, "far, far at sea." all that forster could ascertain was that the vessel was foreign built, and of large tonnage; but who were its unfortunate tenants, or what the cargo, of which she had been despoiled by the devouring waves, was not even to be surmised. the linen on the child was marked j. de f.; and this was the only clue which remained for its identity. for more than an hour did forster remain fixed as a statue upon the rock, where he had taken his station with arms folded, while he contemplated the hoarse waves dashing against the bends, or dividing as they poured themselves between the timbers of the vessel, and he sank into deep and melancholy thought. and where is the object exciting more serious reflection than a _wreck_? the pride and ingenuity of man humbled and overcome; the elements of the lord occupying the fabric which had set them at defiance; tossing, tumbling, and dancing, as if in mockery at their success! the structure, but a few hours past, as perfect as human intellect could devise, towering with its proud canvas over space, and bearing man to greet his fellow-man, over the _surface of death_!--dashing the billow from her stem, as if in scorn, while she pursued her trackless way--bearing tidings of peace and security, of war and devastation--tidings of joy or grief, affecting whole kingdoms and empires, as if they were but individuals! now, the waters delight in their revenge, and sparkle with joy, as the sun shines upon their victory. that keel, which with the sharpness of a scythe has so often mowed its course through the reluctant wave, is now buried--buried deep in the sand, which the angry surge accumulates each minute, as if determined that it never will be subject to its weight again. how many seasons had rolled away, how many millions had returned to the dust from which they sprung, before the kernels had swelled into the forest giants levelled for that structure;--what labour had been undergone to complete the task;--how many of the existent race found employment and subsistence as they slowly raised that monument of human skill;--how often had the weary miner laid aside his tool to wipe his sweating brow, before the metals required for its completion had been brought from darkness;--what thousands had been employed before it was prepared and ready for its destined use! yon copper bolt, twisted with a force not human, and raised above the waters, as if in evidence of their dreadful power, may contain a history in itself. how many of her own structure must have been employed, bringing from the north, the south, the east, and the west, her masts, her spars, her "_hempen tackle_," and her canvas wings; her equipment in all its variety; her stores for the support of life; her magazines of _quiescent death_.[ ] and they who so fearlessly trod her decks, conscious of their own powers, and confident in their own skill; they who expanded her thousands of yards of canvas to the pursuing breeze, or reduced them, like magic, at the approaching storm--where are they now? how many sighs have been lavished at their absence! how many hearths would have been gladdened by their return! where are the hopes, the fears, the ambition, and the pride; the courage and the enterprise; the love and the yearnings after their kin; the speculations of the present, and the calculations of the future, which occupied their minds, or were cherished in their bosoms? all--all _wrecked_! [footnote : we presume the gentleman means gunpowder.--ed.] days, weeks, and months rolled away; yet every step that could be taken to find out the name of the vessel proved unavailing. although the conjecture of forster, that she was one of the many foreign west indiamen which had met with a similar fate during that tempestuous winter, was probably correct; still no clue could be gathered by which the parentage of the little girl could be ascertained. the linen was, indeed, marked with initials; but this circumstance offered but a faint prospect of discovery. either her relations, convinced of her loss, made no inquiries, or the name of the vessel in which she had been a passenger was not known to them. the child had been weaned, and removed to the cottage, where it occupied much of the attention of the old housekeeper and forster, who, despairing of its ever being reclaimed, determined to bring it up as his own. mrs beazely, the housekeeper, was a good-tempered woman, long past the grand climacteric, and strongly attached to forster, with whom she had resided many years. but, like all women, whether married or single, who have the responsibility of a household, she would have her own way; and scolded her master with as little ceremony as if she had been united to him by matrimonial bonds. to this forster quietly submitted; he had lived long enough to be aware that people are not the happiest who are not under control, and was philosopher sufficient to submit to the penal code of matrimony without tasting its enjoyments. the arrival of the infant made him more than ever feel as if he were a married man; for he had all the delights of the nursery in addition to his previous discipline. but, although bound by no ties, he found himself happier. he soon played with the infant, and submitted to his housekeeper with all the docility of a well-trained married man. the newfoundland dog, who, although (like some of his betters) he did not change his name _for_ a fortune, did, in all probability, change it _with_ his fortune, soon answered to the deserved epithet of "faithful," and slept at the foot of the crib of his little mistress, who also was to be rechristened. "she is a treasure, which has been thrown up by the ocean," said forster, kissing the lovely infant. "let her name be _amber_." but we must leave her to bud forth in her innocence and purity, while we direct the attention of the reader to other scenes, which are contemporary with those we have described. chapter iv "a woman moved is like a fountain troubled, muddy, ill-seeming, thick, bereft of beauty; and while 'tis so, none so dry or thirsty will deign to sip, or touch one drop of it." shakespeare. a man may purchase an estate, a tenement, or a horse, because they have pleased his fancy, and eventually find out that he has not exactly suited himself; and it sometimes will occur that a man is placed in a similar situation relative to his choice of a wife:--a more serious evil; as, although the prime cost may be nothing, there is no chance of getting rid of this latter speculation by re-vending, as you may the former. now it happened that nicholas forster, of whom we have already made slight mention, although he considered at the time of his marriage that the person he had selected would _exactly suit his focus_, did eventually discover that he was more short-sighted in his choice than an optician ought to have been. whatever may have been the personal charms of mrs nicholas forster at the time of their union, she had, at the period of our narrative, but few to boast of, being a thin, sharp-nosed, ferret-eyed little woman, teeming with suspicion, jealousy, and bad humours of every description: her whole employment (we may say, her whole delight) was in finding fault: her shrill voice was to be heard from the other side of the street from morning until night. the one servant which their finances enabled them with difficulty to retain, and whom they engaged as a maid of all work (and certainly she was not permitted by mrs forster to be idle in her multifarious duty), seldom remained above her _month_; and nothing but the prospect of immediate starvation could induce any one to offer herself in the capacity. mr nicholas forster, fortunately for his own happiness, was of, that peculiar temperament that nothing could completely rouse his anger: he was _absent_ to an excess; and if any language or behaviour on the part of his wife induced his choler to rise, other ideas would efface the cause from his memory; and this hydra of the human bosom, missing the object of its intended attack, again lay down to rest. the violence and vituperation of his spouse were, therefore, lost upon nicholas forster; and the impossibility of disturbing the equanimity of his temper increased the irritability of her own. still mr nicholas forster, when he did reflect upon the subject, which was but during momentary fits of recollection, could not help acknowledging that he should be much more quiet and happy when it pleased heaven to summon mrs forster to a better world: and this idea ultimately took possession of his imagination. her constant turbulence interfered so much with the prosecution of his plans, that, finding it impossible to carry them into execution, everything that he considered of moment was mentally put off until _mrs forster was dead_! "well, mr forster, how long is the dinner to wait before you think proper to come? everything will be cold, as usual. (n.b. the dinner consisted of the remains of a cold shoulder of mutton.)--or do you mean to have any dinner at all? betty, clear away the table; i have my work to do, and won't wait any longer." "i'm coming, my dear, i'm coming; only this balance-spring is a job that i cannot well leave," replied nicholas, continuing his vocation in the shop, with a magnifying glass attached to his eye. "coming! yes, and christmas is coming, mr forster.--well, the dinner's going, i can tell you." nicholas, who did not want appetite, and who was conscious that if the mutton returned to the cupboard there would be some difficulty made in reproducing it, laid down the watch and came into the back parlour. "well, my dear, here i am; sorry to have kept you waiting so long, but business must be attended to. dear me! why, the mutton is really quite cold," continued nicholas, thrusting a large piece into his mouth, quite forgetting that he had already dined twice off the identical joint. "that's a fine watch of mr tobin's; but i think that my improvement upon the duplex when i have finished it--" "when you have finished it, indeed!" retorted the lady; "why, when did you ever finish anything, mr forster? finish, indeed!" "well, my dear," replied the husband, with an absent air--"i do mean to finish it, when--_you are dead_!" "when i am dead!" screamed the lady, in a rage--"when i am dead!" continued she, placing her arms akimbo, as she started from the chair. "i can tell you, mr forster, that i'll live long enough to plague you. it's not the first time that you've said so; but depend upon it, i'll dance upon your grave yet, mr forster." "i did not exactly mean to say that; not exactly that, my dear," replied nicholas, confused. "the fact is that i was not exactly aware of what i was saying--i had not precisely the--" "precisely the fiddle-stick, mr forster! you did mean it, and you do mean it, and this is all the return that i am to expect for my kindness and anxiety for your welfare--slaving and toiling all day as i do; but you're incorrigible, mr forster: look at you, helping yourself out of your snuff-box instead of the salt-cellar. what man in his senses would eat a cold shoulder of mutton with tobacco?" "dear me, so i have," replied forster, removing the snuff taken from the box, which, as usual, lay open before him, not into the box again, but into the salt-cellar. "and who's to eat that salt now, you nasty beast?" "i am not a beast, mrs forster," replied her husband, whose choler was roused; "i made a mistake; i do not perceive--now i recollect it, did you send betty with the 'day and night glass' to captain simkins?" "yes, i did, mr forster; if i did not look after your business, i should like to know what would become of us; and i can tell you, mr forster, that if you do not contrive to get more business, there will soon be nothing to eat; seventeen and sixpence is all that i have received this last week; and how rent and fire, meat and drink, are to be paid for with that, you must explain, for i can't." "how can i help it, my dear? i never refuse a job." "never refuse a job? no; but you must contrive to make more business." "i can mend a watch, and make a telescope, but i can't make business, my dear," replied nicholas. "yes, you can, and you must, mr forster," continued the lady, sweeping off the remains of the mutton, just as her husband had fixed his eye upon the next cut, and locking it up in the cupboard--"if you do not, you will have nothing to eat, mr forster." "so it appears, my dear," replied the meek nicholas, taking a pinch of snuff; "but i really don't--" "why, mr forster, if you were not one of the greatest--" "no, no, my dear," interrupted nicholas, from extreme modesty, "i am not one of the greatest opticians of the present day; although, when i've made my improve--" "greatest opticians!" interrupted the lady. "one of the greatest _fools_, i meant!" "that's quite another thing, my dear; but--" "no _buts_, mr forster; please to listen, and not interrupt me again in that bearish manner. why do you repair in the way you do? who ever brings you a watch or a glass that you have handled a second time?" "but why should they, my dear, when i have put them in good order?" "put them in order! but why do you put them in order?" "why do i put them in order, my dear?" replied forster, with astonishment. "yes; why don't you leave a screw loose, somewhere? then they must come again. that's the proper way to do business." "the proper way to do my business, my dear, is to see that all the screws are tight." "and starve!" continued the lady. "if it please god," replied the honest nicholas but this matrimonial duet was interrupted by the appearance of their son, whom we must introduce to the reader, as he will play a conspicuous part in our narrative. newton forster, for thus had he been christened by his father, out of respect _for the great sir isaac_, was now about seventeen years old--athletic and well-proportioned in person, handsome in features, and equally gifted in mind. there was a frankness and sincerity in his open brow, an honesty in his smile, which immediately won upon the beholder; and his countenance was but an index to his mind. his father had bestowed all his own leisure, and some expense, which he could ill afford, upon his education, trusting one day that he would rival the genius after whom he had been christened; but newton was not of a disposition to _sit_ down either at a desk or a workbench. whenever he could escape from home or from school, he was to be found either on the beach or at the pier, under the shelter of which the coasting vessels discharged or received their cargoes; and he had for some years declared his intention to follow the profession of a sailor. to this his father had reluctantly consented, with the proviso that he would first finish his education; and the mutual compact had been strictly adhered to by each party. at the age of fifteen, newton had acquired all that could be imparted to him by the pedagogue of the vicinity, and had then, until something better should turn up, shipped himself on board of a coasting vessel, in which, during the last two years, he had made several trips, being usually absent about six weeks, and remaining in port about the same time, until another cargo could be procured. young as he was, the superiority of his education had obtained him the situation of mate of the vessel; and his pay enabled him to assist his father, whose business, as mrs forster declared, was not sufficient to "make both ends meet." upon his return, his love of knowledge and active habits induced him to glean as much as he could of his father's profession, and he could repair most articles that were sent in. although newton amused himself with the peculiarities and eccentricity of his father, he still had a high respect for him, as he knew him to be a worthy, honest man. for his mother he certainly had none: he was indignant at her treatment of his father, and could find no redeeming quality to make amends for her catalogue of imperfections. still he had a peculiar tact, by which he avoided any serious altercation. never losing his own temper, yet quietly and firmly resisting all control, he assumed a dominion over her, from which her feelings towards him, whatever they may have been in his early years, were now changed into those of positive hatred. his absence this morning had been occasioned by his assistance being required in the fitting of a new main-stay for the sloop to which he belonged. "please god what, father?" said newton, as he came in, catching his father's last words. "why, your mother says that we must starve, or be dishonest." "then we'll starve, father, with a clear conscience; but i hope that things are not so bad yet, for i am devilish hungry," continued newton, looking at the dinner-table, which offered to his view nothing but a table-cloth, with the salt-cellar and the snuff-box. "why, mother, is it dead low water, or have you stowed all away in the locker?" and newton repaired to the cupboard, which was locked. now mrs forster was violent with others, but with newton she was always sulky. "there's nothing in the cupboard," growled the lady. "then why lock up nothing?" rejoined newton, who was aware that veracity was not among mrs forster's catalogue of virtues. "come, mother, hand me the key, and i'll ferret out something, i'll answer for it." mrs forster replied that the cupboard was her own, and she was mistress of the house. "just as you please, mother. but, before i take the trouble, tell me, father, is there anything in the cupboard?" "why, yes, newton, there's some mutton. at least, if i recollect right, i did not eat it all--did i, my dear?" mrs forster did not condescend an answer. newton went into the shop, and returned with a chisel and hammer. taking a chair to stand upon, he very coolly began to force the lock. "i am very sorry, mother, but i must have something to eat; and since you won't give me the key, why--" observed newton, giving the handle of the chisel a smart blow with the hammer-- "here's the key, sir," cried mrs forster, with indignation, throwing it on the table, and bouncing out of the room. a smile was exchanged between the father and son, as she went backwards, screaming, "betty--i say, betty, you idle slut, where are you?" as if determined to vent her spleen upon somebody. "have you dined, father?" inquired newton, who had now placed the contents of the cupboard upon the table. "why, i really don't quite recollect; but i feel very hungry," replied the optician, putting in his plate to receive two large slices; and father and son sat down to a hearty meal, proving the truth of the wise man's observation, that, "better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than the stalled ox and hatred therewith." chapter v "whate'er it be, 'tis wondrous heavy. wrench it open straight. if the sea's stomach be o'ercharged with gold, it is a good constraint of fortune, that it belches on us." shakespeare. about three weeks after the events narrated in the preceding chapter, newton forster sailed in his vessel with a cargo to be delivered at the seaport of waterford. the master of her was immoderately addicted to liquor; and during the time that he remained in port, seldom was to be found in a state of perfect sobriety, even on a sunday. but, to do him justice, when his vessel was declared ready for sea, he abstained from his usual indulgence, that he might be enabled to take charge of the property committed to his care, and find his way to his destined port. it was a point on which his interest overcame, for a time, his darling propensity: and his rigid adherence to sobriety, when afloat, was so well ascertained, that his character as a trustworthy seaman was not injured by his continual intemperance when in harbour. latterly, however, since newton had sailed with him, he had not acted up to his important resolution. he found that the vessel was as safe under the charge of forster as under his own; and having taken great pains to instruct him in seamanship, and make him well acquainted with the dangers of the coast, he thought that, as newton was fully equal to the charge of the vessel, he might as well indulge himself with an occasional glass or two, to while away the tedium of embarkation. a stone pitcher of liquor was now his constant attendant when he pulled on board to weigh his anchor; which said pitcher, for fear of accidents, he carried down into the cabin himself. as soon as sail was on the vessel, and her course shaped, he followed his darling companion down into the cabin, and until the contents were exhausted was never sufficiently sober to make his appearance on deck; so that newton forster was, in fact, the _responsible_ master of the vessel. the wind, which had been favourable at the time of heaving up the anchor, changed, and blew directly in their teeth, before they were well out of sight of the port of overton. on the third day they were stretching off the land, to meet the first of the tide, under a light breeze and smooth water, when newton perceived various objects floating in the offing. a small thing is a good prize to a coaster; even an empty beaker is not to be despised; and newton kept away a point or two, that he might close and discover what the objects were. he soon distinguished one or two casks, swimming deeply, broken spars, and a variety of other articles. when the sloop was in the midst of them, newton hove-to, tossed out the little skiff, and, in the course of an hour, unknown to his captain, who was in bed sleeping off the effect of his last potations, brought alongside, and contrived to parbuckle in, the casks, and as many others of the floating articles as he could conveniently stow upon her decks. the boat was again hoisted in, by the united exertions of himself and his crew, consisting of _one_ man and _one_ boy; and the sloop, wearing round, reached in for the land. it was evident to newton that some large vessel had lately been wrecked, for the spars were fresh in the fracture, and clean--not like those long in the water, covered with sea-weed, and encircled by a shoal of fish, who finding sustenance from the animalculæ collected, follow the floating pieces of wood up and down, as their adopted parent, wherever they may be swept by the inconstant winds and tides. newton examined the heels of the spars, but they were not marked with the name of the vessel to which they had belonged. the two casks had only initials branded upon their heads; but nothing could be found which would designate the owners of the property. a large trunk riveted his attention; but he would not open it until the master of the vessel came upon deck. having ascertained by spiling that the contents of the casks were _real jamaica_, he went down into the cabin to announce what he knew would be most grateful intelligence. it was some time before newton could rouse his stupefied senior. "spars--wrecked!" "what spars? d--n the wreck!" growled old thompson (for such was his name), as he turned his back in no very ceremonious manner, and recommenced his snore. "there's a trunk besides, sir--a large trunk; but i did not open it, as you were not on deck. a large trunk, and rather heavy." "trunk!--well, what then? trunk!--oh, d--n the trunk!--let me go to sleep," muttered the master. "there's two large casks, too, sir; i've spiled them, and they prove to be puncheons of rum," bawled newton, who pertinaciously continued. "eh; what?--casks! what casks?" "two puncheons of rum." "rum!--did you say rum?" cried old thompson, lifting his head off the pillow, and staring stupidly at newton; "where?" "on deck. two casks: we picked them up as we were standing off the land." "picked them up?--are they on board?" inquired the master, sitting upright in his bed and rubbing his eyes. "yes, they're on board. won't you come on deck?" "to be sure i will. two puncheons of rum, you said?"--and old thompson gained his feet, and reeled to the companion ladder, holding on by _all fours_, as he climbed up without his shoes. when the master of the sloop had satisfied himself as to the contents of the casks, which he did by taking about half a tumbler of each, newton proposed that the trunk should be opened. "yes," replied thompson, who had drawn off a mug of the spirits, with which he was about to descend to the cabin, "open if you like, my boy. you have made a _bon prize_ to-day, and your share shall be the trunk; so you may keep it, and the things that are stowed away in it, for your trouble; but don't forget to secure the casks till we can stow them away below. we can't break bulk now; but the sooner they are down the better; or we shall have some quill-driving rascal on board, with his _flotsam_ and _jetsam_, for the _lord knows who_;" and thompson, to use his own expression, went down again "to lay his soul in soak." reader, do you know the meaning of _flotsam_ and _jetsam_? none but a lawyer can, for it is old law language. now, there is a slight difference between language in general and law language. the first was invented to enable us to explain our own meaning, and comprehend the ideas of others; whereas the second was invented with the view that we should not be able to understand a word about it. in former times, when all law, except _club_ law, was in its infancy, and practitioners not so erudite, or so thriving as at present, it was thought advisable to render it unintelligible by inventing a sort of _lingo_, compounded of bad french, grafted upon worse latin, forming a mongrel and incomprehensible race of words, with french heads and latin tails, which answered the purpose intended--that of mystification.--_flotsam_ and _jetsam_ are of this breed. _flot_, derived from the french _flottant_, floating; and _jet_ from the verb _jeter_, to _throw up_; both used in seignoral rights, granted by kings to favourites, empowering them to take possession of the property of any man who might happen to be unfortunate, which was in those times tantamount to being guilty. i daresay, if one could see the deed thus empowering them to confiscate the goods and chattels of others for their own use, according to the wording of the learned clerks in those days, it would run thus:--"omnium quod flotsam et jetsam, et everything else-um, quod findetes;" in plain english, "everything floating or thrown up, and everything else you may pick up." now, the admiral of the coast had this piratical privilege: and as, in former days, sextants and chronometers were unknown, seafaring men incurred more risk than they do at present, and the wrecks which strewed the coast were of very great value. i had a proof the other day that this right is still exacted; that is, as far as regards property _unclaimed_. i had arrived at plymouth from the western islands. when we hove up our anchor at st michael's, we found another anchor and cable hooked most lovingly to our own, to the great joy of the first lieutenant, who proposed buying silk handkerchiefs for every man in the ship, and expending the residue in paint. but we had not been at anchor in plymouth sound more than twenty-four hours, and he hardly had time to communicate with the gentlemen-dealers in marine stores, when i received a notification from some lynx-eyed agent of the present admiral of the coast (who is a lawyer, i believe), requesting the immediate delivery of the anchor and cable, upon the plea of his seignoral rights of _flotsam_ and _jetsam._ now, the idea was as preposterous as the demand was impudent. we had picked up the anchor in the roadside of a _foreign power,_ about fifteen hundred miles distant from the english coast. we are all lawyers, _now,_ on board ship; so i gave him one of my legal answers, "that, in the first place, _flotsam_ meant floating, and anchors did not float; in the second place, that _jetsam_ meant thrown up, and anchors never were thrown up; in the third and last place, _i'd see him d--d first!"_ my arguments were unanswerable. counsel for the plaintiff (i presume) threw up his brief, for we heard no more of _"mr flotsam and jetsam."_ but to proceed:--the man and boy, who, with newton, composed the whole crew, seemed perfectly to acquiesce in the distribution made by the master of the sloop; taking it for granted that their silence, as to the liquor being on board, would be purchased by a share of it, as long as it lasted. they repaired forward with a pannikin from the cask, with which they regaled themselves, while newton stood at the helm. in half an hour newton called the boy aft to steer the vessel, and lifted the trunk into the cabin below, where he found that thompson had finished the major part of the contents of the mug, and was lying in a state of drunken stupefaction. the hasp of the lock was soon removed by a clawhammer, and the contents of the trunk exposed to newton's view. they consisted chiefly of female wearing apparel and child's linen; but, with these articles, there was a large packet of letters addressed to madame louise de montmorenci, the contents of which were a mystery to newton, who did not understand french. there were also a red morocco case, containing a few diamond ornaments, and three or four crosses of different orders of knighthood. all the wearing-apparel of the lady was marked with the initials l.m., while those appertaining to the infant were marked with the letters j.f. after a careful examination, newton spread out the clothes to dry, over the cabin lockers and table; and depositing the articles of value in a safe place, he returned on deck. although thompson had presented him with the trunk and its contents, he felt that they could not be considered as his property, and he determined to replace everything, and, upon his return, consult his father as to the proper measures which should be taken to discover who were the lawful owners. the sloop, under the direction of newton, had continued her course for two days against the adverse, yet light breeze, when the weather changed. the wind still held to the same quarter: but the sky became loaded with clouds, and the sun set with a dull red glare, which prognosticated a gale from the n.w.; and before morning the vessel was pitching through a short chopping sea. by noon the gale was at its height; and newton, perceiving that the sloop did not "hold her own," went down to rouse the master, to inquire what steps should be taken, as he considered it advisable to bear up; and the only port under their lee for many miles was one with the navigation of which he was himself unacquainted. the vessel was under close-reefed mainsail and storm foresail, almost buried in the heavy sea, which washed over the deck from forward to the companion hatch, when newton went down to rouse the besotted thompson, who, having slept through the night without having had recourse to additional stimulus, was more easy to awaken than before. "eh! what?--blows hard--whew!--so it does. how's the wind?" said the master, throwing his feet outside the standing bedplace, as he sat up. "n.w., veering to n.n.w. in the squalls. we have lost good ten miles since yesterday evening, and are close to dudden sands," replied newton. "i think we must bear up, for the gale shows no signs of breaking." "well, i'll be on deck in a moment, my boy," rejoined thompson, who was now quite himself again, and was busy putting on his shoes, the only articles which had been removed when he turned in. "go you up, and see that they keep her clean, full and bye--and those casks well secured.--dudden sands--awkward place, too--but i've not been forty years a-boxing about this coast for nothing." in a minute thompson made his appearance on deck, and steadying himself by the weather topmast backstay, fixed his leaden eyes upon the land on the quarter.--"all right, younker, that's the head, sure enough;" then turning his face to the wind, which lifted up his grey curling locks, and bore them out horizontally from his fur cap, "and it's a devil of a gale, sure enough.--it may last a month of sundays for all i know.--up with the helm, tom.--ease off the main sheet, handsomely, my lad--not too much. now, take in the slack, afore she jibes;" and the master ducked under the main boom and took his station on the other side of the deck. "steady as you go now.--newton, take the helm.--d'ye see that bluff?--keep her right for it. tom, you and the boy rouse the cable up--get about ten fathoms on deck, and bend it.--you'll find a bit of seizing and a marling-spike in the locker abaft." the sloop scuddled before the gale, and in less than two hours was close to the headland pointed out by the master. "now, newton, we must hug the point or we shall not fetch--clap on the main sheet here, all of us. luff, you may, handsomely.--that's all right; we are past the sand-head and shall be in smooth water in a jiffy.--steady, so-o.--now for a drop of _swizzle,"_ cried thompson, who considered that he had kept sober quite long enough, and proceeded to the cask of rum lashed to leeward. as he knelt down to pull out the spile, the sloop which had been brought to the wind, was struck on her broadside by a heavy sea, which careened her to her gunnel: the lashings of the weather cask gave way, and it flew across the deck, jamming the unfortunate thompson, who knelt against the one to leeward, and then bounding overboard. the old man gave a heavy groan, and fell upon his back; the man and boy ran to his assistance, and by the directions of newton, who could not quit the helm, carried him below, and placed him on his bed. in a few minutes the sloop was safe at anchor, in smooth water, and newton ran down into the cabin. thompson's head had been crushed against the chime of the cask; for an hour or two he breathed heavily; and then--he was no more! chapter vi "the indian weed, unknown to ancient times, nature's choice gift, whose acrimonious fume extracts superfluous juices, and refines the blood distemper'd from its noxious salts; friend to the spirits, which with vapours bland it gently mitigates--companion fit of _'a good pot of porter.'_" phillips. "there a pot of good double beer, neighbour. drink--" shakespeare. the next day the remains of old thompson were carried on shore in the long-boat, and buried in the churchyard of the small fishing town that was within a mile of the port where the sloop had anchored. newton shipped another man, and when the gale was over, continued his voyage; which was accomplished without further adventure. finding no cargo ready for him, and anxious to deliver up the vessel to the owner, who resided at overton, he returned in ballast, and communicated the intelligence of thompson's death; which, in so small a town, was long the theme of conversation, and the food of gossips. newton consulted with his father relative to the disposal of the trunk; but nicholas could assist him but little with his advice. after many _pros_ and _cons,_ like all other difficult matters, it was postponed.--"really, newton, i can't say. the property certainly is not yours, but still we are not likely to find out the lawful owner. bring the trunk on shore; we'll nail it up, and perhaps we may hear something about it by-and-bye. we'll make some inquiries--by-and-bye--when your mother--" "i think," interrupted newton, "it would not be advisable to acquaint my mother with the circumstance; but how to satisfy her curiosity on that point, i must leave to you." "to me, boy! no; i think that you had better manage that, for you know you are only _occasionally_ at home." "well, father, be it so," replied newton, laughing: "but here comes mr dragwell and mr hilton, to consult with us what ought to be done relative to the effects of poor old thompson. he has neither kith nor kin, to the ninety-ninth degree, that we can find out." mr dragwell was the curate of the parish; a little fat man with bow-legs, who always sat upon the edge of the chair, leaning against the back, and twiddling his thumbs before him. he was facetious and good-tempered, but was very dilatory in everything. his greatest peculiarity was, that although he had a hearty laugh for every joke, he did not take the jokes of others at the time that they were made. his ideas seemed to have the slow and silent flow ascribed to the stream of lava (without its fire): and the consequence was, that although he eventually laughed at a good thing, it was never at the same time with other people; but in about a quarter or half a minute afterwards (according to the difficulty of the analysis), when the cause had been dismissed for other topics, he would burst out in a hearty ha, ha, ha! mr hilton was the owner of the sloop: he was a tall, corpulent man, who for many years had charge of a similar vessel, until by "doing a little contraband," he had pocketed a sufficient sum to enable him to purchase one for himself. but the profits being more than sufficient for his wants, he had for some time remained on shore, old thompson having charge of the vessel. he was a good-tempered, jolly fellow, very fond of his pipe and his pot, and much more fond of his sloop, by the employment of which he was supplied with all his comforts. he passed most of the day sitting at the door of his house, which looked upon the anchorage, exchanging a few words with everyone that passed by, but invariably upon one and the same topic--his sloop. if she was at anchor--"there she is," he would say, pointing to her with the stem of his pipe. if she was away, she had sailed on such a day;--he expected her back at such a time. it was a fair wind--it was a foul wind for his sloop. all his ideas were engrossed by this one darling object, and it was no easy task to divert him from it. i ought to have mentioned that mr dragwell, the curate, was invariably accompanied by mr spinney, the clerk of the parish, a little spare man, with a few white hairs straggling on each side of a bald pate. he always took his tune, whether in or out of church, from his superior, ejecting a small treble "he, he, he!" in response to the loud ha, ha, ha! of the curate. "peace be unto this house!" observed the curate as he crossed the threshold, for mrs forster's character was notorious; then laughing at his own wit with a ha, ha, ha! "he, he, he!" "good morning, mr forster, how is your good lady?" "she's safe moored at last," interrupted mr hilton. "who?" demanded the curate, with surprise. "why the sloop, to be sure." "oh! i thought you meant the lady--ha, ha, ha!" "he, he, he!" "won't you sit down, gentlemen?" said nicholas, showing the way from the shop into the parlour, where they found mrs forster, who had just come in from the back premises. "hope you're well, mr curate," sharply observed the lady, who could not be persuaded, even from respect for the cloth, to be commonly civil--"take a chair; it's all covered with dust; but that betsy is such an idle slut!" "newton handles her as well as any man going," observed hilton. "newton!" screamed the lady, turning to her son, with an angry inquiring look--"newton handles betsy!" continued she, turning round to hilton. "betsy! no; the sloop i meant, ma'am." newton burst out into a laugh, in which he was joined by hilton and his father. "sad business--sad indeed!" said hilton, after the merriment had subsided, "such an awful death!" "ha, ha, ha!" roared the curate, who had but just then taken the joke about betsy. "he, he, he!" "nothing to laugh at, that i can see," observed mrs forster, snappishly. "capital joke, ma'am, i assure you!" rejoined the curate. "but, mr forster, we had better proceed to business. spinney, where are the papers?" the clerk produced an inventory of the effects of the late mr thompson, and laid them on the table.--"melancholy thing, this, ma'am," continued the curate, "very melancholy indeed! but we must all die." "yes, thank heaven!" muttered nicholas, in an absent manner. "thank heaven, mr forster!" cried the lady,--"why, do you wish to die?" "i was not exactly thinking about myself, my dear," replied nicholas--"i--" "depend upon it she'll last a long while yet," interrupted mr hilton. "do you think so?" replied nicholas, mournfully. "oh! sure of it; i stripped her the other day, and examined her all over; she's as sound as ever." nicholas started, and stared hilton in the face; while newton, who perceived their separate train of thought, tittered with delight. "what are you talking of?" at last observed nicholas. "of the sloop, to be sure," replied hilton. "i rather imagine that you came to consult about mr thompson's effects," observed mrs forster, angrily--"rather a solemn subject, instead of--" "ha, ha, ha!" ejaculated the curate, who had just _taken_ the equivoque which had occasioned newton's mirth. "he, he, he!" this last merriment of mr dragwell appeared to the lady to be such a pointed insult to her, that she bounded out of the room, exclaiming, "that an alehouse would have been a more suitable _rendezvous."_ the curate twiddled his thumbs, as the eyes of all the party followed the exit of mrs forster; and there were a few moments of silence. "don't you find her a pleasant little craft, forster?" said hilton, addressing newton. nicholas forster, who was in a brown study about his wife, shook his head without lifting up his eyes, while newton nodded assent. "plenty of accommodation in her," continued hilton.--another negative shake from nicholas, and assentient nod from newton. "if i thought you could manage her, forster," continued hilton--"tell me, what do you think yourself?" "oh, quite impossible!" replied nicholas. "quite impossible, mr forster! well, now, i've a better opinion of newton--i think he _can."_ "why, yes," replied nicholas! "certainly better than i can; but still she's--" "she's a beauty, mr forster." "mrs forster a beauty!" cried nicholas, looking at hilton with astonishment. newton and hilton burst into a laugh. "no, no," said the latter, "i was talking about the sloop; but we had better proceed to business. suppose we have pipes, mr forster; mr dragwell, what do you say?" "ha, ha, ha!" roared the curate, who had just taken the last joke. "he, he, he!" "why, yes," continued the curate, "i think it is a most excellent proposition; this melancholy affair requires a great deal of consideration. i never compose so well as i do with a pipe in my mouth: mrs dragwell says that she knows all my best sermons by the smell of them; d'ye take?--ha, ha, ha!" "he, he, he!" the pipes, with the addition of a couple of pots of porter, were soon procured from the neighbouring alehouse; and while the parties are filling them, and pushing the paper of tobacco from one to the other, i shall digress, notwithstanding the contrary opinion of the other sex, in praise of this most potent and delightful weed. i love thee, whether thou appearest in the shape of a cigar, or diest away in sweet perfume enshrined in the meerschaum bowl; i love thee with more than woman's love! thou art a companion to me in solitude. i can talk and reason with thee, avoiding loud and obstreperous argument. thou art a friend to me when in trouble, for thou advisest in silence, and consolest with thy calm influence over the perturbed spirit. i know not how thy power has been bestowed upon thee; yet, if to harmonise the feelings, to allow the thoughts to spring without control, rising like the white vapour from the cottage hearth, on a morning that is sunny and serene;--if to impart that sober sadness over the spirit, which inclines us to forgive our enemy, that calm philosophy which reconciles us to the ingratitude and knavery of the world, that heavenly contemplation whispering to us, as we look around, that "all is good;"--if these be merits, they are thine, most potent weed. what a quiet world this would be if everyone would smoke! i suspect that the reason why the fairer sex decry thee is, that thou art the cause of silence. the ancients knew thee not, or the lips of harpocrates would have been closed with a cigar, and his forefinger removed from the mouth unto the temple. half an hour was passed without any observation from our party, as the room gradually filled with the volumes of smoke, which wreathed and curled in graceful lines, as they ascended in obedience to the unchangeable laws of nature. hilton's pipe was first exhausted; he shook the ashes on the table. "a very melancholy business, indeed!" observed he, as he refilled. the rest nodded a grand assent; the pipe was relighted; and all was silent as before. another pipe is empty. "looking at this inventory," said the curate, "i should imagine the articles to be of no great value. one fur cap, one round hat, one pair of plush breeches, one--; they are not worth a couple of pounds altogether," continued he, stuffing the tobacco into his pipe, which he relighted, and no more was said. nicholas was the third in, or rather _out._ "it appears to me," observed he;--but what appeared is lost, as some new idea flitted across his imagination, and he commenced his second pipe without further remark. some ten minutes after this, mr spinney handed the pot of porter to the curate, and subsequently to the rest of the party. they all took largely, then puffed away as before. how long this cabinet-council might have continued, it is impossible to say; but "silence," who was in "the chair," was soon afterwards driven from his post of honour by the most implacable of his enemies, a "woman's tongue." "well, mr forster! well, gentlemen! do you mean to poison me? have you made smell and dirt enough? how long is this to last, i should like to know?" cried mrs forster, entering the room. "i tell you what, mr forster, you had better hang up a sign at once, and keep an ale-house. let the sign be a fool's head, like your own. i wonder you are not ashamed of yourself, mr curate; you that ought to set an example to your parishioners!" but mr dragwell did not admire such remonstrance; so taking his pipe out of his mouth, he retorted--"if your husband does put up a sign, i recommend him to stick you up as the 'good woman;' that would be without your head--ha, ha, ha!" "he, he, he!" "he, he, he! you pitiful 'natomy," cried mrs forster, in a rage, turning to the clerk, as she dared not revenge herself upon the curate. "take that for your he, he, he!" and she swung round the empty pewter pot, which she snatched from the table, upon the bald pericranium of mr spinney, who tumbled off his chair, and rolled upon the sanded floor. the remainder of the party were on their legs in an instant. newton jerked the weapon out of his mother's hands, and threw it in a corner of the room. nicholas was aghast; he surmised that his turn would come next; and so it proved--"an't you ashamed of yourself, mr forster, to see me treated in this way--bringing a parcel of drunken men into the house to insult me? will you order them out, or not, sir?--are we to have quiet or not?" "yes, my love," replied nicholas, confused, "yes, my dear, by-and-bye as soon as you're--" mrs forster darted towards her husband with the ferocity of a mad cat. hilton, perceiving the danger of his host, put out his leg so as to trip her up in her career, and she fell flat upon her face on the floor. the violence of the fall was so great, that she was stunned. newton raised her up; and, with the assistance of his father (who approached with as much reluctance as a horse spurred towards a dead tiger), carried her upstairs, and laid her on her bed. poor mr spinney was now raised from the floor. he still remained stupefied with the blow, although gradually recovering. betsy came in to render assistance. "o dear, mr curate, do you think that he'll die?" "no, no; bring some water, betsy, and throw it in his face." "better take him home as he is," replied betsy, "and say that he is killed; when missis hears it, she'll be frightened out of her life. it will keep her quiet for some time at least." "an excellent idea, betty; we will punish her for her conduct," replied hilton. the curate was delighted at the plan. mr spinney was placed in an arm-chair, covered over with a table-cloth, and carried away to the parsonage by two men, who were provided by betsy before nicholas or newton had quitted the room where mrs forster lay in a deplorable condition; her sharp nose broken, and twisted on one side; her eyebrow cut open to the bone, and a violent contusion on her forehead. in less than half-an-hour it was spread through the whole town that spinney had been murdered by mrs forster, and that his brains were bespattered all over the shop windows! chapter vii "that she is mad, 'tis true: 'tis true, 'tis pity; and pity 'tis, 'tis true: a foolish figure; but farewell it, for i will use no art. mad let us grant her then; and now remains that we find out the cause of this effect, or rather say, the cause of this defect." shakespeare. mr dragwell has already made honourable mention of his wife; it will therefore only be necessary to add that he had one daughter, a handsome lively girl, engaged to a mr ramsden, the new surgeon of the place, who had stepped into the shoes and the _good-will_ of one who had retired from forty years' practice upon the good people of overton. fanny dragwell had many good qualities, and many others which were rather doubtful. one of the latter had procured her more enemies than at her age she had any right to expect. it was what the french term "malice," which bears a very different signification from the same word in our own language. she delighted in all practical jokes, and would carry them to an excess, at the very idea of which others would be startled; but it must be acknowledged that she generally selected as her victims those who from their conduct towards others richly deserved retaliation. the various tricks which she had played upon certain cross old spinsters, tattlers, scandal-mongers, and backbiters, often were the theme of conversation and of mirth: but this description of _espièglerie_ contains a most serious objection; which is, that to carry on a successful and well-arranged plot, there must be a total disregard of truth. latterly, miss fanny had had no one to practise upon except mr ramsden, during the period of his courtship--a period at which women never appear to so much advantage, nor men appear so silly. but even for this, the time was past, as latterly she had become so much attached to him that distress on his part was a source of annoyance to herself. when, therefore, her father came home, narrating the circumstances which had occurred, and the plan which had been meditated, fanny entered gaily into the scheme. mrs forster had long been her abhorrence; and an insult to mr ramsden, who had latterly been designated by mrs forster as a "pill-gilding puppy," was not to be forgotten. her active and inventive mind immediately conceived a plan which would enable her to carry the joke much further than the original projectors had intended. ramsden, who had been summoned to attend poor mr spinney, was her sole confidant, and readily entered into a scheme which was pleasing to his mistress, and promised revenge for the treatment he had received; and which, as miss dragwell declared, would be nothing but retributive justice upon mrs forster. late in the evening, a message was received from newton forster, requesting that mr ramsden would attend his mother. he had just visited the old clerk, who was now sensible, and had nothing to complain of except a deep cut on his temple from the rim of the pewter-pot. after receiving a few parting injunctions from miss dragwell, mr ramsden quitted the parsonage. "i am afraid it's a very bad business, mr forster," replied the surgeon to newton, who had been interrogating him relative to the injury received by mr spinney. "evident concussion of the brain; he may live--or he may not; a few days will decide the point: he is a poor feeble old man." newton sighed as he reflected upon the disaster and disgrace which might ensue from his mother's violence of temper. "eh! what, mr ramsden?" said nicholas, who had been for some time contemplating the battered visage of his spouse. "did you say she'll die?" "no, no, mr forster, there's no fear of mrs forster, she'll do well enough. she'll be up and about again in a day or two, as lively as ever." "god forbid!" muttered the absent nicholas. "mr forster, see if i don't pay you off for that, as soon as i'm up again," muttered the recumbent lady, as well as the bandages passed under her chin would permit her. "pray call early to-morrow, mr ramsden, and let us know how mr spinney is going on," said newton, extending his hand as the surgeon rose to depart. mr ramsden shook it warmly, and quitted the house: he had left them about half-an-hour when betsy made her appearance with some fomentations, which had been prepared in the kitchen. out of revenge for sundry blows daily received, and sundry epithets hourly bestowed upon her by her mistress, the moment she entered she exclaimed, in a half-crying tone, "o dear, mr newton! there's such shocking news just come from the parsonage; mr spinney is just dead, and my missis will be hanged!" mrs forster said not a word; she quailed under dread of the report being correct. newton and his father looked at each other; their mute anguish was expressed by covering up their faces with their hands. when hilton and the curate arranged their plans for the mortification of mrs forster, it was considered advisable that newton (who was not so easily to be imposed upon) should be removed out of the way. hilton had already stated his intention to give him charge of the vessel; and he now proposed sending him for a cargo of shingle, which was lying ready for her, about fifty miles down the coast, and which was to be delivered at waterford. at an early hour, on the ensuing morning, he called at forster's house. newton, who had not taken off his clothes, came out to meet him. "well, newton, how is your mother?" said hilton, "i hope you are not angry with me: i certainly was the occasion of the accident, but i could not bear to see your worthy father treated in that manner." "i blush to acknowledge, mr hilton, that she deserved it all," replied newton; "but i am very much alarmed about the condition of mr spinney. have you heard this morning?" "no; but between ourselves, newton, doctors always make the worst of their cases. i never heard of a pewter-pot killing a man; he'll do well enough, never fear. i came to tell you that i've a letter last night from repton, who says that the shingle must be delivered before the tenth of next month, or the contract will be void. he desires that i will send the sloop directly, or he must employ another craft. now, i think you had better start at once; there's a nice fair wind for you, and you'll be down afore night." "why, really, mr hilton, i do not exactly like to leave home just now," replied newton, thoughtfully. "well, as you please, mr forster," rejoined hilton, with apparent displeasure. "i have offered you the command of the vessel, and now you object to serve my interests on the very first occasion, merely because there are a couple of broken heads!" "i am wrong, most certainly," replied newton; "i beg your pardon--i will just speak a word or two to my father, and be on board in less than half an hour." "i will meet you there," said hilton, "and bring your papers. be as quick as you can, or you'll lose the first of the tide." newton returned to the house; his father made no objection to his departure; and, in fulfilment of his promise, newton was ready to start, when he encountered ramsden at the door. "mr ramsden," said newton, "i am requested by the owner of my vessel to sail immediately; but if you think that the life of mr spinney is seriously in danger, i will throw up the command of the vessel, rather than leave my mother under such an accumulation of disasters. i beg as a favour that you will not disguise the truth." "you may sail this minute, if you please, mr forster; i am happy to be able to relieve your mind. mr spinney is doing very well, and you'll see him at his desk on the first sunday of your return." "then i am off: good-bye, mr ramsden; many thanks." with a lightened heart, newton leapt into the skiff which was to carry him on board of the sloop; and in less than half an hour was standing away to the southward before a fine wind, to execute the orders which he had received. ramsden remained a few minutes at the door, until he saw newton ascend the side of the vessel; then he entered, and was received by betsy. "well, betsy, you agreed to make mrs forster believe that mr spinney was dead; but we little thought that such would really be the case." "lord love you, sir! why, you don't say so?" "i do, indeed, betsy; but mind, we must keep it a secret for the present, until we can get mrs forster out of the way. how is she this morning?" "oh, very stiff, and very cross, sir." "i'll go up to her," replied ramsden; "but recollect, betsy, that you do not mention it to a soul;" and ramsden ascended the stairs. "well, mrs forster, how do you feel this morning? do you think you could get up?" "get up, mr ramsden! not to save my soul--i can't even turn on my side." "very sorry to hear it, indeed," replied the surgeon; "i was in hopes that you might have been able to bear a journey." "bear a journey, mr ramsden! why bear a journey?" "i am sorry to inform you that mr spinney's gone--poor old man! there must be a coroner's inquest. now, it would be as well if you were not to be found, for the verdict will be 'wilful murder.'" "o dear! o dear!" exclaimed mrs forster, jumping out of her bed with fright, and wringing her hands: "what can i do?--what can i do?" "at present it is a secret, mrs forster, but it cannot be so long. miss dragwell, who feels for you very much, begged me not to say a word about it. she will call and consult with you, if you would like to see her. sad thing indeed, mrs forster, to be placed in such a situation by a foolish husband." "you may well say that, mr ramsden," replied the lady, with asperity; "he is the greatest _fool_ that ever god made! everyone knows what a sweet temper i was before i married; but flesh and blood cannot bear what i am subjected to." "would you like to see miss dragwell?" "yes, very much; i always thought her a very nice girl;--a little wild--a little forward indeed, and apt to be impertinent; but still, rather a nice girl." "well, then, i will tell her to call, and the sooner the better, for when it is known, the whole town will be in an uproar. i should not be surprised if they attacked the house--the people will be so indignant." "i don't wonder at it," replied mrs forster; "nothing can excuse such provocation as i receive from my husband, stupid wretch!" "good morning, mrs forster; do you think, then, that you could bear moving?" "o yes! o yes! but where am i to go?" "that i really cannot form an idea of--you had better consult with miss dragwell. depend upon it, mrs forster, that i will be most happy to render you all my assistance in this unfortunate dilemma." "you're very good," snarled mrs forster: and ramsden quitted the room. i have one or two acquaintances, to whom, if i wish a report to be circulated, i immediately impart the substance as a most profound secret; and i find that by these means it obtains a much more extensive circulation than if i sent it to the newspapers. ramsden was aware of betsy's cackling propensities; and long before he quitted mrs forster, it was generally believed throughout the good town of overton that mr spinney, although he had not been killed outright, as reported in the first instance, had subsequently died of the injuries received from this modern xantippe. mrs forster had half an hour to reflect upon her supposed awkward situation; and to drive away thought, had sent for nicholas, whom she loaded with the bitterest invectives, when miss dragwell was announced. "see, sir," continued mrs forster, "the condition to which you have reduced a fond and faithful wife--one that has so studied your interests; one--" "yes, indeed," added miss dragwell, who heard the attack as she ascended the stairs, and took up the cause of mrs forster to obtain her confidence--"yes, indeed, mr forster, see the consequences of your folly, your smoking, and your drinking. pray leave the room, sir; i wonder how mrs forster can bear the sight of you!" nicholas stated, and was about to throw in a detached word or two, by way of vindication, when a furious "begone!" from his wife occasioned a precipitate retreat. "we have all been consulting about this sad business, my dear mrs forster," commenced miss dragwell; "and after much consideration have hit upon the only plan by which you may escape the penalty of the law. yes, my dear ma'am," continued miss dragwell, in the most bland and affectionate voice, "it is unwise to conceal the truth from you; the depositions of my father and mr hilton, when they are called upon, will be such that 'wilful murder' must be returned, and you--(the young lady faltered, and put up her handkerchief)--you must inevitably be hanged!" "hanged!" screamed mrs forster. "yes, hanged--'hanged by the neck until you are dead! and the lord have mercy upon your soul! 'that will be your sentence," replied the young lady, sobbing;--"such an awful, such a disgraceful death for a woman too!" "o lord, o lord!" cried mrs forster, who was now really frightened. "what will become of me?" "you will go to another and a better world, as my papa says in his sermons; i believe that the pain is not very great--but the disgrace--" mrs forster burst into tears. "save me! save me, miss dragwell!--oh! oh! that stupid nicholas, oh! oh!" "my dear mrs forster, we have all agreed at the parsonage that there is but one method." "name it, my dear miss dragwell, name it!" cried mrs forster, imploringly. "you must pretend to be mad, and then there will be a verdict of insanity; but you must carry it through everything, or it will be thought you are shamming. mr ramsden is acquainted with dr b--, who has charge of the asylum at d--. it is only nine miles off: he will take you there, and when the coroner's inquest is over you can return. it will be supposed then to have been only temporary derangement. do you like the proposal?" "why, i have been mad for a long time," replied mrs forster; "the conduct of my husband and my son has been too much for my nerves; but i don't like the idea of actually going to a madhouse. could not--" "o dear, marm!" cried betsy, running into the room, "there's a whole posse of people about the house; they want to take you to the town jail, for murdering mr spinney. what shall i say to them? i'm feared they'll break in." "go and tell them that mrs forster is too ill to be taken out of bed, and that she is out of her senses--d'ye hear, betsy, tell them all she is _stark staring mad_!" "yes, i will, marm," replied betsy, wiping her eyes as she left the room. miss dragwell walked to the window. although the report spread by betsy had collected a crowd opposite the house, still there was no attempt at violence. "i'm afraid that it's too late," said the young lady, turning from the window. "what a crowd! and how angry they seem to be! you must be hanged now!" "o no! i'll be mad--i'll be anything, my dear miss dragwell." "well, then, we must be quick--don't put your gown on--petticoats are better--i'll dress you up." miss dragwell rummaged the drawers, and collecting a variety of feathers and coloured ribbons, pinned them over the bandages which encircled mrs forster's head; then pulling out a long-tailed black coat of her husband's which had been condemned, forced her arms through it, and buttoned it in front. "that will do for the present," cried miss dragwell; "now here's the cat, take it in your arms, go to the window, and nurse it like a baby. i'll throw it open--you come forward and make them a curtsey; that will spread the report through the town that you are mad, and the rest will then be easy." "oh! i can't--i can't go to the window, i can't, indeed." "i'll open the window and speak to the people," said miss dragwell; and she threw up the sash, informing the gaping multitude that mrs forster was quite out of her senses, but perfectly harmless. "perfectly harmless, after killing a man!" observed one of the party below. "they won't believe me, mrs forster; come, you must, or you will certainly be _hanged_." urged by her fears, mrs forster approached the window, and showed herself to the astonished crowd. "curtsey to them," said miss dragwell, holding her handkerchief before her mouth. mrs forster curtsied. "smile upon them," continued the malicious young lady. mrs forster grinned horribly. "now dance your cat." mrs forster obeyed the injunction. "now give a loud shriek, and toss the cat out of window." mrs forster uttered a hideous yell, and threw the animal at the heads of the spectators, who retreated with alarm in every direction. "now burst into a fit of laughter, curtsey to them, and wave your hand, and that will be sufficient." mrs forster obeyed the last order, and miss dragwell shut the window. in a few minutes the report spread that mrs forster had gone out of her senses; and the murder of mr spinney--a topic which was nearly exhausted--was dismissed for the time to dwell and comment upon the second catastrophe. chapter viii "mad as the sea and wind, when both contend which is the mightier." shakespeare. "so far we have succeeded, my dear mrs forster," said miss dragwell; "i will now return home, and come back as soon as i can with the post-chaise. mr ramsden's servant shall come with me to conduct you to the asylum, and i trust in a quarter of an hour to see you clear of these foolish people of overton, who think that you are the party in fault: you had better remain in your room, and not appear again at the window; the crowd will disperse when they are tired of watching: good-bye, my dear mrs forster, good-bye." mrs forster was in too sulky a humour to vouchsafe an answer; and miss dragwell quitted the house. betsy had taken advantage of the turmoil and the supposed lunacy of her mistress to gossip in the neighbourhood. nicholas forster was in the shop, but took no notice of miss dragwell as she passed through. he appeared to have forgotten all that had occurred, and was very busy filing at his bench. there we must leave him, and follow the motions of the mischief-loving miss dragwell. upon her return, the party collected at the parsonage considered that they had proceeded far enough; but miss dragwell thought otherwise; she had made up her mind that mrs forster should pass a day or two in the lunatic asylum; and she felt assured that mr ramsden, through whose assistance her intention must be accomplished, would not venture to dispute her wishes. her father, with a loud ha, ha, ha! proposed that mr spinney should appear as a ghost by the bedside of mrs forster, wrapped up in a sheet, with a he, he, he! and that thus the diversion should end; but this project was overruled by mr spinney, who protested that nothing should induce him again to trust himself, with a he, he, he! in the presence of mrs forster. ramsden, although well acquainted with dr beddington, who had charge of the asylum, was not sure that he would be pleased with their freak, and earnestly dissuaded his intended from proceeding any further. "it is useless to argue, my dear george, i am quixote enough to revenge the injuries of those who have been forced to submit to her temper; and moreover, i hope to effect a cure. desperate diseases, you must be aware as a medical man, require desperate remedies. i consider that a termagant and a lunatic are during their paroxysms on a par, as rational behaviour in either party may be considered as a lucid interval. let her, if it be only for one hour, witness herself reflected in the various distorted mirrors of perverted mind; and if she has any conscience whatever, good will spring from evil. i joined this plot from a love of mischief; but i carry it on from a feeling that favourable results will be produced." "but, my dear fanny--" "i will have it so, ramsden, so don't attempt to dissuade me; we are not married yet, and i must not be thwarted in my short supremacy. surely you ought not to be displeased at my desire to 'tame a shrew.' i give a fair promise not to fall into an error which i so ardently detest: now, send for the chaise, write a letter to dr beddington, and leave me to arrange with mrs forster." ramsden, like many others when teased by a pretty woman, consented against his will; he wrote a letter to dr beddington, explaining circumstances, and requesting his pardon for the liberty which he had been persuaded to take. miss dragwell, as soon as the letter was sealed, put on her bonnet, and taking mr ramsden's servant with her, stepped into the chaise, and drove to the house of mr nicholas forster. she found mrs forster squatted on the bed in her ludicrous attire, awaiting her return with impatience. "oh! mrs forster, i have had such trouble, such difficulty; but mr ramsden has been persuaded at last. there is the letter to dr beddington, and mr ramsden's servant is in the chaise at the door: the sooner you are off the better; the people are so outrageous, and call you such shocking names." "do they?" replied mrs forster, whose wrath kindled at the information. "yes, indeed; and that wretch betsy declares that she'll put the rope over your neck with her own hands." "does she?" cried mrs forster, her eyes twinkling with rage. "yes; and your husband, your foolish husband, says that he'll be able to make his improvement in the duplex, now that you'll be hanged." "he does, does he?" replied mrs forster, catching her breath, and grinding her teeth as she jumped off the bed. "now, my dear mrs forster, it's no use minding what they say; all you have to do is to escape as soon as possible; the magistrate's warrant may arrive this minute, and then it will be too late; so come down at once:--how lucky that you have escaped! it must be a dreadful thing to be hanged!" this last remark, always brought forward by miss dragwell when she had a point to carry, induced mrs forster to hasten downstairs to the post-chaise, which she found already occupied by mr ramsden's servant. as soon as she entered, it was driven off with speed in the direction already communicated to the post-boy. we shall leave the town of overton to recover its quiet,--for such a bustle had not occurred for many years,--and miss dragwell to exult in the success of her plot, while we follow mrs forster to her new quarters. the chaise rattled on,--mr ramsden's servant crouching in a corner, as far as possible from mrs forster, evidently about as well pleased with his company as one would be in a pitfall with a tiger. at last it stopped at the door of the lunatic asylum, and the post-boy dismounting from his reeking horses, pulled violently at a large bell, which answered with a most lugubrious tolling, and struck awe into the breast of mrs forster. when the door was opened, mr ramsden's servant alighted, and went in to deliver his letter to the doctor. the doctor was not at home; he had obtained his furlough of three weeks, and was very busy with his fishing-rod some thirty miles distant; but the keepers were in attendance, and, as mr ramsden's servant stated the insanity of mrs forster, and that she had been sent there by his master, they raised no objections to her reception. in a few minutes the servant reappeared with two keepers, who handed mrs forster out of the chaise, and conducted her to a receiving-room, where mrs forster waited some minutes in expectation of the appearance of dr beddington. in the meantime, mr ramsden's servant, having no further communication to make, left the letter for dr beddington, and returned in the chaise to overton. after a quarter of an hour had elapsed, mrs forster inquired of one of the keepers who had, much to her annoyance, taken a chair close to her, whether the doctor intended to come. "he'll come by-and-bye, good woman. how do you feel yourself now?" "very cold--very cold, indeed," replied mrs forster, shivering. "that's what the poor brutes always complain of--aren't it, jim?" observed another keeper, who had just entered. "where be we to stow her?" "i sent tom to get no. ready." "why, you don't think that i'm mad!" cried mrs forster, with terror. "so, softly--so--so," said the keeper next to her, patting her, as he would soothe a fractious child. the violence of mrs forster, when she discovered that she was considered as a lunatic, fully corroborated to the keepers the assertion of mr ramsden's servant; but we must not dwell upon the scene which followed. after an ineffectual struggle, mrs forster found herself locked up in no. , and left to her own reflections. the previous scenes which had occurred, added to the treatment previous scenes which had occurred, added to the treatment which she received in the asylum, caused such excitement, that, before the next morning, she was seized with a brain fever, and raved as loudly in her delirium as any of the other unfortunate inmates there incarcerated. chapter ix "who by repentance is not satisfied, is not of heaven or earth; for these are pleased: by penitence the eternal's wrath's appeased." shakespeare. mr ramsden's servant returned to overton, stating that the doctor was not at home, but that he had left mrs forster and the letter. the time that dr beddington was to be absent had not been mentioned by the keepers; and mr ramsden, imagining that the doctor had probably gone out for the evening, made no further inquiries, as he intended, in a day or two, to call and bring mrs forster back to her own house. on the third day of her removal he set off for the asylum; and when he discovered the situation of mrs forster, he bitterly repented that he had been persuaded to a step which threatened such serious results. to remove her was impossible; to assert to the keepers that she was in sound mind, would have been to commit himself; he therefore withdrew his letter to dr beddington, who was not expected home for a fortnight, and with a heavy heart returned to overton. miss dragwell was as much shocked when she was informed of the unfortunate issue of her plot; and made a resolution, to which she adhered, never to be guilty of another practical joke. in the meantime newton forster had made every despatch, and returned to overton with the cargo of shingle a few days after his mother's incarceration. he had not been ten minutes on shore before he was made acquainted with the melancholy history of her (supposed) madness and removal to the asylum. he hastened home, where he found his father in a profound melancholy; he received newton with a flood of tears, and appeared to be quite lost in his state of widowhood. the next morning newton set off for the asylum, to ascertain the condition of his mother. he was admitted; found her stretched on a bed, in a state of delirium, raving in her fever, and unconscious of his presence. the frenzy of his mother being substantiated by what he had witnessed, and by the assurances of the keepers, to whom he made a present of half his small finances, to induce them to treat her with kindness, newton returned to overton, where he remained at home, shut up with his father. in a few days notice was given by the town-crier, that the remaining stock of mr nicholas forster, optician, was to be disposed of by public auction. the fact was, that nicholas forster, like many other husbands, although his wife had been a source of constant annoyance, had become so habituated to her, that he was miserable now that she was gone. habit is more powerful than even love; and many a married couple continue to live comfortably together long after love has departed, from this most binding of all human sensations. nicholas determined to quit overton; and newton, who perceived that his father's happiness was at stake, immediately acquiesced in his wish. when nicholas forster resolved to leave the town where he had so long resided, he had no settled plans for the future; the present idea to remove from the scene connected with such painful associations was all which occupied his thoughts. newton, who presumed that his father had some arranged plan, did not attempt to awaken him from his profound melancholy, to inquire into his intentions; and nicholas had never given the subject one moment of his thought. when all was ready, newton inquired of his father, in what manner he intended they should travel?--"why, outside the coach will be the cheapest, newton; and we have no money to spare. you had better take our places to-night." "to what place, father?" inquired newton. "i'm sure i don't know, newton," replied nicholas, as if just awoke. this answer produced a consultation; and after many _pros_ and _cons_, it was resolved that nicholas should proceed to liverpool, and settle in that town. the sloop commanded by newton was found defective in the stern port; and, as it would take some little time to repair her, newton had obtained leave for a few days to accompany his father on his journey. the trunk picked up at sea, being too cumbrous, was deposited with the articles of least value, in the charge of mr dragwell; the remainder was taken away by newton, until he could find a more secure place for their deposit. on their arrival at liverpool, with little money and no friends, nicholas rented a small shop; and newton having extended his leave of absence to the furthest, that he might contribute to his father's comfort, returned to overton, to resume the command of the sloop. the first object was to call at the asylum, where he was informed that his mother was much less violent, but in so weak a state that he could not be admitted. doctor beddington had not returned; but a medical gentleman, who had been called in during his absence, stated to newton, that he had no doubt if his mother should recover from her present state of exhaustion, that her reason would be restored. newton returned to overton with a lightened heart, and the next day sailed in the sloop for bristol. contrary winds detained him more than a fortnight on his passage. on his arrival, his cargo was not ready, and newton amused himself by walking about the town and its environs. at last his cargo was on board; and newton, who was most anxious to ascertain the fate of his mother, made all haste to obtain his clearance and other papers from the custom-house. it was late in the evening before he had settled with the house to which the sloop had been consigned; but, as the wind and tide served, and there was a bright moon, he resolved to weigh that night. with his papers carefully buttoned in his coat, he was proceeding to the boat at the jetty, when he was seized by two men, who rushed upon him from behind. he hardly had time to look round to ascertain the cause, when a blow on the head stretched him senseless on the ground. now, my readers may probably feel some little distress at the misfortune of newton, and have some slight degree of curiosity to know the grounds of this severe treatment. i, on the contrary, am never more pleased than when i find my principal character in a state of abeyance, and leave him so with the greatest indifference, because it suits my convenience. i have now an opportunity of returning to mrs forster, or any other of the parties who act a subordinate part in-my narrative; and, as newton is down on the ground, and _hors de combat_, why, there let him lie--until i want him again. doctor beddington returned home long before the recovery of mrs forster from her severe attack. as it may be presumed, he found her perfectly rational; but still he had no doubt of the assertions of his keepers, that she was insane at the time that she was sent to the asylum by mr ramsden. the latter gentleman kept aloof until the issue of mrs forster's malady should be ascertained: if she recovered, it was his intention to call upon doctor beddington and explain the circumstances; if she died, he had determined to say nothing about it. mrs forster's recovery was tedious; her mind was loaded with anxiety, and, what was infinitely more important, with deep remorse. the supposed death of mr spinney had been occasioned by her violence, and she looked forward with alarm, as great as the regret with which she looked back upon her former behaviour. when she called to mind her unfeeling conduct towards her husband,--the many years of bitterness she had created for him,--her infraction of the marriage vow--the solemn promise before god to love, honour, and obey, daily and hourly violated,--her unjust hatred of her only son,--her want of charity towards others,--all her duties neglected,--swayed only by selfish and malignant passions,--with bitter tears of contrition and self-abasement, she acknowledged that her punishment was just. with streaming eyes, with supplicating hands and bended knees, she implored mercy and forgiveness of him to whom appeal is never made in vain. passion's infuriate reign was over--her heart was changed! to doctor beddington she made neither complaint nor explanation. all she wished was to quit the asylum as soon as she was restored to health, and prove to her husband, by her future conduct, the sincerity of her reformation. when she became convalescent, by the advice of doctor beddington, she walked in a garden appropriated for the exercise of the more harmless inmates of the asylum. the first day that she went out she sat down upon a bench near to the keepers who were watching those who were permitted to take the air and exercise, and overheard their discourse, which referred to herself. "why, what was it as made her mad--d'ye know, tom?" "they say she's been no better all her life," replied the other; "a rat would not live in the house with her: at last, in one of her tantrums, she nearly murdered old spinney, the clerk at overton. the report went out that he was dead; and conscience, i suppose, or summut of that kind, run away with her senses." "oh, he warn't killed then?" "no, no: i seed him and heard him too, sunday 'fore last, when i went to call upon old father; i was obligated to go to church, the old gemman's so remarkable particular." "and what's become of her husband, and that handsome young chap, her son?" "i don't know, nor nobody else either. the old man, who was as worthy an old soul as ever breathed (more shame to the old faggot, for the life she led him!) grew very unhappy and melancholy, and would not stay in the place: they disposed of everything, and both went away together; but nobody knows where the old man is gone to." "and the young 'un?" "oh, he came back and took command of the sloop. he was here twice, to see how his mother was. poor lad! it was quite pitiful to see how unhappy he was about the old catamaran. he give me and bill a guinea apiece to be kind to her; but, about three days back, the sloop came into the harbour without him: they suppose that he fell off the jetty at bristol and was drowned, for he was seen coming down to the boat; and, a'ter that, they never heard no more about him." "well, but tom, the old woman's all right now?" "yes, she's right enough; but where be her husband, and where be her son? she'll never plague them any more, that's pretty sartain." the feelings of mrs forster at the _finale_ of this discourse are not easy to be portrayed. one heavy load was off her mind--mr spinney was not dead; but how much had she also to lament? she perceived that she had been treacherously kidnapped by those who detested her conduct, but had no right to inflict the punishment. the kind and feeling conduct of her husband and of her son,--the departure of the one, and supposed death of the other, were blows which nearly overwhelmed her. she tottered back to her cell in a state of such extreme agitation, as to occasion a return of fever, and for many days she was unable to quit her bed. chapter x "when britain first at heaven's command arose from out the azure main, this was the charter, the charter of the land, and guardian angels sung the strain,---- rule britannia, britannia rules the waves, for britons never shall be _slaves_." we left newton forster senseless on the pavement leading to the quay at bristol, floored by a rap on the head from a certain person or persons unknown: he did not, however, remain there long, being hoisted on the shoulders of two stout fellows, dressed in blue jackets and trousers, with heavy clubs in their hands, and a pistol lying _perdu_ between their waistcoats and shirts. these nautical personages tumbled him into the stern-sheets of a boat, as if not at all sorry to rid themselves of his weight; and, in a continued state of insensibility, newton was hoisted up the side of a cutter which lay at anchor about one hundred yards from the shore. when newton recovered his senses, his swimming eyes could just enable him to perceive that something flashed upon them, and in their weak state created a painful sensation. as he became more collected, he discovered that a man was holding a small candle close to them, to ascertain whether the vein which had been opened in his arm had produced the desired effect of restoring him to animation. newton tried to recollect where he was, and what had occurred; but the attempted exercise of his mental powers was too much, and again threw him into a state of stupor. at last he awoke as if from a dream of death, and looking round, found himself lying on the deck attended by a female, who bathed his forehead. "where am i?" exclaimed newton. "is it where you are, that you'd want for to know: an't ye on board of the _lively_ cutter, sure? and an't you between decks in her, and i looking a'ter ye, honey?" "and who are you?" "and who am i! then, if i'm not somebody else, i'm judy malony, the wife of the boatswain's mate, and a lawful married woman." "how did i come here?" continued newton, raising himself on his elbow. "you didn't come at all, honey, you were brought." "who brought me?" "who brought ye! it was either the gig or the jolly-boat; but i wasn't on deck at the time, so i can't upon my oath say exactly which." "then, pray can you tell me why i was brought here?" replied newton. "sure i can guess, bating you don't know already. it was to sarve your king and your country, like a brave volunteer as you are." "then i'm impressed?" "you may take your bible oath of it, my jewel, and commit no perjury. it's a hard rap that ye got, anyhow; just a hint that ye were wanted: but plase god, if ye live and do well, 'twill be nothing at all to what ye'll have by-and-bye, all for the honour and glory of ould england." newton, who during these remarks was thinking of his father's situation, and the distress he would suffer without his assistance, and then of the state in which he had left his mother, again sank on the deck. "why, he's off again!" muttered judy malony; "he's no countryman of mine, that's clear as the mud in the shannon, or he'd never fuss about a rap with a shillelah;" and judy, lifting up her petticoats first, gained her feet, and walked away forward. newton remained in a state of uneasy slumber until daylight, when he was awakened by the noise of boats coming alongside, and loud talking on deck. all that had passed did not immediately rush into his mind; but his arm tied up with the bandage, and his hair matted, and his face stiff with the coagulated blood, soon brought to his recollection the communication of judy malony, that he had been impressed. the 'tween decks of the cutter appeared deserted, unless indeed there were people in the hammocks slung over his head; and newton, anxious to obtain further information, crawled under the hammocks to the ladder, and went up on deck. about twenty sailors, well armed, were busy handing out of the boats several men whom they had brought on board, who were ordered aft by the officer in command. newton perceived that most of them had not received much better treatment than he had on the preceding evening; some were shockingly disfigured, and were still bleeding profusely. "how many have you altogether, mr vincent?" said the lieutenant to a stout master's mate with a tremendous pair of whiskers, which his loose handkerchief discovered to join together at his throat. "seventeen, sir." "and how many had we before?--twenty-six, i think." "twenty-seven, sir, with the young chap i sent on board last night." "well, that will do; it's quite as many as we can stow away, or take care of:--pass them all down below, forward; take up the ladder, and put on the grating until we are out of the harbour. as soon as the jolly-boat comes on board we'll up anchor." "she'll be off directly, sir; i ordered her to wait for johnson and merton, who did not come down with us." "do you think they have given you the slip?" "i should think not, sir. here is the jolly-boat coming off." "well, pass the men forward and secure them," replied the lieutenant. "overhaul the boat's falls, and bring to with the windlass." newton thought this a good opportunity to state that he was the master of a vessel, and, as such, protected from the impress; he therefore walked over to the lieutenant, addressing him, "i beg your pardon, sir--" "who are you?" interrupted the lieutenant, gruffly. "i was impressed last night, sir;--may i speak to you?" "no, sir, you may not." "it might save you some trouble, sir--" "it will save me more to send you down below. mr vincent, shove this man down forward; why is he at large?" "he was under the doctor's hands, i believe, sir. come this way, my hearty--stir your stumps." newton would have expostulated, but he was collared by two of the press-gang, and very unceremoniously handed forward to the hatchway; the grating was taken off, and he was lowered down to the deck below, where he found himself cooped up with more than forty others, almost suffocated for the want of air and space. the conversation (if conversation it could be called) was nothing but one continued string of curses and execrations, and vows of deep revenge. the jolly-boat returned, pulling only two oars; the remainder of her crew, with johnson and merton, having taken this opportunity of deserting from their forced servitude. with some hearty execrations upon the heads of the offending parties, and swearing that by g--d there was no such thing as _gratitude_ in a sailor, the commander of the cutter weighed his anchor, and proceeded to sea. the orders received by the lieutenant of the cutter, although not precisely specifying, still implying, that he was to bring back his cargo alive, as soon as his majesty's cutter _lively_ was fairly out at sea the hatches were taken off, and the impressed men allowed to go on deck in the proportion of about one half at a time, two sailors with drawn cutlasses still remaining sentry at the coombings of the hatchway, in case of any discontented fellow presuming to dispute such lawful authority. newton forster was happy to be once more on deck; so much had he suffered during his few hours of confinement, that he really felt grateful for the indulgence. the sky was bright, and the cutter was dashing along the coast with the wind, two points free, at the rate of seven or eight miles an hour. she was what sailors term rather _a wet one_, and as she plunged through the short waves the sea broke continually over her bows and chesstree, so that there was no occasion to draw water for purification. newton washed his face and head, and felt quite revived as he inhaled the fresh breeze, and watched the coast as the vessel rapidly passed each headland in her course. all around him were strangers, and no one appeared inclined to be communicative; even the most indifferent, the most stoical, expressed their ideas in disjointed sentences; they could not but feel that their projects and speculations had been overthrown by a captivity so anomalous with their boasted birthright. "where are we going?" inquired newton of a man who stood next him, silently watching the passing foam created by the rapid course of the vessel. "to _hell_ i hope, with _those who brought us here!_" replied the man, grinding his teeth with a scowl of deep revenge. at this moment judy malony came pattering along the wet deck with a kid of potato-peelings to throw over the bows. newton recognised her, and thanked her for her kindness. "it's a nice boy that you are, sure enough, now that you're swate and clean," replied judy. "bad luck to the rapparee who gave you the blow! i axed my husband if it was he; but he swears upon his salvation that it was no one if it wasn't tim o'connor, the baste!" "where are we going?" inquired newton. "an't we going to dinner in a minute or two?" "i mean where is the cutter bound to?" "oh! the cutter you mane! if she can only find her way, it's to plymouth, sure;--they're waiting for ye." "who is waiting for us?" "why, three fine frigates as can't go to sea without hands. you never heard of a ship sailing without hands; the poor dumb craturs can't do nothing by themselves." "do you know where the frigates are going?" "going to _say_, i lay my life on't," replied judy, who then walked forward, and broke up the conversation. the next morning the cutter ran into hamoaze, and boats were sent on board to remove the impressed men to the guard-ship. there, much to his annoyance and mortification, newton found that, with the others, he was treated as a close prisoner. the afternoon of the same day another vessel arrived from the eastward with a collection of offenders, who for a variety of crimes and misdemeanours had been sentenced to serve on board of a man-of-war. no distinction was made; all were huddled together, and treated alike, until summoned on the quarter-deck, when their names were called out for distribution to the several men-of-war. each ship having a quota of seamen and pickpockets allotted to her in due proportion, the men were ordered down into the boats; and in less than an hour newton found himself on board of a fine frigate lying in the sound, with her fore-topsail loose, as a signal of her immediate departure. chapter xi "tis roan's bold task the gen'rous strife to try, but in the hands of god is victory." iliad. newton, and the other men who had been selected for the frigate, on board of which they had been despatched (victualled the day discharged), were mustered on the quarter-deck by the first lieutenant, who asked them the questions, whether they were bred to the sea, and could take the helm and lead. having noted down their answers, he stationed them accordingly, and they were dismissed. newton would again have appealed, but on reflection thought it advisable to await the arrival of the captain. beds and blankets were not supplied that evening: the boats were hoisted up, sentries on the gangways supplied with ball-cartridges to prevent desertion, and permission granted to the impressed men to "prick for the softest plank," which they could find for their night's repose. at daylight the hands were turned up, the capstern manned, the frigate unmoored, and hove "short stay a-peak" on her anchor remaining down. the gig was sent on shore with two midshipmen, one to watch the men and prevent their desertion, while the other went up to the captain's lodgings to report her arrival, the topsails were loosed, sheeted home, and hoisted, the yards braced by, and newton to his sorrow perceived that the captain's arrival would be the signal for immediate departure. the signal-man, on the look-out with his glass, reported the gig coming off with the captain; and in obedience to the orders he had received, the first lieutenant immediately hove up, and the anchor having been "catted and fished," the frigate lay-to in the sound. as soon as the boat came alongside, and the captain had been received with the customary honours, he desired sail to be made on her as soon as the boat was hoisted up, and then descended to his cabin. in three minutes newton perceived that all chance of release for the present was over; the courses and top-gallant sails were set, and the frigate darted past the ram head at the rate of ten miles per hour. in about twenty minutes, after the messenger had been stowed away, the cables coiled in the tiers, and the ropes flemished down on deck, the captain made his appearance, and directed the first lieutenant to send aft the newly-impressed men. in few words he pointed out to them the necessity of their servitude; and concluded by recommending them to enter his majesty's service, and receive the bounty to which they would become entitled; observing, that the men who did so would raise themselves in his good opinion, and as far as he had the power, would not be forgotten by him, provided that their general good conduct merited his favour. some few accepted the terms, but the most of them positively refused. when newton was addressed, he stated to the captain that he was master of a vessel, and exempted by law from the impress. "it is easy to assert that," observed the captain; "but where are your proofs? your youth almost denies what you affirm." "there are my papers, sir, my clearance from the custom-house, and my bill of lading, which i had in my pocket, intending to sail a few minutes after the time that i was impressed." "i observe," replied the captain, examining the papers, "they appear to be all correct. what is your name?" "newton forster." "then this is your signature?" "it is, sir." "mr pittson, desire the clerk to bring up a pen and ink." the clerk made his appearance. "now, sign your name." newton obeyed, and his signature was compared with that on the bill of lading, by the captain and first lieutenant. "why did you not mention this before?" continued the captain. "i attempted several times, but was not permitted to speak." newton then stated how he had been treated when impressed, and afterwards by the officer commanding the cutter. "you certainly were exempted from the impress, if what you state is true; and i believe it so to be," replied the captain. "it is a hard case; but what can i do? here we are at sea, and likely to remain on a cruise of several months. you cannot expect to eat the bread of idleness on board of a man-of-war. you will do your duty wherever you are stationed. there is no disgrace in serving his majesty in any capacity. i tell you candidly, that although i would not have impressed you myself, i am very glad that i have you on board; i wish i had fifty more of the same sort, instead of the sweepings of the gaols, which i am obliged to mix up with prime seamen." "perhaps, sir, you will have the kindness to send me back by the first homeward-bound vessel?" "no, that i cannot do; you are on the ship's books, and the case must be referred to the admiralty on our return: that it will be my duty to attend to, upon your application; but i hope before that you will have entered into his majesty's service." "and in the meantime my poor father may starve," said newton, with a sigh, not addressing those around him, but giving utterance to his thoughts. the captain turned away, and paced the quarter-deck with the first lieutenant. at last he was overheard to say, "it's a very hard case, certainly. forster, can you navigate?" continued the captain, addressing newton. "yes, sir, i can work up a dead reckoning, and take the sun's altitude." "very well, that will do. mr pittson, you may dismiss them. are they put into messes?" "all, sir." "it's twelve o'clock, sir," said the master, touching his hat, with his quadrant in his hand. "make it so, and pipe to dinner." newton was stationed in the foretop. in a few days the awkwardness arising from the novelty of the scene, and from the superior dimensions of every variety of equipment on board of the frigate, compared to the small craft to which he had been accustomed, passed away. the order which was exacted to preserve discipline, the precision with which the time was regulated, the knowledge of the duty allotted to him, soon made him feel that no more was exacted than what could easily be performed, and that there was no hardship in serving on board of a man-of-war; the only hardship was, the manner in which he had been brought there. although he often sighed as he thought of his father and mother, he did his duty cheerfully, and was soon distinguished as a most promising young sailor. captain northfleet was a humane and good officer, and his first lieutenant followed in his steps, and equally deserved the character. before the ship's company had been six weeks together, they were in a tolerable state of discipline; and proved such to be the case, by acknowledging that they were happy. this, added to the constant excitement of chasing and capturing the vessels of the enemy, with the anticipation of prize-money, soon made most of those who had been impressed forget what had occurred, or cease to lament it as a hardship. the continual exercise of the guns was invariably followed up by a general wish that they might fall in with an enemy of equal force, to ascertain whether such constant drilling had been thrown away upon them. the _terpsichore_ received supplies of provisions and water from other ships, and for nine months continued a successful cruise. several prizes had already been captured, and sent home to england. the complement of the frigate was materially reduced by so many absentees, although some of her men had been brought out to her by other vessels, when a strange sail was discovered from the mast-head. a few hours sufficed to bring the swift _terpsichore_ alongside of the stranger, who first hoisted, and then immediately hauled down the tricoloured flag in token of submission. she proved to be a french brig, bound to the cape of good hope, with ammunition and government stores. the third lieutenant, and all the midshipmen who could navigate, were already away; and this prize proving valuable, captain northfleet resolved to send her in. the difficulty relative to a prize-master was removed by the first lieutenant, who recommended newton forster. to this suggestion the captain acceded; and newton, with five men, and two french prisoners to assist, was put on board of the _estelle_, with written instructions to repair to plymouth, and, upon his arrival there, deliver up the prize to the agent, and report himself to the admiral. captain northfleet also returned to newton the papers of his sloop, and gave him a letter to the admiral, stating the hardship of his case. at the same time that he informed him of the contents of his letter, he recommended newton to continue in the service, promising that, if he took the vessel safe into port, he would put him on the quarter-deck, as one of the mates of the frigate. newton thanked captain northfleet for his good intentions; and, requesting permission to reflect upon his proposal, took his leave, and in a few minutes was on board of the _estelle_. there was a buoyancy of spirits in newton when he once more found himself clear of the frigate. he acknowledged that he had been well treated, and that he had not been unhappy; but still it was emancipation from forced servitude. it is hard to please where there are so many masters; and petty tyranny will exist, and cause much discontent before it is discovered, even where the best discipline prevails. the imperious behaviour of the young midshipmen, who assume the same despotic sway which is exercised over themselves, as soon as their superiors are out of sight and hearing, was often extremely galling to newton forster, and it frequently required much forbearance not to retort. however in strict justice this might be warranted, discipline would not permit it, and it would have been attended with severe punishment. it was therefore with a feeling of delight that newton found himself his own master, and watched the hull and canvas of the _terpsichore_, as they gradually sank below the horizon. the _estelle_ was a fine vessel, and her cargo not being all composed of heavy materials, was sufficiently light on the water to sail well. at the time of her capture, they were, by the reckoning of the frigate, about fourteen hundred miles from the lizard. in a fortnight, therefore, with the wind at all propitious, newton hoped to set his foot upon his native land. he crowded all the sail which prudence would allow; and, with the wind upon his quarter, steered his course for england. the men sent with him in the brig consisted of two able seamen, and three of the gang which had been collected from the gaols and brought round from the eastward. captain northfleet spared the former, as it was necessary that a part of the crew should be able to steer and navigate the vessel; the latter, with the sincere hope of never seeing them again, taking it for granted that they would run away as soon as they arrived at plymouth. with the two prisoners, they were sufficient to work the vessel. during the first ten days the wind was generally in their favour; and the brig was not far off from the chops of the channel, when a low raking vessel was perceived bearing down upon them from the n.w. newton had no glass; but as she neared to within three miles, the vessel wore the appearance of a privateer schooner; but whether an enemy or not, it was impossible to decide. the _estelle_ had two small brass guns on her forecastle; and newton, to ascertain the nation to which the privateer belonged, hoisted the french ensign and fired a gun. in a minute the privateer hoisted english colours; but as she continued to bear down upon them, newton, not feeling secure, rove his studding-sail gear, and made all preparation for running before the wind, which he knew to be the brig's best point of sailing. the privateer had approached to within two miles, when roberts, one of the seamen, gave his decided opinion that she was a french vessel, pointing out the slight varieties in the rigging and build of the vessel, which would not have been apparent to anyone but a thorough-bred seamen. "we'd better up helm, and get the sail upon her. if she be french, she'll soon show herself by firing at us." newton was of the same opinion. the brig was put before the wind, and gradually all her canvas was spread. the privateer immediately shook out all her reefs, set her lofty sails, hoisted french colours, and, in a few minutes, a shot whizzed through the rigging of the _estelle_, and pitched into the water ahead of them. "i thought so," cried roberts. "it's a johnny crapeau. a starn chase is a long chase, anyhow. the brig sails well, and there aren't more than two hours daylight; so monsieur must be quick, or we'll give him the slip yet." the privateer was now within a mile of them; both vessels had "got their way;" and their respective powers of sailing were to be ascertained. in half an hour the privateer had neared to three-quarters of a mile. "i think our little guns will soon reach her," observed newton. williams, give me the helm. go forward with roberts and the men, and rouse them aft. be smart, my lads, for she has the heels of us." "come along," said roberts. "you, collins, why don't you stir?--do you wish to see the inside of a french prison?" "no," replied collins, sauntering forward, "not particularly." "only by way of a change, i suppose," observed thompson, another of the convicts. "you have been in every gaol in england, to my knowledge--haven't you, ben?" "mayhap i have," replied collins; "but one gentleman should never interfere in the consarns of another. i warn't whipped at the cart-tail, as you were, last lancaster'sizes." "no; but you had a taste of it on board of the _terpsichore_. ben, you arn't forgot that?" retorted hillson, the other of the three characters who had been sent with newton. in a few minutes the guns were run aft, and the ammunition brought on deck. newton then gave the helm to williams, and served one gun; while roberts took charge of the other. the privateer had continued to near them, and was now within their range. a smart fire was kept up on her, which she returned with her superior metal. after the firing had commenced, the approach of the privateer was in some degree checked. the guns fired from the stern of the _estelle_ assisted her velocity through the water; while, on the contrary, the privateer, being obliged to yaw from her course that her guns might bear, and firing from the bow, her impetus was checked. still the privateer had the advantage in sailing, and slowly neared the brig. "there's no need of your coming aft so close upon us," said roberts to the two frenchmen who had been sent on board; "go forward, and keep out of the way. that 'ere chap is after mischief; he had his eye upon the _amminition_," continued the sailor to newton. "go forward--d'ye hear? or i'll split your d--d french skull with the handspike." "don't touch him, roberts," said newton. "no, i won't touch him, if he keeps out of my way. do you hear?--go forward!" cried roberts to the frenchman, waving his hand. the frenchman answered with a sneer and a smile, and was turning to obey the order, when a shot from the privateer cut him nearly in two. the other frenchman, who was close to him, made a rapid descent into the cabin. "that was well meant, anyhow," observed roberts, looking at the dead body; "but it wasn't meant for him. shall i toss him overboard?" "no, no--let him lie. if they capture us, they will perceive it was their own doing." "well, then, i'll only haul him into the lee-scuppers, out of the way." another shot from the privateer passed through the cabin windows, and went forward into the hold. the french prisoner ran on deck with as much haste as before he had run below. "ay, it will be your turn next, my cock," cried roberts, who had been removing the body to the gunnel. "now, let me try my luck again," and he hastened to his gun. newton fired before roberts was ready. the topsail-sheet of the schooner was divided by the shot, and the sail flew out before the yard. "that's a good two cables' length in our favour," cried roberts. "now for me." roberts fired his gun, and was more fortunate; his shot struck away the fore-top-gallant-mast, while the royal and top-gallant sail fell before the topsail. "well done, my little piece of brass!" said roberts, slapping the gun familiarly on the breech; "only get us out of our scrape, and i'll polish you as bright as silver!" whether the gun understood him or not, or, what is more probable, the short distance between the brig and the privateer made it more effective, more mischief took place in the sails and rigging of the schooner. her topsail-sheet was, however, soon rebent, the sail reset, and her other casualties made good. she ceased firing her long gun, and at dusk had crept up to within a quarter of a mile, and commenced a heavy fire of musketry upon the brig. "this is rather warm work," observed williams at the helm, pointing to a bullet-hole through his jacket. "rather too warm," observed collins, the convict. "i don't see why we are to risk our lives for our paltry share of prize-money. i vote for hauling down the colours." "not yet," said newton, "not yet, my lads. let us try a few shots more." "try!--to be sure," rejoined roberts; "didn't i say before, that a starn chase was a long one." "that only makes the matter worse," replied collins; "for while we are to be peppered this way, i think the shorter the chase the better. however, you may do as you please, but i'm not so fond of it; so here's down below to the fore-peak!" "ben, you're a sensible chap, and gives good advice; we'll just follow you," said hillson. "birds of a feather always flock together; so, ben, i'm of your party," added thompson. the convicts then descended forward out of the fire of the musketry, while newton and roberts continued to load and fire, and williams steered the brig. the frenchman had already found his way below again, before the convicts. the schooner was within two cables' length, and the fire of the musketry was most galling; each of the english seamen had received slight wounds, when, just as it was dark, one of the shots from the brig proved more effective. the main-boom of the schooner was either cut in two, or so much injured as to oblige them to lower her mainsail. the brig now increased her distance fast, and in a few minutes they lost sight of the schooner in the darkness of the night. "huzza!" cried roberts, "didn't i tell you that a starn chase was a long one?" not a star was to be seen, the darkness was intense; and newton consulted with williams and roberts as to what was their best plan of proceeding. it was agreed to haul up for a quarter of an hour, then furl all, and allow the privateer to pass them. this was put in execution: the convicts, now that there was no more firing, coming to their assistance. the next morning the weather proved hazy, and the schooner, who had evidently crowded sail in pursuit of them, was nowhere to be seen. newton and his crew congratulated themselves upon their escape, and again shaped their course for the channel. the wind would not allow them to keep clear of ushant; and two days afterwards they made the french coast near to that island. the next morning they had a slant of wind, which enabled them to lay her head up for plymouth, and anticipated that in another twenty-four hours they would be in safety. such, however, was not their good fortune; about noon a schooner hove in sight to leeward, and it was soon ascertained to be the same vessel from which they had previously escaped. before dusk she was close to them; and newton, aware of the impossibility of resistance, hove-to, as a signal of surrender. chapter xii "misery acquaints a man with strange bedfellows." shakespeare. as the reader may have before now occasionally heard comments upon the uncertainty of the moon and of the sea, and also, perhaps of human life, i shall not venture any further remarks upon the subject; for were they even new, i should never have the credit of them. this is certain, that instead of finding themselves, as they anticipated to be in the next twenty-four hours, safely moored in the port of plymouth, newton and his comrades found themselves, before that time had elapsed, safely locked up in the prison of morlaix. but we must not proceed so fast. although the _estelle_ had squared her mainyard as a signal of submission, the privateer's men, as they ranged their vessel alongside, thought it advisable to pour in a volley of musketry; this might have proved serious, had it not been that newton and his crew were all down below, hoping to secure a few changes of linen, which, in a prison, might prove very useful. as it was, their volley only killed the remaining french prisoner, who remained on deck, over-joyed at the recapture, and anticipating an immediate return to his own country; by which it would appear that the "_l'homme propose, mais dieu dispose_" of france, is quite as sure a proverb as the more homely "many a slip between cup and lip" of our own country. the boat of the privateer was sent on board: a dozen men, with their cutlasses flourishing over their heads, leapt on the deck of the _estelle_, and found nobody to exercise their valour upon, except the body of their departed comrade; upon which they shouted for the "sacré's god dams" to "monter." newton and the rest obeyed the summons, with their bundles in their hands; the latter they were soon relieved of by their conquerors, who, to prove that it was not out of "_politesse_" that they carried their effects, at the same time saluted them with various blows with their cutlasses upon their backs and shoulders. newton, who felt that resistance would only be an excuse for further aggression, bore with philosophy what he could not prevent, and hastened into the boat. the convicts also took their share with patience--they had been accustomed to "many stripes." roberts and williams, in spite of the remonstrances of newton, with all the reckless spirit or english, sailors, would not submit so quietly. the first object which attracted roberts' attention, as he came up the ladder, was the body of the remaining french prisoner. "what! johnny, so you're gone! didn't i tell you that your turn would come next? i say, my hearties, you keep all your bullets for your friends," continued roberts, addressing the privateer's men. a few "sacrés" and "f----s" was the reply, as one of them attempted to twitch his bundle out of his hand.--"hold fast there, old chap, don't take what you never paid for." a scuffle now ensued; which ended in roberts, who found that he could not retain possession, shying his bundle at the foremost man, with such force as to lay him on the deck.--"well, if you will have it, take it," cried roberts. "the beggars have chopped my fingers," growled williams. "i say, mounseer, don't make quite so free with that iron of yours, or i'll smash your top-lights." "i wish i had three on 'em on point beach, one up and one down. i'd sarve you out, you d--d frog-eating sea-cooks!" said roberts, squaring at the privateer's men with clenched fists. this obstreperous conduct produced a shower of blows with the backs of the cutlasses. williams, in a rage, wrenched a cutlass from one of the frenchmen, and laid about him; while roberts, with his fists, rushed within their guards, and laid two of them at his feet. at last they were overpowered and thrown into the boat, bleeding profusely from various cuts which they had received in the unequal scuffle. the privateer's people then shoved off and rowed on board of the schooner. as soon as newton and the other englishmen were up the side, they were pushed aft; their persons were then searched, and every part of their apparel, which appeared to be of good materials, or little worn, was taken from them. collins, the convict, was a good prize; he had put on shirt over shirt, stocking over stocking, and trousers over trousers, that the frenchmen began to wonder if ever they should arrive at the "inner man." at last, he was uncased, an old pair of trousers thrown to him, and he was left without any other garment, shivering in the cold. newton, who still retained his waistcoat and shirt, took off the former, and gave it to the convict, who whispered as he thanked him, "i don't care a fig, they have left me my old hat." as soon as the recapture was manned, the privateer bore up for the french coast, and before morning anchored in the rocky harbour of morlaix. at daylight, the prisoners, who had received no refreshment, were handed into a boat, and on their landing, conducted by a party of _gens d'armes_ to the prison. during their progress to their place of confinement collins excited the amusement of the bystanders, and the surprise of his fellow-prisoners, by walking with his hands and arms raised in a certain position. after they had been locked up, he went to the barred window, and continued the same gestures to the people who were crowded about the prison, most of whom continued their mockery. newton, who came forward to the window to request a little water for roberts and williams, who wished to quench their thirst and wash their wounds, which had not been dressed, inquired of collins his reasons for so doing. "it is for your benefit as well as mine," replied collins; "at least i hope so. there are freemasons in all countries." a few minutes afterwards, one of the people outside came forward, and pointed out to the sentry that the prisoners were making signs for water. the _gendarme_, who had paid no attention to newton, listened to the appeal of his countryman, who, upon the grounds of common humanity, persuaded him to allow them such a necessary boon. the water was brought, and, as the man walked away, a sign, unperceived by all but collins, gave him to understand that his appeal had been understood. "all's right," said collins to newton, as he quitted the grating. "we have friends without, and we have _friends_ within." in about an hour some bread was brought in, and among those who brought it collins perceived the person who had answered his signal; but no further recognition took place. at noon the door of the prison was again unbarred, and a surgeon came to dress the wounded men. he was accompanied by two or three others, deputed by the governor of the town to obtain intelligence, and the new acquaintance of collins appeared as interpreter. while the surgeon dressed the wounds of roberts and williams, which, although numerous, were none of any importance, many questions were asked, and taken down when interpreted. each prisoner was separately interrogated; collins was one of the first examined. the questions put and answers given were carefully intermixed with more important matter. the person who acted as interpreter spoke english too well for a frenchman: apparently he was a dane or russian, who was domiciliated there. he commenced with-- "no one understands english but me--but they are suspicious: be careful.--what is your name?" "john collins." "comment?" said the french amanuensis, "john co--lin. _c'est bien; continuez._" "what is your rank--_and in your lodge_?" "common seaman--_master_," answered collins, adroitly. "comment?" said the party with his pen. "matelot," replied the interpreter. "demandez-lui le nom du bâtiment." "what is the name of your ship?--_how can we assist you?_" "_terpsichore--a boat, with provisions._" "comment?" "frégate croiseur _terpsichore_." "does she sail well?--_at what time?_" "_to night, with a guide._" "que dit-il?" "elle marche bien avec le vent large." "demandez-lui la force." "what number of guns?--_how can you get out?_" "thirty-six guns.--_i have the means._" "trente-six canons." "trente-six canons," repeated the frenchman, writing; "c'est bien--alors, l'équipage." "how many men?--_i will be here at dark._" "two hundred and seventy men; but many away in prizes." "deux cents soixante-dix hommes-d'équipage; mais il y a beaucoup dans les bâtimens pris." newton and the others were also interrogated, the names taken down, and the parties then quitted the prison. "now, if we make a push for it, i think we may get off," said collins to newton and the rest, after the door had closed. "i never saw the prison in england which could hold me when i felt inclined to walk out of it; and as for their bars, i reckon them at about an hour's work. i never travel without my little friends;"--and collins, taking off his old hat, removed the lining, and produced a variety of small saws made from watch-springs, files, and other instruments. "then," continued he, "with these, and this piece of tallow stuck outside my hat, i will be through those bars in no time. french iron ar'n't worth a d--n, and the sentry sha'n't hear me if he lolls against them; although it may be just as well if thompson tips us a stave, as then we may work the faster." "i say, bill," observed hillson, "who is your friend?" "i don't know--he may be the governor; but this i do know, for the honour of freemasonry, we may trust him and all like him; so just mind your own business, tom." "he said he would be here at dark," observed newton. "yes,--i must prepare--go to the grating, some of you, that they may not look in upon me." this unexpected prospect of deliverance created an anxious joy in the breasts of the prisoners; the day appeared interminable. at last, the shades of night set in, and a clouded sky with mizzling rain raised their hopes. the square in front of the prison was deserted, and the sentinel crouched close against the door, which partially protected him from the weather. in a few minutes a person was heard in conversation with the sentinel. "he must be coming now," observed collins in a low tone; "that must be one of his assistants who is taking off the attention of the _gens d'arme_." "make no noise," said a voice in a whisper, at the outside of the bars. "i am here," replied collins, softly. "how can you get out of the prison?" "get the sentry out of the way when we leave off singing; the bars will then be removed." "everything is prepared outside. when you get out, keep close under the wall to the right. i shall be at the corner, if i am not here." the freemason then retired from the grating. "now, thompson, not too loud, there's no occasion for it; two of us can work." thompson commenced his song; newton took a small saw from collins, who directed him how to use it. the iron bars of the prison yielded like wood to the fine-tempered instruments which collins employed. in an hour and a half three of the bars were removed without noise, and the aperture was wide enough for their escape. the singing of thompson, whose voice was tolerably good, and ear very correct, had not only the effect of preventing their working being heard, but amused the sentinel, who remained with his back to the wall listening to the melody. their work was so far accomplished. thompson ceased, and all was silence and anxiety; in a few minutes the sentinel was again heard in conversation, and the voices receded, as if he had removed to a greater distance. "now, brother," said the low voice under the aperture. in a minute the whole of the prisoners were clear of the walls, and followed their guide in silence, until they reached the landing-place. "there is the boat, and provisions sufficient," said the freemason, in a low tone; "you will have to pass the sentries on the rocks: but we can do no more for you. farewell, brother; and may you and your companions be fortunate!" so saying, their friendly assistant disappeared. the night was so dark, that although close to the boat, it was with difficulty that its outlines could be discerned. newton, recommending the strictest silence and care in entering, stepped into it, and was followed by the rest. roberts, whose eyesight was a little affected from the wounds in his head, stumbled over one of the oars. "_qui vive?_" cried out one of the sentries on the rock. no answer was made; they all remained motionless in their seats. the sentry walked to the edge of the rock and looked down; but not distinguishing anything, and hearing no further noise, returned to his post. for some little while newton would not allow them to move: the oars were then carefully lifted over the gunnel, and their clothes laid in the rowlocks, to muffle the sound; the boat was pushed from the landing-place into the middle of the narrow inlet. the tide was ebbing, and with their oars raised out of the water, ready to give way if perceived, they allowed the boat to drift out of one of the narrow channels which formed the entrance of the harbour. the rain now beat down fast: and anxious to be well clear of the coast before daylight, newton thought they might venture to pull. the oars were taken by him and collins; but before they had laid them three times in the water, one of the sentries, hearing the noise, discharged his musket in the direction. "give way, now, as hard as we can," cried newton; "it's our only chance." another and another musket was fired. they heard the guard turned out; lights passing on the batteries close to them, and row-boats manning. they double-banked their oars, and, with the assistance of the ebb-tide and obscurity, they were soon out of gun-shot. they then laid in their oars, shipped their mast, and sailed away from the coast. it was nine o'clock in the evening when they started, and at daylight the french coast was not to be seen. overjoyed at their escape, they commenced an attack upon the provisions and a small keg of wine; and perhaps a more joyful breakfast never was made. the sun rose in vapour, the sky threatened, but they were free and happy. the wind freshened, and the boat flew before the gale; the running seas topping over her stern and forcing them continually to bale her out; but all was joy, and freedom turned their "danger to delight." they passed several vessels at a distance, who did not observe them; and before sunset the english coast was in sight. at ten o'clock the double lights on the lizard were on their starboard bow. they hauled up upon the larboard tack with the ebb-tide, and having passed the lizard, kept away for mount's bay, to avoid the chance of falling in with any of the king's vessels, and being again impressed. at daylight they ran in under st michael's mount, and once more stepped upon english ground. here, as by previous agreement, they divided the provisions, and took farewell of each other. "good-bye, gentlemen," said collins; "allow me to observe that, for once, you may think yourselves fortunate in having been placed in my very respectable company!" chapter xiii "once more upon the waters." byron. as newton had lost his credentials from captain northfleet, as well as the vessel confided to his charge, he did not consider it necessary to pay his respects to the port-admiral at plymouth. on the contrary, he set off, as fast as his legs would carry him, to liverpool, to ascertain the condition of his father. we shall pass over the difficulties he experienced on his journey. there is no country where travelling is more easy or more rapid than in england, provided that you have plenty of money; but when you travel _in formâ pauperis_, there is no country in which you get on so badly. parish rates and poor laws have dried up the sources of benevolence; and as newton did not apply to the overseers for his three-halfpence a mile, he got on how he could, which was badly enough. when at last he did arrive at liverpool, he found himself a stone or two the lighter, and would have been pronounced by captain barclay to have been in excellent training. newton had written to his father, acquainting him with his impressment; but was doubtful whether the letter had ever been received, as it had been confided to the care of one of the women who left the frigate the evening previous to her sailing. when he arrived at the house he perceived his father at his bench as usual, but doing nothing, and the shop windows were bare. newton entered, and his father looked up. "why, newton, my dear boy, is it you?" cried nicholas; "what a long while you have been away! well, how is mr hilton?--and how is your poor mother?" "my dear father," replied newton, taking his hand, "did not you receive my letter?" "no, i received no letter. what a time you have been away; i declare it must be two or three months, or more." "it is nearly twelve months, my dear father: i was pressed at bristol, have been on board of a man-of-war, and have just escaped from a french prison." newton then entered into a narrative of his adventures, to the astonishment of nicholas, who heard him with open mouth. "dear me! so you've been in a man-of-war, and in france; then you don't know how your poor mother is?" "have you not inquired, my dear father?" "no, i thought you would come home, and tell me all about it," replied nicholas, with a sigh. "how have you got on here?" said newton, to change the conversation. "very bad indeed, newton,--very bad indeed; i have not had six jobs since you left me." "i am sorry to hear it, father; have you anything to eat in the house, for i am very hungry?" "i am afraid not much," replied nicholas, going to the cupboard, and producing some bread and cheese. "can you eat bread and cheese, my dear boy?" "i could eat a horse, my dear father," replied newton, who had walked the last twelve hours without sustenance. newton attacked the provender, which soon disappeared. "i have been obliged to sell most of the shop furniture," said nicholas, observing newton to cast his eyes at the empty window. "i could not help it. i believe nobody wears spectacles in liverpool." "it can't be helped, father; we must hope for better times." "yes, we must trust in god, newton. i sold my watch yesterday, and that will feed us for some time. a sailor came into the shop, and asked if i had any watches to sell: i told him that i only repaired them at present; but that when my improvement in the duplex--" here nicholas forgot the thread of his narrative, and was commencing a calculation upon his intended improvement, when newton interrupted him. "well, sir, what did the sailor reply?" "oh! i forgot; i told him that i had a watch of my own that i would part with, which went very well; and that it would be cheaper to him than a new one; that it cost fifteen pounds; but i was in want of money, and would take five pounds for it. he saw how sorry i was to part with it--and so i was." here nicholas thought of his watch, and forgot his story. "well, my dear father," said newton, "what did he give you for it?" "oh!--why, he was a kind, good creature, and said that he was not the man to take advantage of a poor devil in distress, and that i should have the full value of it. he put the watch in his fob and counted out fifteen pounds on the counter. i wanted to return part: but he walked out of the shop, and before i could get round the counter, he had got round the corner of the street." "'twas a god-send, my dear father," replied newton, "for i have not a halfpenny. do you know what became of my chest, that i left on board of the sloop?" "dear me! now i think of it, it came here by the waggon. i put it upstairs. i wondered why you sent it." newton having appeased his hunger, went upstairs, and found all his wearing apparel had been forwarded by mr hilton, who supposed him dead, and that he was enabled to make a more respectable appearance than what the privateer's people had hitherto permitted him. in a few days he felt quite recovered from his fatigue, and sallied forth in search of employment. on the day after his arrival at liverpool he had written to the asylum, to inquire the fate of his mother. the answer which he received was, that mrs forster had recovered, and remained many months in the establishment as nurse; but that ten days back she had quitted the asylum, and that her address was not known. newton, who had no means of prosecuting further inquiry, was obliged to be satisfied with the intelligence that his mother was alive and well. he communicated the information to nicholas, who observed: "poor thing! she's looking for us, depend upon it, newton, and will be here very soon:" and this expectation was revived whenever nicholas thought of his wife; and he continued satisfied. we must allow many months to pass away in one paragraph--months of ineffectual struggle against poverty and want of employment, which newton made every exertion to obtain as mate of a merchant vessel. the way in which he had been impressed had caused a dread of the king's service, which he could not overcome; and although he had but to choose his ship as a sailor before the mast, he could not prevail upon himself to accept a berth which was not protected from the impress. without recommendation he could not obtain the situation of mate, and he continued to work as a rigger in the docks, until his hand was unfortunately severely jammed by the heel of a topmast, and he was laid up for many weeks. each day their fare became scantier, and they were reduced to their last shilling, when newton was again able to go out and seek employment. it was a rough day, blowing hard from the s.e., when newton, who had tried his fortune on board of every vessel (crowded as they were in the docks) without success, walked in a melancholy and disappointed mood along the splendid pier which lines the river-side. few people were out, for the gusts of wind were accompanied by smart driving showers of rain. here and there was to be seen a boat pulling up inshore to fetch the shipping in the stream, who with a heavy strain on their cables were riding to the s.e. gale, and a strong ebb-tide. newton had made up his mind to enter on board of one of these vessels about to sail, provided they would advance him a part of his wages for his father's support; when, as a heavy squall cleared away, he perceived that a boat had broken adrift from the outermost vessel (a large brig), with only one man in it, who was carried away by the rapid current, assisted by the gale blowing down the river, so as to place him in considerable risk. the man in the boat tossed out his oar, and pulling first on one side, and then on the other, tried to make for the shore; but in vain. he was swept away with a rapidity which threatened in less than an hour to carry him out to sea, unless assistance were afforded him. another heavy squall again hid the boat from the sight of newton, who had been anxiously watching to ascertain if any relief was sent from the shipping, and who was now convinced that the disaster had not been perceived. he therefore ran down the bank of the river, waiting until the squall should blow over, and enable him to discover the boat. in about ten minutes the squall passed over, and the boat was again presented to his sight; she was still in the centre of the stream, about three hundred yards from the shore. the man who was in her, finding all his attempts futile, had lain on his oar, and was kneeling in the sternsheets, apparently in supplication. newton could not resist the appeal; it appeared to point out to him that he was summoned to answer the call made upon providence. the boat was now a quarter of a mile further down the river than where he stood, and about three miles from the town and shipping, both of which were no longer discernible from the thickness of the weather. newton threw off his coat, and plunging into the agitated water, the cold of which nearly checked his respiration, swam off into the stream in a direction so as to allow himself to fetch to windward of the boat. he was soon carried down to it by the rapidity of the tide, and, as he approached, he shouted to announce his presence. the man in the boat started up at the sound of a human voice, and perceiving newton close to the bows, leant over and extended his hand towards him. newton seized hold of it, and then was whirled round by the tide fore and aft with the side of the boat, with such violence as nearly to drag the other man out, and half fill the boat with water. it was with great difficulty, although assisted by the occupant, that newton contrived at last to get in; when, exhausted with the efforts he had made, he remained a few seconds without motion; the man, whom he had thus risked his life to save, perceiving his condition, and not speaking to him. "we have no time to lose," said newton, at last: "take an oar, and let us pull in for the shore. if once we are swept down to the narrows there will be little chance for us." the other complied, without speaking; and, after a few minutes' exertion, the boat was safely landed on the liverpool side of the river. "the lord be praised!" ejaculated newton's companion, as he laid on his oar. "i did not call upon _him_ in vain; your accident has been the means of my preservation." "how do you mean?" inquired newton. "why, did you not fall overboard?" replied the other. newton then explained to his companion what we have already related to the reader, ending his narrative with the observation, that when he perceived him praying for assistance in his peril, he could not resist the appeal. "god will reward you, young man," continued he: "and now i will explain to you how it was that i was adrift, like a bear in a washing-tub. my first mate was below. i had just relieved the deck, for in this blowing weather we must keep watch in harbour. the men were all at their dinner, when i heard the boat thumping under the main channels. i got into her to ease off a fathom or two of the painter; but as i hauled her ahead to get at the bend, it appears that the monkey of a boy who made her fast, and has been but a few months at sea, had made a '_slippery hitch_,' so away it went, and i was adrift. i hailed them on board; but they did not hear me, although the first mate might have, for he was in the cabin, and the stern-window was up; but hailing to windward is hard work, such weather as this; the words are blown back again down your own throat. and now, let me know a little about you, my lad, and see whether i cannot in return be of some use to you." newton's history was soon told; and, at the conclusion, he had the satisfaction of finding that he had obtained the very situation which he had been in search of. "i have no second mate on board," observed the captain of the brig; "but i intended to have shipped one tomorrow. i was only divided between which to take of two who have offered themselves, with equally good recommendations. fortunately, i would promise neither; and, as i think your own recommendation stronger than theirs, the berth is at your service. i only wish, for your sake, that it was that of first mate. i am sure you would prove yourself fit for the situation; and i cannot say that i am very partial to the one that i have at present; but he is a relation of the owner." the arrangements were soon made. mr berecroft, the master of the vessel, advanced newton a sum to fit himself out, and agreed with the owner at liverpool that one-half of newton's wages should be allotted monthly to his father. the next morning, as the vessel had a pilot on board, and the weather had moderated, newton took leave of his father, and with a light heart accompanied his new acquaintance on board of the vessel. it was early in the morning when they embarked in a hired boat,--the one belonging to the brig still remaining down the river, where they had landed. the first mate, as it appeared, was in the cabin shaving himself, previous to his going on shore to the owner to report the supposed loss of his superior. the sailors were either busy or down below, so that no notice was taken of the boat coming alongside; and newton, with the master, were both on deck before the circumstance was known to the first mate. it so happened, that at the very same moment that they came on board, the first mate was ascending the companion hatch, to order a boat to be lowered down and manned. when he perceived mr berecroft, he fell back with astonishment, and turned pale. "i thought you were gone," said he: "why, what could have saved you? did you not drift out to sea?" "it appears, then, mr jackson, that you knew that i was adrift," replied the master, seriously, looking him steadfastly in the face. "that is,"--replied the mate, confused--"i thought--of course, seeing the boat was not alongside--that you had drifted away in her: how it happened--of course, i know not." "i should trust, for your conscience' sake, mr jackson, that you did not; however, here i am again, as you see, by the blessing of providence, and the exertions of this young man, whom i must introduce to you as our second mate." jackson cast an angry glance at newton upon the conclusion of this speech. the master had truly observed that it was strange the first mate did not hear him when he had hailed the brig for assistance. the fact was, that jackson had both heard him and seen him; but he was a wretch devoid of all feeling, who consulted nothing except his own interest. he had made sure that the master would be carried out to sea, there to perish by a most miserable death, and that he would succeed in command of the vessel. he was then going on shore to report the supposed "_falling overboard_" of the master: which, as the brig was to sail as soon as the weather moderated, would have secured to him the command, and, at the same time, have put an end to the search which (should he have reported the truth) would immediately have taken place for the boat in which the master had been adrift. foiled in his hopes, by the courage of newton, jackson had already formed towards him a deadly hatred and determination of revenge. that evening the wind abated, and the vessel sailed. the ensuing morning she was clear of the sands, and a pilot-vessel off holyhead having received the pilot, she steered down the irish channel to join a convoy for the west indies, collecting at falmouth. mr berecroft, the master of the vessel, who has not hitherto been described, was a spare, light-built person, of about sixty years of age, still active, and a thorough seaman. he had crossed the ocean for forty-five years, and his occasional narratives, as he walked the deck, or sat over his evening glass of grog, proved that his life must have been one of no ordinary variety and interest. he was serious and rationally devout. he checked all swearing from the men under his command, and rebuked it, although he could not prevent it, in the first mate; who, to annoy him, seldom made his appearance on deck without making use of some execration or another. it was mr berecroft's custom to call down the seamen into his cabin every evening, and read to them a short prayer; and, although this unusual ceremony often caused a leer in some of the newly-entered men, and was not only unattended but ridiculed by jackson, still the whole conduct of berecroft was so completely in unison, that even the most idle and thoughtless acknowledged that he was a good man, and quitted the ship with regret. such was mr berecroft; and we have little further to add, except that he was very superior to the generality of masters of merchant vessels. his family, it was reported, were strict quakers. jackson, the first mate, was a bull-headed, sandy-haired northumbrian; as we before stated, a relation of the owner's, or he never would have been permitted to remain in the ship. the reader has already had some insight into his diabolical character. it will be sufficient to add, that he was coarse and blustering in his manners; that he never forgot and never forgave an injury; gratitude was not in his composition; and, to gratify his revenge, he would stop at nothing. on the third day, the brig, which was named the _eliza and jane_, after the two daughters of the owner, arrived at falmouth, where she anchored in the outer roads, in company with thirty or forty more, who had assembled at the appointed rendezvous. on the second day after their arrival, a fifty-gun ship, frigate, and two corvettes, made their appearance off the mouth of the harbour; and after a due proportion of guns, some shotted and some not, the whole convoy were under weigh, and hove-to round their protectors. the first step taken by the latter was to disembarrass their _protégés_ of one-third of their crews, leaving them as defenceless as possible, that they might not confide in their own strength, but put their whole trust in the men-of-war, and keep as close to them as possible. having taken out every unprotected man, they distributed convoy signals in lieu, and half a dozen more guns announced that they were to make sail--an order immediately complied with: the merchant vessels, loaded with canvas below and aloft, while the men-of-war, with their topsails on the caps, sailed round and round them, firing shot at every unfortunate vessel which was not able to sail as well as the rest. the convoy left falmouth, seventy-five in number but in a few days there were but forty in sight. those who remained behind either made their voyage how they could, or were taken by the enemy's privateers, who followed in the wake of the convoy. some few were carried into the french ports; and the underwriters of the policy ate but little dinner on the day which brought the intelligence of their capture. others were retaken by the english blockading squadrons, who received then one-eighth for salvage. at last the men-of-war were fairly running down the traders, with about twenty-five of the best sailers in company: and the commodore deemed it advisable to take particular care of the few which remained, lest he should be _"hauled over the coals_" by the admiralty. nothing worth comment occurred during the remainder of the passage. they all arrived safe at barbadoes, when the commodore brought in his returns to the admiral, and complained bitterly of the obstinacy of the masters of merchant vessels, who would part company with him, in defiance of all his injunctions, and in spite of all the powder which he fired away to enforce his signals. there certainly was a fault somewhere. during the passage, which lasted seven weeks, newton had ample opportunity of ascertaining his situation. the master invariably treated him with kindness and consideration; and before the voyage was completed, he treated him as if he were his own son. jackson lost no opportunity of annoying or insulting him; but the support of his patron indemnified newton for the conduct of the first mate, and he resolved to take no notice of that which could not well be prevented. on their arrival at barbadoes, mr berecroft went on shore to the house of the consignee; and then it was that the malignity of jackson broke out in all its violence. the brig had discharged her cargo, and was lying in carlisle bay, waiting for the sugars which were to be shipped for liverpool. one morning, when newton, who for some time had submitted to the tyranny of jackson without complaint, was standing at the main hatchway, giving directions to the men below, who were arranging the dunnage at the bottom of the vessel, the first mate came on deck, and watching his opportunity, staggered, with a rope in his hand, against newton, as if by accident, so as to throw him over the coombings. newton, who would have immediately fallen to the bottom of the hold upon the ballast at the risk of his life, suddenly seized hold of the first mate, not in sufficient time to recover his own balance, but so firmly as to drag jackson with him; and down they were both precipitated together. the first mate, having hold of one of the ropes leading down the mainmast, clung fast to save himself, and in so doing also broke the fall of newton; but the weight of their bodies dragged the rope through jackson's hands, which were lacerated to the bone. neither party was much hurt by the fall; so that the treachery of jackson recoiled upon himself. after this specimen of animosity, which was duly reported to mr berecroft, on his return on board, by the seamen, who detested jackson and anything like foul play, his protector determined that newton should no longer be subjected to further violence. at the request of mr berecroft, newton was invited to stay at the house of mr kingston, the gentleman to whom the vessel had been consigned--an offer which was gladly accepted. newton had not been many days on shore, when mr kingston, who had taken a strong interest in him, proposed, in answer to many of his questions relative to the slave trade, that they should make a party to visit a plantation, the proprietor of which had been a resident since his youth, and judge for himself as to the truth of the reports so industriously circulated by those who were so inimical to the employment of a slave population. chapter xiv "_aboan_.--the innocent! _oroonoko_.--these men are so, whom you would rise against. if we are slaves, they did not make us slaves, but bought us in the honest way of trade, as we have done before 'em, bought and sold many a wretch, and never thought it wrong. they paid our price for us, and we are now their property, a part of their estate, to manage as they please." at an early hour the party, consisting of mr kingston, the master of the brig, and newton, set off upon mules for the habitation of the planter. the sun had illumined the sky, but had not yet made his appearance, although the golden fringes upon the clouds, which floated in broad belts in the horizon, indicated his glorious yet withering approach. the dew moistened each leaf, or hung in glittering pendant drops upon the thorn of the prickly pears which lined the roads. the web of the silver-banded spider was extended between the bushes, and, saturated with moisture, reflected the beams of the rising orb, as the animals danced in the centre, to dazzle their expected prey. the mist still hovered on the valleys, and concealed a part of the landscape from their view; and the occasional sound of the fall of water was mingled with the twittering and chirping of the birds, as they flew from spray to spray. the air was fresh, even to keenness, and anyone suddenly wafted to the scene would little have imagined that he was under the torrid zone. "how different this is from the ideas generally formed of the climate in the west indies!" observed newton. "in england, we couple it with unsufferable heat and the yellow fever." "your reports are from those who seldom leave the harbours or towns, where such indeed prevail," replied kingston. "there is no island in the caribbean sea where the early riser may not enjoy this delightful, bracing atmosphere. at jamaica in particular, where they collect as much snow as they please in the mountains; yet, at the same time, there is not a more fatal and unhealthy spot than port royal harbour, in the same island." "is the plantation we are going to situated as high above the level of the sea as we are now?" "no; most plantations are in the ravines, between the hills. the sugar-cane requires heat. as soon as we are on the summit of this next hill we shall descend to it." in half an hour they arrived at the end of their journey, when they stopped at an extensive range of low buildings, situated at the head of the valley, which descended to the sea,--now for the first time presented to their view since they had quitted bridgetown. the owner of the estate was at the door to receive them. he was a tall, spare man, dressed in nankeen jacket and trousers, with a large-brimmed straw hat upon his head. "welcome, gentlemen, welcome. kingston, how are you?" said he, as they stopped. "now dismount, gentlemen; the boys will take the mules. boy jack, where are you? where's baby, and where's bulky? come here, you lazy rascals, and take the mules. now then, gentlemen, i'll show you the way. i ordered breakfast on the table, as i saw you coming down the hill." so saying, the old gentleman led the way through a portico. at the sight of strangers, the windows underneath were crowded with faces of various degrees of colour--eyes and mouths wide open, the latter displaying rows of teeth, so even and so brilliantly white, that they might cause a sensation of envy to many an english belle. the party were ushered into a spacious and cool apartment on the ground-floor, where a table was covered with all the varieties of a tropical breakfast, consisting of fried fish, curries, devilled poultry, salt meats, and everything which could tend to stimulate an enfeebled appetite. "now, gentlemen, let me recommend you to take a white jacket; you'll be more at your ease, and there is no ceremony here. boy jack, where's the sangoree? this is a fine climate, captain berecroft; all you have to attend to is--to be temperate, and not to check the perspiration." boy jack who, _par parenthèse_, was a stout, well-looking negro, of about forty years of age, now made his appearance with the sangoree. this was a beverage composed of half a bottle of brandy and two bottles of madeira, to which were added a proportion of sugar, lime-juice, and nutmeg, with water _ad lib_. it was contained in a glass bowl, capable of holding two gallons, standing upon a single stalk, and bearing the appearance of a brobdingnag rummer. boy jack brought it with both hands, and placed it before his master. "now, sir, will you drink?" said the planter, addressing mr berecroft. "thank you," replied mr berecroft, "i never drink so early in the morning." "drink! why this is nothing but _swizzle_. here's your health, sir, i'll show you the way." the large goblet was fixed to his lips for upwards of a minute: at last they unwillingly separated, and the old planter recovered his respiration with a deep sigh. "now then, gentlemen, do you take a little; don't be afraid; there's nothing you mayn't do in this climate, only be temperate, and don't check the perspiration." at this moment newton was startled, and looked under the table. "i thought it was a dog, but it's a little black child." "oh! there's one out, is there? why, boy jack, did i not tell you to shut them all in?" "yes, sar, so i did," said the black man, looking under the table. "eh!--it's that d--d little nigger--two-year old sambo--no possible keeping him in, sar.--come out, sambo." the child crawled out to his master, and climbed up by his knee: the old planter patted his woolly head, and gave him a piece of grilled turkey, with which he immediately dived again under the table. "the fact is, captain, they are accustomed to come in at breakfast-time; they are only shut out to-day because i have company. that door behind me leads into the nursery-yard." "the nursery-yard!" "yes, i'll show it you by-and-bye; there's plenty of them there." "oh, pray let us have them in--i wish to see them, and should be sorry to be the cause of their being disappointed." "open the door, boy jack." as soon as it was open, about twenty black children, from seven to three years old, most of them naked, with their ivory skins like a polished table, and quite pot-bellied from good living, tumbled into the room, to the great amusement of newton and the party. they were followed by seven or eight more, who were not yet old enough to walk; but they crawled upon all-fours almost as fast as the others who could walk erect after the image of their maker. the company amused themselves with distributing to the children the contents of the dishes on the table--the elder ones nestling alongside of the planter and his friends with the greatest familiarity, while the younger sat upright on the floor, laughing as they devoured their respective portions. "of course, these are all slaves?" observed mr berecroft. "yes, bred them all myself," replied the planter; "indeed, out of two hundred and fifteen which i have on the estate, i think that there are not more that twelve who were not born on this property, during my father's time or mine. perhaps, as breakfast is over, you will like to inspect my nursery." the planter led the way into the yard from which the children had entered. it was a square, of about two roods of ground, three sides of which were enclosed by rows of small houses, of two rooms each; and most of them were occupied by female slaves, either nursing children at the breast, or expecting very soon to have that duty to perform. they received their master with a smiling face, as he addressed a question to each of them when he entered their abode. "now these are all my _breeding_ women; they do no work, only take care of the children, who remain here until they are eight or nine years old. we have a surgeon on the estate, who attends them as well as the other slaves when they are sick. now, if you feel inclined, we will go round the works." the old planter, in a few minutes' walk, brought them to an extensive row of detached cottages, each centred in a piece of garden-ground, well stocked with yams, sweet potatoes, bananas, and other tropical productions. poultry of all descriptions were scattered in profusion about the place, and pigs appeared to be abundant. "now, captain, these are the cottages of the working slaves. the garden-ground is allowed to them; and whatever they can make by its produce, or by their pigs and their poultry, is all their own." "but how are they subsisted?" "by rations, as regularly served out as yours are on board of your vessel, and they have as much as they can consume." "are they all single men?" "no, mostly married to slave girls on the estate: their wives live with them, unless they breed, and then they are removed up to the nurseries." "and what work do you exact from them?" "eight hours a day--except in crop-time, and then we are very busy; so that they have plenty of leisure to look after their own interests if they choose." "do they ever lay up much money?" "very often enough to purchase their freedom, if they wished it." "if they wished it!" replied mr berecroft with surprise. "yes; without explanation, that may appear strange to you, and still more strange, the fact, that freedom offered has often been refused. a man who is a clever workman as a carpenter, or any other trade, will purchase his freedom if he can, because artisans can obtain very high wages here; but a slave who, if i may use the term, is only a common labourer, would hardly support himself, and lay by nothing for his old age. they are aware of it. i have offered emancipation to one or two who have grown old, and they have refused it, and now remain as heirlooms on the estate, provided with everything, and doing little or no work, if they please. you saw that old man sweeping under the portico? well, he does that every day; and it is all he has done for these five years. now, if you please, we will go through the plantations, and visit the sugar-mills." they passed the slaves, who were at work hoeing between the canes; and certainly, if an estimate of their condition was to be taken by the noise and laughter with which they beguiled their labour, they were far from demanding pity. "but, i must confess, that there is something in that cart-whip which i do not like," observed newton. "i grant it; but custom is not easily broken through; nor do we know any substitute. it is the badge of authority, and the noise of it is requisite to summon them to their labour. with me it is seldom used, for it is not required; and if you were captain of a man-of-war, i should answer you as i did captain c----; to wit--i question much whether my noisy whip is half so mischievous as your silent _cat_." the sugar-mills, stables of mules, boilers, coolers, &c., were all examined, and the party returned to the plantation-house. "well, captain, now you have witnessed what is termed slavery, what is your opinion? are your philanthropists justified in their invectives against us?" "first assure me that all other plantations are as well regulated as your own," replied mr berecroft. "if not, they soon will be: it is to the interest of all the planters that they should; and by that, like all the rest of the world, they will be guided." "but still there have been great acts of cruelty committed; quite enough to prepossess us against you as a body." "i grant that such has been the case, and may occasionally be so now; but do not the newspapers of england teem with acts of barbarity? men are the same everywhere. but, sir, it is the misfortune of this world, that we never know _when to stop_. the abolition of the slave-trade was an act of humanity, worthy of a country acting upon an extended scale like england; but your philanthropists, not content with relieving the blacks, look forward to the extermination of their own countrymen, the whites--who, upon the faith and promise of the nation, were induced to embark their capital in these islands." "doubtless they wish to abolish slavery altogether," replied berecroft. "they must be content with having abolished the horrors of it, sir," continued the planter. "at a time when the mart was open, and you could purchase another slave to replace the one that had died from ill-treatment, or disease, the life of a slave was not of such importance to his proprietor as it is now. moreover, the slaves imported were adults, who had been once free; and, torn as they were from their natural soil and homes, where they slept in idleness throughout the day, they were naturally morose and obstinate, sulky, and unwilling to work. this occasioned severe punishment; and the hearts of their masters being indurated by habit, it often led to acts of barbarity. but slavery, since the abolition, has assumed a milder form--it is a species of _bond_ slavery. there are few slaves in existence who have not been born upon the estates, and we consider that they are more lawfully ours." "will you explain what you mean by _more lawfully_?" "i mean, captain (for instance), that the father of that boy (pointing to one of the negro lads who waited at breakfast) was my slave; that he worked for me until he was an old man, and then i supported him for many years until he died. i mean, that i took care of this boy's mother, who, as she bore children, never did any work after her marriage, and has since been only an expense to me, and probably will continue to be so for some years. i mean, that that boy was taken care of, and fed by me until he was ten years old, without my receiving any return for the expense which i incurred; and i therefore consider that he is indebted to me as a bond-slave, and that i am entitled to his services; and he, in like manner, when he grows too old to work, will become a pensioner, as his father was before him." "i perceive the drift of your argument; you do not defend slavery generally." "no; i consider a man born free, and made a slave, is justified in resorting to any means to deliver himself; but a slave that i have reared is lawfully a slave, and bound to remain so, unless he can repay me the expense i have incurred. but dinner is ready, captain; if you wish to argue the matter further, it must be over a bottle of claret." the dinner was well dressed, and the madeira and claret (the only wines produced) of the best quality. their host did the honours of his table with true west indian hospitality, circulating the bottle after dinner with a rapidity which would soon have produced an effect upon less prudent visitors; and when mr berecroft refused to take any more wine, he ordered the ingredients for arrack punch. "now, mr forster, you must take a tumbler of this, and i think that you'll pronounce it excellent." "indeed!------" replied newton. "nay, i will take no denial; don't be afraid; you may do anything you please in this climate, only be temperate, and don't check the perspiration." "well, but," observed newton, who placed the tumbler of punch before him. "you promised to renew your argument after dinner; and i should like to hear what you have to urge in defence of a system which i never have heard defended before." "well," replied his host, upon whom the wine and punch had begun to take effect, "just let me fill my tumbler again to keep my lips moist, and then i'll prove to you that slavery has existed from the earliest times, and is not at variance with the religion we profess. that it has existed from the earliest times, you need only refer to the book of genesis; and that it is not at variance with our religion, i must refer to the fourth commandment. how can that part of the commandment be construed, 'and the stranger that is within thy gates'? to whom can this possibly apply but to the slave? after directing that the labour of all the household, 'man-servant and maid-servant,' should cease, it then proceeds to the ox and the ass, and the stranger that is within thy gates. now, gentlemen, this cannot be applied to the stranger in the literal sense of the word, the hospitality of the age forbidding that labour should be required of him. at that time slaves were brought from foreign lands, and were a source of traffic, as may be inferred by the readiness with which the ishmaelites purchased joseph of his brethren, and resold him in egypt. "nay, that slavery was permitted by the _almighty_ is fully proved by the state of the jewish nation, until _he_ thought proper to bring them out of the house of bondage. "if, then, the laws of god provided against the ill-treatment of the slave, slavery is virtually acknowledged as not being contrary to his divine will. we have a further proof, _subsequent to the mission of our saviour_, that the apostles considered slavery as lawful." "i remember it: you refer to paul sending back the runaway slave onesimus. well, i'll admit all this," replied mr berecroft, who had a great dislike to points of scripture being canvassed after dinner; "and i wish to know what inference you would draw from it." "that i was just coming to: i assert that my property in slaves is therefore as legally mine as my property in land or money; and that any attempt to deprive me of either is equally a _robbery_, whether it be made by the nation or by an individual. but now, sir, allow me to ask you a question, show me where liberty is?--run over all the classes of society, and point out one man who is free?" mr berecroft, who perceived the effect of the arrack punch, could not refrain from laughing, as he replied, "well, your friend mr kingston, is he not free?" "free! not half so free as that slave boy who stands behind your chair. why, he is a merchant; and whether he lives upon a scale of princely expenditure, whether wholesale or retail, banker, or proprietor of a chandler's shop, he is a speculator. anxious days and sleepless nights await upon speculation. a man with his capital embarked, who may be a beggar on the ensuing day, cannot lie down upon roses: he is the _slave_ of mammon. who are greater _slaves_ than sailors? so are soldiers, and all who hold employ under government. so are politicians: they are _slaves_ to their tongues; for opinions once expressed, and parties once joined, at an age when reason is borne down by enthusiasm, and they are fixed for life against their conscience, and are unable to follow its dictates without blasting their characters. courtiers are _slaves_, you must acknowledge." "i beg your pardon," interrupted kingston, "but i perceive that you make no distinction between those enthralled by their own consent, and _against_ it." "it is a distinction without a difference," replied the planter, "even if it were so, which it is not, but in particular cases. the fact is, society enthrals us all. we are forced to obey laws, to regard customs, to follow the fashion of the day, to support the worthless by poor-rates, to pay taxes, and the interest of a debt which others have contracted, or we must go to prison." "and the princes and rulers of the land--do you include them?" inquired newton. "they are the greatest of all; for the meanest peasant has an advantage over the prince in the point on which we most desire to be free--that of the choice in his partner in life. he _has none_, but must submit to the wishes of his people, and trammelled by custom, must take to his bed one whom he cannot take to his heart." "well, by your account, there is nobody free, unless it be _liberty_ herself." "why, sir," rejoined the planter, "to prove to you that i was correct when i asserted that there was no such thing in this world as liberty, paradoxical as it may appear, liberty is but liberty when in _bondage_. release her, and she ceases to exist; she has changed her nature and character; for liberty _unrestrained_ becomes _licentiousness_." "well," said mr kingston, laughing with the rest at this curious remark, "as you have now arrived at your climax, with your leave we will go to bed." "have i convinced you?" demanded the planter, taking the tumbler from his lips. "at least you have silenced us. now, if you please, we will put on our coats and retire to our apartments." "yes--do," replied the other, who was not very steady; "do--or you may check the perspiration. boy jack, where are the lights? good-night, gentlemen." the negro led the way to a large room with two beds in it, for newton and the master of the brig. having first pointed out to them that there was a jug of sangoree, "suppose gentlemen thirsty," he wished them good-night, and left the room. "well, newton," said mr berecroft, as soon as they were alone, "what do you think of the planter?" "i think that, considering his constant advice to be temperate, he swallowed a very large quantity of arrack punch." "he did indeed; but what think you of his arguments?" "i hardly can say, except that none of them were sufficiently convincing to induce me to be a slave proprietor. we may perhaps, as he asserts, have contented ourselves with the shadow instead of the substance; but even the shadow of liberty is to be venerated by an englishman." "i agree with you, my boy. his discourse did, however, bring one idea into my head; which is, that there is a remarkable connection between religion and slavery. it was in a state of bondage that the jews were prepared to receive the promised land; and whenever they fell off from the true worship, they were punished by captivity. it was through the means of slavery that the light of the true faith was first brought to our island, where it has burnt with a purer flame than elsewhere; for, if you recollect, the beauty of some english children exposed for sale at rome, assisted by a latin pun, caused the introduction of christianity into great britain; and who knows but that this traffic, so offensive to humanity, has been permitted by an allwise power, with the intent that some day it shall be the means of introducing christianity into the vast regions of african idolatry?" "true," observed newton; "and the time may not be far distant." "that it is impossible to calculate upon. _he_ worketh by his own means, which are inscrutable. it was not the cause of virtue, but a desire that vice might be less trammelled, which introduced the reformation in england. the more we attempt to interfere with the arrangements of the almighty, the more we shall make evident our own folly and blindness, and his unsearchable and immutable wisdom.--good-night, my boy." chapter xv "_lucy_--are all these wretches slaves? _stanley_--all sold, they and their posterity, all slaves. _lucy_--o! miserable fortune! _bland_--most of them know no better, but were born so, and only change their masters." _oroonoko_ the party were up at an early hour on the ensuing morning, that they might enjoy the delightful freshness of the air, which so soon evaporates before the scorching rays of the tropical sun. they were joined at breakfast by the doctor who attended the estate, and who had called in to announce the birth of a little negro boy in the early part of the night. "who did you say, doctor?" answered the planter, "mattee sally? why, i thought jane ascension was in advance of her." "they were running it _neck and neck_, sir," replied the surgeon. "how is she--quite hearty?" "quite, sir; but very anxious about the child's name, and requests to speak with you as soon as you have breakfasted." "we will go to her. you have no idea," observed the planter to mr berecroft and newton, "what importance these people attach to the naming of their children. nothing but a fine long name will satisfy them. i really believe, that if i refused her, or called the boy tom, she would eat dirt. i believe we have all done: boy jack, bring the sangoree. doctor, i daresay that your clay wants moistening, so take the first pull." this important commencement and finale to the repast having been duly administered, they proceeded to the range of buildings before mentioned, in one of which they found the lady _in the straw_, sitting up, and showing her white teeth at her master's approach, as if nothing very particular had occurred. "well, mattee, how are you?" said the planter. "where's the piccaninny?" "ab um here, sar--keep im warm," replied the woman, pointing to a roll of blanket, in which the little creature was enveloped. "let us see him, mattee." "no sar, too cold yet--bye bye, massa, see um; make very fine sleep now. suppose white piccaninny, suppose black piccaninny--all same--like plenty sleep. um know very well, hab plenty work to do bye bye--sleep all dey can, when lilly." "but you'll smother him," observed newton. "smoder him?--what dat--eh?--i know now massa mean, stop um breath. no: suppose him no smoder before, no smoder now, sar. massa," continued the woman, turning to the planter, "no ab name for piccaninny?" "well, mattee, we must find one; these gentlemen will give him a name. come, captain, what name do you propose?" "suppose we christen him _snub_," replied berecroft, winking at the rest. "snob! what sart a name you call dat, sar?" replied the woman, tossing up her head. "snob! no, sar, you 'front me very much. snob not proper name." "well, then, mr forster," said the planter, "try if you can be more fortunate." "what do you think of chrononhotonthologus?" said newton to the woman. "eh! what dat?--say that again, sar," replied the woman. "chrononhotonthologus." "eh! dat real fine name for piccaninny," cried the woman, with delight in her countenance. "many tanky, sar. chroton--polygarse." "no, no," replied newton, laughing; "chrononhotonthologus." "es, hab um now--hoton--tolyglass." "no, that's only part. chronon--hoton--thologus." "i see--very fine name--proton--choton--polyglass." "yes, that's nearer to it," replied newton. "well, then, that point's settled," said the planter to the woman. "is it all right, mattee?" "es, massa; many tanks to gentleman--very fine name, do very well, sar." "doctor, put the name down opposite the register of the birth. now, mattee, all's right, good-bye," said the planter, leaving the room and followed by the others. "do you really intend to call the child by that name?" inquired mr berecroft. "why not? it pleases the woman, and is as good as any other; it is of no consequence. they almost all have names, certainly not quite so long as the present; but as they grow longer, their names grow shorter. this name will first be abbreviated to chrony; if we find that too long, it will be reduced again to crow; which, by-the-bye, is not a bad name for a negro," said the planter, laughing at the coincidence. reader, did you ever, perchance, when in a farmyard, observe a hen or other domestic fowl, who having pounced upon half a potato, or something of the same description, too large to be bolted down at once, tries to escape with her prize, followed by all the rest, until she either drops it or eludes their vigilance? if so, you form some idea of a negro woman with a hard word in her mouth; which, although she does not know the meaning of, she considers as an equal treasure. newton had turned round to the courtyard, in the centre of which several women were sitting down at various employments; when one who had been busied in some little offices for the woman whom they had just visited, and had in consequence been present at the choice of the name, took her seat with the party in question. to several queries put to her she replied with extreme hauteur, as if she considered them as impertinent, and frowned upon her companions most majestically. after a short time she rose, and turning round, with the look of an empress, said, "now, i shall go look after my hoton-poton-pollybass." "eh?" cried one, opening her eyes with wonder. "what dat?" screamed another. "how you call dat long ting?" demanded a third. "eh! you tupid black tings," replied the proud possessor of the new word, with a look of ineffable scorn, "you no know what um call poton-hoton-poll-fass. me _no_ tell you," continued she, as she walked away, leaving the others almost _white_ with envy and astonishment. shortly after this mr kingston with his party took their leave of the hospitable old planter, and commenced their return to bridgetown. they had not proceeded further than a quarter of a mile, when, ascending a little hill, newton discovered that a negro was assisting his own ascent by hanging on to the tail of his mule. "how do you do this morning, sar?" said the man, grinning, as newton looked round. "i'm very well, sir, i thank you; but i'm afraid i shall not be able to keep up with the rest, if my mule has to pull you up hill, as well as carry me." "es, sar, mule go faster. massa not understand; mule very obstinate, sar. suppose you want go one way, he go anoder--suppose you pull him back by tail, he go on more." "well, if that's the case, you may hold on. do you belong to the plantation?" "no, sar, me free man. me work there; carpenter, sar." "a carpenter! how did you learn your trade, and obtain your freedom?" "larn trade board man-of-war, sar--man-of-war make me free." mr berecroft, who had been listening to the colloquy, took up the discourse. "were you born in this country?" "no, sar! me ashantee man." "then how did you come here?" "why, sar, ab very fine battle in ashantee country. take me and send me down to coast; sell me for slave. go on board french schooner--english frigate take schooner, send me to sarra leon." "well, what did you do there?" "bind 'prentice, sar, to massa cawly, for farteen years--all de same as slave; work very hard; yam bad; plenty fever in dat country--much better here." "then how did you get away from sierra leone?" "go to sleep one day in de bush--tieves come steal me, take me down to coast, sell me again." "well, where did you go then?" "bard schooner again, sar. another man-of-war take schooner in west indies: send her in prize. keep me and some on board becase want hands; keep me, becase speak little english." "how did you like a man-of-war?" inquired newton. "man-of-war very fine place; but all slaves there--captain steal men every ship he come to. but sailor no tink so; ebery night we all sing, britong nebber, nebber, nebber, will be slave. make me laugh, sar," continued the man, showing his teeth with a broad grin. "what was the frigate's name?" "very fine name, sar, call her _daddy wise_."[ ] [footnote : _dedaigneuse_, we suppose.] "how long were you on board of her?" "far year, sar; larn carpenter trade--go to england--pay off--get plenty money--come out here in marchant vessel; england very fine place, but too much cold," said the negro, shuddering at the bare recollection. "now, tell me," said kingston, "of course you recollect being in your own country? which do you like best--that or this?" "ashantee very good country--barbadoes very good country. ashantee nebber work, hab no money--here plenty work, plenty money." "well, but where would you rather be--here or there?" "don't know, sar. like to find country where no work, plenty money." "not singular in his opinion," observed newton. "men do all work here, sar: women only talk," continued the negro. "my country, men nebber work at all--women do all work, and feed men." "then what does the man do?" inquired berecroft. "man, sar," replied the negro, proudly, "man go fight--go kill." "is that all?" "yes, sar, that all." "so, you then mean to say, that if you could go back to ashantee now you would remain there?" "yes, sar, stay there--do no work--sleep all day--make women feed me." "how inveterate is early habit!" observed mr berecroft. "this man, although free in a civilised country, would return to his idleness, and resume his former ignorance." "and so would every slave not born in the country. it requires one or two generations to destroy this savage nature," replied kingston. "i believe, idleness, like gout, to be a hereditary disease, either in black or white; i have often observed it in the latter. now, until man labours there is no chance of civilisation: and, improved as the race of africa have been in these islands, i still think that if manumitted, they would all starve. in their own country nature is so bountiful that little or no labour is required for the support of life; but in these islands the soil, although luxuriant, must be nurtured." "you do then look forward to their ultimate freedom?" inquired newton. "most assuredly. already much has been done, and if not persecuted, we should be able and willing to do much more." "the public mind in england is certainly much inflamed against you," said berecroft. "it is; or rather, i should say, the more numerous public composed of those persons unable to think for themselves, and in consequence, led by others styling themselves philanthropists, but appearing to have very jesuitical ideas with regard to truth. this i have no hesitation in asserting, that if philanthropy had not been found to have been so very _profitable_, it never would have had so many votaries: true philanthropy, like charity, begins at home. observe how the papers teem with the misery of the lower classes in england, yet this affects not the west india philanthropist. you perceive not their voices raised in behalf of their suffering countrymen. they pass the beggar in the street; they heed not the cry of starvation at home; but everywhere raise petitions for emancipation; or, in fact, for the destruction of the property of others. that it is an invidious property, i grant, and i wish i could dispose of mine; but that is not so easy. my ancestors embarked their capital in these islands upon the faith and promises of the country, when opinions were very different from what they are now, and i cannot help myself. however, the time will come when england will bitterly rue the having listened to the suggestions and outcries of these interested people." "i do not understand you. how do you mean?" "i said before, that it was on the faith of the country that we embarked our property in these islands. you are not perhaps aware, that when, in the reign of queen anne, the assiento treaty was made, by which we obtained the privilege of supplying all the islands with slaves, it was considered as one of the most important acquisitions that could be obtained. public opinion has now changed; but if a nation changes her opinion, she must at the same time be just. let the country take our estates and negroes at a fair valuation, and we shall be most happy to surrender them. if she frees the slaves without so doing, she is guilty of robbery and injustice, and infringes on the constitution of the country, which protects all property, and will of course allow us to decide upon our own measures." "may i inquire what those would be?" "throwing off the yoke, declaring ourselves independent, and putting ourselves under the protection of america, who will gladly receive us, aware that we shall be a source not only of wealth but of security." "would america risk a war to obtain these islands?" "she would be foolish not to do so; and england would be more than foolish to engage in one. it is true, that if not immediately supported by america, england might create a scene of confusion and bloodshed in the colonies; but the world has too often had the severe lesson, that colonies once detaching themselves are never to be regained. england would therefore be only entailing a useless expense, however gratifying it might be to her feelings of revenge." "but do you think that this is likely to occur?" "i do, most certainly, if those who govern continue to listen to the insidious advice of the party denominated 'saints'; and i am afraid that it will not be until these islands are separated from the mother-country, that she will appreciate their value. our resolution once formed, we white slaves (for slaves we are) will not flinch; and the islands of the caribbean sea will be enrolled as another star, and add another stripe to the independent flag, which is their natural protector." "i trust that will never come to pass." "and so do i, mr berecroft; for i am an englishman, and love my country, and the loss of these colonies would be a blow from which england would never recover." "you forget her extensive colonies in the east." "i do not; but the west indies add to her wealth and her commercial prosperity, to her nursery of seamen and her exhausted revenue. they, on the contrary, add only to her grandeur, for they cost the country three millions a year; and i doubt whether at that expense it is worth while to retain any colony, however vast and extensive it may be. i consider, that if the east india ports were open to all the world, and the territory governed by its former princes, england, with all the competition which would take place, would yet be a gainer; and, on the other hand, i know that by the loss of these islands, she would find a decrease of millions in her revenue." "then the philanthropists must pay the national debt?" observed newton, laughing. "they be d----d!" replied kingston, who was warm with his argument; "they would not pay a farthing." chapter xvi "the sea-breach'd vessel can no longer bear the floods that o'er her burst in dread career. the labouring hull already seems half fill'd with water, through an hundred leaks distill'd: thus drench'd by every wave, her riven deck, stript and defenceless, floats a naked wreck." falconer. newton remained at bridgetown, under the roof of mr kingston, for more than three weeks, by which time the brig was laden, and waiting for convoy to proceed to england. mr berecroft had made every preparation for his voyage, when an unexpected circumstance occurred, which eventually proved the occasion of great hardship and danger to newton. this was, the master of a large ship belonging to the same owners, and then lying in carlisle bay, to proceed homeward by the same convoy, had so ingratiated himself with a wealthy widow residing upon the island, that rather than he should again trust himself to the fickle element, she had been induced to surrender up to him her plantation, her negroes, and her fair self,--all equally bound to honour and obey through their future lives. mr berecroft, in consequence of this resignation of his brother captain, was appointed to the command of the larger vessel; and jackson, the first mate, ordered to take the command of the _eliza and jane_. this was a sad blow to newton, and one which he could not avoid, as mr berecroft could not take him in his new ship,--all the subordinate situations being already filled up. at first, he was inclined to quit the brig; but by the advice of mr berecroft and kingston, he was persuaded to go the passage home, as he was now first mate of the vessel, and would incur forfeiture of all wages if he broke the articles which he had signed at liverpool. unpleasant as the prospect was, he was further induced by berecroft's assurance, that now jackson was provided for, he would arrange with the owners that newton should be appointed the first mate of his own ship, as soon as they arrived in england. in a few days the men-of-war made their appearance. newton, who had remained on shore until the last moment, shook hands with his friendly patron, and thanking mr kingston for his kindness, went on board of the vessel with a sorrowful and foreboding heart. nor was he at all inclined to cheer up as he stepped on the deck of the brig, and beheld jackson with a handspike, still brandishing over his head, standing across the body of one of the seamen, whom he had just dashed to the deck with the implement in his hand. at the sight of newton, the wrath of the new captain appeared to be increased. he eyed him malevolently, and then observed, with a sneer, "that's what all skulkers may expect on board of my vessel." newton made no answer, and jackson went forward, where the remainder of the crew were heaving up the anchor with the windlass. newton walked up to the seaman, who appeared still insensible, and examined him. the iron plate at the end of the handspike had cut deep into the skull, and there was every appearance of a contusion of the brain. calling the boy who attended the cabin, newton, with his assistance, carried the man below, and laid him in his berth. he then repaired on deck, and took the helm, the anchor of the brig being atrip. in a quarter of an hour the sail was on her, and she followed the course steered by the men-of-war, who were about to run through the other islands, and pick up several vessels, who were waiting for their protection. "if you expect an easy berth as first mate, you are mistaken, my joker," said jackson to newton, as he steered the vessel; "you've skulked long enough, and shall now work double tides, or take the consequence. if you don't, i'll be d----d!" "i shall do my duty, mr jackson," replied newton, "and fear no consequences." "indeed! you saw how i settled a skulk just now;--beware of his fate!" "i neither anticipate it, nor fear it, mr jackson. if it comes to handspikes, two can play at that game. i rather think that before many hours are over you will be sorry for your violence, for i believe that man to be in considerable danger. even now, i should recommend you to demand surgical assistance from the frigate." "demand it, if you dare--i am captain of this ship, sir. the rascal may die--and be d----d!" to this disgusting speech newton made no reply. he had made up his mind to put up with everything short of downright aggression, and for three days more he obeyed all orders, however arbitrary and however annoying. during this period the man who had been injured became gradually worse: his illness increased rapidly; and on the fifth day he became delirious, and in a state of high fever, when newton again pointed out the propriety of asking surgical aid from one of the men-of-war. this suggestion was answered by jackson, who was now really alarmed, with a volley of oaths and execrations, ending with a flat refusal. the crew of the brig murmured, and collected together forward, looking occasionally at the men-of-war as they spoke in whispers to each other; but they were afraid of jackson's violence, and none ventured to speak out. jackson paced the deck in a state of irritation and excitement as he listened to the ravings of his victim, which were loud enough to be heard all over the vessel. as the evening closed, the men, taking the opportunity of jackson's going below, went up to newton, who was walking aft, and stated their determination that the next morning, whether the master consented to it or not, they would hail the frigate, and demand surgical assistance for their shipmate. in the midst of the colloquy, jackson, who hearing the noise of the people overhead coming aft, had a suspicion of the cause, and had been listening at the bottom of the ladder to what was said, came up the hatchway, and accusing newton of attempting to raise a mutiny, ordered him immediately to his cabin, stating his intention of sending him on board of the frigate the next morning to be placed in confinement. "i shall obey your order," replied newton, "as you are in command of this vessel. i only hope that you will adhere to your resolution of communicating with the frigate." so saying, he descended the companion hatch. but jackson, who, both from the information of the cabin-boy, and the fact that the incoherent ravings of his victim became hourly more feeble, thought himself in jeopardy, had no such intention. as the night closed in, he remained on deck, gradually taking off first one sail and then another, until the brig was left far astern of the rest of the convoy, and the next morning there was no other vessel in sight; then, on pretence of rejoining them, he made all sail, at the same time changing his course, so as to pass between two of the islands. newton was the only one on board who understood navigation besides jackson, and therefore the only one who could prove that he was escaping from the convoy. he was in confinement below; and the men, whatever may have been their suspicions, could not prove that they were not steering as they ought. about twelve o'clock on that day the poor sailor breathed his last. jackson, who was prepared for the event, had already made up his mind how to proceed. the men murmured, and proposed securing jackson as a prisoner, and offering the command to newton. they went below and made the proposal to him; but he refused, observing, that until it was proved by the laws of the land that jackson had murdered their shipmate, he was not guilty, and therefore they had no right to dispossess him of his command; and until their evidence could be taken by some of the authorities, he must remain; further pointing out to them, that as he could be seized immediately upon his arrival at an english port, or falling in with a man-of-war during their passage, the ends of justice would be equally answered, as if they committed themselves by taking the law into their own hands. the men, although not satisfied, acquiesced, and returned to their duty on deck. jackson's conduct towards them was now quite altered; he not only treated them with lenity, but supplied them with extra liquor and other indulgences, which, as captain, he could command. newton, however, he still detained under an arrest, watching him most carefully each time that he was necessitated to come on deck. the fact was, jackson, aware that his life would be forfeited to the laws of his country, had resolved to wreck the brig upon one of the reefs to the northward, then take to his boats, and escape to one of the french islands. at his instigation, the body of the man had been thrown overboard by some of the crew, when they were in a state of half intoxication. newton, who had been below four days, had retired as usual to his hammock, when a sudden shock, accompanied by the fall of the masts by the board, woke him from a sound sleep to all the horrors of shipwreck. the water pouring rapidly through the sides of the vessel, proved to him that there was no chance of escape except by the boats. the shriek, so awful when raised in the gloom of night by seamen anticipating immediate death, the hurried footsteps above him, the confusion of many voices, with the heavy blows from the waves against the side of the vessel, told him that the danger was imminent, even if escape were possible. he drew on his trousers, and rushed to the door of his cabin. merciful heaven! what was his surprise, his horror, to find that it was fastened outside. a moment's thought at the malignity of the wretch (for it was indeed jackson, who, during the night, had taken such steps for his destruction) was followed by exertions to escape. placing his shoulders against his sea-chest, and his feet against the door, his body in nearly a horizontal position, he made a violent effort to break open the door. the lock gave way, but the door did not open more than one or two inches; for jackson, to make sure, had coiled down against it a hawser which lay a few yards further forward in the steerage, the weight of which the strength of no five men could remove. maddened with the idea of perishing by such treachery, newton again exerted his frantic efforts--again and again, without success. between each pause, the voices of the seamen asking for the oars and other articles belonging to the long-boat, proved to him that every moment of delay was _a nail in his coffin_. again and again were his efforts repeated with almost superhuman strength; but the door remained fixed as ever. at last, it occurred to him that the hawser, which he had previously ascertained by passing his hand through the small aperture which he had made, might only lay against the lower part of the door, and that the upper part might be free. he applied his strength above, and found the door to yield: by repeated attempts he at last succeeded in kicking the upper panels to pieces, and having forced his body through the aperture, newton rushed on deck with the little strength he had remaining. the men--the boat--were not there: he hailed, but they heard him not; he strained his eyes--but they had disappeared in the gloom of the night; and newton, overcome with exhaustion and disappointment, fell down senseless on the deck. chapter xvii "_paladore_--i have heard, have read bold fables of enormity, devised to make men wonder, and confirm the abhorrence of our nature; but this hardness transcends all fiction." "_law of lombardy_." we must now relate what had occurred on deck during the struggle of newton to escape from his prison. at one o'clock jackson had calculated that in an hour, or less, the brig would strike on the reef. he took the helm from the man who was steering, and told him that he might go below. previous to this, he had been silently occupied in coiling the hawser before the door of newton's cabin, it being his intention to desert the brig, with the seamen, in the long-boat, and leave newton to perish. when the brig dashed upon the reef, which she did with great violence, and the crew hurried upon deck, jackson, who was calm, immediately proceeded to give the orders which he had already arranged in his mind; and the coolness with which they were given quieted the alarm of the seamen, and allowed them time to recall their scattered senses. this, however, proved unfortunate for jackson. had they all hurried in the boat at once, and shoved off, he would in all probability have been permitted to go with them, and newton, in the hurry of their self-preservation, would have been forgotten; but his cool behaviour restored their confidence, and, unhappily for him, gave the seamen time to reflect. everyone was in the boat; for jackson had quietly prepared and put into her what he considered requisite, when one of the men called out for newton. "d----n newton now!--save your own lives, my lads. quick in the boat, all of you." "not without mr newton!" cried the men, unanimously. "jump down, tom williams, and see where he is; he must sleep devilish sound." the sailor sprung down the companion-hatch, where he found the hawser coiled against the door, and heard newton struggling inside. it was enough. he hastened on deck, and told his companions; adding, that "it would take half an hour to get the poor fellow out, and that's longer than we dare stay, for in ten minutes the brig will be to pieces." "it is you, you murdering rascal, who did it!" cried the man to jackson. "i tell you what, my lads, if poor mr newton is to die, let this scoundrel keep him company." a general shout proclaimed the acquiescence of the other seamen in this act of retributive justice. jackson, with a loud oath, attempted to spring into the boat, but was repelled by the seamen; again he made the attempt, with dreadful imprecations. he was on the plane-sheer of the brig, and about to make a spring, when a blow from a handspike (the same handspike with which he had murdered the unfortunate seaman) struck him senseless, and he fell back into the lee-scuppers. the boat then shoved off, and had not gained more than two cables' lengths from the vessel, when newton effected his escape, and ran on deck, as narrated in our last chapter. the brig had now beat up so high on the reef that she remained firmly fixed upon it; and the tide having ebbed considerably, she was less exposed to the beating of the waves. the sun was also about to make his appearance, and it was broad daylight when jackson first came to his recollection. his brain whirled, his ideas were confused, and he had but a faint reminiscence of what had occurred. he felt that the water washed his feet, and with a sort of instinct he rose, and staggered up to windward. in so doing, without perceiving him, he stumbled over the body of newton, who also was roused up by the shock. a few moments passed before either could regain his scattered senses; and, at the same time, both sitting up on the deck, at about a yard distant, they discovered and recognised each other. newton was the more collected of the two, for jackson's insensibility had been occasioned by bodily--his, by mental concussion. the effect of the blow was still felt by jackson; and although recovered from the stupor, a dull, heavy sensation affected his eyesight, and confused his ideas. the sight of newton went far to recover jackson, who started up as if to grapple with the object of his hatred. newton was on his legs at the same moment, and retreating, seized upon the handspike, which lay on the deck, close to where jackson had been struck down, and placed himself in an attitude of defence. not a word was exchanged between them. they remained a few seconds in this position, when jackson, whose brain was again affected by the violence of his feelings, dropped down upon the deck in a renewed state of insensibility. newton had now time to look about him; and the prospect was anything but cheering. it was almost low water; and in every direction he perceived reefs of coral rock, and large banks of sand, with deep channels between them, through which the tide flowed rapidly. the reef upon which the brig had been grounded was of sharp coral; and, in the deeper parts, the trees could be discerned, extending a submarine forest of boughs; but it was evident that the reef upon which the vessel lay was, as well as most of the others, covered at high water. as a means of escape, a small boat was still hanging over the stern, which newton was able to manage either with her sails or her oars, as might be required. as there was no time to be lost, and the only chance of escape remained with the boat, newton commenced his arrangements. the mast and sails were found, and the latter bent;--a keg was filled with water,--a compass taken out of the binnacle,--a few pieces of beef, and some bread, collected in a bag and thrown in. he also procured some bottles of wine and cider from the cabin: these he stowed away carefully in the little locker, which was fitted under the stern-sheets of the boat. in an hour everything was ready; and throwing into her some pieces of spare rope, and a small grapnel to anchor with, there being still sufficient water alongside to float her, newton gradually lowered one tackle and then another, until the boat was safe in the water. he then hauled her up alongside, made her fast by the painter, and stepped her mast. all was now ready--but to leave jackson to be washed away by the returning tide, when the brig would unquestionably go to pieces!--newton could not do it. true, he had sought his life, and still displayed the most inveterate rancour towards him; and newton felt convinced that no future opportunity would occur that his enemy would not profit by, to insure his destruction. yet to leave him--a murderer!--with all his sins upon his soul, to be launched so unprepared into the presence of an offended creator!--it was impossible--it was contrary to his nature and to the religion which he professed. how could he hope for the divine assistance in his perilous undertaking, when he embarked on it, regardless of the precept to forgive his enemy? newton ascended to that part of the deck where jackson lay, and roused him. jackson awoke, as if from a deep sleep, and then stared at newton, who, as a precaution, held the handspike in his hand. "mr jackson," said newton, "i have roused you to let you know that the boat is now ready, and that i am going to shove off." jackson, who recollected the scene of the previous night, and perceived newton standing over him with the hand-spike, appeared wholly unnerved. in point of muscular power newton was his superior, independent of the weapon in his possession. "not without me!--not without me!" cried jackson, raising himself upon his knees. "for mercy's sake, mr newton, do not leave me to this horrid death!" "you would have left me to one even more dreadful," replied newton. "i beg your pardon!--pardon me, mr newton, i was drunk at the time--indeed i was. i don't know what i do when i'm in liquor.--don't leave me!--i'll obey your orders, and do anything you wish!--i'll wait upon you as your servant!--i will, indeed, mr newton!" "i neither ask that you will obey my orders, nor wait upon me," replied newton. "all i request is, that you will lay aside your wanton animosity, and exert yourself to save your life. for what you have already attempted against me, may god forgive you, as i do! for what you may hereafter attempt, you will find me prepared. now follow me into the boat." without further exchange of words newton, followed by jackson, went into the boat, and shoved off. the weather was moderate and the wind light. there were two islets which newton had marked, which apparently were not covered at high water, one about ten miles distant in the supposed direction of the land, for newton had shrewdly guessed the locality of the reef; and the other about two miles from the first, further out, with trees growing to the water's edge. to this latter newton proposed pulling, and waiting there until the next morning. when they were both in the boat, newton finding that the wind was contrary, unshipped the mast, and taking the foremost oar, that jackson might not sit behind him, desired him to take the other. the tide, which was now flood, and swept out to the southward, obliged them to pull at an angle to reach their intended destination. it was not until sunset that, with great exertion, they fetched the island nearest to the land, not the one that was covered with trees, as they had intended. as soon as the boat was secured, exhausted with fatigue, they both threw themselves down on the sand, where they remained for some time. having recovered a little, newton procured from the boat some of the supplies which they required, and after satisfying their hunger in silence, they both lay down to repose. newton, who was still afraid of jackson's diabolical enmity, which his silence implied to be again at work, closed his eyes, and pretended for some time to be asleep. as soon as it was dark, he rose, and first listening to the breathing of his comrade, who appeared to be in a sound slumber, he walked away from him about one hundred yards, so that it would be difficult to find him; he placed the handspike under his head for a pillow, and worn out with mental and bodily fatigue, was soon in a state of oblivion. his sleep, although profound for three or four hours, was subsequently restless. the mind, when agitated, watches for the body, and wakes it at the time when it should be on the alert. newton woke up: it was not yet daylight, and all was hushed. he turned round, intending to get up immediately; yet, yielding to the impulse of wearied nature, he again slumbered. once he thought that he heard a footstep, roused himself, and listened; but all was quiet and still, except the light wave rippling on the sand. again he was roused by a sort of grating noise; he listened, and all was quiet. a third time he was roused by a sound like the flapping of a sail: he listened--he was sure of it, and he sprang upon his feet. it was dawn of day, and as he turned his eyes towards the beach, he perceived to his horror that the boat was indeed under sail, jackson, who was in it, then just hauling aft the main-sheet, and steering away from the island. newton ran to the beach, plunged into the sea, and attempted to regain the boat; but he was soon out of his depth, and the boat running away fast through the water. he shouted to jackson as a last attempt. the scoundrel waved his hand in ironical adieu, and continued his course. "treacherous villain!" mentally exclaimed newton, as his eyes followed the boat. "was it for this that i preserved your life, in return for your attempts on mine? here, then, must i die of starvation!--god's will be done!" exclaimed he aloud, as he sat down on the beach, and covered his face with his hands. chapter xviii "for now i stand as one upon a rock, environed with a wilderness of sea, who marks the waxing tide grow wave by wave, expecting ever when some envious surge will in his brinish bowels swallow him." shakespeare. the tide was on the ebb when newton was left in this desolate situation. after some minutes passed in bitterness of spirit, his natural courage returned; and, although the chance of preservation was next to hopeless, newton rose up, resolved that he would use his best efforts, and trust to providence for their success. his first idea was to examine the beach, and see if jackson had left him any portion of the provisions which he had put into the boat; but there was nothing. he then walked along the beach, following the receding tide, with the hope of collecting any shell-fish which might be left upon the sands; but here again he was disappointed. it was evident, therefore, that to stay on this islet was to starve; his only chance appeared to remain in his capability of reaching the islet next to it, which, as we have before mentioned, was covered with trees. there, at least, he might find some means of sustenance, and be able with the wood to make a raft, if nothing better should turn up in his favour. the tide swept down towards the islet, but it ran so strong that there was a chance of his being carried past it; he therefore determined to wait for an hour or two, until the strength of the current was diminished, and then make the attempt. this interval was passed in strengthening his mind against the horror of the almost positive death which stared him in the face. it was about an hour before low water that newton walked into the sea, and, commending himself to providence, struck out for the islet, keeping his course well to windward, to allow for the tide sweeping him down. to use a nautical phrase, he "held his own" extremely well, until he reached the centre of the channel, where the water ran with great velocity, and bore him down rapidly with the stream. newton struggled hard; for he was aware that the strength of the current once passed, his labour would be comparatively easy; and so it proved: as he neared the shore of the islet, he made good way; but he had been carried down so far when in the centre of the stream that it became a nice point, even to the calculation of hope, whether he would fetch the extreme point of the islet. newton redoubled his exertions, when, within thirty yards of the shore, an eddy assisted him, and he made sure of success; but when within ten yards, a counter current again caught him, and swept him down. he was now abreast of the very extreme point of the islet; a bush that hung over the water was his only hope; with three or four desperate strokes he exhausted his remaining strength, at the same time that he seized hold of a small bough. it was decayed--snapped asunder, and newton was whirled away by the current into the broad ocean. how constantly do we find people running into real danger to avoid imaginary evil! a mother will not permit her child to go to sea, lest it should be drowned, and a few days afterwards it is kicked to death by a horse. had the child been permitted to go afloat, he might have lived and run through the usual term of existence. wherever we are, or wherever we may go, there is death awaiting us in some shape or another, sooner or later; and there is as much danger in walking through the streets of london as in ploughing the foaming ocean. every tile over our heads contains a death within it as certain, if it were to fall upon us, as that occasioned by the angry surge which swallows us up in its wrath. i believe, after all, that as many sailors, in proportion, run out their allotted span as the rest of the world that are engaged in other apparently less dangerous professions; although it must be acknowledged that occasionally we do become food for fishes. "there is a tide in the affairs of men," says shakespeare; but, certainly, of all the tides that ever interfered in a man's prospects, that which swept away newton forster appeared to be the least likely to "lead to fortune." such, however, was the case. had newton gained the islet which he coveted, he would have perished miserably; whereas it will soon appear that, although his sufferings are not yet ended, his being carried away was the most fortunate circumstance which could have occurred, and proved the means of his ultimate preservation. newton had resigned himself to his fate. he ceased from further exertion, except such as was necessary to keep him above water a little longer. throwing himself on his back, he appealed to heaven for pardon, as he floated away with the stream. that newton had as few errors and follies to answer for as most people, is most certain; yet even the most perfect soon run up a long account. during our lives our sins are forgotten, as is the time at which they were committed; but when death is certain, or appears to be so, it is then that the memory becomes most horribly perfect, and each item of our monstrous bill requires but a few seconds to be read, and to be acknowledged as too correct. this is the horror of death; this it is which makes the body struggle to retain the soul, already pluming herself and rustling her wings, impatient for her flight. this it is which constitutes the pang of separation, as the enfeebled body gradually relaxes its hold, and--all is over, at least on this side of the grave. newton's strength was exhausted; his eyes were fixed on the clear blue sky, as if to bid it farewell; and, resigned to his fate, he was about to give over the last few painful efforts which he was aware could only prolong, not save his life, when he received a blow on his shoulders under the water. imagining that it proceeded from the tail of a shark, or of some other of the ravenous monsters of the deep, which abound among these islands, and that the next moment his body would be severed in half, he uttered a faint cry at the accumulated horror of his death; but the next moment his legs were swung round by the current, and he perceived, to his astonishment, that he was aground upon one of the sand-banks which abounded on the reef, and over which the tide was running with the velocity of a sluice. he floundered, then rose, and found himself in about one foot of water. the ebb-tide was nearly finished; and this was one of the banks which never showed itself above water, except during the full and change of the moon. it was now about nine o'clock in the morning, and the sun shone with great power. newton, faint from want of sustenance, hardly knew whether to consider this temporary respite as an advantage. he knew that the tide would soon flow again, and he felt that his strength was too much spent to enable him to swim back to the islet which he had missed when he had attempted to reach it, and which was more than two miles from the bank upon which he then stood. what chance had he, then, but to be swept away by the return of the tide? he almost regretted that it had not been a shark instead of the sand-bank which had struck him; he would then have been spared a few hours of protracted misery. as newton had foreseen, the ebb-tide was soon over; a short pause of "slack water" ensued, and there was an evident and rapid increase of the water around him: the wind, too, freshened, and the surface of the ocean was in strong ripples. as the water deepened, so did the waves increase in size: every moment added to his despair. he had now remained about four hours on the bank! the water had risen to underneath his arms, the waves nearly lifted him off his feet, and it was with difficulty that he could retain his position. hope deserted him, and his senses became confused. he thought that he saw green fields, and cities, and inhabitants. his reason was departing; he saw his father coming down to him with the tide, and called to him for help, when the actual sight of something recalled him from his temporary aberration. there was a dark object upon the water, evidently approaching. his respiration was almost suspended as he watched its coming. at last he distinguished that it must either be a whale asleep, or a boat bottom up. fortunately for newton, it proved to be the latter. at last it was brought down by the tide to within a few yards of him, and appeared to be checked. newton dashed out towards the boat, and in a minute was safely astride upon it. as soon as he had recovered a little from his agitation, he perceived that it was the very boat belonging to the brig, in which jackson had so treacherously deserted and left him on the island! at three o'clock it was high water, and at five the water had again retreated, so that newton could quit his station on the bottom of the boat, and walk round her. he then righted her, and discovered that the mast had been carried away close to the step, but, with the sail, still remained fast to the boat by the main-sheet, which had jammed on the belaying pin, so that it still was serviceable. everything else had been lost out of the boat, except the grapnel, which had been bent, and which hanging down in the water, from the boat being capsized, had brought it up when it was floated on the sand-bank. newton, who had neither eaten nor drunk since the night before, was again in despair, tormented as he was by insufferable thirst: when he observed that the locker under the stern-sheets was closed. he hastened to pull it open, and found that the bottles of wine and cider which he had deposited there were remaining. a bottle of the latter was soon poured down his throat, and newton felt as if restored to his former vigour. at seven o'clock in the evening the boat was nearly high and dry. newton baled her out, and, fixing the grapnel firmly in the sand, lay down to sleep in the stern-sheets, covered over with the sail. his sleep was so sound that he did not wake until six o'clock the next morning; when the boat was again aground. he refreshed himself with some wine, and meditated upon his prospect. thanking heaven for a renewed chance of escape, and lamenting over the fate of the unprepared jackson, who had evidently been upset, from the main-sheet having been jammed, newton resolved to make for one of the english isles, which he knew to be about two hundred miles distant. the oars had been lost, but the rudder of the boat was fortunately made fast by a pennant. in the afternoon he drew up his grapnel, and made sail in the direction, as well as he could judge from the position of the sun, to the english isles. as the night closed in, he watched the stars, and steered his course by them. the next day came, and, although the boat sailed well, and went fast before a free wind, no land was in sight. newton had again recourse to the cider and the wine. the second night he could hardly keep his eyes open; yet, wearied as he was, he still continued his course, and never quitted his helm. the day again dawned, and newton's strength was gone, from constant watching; still he bore up against it, until the sun had set. no land was yet to be seen, and sleep overpowered him. he took a hitch of the main-sheet round his finger, that, should the breeze freshen, he might be roused, in case he should go to sleep; and, having taken this precaution, in a few minutes the boat _was steering herself_. chapter xix "but man, proud man, dress'd in a little brief authority, most ignorant of what he's most assured, his glassy essence, like an angry ape, plays such fantastic tricks before high heaven." shakespeare. the reef upon which the brig had been wrecked was one of those extending along the southward of the virgin isles. newton had intended to steer well to the eastward, with the view of reaching one of the northernmost english colonies; but not having a compass, he naturally was not very equal in his course. the fact was that he steered well to the southward of it; and after he fell asleep, the boat ran away still further off her course, for she was on the larboard tack, and having no weight in her except newton, who was aft in the stern-sheets, she did not feel inclined to keep her wind. newton's sleep was so profound, that neither the pulling of the main-sheet, which he held with a round turn round his hand, nor the dancing of the boat, which during the night had run fast before an increasing breeze, roused him from his lethargy. on sailed the boat, left to the steerage of providence; on slept newton, as if putting firm reliance in the same. it was not until the break of day that his repose was very abruptly broken by a shock, which threw him from the stern-sheets of the boat, right over the aftermost thwart. newton recovered his legs, and his senses, and found himself alongside of a vessel. he had run stem on to a small schooner, which was lying at anchor. as the boat was drifting fast by, newton made a spring, and gained the deck of the vessel. "ah! mon dieu!--les anglais--les anglais--nous sommes prisonniers!" cried out the only man on deck, jumping on his feet, and making a precipitate dive below. the vessel, of which newton had thus taken possession, was one employed in carrying the sugars from the plantations round to basse terre, the port of guadaloupe, there to be shipped for europe,--newton's boat having run away so far to the southward, as to make this island. she was lying at anchor off the mouth of a small river, waiting for a cargo. it happened that the crew of the schooner, who were all slaves, were exactly in the same situation as newton, when their vessels came in contact--viz., fast asleep. the shock had awakened them; but they were all below except the one who had kept such a remarkably good watch. exhausted as newton was, he could not but smile at his uninterrupted possession of the vessel's decks. anxious to have communication with the people on board, he sat down, awaiting their coming up from below. in a minute or two, a black head was seen to rise slowly and fearfully out of the fore-scuttle; then it disappeared. another rose up and went down again as before; and thus it went on until newton reckoned ten different faces. having individually ascertained that there was but one man, and that one not provided with any weapons, the negroes assumed a degree of courage. the first head that had made its appearance, the woolly hair of which was of a grizzly gray from age, was again popped up the fore-scuttle, with an interrogatory to newton, in french, who he was, and what he wanted? newton, who did not understand a word of the language, shook his head, and, opening his hands and extending his arms, to show that he had no means of defence, he beckoned to them to come up. the man's head had again disappeared, and, after a little demur, nine or ten negroes crawled up out of the fore-scuttle, one after another, each with some weapon or another by way of security. they remained on the forecastle of the vessel until the last was up; and then at a nod given by their grizzle-headed leader, they advanced aft in a body towards newton. newton rose and pointed to the boat, which had now drifted about a quarter of a mile astern. he then made signs to give them to understand that he had been wrecked. "apparemment c'est un pauvre misérable, qui a fait naufrage," observed the old negro, who appeared to have the charge of the vessel; "gustave adolphe, tu parles bien l'anglais; demandez-lui les nouvelles," continued the old man, folding his arms across, and looking very _big_ indeed, as he reclined against the mainmast of the vessel. gustave adolphe stood forward from the rest of the negroes. he was a short, fat, shiny-faced fellow, with his hair platted into about fifty little tails. he first bowed to his old commander, then placing his arms akimbo, walked up to newton, and looking him full in the face, commenced his duty of interpreter, as follows:-- "i say--god dam--" newton smiled. "oui, monsieur, c'est un anglais." "continuez, gustave adolphe," replied the old negro, with a majestic air. gustave adolphe, with another bow, resumed: "i say--where com?" "barbadoes," replied newton. "monsieur, il vient de barbadoes." "continuez, gustave adolphe," replied his superior, with a wave of his hand. "i say--where go?" "where go?" replied newton, "go to the bottom." "monsieur, il allait au port de bo--tom." "bo--tom," repeated the old negro. "où diable est ça?" here a general consultation was held, by which it appeared that such a port had never been heard of in the west indies. "gustave adolphe, demandez-lui si c'est un port anglais." "i say--bo--tom--english port?" "no," replied newton, amused with the mistake; "i should rather call it _neutral_." "c'est un port neutral, monsieur." "gustave adolphe, demandez-lui de quelle île." "i say, what isle--bo--tom?" newton, who was faint with hunger and thirst, was not inclined at the moment to continue the conversation, which otherwise would have been a source of amusement. he replied by making signs that he wished to eat and drink. "monsieur," said gustave adolphe to the old negro, "le prisonnier refuse de faire réponse, et demande à manger et à boire." "va l'en chercher, gustave adolphe," replied the old man. "allons, messieurs," continued he, addressing the other negroes. "il faut lever l'ancre de suite, et amener notre prisonnier aux autorités; charles philippe, va chercher mon porte-voix." the negro captain walked up and down the deck of the schooner, a vessel about thirty feet long, until charles philippe made his appearance with the speaking-trumpet. he then proceeded to get the vessel under weigh, with more noise and fuss than is to be heard when the proudest three-decker in the english navy expands her lofty canvas to the gale. gustave adolphe, in obedience to the commands he had received, brought up to newton a bunch of bananas, a large piece of salt fish, and a calabash of water. the latter was immediately applied to his lips, and never removed while a drop remained, much to the astonishment of the negro, who again sported his english. "i say--very good--ab more?" "if you please," replied newton. "monsieur," said gustave adolphe to his commander, "le prisonnier a soif, et demande encore de l'eau." "va l'en chercher donc," replied the old negro, with a wave of his speaking-trumpet. "charles philippe, attention à la barre,[ ] sans venir au vent, s'il vous plaît. matelots[ ] du gaillard d'avant," continued he, roaring through his speaking-trumpet! "bordez le grand foc." [footnote : mind your weather-helm.] [footnote : forecastlemen, haul aft the jib-sheet.] in the space of two hours, the schooner was brought to an anchor, with as much noise and importance as she had been got under weigh. a boat capable of holding three people--one rower and two sitters--was shoved off the vessel's deck, and the negro captain, having first descended to his cabin for a few minutes, returned on deck dressed in the extremity of _their_ fashion, and ordered the boat to be manned. gustave adolphe accordingly manned the boat with his own person, and the negro captain politely waved his hand for newton to enter; and then, following himself, gustave adolphe rowed to a landing-place, about twenty yards from the schooner. "gustave adolphe, suivez en arrière, et gardez bien que le prisonnier n'échappe pas;" so saying, monsieur le capitaine led the way to a large white house and buildings, about two hundred yards from the river's banks. on their arrival, newton was surrounded by twenty or thirty slaves of both sexes, who chattered and jabbered a thousand questions concerning him to the negro captain and gustave adolphe, neither of whom condescended to reply. "monsieur de fontanges--où est-il?" inquired the old negro. "monsieur dort," replied a little female voice. the captain was taken aback at this unfortunate circumstance; for no one dared to wake their master. "et madame?" inquired he. "madame est dans sa chambre." there again he was floored--he could not venture there; so he conducted newton, who was not very sorry to escape from the burning rays of the sun, to his own habitation, where an old negress, his wife, soon obtained from the negro that information relative to the capture of newton which the bevy of slaves in the yard had attempted in vain--but wives have such winning ways with them! chapter xx "what elegance and grandeur wide expand, the pride of turkey and of persia land! soft quilts on quilts, on carpets carpets spread, and couches stretch'd around in seemly band, and endless pillows rise to prop the head. * * * * * here languid beauty kept her pale-faced court." thomson. the female slaves who could not obtain the history of newton immediately repaired to the chamber of their mistress, knowing that if they could succeed in raising her curiosity, they would at the same time gratify their own. madame de fontanges was, as they asserted, in her chamber, or, what may now be more correctly styled, her boudoir. it was a room about fourteen feet square, the sides of which were covered with a beautiful paper, representing portions of the history of paul and virginia: the floor was covered with fine matting, with here and there a small persian carpet above it. small marble tables were decorated with a variety of ornaments and french perfumes, or vases filled with the splendid flowers of a tropical clime. there was a large window at each end of the room, cut down to the ground, in the french fashion; and outside of both was a little balcony--the trellice-work covered with passion-flower and clematis. the doors and other compartments of the room were not papered, but had french mirrors let into the pannelling. on a low ottoman of elegant workmanship, covered with a damasked french silk, reposed madame de fontanges, attended by three or four young female slaves, of different complexions, but none of pure african blood. others were seated upon the different persian carpets about the room, in listless idleness, or strewing the petals of the orange-flower, to perfume the apartment with its odour. the only negro was a little boy, about six years of age, dressed in a fantastic costume, who sat in a corner, apparently in a very sulky humour. madame de fontanges was a creole,--that is, born in the west indies of french parents. she had been sent home to france for her education, and had returned at the age of fourteen to guadaloupe, where she soon after married monsieur de fontanges, an officer of rank, and brother to the governor of the island. her form was diminutive, but most perfect; her hand and arm models for the statuary; while her feet were so small as almost to excite risibility when you observed them. her features were regular, and when raised from her usual listlessness, full of expression. large hazel eyes, beautifully pencilled eyebrows, with long fringed eyelashes, dark and luxuriant hair, grecian nose, small mouth, with thin coral lips, were set off by a complexion which even the climate could not destroy, although it softened it into extreme delicacy. such was the person of madame de fontanges, now about eighteen years old, and one of the most beautiful specimens of the french creole which could be imagined. her perfect little figure needed no support; she was simply attired in a muslin _robe de chambre_, as she reposed upon the ottoman, waiting with all the impatience of her caste for the setting in of the sea-breeze, which would give some relief from the oppressive heat of the climate. "Ã�ventez! nina, éventez!" cried she to one of her attendants, who was standing at the head of the sofa with a large feather fan. "oui, madame," replied the girl, stirring up the dormant atmosphere. "Ã�ventez! caroline, éventez mes mains, vite." "oui, madame," replied the second, working away with another fan. "Ã�ventez! éventez mes pieds, mimi." "oui, madame," replied the third, fanning in the direction pointed out. "louise," said madame de fontanges, languidly, after a short pause, "apportez-moi de l'eau sucrée." "oui, madame," replied another, rising, in obedience to the order. "non, non! je n'en veux pas--mais j'ai soif horrible. manchette, va chercher de l'eau cerise." "oui, madame," replied manchette, rising from her seat. but she had not quitted the room before madame de fontanges had changed her mind. "attendez, manchette. ce n'est pas ça. je voudrais de limonade. charlotte, va l'en chercher." "oui, madame," said charlotte, leaving the room to execute the order. "ah, mon dieu! qu'il fait une chaleur épouvantable. "mimi, que tu es paresseuse? eventez! vite, vite. "où est monsieur?" "monsieur dort." "ah! qu'il est heureux. et cupidon--où est-il?" "ii est ici, au coin, madame. il boude." "qu'est-ce qu'il a fait donc?" "ah, madame! il a volé le dindon rôti, et l'a tout mangé." "ah, le petit polisson! venez ici, cupidon." cupidon, the little negro-boy we have before mentioned as sitting in the corner of the room, walked up with a very deliberate pace to the side of the ottoman, his two thick lips sticking out about six inches in advance of the remainder of his person. "cupidon," said the lady, turning a little on one side to speak to him, "tu as mangé le dindon entier. tu as mal fait, mon ami. tu seras malade. comprends-tu, cupidon, c'est une sottise que tu as fait?" cupidon made no reply; his head was hung down a little lower, and his lips extended a little further out. "sache que tu es un petite voleur!" continued his mistress. cupidon did not condescend to answer. "allez, monsieur; ne m'approchez pas." cupidon turned short round without reply, and walked back to his corner with the same deliberate pace as before, when he came out of it. charlotte now returned with the lemonade for which she had been despatched, and informed her mistress as she presented it, that nicholas, who had charge of the schooner, had returned with an european prisoner; but that neither he nor gustave would give her any further information, although she had requested it in the name of her mistress. this was quite an event, and gave a fillip to the inertness of madame de fontanges, whose curiosity was excited. "a-t-il bonne mine, charlotte?" "oui, madame, c'est un bel homme." "et où est-il?" "avec nicholas." "et monsieur?" "monsieur dort." "il faut l'éveiller. faites bien mes compliments au monsieur de fontanges, et dites-lui que je me trouve fort malade, et que je voudrais lui parier. entends-tu, céleste; je parle à toi." "oui, madame," replied the girl, throwing some orange flowers off her lap, and rising to deliver her message. m. de fontanges, who, like most of the europeans, slept through the hottest portion of the day, rose in compliance with his wife's message, and made his appearance in the boudoir, dressed in a white cotton jacket and trousers. a few polite inquiries after the health of madame de fontanges, which, as he had conjectured from similar previous occurrences, was not worse than usual, were followed by his receiving from her the information of newton's arrival, coupled with an observation, that it would amuse her if the prisoner were interrogated in her presence. newton was summoned to the boudoir, where m. de fontanges, who spoke very good english, received from him the history of his disasters, and translated them into french, to gratify the curiosity of his wife. "c'est un beau garçon," observed m. de fontanges. "mais que faire? il est prisonnier. il faut l'envoyer à mon frère, le gouverneur." "il est joli garçon," replied madame de fontanges. "donnez-lui des habits, fontanges; et ne l'envoyez pas encore." "et pourquoi, mon amie?" "je voudrais lui apprendre le français." "cela ne se peut pas, ma chère; il est prisonnier." "cela se peut, monsieur de fontanges," replied the lady. "je n'ose pas," continued the husband. "moi j'ose," replied the lady, decidedly. "je ne voudrais pas," said the gentleman. "moi, je veux," interrupted the lady. "mais il faut être raisonnable, madame." "ii faut m'obéir, monsieur." "mais------" "pschut!" replied the lady; "c'est une affaire décidée. monsieur le gouverneur ne parle pas l'anglais. c'est _absolument nécessaire_ que le jeune homme apprenne notre langue; et c'est mon plaisir de l'enseigner. au revoir, monsieur de fontanges. charlotte, va chercher des habits." chapter xxi "'tis pleasing to be school'd in a strange tongue by female lips and eyes; that is, i mean when both the teacher and the taught are young, as was the case, at least, where i had been. they smile so when one's right, and when one's wrong they smile still more." byron. m. de fontanges, aware of the impetuosity and caprice of his wife (at the same time that he acknowledged her many redeeming good qualities), did not further attempt to thwart her inclinations. his great objection to her plan was the impropriety of retaining a prisoner whom he was bound to give up to the proper authorities. he made a virtue of necessity, and having acquainted newton with the wish of madame de fontanges, requested his parole of honour that he would not attempt to escape, if he was not delivered up to the authorities, and remain some time at lieu désiré. newton, who had no wish to be acquainted with a french _cachot_ sooner than it was absolutely necessary, gave the promise required by m. de fontanges, assuring him that ingratitude was not a part of his character. m. de fontanges then requested that newton would accept of a portion of his wardrobe, which he would direct to be sent to the room that would be prepared for him. this affair being arranged, newton made his bow to the lady, and in company with m. de fontanges, retired from the boudoir. it may be suspected by the reader, that madame de fontanges was one of those ladies who cared a great deal about having her own way, and very little for her husband. as to the first part of the accusation, i can only observe, that i never yet had the fortune to fall in with any lady who did not try all she could to have her own way, nor do i conceive it to be a crime. as to the second, if the reader has formed that supposition, he is much mistaken. madame de fontanges was very much attached to her husband, and the attachment as well as the confidence was reciprocal. it was not, therefore, from any feeling of jealousy that m. de fontanges had combated her resolution; but, as we have before observed, from a conviction that he was wanting in his duty, when he did not report the arrival of newton at the plantation. the wish of madame de fontanges to detain newton was, as she had declared, a caprice on her part, which had entered her head, to amuse herself by teaching him french. it is true that had not newton been remarkably prepossessing in his appearance, the idea would in all probability have never been conceived; but, observing that he was much above the common class, and wishing to relieve the general monotony of her life by anything which would create amusement, she had formed the idea, which, when combated by her husband, was immediately strengthened to a resolution. of this newton received the benefit. an excellent dinner or rather supper with m. de fontanges, a comfortable bed in a room supplied with all that convenience or luxury could demand, enabled him to pass a very different night from those which we have lately described. about twelve o'clock the ensuing day, newton was summoned by one of the slave girls to the boudoir of madame de fontanges. he found her on the ottoman, as before. newton, who had been operated upon by a black barber, and was dressed in the habiliments of m. de fontanges, made a much more respectable appearance than upon his former introduction. "bon jour, monsieur," said the lady. newton bowed respectfully. "comment vous appelez-vous?" newton, not understanding, answered with another bow. "le jeune homme n'entends pas, madame," observed mimi. "que c'est ennuyant. monsieur," said madame fontanges, pointing to herself, "moi,--madame de fontanges: vous?" pointing to him. "newton forster." "nu-tong fasta--ah, c'est bon; cela commence," said the lady. "allons, mes enfans, répétez-lui tous vos noms." "moi--mimi," said the girl bearing that name, going up to newton, and pointing to herself. "mimi," repeated newton, with a smile and nod of his head. "moi--charlotte." "moi--louise." "moi--céleste." "moi--nina." "moi--caroline." "moi--manchette." "et moi--cupidon," finished the little black boy, running up, and then retreating as fast back into his corner. newton repeated all the names, as the individuals respectively introduced themselves to him. then there was a pause, during which, at the desire of madame de fontanges, newton was offered a chair, and sat down. "allons, dites-lui les noms de toute la garniture," said madame de fontanges to her attendants. "oui, madame," said mimi, going up to newton, and, pointing to the fan in her hand,--"éventail." "Ã�ventail," repeated newton, who began to be amused, and who now repeated every french word after them. "flaçon," said charlotte, showing him the eau-de-cologne bottle. "chaise," cried louise, holding up a chair. "livre," said nina, pointing to a book. "mouchoir," said caroline, holding up an embroidered handkerchief. "montre," followed up manchette, pointing to her mistress's watch. "canapé," cried céleste, pointing to the ottoman. "joli garçon," bawled out cupidon, coming up to newton, and pointing to himself. this created a laugh, and then the lesson was continued. every article in the room was successively pointed out to newton, and he was obliged to repeat the name; and afterwards the articles of their dress were resorted to, much to his amusement. then, there was a dead stand:--the fact is that there is no talking with noun substantives only. "ah! mon dieu! il faut envoyer pour monsieur de fontanges," cried the lady; "va le chercher, louise." m. de fontanges soon made his appearance, when the lady explained to him their dilemma, and requested his assistance. m de fontanges laughed, and explained to newton, and then, by means of his interpretation, connected sentences were made, according to the fancy of the lady, some of which were the cause of great merriment. after an hour, the gentlemen made their bows. "i think," observed m. de fontanges, as they walked away, "that if you really are as anxious to learn our language as madame is to teach you, you had better come to me every morning for an hour. i shall have great pleasure in giving you any assistance in my power, and i trust that in a very short time, with a little study of the grammar and dictionary, you will be able to hold a conversation with madame de fontanges, or even with her dark-complexioned page." newton expressed his acknowledgments, and the next day he received his first lesson; after which he was summoned to support the theory by practice in the boudoir of madame de fontanges. it is hardly necessary to observe that each day increased the facility of communication. for three months newton was domiciled with monsieur and madame fontanges, both of whom had gradually formed such an attachment to him, that the idea of parting never entered their heads. he was now a very tolerable french scholar, and his narratives and adventures were to his benefactors a source of amusement, which amply repaid them for the trouble and kindness which they had shown to him. newton was, in fact, a general favourite with every one on the plantation, from the highest to the lowest; and his presence received the same smile of welcome at the cottage of the slave as at the boudoir of madame de fontanges. whatever may have been the result of newton's observations relative to slavery in the english colonies, his feelings of dislike insensibly wore away during his residence at lieu désiré; there he was at least convinced that a slave might be perfectly happy. it must be acknowledged that the french have invariably proved the kindest and most considerate of masters, and the state of bondage is much mitigated in the islands which appertain to that nation. the reason is obvious: in france, there is a _bonhommie_, a degree of equality, established between the different grades of society by universal politeness. a french servant is familiar with his master at the same time that he is respectful: and the master, in return, condescends to his inferior without forgetting their relative positions. this runs through society in general: and as no one can well be polite without some good-nature (for politeness, frivolous as it may appear, is a strong check upon those feelings of selfishness too apt to be indulged in), it leads to a general feeling of good-will towards others. this has naturally been practised by frenchmen wherever they may be; and the consequence is that the slaves are treated with more consideration, and, in return, have warmer feelings of attachment towards their owners than are to be found in colonies belonging to other nations. newton perceived and acknowledged this, and, comparing the condition of the people at lieu désiré with that of most of the peasantry of europe, was unwillingly obliged to confess that the former were in every respect the more fortunate and the more happy of the two. one morning, soon after newton had breakfasted with m. de fontanges, and had been summoned to the boudoir, a letter was brought in. it was from the governor to m. de fontanges, stating that he had heard with great surprise that m. de fontanges concealed an english prisoner in his house, and desiring that he might be immediately sent up to head-quarters. that there might be no delay or refusal, a corporal, accompanied by two file of men, brought down the intimation to the plantation. newton was in the very middle of a long story, madame de fontanges on the ottoman, and her attendants collected round her, seated on the floor--even cupidon had advanced from his corner to within half-distance, his mouth and eyes wide open, when m. de fontanges entered the boudoir, with anxiety and chagrin expressed in his countenance. "qu'est-ce qu'il y a, mon ami?" said madame de fontanges, rising hastily, and running up to her husband. m. de fontanges answered by putting the governor's letter into his wife's hands. "ah! les barbares!" cried madame de fontanges; "est-il possible? pauvre monsieur nutong! on l'amène au cachôt." "au cachôt!" cried all the coloured girls at a breath and bursting into tears--"oh, ciel!" m. de fontanges then explained to newton the order which he had received. newton replied that he had had no right to expect otherwise on his first landing on the island; that he had incurred a heavy debt of gratitude to them for having preserved him so long from a prison; and that the remembrance of their kindness would tend to beguile the tedious hours of captivity (from which it may appear that newton, in point of expressing himself, was half a frenchman already). he then kissed the hand of madame de fontanges, tried to console the little slave girls, who were all _au désespoir_, patted cupidon on the head, by way of farewell, and quitted the boudoir, in which he had passed so many happy hours. when he was outside, he again expressed his obligations to m. de fontanges, who then stated his determination to call upon his brother, the governor, and try to allieviate the hardships of his lot as much as was possible. in less than an hour, newton, in company with his host, was on the road to basse terre, leaving the corporal and his two file of men to walk back as fast as they could; the corporal having sufficient _savoir vivre_ not to refuse the pledge of the governor's brother for the safe delivery of the prisoner. it was not until late in the evening that they arrived at basse terre, when they immediately proceeded to the house of the governor, and were admitted to his presence. the governor, who had been much displeased at the circumstance of newton having remained so long on the island, was more pacified when m. de fontanges explained to him the way in which he had been made prisoner, and the hardships which he had previously endured. m. de fontanges accounted for his long detention at lieu désiré by stating the real fact, viz., the pertinacity of madame de fontanges; which, although it might have been considered a very poor argument in england, had its due weight in a french colony. the governor entered into conversation with newton, who detailed to him the horrors of the shipwreck which he had undergone. the narrative appeared to affect him much. he told newton that under such circumstances he could hardly consider him as a prisoner, and would take the first opportunity of releasing him, and would accept his parole for not quitting the island. newton returned his thanks for so much courtesy, and withdrew in company with m. de fontanges. "monsieur le marquis has much sympathy for those who have been shipwrecked," observed monsieur de fontanges, after they had quitted the room. "poor man! he lost his wife, a beautiful young woman, and his only child, a little girl, about seven years back, when they were proceeding home in a vessel bound to havre. the vessel has never been heard of since, and he has never recovered the loss." "in what year was it?" inquired newton. "in the autumn of the year--" "there were many vessels wrecked on our coast during that dreadful winter," replied newton; "i myself, when in a coaster, picked up several articles belonging to a french vessel. i have them in my possession now;--they are of some value." "what did they consist of?" inquired monsieur de fontanges. "a large trunk, containing the wearing apparel of a female and a child: there were also several orders of knighthood, and some jewels; but i hardly know what they were, as it is some time since i have looked at them." "how strange that you could find no clue to discover the names of the parties!" "there were french letters," replied newton, "which i could not read; they were only signed by initials, which did not correspond with the marks on the linen belonging to the lady, although the surname might have been the same as that of the child." "do you recollect the initials?" "perfectly well: the marks on the lady's apparel were l.c., that on the linen of the infant j.f." "mon dieu! mon dieu!" cried monsieur de fontanges; "then it may indeed have been the apparel of the marquise de fontanges. the linen must have been some marked with her maiden name, which was louise de colmar. the child was christened julie de fontanges, after her grandmother. my poor brother had intended to take his passage home in the same vessel, his successor being hourly expected; but the frigate in which the new governor had embarked was taken by an english squadron, and my brother was forced to remain here." "then the property must undoubtedly belong to the marquis," replied newton: "i only wish i could have been able to assure him that his wife and child were equally safe; but that i am afraid is impossible, as there can be no doubt but that they were all lost. do you mean to communicate what i have told you to the marquis?" "by no means: it will only tear open a wound which has but partially healed. if you will send me all the particulars when you return i shall feel much obliged, not that the effects are of any consequence. the marquise and her child are undoubtedly lost; and it could be no consolation to my brother to ascertain that a trunk of their effects had been saved." here the conversation dropped, and was never again renewed. newton was heartily welcomed again at lieu désiré, where he remained three weeks, when a note from the governor informed him that a cartel was about to sail. it was with mutual pain that newton and his kind friends took their farewell of each other. in this instance m. de fontanges did not accompany him to basse terre, but bade him adieu at his own door. newton, soon after he was on the road, perceived that m. de fontanges had acted from a motive of delicacy, that he might not receive the thanks of newton for two valises, well furnished, which overtook newton about a quarter of a mile from the plantation, slung on each side of a horse, under the guidance of a little negro, perched on the middle. newton made his acknowledgments to the governor for his kind consideration, then embarked on board of the _marie thérèse_ schooner, and in three days he once more found himself on shore in an english colony; with which piece of information i conclude this chapter. chapter xxii "mercy on us! a bairn, a very pretty bairn, a boy, a child." shakespeare. when newton was landed from the cartel at jamaica, he found the advantage of not being clad in the garb of a sailor, as all those who were in such costume were immediately handed over to the admiral of the station, to celebrate their restoration to liberty on board of a man-of-war; but the clothes supplied to him by the generosity of m. de fontanges had anything but a maritime appearance, and newton was landed with his portmanteaus by one of the man-of-war's boats, whose crew had little idea of his being a person so peculiarly suited to their views, possessing as he did the necessary qualifications of youth, activity, and a thorough knowledge of his profession. newton was so anxious to return home, that after a few days' expensive sojourn at an hotel, frequented chiefly by the officers of the man-of-war in port, he resolved to apply to the captain of a frigate ordered home with despatches, to permit him to take a passage. he had formed a slight intimacy with some of the officers, who assured him that he would experience no difficulty in obtaining his request. his application was made in person; and after his statement that he had been released in the last cartel which had come from guadaloupe, his request was immediately granted, without any further questions being put relative to his profession, or the manner in which he had been captured. the captain very civilly gave him to understand that he might mess with the gun-room officers, if he could arrange with them, and that he expected to sail on the evening of the ensuing day. newton immediately repaired on board of the frigate, to ascertain if the officers would receive him as a messmate; and further, whether the amount of his mess-money would be more than he could in prudence afford. at the bottom of one of the portmanteaus he had found a bag of two hundred dollars, supplied by his generous host, and in the same bag there was also deposited a small note from madame de fontanges, wishing him success, and enclosing (as a _souvenir_) a ring, which he had often perceived on her finger; but, adequate as was this supply to his own wants, newton did not forget that his father was, in all probability, in great distress, and would require his assistance on his return. he was, therefore, naturally anxious not to expend more than was absolutely necessary in defraying his passage. the old first lieutenant, to whom, upon his arrival on board, he was introduced as commanding officer, received him with much urbanity; and, when newton stated that he had obtained the captain's permission to make the application, immediately acceded to his wishes on the part of his messmates as well as of himself, when newton followed up his application, by requesting to know the expense which he would incur, as, in case of its being greater than his finances could meet, he would request permission to choose a less expensive mess. "i am aware," replied the veteran, "that those who have been shipwrecked, and in a french prison, are not likely to be very flush of cash. it is, however, a point on which i must consult my messmates. excuse me one moment, and i will bring you an answer: i have no doubt but that it will be satisfactorily arranged; but there is nothing like settling these points at once. mr webster, see that the lighter shoves off the moment that she is clear," continued the first lieutenant to one of the midshipmen as he descended the quarter-deck ladder, leaving newton to walk the quarter-deck. in a few minutes the first lieutenant reappeared, with one or two officers of the gun-room mess, who greeted him most cordially. "i have seen all that are requisite," said he to newton. "two i have not spoken to, the master and the purser; they are both poor men with families. if, therefore, you will not be too proud to accept it, i am requested to offer you a free passage from the other officers of the mess, as we feel convinced that your company will more than repay us. the proportion of the expense of your passage to the other two will be but one or two pounds; a trifle, indeed, but still of consequence to them; and that is the only expense which you will incur. if you can afford to pay that, any time after your arrival in england, we shall be most happy to receive you, and make the passage as comfortable and pleasant as circumstances will permit." to this most liberal proposition newton most gladly acceded. the officers who had come on deck with the first lieutenant invited newton below, where he was introduced to the remainder of the mess, who were most of them fine young men, as happy and careless as if youth was to last for ever. having pledged each other in a glass of grog, newton returned on shore. the next morning he made his arrangements, paid his bill at the hotel, and before twelve o'clock was again on board of the frigate, which lay with the blue peter hoisted, and her fore-topsail loose, waiting for her captain, who was still detained on shore while the admiral and governor made up their despatches. when newton had applied to the captain of the frigate for a passage home, he could hardly believe it possible that the person to whom he was introduced could be entrusted with the command of so fine a vessel. he was a slight-made, fair complexioned lad, of nineteen or twenty years at the most, without an incipient mark of manhood on his chin. he appeared lively, active, and good-natured; but what were the other qualifications he possessed, to discover such a mark of confidence, were to newton an enigma requiring solution. it was, however, to be explained in very few words. he was the son of the admiral of the station, and (as at that period there was no regulation with respect to age, to check the most rapid promotion), after he had served his time as midshipman, in less than two months he had been raised through the different ranks of lieutenant, commander, and post-captain. on receiving the latter step, he was at the same time appointed to the frigate in question,--one of the finest which belonged to his majesty's service. in order, however, that he should to a certain degree be in leading-strings, a very old and efficient officer had been selected by the admiral as his first lieutenant. whether, in common justice, the captain and his subordinate ought not to have changed places, i leave the reader to guess; and it was the more unfair towards the worthy old first lieutenant, as, if the admiral had not entertained such a high opinion of his abilities and judgment as to confide to him the charge of his son, he would long before have been promoted himself to one of the many vacancies which so repeatedly occurred. captain carrington had all the faults which, if no inherent, will naturally be acquired by those who are too early entrusted with power. he was self-sufficient, arbitrary, and passionate. his good qualities consisted in a generous disposition, a kindness of heart when not irritated, a manly courage, and a frank acknowledgment of his errors. had he been allowed to serve a proper time in the various grades of his profession--had he been taught to obey before he had been permitted to _command_--he had within him all the materials for a good officer: as it was, he was neither officer, sailor, nor anything else, except a _spoiled boy_. he would often attempt to carry on the duty as captain, and as often fail from want of knowledge. he would commence manoeuvring the ship, but find himself unable to proceed. at these unfortunate _break downs_, he would be obliged to resign the speaking-trumpet to the first lieutenant; and if, as sometimes happened, the latter (either from accident, or perhaps from a pardonable pique at having the duty taken out of his hands), was not at his elbow to prompt him when at fault--at these times the cant phrase of the officers, taken from some farce, used to be, "_york, you're wanted_." about an hour before sunset the juvenile captain made his appearance on board, rather _fresh_ from taking leave of his companions and acquaintances on shore. the frigate was got under weigh by the first lieutenant, and, before the sun had disappeared, was bounding over the foaming seas in the direction of the country which had nurtured to maturity the gnarled oak selected for her beautiful frame. newton joined his new messmates in drinking a prosperous passage to old england; and, with a heart grateful for his improved prospects, retired to the hammock which had been prepared for him. when newton rose in the morning, he found that the wind had shifted contrary during the night, and that the frigate was close hauled, darting through the smooth water with her royals set. at ten o'clock the master proposed tacking the ship, and the first lieutenant went down to report his wish to the captain. "very well, mr nourse," replied the captain; "turn the hands up." "ay, ay, sir," replied the first lieutenant, leaving the cabin. "call the boatswain, quarter-master--all hands 'bout ship." "all hands 'bout ship," was now bellowed out by the boatswain, and re-echoed by his mates at the several hatchways, with a due proportion of whistling from their pipes. "tumble up, there--tumble up smartly, my lads." in a minute every man was on deck, and at his station; many of them, however, _tumbling down_ in their laudable hurry to _tumble up_. "silence there, fore and aft--every man to his station," cried the first lieutenant through his speaking-trumpet. "all ready, sir," reported the first lieutenant to the captain, who had followed him on deck. "shall we put the helm down?" "if you please, mr nourse." "down with the helm." when the master reported it down, "the helm's a-lee," roared the first lieutenant. but captain carrington, who thought light winds and smooth water a good opportunity for practice, interrupted him as he was walking towards the weather gangway "mr nourse, mr nourse, if you please, i'll work the ship." "very good, sir," replied the first lieutenant, handing him the speaking-trumpet. "rise tacks and sheets, if you please, sir," continued the first lieutenant (_sotto voce_), "the sails are lifting." "tacks and sheets!" cried the captain. "gather in on the lee main-tack, my lads," said the first lieutenant, going to the lee gangway to see the duty performed. now, captain carrington did know that "mainsail haul" was the next word of command; but as this order requires a degree of precision as to the exact time at which it is given, he looked over his shoulder for the first lieutenant, who usually prompted him in this exigence. not seeing him there, he became disconcerted; and during the few seconds that he cast his anxious eyes about the deck, to discover where the first lieutenant was, the ship had passed head to wind. "mainsail haul!" at last cried the captain; but it was too late; the yards would not swing round; everything went wrong; and the ship was _in irons_. "you hauled a little too late, sir," observed the first lieutenant who had joined him. "you must box her off, sir, if you please." but captain carrington, although he could put the ship in irons, did not know how to take her out. "the ship is certainly most cursedly out of trim," observed he; "she'll neither wear nor stay. try her yourself, mr nourse," continued the captain, "i'm sick of her!"--and with a heightened colour, he handed the speaking-trumpet over to the first lieutenant. "york, you're wanted," observed the lieutenant abaft to the marine officer, dropping down the corners of his mouth. "york, you're wanted," tittered the midshipmen, in whispers, as they passed each other. "well, i've won your grog, jim," cried one of the marines, who was standing at the forebrace; "i knew he'd never do it." "he's like me," observed another, in a low tone; "he left school too 'arly, and lost his edication." such were the results of injudicious patronage. a fine ship entrusted to a boy, ignorant of his duty; laughed at, not only by the officers, but even by the men; and the honour of the country at stake, and running no small risk of being tarnished, if the frigate met with a vigorous opponent.[ ] thank god, this is now over! judicious regulations have put a stop to such selfish and short-sighted patronage. selfish, because those who were guilty of it risked the honour of the nation to advance the interests of their _protégés_; short-sighted, because it is of little use making a young man a captain if you cannot make him an officer. i might here enter into a discussion which might be of some use, but it would be out of place in a work intended more for amusement than for instruction; nor would it in all probability be read. i always make it a rule myself, to skip over all those parts introduced in a light work which are of denser materials than the rest; and i cannot expect but that others will do the same. there is a time and place for all things; and like the master of ravenswood, "i bide my time." [footnote : it is true that an officer must now serve a certain time in the various grades before promotion, which time is supposed to be sufficient for him to acquire a knowledge of his profession; but whether that knowledge is obtained depends, as before, upon the young officer's prospects in life. if from family interest he is sure of promotion, he is not quite so sure of being a seaman.] the frigate dashed gallantly through the water, at one time careening to an adverse wind, at another rolling before a favouring gale: and, to judge from her rapid motion, she was not in such very bad trim as captain carrington had found out. each day rapidly brought her nearer to their cherished home, as "she walked the waters like a thing of life." i can conceive no prouder situation in this world than being captain of a fine frigate, with a well-disciplined crew; but d--n your _eight-and-twenties_! "we had better take in the royals, if you please, sir," said the first lieutenant, as he came, with his hat in his hand, into the cabin, where the captain was at dinner with several of the officers, the table crowded with a variety of decanters and french green bottles. "pho! nonsense! mr nourse; we'll carry them a little longer," replied the captain, who had been _carrying too much sail_ another way. "sit down and take a glass of wine with us. you always cry out before you're hurt, nourse." "i thank you, sir," replied the first lieutenant, seriously; "you will excuse me: it is time to beat to quarters." "well, then, do so; i had no idea it was so late. mr forster, you don't pass the bottle." "i have taken enough, i thank you, sir." the officers present also made the same statement. "well, then, if you won't, gentlemen--steward, let's have some coffee." the coffee appeared and disappeared; and the officers made their bows and quitted the cabin as the first lieutenant entered it to report the muster at quarters. "all present and sober, sir. i am afraid, sir," continued he, "the masts will be over the side if we do not clew up the royals." "stop a moment, if you please, mr nourse, until i go up and judge for myself," replied the captain, who was inclined to be pertinacious. captain carrington went on deck. the men were still ranged round the decks at their quarters; more than one pair of eyes were raised aloft to watch the masts, which were bending like coach-whips, and complaining bitterly. "shall we beat a retreat, and pipe hands to shorten sail, sir? we had better take in the third reefs, sir;--it looks very squally to-night," observed the first lieutenant. "really, mr nourse, i don't exactly perceive the necessity--" but at that moment the fore and main-top-gallant-masts went over the side; and the look-out man at the fore-top-gallant-mast head, who had been called down by the first lieutenant, but did not hear the injunction, was hurled into the sea to leeward. "helm down!" cried the master. "man overboard!--man overboard!" echoed round the decks; while some of the officers and men jumped into the quarter-boats, and hastily cast off the gripes and lashings. captain carrington, who was immediately sobered by the catastrophe, which he felt had been occasioned by his own wilfulness, ran aft to the taffrail; and when he saw the poor sailor struggling in the waves, impelled by his really fine nature, he darted overboard to save him; but he was not by any means a powerful swimmer, and, encumbered with his apparel, it was soon evident that he could do no more than keep himself afloat. newton, who perceived how matters stood, with great presence of mind caught up two of the oars from the boat hanging astern, and darted over to the assistance of both. one oar he first carried to the seaman, who was exhausted and sinking. placing it under his arms, he then swam with the other to captain carrington, who could not have remained above water but a few seconds more without the timely relief. he then quietly swam by the side of captain carrington, without any attempt at extra exertion. the boat was soon lowered down, and in a few minutes they were all three again on board, and in safety. captain carrington thanked newton for his assistance, and acknowledged his error to the first lieutenant. the officers and men looked upon newton with respect and increased good-will; and the sailors declared that the captain was a prime little fellow, although he hadn't had an "edication." nothing worthy of remark occurred during the remainder of the passage. the ship arrived at plymouth, and newton took leave of his friendly shipmates, captain carrington requesting that newton would command any interest that he had, if ever it should be required. it was with a throbbing heart that newton descended from the outside of the coach which conveyed him to liverpool, and hastened towards the obscure street in which he left his father residing. it was about four o'clock in the afternoon when newton arrived at his father's door. to his delight, he perceived through the shop-window that his father was sitting at his bench; but his joy was checked when he perceived his haggard countenance. the old man appeared to be absorbed in deep thought, his cheek resting upon his hand, and his eyes cast down upon the little bench, to which the vice used to be fixed, but from which it was now removed. the door was ajar, and newton entered with his portmanteau in his hand; but whatever noise he might have made was not sufficient to rouse nicholas, who continued in the same position. with one glance round the shop, newton perceived that it was bare of everything; even the glazed cases on the counter, which contained the spectacles, &c., had disappeared. all bespoke the same tale, as did the appearance of his father--misery and starvation. "my dearest father!" cried newton, unable to contain himself any longer. "how!--what?" cried nicholas, starting at the voice, but not looking round. "pho! nonsense!--he's dead," continued the old man, communing with himself, as he again settled into his former position. "my dearest father, i'm not dead!--look round--'tis newton! alive and well." "newton!" replied the old man, rising from his stool, and tottering to the counter, which was between them, on which he laid both his hands to support himself, as he looked into his son's face. "'tis newton, sure enough! my dear, dear boy!--then you an't dead?" "no, indeed, father; i am alive and well, thank god!" "thank god, too!" said nicholas, dropping his face on the counter, and bursting into tears. newton sprang over to the side where his father was, and embraced him. for some time they were locked in each other's arms; when nicholas, who had recovered his composure, looked at newton, and said, "are you hungry, my dear boy?" "yes, indeed i am," replied newton, smiling, as the tears coursed down his cheeks; "for i have had nothing since breakfast." "and i have had nothing for these two days," replied nicholas, leaning back to the wall in evident exhaustion. "good god! you don't say so?" cried newton; "where can i buy something ready cooked?" "at the shop round the corner: there's a nice piece of boiled beef there; i saw it yesterday. i offered my improvement on the duplex for a slice; but he would not trust me, even for that." newton ran out, and in a few minutes reappeared with the beef in question, some bread, and a pot of porter, with two plates and knives and forks, which the people had lent him, upon his putting down a deposit. he had laid them on the counter before his father, who, without saying a word, commenced his repast: the beef disappeared--the bread vanished--the porter-pot was raised to his mouth, and in a moment it was dry! "never made a better dinner, newton," observed nicholas: "but i wish there had been a little more of it." newton, who had only been a spectator, immediately went out for another supply; and on his return assisted his father in its demolition. "newton," said nicholas, who for a few minutes had relinquished his task, "i've been thinking--that--i should like another slice of that beef! and newton, as i said before--i'll trouble you for the porter!" chapter xxiii "orlando--then forbear your food a little while, while, like a doe, i go to find my fawn, and give it food. there is a poor old man oppressed with two weak evils, age and hunger." shakespeare. reader, were you ever really hungry? i do not mean the common hunger arising from health and exercise, and which you have the means of appeasing at the moment, when it may be considered a source of pleasure rather than of pain:--i refer to the gnawing of starvation; because, if you have not been, you can form no conception of the agony of the suffering. fortunately, but very few of my readers can have any knowledge of it; the general sympathy which it creates is from an ideal, not a practical knowledge. it has been my lot during the vicissitudes of a maritime life to have suffered hunger to extremity; and although impossible to express the corporeal agony, yet some notion of it may be conceived from the effect it had upon my mind. i felt that i hated the whole world, kin or no kin; that theft was a virtue, murder excusable, and cannibalism anything but disgusting; from which the inference may be safely drawn, viz., that i was devilish hungry. i mention this, because nicholas forster, although he had been two days without food, and had disposed of every article which was saleable, was endued with so much strength of principle as not to have thought (or if he _had_ thought of it, immediately to have dismissed the thought) of vending the property found in the trunk by his son, and which had remained so long in their possession. that few would have been so scrupulous, i will acknowledge: whether nicholas was over-scrupulous, is a question i leave to be debated by those who are fond of argument. i only state the fact. until the arrival of the ship brought home by mr berecroft, the allotment of newton's wages had been regularly paid to his father; but when the owner discovered that the brig had parted company with the convoy, and had not since been heard of, the chance of capture was considered so great that the owner refused to advance any more on newton's account. nicholas was thus thrown upon his own resources, which were as small as they well could be. the crew of the brig, who quitted her in the boat, were picked up by a homeward-bound vessel, and brought what was considered the certain intelligence of jackson and newton having perished on the wreck. nicholas, who had frequently called at the owner's since his allowance had been stopped, to obtain tidings of his son, was overwhelmed with the intelligence of his death. he returned to his own house, and never called there again. mr berecroft, who wished to find him out and relieve him, could not ascertain in what quarter of the town he resided, and shortly after was obliged to proceed upon another voyage. thus was the poor optician left to his fate; and it is probable that, but for the fortunate return of newton, it would soon have been miserably decided. newton was much pleased when he learnt from his father that he had not disposed of the property which he had picked up at sea, for he now felt assured that he had discovered the owner at guadaloupe, and intended to transmit it to m. de fontanges as soon as he could find a safe conveyance; but this at present was not practicable. as soon as his father had been re-established in his several necessities and comforts, newton, aware that his purse would not last for ever, applied to the owner of the brig for employment; but he was decidedly refused. the loss of the vessel had soured his temper against anyone who had belonged to her. he replied that he considered newton to be an unlucky person, and must decline his sailing in any of his vessels, even if a vacancy should occur. to every other application made elsewhere, newton met with the same ill fortune. mr berecroft was not there to recommend or to assist him, and months passed away in anxious expectation of his patron's return, when the intelligence was brought home that he had been carried off by yellow-fever, which that year had been particularly malignant and fatal. the loss of his only protector was a heavy blow to poor newton; but he bore up against his fortune and redoubled his exertions. as before, he could always obtain employment before the mast; but this he refused, knowing that if again impressed, however well he might be off himself, and however fortunate in prize-money, his father would be left destitute, and in all probability be starved before he could return. the recollection of the situation in which he had found him on his return from the west indies made newton resolve not to leave his father without some surety of his being provided with the means of subsistence. he was not without some employment, and earned sufficient for their mutual maintenance by working as a rigger on board of the ships fitting for sea; and he adhered to this means of livelihood until something better should present itself. had newton been alone in the world, or his father able to support himself, he would have immediately applied to captain carrington to receive him in some capacity on board of his frigate, or have entered on board of some other man-of-war. newton's heart was too generous, and his mind too truly english, not to bound when he read or heard of the gallant encounters between the vessels of the rival nations, and he longed to be one of the many thousands so diligently employed in twining the wreath of laurel round their country's brow. nearly one year of constant fatigue, constant expectation, and constant disappointment was thus passed away; affairs grew daily worse, employment scarce, money scarcer. newton, who had been put off from receiving his wages until the ensuing day, which, as they had no credit, was in fact putting off their dinner also to the morrow, went home, and dropped on a chair in a despondent mood, at the table where nicholas was already seated. "well, newton, what's for dinner?" said nicholas, drawing his chair close to the table in preparation. "i have not been paid the money due to me," replied newton; "and, father, i'm afraid there's nothing." nicholas backed his chair from the table again, with an air of resignation, as newton continued: "indeed, father, i think we must try our fortune elsewhere. what's the use of staying where we cannot get employment? everything is now gone, except our wearing apparel. we might raise some money upon mine, it is true; but had we not better, before we spend it, try if fortune will be more favourable to us in some other place?" "why, yes, newton, i've been thinking that if we were to go to london, my improvement on the duplex--" "is that our only chance there, sir?" replied newton, half smiling. "why no; now i think of it, i've a brother there, john forster, or jack, as we used to call him. it's near thirty years since i heard of him; but somebody told me, when you were in the west indies, that he had become a great lawyer, and was making a large fortune. i quite forgot the circumstance till just now." newton had before heard his father mention that he had two brothers, but whether dead or alive he could not tell. the present intelligence appeared to hold out some prospect of relief, for newton could not for a moment doubt that if his uncle was in such flourishing circumstances, he would not refuse assistance to his brother. he therefore resolved not to wait until their means were totally exhausted: the next day he disposed of all his clothes except one suit, and found himself richer than he had imagined. having paid his landlord the trifle due for rent, without any other incumbrance than the packet of articles picked up in the trunk at sea, three pounds sterling in his pocket, and the ring of madame de fontanges on his little finger, newton, with his father, set off on foot for the metropolis. chapter xxiv "i labour to diffuse the important good till this great truth by all be understood, that all the pious duty which we owe our parents, friends, our country, and our god, the seeds of every virtue here below, from discipline and early culture grow." west. the different chapters of a novel remind me of a convoy of vessels. the incidents and _dramatis personæ_ are so many respective freights, all under the charge of the inventor, who, like a man-of-war, must see them all safely, and together, into port. and as the commanding officer, when towing one vessel which has lagged behind up to the rest, finds that in the meantime another has dropped nearly out of sight, and is obliged to cast off the one in tow, to perform the same necessary duty towards the sternmost, so am i necessitated for the present to quit nicholas and newton, while i run down to edward forster and his _protégée_. it must be recollected that, during our narrative, "time has rolled his ceaseless course," and season has succeeded season, until the infant, in its utter helplessness to lift its little hands for succour, has sprung up into a fair blue-eyed little maiden of nearly eight years old, light as a fairy in her proportions, bounding as a fawn in her gait; her eyes beaming with joy, and her cheeks suffused with the blush of health, when tripping over the sea-girt hills; meek and attentive when listening to the precepts of her fond and adopted parent. "faithful," the newfoundland dog, is no more, but his portrait hangs over the mantel-piece in the little parlour. mrs beazely, the housekeeper, has become inert and querulous from rheumatism and the burden of added years. a little girl, daughter of robertson, the fisherman, has been called in to perform her duties, while she basks in the summer's sun or hangs over the winter's fire. edward forster's whole employment and whole delight has long been centred in his darling child, whose beauty of person, quickness of intellect, generous disposition, and affectionate heart, amply repay him for his kind protection. of all chapters which can be ventured upon, one upon education is perhaps the most tiresome. most willingly would i pass it over, not only for the reader's sake, but for mine own; for his--because it cannot well be otherwise than dry and uninteresting; for mine--because i do not exactly know how to write it. but this cannot be. amber was not brought up according to the prescribed maxims of mesdames appleton and hamilton; and as effects cannot be satisfactorily comprehended without the causes are made known, so it becomes necessary, not only that the chapter should be written, but, what is still more vexatious, absolutely necessary that it should be read. before i enter upon this most unpleasant theme--unpleasant to all parties, for no one likes to teach, and no one likes to learn,--i cannot help remarking how excessively _au fait_ we find most elderly maiden ladies upon every point connected with the rearing of our unprofitable species. they are erudite upon every point _ab ovo_, and it would appear that their peculiar knowledge of the _theory_ can but arise from their attentions having never been diverted by the _practice_. let it be the teeming mother or the new-born babe--the teething infant or the fractious child--the dirty, pinafored urchin or sampler-spoiling girl--school-boy lout or sapling miss--voice-broken, self-admiring hobby-de-hoy, or expanding conscious and blushing maiden, the whole arcana of nature and of art has been revealed to them alone. let it be the scarlet fever or a fit of passion, the measles or a shocking fib--whooping-cough or apple-stealing--learning too slow or eating too fast--slapping a sister or clawing a brother--let the disease be bodily or mental, they alone possess the panacea; and blooming matrons, spreading out in their pride, like the anxious clucking hen, over their numerous encircling offspring, who have borne them with a mother's throes, watched over them with a mother's anxious mind, and reared them with a mother's ardent love, are considered to be wholly incompetent, in the opinion of these dessicated and barren branches of nature's stupendous, ever-bearing tree. mrs beazely, who had lost her husband soon after marriage, was not fond of children, as they interfered with her habits of extreme neatness. as far as amber's education was concerned, all we can say is, that if the old housekeeper did no good, she certainly did her no harm. as amber increased in years and intelligence, so did her thirst for knowledge on topics upon which mrs beazely was unable to give her any correct information. under these circumstances, when applied to, mrs beazely, who was too conscientious to mislead the child, was accustomed to place her hand upon her back, and complain of the rheumatiz--"such a stitch, my dear love, can't talk now--ask your pa when he comes home." edward forster had maturely weighed the difficulties of the charge imposed upon him, that of educating a female. the peculiarity of her situation, without a friend in the wide world except himself; and his days, in all probability, numbered to that period at which she would most require an adviser--that period, when the heart rebels against the head and too often overthrows the legitimate dynasty of reason, determined him to give a masculine character to her education, as most likely to prove the surest safeguard through a deceitful world. aware that more knowledge is to be imparted to a child by conversation than by any other means (for by this system education is divested of its drudgery), during the first six years of her life amber knew little more than the letters of the alphabet. it was not until her desire of information was excited to such a degree as to render her anxious to obtain her own means of acquiring it that amber was taught to read; and then it was at her own request. edward forster was aware that a child of six years old, willing to learn, would soon pass by another who had been drilled to it at an earlier age and against its will, and whose mind had been checked in its expansive powers by the weight which constantly oppressed its infant memory. until the above age, the mind of amber had been permitted to run as unconfined through its own little regions of fancy, as her active body had been allowed to spring up the adjacent hills--and both were equally beautified and strengthened by the healthy exercise. religion was deeply impressed upon her grateful heart; but it was simplified almost to unity, that it might be clearly understood. it was conveyed to her through the glorious channel of nature, and god was loved and feared from the contemplation and admiration of his works. did amber fix her eyes upon the distant ocean, or watch the rolling of the surf; did they wander over the verdant hills, or settle on the beetling cliff; did she raise her cherub-face to the heavens, and wonder at the studded firmament of stars, or the moon sailing in her cold beauty, or the sun blinding her in his warmth and splendour;--she knew that it was god who made them all. did she ponder over the variety of the leaf; did she admire the painting of the flower, or watch the motions of the minute insect, which, but for her casual observation, might have lived and died unseen;--she felt, she knew that all was made for man's advantage or enjoyment, and that god was great and good. her orisons were short, but they were sincere; unlike the child who, night and morning, stammers through a "belief" which it cannot comprehend, and whose ideas of religion are, from injudicious treatment, too soon connected with feelings of impatience and disgust. curiosity has been much abused. from a habit we have contracted in this world of not calling things by their right names, it has been decried as a vice, whereas it ought to have been classed as a virtue. had adam first discovered the forbidden fruit he would have tasted it, without, like eve, requiring the suggestions of the devil to urge him on to disobedience. but if by curiosity was occasioned the fall of man, it is the same passion by which he is spurred to rise again, and reappear only inferior to the deity. the curiosity of little minds may be impertinent; but the curiosity of great minds is the thirst for knowledge--the daring of our immortal powers--the enterprise of the soul, to raise itself again to its original high estate. it was curiosity which stimulated the great newton to search into the laws of heaven, and enabled his master-mind to translate the vast mysterious page of nature, ever before our eyes since the creation of the world, but never, till he appeared, to be read by mortal man. it is this passion which must be nurtured in our childhood, for upon its healthy growth and vigour depends the future expansion of the mind. how little money need be expended to teach a child, and yet what a quantity of books we have to pay for! amber had hardly ever looked into a book, and yet she knew more, that is, had more general useful knowledge than others who were twice her age. how small was edward forster's little parlour--how humble the furniture it contained!--a carpet, a table, a few chairs, a small china vase, as an ornament, on the mantel-piece. how few were the objects brought to amber's view in their small secluded home! the plates and knives for dinner, a silver spoon or two, and their articles of wearing apparel. yet how endless, how inexhaustible was the amusement and instruction derived from these trifling sources!--for these were forster's books. the carpet--its hempen ground carried them to the north, from whence the material came, the inhabitants of the frozen world, their manners and their customs, the climate and their cities, their productions and their sources of wealth. its woollen surface, with its various dyes--each dye containing an episode of an island or a state, a point of natural history, or of art and manufacture. the mahogany table, like some magic vehicle, transported them in a second to the torrid zone, where the various tropical flowers and fruit, the towering cocoa-nut, the spreading palm, the broad-leaved banana, the fragrant pine--all that was indigenous to the country, all that was peculiar in the scenery and the clime, were pictured to the imagination of the delighted amber. the little vase upon the mantel-piece swelled into a splendid atlas of eastern geography, an inexhaustible folio describing indian customs, the asiatic splendour of costume, the gorgeous thrones of the descendants of the prophet, the history of the prophet himself, the superior instinct and stupendous body of the elephant; all that edward forster had collected of nature or of art, through these extensive regions, were successively displayed, until they returned to china, from whence they had commenced their travels. thus did the little vase, like the vessel taken up by the fisherman in the "arabian nights," contain a giant confined by the seal of solomon--knowledge. the knife and spoon brought food unto the mind as well as to the body. the mines were entered, the countries pointed out in which they were to be found, the various metals, their value, and the uses to which they were applied. the dress again led them abroad; the cotton hung in pods upon the tree, the silkworm spun its yellow tomb, all the process of manufacture was explained. the loom again was worked by fancy, until the article in comment was again produced. thus was amber instructed and amused: and thus, with nature for his hornbook, and art for his primer, did the little parlour of edward forster expand into the "universe." chapter xxv "----they boast their noble birth: conduct us to the tombs of their forefathers, and from age to age ascending, trumpet their illustrious race." cowper. devoted as he was to the instruction of his adopted child, edward forster was nevertheless aware that more was required in the education of a female than he was competent to fulfil. many and melancholy were his reveries on the forlorn prospects of the little girl (considering his own precarious life and the little chance that appeared of restoring her to her friends and relations), still he resolved that all that could should be done; the issue he left to providence. that she might not be cast wholly unknown upon the world, in case of his death, he had often taken amber to a neighbouring mansion, with the owner of which, lord aveleyn, he had long been on friendly terms; although, until latterly, he had declined mixing with the society which was there collected. many years before, the possessor had entered the naval service, and had, during the few months that he had served in the capacity of midshipman, been intrusted to the charge of edward forster. it is a curious fact, although little commented upon, how much society in general is affected by the entailment of property in aristocratical families upon the male heir; we may add, how much it is demoralised. the eldest son, accustomed from his earliest days to the flattery and adulation of dependents, is impressed with but one single idea, namely, that he is the fortunate person deputed by chance to spend so many thousands per annum, and that his brothers and sisters, with equal claims upon their parent, are to be almost dependent upon him for support. of this, the latter are but too soon made conscious, by the difference of treatment which they experience from those around them; and feelings of envy and ill-will towards their eldest brother are but too often the result of such inequality. thus, one of the greatest charms of life, unity between brethren, is destroyed. the possessor of the title and the estates is at last borne to his long home, there to lie until summoned before that presence where he, and those who were kings, and those who were clowns, will stand trembling as erring men, awaiting the fiat of eternal justice. in his turn, the young lord revels in his youth. then how much more trying is the situation of the younger brothers. during their father's lifetime they had a home, and were brought up in scenes and with ideas commensurate with the fortune which had been entailed. now, they find themselves thrown upon the world, without the means of support, even adequate to their wants. like the steward in the parable, "they cannot dig, to beg they are ashamed;" and, like him, they too often resort to unworthy means to supply their exigencies. should the young heir prove sickly, what speculations on his demise! the worldly stake is so enormous that the ties of nature are dissolved, and a brother rejoices at a brother's death! one generation is not sufficient to remove these feelings; the barrenness of his marriage-bed, or the weakly state of his children, are successively speculated upon by the presumptive heir. let it not be supposed that i would infer this always to be the fact. i have put the extreme case, to point out what must ensue, according to the feelings of our nature, if care is not taken to prevent its occurrence. there is a cruelty, a more than cruelty, in parents bringing up their children with ideas which seldom can be realised, and rendering their future lives a pilgrimage of misery and discontent, if not of depravity. but the major part of our aristocracy are neither deficient in talent nor in worth. they set a bright example to the nobles of other countries, and very frequently even to the less demoralised society of our own. trammelled by the deeds of their forefathers, they employ every means in their power to remedy the evil; and a large proportion of their younger branches find useful and honourable employment in the army, the navy, or the church. but their numbers cannot all be provided for by these channels; and it is the country at large which is taxed to supply the means of sustenance to the younger scions of nobility--taxed directly in the shape of place and sinecure, indirectly in various ways; but in no way so heavily as by the monopoly of the east india company, which has so long been permitted to oppress the nation, that these _detrimentals_ (as they have named themselves), may be provided for. it is a well-known fact, that there is hardly a peer in the upper house, or many representatives of the people in the lower, who are not, or who anticipate to be, under some obligation to this company, by their relations or connections being provided for in those distant climes; and it is this bribery (for bribery it is, in whatever guise it may appear) that upholds one of the most glaring, the most oppressive of all monopolies, in the face of common sense, common justice, and common decency. other taxes are principally felt by the higher and middling classes; but this most odious, this most galling tax, is felt even in the cottage of the labourer, who cannot return to refresh himself after his day of toil with his favourite beverage, without paying twice its value out of his hard-earned pittance, to swell the dividend of the company, and support these _pruriencies_ of noble blood. and yet, deprecating the evils arising from the system of entail, i must acknowledge that there are no other means by which (in a monarchical government) the desirable end of upholding rank is to be obtained. i remember once, when conversing with an american, i inquired after one or two of his countrymen, who, but a few years before, were of great wealth and influence. to one of my remarks he answered, "in our country, all the wealth and power at the time attached to it does not prevent a name from sinking into insignificance, or from being forgotten soon after its possessor is dead, for we do not entail property. the distribution scatters the amassed heap, by which the world around him had been attracted; and although the distribution tends to the general fertilisation of the country, yet with the disappearance, the influence of the possessor, and even his name, are soon forgotten." these remarks, as will appear in the sequel, are apposite to the parties whom i am about to introduce to the readers. as, however, they are people of some consequence, it may appear to be a want of due respect on my part, if i were to introduce them at the fag-end of a chapter. chapter xxvi "'twas his the vast and trackless deep to rove. alternate change of climates has he known, and felt the fierce extremes of either zone, where polar skies congeal th' eternal snow, or equinoctial suns for ever glow; smote by the freezing or the scorching blast, a ship-boy on the high and giddy mast." falconer. the father of the present lord aveleyn had three sons, and, in conformity with the usages commented upon in the preceding chapter, the two youngest were condemned to the army and navy; the second, who had priority of choice, being dismissed to gather laurels in a red coat, while the third was recommended to do the same, if he could, in a suit of blue. fairly embarked in their several professions, a sum of fifty pounds per annum was placed in the hands of their respective agents, and no more was thought about a pair of "detrimentals." lord aveleyn's father, who had married late in life, was summoned away when the eldest brother of the present lord aveleyn, the heir, was yet a minor, about two years after he had embarked in the ship to which edward forster belonged. now it was the will of providence that, about six months after the old nobleman's decease, the young lord and his second brother, who had obtained a short furlough, should most unadvisedly embark in a small sailing boat on the lake close to the mansion, and that, owing to some mismanagement of the sail, the boat upset, and they were both drowned. as soon as the melancholy intelligence was made known to the trustees, a letter was despatched to captain l----, who commanded the ship in which young aveleyn was serving his time, acquainting him with the catastrophe, and requesting the immediate discharge of the young midshipman. the captain repaired on board; when he arrived on the quarter-deck, he desired the first lieutenant to send down for young aveleyn. "he is at the mast-head, sir," replied the first lieutenant, "for neglect of duty." "really, mr w----," replied the captain, who had witnessed the boy's _ascent_ at least a hundred times before with perfect indifference, and had often sent him up himself, "you appear to be very sharp upon that poor lad; you make no allowance for youth--boys will be boys." "he's the most troublesome young monkey in the ship, sir," replied the first lieutenant, surprised at this unusual interference. "he has always appeared to me to be a well-disposed, intelligent lad, mr w----; and i wish you to understand that i do not approve of this system of eternal mast-heading. however, he will not trouble you any more, as his discharge is to be immediately made out. he is now," continued the captain, pausing to give more effect to his communication, "lord aveleyn." "whew! now the murder's out," mentally exclaimed the first lieutenant. "call him down immediately, mr w----, if you please--and recollect that i disapprove of the system." "certainly, sir; but really, captain l----, i don't know what i shall do if you restrict my power of punishing the young gentlemen; they are so extremely unruly. there's mr malcolm," continued the first lieutenant, pointing to a youngster who was walking on the other side of the deck, with his hands in his pockets, "it was but yesterday that he chopped off at least four inches from the tail of your dog 'ponto' at the beef-block, and pretends it was an accident." "what! my setter's tail?" "yes, sir, he did, i can assure you." "mr malcolm," cried the captain, in great wrath, "how came you to cut off my dog's tail?" before i went to sea i had always considered a london cock-sparrow to be the truest emblem of consummate impudence; but i have since discovered that he is quite modest compared to a midshipman. "me, sir?" replied the youngster, demurely. "i didn't cut off his tail, sir; he _cut it off himself!_" "what, sir?" roared the captain. "if you please, sir, i was chopping a piece of beef, and the dog, who was standing by, turned short round, and put his tail under the chopper." "put his tail under the chopper, you little scamp!" replied captain l----, in a fury. "now just put your head above the maintop-gallant cross-trees, and stay there until you are called down. mr w----, you'll keep him up till sunset." "ay, ay, sir," replied the first lieutenant, with a satisfactory smile at the description of punishment inflicted. when i was a midshipman, it was extremely difficult to avoid the mast-head. out of six years served in that capacity, i once made a calculation that two of them were passed away perched upon the cross-trees, looking down with calm philosophy upon the microcosm below. yet, although i _never_ deserved it, i derived much future advantage from my repeated punishments. the mast-head, for want of something _worse_ to do, became my study; and during the time spent there, i in a manner finished my education. volumes after volumes were perused to while away the tedious hours; and i conscientiously believe it is to this mode of punishment adopted by my rigid superiors that the world is indebted for all the pretty books which i am writing. i was generally exalted either for _thinking_ or _not thinking;_ and as i am not aware of any medium between the active and passive state of our minds (except dreaming, which is still more unpardonable), the reader may suppose that there is no exaggeration in my previous calculation of one-third of my midshipman existence having been passed away upon "the high and giddy mast." "mr m----," would the first lieutenant cry out, "why did you stay so long on shore with the jolly-boat?" "i went to the post-office for the officers' letters, sir." "and pray, sir, who ordered you?" "no one, sir; but i _thought_--" "you _thought_, sir! how dare _you think_?--go up to the mast-head, sir." so much for _thinking_. "mr m----," would he say at another time, when i came on board, "did you call at the admiral's office?" "no, sir; i had no orders. i didn't _think_--" "then why _didn't you think_, sir? up to the mast-head, and stay there till i call you down." so much for _not thinking_. like the fable of the wolf and the lamb, it was all the same; bleat as i pleased, my defence was useless, and i could not avert my barbarous doom. to proceed: captain l---- went over the side; the last pipe had been given, and the boatswain had returned his call into his jacket-pocket and walked forward, when the first lieutenant, in pursuance of his orders, looked up aloft, intending to have hailed the new lord, and have requested the pleasure of his company on deck; but the youngster, feeling a slight degree of appetite, after enjoying the fresh air for seven hours without any breakfast, had just ventured down the topmast rigging, that he might obtain possession of a bottle of tea and some biscuit, which one of his messmates had carried up for him, and stowed away in the bunt of the maintopsail. young aveleyn, who thought that the departure of the captain would occupy the attention of the first lieutenant, had just descended to, and was placing his foot on the topsail yard, when mr w---- looked up, and witnessed this act of disobedience. as this was a fresh offence committed, he thought himself warranted in not complying with the captain's mandate, and the boy was ordered up again, to remain till sunset. "i would have called him down," muttered mr w----, whose temper had been soured from long disappointment; "but since he's a lord, he shall have a good spell of it before he quits the service; and then we shall not have his recommendation to others in his own rank to come into it and interfere with our promotion." now, it happened that mr w----, who had an eye like a hawk, when he cast his eyes aloft, observed that the bunt of the maintopsail was not exactly so well stowed as it ought to be on board of a man-of-war; which is not to be wondered at, when it is recollected that the midshipmen had been very busy enlarging it to make a pantry. he therefore turned the hands up, "mend sails," and took his station amidship on the booms, to see that this, the most delinquent sail, was properly furled.--"trice up--lay out--all ready forward?"--"all ready, sir."--"all ready abaft?"--"all ready, sir."--"let fall."--down came the sails from the yards, and down also came the bottle of tea and biscuit upon the face of the first lieutenant, who was looking up; the former knocking out three of his front teeth, besides splitting open both his lips and chin. young aveleyn, who witnessed the catastrophe, was delighted; the other midshipmen on deck crowded round their superior, to offer their condolements, winking and making faces at each other in by-play, until the first lieutenant descended to his cabin, when they no longer restrained their mirth. about an hour afterwards, mr w---- reappeared, with his face bound up, and summoned all the young gentlemen on deck, insisting upon being informed who it was who had stowed away the bottle in the bunt of the sail; but midshipmen have most treacherous memories, and not one of them knew anything about it. as a last resource, young aveleyn was called down from the mast-head. "now, sir," said mr w----, "either inform me directly who it was who stowed away the bottle aloft, or i pledge you my word you shall be discharged from his majesty's service to-morrow morning. don't pretend to say that you don't know--for you must." "i do know," replied the youngster, boldly; "but i never will tell." "then either you or i shall leave the service. man the first cutter;" and when the boat was manned, the first lieutenant sent some papers on shore, which he had been desired to do by the captain. when the boat returned, the clerk was sent for, and desired by mr w---- to make out mr aveleyn's discharge, as the officers and midshipmen thought (for mr w---- had kept his secret), for his disobedient conduct. the poor boy, who thought all his prospects blighted, was sent on shore, the tears running down his cheeks, as much from the applause and kind farewells of his shipmates, as from the idea of the degradation which he underwent. now, the real culprit was young malcolm, who, to oblige the captain, had taken his station at the foretop-gallant mast-head, because the dog "ponto" thought proper to cut off his own tail. the first lieutenant, in his own woe, forgot that of others; and it was not until past nine o'clock at night that malcolm, who thought that he had stayed up quite long enough, ventured below, when he was informed of what had taken place. the youngster immediately penned a letter to the captain, acknowledging that he was the offender, and requesting that mr aveleyn might not be discharged from the service; he also ventured to add a postscript, begging that the same lenity might be extended towards himself; which letter was sent on shore by the captain's gig, when it left the ship the next morning, and was received by captain l---- at the very same time that young aveleyn, who had not been sent on shore till late in the evening, called upon the captain to request a reprieve from his hard sentence. the boy sent up his name and was immediately admitted. "i presume you know why you are discharged from the service?" said captain l----, smiling benignantly. "yes, sir," replied the boy, holding his head down submissively, "because of that accident--i'm very sorry, sir." "of course you must, and ought to be. such heavy blows are not common, and hard to bear. i presume you go immediately to buckhurst?" "i suppose i must, sir; but i hope, captain l----, that you'll look over it." "i shall have very great pleasure in so doing," replied captain l----; "i hear that it is--" "thanky, sir, thanky," replied the youngster, interrupting the captain. "then may i go on board again and tell the first lieutenant?" "tell the first lieutenant what?" cried captain l----, perceiving some mistake. "why, has not mr w----told you?" "yes, sir, he told me it was your orders that i should be dismissed his majesty's service." "discharged--not dismissed. and i presume he told you why: because your two elder brothers are dead, and you are now lord aveleyn." "no, sir!" cried the youngster with astonishment; "because his three front teeth are knocked out with a bottle of _scaldchops,_ and i would not peach who stowed it away in the bunt of the sail." "this is excessively strange!" replied captain l----. "do me the favour to sit down, my lord; the letters from the ship will probably explain the affair." there was, however, no explanation, except from young malcolm. the captain read his letter, and put it into the hands of lord aveleyn, who entered into a detail of the whole. captain l---- produced the letter from the trustees, and, desiring his lordship to command him as to any funds he might require, requested the pleasure of his company to dinner. the boy, whose head wheeled with the sudden change in his prospects, was glad to retire, having first obtained permission to return on board with young malcolm's pardon, which had been most graciously acceded to. to the astonishment of everybody on board, young aveleyn came alongside in the captain's own gig, when the scene in the midshipmen's berth and the discomfiture of the first lieutenant may be imagined. "you don't belong to the service, frank," said the old master's mate; "and, as peer of the realm, coming on board to visit the ship, you are entitled to a salute. send up and say you expect one, and then w---- must have the guard up, and pay you proper respect. i'll be hanged if i don't take the message, if you consent to it." but lord aveleyn had come on board to pay a debt of gratitude, not to inflict mortification. he soon quitted the ship, promising never to forget malcolm; and, unlike the promises of most great men, it was fulfilled, and malcolm rose to be a captain from his own merit, backed by the exertions of his youthful patron. for the next week the three mast-heads were so loaded with midshipmen, that the boatswain proposed a preventer backstay, that the top-masts might not go over the side; but shortly after, captain l----, who was not pleased at the falsehood which mr w---- had circulated, and who had many other reasons for parting with him, succeeded in having him appointed to another ship; after which the midshipmen walked up and down the quarter-deck with their hands in their pockets, as before. chapter xxvii "but adeline determined juan's wedding in her own mind, and that's enough for woman; but then with whom? there was the sage miss redding, miss raw, miss flaw, miss showman and miss knowman, and the two fair co-heiresses giltbedding. she deem'd his merits something more than common. all these were unobjectionable matches, and might go on, it well wound up, like watches." byron. the young lord aveleyn returned to the hall of his ancestors, exchanging the gloomy cockpit for the gay saloon, the ship's allowance for sumptuous fare, the tyranny of his messmates and the harshness of his superiors for adulation and respect. was he happier? no. in this world, whether in boyhood or riper years, the happiest state of existence is when under control. although contrary to received opinion, this is a fact; but i cannot now stop to demonstrate the truth of the assertion. life may be compared to a gamut of music: there are seven notes from our birth to our marriage; and thus may we run up the first octave--milk, sugar-plums, apples, cricket, cravat, gun, horse; then comes the wife, a _da capo_ to a new existence, which is to continue until the whole diapason is gone through. lord aveleyn ran up his scale like others before him. "why do you not marry, my dear frank?" said the dowager lady aveleyn, one day, when a thick fog debarred her son of his usual pastime. "why, mother, i have no objection to marry; and i suppose i must, one of these days, as a matter of duty: but i really am very difficult to please; and if i were to make a bad choice, you know a wife is not like this gun, which will _go off_ when i please." "but still, my dear frank, there are many very eligible matches to be made just now." "i do not doubt it, madam, but pray who are they?" "why, miss riddlesworth--" "a very pretty girl, and i am told a large fortune. but let me hear the others first." "clara beauchamp, well connected, and a very sweet girl." "granted also, for anything i know to the contrary. have you more on your list?" "certainly. emily riddlesdale; not much fortune, but very highly connected indeed. her brother, lord riddlesdale, is a man of great influence." "her want of money is no object, my dear mother, and the influence of her brother no inducement; i covet neither. i grant you that she is a very nice girl. proceed." "why, frank, one would think that you were a sultan with his handkerchief. there is lady selina armstrong." "well, she is a very fine girl, and talks well." "there is harriet butler, who has just come out." "i saw her at the last ball we were at--a very pretty creature." "lady jemima calthorpe." "not very good-looking, but clever and agreeable." "there is louisa manners, who is very much admired." "i admire her very much myself." "well, frank, you have exhausted my catalogue. there is not one i have mentioned who is not unexceptionable, and whom i would gladly embrace as a daughter-in-law. you are now turned of forty, my dear son, and must make up your mind to have heirs to the title and estates. i am, however, afraid that your admiration is so general, that you will be puzzled in your choice." "i will confess to you, my dearest mother, that i have many years thought of the necessity of taking to myself a wife, but have never yet had courage to decide. i admit that if all the young women you have mentioned were what they appear to be, a man need not long hesitate in his choice; but the great difficulty is, that their real tempers and dispositions are not to be ascertained until it is too late. allow that i should attempt to discover the peculiar disposition of every one of them, what would be the consequence?--that my attentions would be perceived. i do not exactly mean to accuse them of deceit; but a woman is naturally flattered by perceiving herself an object of attraction; and when flattered, is pleased. it is not likely, therefore, that the infirmities of her temper (if she have any) should be discovered by a man whose presence is a source of gratification. if artful, she will conceal her faults; if not so, there will be no occasion to bring them to light. and even if, after a long courtship, something wrong should be discovered, either you have proceeded too far in honour to retract, or are so blinded by your own feelings as to extenuate it. now, it is only the parents and near relations of a young woman who can be witnesses to her real character, unless it be, indeed, her own maid, whom one could not condescend to interrogate." "that is all very true, frank; but recollect the same observations apply to your sex as well as ours. lovers and husbands are very different beings. it is quite a lottery on both sides." "i agree with you, my dear mother; and, as marry i must, so shall it be a lottery with me--i will leave it to chance, and not to myself: then, if i am unfortunate, i will blame my stars, and not have to accuse myself of a want of proper discrimination." lord aveleyn took up a sheet of paper, and, dividing it into small slips, wrote upon them the names of the different young ladies proposed by his mother. folding them up, he threw them on the table before her, and requested that she would select any one of the papers. the dowager took up one. "i thank you, madam," said lord aveleyn, taking the paper from her hand, and opening it--"'louisa manners.' well, then, louisa manners it shall be; always provided that she does not refuse me. i will make my first advances this very afternoon--that is, if it does not clear up, and i can take out the pointers." "you surely are joking, frank?" "never was more serious. i have my mother's recommendation, backed by fate. marry i must, but choose i will not. i feel myself desperately in love with the fair louisa already. i will report my progress to you, my dear madam, in less than a fortnight." lord aveleyn adhered to his singular resolution, courted, and was accepted. he never had reason to repent his choice; who proved to be as amiable as her countenance would have indicated. the fruits of his marriage was one son, who was watched over with mingled pride and anxiety, and who had now arrived at the age of fifteen years. such was the history of lord avelyn, who continued to extend his friendship to edward forster, and, if he had required it, would gladly have proffered his assistance, in return for the kindness which forster had shown towards him when he was a midshipman. the circumstances connected with the history of the little amber were known to lord aveleyn and his lady; and the wish of forster, that his little charge should derive the advantage of mixing in good female society, was gladly acceded to, both on his account and on her own. amber would often remain for days at the mansion, and was a general favourite, as well as an object of sympathy. but the growth of their son, too rapid for his years, and which brought with it symptoms of pulmonary disease, alarmed lord and lady aveleyn; and, by the advice of the physicians, they broke up their establishment, and hastened with him to madeira, to re-establish his health. their departure was deeply felt both by forster and his charge; and before they could recover from the loss, another severe trial awaited them in the death of mrs beazely, who, full of years and rheumatism, was gathered to her fathers. forster, habituated as he was to the old lady, felt her loss severely: he was now with amber, quite alone; and it so happened that in the following winter his wound broke out, and confined him to his bed until the spring. as he lay in a precarious state, the thought naturally occurred to him, "what will become of this poor child if i am called away? there is not the slightest provision for her: she has no friends, and i have not even made it known to any of my own that there is such a person in existence." edward forster thought of his brother, the lawyer, whom he knew still to be flourishing, although he had never corresponded with him; and resolved that, as soon as he was able to undertake the journey, he would go to town, and secure his interest for the little amber, in case of any accident happening to himself. the spring and summer passed away before he found himself strong enough to undertake the journey. it was late in the autumn that edward forster and amber took their places in a heavy coach for the metropolis, and arrived without accident on the day or two subsequent to that on which nicholas and newton had entered it on foot. chapter xxviii "through coaches, drays, choked turnpikes, and a whirl of wheels, and roar of voices, and confusion, here taverns wooing to a pint of 'purl,' there mails fast flying off, like a delusion. "through this, and much, and more, is the approach of travellers to mighty babylon; whether they come by horse, or chair, or coach, with slight exceptions, all the ways seem one." byron. when newton forster and his father arrived at london, they put up at an obscure inn in the borough. the next day, newton set off to discover the residence of his uncle. the people of the inn had recommended him to apply to some stationer or bookseller, who would allow him to look over a red-book; and, in compliance with these instructions, newton stopped at a shop in fleet-street, on the doors of which was written in large gilt letters--"law bookseller." the young men in the shop were very civil and obliging, and, without referring to the "guide," immediately told him the residence of a man so well known as his uncle, and newton hastened in the direction pointed out. it was one of those melancholy days in which london wears the appearance of a huge scavenger's cart. a lurid fog and mizzling rain, which had been incessant for the previous twenty-four hours; sloppy pavements, and kennels down which the muddy torrents hastened to precipitate themselves into the sewers below; armies of umbrellas, as far as the eye could reach, now rising, now lowering, to avoid collision; hackney-coaches in active sloth, their miserable cattle plodding along with their backs arched and heads and tails drooping like barndoor fowls crouching under the cataract of a gutter; clacking of pattens and pestering of sweepers; not a smile upon the countenance of one individual of the multitude which passed him;--all appeared anxiety, bustle, and selfishness. newton was not sorry when he turned down the narrow court which had been indicated to him, and, disengaged from the throng of men, commenced a more rapid course. in two minutes he was at the door of his uncle's chambers, which, notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather, stood wide open, as if there should be no obstacle in a man's way, or a single moment for reflection allowed him, if he wished to entangle himself in the expenses and difficulties of the law. newton furled his weeping umbrella; and, first looking with astonishment at the mud which had accumulated above the calves of his legs, raised his eyes to the jambs on each side, where in large letters he read at the head of a long list of occupants, "mr forster, ground floor." a door with mr forster's name on it, within a few feet of him, next caught his eye. he knocked, and was admitted by the clerk, who stated that his master was at a consultation, but was expected back in half-an-hour, if he could wait so long. newton assented, and was ushered into the parlour, where the clerk presented the newspaper of the day to amuse him until the arrival of his uncle. as soon as the door was closed, newton's curiosity as to the character of his uncle induced him to scrutinise the apartment and its contents. in the centre of the room, which might have been about fourteen feet square, stood a table, with a shadow lamp placed before the only part of it which was left vacant for the use of the pen. the remainder of the space was loaded with parchment upon parchment, deed upon deed, paper upon paper. some, especially those underneath, had become dark and discoloured by time; the ink had changed to a dull red, and the imprint of many a thumb inferred how many years they had been in existence, and how long they had lain there as sad mementos of the law's delay. others were fresh and clean, the japanned ink in strong contrast with the glossy parchment,--new cases of litigation, fresh as the hopes of those who had been persuaded by flattering assurances to enter into a labyrinth of vexation, from which, perhaps, not to be extricated until these documents should assume the hue of the others, which silently indicated the blighted hopes of protracted litigation. two massive iron chests occupied the walls on each side of the fireplace; and round the whole area of the room were piled one upon another large tin boxes, on which, in legible roman characters, were written the names of the parties whose property was thus immured. there they stood like so many sepulchres of happiness, mausoleums raised over departed competence; while the names of the parties inscribed appeared as so many registers of the folly and contention of man. but from all this newton could draw no other conclusion than that his uncle had plenty of business. the fire in the grate was on so small a scale, that, although he shivered with the wet and cold, newton was afraid to stir it, lest it should go out altogether. from this circumstance he drew a hasty and unsatisfactory conclusion that his uncle was not very partial to spending his money. but he hardly had time to draw these inferences and then take up the newspaper, when the door opened, and another party was ushered into the room by the clerk, who informed him, as he handed a chair, that mr forster would return in a few minutes. the personage thus introduced was a short young man, with a round face, bushy eyebrows, and dogged countenance, implying wilfulness without ill-nature. as soon as he entered, he proceeded to divest his throat of a large shawl, which he hung over the back of a chair; then doffing his great coat, which was placed in a similar position, he rubbed his hands, and walked up to the fire, into which he insinuated the poker, and immediately destroyed the small symptoms of combustion which remained, reducing the whole to one chaos of smoke. "better have left it alone, i believe," observed he, reinserting the poker, and again stirring up the black mass, for the fire was now virtually defunct. "you're not cold, i hope, sir?" said the party, turning to newton. "no, sir, not very," replied newton, good humouredly. "i thought so; clients never are: nothing like law for _keeping you warm,_ sir. always bring on your cause in the winter months. i do, if i can; for it's positive suffocation in the dog-days!" "i really never was _at law,_" replied newton, laughing; "but if ever i have the misfortune, i shall recollect your advice." "never was at law! i was going to say, what the devil brings you here? but that would have been an impertinent question. well, sir, do you know, there was a time at which i never knew what law was," continued the young man, seating himself in a chair opposite to newton. "it was many years ago, when i was a younger brother, and had no property: no one took the trouble to go to law with me; for if they gained their cause, there were no effects. within the last six years i have inherited considerable property, and am always in hot water. i heard that the lawyers say, 'causes produce effects.' i am sure i can say that 'effects have produced causes!'" "i am sorry that your good fortune should be coupled with such a drawback." "oh, it's nothing! it's just to a man what a clog is to a horse in a field--you know pretty well where to find him. i'm so used to it--indeed so much so, that i should feel rather uncomfortable if i had nothing on my hands: just keeps me from being idle. i've been into every court in the metropolis, and have no fault to find with one of them, except the court of r------ts." "and pray, sir, what is that court, and the objection you have to it?" "why, as to the court, it's the most confounded ras------; but i must be careful how i speak before strangers: you'll excuse me, sir; not that i suspect you, but i know what may be considered as a libel. i shall, therefore, just state that it is a court at which no gentleman can appear; and if he does, it's of no use, for he'll never get a verdict in his favour." "what, then it is not a court of justice?" "court of justice! no, it's a court for the recovery of small debts; but i'll just tell you, sir, exactly what took place with me in that court, and then you will be able to judge for yourself. i had a dog, sir; it was just after i came into my property; his name was cæsar, and a very good dog he was. well, sir, riding out one day about four miles from town, a rabbit put his nose out of a cellar, where they retailed potatoes. cæsar pounced upon him, and the rabbit was dead in a moment. the man who owned the rabbit and the potatoes, came up to me and asked my name, which i told him; at the same time i expressed my sorrow at the accident, and advised him in future to keep his rabbits in hutches. he said he would, and demanded three shillings and sixpence for the one which the dog had killed. now, although he was welcome to advice, money was quite another thing; so he went one way muttering something about law, and i another, with cæsar at my heels, taking no notice of his threat. well, sir, in a few days my servant came up to say that somebody wished to see me upon _particular_ business, and i ordered him to be shown up. it was a blackguard-looking fellow, who put a piece of dirty paper in my hand; summoned me to appear at some dog-hole or another, i forget where. not understanding the business, i enclosed it to a legal friend, who returned an answer, that it was a summons to the court of r----ts; that no gentleman could go there; and that i had better let the thing take its course. i had forgotten all about it, when, in a few days, a piece of paper was brought to me, by which i found that the court adjudged me to pay £ s. d., for damages and costs. i asked who brought it, and was told it was the son of the potato-merchant, accompanied by a tipstaff. i requested the pleasure of their company, and asked the legal gentleman what it was for. "'eighteen shillings for ten rabbits destroyed by your dog, and s. d. for costs of court.' "'ten rabbits!' exclaimed i; 'why, he only killed one.' "'yes, sir,' squeaked out the young potato-merchant; 'but it was a doe rabbit in the family way; we counted nine young ones, all killed too!' "'shameful!' replied i. 'pray, sir, did your father tell the court that the rabbits were not born?' "'no, sir; father only said there was one doe rabbit and nine little ones killed. he asked s. d. for the old one, but only s. d. a-piece for the young ones.' "'you should have been there yourself, sir,' observed the tipstaff. "'i wish cæsar had left the rabbit alone. so it appears,' replied i, 'he only asked s. d. at first; but by this _cæsarean operation_, i am nineteen shillings out of pocket.'--now, sir, what do you think of that?" "i think that you should exclaim against the dishonesty of the potato-merchant, rather than the judgment of the court. had you defended your own cause, you might have had justice." "i don't know that. a man makes a claim against another, and takes his oath to it; you must then either disprove it, or pay the sum; your own oath is of no avail against his. i called upon my legal friend, and told him how i had been treated, and he then narrated the following circumstance, which will explain what i mean:-- "he told me that he never knew of but one instance in which a respectable person had gained his cause, and in which, he was ashamed to say, that he was a party implicated. the means resorted to were as follows:--a jew upholsterer sent in a bill to a relation of his for a chest of drawers, which had never been purchased or received. refusing to pay, he was summoned to the court of r----ts. not knowing how to act, he applied to my informant, who, being under some obligations to his relative, did not like to refuse. "'i am afraid that you will have to pay,' said the attorney to his relation, when he heard the story. "'but i never had them, i can swear to it.' "'that's of no consequence; he will bring men to swear to the delivery. there are hundreds about the court who are ready to take any oath, at half a crown a-head; and that will be sufficient. but, to oblige you, i will see what i can do.' "they parted, and, in a day or two my legal acquaintance called upon his relation, and told him that he had gained his cause. 'rather at the expense of my conscience, i must acknowledge,' continued he; 'but one must fight these scoundrels with their own weapons.' "'well, and how was it?' inquired the other. "'why, as i prophesied, he brought three men forward, who swore to the delivery of the goods. aware that this would be the case, i had provided three others, who swore to their having been witness to the _payment of the bill_! this he was not prepared for; and the verdict was given in your favour.'" "is it possible," exclaimed newton, "that such a court of belial can exist in england?" "even so; and as there is no appeal, pray keep out of it. for my--" but here the conversation was interrupted by the entrance of mr john forster, who had returned from his consultation. we have already described mr john forster's character; we have now only to introduce his person. mr john forster was about the middle height, rather inclined to corpulency, but with great show of muscular strength. his black nether garments and silk stockings fitted a leg which might have been envied by a porter, and his breadth of shoulder was extreme. he had a slouch, probably contracted by long poring over the desk; and his address was as abrupt as his appearance was unpolished. his forehead was large and bald, eye small and brilliant, and his cheeks had dropped down so as to increase the width of his lower jaw. deep, yet not harsh, lines were imprinted on the whole of his countenance, which indicated inflexibility and self-possession. "good morning, gentlemen," said he, as he entered the room; "i hope you have not been waiting long. may i request the pleasure of knowing who came first? 'first come, first served,' is an old motto." "i _believe_ this gentleman came first," replied the young man. "don't you _know_, sir? is it only a _believe_?" "i did arrive first, sir," said newton; "but as i am not here upon legal business, i had rather wait until this gentleman has spoken to you." "not upon legal business--humph!" replied mr forster, eyeing newton. "well, then, if that is the case, do me the favour to sit down in the office until i have communicated with this gentleman." newton, taking up his hat, walked out of the door, which was opened by mr forster, and sat down in the next room until he should be summoned. although the door between them was closed, it was easy to hear the sound of the voices within. for some minutes they fell upon newton's ears; that of the young man like the loud yelping of a cur; that of his uncle like the surly growl of some ferocious beast. at last the door opened: "but, sir," cried the young man, _in alto_. "_pay_, sir, _pay_! i tell you, _pay_!" answered the lawyer, in a stentorian voice. "but he has cheated me, sir!" "never mind--pay!" "charged twice their value, sir!" "i tell you, pay!" "but, sir, such imposition!" "i have told you twenty times, sir, and now tell you again--and for the last time--_pay_!" "won't you take up my cause, sir, then?" "no, sir! i have given you advice, and will not pick your pocket!--good morning, sir:" and mr forster, who had backed his client out of the room, shut the door in his face, to prevent further discussion. the young man looked a moment at the door after it was closed, and then turned round to newton. "if yours is really law business, take my advice, don't stay to see him; i'll take you to a man who _is_ a lawyer. here you'll get no law at all." "thankye," replied newton, laughing; "but mine really is not law business." the noise of the handle of the door indicated that mr forster was about to re-open it to summon newton; and the young man, with a hasty good morning, brushed by newton and hastened into the street. chapter xxix "hamlet.--is not parchment made of sheepskin? horatio.--ay, my lord, and of calves' skins too. hamlet.--they are sheep and calves which seek out their assurance in that." shakespeare. the door opened as intimated at the end of our last chapter, and newton obeyed the injunction from the lawyer's eye to follow him into the room. "now, sir, your pleasure?" said mr forster. "i must introduce myself," replied newton: "i am your nephew, newton forster." "humph! where's your documents in proof of your assertion?" "i did not consider that anything further than my word was necessary. i am the son of your brother, nicholas forster, who resided many years at overton." "i never heard of overton: nicholas i recollect to have been the name of my third brother; but it is upwards of thirty years since i have seen or heard of him. i did not know whether he was alive or dead. well, for the sake of argument, we'll allow that you are my nephew;--what then?" newton coloured up at this peculiar reception. "what then, uncle?--why i did hope that you would have been glad to have seen me; but as you appear to be otherwise, i will wish you good morning;"--and newton moved towards the door. "stop, young man; i presume that you did not come for nothing! before you go, tell me what you came for." "to tell you the truth," replied newton with emotion, "it was to ask your assistance, and your advice; but--" "but jumping up in a huff is not the way to obtain either. sit down on that chair, and tell me what you came for." "to request you would interest yourself in behalf of my father and myself; we are both out of employ, and require your assistance." "or probably i never should have seen you!" "most probably: we knew that you were in good circumstances, and thriving in the world; and as long as we could support ourselves honestly, should not have thrust ourselves upon you. all we wish now is that you will, by your interest and recommendation, put us in the way of being again independent by our own exertions; which we did not consider too much to ask from a brother and an uncle." "humph!--so first you keep aloof from me because you knew that i was able to assist you, and now you come to me for the same reason!" "had we received the least intimation from you that our presence would have been welcome, you would have seen us before." "perhaps so; but i did not know whether i had any relations alive." "had i been in your circumstances, uncle, i should have inquired." "humph!--well, young man, as i find that i have relations, i should like to hear a little about them;--so now tell me all about your father and yourself." newton entered into a detail of the circumstances, with which the reader is already acquainted. when he had finished, his uncle, who had listened with profound attention, his eye fixed upon that of newton, as if to read his inmost thoughts, said, "it appears, then, that your father wishes to prosecute his business as optician. i am afraid that i cannot help him. i wear spectacles certainly when i read; but this pair has lasted me eleven years, and probably will as many more. you wish me to procure you a situation in an east indiaman as third or fourth mate. i know nothing about the sea; i never saw it in my life; nor am i aware that i have a sailor in my acquaintance." "then, uncle, i will take my leave." "not so fast, young man; you said that you wanted my _assistance_ and my _advice_. my assistance i cannot promise you for the reasons i have stated; but my advice is at your service. is it a legal point?" "not exactly, sir," replied newton, who was mortified almost to tears; "still i must acknowledge that i now more than ever wish that the articles were in safe keeping, and out of my hands." newton then entered into a detail of the trunk being picked up at sea; and stated his having brought with him the most valuable of the property, that it might be deposited in safe hands. "humph!" observed his uncle, when he had finished. "you say that the articles are of value." "those who are judges consider the diamonds and the other articles to be worth nearly one hundred pounds; i cannot pretend to say what their real value is." "and you have had these things in your possession these seven years?" "i have, sir." "did it never occur to you, since you have been in distress, that the sale of these articles would have assisted you?" "it often has occurred to me, when i have found that the little i could earn was not sufficient for my father's support; but we had already decided that the property was not _legally mine_, and i dismissed the idea as soon as i could from my thoughts. since then i have ascertained to whom the property belongs, and of course it has become more sacred." "you said a minute ago that you now more than ever wished the property in sate keeping. why so?" "because, disappointed in the hopes i had entertained of receiving your assistance, i foresaw that we should have more difficulties than ever to struggle against, and wished not to be in the way of temptation." "you were right. well, then, bring me those articles to-morrow, by one o'clock precisely; i will take charge of them, and give you a receipt. good morning, nephew; very happy to have had the pleasure of making your acquaintance. remember me kindly to my brother, and tell him i shall be happy to see him at one, precisely." "good morning, sir," replied newton, with a faltering voice, as he hurried away to conceal the disappointment and indignation which he felt at this cool reception and dismissal. "not _legally_ mine--humph! i like that boy," muttered the old lawyer to himself when newton had disappeared.--"scratton!" "yes, sir," replied the clerk, opening the door. "fill up a cheque for five hundred pounds, self or bearer, and bring it to me to sign." "yes, sir." "is it this evening or to-morrow, that i attend the arbitration meeting?" "this evening, seven o'clock." "what is the name of the party by whom i am employed?" "bosanquet, sir." "east india director, is he not?" "yes, sir." "humph!--that will do." the clerk brought in the draft, which was put into his pocket-book without being signed; his coat was then buttoned up, and mr john forster repaired to the chop-house, at which for twenty-five years he had seldom failed to make his appearance at the hour of three or four at the latest. it was with a heavy heart that newton returned to the inn in the borough, at which he had left his father, whom he found looking out of window, precisely in the same seat and position where he had left him. "well, newton, my boy, did you see my brother?" "yes, sir; but i am sorry to say that i have little hope of his being of service to us." newton then entered into a narration of what had passed. "why really, newton," said his father, in his single-heartedness, "i do not see such cause of despair. if he did doubt your being his nephew, how could he tell that you were? and if he had no interest with naval people, why it's not his fault. as for my expecting him to break his spectacles on purpose to buy new ones of me, that's too much, and it would be foolish on his part. he said that he was very happy to have made your acquaintance, and that he should be glad to see me. i really don't know what more you could expect. i will call upon him to-morrow, since he wishes it. at five o'clock precisely, don't you say?" "no, sir, at one." "well, then, at one; those who have nothing to do must suit their hours to those who are full of business. recollect now, two o'clock precisely." "one o'clock, sir." "ay, very true, one o'clock i meant; now let's go to dinner." nicholas forster appeared in excellent spirits: and newton, who did not like to undeceive him, was glad to retire at an early hour, that he might be left to his own reflections, and form some plan as to their proceedings in consequence of this unexpected disappointment. chapter xxx "now, by two-headed janus. nature hath named strange fellows in her time; some that will ever more peep through their eyes, and laugh like parrots at a bagpiper; and others of such vinegar aspect, that they'll not show their teeth in way of smile, though nestor swear the jest be laughable." shakespeare. the next forenoon nicholas and his son left the inn in good time to keep their appointment. the weather had changed, and the streets through which they passed were crowded with people who had taken advantage of the fine weather to prosecute business which had admitted of being postponed. nicholas, who stared every way except the right, received many shoves and pushes, at which he expostulated, without the parties taking even the trouble to look behind them as they continued their course. this conduct produced a fit of reverie, out of which he was soon roused by another blow on the shoulder, which would twist him half round; and thus he continued in an alternate state of reverie and excitement, until he was dragged by newton to his brother's chambers. the clerk, who had been ordered to admit them, opened the parlour door, where they found mr john forster, sitting at his table, with his spectacles on, running through a brief. "your servant, young man.--nicholas forster, i presume," said he, taking his eyes off the brief, and looking at forster without rising from his chair. "how do you do, brother?" "are you my brother john?" interrogated nicholas. "i am john forster," replied the lawyer. "well, then, i am really very glad to see you, brother," said nicholas, extending his hand, which was taken with a "humph!"--(a minute's pause.) "young man, you're ten minutes past your time," said john, turning to newton. "i told you _one o'clock precisely_." "i am afraid so," replied newton; "but the streets were crowded, and my father stopped several times." "why did he stop?" "to expostulate with those who elbowed him: he is not used to it." "he soon will be if he stays here long. brother nicholas," said forster, turning round; but perceiving that nicholas had taken up his watch, and was examining the interior, his intended remark was changed. "brother nicholas, what are you doing with my watch?" "it's very dirty," replied nicholas, continuing his examination; "it must be taken to pieces." "indeed it shall not," replied john. "don't be alarmed, i'll do it myself, and charge you nothing." "indeed you will not do it yourself, brother. my watch goes very well when it's left alone. do me the favour to hand it to me." nicholas shut up the watch, and handed it to his brother over the table. "it ought not to go well in that state, brother." "but i tell you that it _does_, brother," replied john, putting the watch into his fob. "i have brought the things that i mentioned, sir," said newton, taking them out of his handkerchief. "very well; have you the inventory?" "yes, sir, here it is." "no. i, a diamond ring." "no. --" "i should rather think that they were no. ," observed nicholas, who had taken up his brother's spectacles. "you're not very short-sighted, brother." "i am not, brother nicholas;--will you oblige me by giving me my spectacles?" "yes, i'll wipe them for you first," said nicholas, commencing his polish with an old cotton handkerchief. "thanky, thanky, brother, that will do," replied john, holding out his hand for the spectacles, which he immediately put in the case and conveyed into his pocket. the lawyer then continued the inventory. "it is all right, young man; i will sign a receipt." the receipt was signed, and the articles deposited in the iron chest. "now, brother nicholas, i have no time to spare; have you anything to say to me?" "no," replied nicholas, starting up. "well, then, i have something to say to you. in the first place, i cannot help you in your profession (as i told my nephew yesterday), neither can i afford you any time, which is precious: so good-bye, brother. here is something for you to read when you go home." john forster took out his pocket-book, and gave him a sealed letter. "nephew, although i never saw the sea, or knew a sailor in my life, yet the law pervades everywhere. an east india director, who is under obligations to me, has promised a situation for you as third mate on board of the _bombay castle_. here is his address: call upon him, and all will be arranged. _you_ may come here again before you sail; and i expect you will make proper arrangements for your father, who, if i can judge from what i have already seen, will lose that paper i have given him, which contains what is not to be picked up every day." nicholas was in a deep reverie; the letter had dropped from his hand, and had fallen, unnoticed by him, on the carpet. newton picked it up, and, without nicholas observing him, put it into his own pocket. "now, good-bye, nephew; take away my brother, pray. it's a good thing, i can tell you, sometimes to find out an uncle." "i trust my conduct will prove me deserving of your kindness," replied newton, who was overjoyed at the unexpected issue of the meeting. "i hope it will, young man. good morning. now, take away your father, i'm busy;" and old forster pulled out his spectacles, and recommenced his brief. newton went up to his father, touched him on the shoulder, and said in a low tone, and nodding his head towards the door--"come, father." nicholas got upon his legs, retreated a few steps, then turned round--"brother, didn't you say something about a letter i was to put in the post?" "no, i didn't," replied john, shortly, not raising his eyes from the brief. "well, i really thought i heard something--" "come, father; my uncle's busy." "well, then, good-bye, brother." "good-bye," replied john, without looking up; and newton with his father, quitted the room. no conversation passed during the walk to the inn, except an accidental remark of nicholas, that it appeared to him that his brother was very busy. when they arrived newton hastened to open the enclosure, and found in it the draft for £ , which his uncle had ordered to be filled up the day before. nicholas was lost in astonishment; and newton, although he had already gained some insight into his uncle's character, was not a little surprised at his extreme liberality. "now," cried nicholas, rubbing his hands, "my improvement upon the duplex;" and the subject brought up by himself again led him away, and he was in deep thought. there was one little piece of advice upon the envelope--"when you cash the draft take the number of your notes." this was all; and it was carefully attended to by newton, who took but £ , and left the remainder in the hands of the banker. the next day newton called on the east india director, who gave him a letter to the captain of the ship, lying at gravesend, and expecting to sail in a few days. to gravesend he immediately repaired, and, presenting his credentials, was favourably received, with an intimation that his company was required as soon as convenient. newton had now no other object to occupy him than to secure an asylum for his father; and this he was fortunate enough to meet with when he little expected. he had disembarked at greenwich, intending to return to london by the coach, when, having an hour to spare, he sauntered into the hospital, to view a building which had so much of interest to a sailor. after a few minutes' survey he sat down on a bench, occupied by several pensioners, outside of the gate, wishing to enter into conversation with them relative to their condition, when one addressed another--"why, stephen, since the old man's dead, there's no one that'll suit us; and i expects that we must contrive to do without blinkers at all. jim nelson told me the other day that that fellow in town as has his shop full of polished brass, all the world like the quarter-deck of the _le amphitrite_, when that sucking honourable (what was his name?) commanded her--jim said to me, as how he charged him one-and-sixpence for a new piece of flint for his starboard eye. now you know that old wilkins never axed no more than threepence. now, how we're to pay at that rate comes to more than my knowledge. jim hadn't the dirt, although he had brought his threepence; so his blinkers are left there in limbo." "we must find out another man; the shop's to let, and all handy. suppose we speak to the governor?" "no use to speak to the governor; he don't use blinkers; and so won't have no fellow-feeling." newton entered into conversation, and found that an old man, who gained his livelihood in a small shop close to the gate, by repairing the spectacles of the pensioners, had lately died, and that his loss was severely felt by them, as the opticians in town did not work at so reasonable a rate. newton looked at the shop, which was small and comfortable, commanding a pleasant view of the river; and he was immediately convinced that it would suit his father. on his return he proposed it to nicholas, who was delighted at the idea; and the next day they viewed the premises together, and took a short lease. in a few days nicholas was settled in his new habitation, and busily employed in enabling the old pensioners to read the newspapers and count their points at cribbage. he liked his customers, and they liked him. his gains were equal to his wants; and, unless on particular occasions--such as a new coat, which, like his birthday, occurred but once in the year--he never applied to the banker's for assistance. newton, as soon as his father was settled, and his own affairs arranged, called upon his uncle previous to his embarkation. old forster gave a satisfactory "humph!" to his communication; and newton, who had tact enough to make his visit short, received a cordial shake of the hand when he quitted the room. chapter xxxi "poor, short-lived things! what plans we lay! ah! why forsake our native home, to distant climates speed away, for self sticks close, where'er we roam. "care follows hard, and soon o'ertakes the well-rigg'd ship; the warlike steed her destin'd quarry ne'er forsakes: nor the wind flees with half the speed." cowper. newton, who had made every preparation, as soon as he had taken leave of his uncle, hastened to join his ship, which still remained at gravesend, waiting for the despatches to be closed by the twenty-four leaden heads presiding at leadenhall street. the passengers, with the exception of two, a scotch presbyterian divine and his wife, were still on shore, divided amongst the inns of the town, unwilling until the last moment to quit _terra firma_ for so many months of sky and water, daily receiving a visit from the captain of the ship, who paid his respects to them all round, imparting any little intelligence he might have received as to the probable time of his departure. when newton arrived on board, he was received by the first mate, a rough, good-humoured, and intelligent man, about forty years of age, to whom he had already been introduced by the captain on his previous appearance with the letter from the director. "well, mr forster, you're in very good time. as in all probability we shall be shipmates for a voyage or two, i trust that we shall be good friends. now for your _traps_:" then, turning round, he addressed, in the hindostanee language, two or three lascars (fine, olive-coloured men, with black curling bushy hair), who immediately proceeded to hoist in the luggage. the first mate, with an "excuse me a moment," went forward to give some directions to the english seamen, leaving forster to look about him. what he observed, we shall describe for the benefit of our readers. the indiaman was a twelve-hundred-ton ship, as large as one of the small class seventy-four in the king's service, strongly built, with lofty bulwarks, and pierced on the upper deck for eighteen guns, which were mounted on the quarter-deck and forecastle. abaft, a poop, higher than the bulwarks, extended forward, between thirty and forty feet, under which was the cuddy or dining-room, and state-cabins, appropriated to passengers. the poop, upon which you ascended by ladders on each side, was crowded with long ranges of coops, tenanted by every variety of domestic fowl, awaiting, in happy unconsciousness, the day when they should be required to supply the luxurious table provided by the captain. in some, turkeys stretched forth their long necks, and tapped the decks as they picked up some ant who crossed it, in his industry. in others, the crowing of cocks and calling of the hens were incessant: or the geese, ranged up rank and file, waited but the signal from one of the party to raise up a simultaneous clamour, which as suddenly was remitted. coop answered coop, in variety of discord, while the poulterer walked round and round to supply the wants of so many hundreds committed to his charge. the booms before the main-mast were occupied by the large boats, which had been hoisted in preparatory to the voyage. they also composed a portion of the farmyard. the launch contained about fifty sheep, wedged together so close that it was with difficulty they could find room to twist their jaws round, as they chewed the cud. the stern-sheets of the barge and yawl were filled with goats and two calves, who were the first-destined victims to the butcher's knife; while the remainder of their space was occupied by hay and other provender, pressed down by powerful machinery into the smallest compass. the occasional ba-aing and bleating on the booms were answered by the lowing of three milch-cows between the hatchways of the deck below; where also were to be descried a few more coops, containing fowls and rabbits. the manger forward had been dedicated to the pigs; but, as the cables were not yet unbent or bucklers shipped, they at present were confined by gratings between the main-deck guns, where they grunted at each passer-by, as if to ask for food. the boats hoisted up on the quarters, and the guys of the davits, to which they were suspended, formed the kitchen-gardens, from which the passengers were to be supplied, and were loaded with bags containing onions, potatoes, turnips, carrots, beets, and cabbages, the latter, in their full round proportions, hanging in a row upon the guys, like strings of heads, which had been demanded in the wrath or the caprice of some despot of mahomet's creed. forster descended the ladder to the main-deck, which he found equally encumbered with cabins for the passengers, trunks and bedding belonging to them, and many other articles which had not yet found their way into the hold, the hatches of which were open, and in which lanterns in every direction partially dispelled the gloom, and offered to his view a confused outline of bales and packages. carpenters sawing deals, sailmakers roping the foot of an old mainsail, servants passing to and fro with dishes, lascars jabbering in their own language, british seamen d-----g their eyes, as usual, in plain english, gave an idea of confusion and want of method to newton forster, which, in a short time, he acknowledged himself to have been premature in having conceived. where you have to provide for such a number, to separate the luggage of so many parties, from the heavy chest to the fragile bandbox, to take in cargo, and prepare for sea, all at the same time, there must be apparently confusion. in a few days everything finds its place; and, what is of more consequence, is itself to be found as soon as it may be required. according to the regulations on board of east india ships, forster messed below with the junior mates, midshipmen, surgeon's assistant, &c.: the first and second mates only having the privilege of constantly appearing at the captain's table, while the others receive but an occasional invitation. forster soon became on intimate terms with his shipmates. as they will, however, appear upon the stage when required to perform their parts, we shall at present confine ourselves to a description of the captain and the passengers. captain drawlock was a man of about fifty years of age. report said that in his youth he had been wild; and some of his contemporary commanders in the service were wont to plague him by narrating divers freaks of former days, the recollection of which would create anything but a smile upon his face. whether report and the other captains were correct or not in their assertions, captain drawlock was in appearance quite a different character at the time we introduce him. he was of sedate aspect, seldom smiled, and appeared to be wrapt up in the importance of the trust confided to him, particularly with respect to the young women who were sent out under his protection. he talked much of his responsibility, and divided the whole of his time between his chronometers and his young ladies; in both of which a trifling error was a source of irritation. upon any deviation on the part of either, the first were rated carefully, the latter were _rated soundly_; considering the safety of the ship to be endangered on the one hand, and the character of his ship to be equally at stake on the other.' it was maliciously observed that the latter were by far the more erratic of the two; and, still more maliciously, that the austere behaviour on the part of captain drawlock was all pretence; that he was as susceptible as the youngest officer in the ship; and that the women found it out long before the voyage was completed. it has been previously mentioned that all the passengers were on shore, except two, a presbyterian divine and his wife, the expenses attending whose passage out were provided for by a subscription which had been put on foot by some of the serious people of glasgow, who prayed fervently, and enlivened their devotions with most excellent punch. the worthy clergyman (for worthy he was) thought of little else but his calling, and was a sincere, enthusiastic man, who was not to be checked by any consideration in what he considered to be his duty; but although he rebuked, he rebuked mildly, and never lost his temper. stern in his creed, which allowed no loophole by which the offender might escape, still there was a kindness and even a humility in his expostulation, which caused his zeal never to offend, and often to create serious reflection. his wife was a tall, handsome woman, who evidently had usurped an ascendency over her husband in all points unconnected with his calling. she, too, was devout; but hers was not the true religion, for it had not charity for its basis. she was clever and severe; spoke seldom; but the few words which escaped from her lips were sarcastic in their tendency. the passengers who still remained on shore were numerous. there was an old colonel, returning from a three years' furlough, the major part of which had been spent at cheltenham. he was an adonis of sixty, with yellow cheeks and white teeth; a man who had passed through life doing nothing; had risen in his profession without having seen service, except on one occasion, and of that circumstance he made the most. with a good constitution and happy temperament, constantly in society, and constantly in requisition, he had grown old without being aware of it, and considered himself as much an object of interest with the other sex as he was formerly when a gay captain of five-and-twenty, with good prospects. amusing, and easily amused, he had turned over the pages of the novel of life so uninterruptedly, that he had nearly arrived at the last page without being conscious that the finis was at hand. then there were two cadets from the college, full of themselves and their own consequence, fitted out with plenty of money and plenty of advice, both of which were destined to be thrown away. there was also a young writer, who talked of his mother, lady elizabeth, and other high relations, who had despatched him to india, that he might be provided for by a cholera morbus or a lucrative post; a matter of perfect indifference to those who had sent him from england. then, let me see,--oh! there were two officers of a regiment at st helena, with tongues much longer than their purses; who, in the forepart of the day, condescended to talk nonsense to the fairer of the other sex, and, in the evening, to win a few pounds from the weaker of their own. but all these were nobodies in the eyes of captain drawlock; they were a part of his cargo, for which he was not responsible. the important part of his consignment were four unmarried women; three of them were young, good-looking, and poor; the other ill-favoured, old, but rich. we must give precedence to wealth and age. the lady last mentioned was a miss tavistock, born and educated in the city, where her father had long been at the head of the well-established firm of tavistock, bottlecock & co., dyers, calenderers, and scourers. as we before observed, she was the fortunate sole heiress to her father's accumulation, which might amount to nearly thirty thousand pounds; but had been little gifted by nature. in fact, she was what you may style most preposterously ugly; her figure was large and masculine; her hair red; and her face very deeply indented with the small-pox. as a man, she would have been considered the essence of vulgarity; as a woman, she was the quintessence: so much so, that she had arrived at the age of thirty-six without having, notwithstanding her property, received any attentions which could be construed into an offer. as we always seek most eagerly that which we find most difficult to obtain, she was possessed with _une fureur de se marier_; and, as a last resource, had resolved to go out to india, where she had been informed that "anything white" was acceptable. this _passion_ for matrimony (for with her it had so become, if not a disease) occupied her whole thoughts; but she attempted to veil them by always pretending to be extremely sensitive and refined; to be shocked at anything which had the slightest allusion to the "increase and multiply;" and constantly lamented the extreme fragility of her constitution; to which her athletic bony frame gave so determined a lie, that her hearers were struck dumb with the barefaced assertion. miss tavistock had kept up a correspondence with an old schoolmate, who had been taken away early to join her friends in india, and had there married. as her hopes of matrimony dwindled away, so did her affection for her old friend appear, by her letters, to increase. at last, in answer to a letter, in which she declared that she would like to come out, and (as she had long made a resolution to continue single) adopt one of her friend's children, and pass her days with them, she received an answer, stating how happy they would be to receive her, and personally renew the old friendship, if indeed she could be persuaded to venture upon so long and venturous a passage. whether this answer was sincere or not, miss tavistock took advantage of the invitation; and writing to intimate her speedy arrival, took her passage in the _bombay castle_. the other three spinsters were sisters: charlotte, laura, and isabel revel, daughters of the honourable mr revel, a _roué_ of excellent family, who had married for money, and had dissipated all his wife's fortune except the marriage settlement of £ per annum. their mother was a selfish, short-sighted, manoeuvring woman, whose great anxiety was to form establishments for her daughters, or, in other terms, remove the expense of their maintenance from her own to the shoulders of other people, very indifferent whether the change might contribute to their happiness or not. mr revel may be said to have long deserted his family; he lived nobody knew where, and seldom called, unless it was to "raise the wind" upon his wife, who by entreaties and threats was necessitated to purchase his absence by a sacrifice of more than half her income. of his daughters he took little notice, when he _did_ make his appearance; and if so, it was generally in terms more calculated to raise the blush of indignant modesty than to stimulate the natural feelings of affection of a daughter towards a parent. their mother, whose income was not sufficient to meet the demands of a worthless husband, in addition to the necessary expenses attendant on three grown-up women, was unceasing in her attempts to get them off her hands: but we will introduce a conversation which took place between her and a sedate-looking, powdered old gentleman, who had long been considered as a "friend of the family," as thereby more light will perhaps be thrown upon her character. "the fact is, my dear mr heaviside, that i hardly know what to do. mr revel, who is very intimate with the theatre people, proposed that they should try their fortune on the stage. he says (and indeed there is some truth in it) that nowadays, the best plan for a man to make himself popular is to be sent to newgate; and the best chance that a girl has of a coronet, is to become an actress. well, i did not much like the idea; but at last i consented. isabel, my youngest, is, you know, very handsome in her person, and sings remarkably well, and we arranged that she should go on first; and, if she succeeded, that her sister charlotte should follow her; but isabel is of a very obstinate disposition, and when we proposed it to her, she peremptorily refused, and declared that she would go out as a governess, or anything, rather than consent. i tried what coaxing would do, and her father tried threatening; but all was in vain. this was about a year ago, and she is now only seventeen; but she ever was a most decided, a most obstinate character." "very undutiful, indeed, ma'am; she might have been a duchess before this:--a very foolish girl, indeed, ma'am," observed the gentleman. "well, mr heaviside, we then thought that charlotte, our eldest, had the next best chance of success. although not by any means so good-looking as her sister; indeed, to tell you the truth, mr heaviside, which i would not do to everybody, but i know that you can keep a secret, charlotte is now nearly thirty years old, and her sister, laura, only one year younger." "is it possible, madam!" replied mr heaviside, looking at the lady with well-feigned astonishment. "yes, indeed," replied the lady, who had forgotten that in telling her daughters' secrets, she had let out her own. "but i was married so young, so very young, that i am almost ashamed to think of it. well mr heaviside, as i was saying, although not so good-looking as her sister, mr revel, who is a good judge in these matters, declared that by the theatre lights charlotte would be reckoned a very fine woman. we proposed it to her, and, after a little pouting, she consented. the only difficulty was whether she should attempt tragedy or comedy. her features were considered rather too sharp for comedy, and her figure not quite tall enough for tragedy. she herself preferred tragedy, which decided the point; and mr revel, who knows all the actors, persuaded mr y---- (you know who i mean, the great tragic actor) to come here, and give his opinion of her recitation. mr y---- was excessively polite; declared that she was a young lady of great talent, but that a slight lisp, which she has, unfitted her most decidedly for tragedy. of course, it was abandoned for comedy, which she studied some time, and when we considered her competent, mr revel had interest enough to induce the great mr m---- to come and give his opinion. charlotte performed her part, as i thought, remarkably well, and when she had finished she left the room, that mr m---- might not be checked by her presence from giving me his unbiased opinion." "which was favourable, ma'am, i presume; for, if not fitted for the one, she naturally must have been fit for the other." "so i thought," replied the lady, to this polite _non sequitur_ of the gentleman. "but mr m---- is a very odd man, and if i must say it, not very polite. what do you think, mr heaviside, as soon as she left the room he rose from his chair, and, twisting up the corner of his mouth, as he looked me in the face, he said, 'madam, it is my opinion that your daughter's comedy, whenever she makes her appearance on the boards, will, to use a yankee expression, _be most particularly damned_! i wish you a very good morning.'" "very rude, indeed, madam; most excessively unpolite of mr m----. i should not have thought it possible." "well, mr heaviside, as for laura, poor thing! you are aware that she is not quite so clever as she might be; she never had any memory: when a child, she never could recollect the evening hymn if she missed it two nights running; so that acting was out of the question with her. so that all my hopes of their forming a splendid establishment by that channel have vanished. now, my dear mr heaviside, what would you propose?" "why, really, ma'am, it is so difficult to advise in these times; but, if anxious to dispose of your daughters, why not send them out to india?" "we have thought of it several times; for mr revel has an uncle there unmarried, and they say very rich. he is a colonel in the bombay marine, i believe." "more probably in the bengal army, ma'am." "well, i believe you are right; but i know it's in the company's service. but the old gentleman hates my husband, and will not have anything to say to him. i did write a very civil letter to him, in which i just hinted how glad one or two of my daughters would be to take care of his house, but he never condescended to give me an answer. i am told that he is a very unpleasant man." "a difficult thing to advise, ma'am, very difficult indeed! but i can tell you a circumstance which occurred about five years ago, when a similar application to a relative in india was made by a friend of mine. it was no more attended to than yours has been. nevertheless, as it was supposed that the answer had miscarried, the young lady was sent out to her relative with a decent equipment, and a letter of introduction. her relation was very much surprised: but what could he do? he could not permit the young lady to remain without a roof over her head, so he received her, and as he did not like to say how he had been treated, he held his tongue. the young lady, in the course of three months, made a very good match; and is, to my knowledge, constantly sending home india shawls and other handsome presents to her mother." "indeed, mr heaviside, then do you advise--" "it is difficult, extremely difficult to advise upon so nice a point. i only state the fact, my dear madam: i should think the colonel must feel the want of female society; but, god bless me! it's nearly two o'clock. good morning, my dear mrs revel--good morning." "good morning, my dear mr heaviside; it's very kind of you to call in this sociable way and chat an hour or two. good morning." the result of the above conversation was a consultation between mr revel and his wife upon their first meeting. mr revel was delighted with the plan, not so much caring at the disposal of his daughters as he was pleased with the idea of annoying his uncle, from whom he, at one time, had great expectations; but, as it was necessary to be circumspect, especially with isabel, mr revel took the opportunity of a subsequent visit to state that he had received a letter from his uncle in india, wishing one of his daughters to go out and live with him. in a few months he read another letter (composed by himself, and copied in another hand), earnestly desiring that they might all come out to him, as it would be much to their advantage. the reluctance of the two eldest was removed by pointing out the magnificent establishments they might secure: the consent of isabel by a statement of difficulty and debt on the part of her parents, which would end in beggary if not relieved from the burden of their support. by insuring her life, a sum of money sufficient for their outfit and passage was raised on mrs revel's marriage settlement; and the three miss revels were thus shipped off by their affectionate parents, as a "venture," in the _bombay castle._ chapter xxxii "thus the rich vessel moves in trim array, like some fair virgin on her bridal day: thus like a swan, she cleaves the watery plain, the pride and wonder of the Ã�gean main. "the natives, while the ship departs the land, ashore, with admiration gazing stand; majestically slow before the breeze, in silent pomp, she marches on the seas." falconer. much to the satisfaction of captain drawlock, the chronometers and the ladies were safe on board, and the _bombay castle_ proceeded to the downs, where she was joined by the purser, charged with despatches of the august directors. once upon a time a director was a very great man, and the india board a very great board. there must have been a very great many plums in the pudding, for in this world people do not take trouble for nothing; and until latter years, how eagerly, how perseveringly was this situation applied for--what supplicating advertisements--what fawning and wheedling promises of attention to the interests of the proprietors--"your voices, good people!" but now nobody is so particularly anxious to be a director, because another board "bigger than he" has played the kittiwake, and forced it to disgorge for the consumption of its superior,--i mean the board of control: the reader has probably heard of it; the board which, not content with the european residents in india being deprived of their proudest birthright, "the liberty of the press," would even prevent them from having justice awarded to them, by directing two tame elephants (thereby implying two ---- ----) to be placed on each side of a wild one (thereby implying an honest and conscientious man). notwithstanding all which, for the present, the tongue, the ears, and the eyes are permitted to be made discreet use of, although i believe that the new charter is to have a clause introduced to the contrary. the prevalent disease of the time we live in is ophthalmia of intellect, affecting the higher classes. monarchs, stone-blind, have tumbled headlong from their thrones, and princes have been conducted by their subjects out of their principalities. the aristocracy are purblind, and cannot distinctly decipher the "signs of the times." the hierarchy cannot discover why people would have religion at a reduced price: in fact, they are all blind, and will not perceive that an enormous mass, in the shape of public opinion, hangs over their heads and threatens to annihilate them. forgetting that kings, and princes, and lords, spiritual or temporal, have all been raised to their various degrees of exaltation by public opinion alone, they talk of legitimacy, of vested rights, and deuteronomy.--well, if there is to be a general tumble, thank god, i can't fall far! we left the _bombay castle_ in the downs, where she remained until joined by several other india vessels. on the arrival of a large frigate, who had orders to escort them as far as the island of st helena, they all weighed, and bore down the channel before a strong s.e. gale. the first ten days of a voyage there is seldom much communication between those belonging to the ship and the passengers; the former are too much occupied in making things shipshape, and the latter with the miseries of sea-sickness. an adverse gale in the bay of biscay, with which they had to contend, did not at all contribute to the recovery of the digestive powers of the latter; and it was not until a day or two before the arrival of the convoy at madeira that the ribbon of a bonnet was to be seen fluttering in the breeze which swept the decks of the _bombay castle_. the first which rose up from the quarter-deck hatchway was one that encircled the head of mrs ferguson, the wife of the presbyterian divine, who crawled up the ladder, supported on one side by her husband, and on the other by the assiduous captain drawlock. "very well done, ma'am, indeed!" said the captain, with an encouraging smile, as the lady seized hold of the copper stanchions which surrounded the sky-lights, to support herself, when she had gained the deck. "you're a capital sailor, and have by your conduct set an example to the other ladies, as i have no doubt your husband does to the gentlemen. now allow me to offer you my arm." "will you take mine also, my dear," said mr ferguson. "no, mr ferguson," replied the lady, tartly; "i think it is enough for you to take care of yourself. recollect your scripture proverb of 'the blind leading the blind.' i have no inclination to tumble into one of those pits," added she, pointing to the hatchway. captain drawlock very civilly dragged the lady to the weather-side of the quarter-deck, where, after in vain attempting to walk, she sat down on one of the carronade slides. "the fresh air will soon revive you, ma'am; you'll be much better directly," observed the attentive captain. "i beg your pardon one moment, but there is another lady coming out of the cuddy." the cabins abaft the cuddy, or dining-room, were generally occupied by the more distinguished and wealthy passengers (a proportionate sum being charged extra for them). the good people of glasgow, with a due regard to economy, had not run themselves into such unnecessary expenses for the passage of mr and mrs ferguson. mr revel, aware of the effect produced by an appearance of wealth, had taken one of them for his daughters. the other had been secured by miss tavistock, much to the gratification of the captain, who thus had his unmarried ladies and his chronometers both immediately under his own eye. the personage who had thus called away the attention of the captain was isabel revel, whom, although she has already been mentioned, it will be necessary to describe more particularly to the reader. isabel revel was now eighteen years old, endowed with a mind so superior, that had not her talents been checked by a natural reserve, she might have stepped from the crowd, and have been hailed as a genius. she had been brought up by a foolish mother, and had in her earlier years been checked by her two insipid sisters, who assumed over her an authority which their age alone could warrant. seldom, if ever, permitted to appear when there was company, that she might not "spoil the market" of the eldest, she had in her solitude applied much to reading, and thus had her mind been highly cultivated. the conduct of her father entitled him to no respect; the heartlessness of her mother to no esteem; the tyranny of her sisters to no affection; yet did she strive to render all. until the age of sixteen she had been the cinderella of the family, during which period of seclusion she had learned to think and to act for herself. her figure was a little above the middle size, light and elegant; her features beautiful, with an expression of seriousness, arising probably from speaking little and reflecting much. yet she possessed a mind ardent and enthusiastic, which often bore her away in animated discourse, until the eye of admiration fixed upon her would suddenly close her lips, for her modesty and her genius were at perpetual variance. it is well known to most of my readers that woman is a problem; but it may not be as well known that nowadays she is a _mathematical problem_. yet so it is. as in the latter you have certain known quantities given by which you are to find a quantity unknown, so in a lady you have the hand, the foot, the mouth, &c., apparent; and 'tis only by calculation, now that modern dresses are made so full, that you can arrive at a just estimate of her approach to total perfection. all good arithmeticians, as they scrutinised the outward and the visible of isabel revel, were perfectly assured as to her quotient. but if i talked for hours, i could say no more than that she was one of those ideal images created in the dream of youth and poetry, fairly embodied in flesh and blood. as her father had justly surmised, could she have been persuaded to have tried her fortune on the stage, she had personal attractions, depth of feeling, and vivacity of mind to have rendered her one of the very first in a profession, to excel in which there is, perhaps, more correct judgment and versatility of talent required than in any other, and would have had a fair prospect of obtaining that coronet which has occasionally been the reward of those fair dames who "stoop to conquer." mr revel, who had been made acquainted with the customs on board of east india ships, had been introduced to mrs ferguson, and had requested her to take upon herself the office of _chaperon_ to his daughters, during the passage: a nominal charge indeed, yet considered to be etiquette. mrs ferguson, pleased with the gentlemanlike demeanour and personal appearance of mr revel, and perhaps at the same time not sorry to have an authority to find fault, had most graciously acquiesced; and the three miss revels were considered to be under her protection. as i said before, miss isabel revel made her appearance not unattended, for she was escorted by doctor plausible, the surgeon of the ship. and now i must again digress while i introduce that gentleman. i never shall get that poor girl from the cuddy-door. doctor plausible had been summoned to prescribe for miss laura revel, who suffered extremely from the motion of the vessel, and the remedies which she had applied to relieve her uneasiness. miss laura revel had been told by somebody, previous to her embarkation, that the most effectual remedy for sea-sickness was gingerbread. in pursuance of the advice received, she had provided herself with ten or twelve squares of this commodity, about one foot by eighteen inches, which squares she had commenced upon as soon as she came on board, and had never ceased to swallow, notwithstanding various interruptions. the more did her stomach reject it the more did she force it down, until, what with deglutition, _et vice versa_, she had been reduced to a state of extreme weakness, attended with fever. how many panaceas have been offered without success for two evils--sea-sickness and hydrophobia! and between these two there appears to be a link, for sea-sickness as surely ends in hydrophobia, as hydrophobia does in death. the sovereign remedy prescribed, when i first went to sea, was a piece of fat pork, tied to a string, to be swallowed, and then pulled up again; the dose to be repeated until effective. i should not have mentioned this well-known remedy, as it has long been superseded by other nostrums, were it not that this maritime prescription has been the origin of two modern improvements in the medical catalogue--one is the stomach-pump, evidently borrowed from this simple engine; the other is the very successful prescription now in vogue, to those who are weak in the digestive organs, to eat fat bacon for breakfast, which i have no doubt was suggested to doctor vance, from what he had been eye-witness to on board of a man-of-war. but here i am digressing again from doctor plausible to doctor vance. reader, i never lose the opportunity of drawing a moral; and what an important one is here! observe how difficult it is to regain the right path when once you have quitted it. let my error be a warning to you in your journey through life, and my digressions preserve you from diverging from the beaten track, which, as the americans would say, leads _clean slick_ on to happiness and peace. doctor plausible was a personable man, apparently about five-and-thirty years old; he wore a little powder in his hair, black silk stockings, and knee-breeches. in this i consider doctor plausible was right; the above look much more scientific than wellington trousers; and much depends upon the exterior. he was quite a ladies' man; talked to them about their extreme sensibility, their peculiar fineness of organic structure, their delicacy of nerves; and soothed his patients more by flattery than by physic. having discovered that miss laura was not inclined to give up her gingerbread, he immediately acknowledged its virtues, but recommended that it should be cut into extremely small dice, and allowed, as it were, to melt away upon the tongue; stating, that her digestive organs were so refined and delicate, that they would not permit themselves to be loaded with any large particles, even of farinaceous compound. isabel revel, who had been informed that mrs ferguson was on deck, expressed a wish to escape from the confined atmosphere of the cabin; and dr plausible, as soon as he had prescribed for miss laura, offered miss isabel his services; which, for want of a better, perhaps, were accepted. the ship at this time had a great deal of motion. the gale was spent; but the sea created by the violence of the wind had not yet subsided, and the waves continued still to rise and fall again, like the panting breasts of men who have just desisted from fierce contention. captain drawlock hastened over to receive his charge from the hands of the medical attendant; and paying isabel some compliments on her appearance, was handing her over to the weather-side, where mrs ferguson was seated, when a sea of larger dimensions than usual careened the ship to what the sailors term a "heavy lurch." the decks were wet and slippery. captain drawlock lost his footing, and was thrown to leeward. isabel would most certainly have kept him company; and indeed was already under weigh for the lee-scuppers, had not it been that newton forster, who stood near, caught her round the waist, and prevented her from falling. it certainly was a great presumption to take a young lady round the waist previous to any introduction; but, at sea, we are not very particular; and if we do perceive that a lady is in danger of a severe fall, we do not stand upon etiquette. what is more remarkable, we generally find that the ladies excuse our unpolished manners, either upon the score of our good intentions, or because there is nothing so very impertinent in them, after all. certain it is, that isabel, as soon as she had recovered from her alarm, thanked newton forster, with a sweet smile, for his timely aid, as she again took the arm of captain drawlock, who escorted her to the weather-side of the quarter-deck. "i have brought you one of your _protegees_, mrs ferguson," said captain drawlock. "how do you feel, miss revel?" "like most young ladies, sir, a little giddy," replied isabel. "i hope you were not hurt, captain drawlock; i'm afraid that you fell by paying more attention to me than to yourself." "my duty, miss revel. allow me to add, my pleasure," replied the captain, bowing. "that's very politely said, captain drawlock," replied isabel. "almost too polite, i think," observed mrs ferguson (who was out of humour at not being the first object of attention), "considering that captain drawlock is a married man, with seven children." the captain looked glum, and miss revel observing it, turned the conversation by inquiring--"who was that gentleman who saved me from falling?" "mr newton forster, one of the mates of the vessel. would you like to walk, miss revel, or remain where you are?" "thank you, i will stay with mrs ferguson." the gentlemen passengers had as yet but occasionally appeared on deck. men generally suffer more from the distressing sickness than women. as soon, however, as the news had been communicated below that the ladies were on deck, some of the gentlemen immediately repaired to their trunks to make themselves presentable, and then hastened on deck. the first on deck was the old colonel, who tottered up the hatchway, and by dint of seizing rope after rope, at last succeeded in advancing his lines to within hearing range of mrs ferguson, to whom he had been formally introduced. he commenced by lamenting his unfortunate sufferings, which had prevented him from paying those attentions, ever to him a source of enjoyment and gratification; but he was a martyr--quite a martyr; never felt any sensation which could be compared to it, except when he was struck in the breast with a spent ball, in the battle of ----; that their appearance had made him feel revived already; that as the world would be a dark prison without the sun, so would a ship be without the society of ladies; commenced a description of calcutta, and then--made a hasty retreat to the lee-gangway. the young writer next made his appearance, followed by the two boys, who were going out as cadets; the first, with a new pair of grey kid gloves, the others in their uniforms. the writer descanted long upon his own miseries, without any inquiry or condolement for the sufferings of the ladies. the cadets said nothing; but stared so much at isabel revel, that she dropped her veil. the ladies had been about a quarter of an hour on deck, when the sun, which had not shown itself for two days, gleamed through the clouds. newton, who was officer of the watch, and had been accustomed, when with mr berecroft, to work a chronometer, interrupted the captain, who was leaning on the carronade, talking to mrs ferguson. "the sun is out, and the horizon pretty clear, sir: you may have sights for the chronometers." "yes, indeed," said the captain, looking up; "be quick, and fetch my sextant. you'll excuse me, ladies, but the chronometers must be attended to." "in preference to us, captain drawlock?--fie, for shame!" replied mrs ferguson. "why, not exactly," replied the captain, "not exactly; but the fact is, that the sun may go in again." "and we can stay out, i presume?" replied isabel, laughing. "i think, mrs ferguson, we ought to go in too." "but, my dear young lady, if the sun goes in, i shall not get a _sight!_" "and if we go in, you will not get a sight either," replied mrs ferguson. "between the two, sir," observed newton, handing captain drawlock his sextant, "you stand a chance of losing both. there's no time to spare; i'm all ready." captain drawlock walked to the break of the gangways, so far concealed from the ladies that they could not perceive that he was looking through his sextant, the use of which they did not comprehend, having never seen one before. newton stood at the capstern, with his eyes fixed on the watch. "captain drawlock," said mrs ferguson, calling to him, "allow me to observe--" "_stop_," cried captain drawlock, in a loud voice. newton, to whom this was addressed, noted the time. "good heavens! what can be the matter;" said mrs ferguson, with astonishment, to those near her; "how excessively rude of captain drawlock;--what can it be?" continued she, addressing the colonel, who had rejoined them. "really, madam, i cannot tell; but it is my duty to inquire," replied the colonel, who, going up to captain drawlock, commenced--"have the ladies already so fallen in your estimation--" "forty degrees!" cried captain drawlock, who was intent upon his sextant. "excuse me, sir, just now." "when will you be at leisure, sir?" resumed the colonel, haughtily. "twenty-six minutes," continued the captain, reading off his sextant. "a little sooner, i should hope, sir," retorted the colonel. "forty-five seconds." "this is really quite insufferable! miss revel, we had better go in." "stop!" again cried captain drawlock, in a loud voice. "stop!" repeated mrs ferguson, angrily; "surely we are not slaves." newton, who heard what was passing, could not repress his laughter. "indeed, i am sure there must be some mistake, mrs ferguson," observed isabel. "wait a little." "forty-six minutes, thirty seconds," again read off the captain. "capital sights both! but the sun is behind that dark cloud, and we shall have no more of his presence." "nor of ours, i assure you, sir," said mrs ferguson, rising, as captain drawlock walked from the gangway to the capstern. "why, my dear madam, what is the matter?" "we have not been accustomed to such peremptory language, sir. it may be the custom on board ship to holla 'stop' to ladies when they address you, or express a wish to leave the deck." "my dearest madam, i do assure you, upon my honour, that you are under a mistake. i ordered mr forster to stop, not you." "mr forster!" replied the lady; "why, he was standing still the whole time!" it was not until the whole system of taking sights for chronometers had been satisfactorily explained, that the lady recovered her good-humour. while the captain was thus employed with mrs ferguson, newton, although it was not necessary, explained the mystery to miss revel, who, with mrs ferguson, soon after quitted the deck. the sights taken proved the ship to be to the eastward of her reckoning. the other ships in company had made the same discovery, and the course was altered one quarter of a point. in two days they dropped their anchor in funchal roads. but i must for a little while recross the bay of biscay, and, with my reader, look into the chambers of mr john forster. chapter xxxiii "look upon this child--i saved her, must not leave her life to chance; but point me out some nook of safety, where she less may shrink and grieve. this child, who parentless, is therefore mine." byron. a few minutes after newton had quitted the chambers of his uncle, the clerk made his appearance, announcing to mr john forster that a gentleman requested to speak to him. "i asked the gentleman's name, sir," observed the clerk, shutting to the door, "but he did not choose to give it. he has a little girl with him." "very well, scratton, the little girl cannot concern me," replied the old lawyer; "ask him to walk in;"--and he again conned over the brief, not choosing to lose the minute which might elapse before he was again to be interrupted. the door was reopened, and edward forster, with amber holding him by the hand, entered the room. "your servant, sir. scratton, a chair--two chairs, scratton. i beg your pardon, young lady." when the clerk had retired, mr john forster commenced as usual.--"now, sir, may i request the favour of asking your business with me?" "you do not recollect me; nor am i surprised at it, as it is fifteen years since we last met. time and suffering, which have worn me to a skeleton, have also worn out the remembrance of a brother. i am edward forster." "edward forster!--humph! well, i did not recollect you; but i'm very glad to see you, brother. very strange--never have heard of one of my family for years, and now they all turn up at once! no sooner get rid of one, than up starts another. nicholas came from the lord knows where, the other day." edward forster, who was better acquainted with his brother's character than newton, took no notice of the abruptness of his remarks, but replied: "nicholas! is he, then, alive? i shall be delighted to see him." "humph!" replied john, "i was delighted to get rid of him. take care of your watch or spectacles when you meet him." "indeed, brother! i trust he is not such a character." "but he is a character, i can tell you; not what you suppose--he's honest enough. let me see--if my memory serves me, brother edward, we last met when you were passing through london on your way to ----, having been invalided, and having obtained a pension of forty pounds per annum for a severe wound received in action. and pray, brother, where have you been ever since?" "at the same spot, from which i probably never should have been induced to remove, had it not been for the sake of this little girl who is now with me." "and pray who may be that little girl? is she your daughter?" "only by adoption." "humph, brother! for a half-pay lieutenant, that appears rather an expensive whim!--bad enough to maintain children of our own begetting." "you say true," replied edward; "but if in this instance i have incurred an expense and responsibility, it must be considered to be more my misfortune than my fault." edward forster then entered into the particulars connected with amber's rescue. "you must acknowledge, brother john," observed edward, as he closed his narrative, "that i could not well have acted otherwise; you would not yourself." "humph! i don't know that; but this i do know, that you had better have stayed at home!" "perhaps so, considering the forlorn prospects of the child; but we must not judge. the same providence which willed that she should be so miraculously saved also willed that i should be her protector;--why otherwise did the dog lay her at my feet?" "because it had been taught to 'fetch and carry,' i suppose: but however, brother edward, i have no right to question your conduct. if the girl is as good as she is pretty, why all the better for her; but, as i am rather busy, let me ask if you have any more to say to me?" "i have, john; and the discourse we have had is preliminary. i am here with a child, forced upon me i may say, but still as dear to me as if she were mine own. you must be aware that i have nothing but my pension and half-pay to subsist upon. i can save nothing. my health is undermined and my life precarious. last winter i never expected to quit my bed again; and, as i lay in it, the thought naturally occurred of the forlorn and helpless state in which this poor little girl would be in case of my decease. in a lonely cottage, without money--without family or friends to apply to--without anyone near her being made acquainted with her unfortunate history, what would have become of her? it was this reflection which determined me, if my life was spared, as soon as my health would permit, to come to you, the only relative i was certain of still having in the world, that i might acquaint you with her existence, and, with her history, confide to you the few articles of dress which she wore when rescued, and which may eventually lead to her recognition--a case of extreme doubt and difficulty, i grant; but the ways of providence are mysterious, and her return to the arms of her friends will not be more wonderful than her preservation on that dreadful night. brother! i never have applied to you in my own behalf, although conscious how ample are your means--and i never will; but i do now plead in favour of this dear child. worn out as i am, my pilgrimage on earth can be but short; and if you would smooth the pillow of a dying brother, promise him now that you will extend your bounty to this poor orphan, when i'm no more!" edward forster's voice was tremulous at the close of his appeal, and his brother appeared to be affected. there was a silence of a minute, when the customary "humph!" was ejaculated, and john forster then continued: "a very foolish business, brother--very foolish, indeed. when nicholas and his son came here the other day and applied to me--why it was all very well--there was relationship; but really, to put another man's child upon me!" "not while it pleases heaven to spare _my_ life, brother." "'may you live a thousand years!' then, as the spanish say; but, however, brother edward, as you say, the poor thing must not starve; so, if i am to take care of a child of another man's begetting, as soon as you are dead, i can only say, it will very much increase my sorrow at your loss. come here, little one: what's your name?" "amber, sir." "amber! who the devil gave you that fool's name?" "i did, brother," replied edward; "i thought it appropriate." "humph! really can't see why. why did you not call her sukey, or some name fit for a christian? amber! amber's a gum, is it not? stop, let's see what johnson says." the lawyer went to a case of books which were in the next room, and returned with a quarto. "now," said he, seating himself; "ag--al--am--ambassador--ambassadress-- amber!--humph! here it is, 'a yellow, transparent substance of a gummous or bituminous consistence, but of a resinous taste, and a smell like oil of turpentine; chiefly found in the baltic sea or the coast of prussia.' humph! 'some have imagined it to consist of the tears of birds; others the'--humph!--'of a beast; others the scum of the lake cephesis, near the atlantic; others a congelation in some fountains, where it is found swimming like pitch.' really, brother," continued the lawyer, fixing his eyes on the little girl, and shutting the book, "i can't see the analogy." "be her godfather, my dear brother, and call her any name you please." "humph!" "pray, papa," said amber, turning to edward forster, "what's the meaning of 'humph'?" "humph!" repeated the lawyer, looking hard at amber. "it implies yes or no, as it may be," replied edward forster, smiling. "i never heard anyone say it before, papa. you're not angry with me, sir?" continued amber, turning round to john forster. "no, not angry, little girl; but i'm too busy to talk to you--or indeed with you, brother edward. have you anything more to say?" "nothing, my dear brother, if i have your promise." "well, you have it; but what am i to do with her, god only knows! i wish you had kept better hours. you mentioned some clothes which might identify her to her relations; pray let me have them; for i shall have the greatest pleasure in restoring her to them, as soon as possible, after she is once in my hands." "here they are, brother," replied edward, taking a small packet from his coat-pocket; "you had better take charge of them now; and may god bless you for having relieved my mind from so heavy a load!" "humph! by taking it on my own shoulders," muttered john, as he walked to the iron safe, to deposit the packet of linen; then returning to the table, "have you anything more to say, brother?" "only to ask you where i may find my brother nicholas?" "that i can't tell; my nephew told me somewhere down the river; but it's a long way from here to the nore. nephew's a fine lad; i sent him off to the east indies." "i am sorry then that i have no chance of seeing him:--but you are busy, brother?" "i have told you so three times, as plain as i could speak!" "i will no longer trespass on your time. we return home to-morrow morning; and, as i cannot expect ever to see you again, god bless you, my dear john! and farewell, i am afraid i may say, in this world at least, farewell for ever!" edward held out his hand to his brother. it was taken with considerable emotion. "farewell, brother, farewell!--i'll not forget." "good-bye, sir," said amber, going close up to john forster. "good-bye, my little girl," replied he, looking earnestly in her face; and then, as if thawing towards her, as he scanned her beautiful and expressive features, removing his spectacles and kissing her, "good-bye." "oh! papa," cried amber, as she went out of the room, "he kissed me!" "humph!" said john forster, as the door closed upon them. the spectacles were put on, and the reading of the brief immediately continued. chapter xxxiv "strickland.--these doings in my house distract me. i met a fine gentleman; when i inquired who he was--why, he came to clarinda. i met a footman too, and he came to clarinda. my wife had the character of a virtuous woman----." "suspicious husband." "let us no more contend each other, blamed enough elsewhere, but strive in offices of love, how we may lighten each other's burden in our share of woe." milton. i do not know a spot on the globe which astonishes and delights, upon your first landing, as the island of madeira. the voyager embarks, and is in all probability confined to his cabin, suffering under the dreadful protraction of sea-sickness. perhaps he has left england in the gloomy close of the autumn, or the frigid concentration of an english winter. in a week, or even in a shorter period, he again views that _terra firma_ which he had quitted with regret, and which in his sufferings he would have given half that he possessed to regain. when he lands upon the island, what a change! winter has become summer, the naked trees which he left are exchanged for the most luxuriant and varied foliage, snow and frost for warmth and splendour; the scenery of the temperate zone for the profusion and magnificence of the tropics; fruit which he had never before seen, supplies for the table unknown to him; a bright sky, a glowing sun, hills covered with vines, a deep-blue sea, a picturesque and novel costume; all meet and delight the eye, just at the precise moment when to have been landed, even upon a barren island, would have been considered as a luxury. add to all this, the unbounded hospitality of the english residents, a sojourn too short to permit satiety; and then is it to be wondered that the island of madeira is a "green spot" in the memory of all those who land there, or that they quit it with regret? the _bombay castle_ had not been two hours at anchor before the passengers had availed themselves of an invitation from one of the english residents, and were quartered in a splendid house, which looked upon a square and one of the principal churches in the city of funchal. while the gentlemen amused themselves, at the extensive range of windows, with the novelty of the scene, and the ladies retired to their apartments to complete the hasty toilet of their disembarkation, captain drawlock was very busy in the counting-house below, with the master of the house. there were so many pipes of madeira for the honourable company; so many for the directors' private cellars, besides many other commissions for friends, which captain drawlock had undertaken to execute; for at that period madeira wine had not been so calumniated as it latterly has been. a word upon this subject. i am a mortal enemy to every description of humbug; and i believe there is as much in the medical world as in any other. madeira wine had for a century been in high and deserved reputation, when on a sudden some fashionable physician discovers that it contained more acid than sherry. whether he was a sleeping partner in some spanish house, or whether he had received a present of a few pipes of sherry that he might turn the scale of public favour towards that wine, i know not; but certain it is, that it became fashionable with all medical gentlemen to prescribe sherry; and when once anything becomes fashionable, _c'est une affaire decidée_. i do not pretend to be much of a pathologist; but on reading mr f----'s analysis on the component parts of wine, i observed that in one hundred parts there are perhaps twenty-two parts of acid in madeira, and nineteen in sherry; so that, in fact, if you reduce your glass of madeira wine just one sip in quantity, you will imbibe no more acid than in a full glass of sherry; and when we consider the variety of acids in sugar and other compounds, which abound in culinary preparations, the fractional quantity upon which has been grounded the abuse of madeira wine appears to be most ridiculous. but if not a pathologist, i have a most decided knowledge of what is good wine; and if the gout should some day honour me with a visit, i shall at least have the consolation to know that i have by potation most honestly earned it. but allowing that the medical gentlemen are correct, still their good intentions are frustrated by the knavery of the world; and the result of their prescriptions is that people drink much more acid than they did before. i do every justice to good old sherry when it does make its appearance at table; it is a noble wine when aged and unsophisticated from its youth; but for once that you meet with it genuine, you are twenty times disappointed. when madeira wine was in vogue, the island could not produce the quantity required for consumption, and the vintage from the north side of the island, or of teneriffe, was substituted. this adulteration no doubt was one cause of its losing its well-established reputation. but madeira wine has a quality which in itself proves its superiority over all other wines--namely, that although no other wine can be passed off as madeira, yet with madeira the wine-merchants may imitate any other wine that is in demand. what is the consequence? that madeira, not being any longer in request as madeira now that sherry is the "correct thing," and there not being sufficient of the latter to meet the increased demand, most of the wine vended as sherry is made from the inferior madeira wines. reader, if you have ever been in spain, you may have seen the xerez or sherry wine brought from the mountains to be put into the cask. a raw goat-skin, with the neck-part and the four legs sewed up, forms a leathern bag, containing perhaps from fifteen to twenty gallons. this is the load of one man, who brings it down on his shoulder exposed to the burning rays of the sun. when it arrives, it is thrown down on the sand, to swelter in the heat with the rest, and remains there probably for days before it is transferred into the cask. it is this proceeding which gives to sherry that peculiar leather twang which distinguishes it from other wines--a twang easy to imitate by throwing into a cask of cape wine a pair of old boots, and allowing them to remain a proper time. although the public refuse to drink madeira as madeira, they are in fact drinking it in every way disguised--as port, as sherry, &c.; and it is a well-known fact that the poorer wines from the north side of the island are landed in the london docks, and shipped off to the continent, from whence they reappear in bottles as "peculiarly fine flavoured hock!" now, as it is only the indifferent wines which are thus turned into sherry,--and the more inferior the wine, the more acid it contains,--i think i have made out a clear case that people are drinking more acid than they did before this wonderful discovery of the medical gentlemen, who have for some years led the public by the nose. there are, however, some elderly persons of my acquaintance who are not to be dissuaded from drinking madeira, but who continue to destroy themselves by the use of this acid, which perfumes the room when the cork is extracted. i did represent to one of them that it was a species of suicide, after what the doctors had discovered; but he replied, in a very gruff tone of voice, "may be, sir; but you can't teach an old dog new tricks!" i consider that the public ought to feel very much indebted to me for this _exposé_. madeira wine is very low, while sherry is high in price. they have only to purchase a cask of madeira and flavour it with wellington boots or ladies' slippers, as it may suit their palates. the former will produce the high-coloured, the latter the pale sherry. further, i consider that the merchants of madeira are bound to send me a letter of thanks, with a pipe of bual to prove its sincerity. now i recollect stoddart did promise me some wine when he was last in england; but i suppose he has forgotten it. but from the produce i must return to the island and my passengers. the first day of their arrival they ate their dinner, took their coffee, and returned to bed early to enjoy a comfortable night after so many of constant pitching and tossing. the next morning the ladies were much better, and received the visits of all the captains of the india ships, and also of the captain of the frigate who escorted them. the officers of the _bombay castle_ had been invited to dinner; and the first mate not being inclined to leave the ship, newton had for one accepted the invitation. on his arrival, he discovered in the captain of the frigate his former acquaintance, captain carrington, in whose ship he had obtained a passage from the west indies, and who, on the former being paid off, had been appointed to the command of the _boadicea_. captain carrington was delighted to meet newton; and the attention which he paid to him, added to the encomiums bestowed when newton was out of hearing, raised him very high in the opinion, not only of captain drawlock, but also in the estimation of the ladies. at the request of captain carrington, newton was allowed to remain on shore till their departure from the island; and from this circumstance he became more intimate with the ladies than he would in all probability have otherwise been in the whole course of the voyage. we must pass over the gallop up to nostra senhora da monte,--an expedition opposed by captain drawlock on the score of his responsibility; but he was overruled by captain carrington, who declared that newton and he were quite sufficient convoy. we must pass over the many compliments paid to isabel revel by captain carrington, who appeared desperately in love after an acquaintance of four-and-twenty hours, and who discovered a defect in the _boadicea_ which would occupy two or three days to make good, that he might be longer in her company; but we will not pass over one circumstance which occurred during their week's sojourn at this delightful island. a certain portuguese lady of noble birth had been left a widow with two daughters, and a fine estate to share between them. the daughters were handsome; but the estate was so much handsomer that it set all the mandolins of the portuguese inamoratos strumming under the windows of the lady's abode from sunset to the dawn of day. now, it did so occur, that a young english clerk in a mercantile house, who had a fresh complexion and a clean shirt to boast of (qualifications unknown to the portuguese), won the heart of the eldest daughter; and the old lady, who was not a very strict catholic, gave her consent to this heretical union. the catholic priests, who had long been trying to persuade the old lady to shut up her daughters in a convent, and endow the church with her property, expressed a holy indignation at the intended marriage. the portuguese gentlemen, who could not brook the idea of so many fair hills of vines going away to a stranger, were equally indignant: in short, the whole portuguese population of the island were in arms; but the old lady, who had always contrived to have her way before her husband's death, was not inclined to be thwarted now that she was her own mistress; and, notwithstanding threats and expostulations from all quarters, she awaited but the arrival of an english man-of-war that the ceremony might be performed, there being at that time no protestant clergyman on the island; for the reader must know that a marriage on board of a king's ship, by the captain, duly entered in the log-book, is considered as valid as if the ceremony were performed by the archbishop of canterbury. i once married a couple on board of a little ten-gun brig of which i condescended to take the command, to oblige the first lord of the admiralty; offered, i believe, to _provide_ for me, and rid the board of all future solicitations for employment or promotion. it was one of my sailors, who had come to a determination to make an honest woman of poll and an ass of himself at one and the same time. the ceremony took place on the quarter-deck. "who gives this woman away?" said i, with due emphasis, according to the ritual. "i do," cried the boatswain, in a gruff voice, taking the said lady by the arm and shoving her towards me, as if he thought her not worth keeping. everything went on seriously, nevertheless. the happy pair were kneeling down on the union-jack, which had been folded on the deck in consideration of the lady's knees, and i was in the middle of the blessing, when two pigs, which we had procured at st jago's, being then off that island (creatures more like english pigs on stilts than anything else, unless you could imagine a cross between a pig and a greyhound), in the lightness of their hearts and happy ignorance of their doom, took a frisk, as you often see pigs do on shore, commenced a run from forward right aft, and galloping to the spot where we were all collected, rushed against the two just made one, destroying their centre of gravity, and upsetting them; and, indeed, destroying the gravity and upsetting the seriousness of myself and the whole of the ship's company. the lady recovered her legs, d--d the pigs, and, taking her husband's arm, hastened down the hatchway; so that i lost the kiss to which i was entitled for my services. i consoled myself by the reflection that, "please the pigs," i might be more fortunate the next time that i officiated in my clerical capacity. this is a digression, i grant, but i cannot help it; it is the nature of man to digress. who can say that he has through life kept in the straight path? this is a world of digression; and i beg that critics will take no notice of mine, as i have an idea that my digressions in this work are as agreeable to my readers, as my digressions in life have been agreeable to myself. when captain carrington anchored with his convoy in funchal roads, immediate application was made by the parties for the ceremony to be performed on board of his ship. it is true that, as mr ferguson had arrived, it might have taken place on shore; but it was considered advisable, to avoid interruption and insult, that the parties should be under the sanctuary of a british man-of-war. on the fourth day after the _boadicea's_ arrival, the ceremony was performed on board of her by mr ferguson; and the passengers of the _bombay_, residing at the house of mr-----, who was an intimate friend of the bridegroom, received and accepted the invitation to the marriage-dinner. the feast was splendid, and after the portuguese custom. the first course was _boiled_: it consisted of boiled beef, boiled mutton, boiled hams, boiled tongues, boiled bacon, boiled fowls, boiled turkeys, boiled sausages, boiled cabbages, boiled potatoes, and boiled carrots. duplicates of each were ranged in opposition, until the table groaned with its superincumbent weight. all were cut up, placed in one dish, and handed round to the guests. when they drank wine, every glass was filled, and everybody who filled his glass was expected to drink the health of every guest separately and by name before he emptied it. the first course was removed, and the second made its appearance, all roasted. roast beef, roast veal, roast mutton, roast lamb, roast joints of pork, roasted turkeys, roasted fowls, roasted sausages, roasted everything; the centre dish being a side of a large hog, rolled up like an enormous fillet of veal. this, too, was done ample justice to by the portuguese part of the company, at least; and all was cleared away for the dessert, consisting of oranges, melons, pine-apples, guavas, citrons, bananas, peaches, strawberries, apples, pears, and, indeed, of almost every fruit which can be found in the whole world; all of which appear to naturalise themselves at madeira. it was now supposed by the uninitiated that the dinner was over; but not so: the dessert was cleared away, and on came an _husteron proteron_ medley of pies and puddings, in all their varieties, smoking hot, boiled and baked; custards and sweetmeats, cheese and olives, fruits of all kinds preserved, and a hundred other things, from which the gods preserve us! at last the feast was really over--the portuguese picked their teeth with their forks, and the wine was circulated briskly. on such an occasion as the marriage of her daughter, the old lady had resolved to tap a pipe of madeira, which was, at the very least, fifty years old, very fine in flavour, but, from having been so long in the wood, little inferior in strength to genuine cognac. the consequence was that many of the gentlemen became noisy before the dinner was over; and their mirth was increased to positive uproar upon a message being sent by the bishop, ordering, upon pain of excommunication, that the ceremony should proceed no further. the ladies retired to the withdrawing-room: the gentlemen soon followed; but the effects of the wine were so apparent upon most of them that captain drawlock summoned newton to his assistance, and was in a state of extreme anxiety until his "responsibilities" were safe at home. shortly afterwards, captain carrington and those who were the least affected, by persuasion and force, removed the others from the house; and the bridal party were left to themselves, to deliberate whether they should or should not obey the preposterous demands of the reverend bishop. captain carrington was excessively fond of a joke, and never lost the opportunity when it occurred: now, it happened that in the party invited there was a merchant of the name of sullivan, who, upon his last visit to england, had returned with a very pretty, and at the same time, a very coquettish young lady as his wife. it happened, in the casualties of a large dinner party, that the old colonel (ellice was his name, if i have not mentioned it before) was seated next to her, and, as usual, was remarkably attentive. mr sullivan, like many other gentlemen, was very inattentive to his wife, and, unlike most irishmen, was very jealous of her. the very marked attention of the colonel had not escaped his notice; neither did his fidgeting upon this occasion escape the notice of those about him, who were aware of his disposition. the poor colonel was one of those upon whose brain the wine had taken the most effect; and it was not until after sundry falls, and being again placed upon his legs, that he had been conveyed home between captain carrington and mr----, the merchant at whose house the party from the _bombay castle_ were residing. the ensuing morning he did not make his appearance at breakfast; and the gentlemen residing on the island, commenting upon the events of the evening before, declared in a joking way that they should not be surprised at mr sullivan sending him a challenge in the course of the morning; that was, if he was up so soon, as he had quitted the house in a greater state of inebriety than even the colonel. it was upon this hint that captain carrington proposed to have some amusement; and having arranged it with one of the junior partners of the house, he went into the room of the colonel, whom he found still in bed. "well, colonel, how do you find yourself?" said captain carrington, when he had roused him. "oh! very bad, indeed: my head is ready to split; never felt such a sensation in my head before, except when i was struck with a spent ball at the battle of--" "i am very sorry for your headache, colonel: but more sorry that the wine should have played you such a trick last night." "trick, indeed!" replied the colonel; "i was completely overcome. i do not recollect a word that passed after i quitted the dinner-table." "are you serious? do you not recollect the scene with mrs sullivan?" "mrs sullivan! my dear sir, what scene? i certainly paid every attention due to a very pretty woman; but i recollect no further." "not the scene in the drawing-room?" "god bless me!--no--i do not even recollect ever going into the drawing-room! pray tell me what i said or did: i hope nothing improper." "why, that depends very much whether the lady likes it or not; but in the presence of so many people--" "merciful powers! captain carrington, pray let me know at once what folly it was that i committed." "why, really, i am almost ashamed to enter into particulars: suffice to say, that you used most unwarrantable freedom towards her." "is it possible?" cried the colonel. "now, captain carrington, are you not joking?" "ask this gentleman; he was present." the assertion of the captain was immediately corroborated, and the colonel was quite aghast. "excuse me, gentlemen, i will run immediately--that abominable wine. i must go and make a most ample apology. i am bound to do it, as a gentleman, as an officer, and as a man of honour." captain carrington and his confederate quitted the room, satisfied with the success of their plot. the colonel rose, and soon afterwards made his appearance. he swallowed a cup of coffee, and then proceeded on his visit, to make the _amende honorable_. when mr sullivan awoke from the lethargy produced from the stupefying effects of the wine, he tried to recollect the circumstances of the preceding evening; but he could trace no further than to the end of the dinner, after which his senses had been overpowered. all that he could call to memory was, that somebody had paid great attention to his wife, and that what had passed afterwards was unknown. this occasioned him to rise in a very jealous humour; and he had not been up more than an hour, when the colonel sent up his card, requesting, as a particular favour, that the lady would admit him. the card and message were taken by the servant to mr sullivan, whose jealousy was again roused by the circumstance; and wishing to know if the person who had now called was the same who had been so attentive to his wife on the preceding evening, and the motives of the call, he requested that the colonel might be shown in, without acquainting his wife, whom he had not yet seen, with his arrival. the colonel, who intended to have made an apology to the lady without the presence of a third person, least of all of her husband, ascended the stairs, adjusting his hair and cravat, and prepared with all the penitent assurance and complimentary excuses of a too ardent lover. the fact was, that, although the colonel had expressed to captain carrington his regret and distress at the circumstance, yet, as an old adonis, he was rather proud of this instance of juvenile indiscretion. when, therefore, he entered the room, and perceived, instead of the lady, mr sullivan, raised up to his utmost height, and looking anything but good-humoured, he naturally started back, and stammered out something which was unintelligible. his behaviour did not allay the suspicions of mr sullivan, who requested, in a haughty tone, to be informed of the reason why he had been honoured with a visit. the colonel became more confused, and totally losing his presence of mind, replied:-- "i called, sir,--on mrs sullivan,--to offer an apology for my conduct last night; but as i perceive that she is not visible, i will take a more favourable opportunity." "any apology you may have to offer to my wife, sir," replied mr sullivan, "may be confided to me. may i inquire the circumstances which have occurred to render an apology necessary?" and mr sullivan walked to the door and closed it. "why, really, mr sullivan, you must be aware that circumstances may occur," replied the colonel, more confused: "the fact is, that i consider it my duty, as a gentleman and a man of honour, to express my regrets to your fair lady." "my fair lady! for what, sir, may i ask?" "why, sir," stammered the colonel, "to state the truth, for, as a gentleman and a man of honour, i ought not to be ashamed to acknowledge my error--for--the very improper behaviour which i was guilty of last night." "improper behaviour, sir!--d--nation! with my wife?" roared mr sullivan, in his rage. "what behaviour, sir? and when, sir?" "really, sir, i was too much affected with the wine to know anything which passed. i did hope to have addressed the lady in person on the subject, and i came here with that intention." "i daresay you did, sir." "but," continued the colonel, "as it appears i am not to have that honour, i consider that i have done my duty in requesting that you will convey my sentiments of regret for what has passed;--and now, sir, i wish you a good morning." "good morning," retorted the husband, with a sneer, "and observe, sir, i will not trouble you to call again. william, show this gentleman outside the door." the colonel, who was descending the stairs, turned round to mr sullivan at the latter part of his speech, and then, as if thinking better of it, he resumed his descent, and the door was immediately closed upon him. mr sullivan, as soon as he was satisfied that the colonel was shut out, immediately repaired to his wife's dressing-room, where he found her reading. "madam," said he, fixing his eyes sternly on her, "i have been informed of what took place last night." "i'm sure i do not know what that was," replied the lady, coolly, "except that you were very tipsy." "granted, madam; you took advantage of it; and your conduct--" "my conduct, mr sullivan!" replied his wife, kindling with anger. "yes, mrs sullivan, your conduct. a married woman, madam, who allows gentlemen--" "gentlemen, mr sullivan! i allow no gentleman but yourself. are you sure that you are quite sober?" "yes, madam, i am; but this affected coolness will not avail you: deny, if you can, that colonel ellice did not last night--" "well, then, i do deny it. neither colonel ellice nor any other man ever did--" "did what, madam?" interrupted the husband in a rage. "i was going to observe, if you had not interrupted me, that no one was wanting in proper respect towards me," replied the lady, who grew more cool as her husband increased in choler. "pray, mr sullivan, may i inquire who is the author of this slander?" "the author, madam! look at me--to your confusion look at me!" "well, i'm looking." "'twas, madam--the colonel himself." "the colonel himself!" "yes, madam, the colonel himself, who called this morning to see you and renew the intimacy, i presume; but by mistake was shown up to me, and then made an apology for his conduct." "it's excessively strange! first the colonel is rude, without my knowledge, and then apologises to you! mr sullivan, i'm afraid that your head is not right this morning." "indeed, madam, i only wish that your heart was as sound," replied the husband, with a sneer; "but, madam, i am not quite blind. an honest woman--a virtuous woman, mrs sullivan, would have immediately acquainted her husband with what had passed--not have concealed it; still less have had the effrontery to deny it, when acknowledged by her _paramour_." "_paramour_!" cried the lady, with an hysterical laugh; "mr sullivan, when i select a _paramour_, it shall be a handsome young man--not an old, yellow-faced--" "pshaw, madam! there's no accounting for taste; when a woman deviates from the right path--" "right path! if ever i deviated from the right path, as you call it, it was when i married such a wretch as you! yes, sir," continued the lady, bursting into tears, "i tell it you now--my life has been a torment to me ever since i married (sobbing)--always suspected for nothing (sob, sob)--jealous, detestable temper (sob)--go to my friends (sob)--hereafter may repent (sob)--then know what you've lost" (sob, sob, sob). "and, madam," replied mr sullivan, "so may you also know what you have lost, before a few hours have passed away; then, madam, the time may come when the veil of folly will be rent from your eyes, and your conduct appear in all its deformity. farewell, madam--perhaps for ever!" the lady made no reply; mr sullivan quitted the room, and, repairing to his counting-house, wrote a challenge to the colonel and confided the delivery of it to one of his friends, who unwillingly accepted the office of second. chapter xxxv "he's truly valiant, that can wisely suffer the worst that man can breathe, and make his wrongs his outsides: to wear them, like his raiment, carelessly, and ne'er prefer his injuries to his heart, to bring it into danger." shakespeare. the colonel, in the meantime, had returned to the house where he was residing, when he was immediately accosted by captain carrington and the other gentlemen who had been let into the secret of the plot. during his walk home the colonel had been ruminating on his dismissal, and had not quite made up his mind whether he ought or ought not to resent the conduct of mr sullivan. naturally more inclined for peace than war, by the time that he had arrived home he had resolved to pocket the affront, when captain carrington called him on one side, and obtained from him a recapitulation of what had passed; which probably never would have been given if the colonel had not considered the communication as confidential. this, however, did not suit the intentions of captain carrington, who felt inclined for more mischief; and, when the colonel had concluded his narrative, he replied, "upon my word, colonel, as you observe, this conduct on the part of mr sullivan is not exactly what can be permitted by us military men. i hardly know how to advise; indeed, i would not take the responsibility; however, i will consult with mr s---- and mr g----, and if you will leave your honour in our hands, depend upon it we will do you strict justice:" and captain carrington quitted the colonel, who would have expostulated, and, walking up to the other gentlemen, entered into a recapitulation of the circumstances. a wink of his eye, as his back was turned to the colonel, fully expressed to the others the tenor of the advice which they were to offer. "well, gentlemen, what is your opinion?" said the captain, as he concluded his narrative. "i think," replied mr s----, with a serious face, "there can be but one--our gallant friend has been most grossly insulted. i think," continued he, addressing the colonel, who had quitted the sofa, in his anxiety to know the issue of their debate, "that i should most decidedly ask him what he meant." "or rather demand an apology," observed mr g----. "which mr sullivan, as a man of honour, is bound to offer, and the colonel, as a gentleman and an officer, has a right to insist upon. do you not think so, captain carrington?" said mr s----. "why, i always have been more inclined to be a peacemaker than otherwise, if i can," replied captain carrington. "if our gallant friend the colonel is not sure that mr sullivan did use the words, 'i won't trouble you to call again,'--are you positive as to the exact words, colonel?" "why, to the best of my recollection," replied the colonel, "i rather think those were the words. i may be mistaken:--it was certainly--most certainly, something to that effect." "were they 'requesting you to call again?'" said captain carrington. "no, no, that they were certainly not." "well, they could be but one or the other. then, gentlemen, the case is clear--the words were uttered," said mr s----. "now captain carrington, what would you advise?" "i really am vexed to say that i do not see how our friend, colonel ellice, can do otherwise than demand an apology, or a meeting." "could not i treat him with contempt, captain carrington?" demanded the colonel. "why, not exactly," replied mr s----. "sullivan is of good family--the sullivans of bally cum poop. he was some time in the th regiment, and was obliged to retire from it for challenging his colonel." "well, gentlemen," replied the colonel, "i suppose i must leave my honour in your hands, although it does appear to me that our time is very short for such arrangements. we sail early to-morrow morning, captain carrington; at daylight i think you said, and it will be too late to-night." "my dear colonel, i will risk a rebuke from the admiralty," replied the captain, "rather than not allow you to heal your wounded honour. i will stay till the day after tomorrow, should it be requisite for the arrangement of this business." "thank you, many thanks," replied the colonel, with an expression of disappointment. "then i had better prepare the letter?" "carta por senhor commandante," interrupted a portuguese, presenting a letter to the colonel; "o senhor embaixo; queir risposta." the colonel opened the letter, which contained mr sullivan's challenge,--pistols--tomorrow morn, at daylight--one mile on the road to machico. the colonel's countenance changed two or three shades less yellow as he read the contents: recovering himself with a giggle, he handed the letter to captain carrington. "you see, captain, the gentleman has saved me the trouble--he, he, he! these little affairs are common to gentlemen of our profession--he, he! and, since the gentleman wishes it, why, i presume--he, he! that we must not disappoint him." "since you are both of one mind, i think there will be some business done," observed mr s----. "i perceive that he is in earnest by the place named for the meeting. we generally settle our affairs of honour in the loo-fields; but i suppose he is afraid of interruption.--they want an answer, colonel." "oh! he shall have one," replied the colonel, tittering with excitement; "he shall have one. what hour does he say?" "oh, we will arrange all that. come, colonel," said captain carrington, taking him familiarly by the arm, and leading him away. the answer was despatched, and they sat down to dinner. many were the friendly and encouraging glasses of wine drank with the colonel, who recovered his confidence, and was then most assiduous in his attentions to the ladies, to prove his perfect indifference. he retired at an early hour, nevertheless. in the meantime mr sullivan had received the answer, and had retired to his counting-house, to arrange his affairs in case of accident. he had not seen his wife since the _fracas_. and now we will leave them both for a while, and make a few remarks upon duelling. most people lament, many abuse, the custom as barbarous; but barbarous it is not, or it would not be necessary in a state of high civilisation. it is true, that by the practice we offend laws human and divine; but, at the same time, it must be acknowledged, that neither law nor religion can keep society in such good order, or so restrain crime. the man who would defy the penalty of the law, and the commandments of his god against seduction will, however, pause in his career, when he finds that there are brothers to avenge an injured sister. and why so?--because in this world we live as if we were in a tavern, careless of what the bill is which we run up, but dreading the day of reckoning, which the pistol of our adversary may bring at once. thus duelling may be considered as a necessary evil, arising out of our wickedness; a crime in itself rare in occurrence, but which prevents others of equal magnitude from occurring every day; and, until the world is reformed, nothing can prevent it. men will ever be governed by the estimation of the world: and until the whole world decide against duelling--until it has become the usage to offer the other cheek upon the first having been smitten--then, and not till then, will the practice be discontinued. when a man refuses to fight a duel, he is stigmatised as a coward, his company is shunned, and unless he is a wretch without feeling, his life becomes a burden. men have refused from purely conscientious motives, and have subsequently found themselves so miserable, from the neglect and contumely of the world, that they have _backslided_, and have fought to recover their place in society. there have been some few--very few--who, having refused from conscientious motives, have adhered to these resolutions, because they feared god and not man. there was more courage in their refusal than if they had run the gauntlet of a hundred duels; a moral courage which is most rare,--preferring the contempt of man to the wrath of god. it is, however, the most trying situation on this side of the grave. to refuse to fight a duel, is in fact to obey the stern injunction, "leave all, and follow me." for my part, i never have and never will fight a duel, if i can help it. i have a double motive for my refusal; in the first place, i am afraid to offend the deity; and in the next, i am afraid of being shot. i have, therefore, made up my mind never to meet a man except upon what i consider fair terms; for when a man stakes his life, the gambling becomes rather serious, and an equal value should be laid down by each party. if, then, a man is not so big--not of equal consequence in the consideration of his fellow-mites--not married, with five small children, as i am--not having so much to lose,--why, it is clear that i risk more than he does; the stake is not equal, and i therefore shall not meet him. if, on the contrary, he presents a broader target--if he is my superior in rank, more patriarchal at home, or has so many hundreds per annum more--why, then the disadvantages will be on his side; and i trust i am too much of a gentleman, even if he offers to waive all these considerations, to permit him to fight. it would be _swindling_ the man out of his life. the best advice i can offer to my friends under these unpleasant circumstances is, first to try if they cannot persuade their adversaries to make an apology: and if they will not, why, then, let them make one themselves; for although the making an apology creates a very uneasy sensation, and goes very much _against_ the stomach, yet, depend upon it, a well-directed bullet creates a much more uneasy feeling, and, what is worse, goes _directly into it_. we left mrs sullivan sobbing in her anger, when her husband bounded out of the room in his heroics. at the time that he made the threat she was in no humour to regard it; but as her anger gradually subsided, so did her alarm increase. notwithstanding that she was a coquette, she was as warmly attached to her husband as he was to her; if she trifled, it was only for her amusement, and to attract that meed of admiration to which she had been accustomed previous to her marriage, and which no woman can renounce on her first entry into that state. men cannot easily pardon jealousy in their wives; but women are more lenient towards their husbands. love, hand-in-hand with confidence, is the more endearing; yet, when confidence happens to be out of the way, love will sometimes associate with jealousy; still, as this disagreeable companion proves that love is present, and as his presence is what a woman and all a woman asks, she suffers jealousy, nay, sometimes even becomes partial to him, for the sake of love. now, that mrs sullivan had been most unjustly accused, the reader must know, and, moreover, that she had great reason to feel irritated. when her tears had subsided, for some time she continued in her chair, awaiting, with predetermined dignity, the appearance and apology of mr sullivan. after some time had elapsed, she wondered why he did not come. dinner was announced, and she certainly expected to meet him then, and she waited for some minutes to see if he would not take this opportunity of coming up to her;--but no. she then presumed that he was still in the sulks, and had sat down to table without her, and therefore, as he would not come--why, she went; but he was not at the table. every minute she expected him:--had he been told?--where was he?--he was in the counting-house, was the reply. mrs sullivan swallowed a few mouthfuls, and then returned upstairs. tea was made--announced to mr sullivan, yet he came not. it remained on the table; the cup poured out for him was cold. the urn had been sent down, with strict injunctions to keep the water boiling, and all was cleared away. mrs sullivan fidgeted and ruminated, and became uneasy. he never had been at variance for so many hours since their marriage, and all for nothing! at last the clock struck ten, and she rang the bell.--"where is mr sullivan?"--"in the counting-house."--"tell him that i wish to speak with him." mr sullivan had not answered him, and the door was locked inside. this intelligence created a little irritation, and checked the tide of affection. "before all the servants--so inconsiderate--it was quite insulting!" with a heavy heart, mrs sullivan lighted the chamber candle, and went upstairs to bed. once she turned down the stairs two or three steps, intending to go to the counting-house door; but her pride restrained her, and she reascended. in an hour mrs sullivan was in bed, expecting her husband every minute, listening at the slightest sound for his footsteps; but two o'clock came, and he was still away. she could bear up against her suspense and agitation no longer; she rose, threw on her _robe de nuit_, and descended the stairs. all the family had long retired, and everything was still: her light foot made no noise as she tripped along. as she neared the door she perceived the light gleaming through the key-hole. whether to peep or to speak first--he might be fast asleep. curiosity prevailed--she looked through the key-hole, and perceived her husband very busy writing. after he had finished his letter he threw down the pen, pressed his forehead with both hands, and groaned deeply. mrs sullivan could refrain no longer. "william! william!" cried she, in a soft, imploring voice: but she was not answered. again and again did she repeat his name, until an answer, evidently wrung from him by impatience, was returned--"it is too late now." "too late, dear william! yes, it is very late--it's almost three o'clock. let me in, william--pray do!" "leave me alone: it's the last favour i shall probably ever request of you." "the last favour! oh, william! you frighten me so:--dear william--do--do let me in. i'm so cold--i shall die:--only for one moment, and i'll bless you. pray do, william!" it was not until after repeated and repeated entreaties of this kind that mr sullivan, worn out by importunity, at last opened the door. "mary, i am very busy; i have opened the door to tell you so, and to request that you will not interrupt me. now oblige me by going to bed." but getting in was everything; and a young and pretty wife, in dishabille and in tears, imploring, entreating, conjuring, promising, coaxing, and fondling, is not quite so easy to be detached when once she has gained access. in less than half an hour mr sullivan was obliged to confess that her conduct had been the occasion of a meeting being agreed upon for that morning, and that he was arranging his affairs in case of a melancholy termination. "you now, mary, must see the consequences of your conduct. by your imprudence, your husband's life is risked, probably sacrificed; but this is no time to be at variance. i forgive you, mary--from my soul i do, as i hope for pardon myself." mrs sullivan burst into a paroxysm of tears; and it was some time before she could answer. "william," cried she, energetically, "as you well say, this is no time to be at variance, neither is it a time for falsehood. what i stated to you this morning was true;--if not, may i never hope for pardon! and may heaven never be opened to me! you have been deceived--grossly deceived; for what purpose, i know not: but so it is. do not, therefore, be rash. send for all who were present, and examine them; and if i have told you a falsehood, put me away from you, to the shame and seclusion i shall so well deserve." "it is too late, mary; i have challenged him, and he has accepted it. i fain would believe you; but he told me so himself." "then he told a lie! a base, cowardly lie! which sinks him beneath the notice of a gentleman. let me go with you and confront him. only let him dare to say it to my face; 'tis all i ask, william, that i may clear my fame with you. come to bed--nay, nay, don't refuse me," and poor mrs sullivan again burst into tears. we must leave the couple to pass the remaining hours in misery, which, however, reclaimed them both from faults. mrs sullivan never coquetted more; and her husband was, after this, never jealous but on trifles. the colonel was just as busy on his side in preparing for the chances of the morrow: these chances, however, were never tried; for captain carrington and his confederates had made their arrangements. mr sullivan was already dressed, his wife clinging to him in frantic despair, when a letter was left at his door, the purport of which was that colonel ellice had discovered that his companions had been joking with him, when they had asserted that during his state of inebriety he had offered any rudeness to mrs sullivan. as, therefore, no offence had been committed, colonel ellice took it for granted that mr suillivan would be satisfied with the explanation. mrs sullivan, who devoured the writing over her husband's shoulder, sank down on her knees in gratitude, and was raised to her husband's arms, who, as he embraced her, acknowledged his injustice. the same party who wrote this epistle also framed another in imitation of mr sullivan's handwriting, in which mr sullivan acquainted the colonel, that having been informed by a mutual friend that he had been in error relative to colonel ellice's behaviour of the night before, he begged to withdraw the challenge, and apologise for having suspected the colonel of incivility, &c. that having been informed that colonel ellice embarked at an early hour, he regretted that he would not be able to pay his respects to him, and assure him, &c. the receipt of this letter, just as the colonel had finished a cup of coffee, preparatory to starting, made him, as a single man, quite as happy as the married couple: he hastened to put the letter into the hands of captain carrington, little thinking that he was handing it over to the writer. "you observe, captain carrington, he won't come to the scratch. perhaps as well for him that he does not," said the colonel, chuckling in his glee. the breakfast was early; the colonel talked big, and explained the whole affair to the ladies, quite unconscious that everyone in the company knew that the hoax had been played upon him. before noon, everyone had re-embarked on board of their respective ships, and their lofty sails were expanded to a light and favouring breeze. chapter xxxvi "isabel.--anywhere to avoid matrimony: the thought of a husband is terrible to me. inis.--but if you might choose for yourself, i fancy matrimony would be no such frightful thing to you." "_the wonder._" the _boadicea_, with the indiamen, proceeded on to their destination, captain carrington taking every opportunity which light winds and smooth water afforded him of paying his respects to the ladies on board of the _bombay castle_, or of inviting them on board of the frigate. the fact was that he had fallen most desperately in love with isabel revel, and paid her the most marked attention; but, although a pleasant, light-hearted companion, and a young man of good family and prospects, isabel revel had not fallen in love with him: she liked his company, but nothing more. in a month the squadron had arrived at the island of st helena, to which captain carrington had been ordered to convoy them: his directions were then to cruise in a certain latitude, and ultimately to proceed on to the east indies, if he did not fall in with the vessels he expected. it was, therefore, but parting to meet again; but during the short time that they refitted and completed their water at st helena, captain carrington proposed, and was politely refused by isabel revel. impatient as a boy who has been denied his plaything, he ordered his stores immediately on board, and the next day quitted the island. it may appear strange that a young lady, obviously sent out on speculation, should have refused so advantageous an offer; for the speculation commences with the voyage. some ladies are selected at madeira. since the cape has been in our possession, several have been induced to stay in that colony; and very often ships arrive with only the refuse of their cargo for the intended market in the east. but isabel revel had consented to embark on the score of filial duty, not to obtain a husband, unless she liked the gentleman who proposed; and captain carrington did not happen to come up to her fanciful ideas of the person to be chosen for life. captain carrington did not impart the intelligence of his ill-success to anyone but newton, who was employed to carry his farewell message. his secret was faithfully kept by both. isabel revel was not one of those young ladies who would make use of such an unworthy advantage to heighten her consequence in the eyes of others. but there was another reason, not exactly known to isabel herself at the time, which prevented her from listening to the proposals of captain carrington. had she questioned her own heart, she would have discovered that she was prepossessed in favour of one who as unconsciously had become attached to her. he knew his own feelings, but had checked them in the bud, aware that he had nothing to offer but himself. this person was newton forster. his intimacy with captain carrington, the attention shown him by captain drawlock (who entrusted him to work the chronometers!!), his own excellent character and handsome person, had raised him to more importance than his situation as a junior officer would have warranted; and his behaviour was such as to have secured him the good-will of everyone on board of the ship. newton's unassuming, frank manner, added to a large stock of general information, occasioned his society to be courted, even by those who would otherwise have been inclined to keep at a distance one in his subordinate rank. when they arrived at st helena, the first mate, for a wonder, no longer made any difficulty of going on shore for an hour or two, if he knew that newton would be the commanding officer during his absence; nay, so high did he stand in the opinion of his captain, that not only was he permitted to take charge of the chronometers, but if called away for a time below, captain drawlock would hand over to newton's charge any one of the unmarried _responsibilities_ who might happen to be leaning on his arm. the india men being now left to protect themselves, the senior officer, commodore bottlecock, issued most elaborate memorandum, as to the order of sailing, exercise of the men at the great guns and small arms, and every other point which could tend to their security by due preparation. nevertheless, the ladies continued to appear on deck. mrs ferguson sate in her majesty; the young ladies tittered, and were reprimanded; the young gentlemen were facetious, and were rebuked; the old colonel talked of his adventure at madeira, and compared everything to the spent ball in the battle of----. dr plausible had become a most assiduous attendant upon miss tavistock, ever since he had satisfactorily ascertained that she had property of her own; everybody had become intimate: everyone was becoming tired, when the bearings and distance at noon placed them about two hundred miles from point de galle, the southernmost extremity of ceylon. the wind was fresh and fair, and they congratulated each other upon a speedy termination to their tedious voyage. dinner was announced by the old tune of "oh! the roast beef of old england;" and during a long voyage the announcement of dinner is a very great relief every way. as had been the invariable rule throughout the whole of the voyage, miss charlotte and miss laura revel were placed on the one side of captain drawlock, miss tavistock and isabel revel on the other. they were flanked on the other side by mrs and mr ferguson, who thus separated them from any undue collision with the gentlemen passengers or officers of the ship. the colonel was placed next to mrs ferguson, the young writer next to her husband: then the two cadets, supported by the doctor and purser, the remainder of the table being filled up with the officers of the ship, with the first mate at the foot. such was the order of captain drawlock's dinner-sailing; as strictly adhered to as the memorandum of commodore bottlecock: the only communication permitted with the young ladies under his charge (unless married men) being to "request the honour of drinking a glass of wine with them." all this may appear very absurd; but a little reflection will convince the reader to the contrary. there is a serious responsibility on a captain of an india man, who takes charge of perhaps a dozen young women, who are to be cooped up for months in the same ship with as many young men. love, powerful everywhere, has on the waters even more potent sway, hereditary, i presume, from his mother's nativity. idleness is the friend of love; and passengers have little or nothing to do to while away the tedium of a voyage. in another point, he has great advantage, from the limited number of the fair sex. in a ball or in general society, a man may see hundreds of women, admire many, yet fall in love with none. numbers increase the difficulty of choice, and he remains delighted, but not enslaved. but on board of a ship, the continued presence of one whom he admires by comparison out of the few--one who, perhaps, if on shore, would in a short time be eclipsed by another, but who here shines without competition--gives her an advantage which, assisted by idleness and opportunity, magnifies her attractions, and sharpens the arrow of all conquering love. captain drawlock perhaps knew this from experience; he knew also that the friends of one party, if not of both, might be displeased by any contract formed when under his surveillance, and that his character and the character of his ship (for ships nowadays have characters, and very much depend upon them for their well doing) might suffer in consequence. strict as he might therefore appear, he was only doing his duty. grace being requested from mr ferguson, he indulged the company with one quite as long as usual; rather too long, considering that the ship was very unsteady, and the ladies had to cling to the table for support. but mr ferguson was not a sailor, or he would have known that it is the custom to reduce the grace in proportion with the canvas. when the royals are set, we submit to a homily; under double-reefed topsails, a blessing; but under storm stay-sails, an ejaculation is considered as orthodox. "mrs ferguson, will you permit me to send you a little mulligatawny?" said captain drawlock: "if you prefer it, there is sheep's head broth at the other end of the table." "then i will take a little of the broth, if you please, captain drawlock." "mr mathews, mrs ferguson will take some broth. i am sorry, mrs ferguson, that our table is so ill supplied; but a long voyage and bad weather has been very fatal to our hen-coops." "indeed, captain drawlock, you need not apologise." nor was there any occasion, for the table was loaded. "perhaps miss laura revel will permit me to send her a slice of this mutton?" said the obsequious colonel. "no, i thank you; i have eaten nothing but mutton lately. i think i shall be a sheep myself soon," added the young lady, tittering. "that would be very much against your inclination, i should think, miss laura," observed mrs ferguson, tartly. "la! why so? how do you know, mrs ferguson?" "because a sheep never changes its name until after it is dead. i shrewdly suspect you would like to change yours before."--(this was a hard hit.) "as you have yours, mrs ferguson," quietly answered isabel, in support of her sister. "very fair on both sides," said the colonel, bowing to the ladies, who sat together. "pray, miss laura, don't talk of being a sheep, we are all ready to devour you as it is." "la! you don't say so?" replied the young lady, much pleased. "colonel ellice," interrupted captain drawlock, with a serious air, "several of the company will thank you to carve that joint, when you have finished paying your compliments. miss tavistock, the honour of a glass of wine. we have not had the pleasure of your company on deck to-day." "no, captain drawlock. i did intend to come, but my health is in such a delicate state, that by the advice of dr plausible i remained below." "miss tavistock, will you allow me to send you some mutton?" "if you please, colonel; a very small slice." "mr forster, what have you in that dish before you?" "a chicken, captain drawlock." "miss isabel revel, will you take some chicken?" "no, i thank you, captain drawlock," replied isabel. "did you say yes or no?" inquired newton, who had caught her eye. "i'll change my mind," said isabel, smiling. now, i know it for a fact, although i shall not give up my authority, that isabel revel never wanted any chicken until she perceived that newton was to help her. so, if love occasionally takes away the appetite, let us do him justice--he sometimes creates one. "miss tavistock, allow me to send you a little of this turkey," said dr plausible; "it is easy of digestion." "if you please, doctor," replied miss tavistock, cramming the last mouthful of mutton into her mouth, and sending away her plate to be changed. "will you not take a little ham with it, miss tavistock?" said captain drawlock. "if you please, sir." "the honour of a glass of wine, miss tavistock," said the colonel. "with pleasure, sir." "miss charlotte revel, you have really eaten nothing," said captain drawlock. "that proves you have not paid me the least attention," replied the young lady. "had you honoured me with a single glance during dinner, you could not but have observed that i have been dining very heartily." "i really am quite shocked, miss charlotte, and bow to your reproof. will you take a glass of wine with me, in reconciliation?" "i consider a glass of madeira a very poor bribe, sir." "well, then, miss charlotte, it shall be champagne," replied captain drawlock, in his gallantry. "steward, champagne." a fortunate hit for the company; as champagne was in general only produced upon what sailors call "clean shirt days,"--viz., sundays and thursdays. "we are highly indebted to miss revel," observed the colonel, bowing to her; "and i think we ought to drink her health in a bumper." agreed to, _nem. con._ champagne, thou darling of my heart! to stupefy oneself with other wines, is brutal; but to raise oneself to the seventh heaven with thee, is quite ethereal. the soul appears to spurn the body, and take a transient flight without its dull associate--the--the--broke down, by jupiter! all i meant to say was, that champagne is very pretty _tipple_; and so thought the dinner party, who were proportionally enlivened. "is this orthodox, mr ferguson?" inquired the colonel, holding up his glass. "so far orthodox, that it is very good; and what is orthodox is good," replied the divine, with good-humour. "the _asia_ has made the signal for 'a strange sail--suspicious,'" said the second mate to captain drawlock, putting his head into the cabin. "very well, mr jones, keep a glass upon the commodore." "mrs ferguson, will you take some of this tart! damascene, i believe," said the first mate. "if you please, mr mathews.--did not mr jones say 'suspicious?'--what does that imply?" "imply, madam; why, that he don't like the cut of her jib!" "and pray what does that mean?" "mean, madam: why, that for all he knows to the contrary, she may be a french frigate." "a french frigate! a french frigate! o dear! o dear!" cried two or three ladies at a breath. "mr mathews," said captain drawlock, "i am really surprised at your indiscretion. you have alarmed the ladies. a suspicious sail, mrs ferguson, merely implies--in fact, that they do not know what she is." "is that _all_ it means?" replied mrs ferguson, with an incredulous look. "nothing more, madam; nothing more, i assure you." "commodore has made signal that the strange vessel is a man-of-war bearing down," said the second mate, again entering the cabin. "very well, mr jones," said captain drawlock, with assumed indifference, but at the same time fidgeting on his chair. the first mate and newton immediately quitted the cabin. "miss tavistock, will you take a little of this pudding?" "if you please, sir, a very little." "a man-of-war! i'll go and have a look at her," said the colonel, who rose up, bowed to the ladies, and left the cuddy. "most probably one of our cruisers," observed captain drawlock. "the commodore has made the signal to prepare for action, sir," said the second mate. "very well, mr jones," said captain drawlock, who could now restrain himself no longer. "you must excuse me, ladies, for a moment or two; but our commodore is so _very_ prudent a man, and i am under his orders. in a short time i hope to return to the pleasure of your society." captain drawlock's departure was followed by that of all the male party, with the exception of dr plausible and mr ferguson, both of whom, however, were anxious to go upon deck, and ascertain how matters stood. "mr ferguson, where are you going?" said his wife, sharply. "pray! sir, do us the favour to remain. your profession, if i mistake not, is one of peace." "oh! doctor plausible, i feel very unwell," cried miss tavistock. "i will stay with you, my dear madam," replied the doctor. a gun from the commodore's ship, which was close to windward of them, burst upon their ears, rattling the cabin windows, and making every wine glass on the table to dance with the concussion. "oh! oh! oh!" screamed miss tavistock, throwing herself back in her chair, and expanding her arms and fingers. doctor plausible flew to the lady's assistance. "the extreme fineness of her organic structure,--a little water, if you please, miss charlotte revel." a tumbler of water was poured out, and doctor plausible, dipping the tip of his forefinger into it, passed it lightly over the lady's brows. "she will be better directly." but the lady did not think proper to _come_ to so soon as the doctor prophesied, and mrs ferguson, snatching up the tumbler, dashed the contents with violence in miss tavistock's face; at which miss tavistock not only revived, but jumped up from her chair, blowing and spluttering. "are you better now, miss tavistock?" said mrs ferguson, soothingly, at the same time glancing her eyes at the other ladies, who could not restrain their mirth. "oh! doctor plausible, that shock has so affected my nerves, i feel that i shall faint again, i do indeed--i'm going--" "lean upon me, miss tavistock, and permit me to conduct you to your cabin," replied the doctor; "the extreme delicacy of your constitution," continued he, whispering, as they left the cuddy, "is not equal to the boisterous remedies of mrs ferguson." as they went out, newton forster came in. "you must not be alarmed, ladies, when i state that i am commissioned by captain drawlock to inform you that the stranger's manoeuvres are so doubtful, that we think she is an enemy. he has desired me to request you will accept my convoy to the lower-deck, where you will be safe from accident, in the event of our coming to an engagement. mr ferguson, the captain entrusts the ladies to your charge, and requests that you will not leave them upon any consideration. now, mrs ferguson, will you permit me to escort you to a place of security?" at this intelligence laura revel stared, charlotte burst into tears, and isabel turned pale. mrs ferguson took the arm of newton without saying a word, when the other was offered and accepted by isabel. mr ferguson, with the two other sisters, brought up the rear. the ladies had to pass the quarter-deck, and when they saw the preparations--the guns cast loose, the shot lying on the deck, and all the various apparatus for destruction--their fears increased. when they had been conducted to their place of safety, newton was about to return on deck, when he was seized by miss charlotte and laura revel, who entreated him not to leave them. "do stay with us, mr forster; pray, don't go," cried they both. "i must, indeed, ladies; you are perfectly safe here." "for god's sake, don't you go away, mr forster!" cried laura, falling on her knees. "i shall die of fright.--you sha'n't go!" screamed laura, as the two sisters clung on to the skirts of his jacket, and effectually prevented his escape, unless, like the patriarch, he had left his garment behind. newton cast an appealing glance at isabel, who immediately interfered,--"charlotte, for shame! you are preventing mr forster from going to his duty. my dear laura, do not be so foolish; mr forster can be of no service to us: but he will be on deck. let go, laura." newton was released. "i am much obliged to you, miss isabel," said newton, with his foot on the ladder; "but i have no time now to express my thanks--not to be on deck--" "i know it, mr forster: go up, i beseech you; do not wait a moment:" and newton sprang up the ladder; but not before he had exchanged with isabel a glance which, had he been deficient in courage, would have nerved him for the approaching combat. we must leave the ladies with mr ferguson (who had no pleasant office), while we follow newton on deck. the stranger had borne down with studding-sails, until within three miles of the indiamen, when she rounded to. she then kept away a little, to close nearer, evidently examining the force opposed to her. the indiamen had formed the line of battle in close order, the private signal between english men-of-war and east india ships flying at their mast-heads. "extremely strange, that she does not answer the private signal," said the colonel to the second mate. "not at all, if she don't know how." "you are convinced, then, that she is a french frigate?" "no, not positive; but i'll bet you ten to one she is:--bet off if either of us are killed, of course!" "thanky; i never bet," answered the colonel, turning away. "what do you think of her, mr mathews?" said captain drawlock to the first mate, who had his eye on the ship. "she is english built and english rigged, sir, that i'll swear; look at her lower yard-arms, the squaring of her topsails. she may be french now, but the oak in her timbers grew in old england." "i agree with you," said newton: "look at the rake of her stern; she is english all over." "then, why don't she answer the private signal?" said captain drawlock. "she's right in the wind's eye of us, sir, and our flags are blowing end on from her." "there goes up her bunting, sir," cried the first mate. "english, as i said. the commodore is answering, sir. up with the ensign there abaft. all's right, tell the ladies." "i will; i'll go and inform them," said the colonel; who immediately descended to impart the joyful intelligence. the frigate bore down, and hove to. the commodore of the india squadron went on board, when he found that she was cruising for some large dutch store-ships and vessels armed _en flute_, which were supposed to have sailed from java. in a quarter of an hour, she again made sail and parted company, leaving the indiamen to secure their guns, and pursue their course. there are two parties whose proceedings we had overlooked; we refer to miss tavistock and dr plausible. the latter handed the lady to her cabin, eased her down upon her couch, and taking her hand gently, retained it in his own, while with his other he continued to watch her pulse. "do not alarm yourself, my dear miss tavistock; your sensibility is immense. i will not leave you. i cannot think what could have induced you to trust yourself on such a voyage of danger and excitement." "oh! dr plausible, where my affections are centred there is nothing, weak creature that i am, but my soul would carry me through: indeed i am all soul. i have a dear friend in india." "he is most happy," observed the doctor, with a sigh. "_he_, dr plausible! you quite shock me! do you imagine for a moment that i would go out to follow any gentleman? no, indeed, i am not going out on speculation, as some young ladies. i have enough of my own, thank god! i keep my carriage and corresponding establishment, i assure you."--(the very thing that dr plausible required.) "indeed! my dear miss tavistock, is it then really a female friend?" "yes! the friend of my childhood. i have ventured this tedious, dangerous voyage, once more to fold her in my arms." "disinterested affection! a heart like yours, miss, were indeed a treasure to be won. what a happy man would your husband be!" "husband! oh, dr plausible, don't mention it: i feel convinced,--positively convinced, that my constitution is not strong enough to bear matrimony." the doctor's answer was too prolix for insertion; it was a curious compound dissertation upon love and physic, united. there was devoted attention, extreme gentle treatment, study of pathology, advantage of medical attendance always at hand, careful nursing, extreme solicitude, fragility of constitution restored, propriety of enlarging the circle of her innocent affections, ending at last in devoted love, and a proposal--to share her carriage and establishment. miss tavistock assumed another faint--the shock was so great; but the doctor knelt by her, and kissed her hand, with well affected rapture. at last, she murmured out a low assent, and fell back, as if exhausted with the effort. the doctor removed his lips from her hand to her mouth, to seal the contract; and, as she yielded to his wishes, almost regretted that he had not adhered to his previous less assuming gallantry. chapter xxxvii "'tis sweet to hear the watch-dog's honest bark, bay deep-mouth'd welcome as we draw near home; 'tis sweet to know there is an eye will mark our coming--and look brighter when we come." byron. edward forster returned home with his little _protégée_, his mind relieved from the weight which had oppressed it: he knew that the word of his brother was his bond, and that under a rough exterior he concealed a generous and sympathising heart. it was in the early part of the autumn that he again took possession of the cottage; and as he once more seated himself in his old arm-chair, he mentally exclaimed, "here then am i again at anchor for a short time, until summoned to another world." his prophecy was correct; during the severe winter that followed, his wound opened again, and his constitution, worn out, gave way to repeated suffering. he had not been confined to his bed more than a fortnight when he felt that his end was approaching. he had long been prepared: nothing remained to be done but to write a letter to his brother, which he confided to robertson, the fisherman, with directions that it should be put in the post-office immediately after his death; and a strict charge to watch over the little girl, until she should be sent for by his brother. this last necessary act had been completed when robertson, who was standing by the side of the bed, with the letter in his hand, informed him that the family at the hall had returned from the continent on the evening before, with their only son, who was now restored to health. this intelligence induced forster to alter his plans; and trusting to the former friendship of lord aveleyn, he despatched robertson to the hall, stating his own condition, and requesting that his lordship would come to the cottage. lord aveleyn immediately obeyed the summons; and perceiving at the first glance that forster's situation debarred all chance of recovery, took upon himself with willingness the charge of the letter, and promised to receive amber into his house until it was convenient that she should be removed. it was dark when lord aveleyn, with melancholy foreboding, took his last farewell; for, ere the sun had risen again, the spirit of edward forster had regained its liberty, and soared to the empyrean, while the deserted amber wept and prayed. edward forster had not concealed from her the precarious tenure of his existence, and since their return from london had made her fully acquainted with all the particulars connected with her own history. the last few weeks, every interval of suffering had been devoted by him to enforce those principles which he ever had inculcated, and to prepare for the event which had now taken place. amber was kneeling by the side of the bed; she had been there so long that she was not aware that it was broad day. her face, laid upon her hands, was completely hidden by her luxuriant hair, which had escaped from the confinement of the comb, when the door of the chamber of death was softly opened. amber, who either did not hear the noise or thought it was the daughter of robertson, who lived as servant in the cottage, raised not her head. the steps continued to approach, then the sound ceased, and amber felt the arms of some one encircling her waist to raise her from her kneeling posture. she lifted up her head, and dividing the hair from her forehead, that she might see who it was, perceived that it was young aveleyn who was hanging over her. "my poor little girl!" said he in a tone of commiseration. "oh! william aveleyn," cried amber, bursting into a paroxysm of tears, as she was folded in his arms. the sorrow of youth is sympathetic, and william aveleyn, although seventeen years old, and fast advancing to manhood, did not disdain to mingle his tears with those of his former playmate. it was some time before he could persuade amber, who clung to him in her grief, to any degree of serenity. "amber dear, you must come to us at the hall; this is no place for you now." "and why not, william? why should i leave so soon? i'm not afraid of being here, or lying by his side alone: i've seen other people die. i saw mrs beazely die--i saw poor 'faithful' die; and now, they _all_ are dead," said amber, bursting into tears, and burying her face in william aveleyn's bosom. "i knew that he was to die," said she, raising her head, after a time--"he told me so; but, to think that i shall never hear him speak again--that very soon i shall never see him more--i must cry, william." "but your father is happy, amber." "_he_ is happy, i know; but he was not my father, william. i have no father--no friend on earth i know of. he told me all before he died; 'faithful' brought me from the sea." this intelligence roused the curiosity of william aveleyn, who interrogated amber, and obtained from her the whole of the particulars communicated by edward forster; and, as she answered to his many questions, she grew more composed. the narrative had scarcely been finished, when lord aveleyn, who had been summoned by robertson, drove to the door accompanied by lady aveleyn, who thought that her presence and persuasions would more readily induce amber to leave the cottage. convinced by her of the propriety of the proposal, amber was put into the carriage without resistance, and conveyed to the hall, where everything that kindness and sympathy could suggest was resorted to, to assuage her grief. there we must leave her, and repair to the metropolis. "scratton," said mr john forster to his clerk, who had answered the bell, "recollect i cannot see anyone today." "you have several appointments, sir," replied the clerk. "then send, and put them all off." "yes, sir; and if anyone calls, i am to say that you are not at home?" "no, i am at home; why tell a lie? but i cannot see anybody." the clerk shut the door; john forster put on his spectacles to re-peruse the letter which lay before him. it was the one from edward, inclosed in a frank by lord aveleyn, with a few lines, announcing his brother's death, and stating that amber was at the hall, where they should be glad that she should remain until it was convenient to send for her. edward's letter repeated his thanks to his brother for his kind promise, and took a last and affectionate farewell. john forster struggled for a time with his feelings; but the more he attempted to repress them the more violent they became. he was alone, and he gave them vent. the legal documents before him, arising from the bitterness of strife, were thus unusually moistened with a tribute to a brother's memory. but in a few moments the old lawyer was himself again; all traces of emotion had disappeared, and no one who had seen him then would ever have imagined that john forster could have been thus moved. the next day he was not as usual to be found at his chambers: the fact was, that he had set off immediately after breakfast, upon what is generally termed "house hunting." the apartments which he occupied in his chambers were not sufficient for the intended increase of his establishment; and when he had given his promise to edward, he was fully aware of the expense which would be entailed by receiving amber, and had made up his mind to incur it. he therefore fixed upon a convenient house in lincoln's inn fields, which would not detach him far from his chambers. having arranged for a lease of twelve years, john forster returned to his chambers. "scratton," said he, "look out for a man-servant, a cook, housemaid, and a steady woman as housekeeper--good characters, and undeniable reference. the housekeeper must be a somewhat superior person, as she will have to take charge of a young miss, and i do not want her spoiled by keeping company with the general description of servants. do you understand?" scratton did; and in less than a month, as everything is to be obtained for money in the city of london, the house was furnished by a city upholsterer in a plain way, and all the servants installed in their respective situations. mr john forster took possession of his new house, and tried for a week if all worked well. ascertaining that the furniture was complete, the under-servants well behaved, and the housekeeper a mild and very intelligent personage, fit to be intrusted with the charge of a little girl, he then wrote to lord aveleyn, reiterating the thanks conveyed in his former letter, and requesting that amber might be delivered into the charge of the bearer. with this letter mr scratton was despatched, and, in due time, arrived at the hall. amber wept bitterly at the idea of parting with those who had been so kind to her, and passing into the hands of one who was a stranger. having exacted a promise from william aveleyn that he would call as he passed through on his way to cambridge, she bade her kind friends farewell, entered the chaise in company with mr scratton, and was hurried off to london. mr scratton was one of those personages who never spoke except on business; and, having no business to transact with a girl of twelve years old, he never spoke at all, except when necessity rendered it imperative. amber was, therefore, left to her own reflections. what they all were, i cannot tell, but one certainly was, that travelling in a chaise for two days with mr scratton was not very agreeable. most happy was she when they drove up to the door of mr john forster's new habitation. the old gentleman, who had calculated the hour of her arrival after the receipt of a letter from her companion, was there to receive her. amber, who had been prepossessed in his favour by edward forster, who had told her that in his brother she would find a protector and indulgent parent, ran up to him when she entered the room, and burst into tears as the injunctions of edward forster returned to her memory. john forster took her in his arms and kissed her. "my little girl," said he, "what my brother was, such will i be to you. consider me as your father; for his memory, and i hope soon, for your own sake, i shall rejoice to be so." after an hour, by which time amber had recovered her serenity, and become almost cheerful, she was consigned to the charge of mrs smith, the housekeeper, and john forster hastened back to his chambers and his clients, to make up for so much lost time. it was not long before the old gentleman discovered that the trouble and expense which he had incurred to please his brother was the occasion of pleasure and gratification. he no longer felt isolated in the world: in short, he had a _home_, where a beaming eye met his return, and an affectionate heart ministered to his wishes; where his well known rap at the door was a source of delight, and his departure one of regret. in a few months amber had entwined herself round the old man's heart: the best masters were procured for her, and all the affection of a doting parent upon an only child was bestowed by him who, when the proposition was made, had declared that "it was bad enough to maintain children of one's own begetting." bless my soul! how poor authors are obliged to gallop about. now i must be off again to india, and get on board of the _bombay castle_. chapter xxxviii "a green and gilded snake had wreathed itself, who, with her head, nimble in threats, approach'd the opening of his mouth." shakespeare. the _bombay castle_ arrived at madras without further adventure. a few hours after she had anchored, all the passengers, receiving kind messages from, or escorted on shore by their relatives or consignees, had landed; all, with the exception of the three miss revels, whose anxiety to land was increased by the departure of the others, and the unpleasant situation in which they were placed, by remaining a clog upon captain drawlock, who would not quit his ship until he had surrendered up his charge. by inquiry of the dubashes, captain drawlock found out that old colonel revel was residing at his bungalow, about two miles distant from the fort; and supposing him not to be aware of the arrival of his grand-nieces, he despatched newton forster to acquaint him with the circumstance. it was late in the afternoon when newton arrived at the residence of the colonel, when he perceived immediately that everything was on the establishment of an old indian nabob. a double set of palanquin-bearers were stretched under the verandas; syces were fanning the horses with their chowries, tailors and various craftsmen were at work in the shade, while a herd of consumers, butlers, and other indian domestics, were loitering about, or very busy doing nothing. it will be necessary, before newton is introduced to the colonel, that the colonel should be introduced to the reader. he was a man of nearly sixty years of age, forty-five of which, with the exception of occasional furlough, had been passed in the country. having held several lucrative situations for many years, and, although not parsimonious, being very prudent in money concerns, he had amassed a very large fortune. more than once he had returned to england on leave, and with the full intention of remaining there, if he could be comfortable; but a few months in his native country only made him more anxious to return to india. his habits, his tastes, were all eastern; the close hospitality, the cold winter of england, the loss of consequence, naturally resulting when a man mixes in the crowd of london, all disgusted him, and he invariably returned to india long before his furlough had expired. he was a bachelor from choice. when young, he had been very cruelly treated by the object of his admiration, who deserted him for a few lacs of rupees, which offered themselves with an old man as their appendage. this had raised his bile against the sex in general, whom he considered as mercenary and treacherous. his parties were numerous and expensive, but women were never to be seen in his house; and his confirmed dislike to them was the occasion of his seldom visiting, except with those who were like himself in a state of happy singleness. in other points, he was a liberal, worthy man, and a perfect gentleman, but extremely choleric in disposition. newton addressed himself to one of the butlers, requesting to be announced. the man led the way to a spacious hall, coated and floored with chunam, when newton perceived the colonel, who presented rather a singular spectacle. "burra saib; saib," said the indian, and immediately retired. the colonel was a tall, gaunt man, with high cheekbones, bushy eyebrows, and white hair. he was seated on a solitary chair in the centre of the hall; his dress consisting of a pair of white nankeen trousers and a white shirt, the sleeves of the latter tucked up to his shoulders, and exposing sinewy arms, covered with hair. by his side lay a basket of mangoes, and before his chair a large tub of water. as newton entered, he had an opportunity of witnessing the most approved method of eating this exquisite fruit. the colonel had then one as large as a cassowary's egg, held in both hands, and applied to his mouth, while he held his head over the tub of water, to catch the superabundant juice which flowed over his face, hands and arms, and covered them with a yellow stain. the contents of the mango were soon exhausted; the stone and pulp were dropped into the tub of water, and the colonel's hand was extended to the basket for a repetition of his luxurious feast, when newton was announced. newton was sorry to interrupt him, and would have made an apology, had he not observed that the colonel, whose back was towards him, continued his pleasing avocation: the fact was that the colonel was so intent upon his occupation that he had neither heard the announcement nor could he perceive newton, who thus had an opportunity of witnessing the demolition of at least two dozen more mangoes without the colonel having turned his eyes in that direction, or being aware that he was not alone. but something at length attracted the attention of newton, and induced him to come forward, and put an end to the colonel's repast. the colonel had just taken another mango out of the basket, when newton perceived a small snake wind itself over the rim, and curl up one of the feet of the colonel's chair, in such a position that the very next time that the colonel reached out his hand, he must have come in contact with the reptile. newton hardly knew how to act; the slightest movement of the old gentleman might be fatal to him; he therefore walked up softly and was about to strike the reptile on the head with his stick, when the colonel, as he leant over the tub, half rose from the chair. in an instant, newton snatched it from under him, and jerked it, with the snake, to the corner of the hall. the colonel, whose centre of gravity had not been thrown sufficiently forward to enable him to keep his feet, fell backward, when newton and he both rolled on the floor together; and also both recovered their legs at the same time. "you'll excuse me, sir," said newton. "i'll be d----d if i do, sir!" interrupted the colonel, in a rage. "who the devil are you?--and how dare you presume to play off such impertinent jokes upon a stranger?--where did you come from?--how did you get in, sir?" "is that a joke, sir?" replied newton, calmly pointing to the snake, which was still hissing in its wrath at the corner of the room where the chair lay. newton then briefly explained the circumstances. "sir, i beg your pardon a thousand times, and am very much your debtor. it is the most venomous snake that we have in the country. i trust you will accept my apology for a moment's irritation; and, at the same time, my sincere thanks." the colonel then summoned the servants, who provided themselves with bamboos, and soon despatched the object which had occasioned the misunderstanding. the colonel then apologised to newton, while he repaired to the bath, and in a few minutes returned, having undergone this necessary ablution after a mango feast. his dress was changed, and he offered the appearance of an upright, gentleman-like, hard-featured man, who had apparently gone through a great deal of service without his stamina having been much impaired. "i beg your pardon, my dear sir, for detaining you. may i request the pleasure of your name and the occasion of your providential visit?" "i have a letter for you, sir," replied newton, who had been intrusted with the one which mr revel had given to his daughters on their embarkation. "oh! a letter of introduction. it is now quite superfluous, you have already introduced yourself." "no, sir, it is not a letter of recommendation in my behalf, but to announce the arrival of your three grand-nieces--daughters of the honourable mr revel--in the _bombay castle_, the ship to which i belong." "what?" roared the colonel, "my three grand-nieces! daughters of mr revel!" "so i have understood from them, sir." the colonel tore open the letter, in which mr revel very coolly informed him that not having received any answers to his former epistles on the subject, he presumed that they had miscarried, and had therefore been induced, in consequence of the difficulties which he laboured under, to send his daughters out to his kind protection. the colonel, as soon as he had finished the perusal of the letter, tore it into pieces again and again, every renewed action showing an increase of excitement. he then threw the fragments on the floor, stamping upon them in an ecstasy of rage. "the d----d scoundrel!--the villain!--the rascal!--do you know, sir, that when i was last in england this fellow swindled me out of a thousand pounds? yes, sir, a thousand pounds, by g-d! promised to pay me in three weeks; and when i was coming back, and asked him for my money, he laughed at me, and ordered his servant not to let me in. and now he has sent out his three daughters to me--pawned them off upon me, laughing, i suppose, in his sleeve, as he did when he cheated me before. i'll not receive them, by g-d! they may find their way back again how they can;" and the colonel paced the room up and down, throwing his arms about in his fury. newton waited some time before he ventured to make any observation; indeed, he was so astonished at such an unheard-of proceeding, and so shocked at the unfortunate situation of isabel, that he hardly knew what to say. "am i then to inform the young ladies that you will not receive them?" "you don't know me, sir. when did i ever receive a woman into my house? they are all alike, sir. plotted with their father, i'll answer for, with the hopes of getting husbands. tell them, sir, that i'll see them d----d first! swindling scoundrel!--first cheats me out of a thousand pounds, and then tries to cheat me into providing for his family!" newton paused a little, to allow the colonel's wrath to subside, and then observed--"i never was so much distressed as to be the bearer of your message. the young ladies are certainly no parties to their father's dishonesty, and are in a situation much to be pitied. in a foreign country, thousands of miles from their friends, without means of subsistence, or of paying their passage home. what is to become of them?" "i don't care." "that your indignation is just, colonel revel, i admit; but allowing that you will not receive them, how are they to return home? captain drawlock, i am sure, would give them a passage; but we proceed to china. poor girls!" continued newton, with a sigh. "i should like to make a remark, colonel revel, if it were not considered too great a liberty in a stranger." "you have already taken a liberty which in all probability has saved my life. i shall be happy to listen to any remark that you may wish to offer." "it was, sir, that, reprehensible as their father's conduct may be, common humanity, and a regard for your own character, will hardly warrant their being left thus destitute. they, at least, are your relations, and have neither offended nor deceived you; on the contrary, are, with you, joint victims of their father's deception." "you appear to take a great interest in these young ladies," observed the colonel, sharply. "if i had never seen them, sir, their present unfortunate dilemma would be sufficient. knowing them intimately as i do, i must say that this intelligence will be, to one, at least, a death-blow. i would to god that i were able to assist and protect her!" "very handsome, then, i presume?" replied the colonel, with a sneer. "she certainly is, sir; but it was not admiration of her beauty which occasioned the remark. if you knew her, sir, you would be as sorry to part with her, as you now appear to be to receive her." the colonel continued to pace the room, but with less violence than before. newton observed this, and therefore was silent, hoping that reflection would induce him to alter his resolution. in a few minutes, apparently forgetting the presence of newton, the colonel commenced talking to himself aloud, muttering out a few detached phrases:--"must take them in, by g-d! couldn't show my face--no where--d----d scoundrel! keep them here till next ship--till they are as yellow as gamboge, then send them home--revenge in that." thus did the old gentleman mutter loud enough for newton to overhear. a few minutes more were spent in perambulation, when he threw himself into the chair. "i think, my young acquaintance, you appear to be interested for these relations of mine; or at least for one of them." "i certainly am, sir; and so is everyone who is acquainted with her." "well, i am glad to hear that there is one good out of the three. i have been put in a passion--no wonder; and i have said more than should be repeated. were it known that these girls had been sent out to me in this way, the laugh would be raised against me, as it is known that i am not very partial to women; and it would also be of serious injury to them and their prospects. i have determined upon receiving them, for the best of all possible reasons--i can't help myself. you will, therefore, add to the obligations of this day, by saying nothing about what has been made known to you." "most certainly, sir; i will pledge you my honour, if it is requested." "when i say not mention it, i mean to other parties; but to the girls, i must request you to state the facts. i will not have them come here, pawing and fondling, and wheedling me as an old bachelor, with a few lacs of rupees to be coaxed out of. it would make me sick; i detest women and their ways. now, if they are informed of the real state of the case, that they are here only on sufferance; that i neither wished nor want them; and that i have been imposed upon by their scoundrel of a father, i may keep them at the other end of the bungalow, and not be annoyed with their company; until, upon plea of bad health, or some other excuse, i can pay their passage back again." "could you not state these facts yourself, sir?" "no, i never meddle with women; besides, it is better that they should know it before they come here. if you will promise me what i now request, why, i will consent to give them house-room; if not, they may stay where they are. it will be but a few days' laugh at me, or abuse of me, i care little which." "well, sir, unpleasant as this intelligence must be, their present suspense is still more so. you will allow me to disclose it in as delicate a manner as possible." "you may be as refined as you please, provided that you tell the exact truth, which i am convinced that you will, by your countenance." "then, i will take my leave, sir," replied newton. "fare you well, my dear sir; recollect that my house is your home; and although not fond of the society of women, i shall be delighted with yours. the young ladies may be brought on shore to the hotel, and i will send a carriage for them. good-bye,--what is your name?" "forster, sir." "good-bye, then, mr forster, for the present;" and the colonel quitted the room. chapter xxxix "then there were sighs, the deeper for suppression, and stolen glances, sweeter for the theft, and burning blushes, though for no transgression, tremblings when met, and restlessness when left. all these are little preludes to possession, of which young passion cannot be bereft, and merely tend to show how greatly love is embarrassed, at first starting, with a novice." byron. it was in no very happy frame of mind that newton quitted the colonel's house to execute his mission to the miss revels. that the two eldest, provided they were admitted, would not much take to heart either the conduct of their father or the coolness of their relation, he was pretty well assured; but he was too well acquainted with isabel's character not to know that she would deeply feel the humiliating situation in which she was placed, and that it would prey upon her generous and sensitive mind. as, however, there was no remedy, he almost congratulated himself that, as the colonel's message was to be delivered, the commission had been placed in his trust. captain drawlock, tired of waiting, had escorted the young ladies on shore to the hotel, anxiously expecting the arrival of newton, who was conducted there by a messenger despatched to intercept him. "well, mr forster, is it all right?" said captain drawlock, on his appearance. "the colonel's carriage will be here for the ladies in less than half an hour," replied newton, evasively. "then, miss revels, as i am extremely busy, i shall wish you good-morning, and will have the pleasure of paying my respects before i sail. allow me to offer you my best thanks for your company during our voyage, and to assure you how much your presence has contributed to enliven it. forster, you will, of course, remain with the miss revels, and see them safe in the carriage;" and captain drawlock, who appeared to consider his responsibility over with the voyage, shook hands with them, and quitted the hotel. "mr forster," said isabel, as soon as captain drawlock was out of hearing, "i am sure, by your countenance, that there has been something unpleasant. is it not so?" "i am sorry to answer in the affirmative, and more sorry to be forced to impart the cause." newton then entered into a detail of what had passed at the colonel's house. isabel listened to it with attention, her sisters with impatience. miss charlotte, with an air of consternation, inquired whether the colonel had refused to receive them: on being informed to the contrary, she appeared to be satisfied. laura simpered, and observed, "how very odd of papa!" and then seemed to think no more about it. isabel made no observation; she remained on her chair, apparently in deep and painful thought. a few minutes after the communication the colonel's carriage made its appearance, and newton proposed that they should quit the hotel. charlotte and laura were all ready and impatient, but isabel remained seated by the table. "come, isabel," cried charlotte. "i cannot go, my dear charlotte," replied isabel; "but do not let me prevent you or laura from deciding for yourselves." "not go!" cried the two sisters at once. isabel was firm; and newton, who did not think himself authorised to interfere, was a silent witness to the continued persuasions and expostulations of the two elder, and the refusal of the younger sister. nearly half an hour thus passed away, when charlotte and laura decided that they would go, and send back the carriage for isabel, who by that time would have come to her senses. the heartless, unthinking girls tripped gaily down to the carriage, and drove off. newton, who had escorted them, retraced his steps, with a beating heart, to the room where he had left isabel. she was in tears. "do i intrude, miss revel?" said newton, who could not repress his emotion at the sight. "oh, no! i expected and wished that you would return, mr forster. do you think that you could find captain drawlock? i should feel much obliged if you would take that trouble for me." "i will immediately go in search of him, if you wish it. believe me, miss revel, i feel most sincerely for your situation; and, if it were not considered an impertinent question, i should ask you what may be your present intentions?" "acquainted as you are with all the circumstances, mr forster, the question is not impertinent, but kind. god knows that i require an adviser. i would, if possible, conceal the facts from captain drawlock. it is not for a daughter to publish a father's errors; but you know all, and i can therefore have no scruple in consulting with you: i do not see why i should. my resolution is, at best, a hasty one; but it is, never to enter the house of my relation under such humiliating circumstances--that is decided: but how to act, or what to do, is where i require advice. i am in a cruel situation. what a helpless creature is a woman! were i a man, i could have worked my passage home, or have honestly obtained my bread in this place; but a woman--a young and unprotected woman--in a distant clime, and without a friend--" "do not say that you are without a friend; one who has at least the will, if not the power to serve you," replied newton. "no--not without a friend; but what avails a friend whose assistance i could not accept? it is to captain drawlock, therefore, that i must apply, and, painful as it may be, throw myself upon his generosity; for that reason i wished to see him. he may advise some means by which i may obtain a passage home. i will return in any capacity--as a nurse to children, as an attendant--anything that is creditable. i would watch over the couch of fever, pestilence, and plague, for months, rather than appear to be a party to my father's duplicity. oh! mr forster, what must you think of the daughters, after what you have heard of the parent's conduct?"--and isabel burst into tears. newton could contain himself no longer. "my dear miss revel, let me persuade you to compose yourself," said he, taking her hand, which was not withdrawn. "if you feel on this occasion, so do i most deeply--most deeply, because i can only lament, and dare not offer to assist you. the means of returning to your own country i can easily procure from captain drawlock; but would you accept it from me? i know--i cannot expect that you would; and that, under such circumstances, it would be insulting in me to offer it. think, then, what pain i must feel to witness your distress, and yet dare not offer to assist one for whom--oh! my god--" ended newton, checking his feelings. "i feel the kindness and the delicacy of your conduct, mr forster; and i will candidly acknowledge, that, could i accept it, there is no one to whom i would more cheerfully be under an obligation; but the world will not permit it." "what shall i do, miss revel?--shall i go for captain drawlock?" "stay a little while; i wish to reflect. what would you advise?--as a friend, tell me candidly, mr forster." "i am indeed proud that you allow me that title. it is all that i ever dare hope for; but isabel (i beg your pardon, miss revel, i should have said)--" "nay, nay, i am not displeased. why not isabel? we have known one another long enough; and, deserted as i feel, a kind word now--" isabel covered her face with her hand. newton, who was standing by her, was overcome by the intensity of his feelings; gradually they approached nearer, until by, i suppose, the same principle which holds the universe together--the attraction of cohesion--newton's arm encircled the waist of isabel, and she sobbed upon his shoulder. it was with difficulty that newton refrained from pouring out his soul, and expressing the ardent love which he had so long felt for her; but it was taking advantage of her situation. he had nothing to offer but himself and beggary. he did refrain. the words were not spoken; yet isabel divined his thoughts, appreciated his forbearance, and loved him more for his resolution. "isabel," said newton, at length, with a sigh, "i never valued or wished for wealth till now. till this hour i never felt the misery of being poor." "i believe you, mr forster; and i am grateful, as i know that it is for my sake that you feel it; but," continued she, recovering herself, "crying will do no good. i asked you for your advice, and you have only given me your arm." "i am afraid it is all i shall ever have to offer," replied newton. "but, isabel, allow me to ask you one question:--are you resolved never to enter your relation's house?" "not on the humiliating terms which he has proposed. let the colonel come here for me and take me home with him, and then i will remain there until i can return to england; if not, i will submit to any privation, to any honest humiliation, rather than enter under his roof. but, indeed, mr forster, it is necessary that captain drawlock should be summoned. we are here alone: it is not correct: you must feel that it is not." "i do feel that it is not; but, isabel, i was this morning of some trifling service to the colonel, and may have some little weight with him. will you allow me to return to him, and try what i can do? it will not be dark for these two hours, and i will soon be back." isabel assented. newton hastened to the colonel, who had already been much surprised when he had been informed by his domestics (for he had not seen them) that only two ladies had arrived. the old gentleman was now cool. the explanation and strong persuasions of newton, coupled with the spirited behaviour of isabel, whose determination was made known to him, and which was so different from the general estimate he had formed of the sex, at last prevailed. the colonel ordered his carriage, and, in company with newton, drove to the hotel, made a sort of apology--a wonderful effort on his part, and requested his grand-niece to accept of his hospitality. in a few minutes isabel and the colonel were out of sight, and newton was left to his own reflections. a few days afterwards newton accepted the colonel's invitation to dine, when he found that affairs were going on better than he expected. the old gentleman had been severely quizzed by those who were intimate with him, at the addition to his establishment, and had winced not a little under the lash; but, on the whole, he appeared more reconciled than would have been expected. newton, however, observed that, when speaking of the three sisters, he invariably designated them as "my grand-niece, and the two other young women." chapter xl "rich in the gems of india's gaudy zone, and plunder piled from kingdoms not their own, degenerate trade! thy minions could despise thy heart-born anguish of a thousand cries: could lock, with impious hands, their teeming store, while famish'd nations died along the shore; could mock the groans of fellow-men, and bear the curse of kingdoms, peopled with despair; could stamp disgrace on man's polluted name, and barter with their gold eternal shame." campbell. gold!--gold! for thee, what will man not attempt?--for thee, to what degradation will he not submit?--for thee, what will he not risk in this world, or prospectively in the next? industry is rewarded by thee; enterprise is supported by thee; crime is cherished, and heaven itself is bartered for thee, thou powerful auxiliary of the devil! one tempter was sufficient for the fall of man; but thou wert added, that he ne'er might rise again. survey the empire of india; calculate the millions of acres, the billions with which it is peopled, and then pause while you ask yourself the question--how is it that a company of merchants claim it as their own? by what means did it come into their possession? honestly, they will reply. honestly! you went there as suppliants; you were received with kindness and hospitality, and your request was granted, by which you obtained a footing on the soil. now you are lords of countless acres, masters of millions, who live or perish as you will; receivers of enormous tribute. why, how is this? honestly, again you say; by treaty, by surrender, by taking from those who would have destroyed us the means of doing injury. honestly! say it again, that heaven may register, and hell may chuckle at your barefaced, impudent assertion. no! by every breach of faith which could disgrace an infidel; by every act of cruelty which could disgrace our nature; by extortion, by rapine, by injustice, by mockery of all laws, or human or divine. the thirst for gold, and a golden country, led you on; and in these scorching regions you have raised the devil on his throne, and worshipped him in his proud pre-eminence as mammon. let us think. is not the thirst for gold a temptation to which our natures are doomed to be subjected--part of the ordeal which we have to pass? or why is it that there never is sufficient? it appears to be ordained by providence that this metal, obtained from the earth to feed the avarice of man, should again return to it. if all the precious ore which for a series of ages has been raised from the dark mine were now in tangible existence, how trifling would be its value! how inadequate as a medium of exchange for the other productions of nature, or of art! if all the diamonds and other precious stones which have been collected from the decomposed rocks (for hard as they once were, like all sublunary matter, they too yield to time) why, if all were remaining on the earth, the frolic gambols of the may-day sweep would shake about those gems, which now are to be found in profusion only where rank and beauty pay homage to the thrones of kings. arts and manufactures consume a large proportion of the treasures of the mine, and as the objects fall into decay, so does the metal return to the earth again. but it is in eastern climes, where it is collected, that it soonest disappears. where the despot reigns, and the knowledge of an individual's wealth is sufficient warranty to seal his doom, it is to the care of the silent earth alone that the possessor will commit his treasures; he trusts not to relation or to friend, for gold is too powerful for human ties. it is but on his death-bed that he imparts the secret of his deposit to those he leaves behind him; often called away before he has time to make it known, reserving the fond secret till too late; still clinging to life, and all that makes life dear to him. often does the communication, made from the couch of death, in half-articulated words, prove so imperfect, that the knowledge of its existence is of no avail unto his intended heirs; and thus it is that millions return again to the earth from which they have been gathered with such toil. what avarice has dug up avarice buries again; perhaps in future ages to be regained by labour, when, from the chemical powers of eternal and mysterious nature, they have again been filtered through the indurated earth, and reassumed the form and the appearance of the metal which has lain in darkness since the creation of the world. is not this part of the grand principle of the universe?--the eternal cycle of reproduction and decay, pervading all and every thing--blindly contributed to by the folly and wickedness of man! "so far shalt thou go, but no further," was the fiat; and, arrived at the prescribed limit, we must commence again. at this moment intellect has seized upon the seven-league boots of the fable, which fitted everybody who drew them on, and strides over the universe. how soon, as on the decay of the roman empire, may all the piles of learning which human endeavours would rear as a tower of babel to scale the heavens, disappear, leaving but fragments to future generations, as proofs of pre-existent knowledge! whether we refer to nature or to art, to knowledge or to power, to accumulation or destruction, bounds have been prescribed which man can never pass, guarded as they are by the same unerring and unseen power, which threw the planets from his hand, to roll in their appointed orbits. all appears confused below, but all is clear in heaven. i have somewhere heard it said, that wherever heaven may be, those who reach it will behold the mechanism of the universe in its perfection. those stars, now studding the firmament in such apparent confusion, will there appear in all their regularity, as worlds revolving in their several orbits, round suns which gladden them with light and heat, all in harmony, all in beauty, rejoicing as they roll their destined course in obedience to the almighty fiat; one vast, stupendous, and, to the limits of our present senses, incomprehensible mechanism, perfect in all its parts, most wonderful in the whole. nor do i doubt it: it is but reasonable to suppose it. he that hath made this world and all upon it can have no limits to his power. i wonder whether i shall ever see it. i said just now, let us think. i had better have said, let us not think; for thought is painful, even dangerous when carried to excess. happy is he who thinks but little, whose ideas are so confined as not to cause the intellectual fever, wearing out the mind and body, and often threatening both with dissolution. there is a happy medium of intellect, sufficient to convince us that all is good--sufficient to enable us to comprehend that which is revealed, without a vain endeavour to pry into the hidden; to understand the one, and lend our faith unto the other; but when the mind would soar unto the heaven not opened to it, or dive into sealed and dark futurity, how does it return from its several expeditions? confused, alarmed, unhappy; willing to rest, yet restless; willing to believe, yet doubting; willing to end its futile travels, yet setting forth anew. yet, how is a superior understanding envied! how coveted by all!--a gift which always leads to danger, and often to perdition. thank heaven! i have not been entrusted with one of those thorough-bred, snorting, champing, foaming sort of intellects, which run away with common sense, who is jerked from his saddle at the beginning of its wild career. mine is a good, steady, useful hack, who trots along the high-road of life, keeping on his own side, and only stumbling a little now and then, when i happen to be careless,--ambitious only to arrive safely at the end of his journey, not to pass by others. why am i no longer ambitious? once i was, but 'twas when i was young and foolish. then methought "it were an easy leap to pluck bright honour from the pale-faced moon;" but now i am old and fat, and there is something in fat which chokes or destroys ambition. it would appear that it is requisite for the body to be active and springing as the mind; and if it is not, it weighs the latter down to its own gravity. who ever heard of a fat man being ambitious? cæsar was a spare man; buonaparte was thin as long as he climbed the ladder; nelson was a shadow. the duke of wellington has not sufficient fat in his composition to grease his own wellington-boots. in short, i think my hypothesis to be fairly borne out, that fat and ambition are incompatible. it is very melancholy to be forced to acknowledge this, for i am convinced that it may be of serious injury to my works. an author with a genteel figure will always be more read than one who is corpulent. all his etherealness departs. some young ladies may have fancied me an elegant young man, like lytton bulwer, full of fun and humour, concealing all my profound knowledge under the mask of levity, and have therefore read my books with as much delight as has been afforded by "pelham." but the truth must be told. i am a grave, heavy man, with my finger continually laid along my temple, seldom speaking unless spoken to--and when ladies talk, i never open my mouth; the consequence is, that sometimes, when there is a succession of company, i do not speak for a week. moreover, i am married, with five small children; and now all i look forward to, and all i covet, is to live in peace, and die in my bed. i wonder why i did not commence authorship before! how true it is that a man never knows what he can do until he tries! the fact is, i never thought that i could make a novel; and i was thirty years old before i stumbled on the fact. what a pity! writing a book reminds me very much of making a passage across the atlantic. at one moment, when the ideas flow, you have the wind aft, and away you scud, with a flowing sheet, and a rapidity which delights you: at other times, when your spirit flags, and you gnaw your pen (i have lately used iron pens, for i'm a devil of a crib-biter), it is like unto a foul wind, tack and tack, requiring a long time to get on a short distance. but still you do go, although but slowly; and in both cases we must take the foul wind with the fair. if a ship were to furl her sails until the wind was again favourable, her voyage would be protracted to an indefinite time; and if an author were to wait until he again felt in a humour, it would take a life to write a novel. whenever the wind is foul, which it now most certainly is, for i am writing anything but "newton forster," and which will account for this rambling, stupid chapter, made up of odds and ends, strung together like what we call "skewer pieces" on board of a man-of-war; when the wind is foul, as i said before, i have, however, a way of going a-head by getting up the steam, which i am now about to resort to--and the fuel is brandy. all on this side of the world are asleep, except gamblers, house-breakers, the new police, and authors. my wife is in the arms of morpheus--an allegorical _crim. con._, which we husbands are obliged to wink at; and i am making love to the brandy-bottle, that i may stimulate my ideas, as unwilling to be roused from their dark cells of the brain as the spirit summoned by lochiel, who implored at each response, "leave, oh! leave me to repose." now i'll invoke them, conjure them up, like little imps, to do my bidding:-- by this glass which now i drain, by this spirit, which shall cheer you, as its fumes mount to my brain, from thy torpid slumbers rear you. by this head, so tired with thinking, by this hand, no longer trembling, by these lips, so fond of drinking, let me feel that you're assembling. by the bottle placed before me, (food for you, ere morrow's sun), by this second glass, i pour me, come, you _little beggars_, come. chapter xli "british sailors have a knack, haul away, yo ho, boys. of hauling down a frenchman's jack 'gainst any odds, you know, boys." old song. there was, i flatter myself, some little skill in the introduction of the foregoing chapter, which has played the part of chorus during the time that the _bombay castle_ has proceeded on to canton, has taken in her cargo, and is on her passage home, in company with fifteen other east indiamen and several country ships, all laden with the riches of the east, and hastening to pour their treasures into the lap of their country. millions were floating on the waters, entrusted to the skill of merchant-seamen to convey them home in safety, and to their courage to defend them from the enemy, which had long been lying in wait to intercept them. by a very unusual chance or oversight, there had been no men-of-war despatched to protect property of such enormous value. the indian fleet had just entered the straits of malacca, and were sailing in open order, with a fresh breeze and smooth water. the hammocks had been stowed, the decks washed, and the awnings spread. shoals of albicore were darting across the bows of the different ships; and the seamen perched upon the cat-heads and spritsail-yard, had succeeded in piercing with their harpoons many, which were immediately cut up, and in the frying-pans for breakfast. but very soon they had "other fish to fry;" for one of the indiamen, the _royal george_, made the signal that there were four strange sail in the s.w. "a gun from the commodore, sir," reported newton, who was officer of the watch. "the flags are up--they are not our pennants." it was an order to four ships of the fleet to run down and examine the strange vessels. half-an-hour elapsed, during which time the glasses were at every mast-head. captain drawlock himself, although not much given to climbing, having probably had enough of it during his long career in the service, was to be seen in the main-top. doubts, suspicions, declarations, surmises, and positive assertions were bandied about, until they were all dispelled by the reconnoitring ships telegraphing, "a french squadron, consisting of one line-of-battle ship, three frigates, and a brig." it was, in fact, the well-known squadron of admiral linois, who had scoured the indian seas, ranging it up and down with the velocity as well as the appetite of a shark. his force consisted of the _marengo_, of eighty guns; the famed _belle poule_, a forty-gun frigate, which outstripped the wind; the _sémìllante_, of thirty-six guns; the _berceau_, ship corvette, of twenty-two, and a brig of sixteen. they had sailed from batavia on purpose to intercept the china fleet, having received intelligence that it was unprotected, and anticipating an easy conquest, if not an immediate surrender to their overpowering force. "the recall is up on board of the commodore," said mathews, the first mate, to captain drawlock. "very well, keep a good look-out; he intends to fight, i'll answer for it. we must not surrender up millions to these french scoundrels without a tussle." "i should hope not," replied mathews; "but that big fellow will make a general average among our tea canisters, i expect, when we do come to the scratch. there go the flags, sir," continued mathews, repeating the number to captain drawlock, who had the signal-book in his hand. "form line of battle in close order, and prepare for action," read captain drawlock from the signal-book. a cheer resounded through the fleet when the signal was made known. the ships were already near enough to each other to hear the shouting, and the confidence of others added to their own. "if we only had _all_ english seamen on board, instead of these lascars and chinamen, who look so blank," observed newton to mathews, "i think we should show them some play." "yes," growled mathews; "john company will some day find out the truth of the old proverb, 'penny wise and pound foolish!'" the french squadron, which had continued on the wind to leeward until they could fetch the india fleet, now tacked, and laid up directly for them. in the meantime, the english vessels were preparing for action: the clearing of their lumbered decks was the occasion of many a coop of fowls, or pig of the true china breed, exchanging their destiny for a watery grave. fortunately, there were no passengers. homeward-bound china ships are not encumbered in that way, unless to astonish the metropolis with such monstrosities as the mermaid, or as the siamese twins, coupled by nature like two hounds (separated lately indeed by lytton bulwer, who has satisfactorily proved that "unity between brethren," so generally esteemed a blessing, on the contrary, is a bore). in a short time all was ready, and the india fleet continued their course under easy sail, neither courting nor avoiding the conflict. at nightfall the french squadron hauled to the wind; the conduct of the china fleet rendered them cautious, and the french admiral considered it advisable to ascertain, by broad daylight, whether a portion of the english ships were not men-of-war; their cool and determined behaviour certainly warranted the suspicion. it was now to be decided whether the indiamen should take advantage of the darkness of the night to escape, or wait the result of the ensuing day. the force opposed to them was formidable and concentrated; their own, on the contrary, was weak from division, each ship not having more than sixty english seamen on board; the country ships none at all, the few belonging to them having volunteered on board of the indiamen. in his decision commodore dance proved his judgment as well as his courage. in an attempt to escape, the fleet would separate; and, from the well-known superior sailing of the french squadron, most of them would be overtaken, and, being attacked singlehanded, fall an easy prey to the enemy. in this opinion the captains of the indiamen, who had communicated during the night, were unanimous, and equally so in the resolution founded upon it, "to keep together and fight to the last." the india fleet lay to for the night, keeping their lights up and the men at their quarters; most of the english seamen sound asleep, the lascars and chinese sitting up in groups, expressing, in their own tongues, their fear of the approaching combat, in which, whether risked for national honour or individual property, they could have no interest. the morning broke, and discovered the french squadron about three miles to windward. admiral linois had calculated that if the fleet consisted only of merchant vessels they would have profited by the darkness to have attempted to escape, and he had worked to windward during the night, that he might be all ready to pounce down upon his quarry. but when he perceived that the english ships did not attempt to increase their distance he was sadly puzzled. the french tricolour hardly had time to blow clear from their taffrails, when the english unions waved aloft in defiance; and that admiral linois might be more perplexed by the arrangements of the night, three of the most warlike indiamen displayed the red ensign, while the remainder of the ships hoisted up the blue. this _ruse_ led the french admiral to suppose that these three vessels were men-of-war, composing the escort of the fleet. at nine o'clock the commodore made the signal to fill; and the french squadron not bearing down, the india fleet continued its course under easy sail. the french admiral then edged away with his squadron, with the intention of cutting off the country ships, which had been stationed to leeward; but which, since the british fleet had hauled their wind, had been left in the rear. it was now requisite for the british commander to act decidedly and firmly. captain timmins, an officer for courage and conduct not surpassed by any in our naval service, who commanded the _royal george_, edged to within hail of the commodore, and recommended that the order should be given to tack in succession, bear down in a line-a-head, and engage the enemy. this spirited advice was acted upon; the _royal george_ leading into action, followed by the other ships in such close order that their flying jib-booms were often pointed over the taffrails of their predecessors. in a quarter of an hour was to be witnessed the unusual spectacle of a fleet of merchant ships exchanging broadsides with the best equipped and highest disciplined squadron that ever sailed from france. in less than an hour was presented the more unusual sight of this squadron flying from the merchant ships, and the signal for a general chase answered with enthusiastic cheers. that admiral linois might have supposed, previous to the engagement, that some of the british ships were men-of-war, is probable; but that he knew otherwise after they had commenced action, must also have been the case. the fact was, he was frightened at their determined courage and their decided conduct; and he fled, not from the guns, but from the _men_. i do not know on record any greater instance of heroism on the part of british seamen; and i am delighted that newton forster was in the conflict, or of course i could not have introduced it in this work. and now, those who read for amusement may, if they please, skip over to the next chapter. there are points connected with the india service which i intend to comment upon; and as all the wisdom of the age is confined to novels, and nobody reads pamphlets, i introduce them here. when one man is empowered to hold in check, and to insist upon the obedience of a large proportion of his fellows, it can only be by "opinion" that his authority can be supported. by "opinion" i mean the knowledge that he is so empowered by the laws of the country to which they all belong, and by which laws they will be punished, if they act in opposition to his authority. the fiat of the individual commanding is in this case the fiat of the nation at large; to contend with this fiat is not contending with the individual, but with the nation, to whose laws they must submit, or return to their country no more. a commander of a vessel, therefore, armed with martial law, is, in fact, representing and executing, not his own will, but that of the nation who have made the law; for he is amenable, as well as his inferiors, if he acts contrary to, or misuses it. in the merchant service martial law is not permitted; the bye-laws relative to shipping, and the common law of the country, are supposed to be sufficient; and certainly the present system is more advisable than to vest such excessive power in the hands of men, who, generally speaking, neither require nor are fit to be entrusted with it. where, as in the greater number of merchant vessels, the master and his subordinate officers compose one-third, if not one-half of the complement on board, nothing but the most flagrant conduct is likely to produce insubordination. but in the east india service the case is different. the vessels themselves are of dimensions equal, if not superior, to our largest class of frigates, and they carry from thirty to forty guns; the property embarked in them is also of such an extent, that the loss almost becomes national: their commanders are men of superior attainments, as gentlemen and as officers; finally, the complement of seamen under their command is larger than on board of many of the king's ships. the above considerations will at once establish that those bye-laws which afford protection to the well-governing of the merchant service in general, are not sufficient to maintain the necessary discipline on board of the east india ships. the greater the disproportion between the unit who commands and the numbers who obey, the greater the chance of mutiny. sedition is the progeny of assembly. even where grievances may be real, if there is no contact and no discussion, there will be no insubordination; but imaginary grievances, canvassed and discussed in assembly, swell into disaffection and mutiny. when, therefore, numbers are collected together, as in the vessels of the east india service, martial law becomes indispensable; and the proof of it is, that the commanders of these vessels have been forced to exercise it upon their own responsibility. a letter of marque should be granted to all vessels carrying a certain number of men, empowering the commanders, under certain sureties and penalties, to exercise this power. it would be a boon to the east india ships, and ultimately a benefit to the navy. to proceed. the merchant ships of the company are men-of-war; the men-of-war of the company are--what shall i call them? by their right names--they are all _bombay marine_: but let me at once assert, in applying their own name to them as a reproach, that the officers commanding them are not included in the stigma. i have served with them, and have pleasure in stating that, taking the average, the vessels are as well officered as those in our own service; but let us describe the vessels and their crews. most of the vessels are smaller in scantling than the run down (and constantly _going down_) ten-gun brigs in our own service, built for a light draft of water (as they were originally intended to act against the pirates, which occasionally infest the indian seas), and unfit to contend with anything like a heavy sea. many of them are pierced for, and actually carry fourteen to sixteen guns; but, as effective fighting vessels, ought not to have been pierced for more than eight. i have no hesitation in asserting that an english cutter is a match for any of them, and a french privateer has, before now, proved that she was superior. the crews are composed of a small proportion of english seamen, a small proportion of portuguese sea-cunnies, a proportion of lascars, and a proportion of hindoo bombay marines. it requires two or three languages to carry on the duty; customs, religions, provisions, all different, and all living and messing separate. how is it possible that any officer can discipline a ship's company of this incongruous description, so as to make them "pull together"? in short, the vessels and the crews are equally contemptible, and the officers, in cases of difficulty, must be sacrificed to the pride and meanness of the company. my reason for taking notice of the "bombay marine" arises from an order lately promulgated, in which the officers of this service were to take rank and precedence with those of the navy. now, as far as the officers themselves are concerned, so far from having any objection to it, i wish, for their own merits and the good-will that i bear them, that they were incorporated into our navy-list; but as long as they command vessels of the above description, in the event of a war, i will put a case, to prove the absurdity and danger which may result. there is not one vessel at this present time in their service which would not be sunk by one well-directed broadside from a large frigate; yet, as many of their officers are of long standing, it is very probable that a squadron of english frigates may fall in with one of these vessels, the captain of which would be authorised by his seniority to take the command of the whole of them. we will suppose that this squadron falls in with the enemy, of equal or superior force; can the officer in command lead on to the attack? if so, he will be sent down by the first broadside. if he does not, from whom are the orders to proceed during the action? the consequences would be as injurious as the arrangement is ridiculous. the charter of the east india company will soon expire; and if it is to be renewed, the country ought to have some indemnification for the three millions which this colony or conquest (which you please) annually draws from it. now there is one point which deserves consideration: the constitutional protection of all property is by the nation, and as a naval force is required in india, that force should be supplied by the armaments of the nation, at the expense of the company. i have already proved that the bombay marine is a useless and incompetent service: let it be abolished altogether, and men-of-war be sent out to supply their place. it is most important that our navy should be employed in time of peace, and our officers gain that practical knowledge without which the theoretical is useless. were this insisted upon, a considerable force would be actively employed, at no expense to the country, and many officers become valuable, who now are remaining inactive, and forgetting what previous knowledge they may have acquired of their nautical duties. at the same time, every east india ship should be compelled to take on board her whole complement of english seamen, and not be half manned by lascars and chinamen. but i presume i must be careful how i attempt to legislate for that country, or i shall have two tame elephants sent after me by the man _what_ puts his hair in papers! chapter xlii "what singular emotions fill their bosoms, who have been induced to roam, with flattering doubts, if all be well or ill, with love for many, and with fears for some!" byron. the china fleet arrived without encountering any further danger; the commodore and commanders of the several ships composing the fleet received that praise from their countrymen to which their conduct had so fully entitled them. as soon as the _bombay castle_ had entered the basin of the east india docks, newton requested, and easily obtained, permission to leave the ship. he immediately directed his steps to greenwich, that he might ascertain if his father was in existence; for he had received no letters since his departure, although he had taken several opportunities to write. it is true that he had not expected any; he knew that his father was too absent ever to think about writing to him, and his uncle much too busy to throw away any portion of his time in unnecessary correspondence. when we approach the dwelling containing, or supposed to contain, an object of solicitude, of whose existence we are uncertain, what a thrill of anxiety pervades the frame! how quickened is the throbbing of the heart! how checked the respiration! thus it was with newton forster as he raised his hand to the latch of the door. he opened it, and the first object which delighted his eyes was his father seated upon a high stool smoking his pipe, in the company of two veterans of the hospital, who had brought their old bones to an anchor upon a large trunk. they were in earnest conversation, and did not perceive the company of newton, who waited a little while, holding the door ajar, as he contemplated the group. one of the pensioners was speaking, and continued:--"may be, or may not be, mr forster, that's _dubersome_; but if so be as how he is alive, why you'll see him soon, that's sartain--take my word for it. a good son, as you say he was, as soon as he can get over the side of the ship, always bears up for his parent's house. with the help of your barnacles, i worked my way clean through the whole yarn, and i seed the report of killed and wounded; and i'll take my affidavy that there warn't an officer in the fleet as lost the number of his mess in that action, and a most clipping affair it was; only think of mounseer turning tail to marchant vessels! damn my old buttons! what will our jolly fellows do next?" "next, bill! why there be nothing to do, 'less they shave off the beard of the grand turk to make a swab for the cabin of the king's yacht, and sarve out his seven hundred wives amongst the fleet. i say, i wonder how he keeps so many of them craft in good order?" "i knows," replied the other, "for i axed the very question when i was up the dardanelles. there be a black fellow, a _unique_ they calls him, with a large sword and a bag of sawdust, as always stands sentry at the door, and if so be a woman kicks up a bobbery, why plump her head goes into the bag." "well, that's one way to make a good woman on her; but as i was saying, mr forster, you mustn't be down in the mouth; a seaman as knows his duty, never cares for leave till all the work be done. i'd bet a yard of pigtail that mr newton--" "is here, my good fellow!" interrupted newton. "my dear father!" nicholas sprang off his seat and embraced his son. "my dear, dear boy! why did you not come to me before? i was afraid that you had been killed. well, i'm glad to see you, newton. how did you like the west indies?" "the east hinges, you mean, mr forster.--newton," continued the old pensioner, wiping both sides of his hand upon his blue breeches, and then extending it--"tip us your daddle, my lad; i like to touch the flipper of one who has helped to shame the enemy; and it will be no disgrace for you to grapple with an old seaman, who did his duty as long as he had a pin to stand upon." "with pleasure, my friend," replied newton, taking the old man's hand, while the other veteran seized the one unoccupied, and, surveying newton from top to toe, observed, "if your ship be manned with all such lads as you--why, she be damned well manned, that's all." newton laughed and turned to his father. "well, father, how are you?--have you been quite well? and how do you like your berth here?" "why, newton, i get on much better than i did at bristol." "it be liverpool he mean, mr newton; but your good father be a little damaged in his upper works; his memory box is like a sieve.--come, bill, we be two too many. when father and son meet after a india voyage, there be much to say as wants no listeners.--good-bye, mr forster; may you never want a son, and may he never want a ship!" newton smiled his thanks to the considerate old pensioners, as they stumped out of the door, and left him alone with his father. the communications of nicholas were as concise as usual. he liked his situation, liked his company, had as much work as he wished for, and had enjoyed good health. when newton entered upon pecuniary matters, which he was the sooner induced to do by observing that his father's coat and smallclothes were in a most ruinous condition, he discovered, that although the old gentleman had provided himself with money from the bankers, during the first year, to purchase a new suit of clothes, latterly he not only had quite forgotten that there were funds at his disposal, but even that he had procured the clothes, which had remained in the chest from the day they had been sent home without having been tried on. "dear me! now i recollect, so i did; and i put them upstairs somewhere. i was busy at the time with my improvement on the duplex." "have you seen much of my uncle, sir?" inquired newton. "your uncle!--dear me, no! i don't know where he lives; so i waited until you came back. we'll go tomorrow, newton, or he may think me unkind. i'll see if his watch goes well; i recollect he said it did. but, newton, tell me all about your voyage, and the action with the french ships." newton entered into a detail, during which he perceived by his father's questions that his memory had become more impaired, and that he was more absent than ever. he arranged to call upon his uncle the ensuing day; and then it was his intention, without communicating it to his father, to make every inquiry and advertise to ascertain the fate of his mother. this was a duty which he had long wished to repeat; but his necessities and want of time had hitherto precluded the renewal of the task. early the next morning, newton and his father went up to london by the greenwich coach; and a walk of a few minutes after they were put down brought them to the chambers of mr john forster. "how do you do, mr scratton? is my uncle at home?" inquired newton. mr scratton immediately recognised him, and very graciously replied, that his uncle was at home and would be very glad to see him, having talked very often of him lately. newton and his father were ushered into the parlour, where he found his uncle precisely in the same position as when he last saw him;--it would almost have appeared that he had not quitted his seat during newton's tedious voyage. "nephew," said mr john forster, without rising from his chair, "i am very glad to see you.--brother nicholas, i am very glad to see you too.--chairs, scratton," continued the old lawyer, taking his watch off the table, and placing it in his fob. "well, nephew, i am very glad to hear such good accounts of you. i saw mr bosanquet yesterday, and he told me that you had for your good conduct been promoted to the rank of second mate." "it is more than i am aware of," replied newton, much pleased with the information. "i am much obliged to you for the intelligence, as i am for your many other acts of kindness." "well, so you ought to be; it's no bad thing, as i told you before, to find out an uncle. by-the-bye, there has been some alteration in my establishment since we parted, nephew. i have a house in lincoln's inn fields, and a spare bed, if you will accept of it. we dine at six; brother nicholas, i shall be very happy to see you, if you can stay. it will be too late to go home after dinner, but you can share my nephew's bed." "i shall be most happy to accept your kind offer for a few days, sir, if it does not incommode you," replied newton. "no; you will not incommode me _there_, but you do very much _here_, where i am always busy. so good-bye, my boy; i shall be at home at six. brother nicholas, you did not vouchsafe me an answer." "about what, brother john?" replied nicholas, who had been "in the clouds." "oh, i'll tell you all about it, father," said newton, laughing. "come away now--my uncle is busy." and nicholas rose up, with the observation-- "brother john, you appear to me to read a great deal." "yes, i do, brother." "how much do you read a day?" "i really cannot say; much depends upon whether i am interrupted or not." "it must be very bad for your eyes, brother john." "it certainly does not improve them," replied the lawyer, impatiently. "come, father, my uncle is very busy," said newton, touching nicholas on the arm. "well, good-bye, brother john. i had something to say--oh! i hope you are not displeased at my not coming to see you before?" "humph! not in the least, i can assure you, brother nicholas; so good-bye. newton, you'll bring him with you at six," said mr john forster; and he resumed his brief before they had quitted the room. newton was much surprised to hear that his uncle had taken a house, and he surmised whether he had not also been induced to take a wife. he felt an inclination to put the question to mr scratton, as he passed through the office; but checked the wish, lest it should appear like prying into his uncle's affairs. being the month of february, it was dark long before six o'clock, and newton was puzzled what to do with his father until that time. he returned to the salopian coffee-house, opposite to which they had been put down by the greenwich coach; and taking possession of a box, called for some biscuits and a pint of sherry; and requesting his father to stay there until his return, went out to purchase a sextant, and some other nautical luxuries, which his pay enabled him to procure without trespassing upon the funds supplied by the generosity of his uncle. he then returned to his father, who had finished the wine and biscuits, and had his eyes fixed upon the ceiling of the room; and calling a hackney coach, drove to the direction which his uncle had pointed out as his residence. mr john forster had already come home, and they found him in the dining-room, decanting the wine for dinner, with amber by his side. newton was surprised at the appearance of a little girl; and, as he took her proffered hand, inquired her name. "amber. papa says it's a very foolish name; don't you, papa?" "yes, my dear, i do; but now we are going to dinner, and you must go to mrs smith: so good-night." amber kissed the old lawyer, as he stooped to her; and wishing the company good-night, she left the room. "brother john," said nicholas, "i really had no idea that you were a married man." "humph! i am not a married man, brother." "then pray, brother, how is it possible for that little girl to be your daughter?" "i did not say she was my daughter: but now we will go upstairs into the drawing-room, while they put the dinner on the table." the dinner was soon announced; the cookery was plain, but good, the wine excellent. when the dessert was placed on the table, mr john forster rose, and taking two bottles of port-wine from the side-board, placed them on the table, and addressed newton. "nephew, i have no time to _sip_ wine, although it is necessary that i drink it. now, we must drink fast, as i have only ten minutes to spare; not that i wish you to drink more than you like, but i must push the bottle round, whether you fill or no, as i have an appointment, what we call a consultation, at my chambers. pass the bottle, brother," continued the lawyer, helping himself, and shoving the decanter to nicholas. nicholas, who had been little accustomed to wine, obeyed mechanically, swallowing down each glass _à gorge déployée_, as he was awoke from his meditations by the return of the bottle, and then filling up his glass again. newton, who could take his allowance as well as most people, could not, however, venture to drink glass for glass with his uncle, and the bottle was passed several times without his filling. when the ten minutes had elapsed, mr john forster took his watch from the table, replaced it in his fob, and rose from his chair. locking up the remainder of the wine, he quitted the house without apology, leaving his guests to entertain themselves, and order tea when they felt inclined. "my brother seems to be very busy, newton," observed nicholas. "what wine was that we have been drinking? it was very strong; i declare my head turns round;" and in a few moments more nicholas dropped his head upon the table, and was fast asleep. newton, who perceived that his father was affected by the wine which he had been drinking, which was, in the sum total, a pint of sherry at the coffee-house before dinner, and at least a bottle during and after his meal, thought it better that he should be allowed to take his nap. he therefore put out the candles, and went up into the drawing-room, where he amused himself with a book until the clock struck twelve. according to the regulations of the house, the servants had retired to bed, leaving a light in the passage for their master on his return, which sometimes was at a very late hour, or rather, it should be said, at a very early one. newton lighted a chamber-candlestick, and went down into the parlour to rouse his father; but all his attempts were in vain. the wine had taken such an effect upon him, that he was in a state of lethargy. newton observed that the servant had cleared the table, and that the fire was out: and, as there was no help for it, he removed the chairs to the end of the room, that his father might not tumble over them if he awoke in the dark, and then retired to his own bed. chapter xliii "angels and ministers of grace defend us! be thy intents wicked or charitable, thou com'st in such a questionable shape that i will speak to thee." shakespeare. it was past two o'clock when mr john forster returned from his chambers, and let himself in with a pass-key. having secured the street-door, the old gentleman lighted his candle from the lamp, which he then blew out, and had his foot upon the first step of the stairs, when he was startled by a loud snore from nicholas in the dining-room; he immediately proceeded there, and found his brother, with his head still lying on the table. "humph!" ejaculated the lawyer. "why, brother nicholas! brother nicholas!" nicholas, who had nearly slept off the effects of the wine, answered with an unintelligible sort of growling. "brother nicholas, i say,--brother nicholas,--will you get up, or lie here all night?" "they shall be cleaned and ready by to-morrow morning," replied nicholas, dreaming. "humph! that's more than you will be, apparently,--i say, brother nicholas." "yes, brother," replied nicholas, raising his head and staring at the candle. "why, what's the matter?" "the matter is, that i wish to go to bed, and wish to see you in bed before i go myself." "yes, brother john, if you please, certainly. where's my bed? i do believe i have been asleep." "humph! i have no doubt upon the subject," replied john forster, lighting another candle. "come this way, brother nicholas," and they both ascended the stairs. when mr john forster arrived at the door of his own room, on the first storey, he stopped. "now, brother nicholas, are you quite awake? do you think that i may trust you with the candle?" "i should hope so," replied nicholas; "i see that it is silver, but i hope i'm honest, brother john." "humph! i mean, can i trust you to put it out?" "yes, i think that you may. pray, which is my room?" "the first door on the left, when you are at the top of the stairs." "the first door." "yes, the first on the left; do you understand?" "yes, brother, i do; the first door on the left." "very well; then i wish you a good-night." "good-night, brother," replied nicholas, ascending the stairs as john forster entered his room. nicholas arrived at the head of the stairs; but his brain was not very clear. he muttered to himself "i think i'm right--yes, i'm right--the first door--to the right--yes--that's it;" and instead of the room to the left, where newton was, he walked into the one to the right, which appertained to the housekeeper, mrs smith. the old lady was fast asleep. nicholas threw off his clothes, put out his candle, and stepped into bed without waking the old lady, whom he supposed to be his son, and in a few minutes they snored in concert. the morning dawned. the watchmen (london nightingales) ceased their notes and retired to their beds. the chimney-sweeps (larks of the metropolis) raised their shrill cry as they paced along with chattering teeth. housemaids and kitchen-maids presented their back views to the early passengers as they washed off the accumulation of the previous day from the steps of the front-door. "milk below" (certainly much below "proof") was answered by the ascent of the busy cooks, when a knock at the door of mrs smith's room from the red knuckles of the housemaid, awoke her to a sense of her equivocal situation. at her first discovery that a man was in her bed, she uttered a scream of horror, throwing herself upon her knees, and extending her hands before her in her amazement. the scream awoke nicholas, who, astonished at the sight, and his modesty equally outraged, also threw himself in the same posture, facing her, and recoiling. each looked aghast at each: each considered the other as the lawless invader; but before a word of explanation could pass between them, their countenances changed from horror to surprise, from surprise to anxiety and doubt. "why!" screamed the housekeeper, losing her breath with astonishment. "it is!" cried nicholas, retreating further. "yes--yes--it is--my _dear_ nicholas!" "no--it can't be," replied nicholas, hearing the fond appellation. "it is--oh! yes--it is your poor unhappy wife, who begs your pardon, nicholas," cried the housekeeper, bursting into tears, and falling into his arms. "my dear--dear wife!" exclaimed nicholas, as he threw his arms around her, and each sobbed upon the other's shoulder. in this position they remained a minute, when mr john forster, who heard the scream and subsequent exclamations, and had taken it for granted that his brother had been guilty of some _contretemps_, first wiped the remaining lather from his half-shaved chin, and then ascended to the housekeeper's room, from whence the noise had proceeded. when he opened the door, he found them in the position we have described, both kneeling in the centre of the bed embracing and sobbing. they were so wrapt in each other, that they did not perceive his entrance. mr john forster stared with amazement for a few seconds, and thus growled out:-- "why, what are you two old fools about?" "it's my husband, sir,"--"it's my wife, brother john," cried they, both at once, as the tears coursed down their cheeks. "humph!" ejaculated the lawyer, and he quitted the room. we must let the reader imagine the various explanations which took place between nicholas and his truly reformed wife, newton and his uncle, amber, and everybody in the household, while we narrate the events which had brought about this singular _dénouement_. the reader may recollect that we left mrs forster in the lunatic asylum, slowly recovering from an attack of brain-fever, which had been attended with a relapse. for many weeks she continued in a state of great feebleness, and during that time, when in the garden, in company with other denizens of this melancholy abode (wishing to be usefully employed), she greatly assisted the keepers in restraining them, and, in a short time, established that superiority over them which is invariably the result of a sane intellect. this was soon perceived by doctor beddington, who (aware of her destitute condition) offered her a situation as nurse in the establishment, until the inspecting magistrates should make their appearance, with the promise that she might continue in it afterwards, if she thought proper. this proposal was accepted by mrs forster, until she might resolve what course to take, and she soon became a most invaluable person in the establishment, effecting more by lenient and kind treatment than the keepers were able to do by their violence. so completely changed was mrs forster in disposition, that so far from feeling any resentment against those who had been the means of her confinement, she acknowledged to herself that her own conduct had been the occasion of her misfortune, and that those who had contributed to open her eyes to her former insanity, were her best friends. she was humbled, and unhappy; but she kissed the rod. all that she now wished was to find out her husband, and by her future conduct to make reparation for the past. one of the gaolers, at her request, made every inquiry as to the part of england to which nicholas had removed; but it was without success. all trace was lost; and mrs forster accepted the situation of nurse, until she might be enabled to prosecute her search, or obtain the intelligence which she desired. for nine months mrs forster remained on the establishment, during which time she had saved a sum of money sufficient for her support and travelling expenses. she then resolved to search after her husband, whose pardon for her previous conduct seemed to be the _sine qua non_ for which she continued to exist. she took leave of the doctor; and, strange to say, it was with feelings of regret that she quitted an abode, once the source of horror and disgust: but time reconciles us to everything, and she made a half promise to dr beddington, that if she could not hear any tidings of her husband, or should discover that he was no more, she would return to the situation. mrs forster directed her course to london; why, or wherefore, she hardly knew; but she had imbibed the idea that the metropolis was the most likely place to meet with him. her first inquiries were about any families of the name of forster; but the directory gave such an enormous list of forsters, of all trades and callings, and in every situation in life, that she closed it with despair. she had a faint recollection that her husband (who was never very communicative, and least of all to her) had stated that he had a brother alive somewhere; but this was all that she knew. nevertheless, she set about her task in good earnest, and called upon every one of the name in the middling classes of life, to ascertain if they were relations of her husband. there were many in high life whose names and addresses she had obtained from the red-book; but to them she dared not apply. all she could do was to question the servants; but every answer was unsatisfactory; and mrs forster, whose money was nearly expended, had serious thoughts of returning to the lunatic establishment, when the advertisement in the newspapers, of mr scratton, for a housekeeper, which mr john forster had desired him to procure, met her eye. unwilling to leave london, she applied for, and obtained the situation, having received an excellent character from doctor beddington, to whom she had written and explained her views. her heart leapt when she discovered that her master's name was forster: and when she first saw him she could not but persuade herself that there was a family likeness. the germs of hope were, however, soon withered, when amber, in answer to her inquiries, stated that mr forster had a brother lately dead, who had never been married, and that she never heard of his having another. her fellow-servants were all as strange as herself, and mrs forster (who had assumed the name of smith) was obliged to have recourse to that patience and resignation which had been so severely inculcated. the charge of amber soon proved a source of delight; the control which she had over the household a source of gratification (not, as before, for the pleasure of domineering, but for the sake of exercising kindness and forbearance), and mrs forster was happy and resigned. it may be surmised as strange, that during the period which she remained in this capacity, she had never heard mention of her husband or her son; but it must be remembered that nicholas had never called upon his brother, and that newton was in the east indies; and, moreover, that mr john forster was just as little inclined to be communicative as her husband. indeed, he never came in contact with his housekeeper, except to pay the bills, which was regularly once a month, when he called her down after dinner, and after the accounts were settled, offered her a glass of wine, as a proof of his being satisfied with her conduct. when newton and his father arrived at the chambers on the day before the discovery, and were invited to dinner, his note of communication was as laconic as usual. "mrs smith,--i have invited two gentlemen to dine with me to-day, six precisely. "john forster." "p.s.--let the spare bed be ready." mrs forster prepared everything as directed; and having done her duties below, retired to her room, where she usually sat with amber. she did not therefore see the parties when they entered; and amber, who had run down to meet her protector, heard nothing during her short stay in the room, to suppose that they were relatives of mr john forster. all that she had to communicate was, that the parties were an elderly gentleman and a very handsome young man. yet even this simple communication caused the pulse of mrs forster to accelerate. they might be her husband and her son. it was the first time that the spare bed had been ordered. reflection, however, convinced her that her hopes were strung upon too slight a thread; and, musing on the improbability of not having ascertained during a year the fact of her master having so near a relative--moreover, her son was not in existence--she sighed, and dismissed the idea as ridiculous. before the gentlemen had finished their wine, amber was in bed, and mrs forster invariably sat at the side of it until her own hour of repose had arrived. a certain indefinable curiosity still remained lurking; yet, as she could not gratify it without intrusion (if the strangers were still up), she retired to bed, with the reflection that all her doubts would be relieved in the morning; and, after lying awake for some hours in a state of suspense, she at last fell into that sound sleep which is usually produced by previous excitement. how she was awakened from it, the reader has been already informed. "it's rather awkward, newton," said mr john forster, about ten days afterwards. "i cannot do without your mother, that's certain; but what am i to do with your father? humph! well, she must take charge of him as well as amber. she must teach him--" "teach him what, sir?" replied newton, laughing. "teach him what? why, to leave my watch and spectacles alone. i dare not lay them down for a moment." "i think we may teach him that, sir, if it is all that you require." "i ask no more: then he may go about the house like a tame rabbit. when will your ship be ready, boy?" "in about a fortnight, sir. i called upon captain oughton the day before yesterday, but he was not at home. his steward gave me the information." "what is the name of the ship?" "the _windsor castle_, sir." "why, all the india ships appear to be called castles. your last ship was the _bombay castle_, i think?" "yes, sir: there are a great many of them so named--they really are floating castles." "and full of ladies. you 'castle your queens,' as they do at chess. humph!" a pun from mr john forster was a rarity: he never had been known to make one before: and newton asserts that he never heard him guilty of it afterwards. it deserves, therefore, bad as it was, to be recorded. chapter xliv "----but to stick to my route 'twill be hard, if some novelty can't be struck out. is there no algerine, no kamschatkan arrived? no plenipo-pacha, three-tail'd and three wived? no russian, whose dissonant, consonant name almost rattles to fragments the trumpet of fame? postscript. by-the-bye, have you found any friend who can construe that latin account, t'other day, of a monster? if we can't get a russian--and that story in latin be not _too_ improper, i think i'll bring that in." moore. a few mornings after this colloquy with his uncle, newton was very busy perambulating the streets of london, in search of various requisites for his trip to india, when his hand was seized before he had time to call to mind the features of the party who shook it with such apparent warmth. "my dear mr forster, i am so delighted to see you, so happy to hear of your gallant adventure with the french squadron. mrs plausible will be quite pleased at meeting her old shipmate; she often talks about you. i must make sure of you," continued the doctor, drawing from his pocket a large packet of cards, and inserting at the top of one newton forster's name with his pencil. "this is an invitation to our _conversazione_ of to-morrow night, which you must do us the honour to accept. we shall have all the scientific men of the day, and a very pretty sprinkling of nobility, if not something more. however, you will see. shall i tell mrs plausible that you will come, or will you disappoint her?" "why," replied newton, "if i possibly can i will. i presume the hour is not very precise?" "o no, from nine until two or three; but if you wish to see great people, about eleven is the exact time." "well, then," replied newton, "the time which suits great people also suits me. i hope mrs plausible is quite well." "quite well, i thank you. good-bye;" and dr plausible hurried off so quickly, that newton was induced to look after him, to ascertain what could induce such precipitation. he perceived dr plausible shaking hands warmly with another gentleman, and after a few seconds the packet of cards was again pulled out of his pocket, and the pencil in requisition. it will be necessary to go back a little, to acquaint the reader with what had occurred since the acceptation of dr plausible by miss tavistock, when they were on board of the _bombay castle_. on their arrival at madras, miss tavistock's early and dearest friend, who resided in the up-country, had commissioned an acquaintance to receive miss tavistock until they could make arrangements for her journey to the interior. by this female acquaintance miss tavistock was kindly welcomed, and received into her house; but miss tavistock's prospects having altered, so had all her devoted attachment to the friend of her early years. she wrote, announcing her intended change of condition, and regretting that dr plausible's affairs, requiring his immediate presence in england, would prevent her having the delight of embracing one, who was so entwined round her heart. the letter was nevertheless very cold, and miss tavistock was very much abused by her dearest friend, who, disappointed in her expectations, did not even condescend an answer. in a week miss tavistock was united to dr plausible; and in less than a fortnight afterwards they were on their passage home. dr plausible found that his wife's report of her circumstances was correct, and that now he had the means of keeping his carriage and of seeing company, in moderation. shortly after their return, dr plausible took the lease of a house in a betwixt and between fashionable street, and not wishing to remain idle, attempted to get into practice as an accoucheur; for although the fortune brought by his wife was considerable, still, to keep his carriage in london, he was obliged "to sail nearer to the wind" in other points than he found agreeable: moreover he was ambitious. a night-bell, with "night-bell" in capital letters over it, that people might be aware in the broad day that it was a night-bell, which of course they could not read in the dark, was attached to one side of the street door. it was as loud as an alarum-bell, and when rung, was to be heard from no. to no. , in the street where dr plausible resided. there are little secrets in all trades; and one is, how to obtain practice as a medical man, which whole mystery consists in making people believe that you have a great deal. when this is credited, practice immediately follows; and dr plausible was aware of the fact. at first setting off, his carriage drew up to the door occasionally, and stood there for some time, when the doctor made his appearance, and stepped in. he then took a round of about three hours through every fashionable part of the town, sitting well forward, that everybody might see him, apparently examining his visiting-book. at times he would pull up at some distinguished person's door, when there were two or three carriages before him, and getting out, would go in to the porter to ask some frivolous question. another _ruse_ was, to hammer at some titled mansion, and inquire for another titled person, by mistake. this occupied the morning; after which doctor plausible returned home. during the first month the night-bell was rung two or three times a week by the watchman, who was fee'd for his trouble; but after that period it increased its duties, until it was in motion once, if not twice, every night, and his disturbed neighbours wished doctor plausible and his extensive practice at the devil. the carriage also was now rattled to the door in a hurry, and doctor plausible was seen to enter it with his case of instruments, and drive off with rapidity, sometimes twice a day. in the meantime, mrs plausible did her part, as she extended her acquaintance with her neighbours. she constantly railed against a medical husband; declared that doctor plausible was never at home, and it was impossible to say at what hour they might dine. the tables also were strewed with the cards of great and fashionable people, obtained by doctor plausible from a celebrated engraver's shop, by a douceur to the shopman, when the master was absent. at last, doctor plausible's instruments were used in good earnest; and, although not known or even heard of in the fashionable world, he was sent for by the would-be-fashionables, because they imagined that he was employed by their betters. now it so happened that in the same street there lived another medical man, almost a prototype of doctor plausible, only not quite so well off in the world. his name was doctor feasible. his practice was not extensive, and he was encumbered with a wife and large family. he also very naturally wished to extend his practice and his reputation; and, after many fruitless attempts, he at last hit upon a scheme which he thought promised to be successful. "my dear," said he, one morning to his wife, "i am thinking of getting up a _conversazione_." "a _conversazione_, my love!--why, is not that a very expensive affair?" "why, not very. but if it brings me practice, it will be money well laid out." "yes, my love, if it does, and if we had the money to lay out." "something must be done. i have hardly a patient left. i have an idea that it will succeed. go, my dear, and make up this prescription, and let the boy take it to mrs bluestone's. i wish i had a couple of dozen patients like her. i write her prescription, take my fee, and then, that i may be sure that it is properly made up, i volunteer to take it to the chemist's myself." "pray, what is the complaint of mrs bluestone, my love?" "nothing; she over-eats herself--that's all. abernethy would cure her in twenty-four hours." "well, but, my love, about this _conversazione_?" "go and make up the prescription, my dear, and we'll talk the matter over afterwards." they did so. a list of the people they were acquainted with was drawn out, the expense calculated, and the affair settled. the first point to be considered was the size of the cards. "these, my love," said mrs feasible, who came in from a long walk, with her bonnet still on, "these are three shillings and sixpence a hundred; and these, which are a size larger, are four-and-sixpence. which do you think we ought to have?" "why, really, my dear, when one sends out so many, i do not see why we should incur unnecessary expense. the three-and-sixpenny ones are quite large enough." "and the engraving will be fourteen shillings." "well, that will only be a first expense. _conversazione_ in old english, of course." "and here, my love, are the ribbons for the maids' caps and sashes; i bought them at waterloo house, very cheap, and a very pretty candle-light colour." "did you speak to them about their gowns?" "yes, my love; sally and peggy have each a white gown, betty i can lend one of my own." the difference between a _conversazione_ and a rout is simply this:--in the former you are expected to talk or listen, but to be too ethereal to eat. in the latter, to be squeezed in a crowd, and eat ices, &c., to cool yourselves. a _conversazione_ has, therefore, a great advantage over the latter, as far as the pocket is concerned, it being much cheaper to procure food for the mind than food for the body. it would appear that tea has been as completely established the beverage of modern scientific men, as nectar was formerly that of the gods. the athenæum gives tea; and i observed in a late newspaper, that lord g---- has promised tea to the geographical society. had his lordship been aware that there was a beverage invented on board ship much more appropriate to the science over which he presides than tea, i feel convinced he would have substituted it immediately; and i therefore take this opportunity of informing him that sailors have long made use of a compound which actually goes by the name of _geo-graffy_, which is only a trifling corruption of the name of the science, arising from their habit of laying the accent upon the penultimate. i will now give his lordship the receipt, which is most simple. take a tin pot, go to the scuttle-butt (having obtained permission from the quarter-deck), and draw off about half a pint of very offensive-smelling water. to this add a gill of vinegar and a ship's buscuit broken up into small pieces. stir it well up with the fore-finger; and then, with the fore-finger and thumb, you may pull out the pieces of buscuit, and eat them as fast as you please, drinking the liquor to wash all down. now this would be the very composition to hand round to the geographical society. it is not christened geography without a reason; the vinegar and water representing the green sea, and the pieces of buscuit floating in it the continents and islands which are washed by it. now, my lord, do not you thank me for my communication? but we must return to the _conversazione_ of doctor and mrs feasible. the company arrived. there was rap after rap. the whole street was astounded with the noise of the wheels and the rattling of the iron steps of the hackney-coaches. doctor feasible had procured some portfolios of prints; some indian idols from a shop in wardour street, duly labelled and christened, and several other odds and ends to create matter of conversation. the company consisted of several medical gentlemen and their wives, the great mr b----, and the facetious mr c----. there were ten or twelve authors, or gentlemen suspected of authorship, fourteen or fifteen chemists, all scientific of course, one colonel, half-a-dozen captains, and to crown all, a city knight and his lady, besides their general acquaintance, unscientific and unprofessional. for a beginning this was very well; and the company departed very hungry, but highly delighted with their evening's entertainment. "what can all that noise be about?" said mrs plausible to her husband, who was sitting with her in the drawing-room, reading the _lancet_, while she knotted, or _did not_. "i am sure i cannot tell, mrs plausible." "there, again! i'm sure if i have heard one, i have heard thirty raps at a door within this quarter of an hour. i'm determined i will know what it is," continued mrs plausible, getting up, and ringing the bell. "thomas, do you know what all that noise is about?" said mrs plausible, when the servant answered the bell. "no, ma'am, i doesn't." "well, then, go and see." "yes, ma'am." the impatience of mrs plausible, during the absence of thomas, increased with the repetition of the knocks. "well, thomas?" said she, as the footman entered. "if you please, ma'am, mr feasible has got a conwersation--that's all." "got a what?" "a _conversazione_ he means, my dear. it's very strange that doctor feasible should pretend to give such a thing!" "i think so too," replied the lady. "he keeps no carriage. what can be his inducement?" "i perceive," replied dr plausible, "he wants to get practice. depend upon it, that's his plan. a sprat to catch mackerel!" husband and wife were again silent, and resumed their occupations; but the _lancet_ was not read, and the knotting was all in knots, for they were both in a brown study. at last, mrs plausible commenced:-- "i really do not see, my dear, why we should not give a _conversazione_ as well as doctor feasible." "i was just thinking that we could give them much better; our acquaintance now is very numerous." "and very respectable," replied the lady; "it will make us more known in the world." "and add to my practice. i'll soon beat doctor feasible out of the field!" the result of this conversation was a _conversazione_, which certainly was on a much better scale, and better attended than the one collected by doctor feasible. doctor plausible had pumped a mutual acquaintance as to the merits of his rival, and had set to work with great diligence. he ordered his carriage, and for two or three days previous to the one fixed, went round to all his friends who had curiosities, foreign, indigenous, or continental, admired them, talked learnedly, expressed a wish to exhibit them to several gentlemen of talent at his next _conversazione_, pulled out a card for the party, and succeeded in returning home with his carriage stuffed with curiosities and monstrosities. negus and cherry-water were added to tea in the refreshment-room; and the _conversazione_ of doctor plausible was pronounced by those who had been invited to both, infinitely superior to that of doctor feasible. a good-natured friend called upon doctor and mrs feasible with the news. they pretended indifference, as they bit their lips to conceal their vexation. as soon as he took his leave-- "well, my dear," said mrs feasible, "what do you think of this? very unhandsome on the part of doctor plausible! i was told this morning that several of our acquaintances have expressed a wish to be introduced to him." "we must not give up the point, my love. doctor plausible may make a splash once; but i suspect that his horses eat him out of house and home, and interfere very much with the butcher's bills. if so, we who keep no carriage can afford it better. but it's very annoying, as there will be an increase of expense." "very annoying, indeed!" replied the lady. "look at his card, my dear, it is nearly twice as large as ours. i begged it of mr tomkins, on purpose to compare it." "well, then, my dear, we must order others, and mind that they measure an inch more than his. it shall cost him something before we have done, i'm determined." "you heard what mr smithson said? they gave negus and cherry-water." "we must do the same. i've a great mind to give ices." "oh! my love, remember the expense." "very true; but we can ice our negus and cherry-water. rough ice is only twopence a pound, i believe." "well, that will be an improvement." "and there shall be more, or i'll be in the bench," replied the doctor, in his wrath. the next _conversazione_ for which cards were issued by doctor feasible, was on a superior scale. there was a considerable increase of company. he had persuaded a country baronet; secured the patronage of two ladies of rank (with a slight blot on their escutcheons), and collected, amongst others, a french count (or adventurer), a baron with mustachios, two german students in their costumes and long hair, and an actress of some reputation. he had also procured the head of a new zealand chief; some red snow, or rather, red water (for it was melted), brought home by captain ross; a piece of granite from the croker mountains; a kitten in spirits, with two heads and twelve legs; and half-a-dozen abortions of the feathered or creeping tribes. everything went off well. the two last fees he had received were sacrificed to have the party announced in the _morning post_, and doctor feasible's triumph was complete. but it was not to last long. in ten days dr plausible's cards were again issued, larger than dr feasible's, and with a handsome embossed border of lilies and roses. male attendants, tea and coffee, ices and liqueurs were prepared; and dr feasible's heart failed him, when he witnessed the ingress and egress of the pastrycooks, with their boxes on their heads. among his company he had already mustered up five celebrated blues; four ladies of quality, of better reputation than dr feasible's; seven or eight baronets and knights; a bishop of fernando po; three or four general officers; and a dozen french and german visitors to the country, who had not only titles, but wore orders at their button-holes. thus far had he advanced, when he met newton forster, and added him to the list of the invited. in about two hours afterwards, dr plausible returned home to his wife, radiant with smiles. "my dear, who _do_ you think has promised to come to-morrow night?" "who, my love?" "prince fizzybelli!" "you don't say so?" screamed the lady with her delight. "yes, most faithfully promised." "what _will_ the feasibles say?" cried the lady;--"but--is he a real prince?" "a real prince! o yes, indeed is he! well known in tartary." "well, dr plausible, i have good news for you. here is a note from mr h----, in answer to yours, in which he promises you the loan of the wax figure from germany, of a female in the first stage of par--partu--i can't make out the word." "excellent! most excellent!" cried the doctor, rubbing his hand; "now we _shall_ do." newton, who had some curiosity to see a _conversazione_, which to him was a _terra incognita_, did not fail to go at the appointed hour. he was ushered upstairs into the drawing-room, at the door of which he was received by mrs plausible, in blue and silver. the rooms not being very large, were extremely crowded, and newton at one moment found himself jammed against some curiosity, and at another treading on the toes or heels of people, who accepted his apologies, looking daggers, and with a snarling "don't mention it." but a thundering knock at the door was followed by the announcement of his highness prince fizzybelli--prince fizzybelli at the door--prince fizzybelli coming up--prince fizzybelli (enters). had it been permitted, dr plausible would have received his guest with a flourish of trumpets, as great men are upon the stage, without which it is impossible now-a-days to know a great man from a little one. however, the hired attendants did their duty, and the name of fizzybelli was fizzed about the room in every direction. dr plausible trod on the corns of old lady g------, upset miss periwinkle, and nearly knocked down a french _savant_, in his struggle to obtain the door to receive his honoured guest, who made a bow, looked at the crowd--looked at the chandelier--looked at his watch, and looked very tired in the course of five minutes, when prince fizzybelli ordered his carriage, and was off. newton, who had examined several very strange things which occupied the tables about the room, at last made his way to the ante-room, where the crowd was much more dense than elsewhere. taking it for granted that there was something interesting to be seen, he persevered until he had forced his way to the centre, when what was his astonishment when he beheld under a long glass-case a figure of a woman modelled in wax, of exact and certainly of beautiful proportion! it was as large as life, and in a state of perfect nudity. the face lifted up, and discovered the muscles beneath; in fact, every part of the image could be removed, and presented to the curious every part of the human frame, modelled exact, and coloured. newton was indeed astonished: he had witnessed several articles in the other room, which he had considered more fitted for the museum of an institution than a drawing-room; but this was indeed a novelty; and when, to crown all, he witnessed certain little _demireps_ of science, who fancied that not to be ashamed was now as much a proof of knowledge, as in our first parents it was of innocence, and who eyed the figure without turning away from it or blushing, he quitted the room with disgust, and returned home quite satisfied with one _conversazione_. i am not partial to blues: generally speaking, ladies do not take up science until they find that the men will not take up them; and a remarkably clever woman by reputation is too often a remarkably unpleasant or a remarkably ugly one. but there are exceptions; exceptions that a nation may be proud of--women who can fulfil their duties to their husbands and their children, to their god and to their neighbour, although endowed with minds more powerful than is allotted to one man in tens of thousands. these are heavenly blues; and, among the few, no one shines more pre-eminent than my dear mrs s----e. however, whether newton was satisfied or not, this _conversazione_ was a finisher to dr feasible, who resigned the contest. dr plausible not only carried away the palm--but, what was still worse, he carried off the "practice!" chapter xlv "their only labour is to kill the time; and labour dire it is, and weary woe. they sit--they lounge--turn o'er some idle rhyme: then rising sudden--to the glass they go, or saunter forth with loitering step and slow." _castle of indolence_. captain oughton, who commanded the _windsor castle_, was an original. his figure was short and thick-set, his face broad, and deeply pitted with the small-pox; his nose, an apology for a nose, being a small tubercle arising midway between his eyes and mouth, the former of which were small, the latter wide, and displaying a magnificent row of white teeth. on the whole, it was impossible to look in his face without being immediately struck with his likeness to a bull-dog. his temperament and his pursuits were also analogous; he was a great pugilist, knew the merits of every man in the ring, and the precise date and circumstances attending every battle which had been fought for the previous thirty years. his conversation was at all times interlarded with the slang terms appropriated to the science to which he was so devoted. in other points he was a brave and trustworthy officer, although he valued the practical above the theoretical branches of his profession, and was better pleased when superintending the mousing of a stay or the strapping of a block than when "flooring" the sun, as he termed it, to ascertain the latitude, or "breaking his noddle against the old woman's," in taking a lunar observation. newton had been strongly recommended to him, and captain oughton extended his hand as to an old acquaintance, when they met on the quarter-deck. before they had taken a dozen turns up and down, captain oughton inquired if newton could handle the mauleys; and on being assured in the negative, volunteered his instruction during their passage out. "you heard the end of it, i suppose?" said captain oughton, in continuance. "the end of what, sir?" "what!--why the fight. spring beat. i've cleared three hundred by him." "then, sir, i am very glad that spring beat," replied newton. "i'll back him against a stone heavier any day in the week. i've got the newspaper in the cabin, with the fight--forty-seven rounds; but we can't read it now--we must see after these soldiers and their traps. look at them," continued captain oughton, turning to a party of the troops ordered for a passage, who were standing on the gangway and booms; "every man jack with his tin pot in his hand, and his greatcoat on. twig the drum-boy, he has turned his coat--do you see?--with the lining outwards to keep it clean. by jove, that's a _wrinkle_!" "how many officers do you expect, captain oughton?" "i hardly know--they make such alterations in their arrangements; five or six, i believe. the boat went on shore for them at nine o'clock. they have sent her back, with their compliments, seven times already, full of luggage. there's one lieutenant--i forget his name--whose chests alone would fill up the main-deck. there's six under the half-deck," said captain oughton, pointing to them. "lieutenant winterbottom," observed newton, reading the name. "i wish to heaven that he had remained the winter, or that his chests were all to the bottom! i don't know where the devil we are to stow them. oh, here they come! boatswain's mate, 'tend the side there.'" in a minute, or thereabouts, the military gentlemen made their appearance one by one on the quarter-deck, scrutinising their gloves as they bade adieu to the side-ropes, to ascertain if they had in any degree been defiled by the adhesive properties of the pitch and tar. captain oughton advanced to receive them, "welcome, gentlemen," said he, "welcome on board. we trip our anchor in half an hour. i am afraid that i have not the pleasure of knowing your names, and must request the honour of being introduced." "major clavering, sir," said the major, a tall, handsome man, gracefully taking off his hat: "the officers who accompany are (waving his hand towards them in succession), lieutenant winterbottom--" lieutenant winterbottom bowed. "i've had the pleasure of reading lieutenant winterbottom's name several times this forenoon," observed captain oughton, as he returned the salute. "you refer to my luggage, i'm afraid, captain oughton." "why, if i must say it, i certainly think you have enough for a general." "i can only reply that i wish my rank were equal to my luggage; but it is a _general_ complaint every time i have the misfortune to embark. i trust, captain oughton, it will be the only one you will have to make of me during the passage." major clavering, who had waited during this dialogue, continued--"captain majoribanks, whom i ought to apologise to for not having introduced first--" "not at all, major; you just heard the brevet rank which winterbottom's baggage has procured him." "not the first time a man has obtained rank through his 'baggage,'" observed one of the officers, _sotto voce_. "mr ansell, mr petres, mr irving." the necessary bows were exchanged, and mr williams, the first mate, desired to show the officers to their respective accommodations, when he would be able to ascertain what part of their luggage was required, and be enabled to strike the remainder down into the after-hold. as the officers followed the first mate down the companion-ladder, captain oughton looked at mr ansell, and observed to newton, "that fellow would _peel_ well." the _windsor castle_ sailed, and in a few days was clear of the channel. newton, whose thoughts were of isabel revel, felt not that regret at quitting the country, usually attached to those who leave all dear to them behind. he knew that it was by following up his profession alone that he ever could have a chance of obtaining her; and this recollection, with the hopes of again beholding the object of his affections, lightened his heart to joy, as the ship scudded across the bay of biscay, before a n.e. gale. that he had little chance at present of possessing her, he knew; but hope leads us on, and no one more than the youth who is in love. the table of captain oughton was liberally supplied, and the officers embarked proved (as they almost invariably do) to be pleasant, gentlemanlike companions. the boxing-gloves were soon produced by captain oughton, who soon ascertained that in the officer who "would peel so well" he had found his match. the mornings were passed away in sparring, fencing, reading, walking the deck, or lolling on the hen-coops upon the poop. the announcement of the dinner-hour was a signal for rejoicing; and they remained late at the table, doing ample justice to the captain's excellent claret. the evening was finished with cards, cigars, and brandy _pawnee_. thus passed the time away for the first three weeks of the passage, during which period all parties had become upon intimate terms. but the voyage is, in itself, most tedious; and more tedious to those who not only have no duty to perform, but have few resources. as soon as the younger officers thought they might take a liberty, they examined the hen-coops, and selecting the most promising-looking cocks, trimmed them for fighting; chose between themselves, as their own property, those which they most approved of, and for some days fed and sparred them, to get them into wind, and ascertain the proper way in which they should be spurred. in the meantime, two pairs of spurs were, by their directions, clandestinely made by the armourer of the ship, and, when ready, they took advantage of the time when captain oughton was every day employed with the ship's reckoning, and the poulterer was at his dinner (viz., from twelve to one), to fight a main. the cocks which were killed in these combats were returned to the hen-coops, and supposed by the poulterer, who had very often had a glass of grog, to have quarrelled within the bars. "steward," said captain oughton, "why the devil do you give us so many fowls for dinner? the stock will never last out the voyage: two roast fowls, two boiled fowls, curried fowl, and chicken pie! what can you be thinking of?" "i spoke to the poulterer on the subject, sir; he constantly brings me down fowls, and he tells me that they kill each other fighting." "fighting! never heard of fowls fighting in a coop before. they must be all game fowls." "that they are, most of them," said mr petres; "i have often seen them fighting when i have been on the poop." "so have i," continued ansell; "i have seen worse cocks in the pit." "well, it's very odd; i never lost a cock in this way in all my voyages. send the poulterer here; i must inquire about it." "yes, sir," replied the steward; and he quitted the cabin. with the exception of the major, who knew nothing of the circumstances, the officers thought it advisable to decamp, that they might not be present when the _dénouement_ took place. the poulterer made his appearance, was interrogated, and obliged, in his own defence, to criminate the parties, corroborating his assertions by producing a pair of spurs found upon a cock which had been killed, and thrown behind the coop in a hurry, at the appearance of captain oughton on deck. "i am sorry that my officers should have taken such a liberty," observed the major, gravely. "oh, never mind, major, only allow me to be even with them; i shouldn't have minded if i had seen the fighting. i think you said that you would like to exercise your men a little this afternoon?" "i did; that is, if not inconvenient." "not in the least, major; the quarter-deck is at your service. i presume you do not superintend yourself." "yes, i generally do." "well, don't this time; but let all the officers; and then i shall be able to play them a little trick that will make us all square." major clavering consented. the officers were ordered up to drill their men. captain majoribanks and mr irving had one party at the platoon exercise. "third man, your hand a little higher on the barrel of your musket. as you were; support--the word support is only a caution--arms,--too--too." "two and two makes four," observed one of the seamen. lieutenant winterbottom had another party on the leeside of the quarter-deck. "ram down--cartridge--no. , slope your musket a little more--_too_--_too_--only two taps at the bottom of the barrel. return--ramrods. no. , why don't you draw up the heel of your right leg level with the other? recollect now, when you shoulder arms, to throw your muskets up smartly.--shoulder--as you were--the word shoulder is only a caution; shoulder--arms. dress up a little, no. , and don't stick your stomach out in that way." mr ansell and mr petres had two fatigue parties on the poop, without muskets. "to the right--face--to the right face. to the right--face--to the right--face." "it's a dead calm with them soldiers--head round the compass," said one of the seamen to another. "to the left--face--quick march, to the left--turn--to the right--turn--close file--mark time--right--left--right--left--forward." "them 'ere chap's legs all going together put one in mind of a centipee--don't they, tom?" "yes, but they don't get on quite so fast. holloh, what pipe's that?--'all hands, air bedding.'" the ship was hauled close to the wind, which was light. at the pipe, the sailors below ran up the hatchway, and those on deck threw down their work. in a minute every hammock was out of the netting, and every seaman busy at unlashing. "now, major, we had better go into the cabin," said captain oughton, laughing. "i shall, i can assure you." beds and blankets which are not aired or shook more than once a month, are apt to be very full of what is termed _fluff_ and blanket _hairs_, and they have a close smell, by no means agreeable. the sailors, who had an idea that the order had not been given inconsiderately, were quite delighted, and commenced shaking their blankets on the forecastle and weather gangway, raising a cloud, which the wind carried aft upon the parties exercising upon the quarter-deck. "what the devil is all this?" cried captain majoribanks, looking forward with dismay. "order--arms." lieutenant winterbottom and half of his party were now seized with a fit of coughing. "confound it!--shut--pans--handle--upon my soul i'm choked." "this is most excessively disagreeable," observed mr petres; "i made up my mind to be _tarred_ when i came on board, but i had no idea that we should be _feathered_." "support--d--n it, there's no supporting this!" cried captain majoribanks. "where's major clavering? i'll ask to dismiss the men." "they are dismissing a great many little men, forward, i suspect," said the first mate, laughing. "i cannot imagine what induced captain oughton to give the order: we never shake bedding except when the ship's before the wind." this last very consoling remark made it worse than all; the officers were in an agony. there was not one of them who would not have stood the chance of a volley from a french regiment rather than what they considered that they were exposed to. but without major clavering's permission they could not dismiss their men. captain majoribanks hastened to the cabin, to explain their very unpleasant situation, and received the major's permission to defer the exercise. "well, gentlemen," said captain oughton, "what is the matter?" "the matter!" replied ansell. "why, my flesh creeps all over me. of all the thoughtless acts, captain oughton, it really beats--" "cock-fighting," interrupted the captain, with a loud laugh. "now we are quits." the officers hastened below to wash and change their dress after this very annoying retaliation on the part of captain oughton. when they felt themselves again clean and comfortable, their good humour returned, although they voted their captain not to be very refined in his ideas, and agreed with him that his practical joke beat "cock-fighting." i believe that there are no classes of people who embark with more regret, or quit a ship with more pleasure, than military men. nor is it to be wondered at, if we consider the antithesis which is presented to their usual mode of life. few military men are studious, or inclined to reading, which is almost the only resource which is to be found against the tedium of long confinement and daily monotony. i do not say this reproachfully, as i consider it arises from the peculiarity of their profession, and must be considered to be more their misfortune than their fault. they enter upon a military life just after they have left school,--the very period at which, from previous and forced application, they have been surfeited with books _usque ad nauseam_. the parade, dress; the attention paid to them, which demands civilities in return; society, and the preference shown by the fair sex; their happy and well-conducted mess; the collecting together of so many young men, with all their varied plans of amusement, into which the others are easily persuaded to enter, with just sufficient duty on guard, or otherwise, not to make the duty irksome; all delight too much at first, and eventually, from habit, too much occupy their minds, to afford time for study. in making this observation, i must be considered to speak generally. there are many studious, many well-stored minds, many men of brilliant talents, who have improved the gift of nature by constant study and reflection, and whose conduct must be considered as the more meritorious, from having resisted or overcome the strong temptation to do otherwise which is offered by their profession. "i wish," said irving, who was stretched out his full length on one of the coops abaft, with the front of his cap drawn over his eyes--"i wish this cursed voyage was at an end. every day the same thing; no variety--no amusement;--curry for breakfast--brandy _pawnee_ as a finish. i really begin to detest the sight of a cigar or a pack of cards." "very true," replied ansell, who was stretched upon an adjacent coop in all the listlessness of idleness personified--"very true, irving; i begin to think it worse than being quartered in a country town inhabited by nobodies, where one has nothing to do but to loll and spit over the bridge all day, till the bugle sounds for dinner." "oh! that was infinitely better; at least, you could walk away when you were tired, or exchange a word or two with a girl as she passed over it, on her way to market." "why don't you take a book, irving?" observed the major, laying down the one with which he had been occupied, to join the conservation. "a book, major? oh, i've read until i am tired." "what have you read since you embarked ?" inquired his senior. "let me see--ansell, what have i read?" "read!--nothing at all--you know that." "well, perhaps so; we have no mess-newspapers here: the fact is, major, i am not very partial to reading--i am not in the habit of it. when on shore i have too much to do; but i mean to read by-and-bye." "and pray, when may that by-and-bye be supposed to arrive?" "oh! some day when i am wounded or taken prisoner, and cannot do anything else; then i shall read a good deal. here's captain oughton--captain oughton, do you read much?" "yes, mr irving, i read a great deal." "pray, may i take the liberty to ask you what you read?" "what i read! why, i read horsburgh's directory:--and i read--i read all the fights." "i think," observed ansell, "that if a man gets through the newspaper and the novels of the day, he does a great deal." "he reads a great deal, i grant you," replied the major; "but of what value is that description of reading?" "there, major," replied ansell, "we are at issue. i consider a knowledge of the passing events of the day, and a recollection of the facts which have occurred during the last twenty years, to be more valuable than all the ancient records in existence. who talks of cæsar or xenophon nowadays, except some cambridge or oxford prig? and of what value is that knowledge in society? the escape of a modern pickpocket will afford more matter of conversation than the famous retreat of the ten thousand." "to be sure," replied captain oughton; "and a fair stand-up fight between humphreys and mendoza create more interest than the famous battles of--, i'm sure i forget." "of marathon and thermopylæ; they will do," added ansell. "i grant," replied the major, "that it is not only unnecessary, but conceited in those who would show their reading; but this does not disprove the advantages which are obtained. the mind, well fed, becomes enlarged: and if i may use a simile, in the same way as your horse proves his good condition by his appearance, without people ascertaining the precise quantity of oats which has been given him; so the mind shows, by its general vigour and power of demonstration, that it has been well supplied with 'hard food.'" "very _hard food_ indeed," replied captain oughton; "nuts that i never could crack when i was at school, and don't mean to break my teeth with now. i agree with mr ansell, 'that sufficient for the day is the knowledge thereof.'" "well, as the tree of knowledge was the tree of evil, perhaps that is the correct reading," replied ansell, laughing; "captain oughton, you are a very sensible man; i hope we shall see you often at our mess, when we're again on shore." "you may say so now," replied captain oughton, bluntly, "and so have many more said the same thing to me; but you soldiers have cursed short memories in that way after you have landed." "i trust, captain oughton," replied major clavering, "that you will not have to make that accusation general." "oh! never mind, major; i never am affronted; the offer is made in kindness, and at the time sincere; but when people get on shore, and are so occupied with their own amusements, it is not to be wondered at if they are thoughtless and forget. at one time, it did annoy me, i confess; for when i say i should be happy to see a man, i mean it; and if i did not mean it, i never would ask him. i thought that other people did the same; but i have lived long enough to discover that a 'general invitation' means, 'don't come at all.'" "then i most certainly shall not say one word on the subject at present," replied the major. "how many bells was that?" "six; dinner will be on the table in a few minutes." "then, gentlemen, we had better go down and prepare. why, mr irving, you have not shaved this morning!" "no, major, i mean to do it after dinner." "i should rather think that you intended to say _before_," replied major clavering. this gentlemanlike hint was taken by the young ensign, who was aware that major clavering, although invariably polite, even in reproof, was not a commanding officer to be trifled with; and mr irving made his appearance at the dinner-table with his "chin new reaped," and smooth as if appertaining to one of the fairer sex. chapter xlvi "come o'er the sea, maiden, with me, mine through sunshine, storm and snows; seasons may roll, but the true soul burns the same where'er it goes. let fate frown on, so we love and part not, 'tis life where thou art, 'tis death where thou'rt not." moore. the voyage was at last accomplished without adventure or interest, the _windsor castle_ not having fallen in with more than two or three vessels during her passage. happy were the military officers to hear the order given for the anchor to be let go upon their arrival in madras roads; more happy were they to find themselves again on shore; and most happy were captain oughton and his officers to witness the debarkation of the troops, who had so long crowded their decks and impeded their motions. parting was indeed "sweet sorrow," as it always will be when there is short allowance of room, and still shorter allowance of water. newton forster was in a state of anxiety during the quarter of an hour in which he was obliged to attend to his duty, furling the sails and squaring the yards; and the time appeared most insupportably long, until he could venture aft to make some inquiries from the dubashes, who were crowding alongside, as to the fate of isabel revel. time and absence had but matured his passion, and it was seldom that isabel was away from his thoughts. he had a faint idea formed by hope that she was partial to him; but this was almost smothered by the fears which opposed it, when he reflected upon what might be produced by absence, importunity, and her independent spirit, which might, if not well treated by her relation, reconcile her to a marriage, which, although not in every way eligible, secured to her a prospect of contentment and of peace. at last the yards were squared to the satisfaction of the boatswain, the ropes were hauled taut, and coiled down, and the men sent below to their dinners. newton walked aft, and the first person he met was the dubash who had attended the _bombay castle_. the cheeks of newton flushed, and his heart throbbed quick, and his lips quivered, as he asked intelligence of the colonel and his family. "colonel saib quite well, sir. two ladies marry officer." "which two?" demanded newton, eagerly. "not know how call bibi saib's names. but one not marry--she very handsome--more handsome than all." the heart of newton bounded at this intelligence, as he knew that it must be isabel who was still a spinster. this was shortly after corroborated by an english gentleman who came on board. their stay at madras was intended to be short, and newton resolved to ask immediate leave on shore. apologising to captain oughton for making such an unusual request, which he was induced to do from intelligence he had just received relative to his friends, he expressed his anxious wish. captain oughton, who had reason to be highly satisfied with newton, gave his consent in the kindest manner; "and, forster, if you wish to remain, you have my permission. we will manage without you: only recollect, we sail on thursday night." newton was soon ready, and quitted the ship with major clavering; to whose credit it ought here to be observed, that a _daily_ note was despatched to captain oughton, requesting the pleasure of his company at the mess, until he was satisfied that, in this instance, the general invitation was sincere. as soon as he was clear of the surf and out of the masulah boat, newton hired a conveyance, and drove out to the bungalow of the old colonel. he trembled as he announced his name to the butler, who ushered him halfway to the receiving-room; and, like most of the natives, finding some difficulty in pronouncing english, contented himself with calling out "burrah saib," and then walked off. newton found himself in the presence of the old veteran and isabel. the latter had been reading a new publication, which she laid down at the voice of the butler announcing a visitor. but "burrah saib" may be anybody; it implies a gentleman. what then was the surprise of isabel, who had no intimation of his arrival, when newton forster made his appearance? her exclamation of delight, as she ran to him and extended her hand, made newton forster but too happy; and, as for a few seconds he held the hand not withdrawn, and looked in her beaming eyes, he quite forgot the presence of the colonel. a glance from the eye of isabel in the direction where the old gentleman was seated brought newton to his recollection. he walked up to the colonel, who shook hands, and declared that he was most glad to see him. "you take up your quarters here, of course, mr forster?" "i shall have great pleasure in availing myself of your kind offer for a day or two," replied newton. "i trust that you have been in good health since we parted." "not very; that is, latterly. i am thinking of a change of climate. i intend to go home in october. i suppose you have been informed that the two young women have married?" "i was told so by some one who came on board." "yes. isabel, my dear, order a chamber for mr forster." isabel left the room. "yes, both married--thought of nothing else--regularly came out on spec. in less than a month they knew the exact rank of every gentleman in the presidency; ascertained their prospects, and the value of their appointments; turned the rupees into pounds sterling; broke off a conversation with an ensign at the sight of a lieutenant; cut the lieutenant for a captain; were all smiles for a major; and actually made love themselves to any body who was above that rank, and a bachelor. they made their decision at last; indeed pretty quick. they were only four months on my hands. both up the country now." "i trust they have married well, sir?" "that depends upon circumstances. they have married young men not used to the climate. may be widows in half a year. if their husbands weather it, of course, they will come in for their share of the good things; but i'll warrant they will never be able to leave the country." "not leave the country, sir! may i ask why?" "because they have married foolish, extravagant wives, who will run them in debt; and when once in debt, it is no easy matter in this country to get out of it. they must insure their lives for the money which they borrow; and as the house of agency will be gainers by their demise, of course they will not be permitted to leave the country and their chance of the _cholera morbus_. don't you think that my niece looks remarkably well?" "i do; the climate does not appear to have affected her." "rather improved her," replied the colonel; "she is not so thin as when she came on shore. god bless her! i'm sure, mr forster, i am under great obligations to you for having persuaded me to go for the dear girl when she arrived. she has been a treasure to me! if she has had one, she has had twenty offers since you left; many unexceptionable; but she has refused them all. in some instances i have persuaded her--i thought it was my duty. but no; she has but one answer, and that is a decided one. she will not leave me. she has watched and attended me in my sickness as my own daughter. i say again, god bless her!" it was with delight that newton heard these encomiums upon isabel, and her resolution not to marry. whether it was wholly on account of not wishing to leave the colonel or not, still every delay gave him more chance of ultimate success. isabel, who had stayed away that the colonel might have time to make any communications to newton, now returned, and the conversation became general. newton entered into a narrative of what had occurred during his passage home, and amused them with his anecdotes and conversation. in about an hour the colonel rose from his chair that he might prepare for dinner; and then it was that newton perceived the great change which had taken place. he was no longer upright, but bowed down; his step was no longer firm, it was almost tottering; and, as he left the room, newton's eyes met those of isabel. "you think him ill?" said isabel, inquiringly. "yes, i do, miss revel. he is very much changed; his stamina appears to have been exhausted by the climate. i trust he will go home as he proposes." "he has been ill--very ill indeed. he talks constantly of home; he has done so for months; but when the time comes he puts it off. i wish you would persuade him." "i will do all i can; but if you cannot prevail, i'm afraid that my persuasion will be of little use." "indeed, i think otherwise; you have power over him, mr forster. i have not forgotten how kindly you exercised it in my behalf. we--that is," continued isabel, colouring up, "the colonel has often talked of you since you quitted us." "i feel highly flattered by his remembrance," replied newton; "but you are in mourning, miss revel. if not a liberty from one who feels an interest in all concerning you, may i inquire for whom?" "it is for my father," replied isabel, with emotion, sitting down, and passing her hand across her eyes. "i never heard of his death, and must apologise for having been so indiscreet as to renew your sorrow. how long is it since? and what was his complaint?" "he had no complaint--would to god that he had had! he was shot in a duel," replied isabel, as the tears coursed down her cheeks. "oh! mr forster, i trust i am resigned to the dispensations of providence, but--that he should be summoned away at the moment when he was seeking the life of his fellow-creature, with all the worst passions in excitement--unprepared--for he was killed on the spot. these reflections will make his death a source of bitter regret, which can terminate but with existence." "your mother is still alive?" inquired newton, to change the painful subject. "yes, but very ill; the last accounts were very distressing; they say that her complaint is incurable." newton regretted having brought up so painful a subject. a few words of condolence and sympathy were offered, and they separated to prepare for dinner. newton remained four days under the roof of the colonel, during which time he was constantly in the society of isabel; and when the period of his departure arrived, he had just grounds to imagine that, were all obstacles in other points removed, isabel revel would not, on her part, have raised any against the accomplishment of his wishes; but their mutual dependent situations chased away all ideas of the kind for the present, and although they parted with unconcealed emotion, not a word which could be construed into a declaration of attachment was permitted to escape his lips. the _windsor castle_ sailed for calcutta, and in a few days anchored at kedgeree to wait for a pilot to come down the river. during their short stay at this anchorage, mr williams, the first mate, who was an old indian voyager, went on shore every evening to follow up his darling amusement of shooting jackals, a description of game by no means scarce in that quarter of the world. often remonstrated with for his imprudence in exposing himself to the heavy night-dew, he would listen to no advice. "it was very true," he acknowledged, "that his brother had died of a jungle fever in pursuing the same amusement, and what was more, the fowling-piece in his hand belonged to his brother, who had bequeathed it to him; but as he had never heard of two brothers dying from a jungle fever taken by shooting jackals, he considered that the odds were strongly in his favour." this argument, however specious, did not prove good. the third morning he returned on board, complaining of a headache and shivering. he was bled and put into his bed, which he never left again. before the _windsor castle_ was ready to sail, the remains of mr williams were consigned to the burying-ground at diamond harbour, and newton forster was promoted to the rank of first mate of the _windsor castle_. this, as will hereafter be proved, was a most fortunate occurrence to newton forster. the _windsor castle_ sailed with leave to call at madras for letters or passengers, and in a few days was again at anchor in the roadstead. the first intelligence which they received upon their arrival was, that the _cholera morbus_ had been very fatal, and that among others, the old colonel had fallen a victim to the disease. newton again obtained permission to go on shore to isabel. he found her in distress at the house of a mrs enderby, a lady who had lost her husband by the same ravaging epidemic, and who had long been the intimate friend of the colonel and of isabel. mrs enderby was about to return to england by the first vessel, and had advised isabel to take so favourable an opportunity of a _chaperon_. isabel, who had many reasons for wishing to leave the country, particularly the declining state of her mother's health, had consented; and it was with great pleasure that she received from newton the information of the best cabins of the _windsor castle_ not having been hitherto engaged. the colonel's will had been opened. he had bequeathed his property, the whole of which, with the exception of his establishment in india, was invested in the english funds, to his grand-niece isabel revel. it amounted to nearly seventy thousand pounds. it would be difficult to say whether newton forster felt glad or sorry at this intelligence. for isabel's sake, he undoubtedly was glad; but he could not but feel that it increased the distance between them, and on that account, and on that alone, his reflections were painful. "had it," thought he, "been five thousand, or even ten thousand pounds, it would have been different. in the course of a few years i might have been able to produce an equivalent to it, and--but this fortune has raised her above my hopes; even if she had a prepossession in my favour, it would be dishonest to take advantage of it." isabel revel had very different feelings on the subject--she was her own mistress, and her manner to newton was more cordial, more confidential than before. she had not forgotten that newton had shown the same regard and partiality for her when she was going out to india, and afterwards, when in distress; he had been her friend and admirer when in adversity. she knew his feelings towards her, and she had appreciated his delicacy and forbearance. lately she had seriously analysed her own, and her analysis was wound up by a mental acknowledgment that her wealth would be valueless, if she could not share it with newton forster. at the request of mrs enderby, the poop cabins were engaged for isabel and herself. their time for preparation was short; but one day more having been obtained from captain oughton, through the influence of newton, mrs enderby and isabel embarked, and the _windsor castle_ spread her canvas, sailing away from pestilence and death. chapter xlvii "britannia needs no bulwark, no towers along the steep, her march is o'er the mountain waves, her home is on the deep." campbell. the _windsor castle_ ploughed through the vast ocean of waters before a propitious gale, laden with treasure, in the safe arrival of which so many were interested. but what were all the valuables stowed away in her frame, in the opinion of newton forster, in comparison with the lovely being who had entrusted them with her safe conduct to her native country! the extreme precautions adopted or suggested by newton for security during the night--his nervous anxiety during the day--became a source of laughter and ridicule to captain oughton; who once observed to him,--"newton, my boy, i see how the land lies, but depend upon it the old ship won't tumble overboard a bit sooner than before; so one reef in the top-sails will be quiet sufficient." indeed, although they "never mentioned it," it was impossible for either of them to disguise their feelings. their very attempts at concealment only rendered them more palpable to everyone on board. captain oughton, who was very partial to newton, rejoiced in his good fortune. he had no objection to young people falling or being in love on board of his ship, although he would not have sanctioned or permitted a marriage to take place during the period that a young lady was under his protection. once landed on deal beach, as he observed, they might "buckle to" as soon as they pleased. the _windsor castle_ was within two hundred miles of the mauritius, when a strange vessel was discovered on the weather beam, bearing down to them with all the canvas she could spread. her appearance was warlike; but what her force might be, it was impossible to ascertain at the distance she was off, and the position which she then offered, being nearly "end on." "can you make out her hull, mr forster?" cried captain oughton, hailing newton, who was at the mast-head with a glass. "no, sir; her fore-yard is but now clear of the water, but she rises very fast." "what do you think of her spars, forster?" said captain oughton to newton, who had just descended to the last rattling of the main-rigging. "she is very taut, sir, and her canvas appears to be foreign." "i'll bet you what you please it's that d----d fellow surcoeuf. this is just his cruising ground, if the report of that neutral vessel was correct." "another hour will decide the point, sir," replied newton; "but i must say i think your surmise likely to prove correct. we may as well be ready for him: a cruiser she certainly is." "the sooner the better, mr forster. he's but a 'rum customer,' and 'a hard hitter' by all accounts. clear up the decks, and beat to quarters." the strange vessel came down with such rapidity that, by the time the captain's orders were obeyed, she was not more than two miles distant. "there's 'instudding-sails;'--and in devilish good style too!" observed captain oughton. "now we shall see what he's made of." the vessel rounded to the wind as soon as she had reduced her sails, on the same tack as the _windsor castle_, displaying her broadside, as the french would say, _herissée de canons_. "a corvette, sir," said newton, reconnoitring through his glass; "two-and-twenty guns besides her bridle ports. she is french rigged;--the rake of her stern is french;--in fact, she is french all over." "all lombard street to a china orange, 'tis surcoeuf," replied captain oughton, who, with the rest of his officers, had his glass upon the vessel. "there goes the tricoloured flag to prove i've won my bet. answer the challenge. toss my hat up.--pshaw! i mean hoist the colours there abaft. mr thomas," continued captain oughton, addressing the boatswain, "send the ship's company aft.--forster, you had better see the ladies down below." at the summons of the boatswain, the men came aft, and stood in a body on the lee side of the quarter-deck, with their hats off, and impatience in their looks. "now, my lads," said captain oughton, "if i am not mistaken, that vessel is commanded by the very best seaman that ever left a french port, and to do him justice, he's a damnation fine fellow!--a severe punisher, and can take a mauling as well as give one." "yes, sir, so can we," replied several of the men together. "i know you can, my lads; and give and take is fair play. all i say is, let it be a fair stand up fight, and 'may the best man win.' so now, my lads, if you're ready to come to the scratch, why, the sooner we peel the better--that's all." "hurrah!" cried the seamen, as they separated to their quarters; and, in compliance with the injunctions of the captain, threw off their jackets, and many of them their shirts, to prepare for the conflict. the corvette, after she had rounded to, and exchanged colours, reduced her sails to precisely the same canvas as that carried by the _windsor castle_. this was to try her rate of sailing. in a quarter of an hour, her superiority was manifest. she then hauled up her courses, and dropped to her former position on the _windsor castle's_ weather-beam. "the fellow has the heels of us, at all events," observed captain oughton; "but, forster, the ladies are not yet below. mrs enderby, i am sorry to be obliged to put you in confinement for a short time. miss revel, you must do me the favour to accept of mr forster's convoy below the water-line." newton offered his arm to isabel, and followed captain oughton, who escorted mrs enderby. his heart was swelling with such variety of feeling that he could not at first trust himself to speak. when they had descended the ladder, and were picking their way, stepping over the rammers, sponges, and tackles, stretched across the main-deck, newton observed--"this is not the first time i have been commissioned to place you in security. i trust i shall again have the pleasure of relieving you from your bondage." isabel's lips quivered as she replied, "i trust in god that you may, mr forster!--but--i feel more anxious now than i did on the former occasion. i--" "i have a foreboding," interrupted newton, "that this day's work is to make or mar me! why, i cannot tell, but i feel more confident than the chances would warrant; but farewell, isabel--god bless you!"--and newton, pressing her hand, sprang up the ladder to his station on the quarter-deck. i have before observed that a man's courage much depends upon his worldly means or prospects. a man who has much to lose, whatever the property may consist of, will be less inclined to fight than another whose whole capital consists of a "light heart and a thin pair of breeches." upon the same reasoning, a man in love will not be inclined to fight as another. death then cuts off the sweetest prospects in existence. lord st vincent used to say that a married man was d----d for the service. now (bating the honeymoon), i do not agree with his lordship. a man in love may be inclined to play the mark antony; but a married man, "come what will, he has been blessed." once fairly into action, it then is of little consequence whether a man is a bachelor, or married, or in love; the all-absorbing occupation of killing your fellow-creatures makes you for the time forget whether you are a beggar or a prince. when newton returned on deck, he found that the corvette had gradually edged down until nearly within point-blank range. "shall we lay the main-topsail to the mast, sir?" observed newton. "we shall see his manoeuvres." "why, he hardly would be fool enough to bear down to us," replied captain oughton; "he is a determined fellow, i know; but i believe not a rash one. however, we can but try. square the main-yard." as soon as the _windsor castle_ was hove-to, the courses of the enemy were seen to flutter a few moments in the breeze, and then the canvas was expanded. when the vessel had gathered sufficient way, she hove in stays, and crossed the _windsor castle_ on the opposite tack. "i thought so," observed captain oughton. "the fellow knows what he is about. he'll not 'put his head in chancery,' that's clear. how cautious the rascal is! it's very like the first round of a fight--much manoeuvring and wary sparring before they begin to make play." the corvette stood on the opposite tack until well abaft the beam. she then wore round, and ranged up on the weather quarter of the indiaman. when within two cables' length of the _windsor castle_, who had, a little before, filled her main-topsail to be in command, the frenchman hauled up his foresail, and discovered his lower rigging manned by the ship's company, who gave a loud but hasty cheer, and then disappeared. one cock crowing is a challenge, sure to be answered, if the antagonist is game. the english seamen sprang up to return the compliment, when captain oughton roared out, "to your guns, you fools! hard down with the helm--fly the jib-sheet--check headbraces--look out now, my lads." the corvette had already put her helm up and paid off to pass under the stern of the _windsor castle_, with the intention of raking her. the promptitude of captain oughton foiled the manoeuvre of the frenchman; which would have been more fatal had the english seamen been in the rigging to have been swept off by his grape-shot. as the _windsor castle_ was thrown up on the wind, an exchange of broadsides took place, which, according to the usual custom of all well regulated broadsides in close conflict, cut away a certain proportion of the spars and rigging, and cut up a proportion of the ships' companies. the _windsor castle_, worked by newton, bracing round on the other tack, and the corvette rounding to on the same, the two vessels separated for a few minutes. "devilish well stopped, newton, wasn't it?" said captain oughton, showing his white teeth. "look out again--here she comes." the corvette again attempted to rake as she ranged up after tacking, by throwing herself up in the wind; but captain oughton, watching the slightest variation of his adversary's career, gradually edging away, and then putting his helm up, manoeuvred that the broadsides should again be exchanged. this second exchange was more effectual than the first. "a stomacher, and both down!" cried captain oughton, as he surveyed the deck. "be quick, newton, hand the men below. don't bring her to the wind yet, he has lost his way by luffing up, and cannot make play again for a few minutes." after the second broadside the vessels were much further apart, from the _windsor castle_ running off the wind, while the corvette was too much crippled to work with her usual rapidity. this was convenient to both parties, as the last broadside had been very mischievous. the frenchman, low in the water, had suffered less in her hull and ship's company, but more in her spars and rigging. the foremast was nearly cut in half by the carronade shot of her antagonist; her main-yard was badly wounded, and her wheel knocked to atoms, which obliged them to steer on the lower deck. the _windsor castle_ had received five shots in her hull, three men killed, and six wounded; three of her main shrouds cut in two, and her mizen-mast badly wounded. it was a quarter of an hour before the frenchman returned to the attack. captain oughton had again hauled his wind, as if not wishing to decline the combat; which, indeed, the superior sailing of his antagonist prevented. the corvette appeared to have given up manoeuvring; whether from the crippled state of her spars and sails, or from perceiving that he had hitherto gained nothing by his attempts. he now ranged up to within two cables' lengths of the _windsor castle_, and recommenced the action, broadside to broadside. the breeze was lulled by the concussion of the air; and both vessels continued in the same position, and at the same distance for upwards of an hour, pouring in their broadsides, every shot of which was effectual. "now, this is what i call a reg'lar set-to. fire away, my lads," cried captain oughton, rubbing his hands. "a proper rally this. d--n it, but he's game!" the wounded mizen-mast of the _windsor castle_ received another shot in the heart of it, which threw it over the side. every part of her hull proved the severe and well-directed fire of the enemy; her sails were as ragged as jeremy didler's pocket-handkerchief; her remaining masts pitted with shot; the bulwarks torn away in several places; the boats on the booms in shivers; rigging cut away fore and aft, and the ends swinging to and fro with the motion of the vessel; her decks in confusion; and some of her guns, from necessity, deserted. captain oughton, newton, and the rest of the officers continued to encourage the men, giving them assistance in working the guns; and the ship's company appeared to have fully imbibed the bull-dog spirit of their commander. the fire of the _windsor castle_ had been equally destructive. the vessels had gradually neared each other in the calm; and the height of the _windsor castle_ out of the water, in comparison with the corvette, had given her the advantage in sweeping the decks of the enemy. the contending vessels were in this situation, when, for a minute or two, a cessation of firing took place, in consequence of the accumulation of smoke, which had so completely enshrouded them both that they knew not where to direct their guns; and they waited until it should clear away, that the firing might recommence. a light air gradually swept the veil to leeward, and discovered both vessels to each other, at the distance of half a cable's length. captain oughton was with newton on the poop, and the commander of the french corvette was standing on the hammock nettings of his own vessel. the latter took off his hat, and courteously saluted his adversary. captain oughton answered the salutation; and then waving his hat, pointed to the english colours, which had been hoisted at the main; as much as to say, "they never shall come down!" the frenchman (it was surcoeuf) did the same to the tricolour, and the action recommenced. "well done, my lads!" cried captain oughton; "well done! that broadside was a staggerer--right into his ribs. hurrah now, my hearts of oak! this fellow's worth fighting. aim at his foremast--another broadside will floor it. it's on the reel. newton, jump forward, and--" but the order was stopped by a grape-shot, which struck captain oughton on the breast. he staggered and fell off from the poop to the quarter-deck. newton leapt down, and went to him. the torrents of blood from his breast at once told the tale: and newton called to some of the men, that his commander might be taken below. "wait a moment, my dear lad," said captain oughton faintly, and catching his breath at every word; "it's a finisher--can't come to time--i die game." his head fell on his breast, and the blood poured out of his mouth. newton directed the body to be taken into the cuddy, that the men might not be dispirited by the sight. he then hastened to the poop, that he might reconnoitre the enemy. he perceived that the corvette had hauled on board his tattered courses, and was standing ahead of them. "he's off, sir," cried one of the quarter-masters. "i suspect not," replied newton, who had his glass to his eye, looking upon the decks of the french vessel. "they are preparing to board, and will be round again in five minutes. cutlasses and pikes ready--forward, my lads, all of us! we must beat them off!" "and will, too," cried the seamen, as in obedience to their orders, they collected on the forecastle. but they mustered thin; nearly half of the ship's company were either lying dead or under the hands of the surgeon; and, as newton surveyed his little force, fatigued as they were with their exertions, black with powder, stained with blood, and reeking with perspiration, he could not but acknowledge how heavy were the odds against the attack of a vessel so well manned as the corvette appeared to be. newton said but a few words; but they were to the point; and he had the satisfaction to perceive, as they grasped their cutlasses, that if their numbers were few and their frames exhausted, their spirit was as unsubdued as ever. the corvette had in the meantime run ahead on a wind, about a mile, when she wore round, and was now standing right on to the _windsor castle_, and had neared to within three cables' lengths. a few minutes were to decide the point. her courses were again hauled up, and discovered her lee fore-rigging, bowsprit, cat-heads, and forecastle, crowded with men ready for the dash on board, as soon as the vessels should come in contact. newton stood on one of the forecastle guns, surrounded by his men; not a word was spoken on board of the _windsor castle_, as they watched their advancing enemy. they were within a cable's length of each other, and newton could plainly distinguish the features of the gallant surcoeuf, who was in advance on the knight-heads, when a puff of wind, which at any other time would not have occasioned the starting of a royal sheet, took the sails of the corvette; and her wounded foremast, laden with men in the lee-rigging, unable to bear the pressure, fell over the side, carrying with it the maintop-mast and most of the crew who had been standing in the rigging, and leaving the corvette an encumbered wreck. a loud shout from the forecastle of the _windsor castle_ announced that the english seamen were but too well aware of their desperate situation, and that they hailed the misfortune of the frenchmen as their deliverance. "now, my lads, be smart," cried newton, as he sprang aft to the wheel, and put up the helm; "man the flying jib-halyards (the jib was under the forefoot); let go the maintop bowling; square the main-yard. that will do; she's paying off. man your guns; half-a-dozen broadsides, and it's all our own." the sun had disappeared below the horizon, and the shades of evening had set in, before this manoeuvre had been accomplished. several broadsides were poured into the corvette, which had the desired effect of crippling her still more, and her encumbered condition prevented any return. at last the night hid both vessels from each other; and the breeze freshening fast, it was necessary that the remaining masts of the _windsor castle_ should be properly secured. the guns were therefore abandoned; and during the time the seamen were employed in knotting the rigging and bending the spare sails, newton consulted with his brother officers, who were unanimous in agreeing that all had been done that could be expected, and that to wait till the ensuing day, when the corvette would have repaired her damages, would be attended with a risk of capture, which the valuable property entrusted to their charge would never authorise. it was not until past midnight that the _windsor castle_ was in a condition to make sail; but long before this, newton had contrived to leave the deck for a few minutes to communicate with isabel. with most of the particulars, and with the death of captain oughton, she had already been made acquainted; and if there could be any reward to newton for his gallantry and his prudence, more coveted than another, it was the affectionate greeting with which he was welcomed and congratulated by isabel, her eyes beaming with tears of delight as they glanced from his face, and were shrouded on the deck. love and murder make a pretty mixture, although as antithetical as the sweet and acid in punch,--a composition which meets the approbation of all sensible, discriminating people. but i shall leave the reader to imagine all he pleases, and finish the chapter by informing him that, when the sun again made his appearance, the corvette was not to be discovered from the mast-head. the guns were therefore properly secured; the decks washed; a jury mizen-mast stuck up abaft; captain oughton, and the gallant fellows who had fallen in the combat, committed to the deep with the usual ceremonies; the wounded made as comfortable as possible in their hammocks; the carpenters busied with the necessary repairs; and the _windsor castle_, commanded by newton forster, running before a spanking breeze, at the rate of eight knots per hour. chapter xlviii "ships are but boards, sailors but men; there be land rats, and water rats, water thieves, and land thieves; i mean pirates." shakespeare. most prophetical was the remark made by newton forster to isabel, previous to the action: to wit, that it would make or mar him. the death of captain oughton, and the spirited defence of the _windsor castle_, were the _making_ of newton forster. as a subordinate officer, he might have been obliged to toil many years before he could have ascended to the summit of the ladder of promotion; and during the time which he remained in that situation, what chance had he of making an independence, and proposing for the hand of isabel revel? but now that, by a chain of circumstances peculiarly fortuitous, he was in command of an east indiaman, returning home after having beat off a vessel of equal if not superior force, and preserved a cargo of immense value, he felt confident that he not only would be confirmed to the rank which he was now called upon to assume, but that he had every prospect of being employed. as a captain of an indiaman, he was aware that reception into society, wealth, and consideration awaited him; and what made his heart to swell with gratitude and exultation, was the feeling that soon he would be enabled to aspire to the hand of one to whom he had so long been ardently attached. as the _windsor castle_ plunged through the roaring and complaining seas, with all the impetus of weight in motion, newton's eyes were radiant with hope, although his demeanour towards isabel was, from the peculiar circumstances attending their situation, more delicately reserved than before. when the _windsor castle_ touched at st helena, newton had the good fortune to obtain a supply of able seamen, more than sufficient for the re-manning of his ship. they had been sent there in an empty brig by a french privateer, who had captured many vessels, and had been embarrassed with the number of her prisoners. having obtained the stores which were required, newton lost no time in prosecuting his voyage to england. it was about a fortnight after they had quitted st helena that a strange sail was reported on the starboard bow; and as they neared her, it was evident that her foremast was gone, and that she was otherwise in a disabled state. when the indiaman was within a mile, the stranger threw out neutral colours, and hoisted a whiff, half-mast down, as a signal that she was in distress. newton ordered the ship to be kept away, and when alongside of the vessel, lowered down a boat, and sent the third mate to ascertain what assistance could be afforded. with sailors, thank god! distress is sufficient to obtain assistance, and the nation or country are at once merged in that feeling of sympathy for those misfortunes which may perhaps but the next hour befall ourselves. the boat returned; and the officer informed newton that the vessel was from the island of bourbon, bound to hamburg; that she had been dismasted and severely injured in a gale off the cape of good hope; and that when her mast went over the side, one-half of her crew, who were up at the time on the fore-yard, had been cast overboard and drowned; that from the want of men and material, they had been unable to rig an effective jury-mast, and had in consequence been so long on their passage that their provisions and water were nearly expended. the officer concluded by stating that there were a french lady and two gentlemen, with their attendants, who had taken their passage home in the vessel. newton immediately went down the side, and pulled on board of the vessel to ascertain what assistance could be afforded. when he arrived on board, he was met by the flemish captain, who commenced a statement of his misfortunes and his difficulties, when the french lady, who, unobserved by newton, had come up the companion-ladder, screamed out as she ran into his arms-- "ah! mon dieu!--c'est monsieur nu-tong!" newton looked at the lady, who had burst into tears, as her face lay upon his shoulder, and immediately recognised his former kind and affectionate friend, madame de fontanges: close to him, with his hand extended, was her generous husband. the meeting was joyful, and newton was delighted that circumstances had enabled him to render assistance to those who had been so kind to him in his former distress. "oh! monsieur nu-tong, nous avons tant soufferts! ah! mon dieu!--point de l'eau--rien à manger," cried madame de fontanges: then smiling through her tears, "mais ce rencontre est charmant;--n'est ce pas, mon ami?" continued the lady, appealing to her husband. "you do not remember monsieur le marquis?" said m. de fontanges to newton. newton turned his head, and recognised the governor of guadaloupe, who had expressed such sympathy at his shipwreck, and had sent him away in the cartel instead of detaining him as a prisoner. the vessel was indeed in a deplorable condition; and had she not received the timely assistance now afforded, would in all probability have soon been a scene of horror and of suffering. they had not more than three days' water remaining on board, and provisions barely sufficing for ten days. newton hastened to send back the boat with orders for an immediate and ample supply of these necessaries, in case of bad weather coming on and preventing further communication. satisfied that their immediate wants were relieved, newton took leave of his friends for the present, and returned on board his own ship, despatching his carpenters and part of his crew to the immediate refit of the vessel; and then selecting a part of everything that the _windsor castle_ contained in her store-rooms or on her decks, which he thought would administer to the comfort or the luxury of the passengers on board of the neutral. in two hours they who were in a state bordering upon famine found themselves revelling in plenty. before night the english seamen had a jury-mast up, and the sails set. the hollanders on board would have given their assistance, but they were told to remain on deck and make up for lost time, which they acquiesced in very readily, eating and drinking as if they were determined to lay in a stock for the remainder of the voyage. newton, who had returned on board of the neutral to superintend the repairs and enjoy the society of his old friends, received from them a long account of what had occurred since their separation. at nightfall he took his leave, promising to continue under easy sail and remain with them for a day or two, until they were satisfied that all was right, and that they no longer required his assistance. the narrative obtained by newton may be thus condensed for the information of the reader. the marquis de fontanges had been appointed from the government of guadaloupe to that of the island of bourbon, which was considered of more importance. monsieur and madame de fontanges accompanied him to his new command; and they had remained there for two years, when the ruling powers, without any ground, except that the marquis had received his appointment from the former government, thought proper to supersede him. frigates were not so plentiful as to spare one for the return of an ex-governor; and the marquis, being permitted to find his way home how he could, had taken advantage of the sailing of the hamburger, to return to europe or to france, or as he might find it advisable. for two days, during which the weather was so fine that madame de fontanges and the gentlemen went on board of the windsor castle, and were introduced to the ladies, newton continued under easy sail, each day despatching to the neutral everything which his gratitude could suggest; but as newton was most anxious to proceed on his voyage, it was agreed that the next morning they should part company. at the close of the evening a strange sail was observed on the weather-beam; but, as she carried no foretop-gallant sail, and appeared to be steering the same course as the windsor castle, she excited but a momentary observation, supposing that she was some homeward-bound neutral, or a merchant vessel which had separated from her convoy. during the night, which was dark, the moon being in her first quarter, the officer of the middle watch lost sight of their _protegee;_ but this was to be expected, as she did not carry a light. before morning the wind fell, and when the sun rose it was a perfect calm. the officer of the watch, as the day dawned, went on the poop, surveying the horizon for their companion, and discovered her six or seven miles astern, lying alongside of the strange vessel which they had seen the day before. both vessels, as well as the _windsor castle,_ were becalmed. he immediately went down to newton, acquainting him with the circumstance, which bore a very suspicious appearance. newton hastened on deck; with his glass he could plainly distinguish that the stranger was a vessel of a low, raking description, evidently no merchantman, but built for sailing fast, and in all probability a privateer. the man at the mast-head reported that boats were constantly passing between the two vessels. newton, who felt very anxious for the safety of his friends, accepted the offer of the second mate to take the gig, and ascertain what was going on. in little more than an hour the gig was seen from the mast-head to arrive within half a mile of the vessels, and shortly afterwards the smoke from a gun, followed by a distant report. the gig then winded and pulled back towards the _windsor castle._ it was in a state of great excitement that newton waited for her return, when the second mate informed him that on his approach he discovered that she was a flush vessel, pierced for fourteen guns, painted black, and apparently well manned; that she evidently, to use a nautical term, was "gutting" the neutral; and that, as they had witnessed, on their boat coming within range, the vessel had fired a round of grape, which fortunately fell short of them. she had shown no colours; and from her appearance and behaviour (as all privateers respect neutrals), he had no doubt that she was the pirate vessel stated, when they were at st helena, to be cruising in these latitudes. newton was of the same opinion; and it was with a heavy heart that he returned to the cabin, to communicate the unpleasant intelligence to mrs enderby and isabel. there is nothing more annoying in this world than the will without the power. at any time, a vessel becalmed is considered a very sufficing reason for swearing by those who are on board of her. what then must have been the feelings of newton, lying on the water in a state of compelled inaction, while his friends were being plundered, and perhaps murdered by a gang of miscreants before his eyes! how eagerly and repeatedly did he scan the horizon for the coming breeze! how did hope raise her head at the slightest cat's-paw that ruffled the surface of the glassy waters! three successive gales of wind are bad enough; but three gales blowing hard enough to blow the devil's horns off are infinitely preferable to one idle, stagnant, motionless, confounded calm, oppressing you with the blue-devils and maddening you with the fidgets at one and the same time. at last, as the sun descended, the breeze sprung up, first playing along the waters in capricious and tantalising airs, as if uncertain and indifferent in its infancy to which quarter of the compass it should direct its course. the ship again answered her helm; her head was put the right way, and the sails were trimmed to every shift which it made, to woo its utmost power. in a quarter of an hour it settled, blowing from a quarter which placed them to windward of, and they carried it down with them to within two miles of the stranger and the neutral, who still remained becalmed. but, as the wind freshened, it passed a-head of them, sweeping along the surface, and darkening the colours of the water, until it reached the vessels to leeward; one of which,--the one that newton was so anxious to get alongside of,--immediately took advantage of it, and, spreading all her canvas, soon increased her distance. when the _windsor castle_ arrived abreast of the neutral, the stranger was more than two miles to leeward. a little delay was then necessary to ascertain what had occurred. newton, who perceived m. de fontanges on the deck, shouting to them and wringing his hands, rounded to, lowered down a boat, and pulled on board of the neutral. the intelligence communicated was distressing. the strange vessel was a pirate, who had plundered them of everything, had taken away madame de fontanges, mimi and charlotte, her two female attendants. the captain of the pirates had wounded and severely beaten m. de fontanges, who had resisted the "_enlevement_" of his wife; and after having cut away all the standing rigging, and nearly chopped through the masts with axes, they had finished their work by boring holes in the counter of the vessel; so that, had not newton been able to come up with her, they must all have perished during the night. there was no time to be lost; the marquis de fontanges, m. de fontanges, and the crew, were hurried on board of the _windsor castle_ (the pirate had taken care that they should not be delayed in packing up their baggage), and newton, as soon as he returned on board, and hoisted up his boat, crowded every stitch of canvas in pursuit of the pirate, who was now more than four miles distant. but, although the wind gradually increased, and was thus far in their favour, as they first benefited by it, yet, as the sun went down, so did their hopes descend. at nightfall the pirate had increased her distance to seven miles. newton pursued, watching her with a night-glass, until she could no longer be distinguished. still, their anxiety was so great, that no one went to bed on board of the _windsor castle_. when the day broke, the pirate was not to be discovered in any quarter of the horizon from the mast-head of the _windsor castle_. chapter xlix "she stood a moment as a pythoness stands on her tripod, agonised and full of inspiration gather'd from distress, when all the heart-strings, like wild horses, pull the heart asunder; then, as more or less their speed abated or their strength grew dull, she sunk down on her seat by slow degrees, and bow'd her throbbing head o'er trembling knees." byron. it was with deep regret that newton gave directions for the ship's head to be again directed on her course to england; but the property under his charge was of too great value to warrant risking it by cruising after the pirates, the superior sailing of whose vessel afforded no hopes of success. the melancholy situation of madame de fontanges threw a gloom over the party, which was communicated even to the seamen; while the anguish of m. de fontanges, expressed with all the theatrical violence characteristic of his nation, was a source of continual reminiscence and regret. they had been four days on their voyage, making little progress with the light and baffling winds, when they were shrouded in one of those thick fogs which prevail in the latitude of the cape de verds, and which was rendered more disagreeable by a mizzling rain. on the sixth day, about twelve o'clock, the horizon cleared to the northward, and the fog in that quarter was rolled away by a strong breeze which rippled along the water. newton, who was on deck, observed the direction of the wind to be precisely the reverse of the little breeze to which their sails had been trimmed; and the yards of the _windsor castle_ were braced round to meet it. the gust was strong, and the ship, laden as she was, careened over to the sudden force of it, as the top-gallant sheets and halyards were let fly by the directions of the officer of the watch. the fog, which had still continued thick to leeward, now began to clear away; and, as the bank dispersed, the marquis de fontanges, who was standing on the poop by the side of newton, cried out, "_voilà un bâtiment!_" newton looked in the direction pointed out, and discovered the hull of a vessel looming through the fog, about a quarter of a mile to leeward of the _windsor castle_. one minute's scrutiny convinced him that it was the pirate, who, not having been expeditious in trimming his sails, _laid in irons_, as seamen term it, heeling over to the blast. the _windsor castle_ was then running free, at the rate of four miles an hour. "starboard the helm--all hands to board--steady so. be smart, my lads--it's the pirate--port a little. hurrah! my lads--be quick, and she's all our own. quartermaster, my sword--quick!" the crew, who were all on deck, snatched their cutlasses from the capstern-head, in which they were inserted, and before three minutes elapsed, during which the pirate had not time to extricate himself from his difficulty, were all ready for the service. they were joined by the flemish sailors belonging to the neutral vessel, who very deliberately put their hands in their breeches-pockets, and pulled out their knives, about as long as a carpenter's two-foot rule, preferring this weapon to anything else. monsieur de fontanges, bursting with impatience, stood with newton, at the head of the men. when the collision of the two vessels took place, the _windsor castle_, conned so as not to run down the pirate, but to sheer alongside, stove in the bulwarks of the other, and carried away her topmasts, which, drawn to windward by the pressure on the back-stays, fell over towards the _windsor castle_, and, entangling with her rigging, prevented the separation of the two vessels. "no quarter, my friends!" cried monsieur de fontanges, who darted on board of the pirate vessel at the head of some men near the main-rigging, while newton and the remainder, equally active, poured down upon his quarter. such had been the rapidity of the junction, and such the impetuosity of the attack, that most of the pirates had not had time to arm themselves, which, considering the superiority of their numbers rendered the contest more equal. a desperate struggle was the result;--the attacked party neither expecting, demanding, nor receiving quarter. it was blow for blow, wound for wound, death to one or both. every inch of the deck was disputed, and not an inch obtained until it reeked with blood. the voices of newton and monsieur de fontanges, encouraging their men, were answered by another voice,--that of the captain of the pirates,--which had its due effect upon the other party, which rallied at its sound. newton, even in the hurry and excitement of battle, could not help thinking to himself that he had heard that voice before. the english seamen gained but little ground, so obstinate was the resistance. the pirates fell; but as they lay on the deck, they either raised their exhausted arms to strike one last blow of vengeance before their life's blood had been poured out, or seized upon their antagonists with their teeth in their expiring agonies. but a party, who, from the sedateness of their carriage, had hitherto been almost neutral, now forced their way into the conflict. these were the flemish seamen, with their long snick-a-snee knives, which they used with as much imperturbability as a butcher professionally employed. they had gained the main-rigging of the vessel, and, ascending it, had passed over by the catharpins, and descended, with all the deliberation of bears, on the other side, by which tranquil manoeuvre the pirates were taken in flank; and huddled as they were together, the knives of the flemings proved much more effective than the weapons opposed to them. the assistance of the flemings was hailed with a shout from the english seamen, who rallied, and increased their efforts. newton's sword had just been passed through the body of a tall, powerful man, who had remained uninjured in the front of the opposing party since the commencement of the action, when his fall discovered to newton's view the captain of the vessel, whose voice had been so often heard, but who had hitherto been concealed from his sight by the athletic form which had just fallen by his hand. what was his astonishment and his indignation when he found himself confronted by one whom he had long imagined to have been summoned to answer for his crimes--his former inveterate enemy, jackson! jackson appeared to be no less astonished at the recognition of newton, whom he had supposed to have perished on the sand-bank. both mechanically called each other by name, and both sprang forward. the blow of newton's sword was warded off by the miscreant; but at the same moment that of monsieur de fontanges was passed through his body to the hilt. newton had just time to witness the fall of jackson, when a tomahawk descended on his head; his senses failed him, and he lay among the dead upon the deck. there was a shriek, a piercing shriek, heard when newton fell. it passed the lips of one who had watched, with an anxiety too intense to be pourtrayed, the issue of the conflict;--it was from isabel, who had quitted the cabin at the crash occasioned by the collision of the two vessels, and had remained upon the poop "spectatress of the fight." there were no fire-arms used; no time for preparation had been allowed. there had been no smoke to conceal--all had been fairly presented to her aching sight. yes! there she had remained, her eye fixed upon newton forster, as, at the head of his men, he slowly gained the deck of the contested vessel. not one word did she utter; but, with her lips wide apart from intensity of feeling, she watched his progress through the strife, her eye fixed--immovably fixed upon the spot where his form was to be seen; hope buoyant, as she saw his arm raised and his victims fall--heart sinking, as the pirate sword aimed at a life so dear. there she stood like a statue--as white as beautiful--as motionless as if, indeed, she had been chiselled from the parian marble; and had it not been for her bosom heaving with the agony of tumultuous feeling, you might have imagined that all was as cold within. newton fell--all her hopes were wrecked--she uttered one wild shriek, and felt no more. after the fall of jackson, the pirates were disheartened, and their resistance became more feeble. m. de fontanges carved his way to the taffrail, and then turned round to kill again. in a few minutes the most feeble-hearted escaped below, leaving the few remaining brave to be hacked to pieces, and the deck of the pirate vessel was in possession of the british crew. not waiting to recover his breath, m. de fontanges rushed below to seek his wife. the cabin door was locked, but yielded to his efforts; and he found her in the arms of her attendants in a state of insensibility. a scream of horror at the sight of his bloody sword, and another of joy at the recognition of their master, was followed up with the assurance that madame had only fainted. m. de fontanges took his wife in his arms, and carried her on deck, where, with the assistance of the seamen, he removed her on board of the _windsor castle_, and in a short time had the pleasure to witness her recovery. their first endearments over, there was an awkward question to put to a wife. after responding to her caresses, m. de fontanges inquired, with an air of anxiety very remarkable in a frenchman, how she had been treated. "il n'y a pas de mal, mon ami," replied madame de fontanges. this was a jesuitical sort of answer, and m. de fontanges required further particulars. "elle avait temporisé" with the ruffian, with the faint hope of that assistance which had so opportunely and unexpectedly arrived. m. de fontanges was satisfied with his wife's explanation; and such being the case, what passed between jackson and madame de fontanges can be no concern of the reader's. as for mimi and charlotte, they made no such assertion; but, when questioned, the poor girls burst into tears, and, calling the captain and first lieutenant of the pirate vessel barbarians and every epithet they could think of, complained bitterly of the usage which they had received. we left newton floored (as captain oughton would have said) on the deck of the pirate vessel, and isabel in a swoon on the poop of the _windsor castle_. they were both taken up, and then taken down, and recovered according to the usual custom in romances and real life. isabel was the first to _come to_, because, i presume, a blow on the heart is not quite so serious as a blow on the head. fortunately for newton, the tomahawk had only glanced along the temple, not injuring the skull, although it stunned him, and detached a very decent portion of his scalp, which had to be replaced. a lancet brought him to his senses, and the surgeon pronounced his wound not to be dangerous, provided that he remained quiet. at first newton acquiesced with the medical adviser, but an hour or two afterwards a circumstance occurred which had such a resuscitating effect, that, weak as he was with the loss of blood, he would not resign the command of the ship, but gave his orders relative to the captured vessel, and the securing of the prisoners, as if nothing had occurred. what had contributed so much to the recovery of newton was simply this, that _somehow or another_ mrs enderby left him for a few minutes, _tête-à-tête_ with isabel revel: and, during those few minutes, _somehow or another_, a very interesting scene occurred, which i have no time just now to describe. it ended, however, _somehow or another_, in the parties plighting their troth. as i said before, love and murder are very good friends; and a chop from a tomahawk was but a prelude for the descent of love, with "healing on his wings." the _windsor castle_ lost five men killed and eleven wounded in this hard contest. three of the flemings were also wounded. the pirate had suffered more severely. out of a crew of seventy-five men, as no quarter had been given, there remained but twenty-six, who had escaped and secreted themselves below, in the hold of the vessel. these were put in irons under the half-deck of the _windsor castle_, to be tried upon their arrival in england. as i may as well dispose of them at once, they were all sentenced to death by sir william scott, who made a very impressive speech upon the occasion; and most of them were hanged on the bank of the thames. the polite valet of the marquis de fontanges hired a wherry, and escorted mademoiselles mimi and charlotte to witness the "_barbares_" dangling in their chains; and the sooty young ladies returned much gratified with their interesting excursion. it will be necessary to account for the reappearance of jackson. the reader may recollect that he made sail in the boat, leaving newton on the island which they had gained after the brig had been run on shore and wrecked. when the boat came floating down with the tide, bottom up, newton made sure that jackson had been upset and drowned; instead of which, he had been picked up by a providence schooner; and the boat having been allowed to go adrift with the main-sheet belayed to the pin, had been upset by a squall, and had floated down with the current to the sand-bank where newton was standing in the water. jackson did not return to england, but had entered on board of a portuguese slave-vessel, and continued some time employed in this notorious traffic, which tends so much to demoralise and harden the heart. after several voyages, he headed a mutiny, murdered the captain and those who were not a party to the scheme, and commenced a career of piracy, which had been very successful, from the superior sailing of the vessel, and the courage of the hardened villains he had collected under his command. chapter l "hopes, of all passions, most befriend us here; joy has her tears, and transport has her death: hope, like a cordial, innocent, tho' strong, man's heart at once inspirits and serenes; nor makes him pay his wisdom for his joys, 'tis all our present state can safely bear: health to the frame and vigour to the mind, and to the modest eye, chastised delight, like the fair summer evening, mild and sweet, 'tis man's full cup--his paradise below." young. with what feelings of delight did newton forster walk the deck of the _windsor castle_, as she scudded before a fine breeze across the bay of biscay! his happiness in anticipation was so great, that at times he trembled lest the cup should be dashed from his lips; and at the same time that he thanked god for blessings received, he offered up his prayer that his prospects might not be blighted by disappointment. how happy did he feel when he escorted isabel on deck, and walked with her during the fine summer evenings, communicating those hopes and fears, recurring to the past, or anticipating the future, till midnight warned them of the rapidity with which time had flown away! the pirate vessel, which had been manned by the crew of the neutral and part of the ship's company of the _windsor castle_, under charge of the fourth mate, sailed round and round them, until at last the channel was entered, and favoured with a westerly breeze, the _windsor castle_ and her prize anchored in the downs. here mrs enderby and isabel quitted the ship, and newton received orders to proceed round to the river. before the _windsor castle_ had anchored, the newspapers were put into his hands containing a report of the two actions, and he had the gratification of acknowledging that his countrymen were not niggardly in the encomiums upon his meritorious conduct. newton presented himself to the court of directors, who confirmed his rank, and promised him the command of the first ship which was brought forward, with flattering commendations for his gallantry in protecting property of so much value. newton took his leave of the august _leaden-all_ board, and hastened to his uncle's house. the door was opened by a servant who did not know him: newton passed him, and ran up to the drawing-room, where he found amber in company with william aveleyn, who was reading to her the despatch containing the account of the action with surcoeuf. amber _sprang_ into his arms. she had grown into a tall girl of nearly fifteen, budding into womanhood and beauty: promising perfection, although not yet attained to it. william aveleyn was also nearly half a foot taller; and a blush which suffused his handsome face at being surprised alone with amber, intimated that the feelings of a man were superseding those of boyhood. "where is my mother?" inquired newton. "she is not at home, dear newton," replied amber; "she walked out with your father. they are both well." "and my uncle?" "quite well, and most anxious to see you. he talks of nobody but you, and of nothing but your actions, which we were just reading about when you came in. pray, _captain_ newton, may i inquire after your french friends? what has become of them?" "they are at sablonniere's hotel, miss amber; they have obtained their parole at the alien-office." the conversation was interrupted by the return of newton's father and mother, and shortly afterwards mr john forster made his appearance. after the first greetings and congratulations were over-- "well, newton," observed nicholas, "so you beat off a pirate, i hear." "no, my dear father, we boarded one." "ah! very true; i recollect--and you killed surcoeuf." "no, father, only beat him off." "so it was; i recollect now. brother john, isn't it almost dinner time?" "yes, brother nicholas, it is; and i'm not sorry for it. mr william aveleyn, perhaps you'd like to wash your hands? a lad's paws are never the worse for a little clean water." william aveleyn blushed: his dignity was hurt: but he had lately been very intimate at mr forster's, and he therefore walked out to comply with the recommendation. "well, brother nicholas, what have you been doing all day?" "doing all day, brother? really, i don't exactly know. my dear," said nicholas, turning to his wife, "what have i been doing all day?" "to the best of my recollection," replied mrs forster, smiling, "you have been asking when dinner would be ready." "uncle nicholas," said amber, "you promised to buy me a skein of blue silk." "did i, my dear? well, so i did, i declare. i'm very sorry--dear me, i forgot, i did buy it. i passed by a shop where the windows were full of it, and it brought it to my mind, and i did buy it. it cost--what was it, it cost?" "oh! i know what it cost," replied amber. "i gave you threepence to pay for it. where is it?" "if i recollect, it cost seven shillings and sixpence," replied nicholas, pulling out, not a skein of blue silk, but a yard of blue sarsenet. "now, papa, do look here! uncle nicholas, i never will give you a commission again. is it not provoking? i have seven shillings and sixpence to pay for a yard of blue sarsenet, which i do not want. uncle nicholas, you really are very stupid." "well, my dear, i suppose i am. i heard william aveleyn say the same, when i came into the room this morning, because--let me see--" "you heard him say nothing, uncle," interrupted amber, colouring. "yes, i recollect now--how stupid i was to come in when i was not wanted!" "humph!" said john forster; and dinner was announced. since the recognition of mrs forster by her husband, she had presided at her brother-in-law's table. the dinner provided was excellent, and was done ample justice to by all parties, especially nicholas, whose appetite appeared to increase from idleness. since newton had left england he had remained a pensioner upon his brother; and, by dint of constant exertion on the part of mrs forster, had been drilled out of his propensity of interfering with either the watch or the spectacles. this was all that was required by mr john forster; and nicholas walked up and down the house, like a tame cat, minding nobody, and nobody paying any attention to him. after dinner the ladies retired, and shortly afterwards william aveleyn quitted the room. newton thought this to be a good opportunity to acquaint his uncle with his attachment to miss revel, and the favourable result. mr john forster heard him without interruption. "very nice girl, i daresay, nephew, but you are too young to marry. you can't marry and go to sea. follow your profession, newton; speculate in opium--i'll find the means." "i trust, sir, that i should never speculate in marrying: but, had i acted on that plan, this would prove the best speculation of the two. miss revel has a very large fortune." "so much the worse: a man should never be indebted to his wife for his money--they never forget it. i'd rather you had fallen in love with a girl without a shilling." "well, sir, when i first fell in love she had not a sixpence." "humph!--well, nephew, that may be very true; but, as i said before, follow your profession." "marriage will not prevent my so doing, uncle. most captains of indiamen are married men." "more fools they! leaving their wives at home to be flattered and fooled by the lord knows who. a wife, nephew is--a woman." "i hope that mine will be one, sir," replied newton, laughing. "nephew, once for all, i don't approve of your marrying now---that's understood. it's my wish that you follow your profession. i'll be candid with you; i have left you the heir to most of my fortune; but--i can alter my will. if you marry this girl i shall do so." "alter your will, brother?" said nicholas, who had been attentive to the conversation. "why, who have you to leave your money to, except to newton?" "to hospitals--to pay off the national debt--to anything. perhaps i may leave it all to that little girl, who already has come in for a slice." "but, brother," replied nicholas, "will that be just, to leave all your money away from your family?" "just! yes, brother nicholas, quite just. a man's will is his _will_. if he makes it so as to satisfy the wishes or expectations of others, it is no longer _his will_, but theirs. nephew, as i said before, if you marry against my consent, i shall alter my will." "i am sorry, sir, very sorry, that you should be displeased with me; but i am affianced to this lady, and no worldly consideration will induce me not to fulfil an engagement upon which, indeed, my future happiness depends. i have no claim upon you, sir; on the contrary, i have incurred a large debt of gratitude, from your kind protection. anything else you would require of me--" "humph! that's always the case; anything else except what is requested. brother nicholas, do me the favour to go upstairs; i wish to speak with my nephew alone." "well, brother john, certainly, if you wish it--if you and newton have secrets;" and nicholas rose from his chair. "surely, sir," observed newton, not pleased at the abrupt dismissal of his father, "we can have no secrets to which my father may not be a party." "yes, but i have, nephew. your father is my brother, and i take the liberty with my brother, if you like that better--not with your father." in the meantime nicholas had stalked out of the room. "nephew," continued mr john forster, as the door closed, "i have stated to you my wish that you should not marry this young woman; and i will now explain my reasons. the girl left in my charge by my brother edward has become the same to me as a daughter. i intend that you shall make three or four voyages as captain of an indiaman; then you shall marry her, and become the heir to my whole fortune. now you understand me. may i ask what are your objections?" "none, sir, but what i have already stated--my attachment and engagement to another person." "is that all?" "is it not enough?" "it appears that this young woman has entered into an engagement on board ship, without consulting her friends." "she has no father, sir. she is of age, and independent." "you have done the same." "i grant it, sir; but even were i inclined, could i, in honour or honesty, retract?" "humph!" "perhaps, sir, if you were acquainted with the young lady you might not be averse to the match." "perhaps, if i saw with your eyes, i might not; but that is not likely to be the case. old men are a little blind and a little obstinate. after toiling through life to amass a fortune, they wish to have their own way of disposing of it. it is the only return they can receive for their labour. however, nephew, you will act as you please. as i said before, if you marry against my consent, i shall alter my will. now, empty the bottle, and we'll go upstairs." chapter li "and, betty, give this cheek a little red." pope. the departure of isabel in the _windsor castle_, so immediately after the death of colonel revel, prevented her communicating to her mother the alteration which had taken place in her circumstances, and her intended return to england. the first intimation received by mrs revel was from a hurried note sent on shore by a pilot-boat off falmouth, stating isabel's arrival in the channel, and her anticipation of soon embracing her mother. isabel did not enter into any particulars, as she neither had time, nor did she feel assured that the letter would ever reach its destination. the letter did however come to hand two days before isabel and mrs enderby arrived in the metropolis, much to the chagrin of mrs revel, who imagined that her daughter had returned penniless, to be a sharer of her limited income. she complained to mr heaviside, who as usual stepped in, not so much from any regard for mrs revel, but to while away the time of a _far niente_ old bachelor. "only think, mr heaviside," said the lady, who was stretched on a sofa, supported on pillows, "isabel has returned from india. here is a letter i have just received, signed by her maiden name! her sisters so well married too! surely she might have stayed out with one of them! i wonder how she got the money to pay her passage home! dear me, what shall i do with her?" "if i may be allowed to see the letter, mrs revel," said the old gentleman-- "oh, certainly, it's nothing but a note." mr heaviside read the contents. "there is very little in it indeed, mrs revel; not a word about the colonel, or why she left india. perhaps the colonel may be dead." "then she might have gone to live with one of her sisters, mr heaviside." "but perhaps he may have left her some property." "and do you, a sensible man, think that if such was the case, my daughter would not have mentioned it in her note? impossible, mr heaviside!" "she may intend to surprise you, mrs revel." "she has surprised me," replied the lady, falling back upon the pillows. "well, mrs revel, you will soon ascertain the facts. i wish you a good-morning, and will pay my devoirs in a day or two to inquire after your health, and hear what has taken place." to defray the expenses attending the "consignment" of the three miss revels to india, mrs revel had consented to borrow money, insuring her life as a security to the parties who provided it. her unprincipled husband took this opportunity of obtaining a sum which amounted to more than half her marriage settlement, as mrs revel signed the papers laid before her without examining their purport. when her dividends were become due, this treachery was discovered; and mrs revel found herself reduced to a very narrow income, and wholly deserted by her husband, who knew that he had no chance of obtaining further means of carrying on his profligate career. his death in a duel, which we have before mentioned, took place a few months after the transaction, and mrs revel was attacked with that painful disease, a cancer, so deeply seated as to be incurable. still she was the same frivolous, heartless being; still she sighed for pleasure, and to move in those circles in which she had been received at the time of her marriage. but, as her income diminished, so did her acquaintances fall off; and at the period of isabel's return, with the exception of mr heaviside and one or two others, she was suffered to pine away in seclusion. isabel was greeted with querulous indifference until the explanation of the first ten minutes; then, as an heiress, with the means as well as the desire of contributing to her mother's comforts, all was joy and congratulation. her incurable disease was for the time forgotten; and although pain would occasionally draw down the muscles of her face, as soon as the pang was over, so was the remembrance of her precarious situation. wan and wasted as a spectre, she indulged in anticipation of again mixing with the fashionable world, and talked of _chaperoning_ isabel to private parties and public amusements, when she was standing on the brink of eternity. isabel sighed as she listened to her mother, and observed her attenuated frame; occasionally she would refer to her mother's state of health, and attempt to bring her to that serious state of mind which her awful situation demanded; but in vain: mrs revel would evade the subject. before a week had passed, she had set up an equipage, and called upon many of her quondam friends to announce the important intelligence of her daughter's wealth. most of them had long before given orders not to be "at home to mrs revel." the few to whom, from the remissness of their porters, she obtained admittance, were satisfied at their servants' negligence when they heard the intelligence which mrs revel had to communicate. "they were so delighted; isabel was always such a sweet girl; hoped that mrs revel would not be such a recluse as she had been, and that they should prevail upon her to come to their parties!" an heiress is of no little consequence when there are so many younger brothers to provide for; and, before a short month had flown away, mrs revel, to her delight, found that the cards and invitations of no inconsiderable portion of the _beau monde_ covered the table of her confined drawing-room. to isabel, who perceived that her mother was sinking every day under the exertion she went through, all this was a source of deep regret. it occurred to her that to state her engagements with newton forster would have some effect in preventing this indirect suicide. she took an opportunity of confiding it to her mother, who listened to her with astonishment. "isabel! what do i hear? what! that young man who calls here so often! you, that can command a title, rank, and fashion, engage yourself to a captain of an indiaman! recollect, isabel, that now your poor father is dead, i am your legal protector; and without my permission i trust you have too much sense of filial duty to think of marrying. how you could venture to form an engagement without consulting me is quite astonishing! depend upon it, i shall not give my consent; therefore, think no more about it." how often do we thus see people, who make no scruples of neglecting their duties, as eagerly assert their responsibility, when it suits their convenience. isabel might have retorted, but she did not. in few words, she gave her mother to understand that she was decided, and then retired to dress for a splendid ball, at which, more to please her mother than herself, she had consented to be present. it was the first party of any consequence to which mrs revel had been invited. she considered it as her re-_entrée_ into the fashionable world, and the presentation of her daughter; she would not have missed it for any consideration. that morning she had felt more pain than usual, and had been obliged to have recourse to restoratives; but once more to join the gay and fashionable throng--the very idea braced her nerves, rendered her callous to suffering, and indifferent to disease. "i think," said mrs revel to her maid--"i think," said she, panting, "you may lace me a little closer, martyn." "indeed, madam, the holes nearly meet; it will hurt your side." "no, no, i feel no pain this evening--there, that will do." the lady's-maid finished her task, and left the room. mrs revel rouged her wan cheeks, and, exhausted with fatigue and pain, tottered to an easy-chair, that she might recover herself a little before she went downstairs. in a quarter of an hour isabel, who had waited for the services of martyn, entered her mother's room, to announce that she was ready. her mother, who was sitting in the chair, leaning backwards, answered her not. isabel went up to her, and looked her in the face--she was _dead_! chapter lii "my dearest wife was like this maid, and such my daughter might have been." shakespeare. the reader may be surprised at the positive and dictatorial language of mr john forster, relative to newton's marriage, as detailed in a former chapter; but, as mr john forster truly observed, all the recompense which he had to expect for a life of exertion was to dispose of the fruits of his labour according to his own will. this he felt; and he considered it unreasonable that what he supposed a boyish attachment on the part of newton was to overthrow all his preconcerted arrangements. had mr forster been able to duly appreciate the feelings of his nephew, he probably would not have been so decided; but love had never been able to establish himself as an inmate of his breast. his life had been a life of toil. love associates with idleness and ease. mr forster was kind and cordial to his nephew as before, and the subject was not again renewed; nevertheless, he had made up his mind, and having stated that he would alter his will, such was his intention, provided that his nephew did not upon mature reflection accede to his wishes. newton once more enjoyed the society of isabel, to whom he imparted all that had occurred. "i do not wish to play the prude," answered isabel, "by denying that i am distressed at your uncle's decision; to say that i will never enter into his family without having received his consent, is saying more than my feelings will bear out; but i must and will say that i shall be most unwilling so to do. we must, therefore, as madame de fontanges did with the pirate captain, _temporise_, and i trust we shall be as successful." newton, more rational than most young men in love, agreed with isabel on the propriety of the measure, and, satisfied with each other's attachment, they were by no means in a hurry to precipitate their marriage. it may be recollected that newton forster felt convinced that the contents of the trunk which he picked up at sea, when mate of the coasting vessel, was the property of the marquis de fontanges. during their passage home in the _windsor castle_, he had renewed the subject to m. de fontanges, and from the description which he gave from memory, the latter appeared to be of the same opinion. the conversation had not been revived until some time after their arrival in england, when newton, anxious to restore the articles, desired m. de fontanges to communicate with the marquis, and request that he would appoint a day upon which he would call at his uncle's and identify the property. the marquis, who had never been informed by m. de fontanges that any supposed relics of his lost wife remained, sighed at the memory of his buried happiness--buried in that vast grave, which defrauds the earth of its inherent rights--and consented to call upon the ensuing day. when the marquis arrived, accompanied by m. and madame de fontanges, he was received in the drawing-room by mr john forster, who had brought from his chamber the packet in question, which had remained locked up in the iron safe ever since newton had first committed it to his charge. after their introduction to each other, the marquis observed, in english-- "i am giving you a great deal of trouble; unavailing indeed; for, allowing that the articles should prove to be mine, the sight of them must be a source of renewed misery." "sir," replied mr john forster, "the property does not belong to my nephew, and he has very properly reserved it until he could find out the legal owner. if the property is yours, we are bound to deliver it into your hands. there is an inventory attached to it," continued the old lawyer, putting on his spectacles, and reading, "one diamond ring--but perhaps it would be better that i should open the packet." "will you permit me to look at the diamond ring, sir?" observed m. de fontanges. "the sight of that will identify the whole." "there it is, sir," replied mr john forster. "it is, indeed, that of my poor sister-in-law!" said m. de fontanges, taking it up to the marquis. "my brother, it is louise's ring!" "it is," cried the marquis, passionately, "the ring that i placed in the centre of her _corbeille de mariage_. alas! where is the hand which graced it?" and the marquis retreated to the sofa, and covered his face. "we have no occasion then to proceed further," observed mr john forster, with emotion. "the other articles you, of course, recognise?" "i do," replied monsieur de fontanges. "my brother had taken his passage in the same vessel, but was countermanded. before he had time to select all his own baggage, which was mixed with that of his wife, the ship was blown out to sea, and proceeded on her voyage. these orders of merit were left with her jewels." "i observe," said the old lawyer, "which i did not when newton entrusted the packet to my charge, that the linen has not all the same marks; that of the adult is marked l. de m., while that which belonged to the child is marked j. de f. was it the marquis's child?" "it was; the linen of the mother was some belonging to her previous to her marriage. the maiden name was louise de montmorenci; that of the child has the initials of its name, julie de fontanges." "humph! i have my reasons for asking that question," replied the old lawyer. "newton, do me the favour to step to my chambers and open the safe. you will find in it, on the right-hand side, another small bundle of linen: bring it here. stop, newton, blow the dust out of the pipe of the key before you put it in, and be careful that it is well inserted before you turn it, or you may strain the wards. in all other points, you may be as quick as you please. my lord marquis', will you allow me to offer you some refreshment?--a glass of wine will be of service. brother nicholas, do me the favour to call amber." newton and nicholas both departed on their respective missions. amber made her appearance. "papa," said amber, "do you want me?" "yes, my dear," said mr forster, handing her the keys; "go down to the cellaret and bring up some wine. i do not wish the servants to come in just now." amber reappeared with a small tray. she first handed it to the marquis, who was roused at her voice. "papa requests that you will take some wine, sir. it will be of service to you." the marquis, who had looked earnestly in her face when she had spoken, took the wine, and drinking it off, bowed as he replaced the glass. he then sunk back on the sofa. when the rap at the door announced the return of newton, mr john forster requested m. de fontanges, in a low voice, to follow him, and directing newton, whom they met on the stairs, to return, they proceeded to the dining-parlour. "i have requested you to come down, sir," said mr john forster, "that i might not, without being certain, raise hopes in your brother the marquis, which, if not realised, would create bitter feelings of disappointment; but i remarked the initials on the linen of the child; and if my memory, which is not very bad, fails me not, we shall find corresponding ones in the packet now before us;" and the old lawyer opened the bundle and displayed the contents, which proved to be marked as he had surmised. "most true," replied monsieur de fontanges. "they are the same, and of course part of the property which was picked up." "yes; but not picked up at the same time, or at the same spot, or by the same person. those above stairs were, as you know, picked up by my nephew; these by a brother, who is since dead: and in these clothes an infant was also washed upon the beach." "his child!" exclaimed monsieur de fontanges. "where was it buried?" "the child was restored to life, and is still living." "if it is," replied monsieur de fontanges, "it can be no other than the young lady who just now called you father. the likeness to madame la marquise is most astonishing." "it is as you suppose, sir," replied mr john forster. "at my brother's death, he bequeathed the little girl to my protection; and i trust i have done justice to the deposit. indeed, although an alien by blood, she is as dear to me as if she were my own daughter: and," continued the old lawyer, hesitating a little, "although i have the satisfaction of restoring her to her father's arms, it will be a heavy blow to part with her! when my brother spoke to me on the subject, i told him it was trouble and expense enough to bring up a child of one's own begetting. i little thought at the time how much more i should be vexed at parting with one of another's. however, with the bundle, she must be returned to the lawful owner. i have one more remark to make, sir. do me the favour to look at that drawing of my poor brother's, which hangs over the sideboard. do you recognise the portrait?" "triton!" cried monsieur de fontanges; "the dog which i gave my poor sister-in-law!" "you are indebted to that dog for the life of your niece. he brought her on shore, and laid her at my brother's feet; but i have all the documents, which i will send for your perusal. the facts i consider so well established as to warrant a verdict in any court of justice; and now, sir, i must leave you to make the communication as soon, and, at the same time, as cautiously as you please. newton, send amber down to me." we will pass over the scenes which followed in the dining-parlour and drawing-room. the marquis de fontanges discovered that he was blest with a daughter, at the same time that amber learnt her own history. in a few minutes amber was led upstairs to the arms of her father, whose tears of sorrow at the loss of his wife were now mingled with those of delight, as he clasped his daughter to his heart. "what obligations do i owe to your whole family, my dear friend!" said the marquis to newton. "i will not deny it, sir," replied newton; "but allow me to observe, that for the recovery of your daughter you are equally indebted to the generosity of your own relatives and your own feeling disposition. had not monsieur and madame de fontanges protected and assisted me in my distress; had not you, instead of throwing me into prison, set me at liberty, you never would have known where your daughter was to be found. had not one of my uncles hastened to the relief of the vessel in distress, and the other protected your little girl after his death, she would not have been now in existence. my gratitude for your kindness induced me to remain by your ship, and subsequently to rescue you from the pirate, or you would not have now been a prisoner in this country--an evil which, under divine providence, has been changed to a blessing, by restoring to you your daughter. we have all, i trust, done our duty, and this happy issue is our full reward." "humph!" observed the old lawyer. chapter liii "thus far our chronicle--and now we pause, though not for want of matter, but 'tis time." byron. amber, or julie de fontanges, as we must now call her, quitted the abode of her kind protector in such distress, that it was evident she regretted the discovery which had been made. she was too young to be aware of the advantages of high birth, and her removal was for some time a source of unfeigned regret. it appeared to her that nothing could compensate for the separation from her supposed father, who doted on her, from mrs forster, who had watched over her, from nicholas, who amused her, and from newton, whom she loved as a brother. but the idea of going to a foreign country, and never seeing them or william aveleyn again, and, though last, not least, to find that she was not an englishwoman, and in future must not rejoice at their victories over her own nation, occasioned many a burst of tears when left alone to her own meditations. it was long before the devotion of her father, and the fascinating attentions of m. and madame de fontanges, could induce her to be resigned to her new condition. mr john forster felt his bereavement more deeply than could have been supposed. for many days after the departure of julie, he seldom spoke, never made his appearance, except at dinner-time, and as soon as the meal was finished, hastened to his chambers, where he remained very late. intense application was the remedy which he had selected to dispel his care, and fill up the vacuum created by the absence of his darling child. "newton," said he, one evening, as they discussed a bottle of port, "have you considered what i proposed? i confess to you that i am more than ever anxious for the match; i cannot part with that dear child, and you can bring her back to me." "i have reflected, sir; but the case must be viewed in a very different light. you might affiance your adopted daughter at her early age, but the marquis de fontanges may not be so inclined; nay, further, sir, it is not impossible that he may dislike the proposed match. he is of a very noble family." "i have thought on that subject," replied mr john forster; "but our family is as well descended, and quite well enough for any frenchman, let him be a marquis, or even a duke. is that the only obstacle you intend to raise --or, if this is removed, will you again plead your attachment to another?" "it is the only one which i mean to raise at present, sir. i acknowledge julie de fontanges to be a sweet girl, and, as a relation, i have long been much attached to her." "humph!" replied the old lawyer; "i always thought you a sensible lad--we shall see." now, be it observed, that there was a certain degree of the jesuitical on the part of our friend newton on this occasion,--excusable only from his wish that the mortification of his uncle at the disappointment of his hopes should not be occasioned by any further resistance on his part. to m. de fontanges, who was aware of newton's attachment to isabel, he had, previous to the discovery which had taken place, communicated the obstacle to his union, raised by the pertinacity of his uncle. after the removal of julie, m. de fontanges acquainted his brother with the wishes of mr john forster, and explained to him how much they were at variance with those of newton. the first time that newton called upon the marquis, the latter, shaking him warmly by the hand, said,--"i have been informed, my dear newton, by my brother, of the awkward predicament in which you are placed by the wish of your uncle that you should marry my julie when she grows up. believe me, when i say it, there is no man to whom i would sooner confide the happiness of my daughter, and that no consideration would induce me to refuse you, if you really sought her hand; but i know your wishes, and your attachment to miss revel, therefore be quite easy on the subject. your uncle made his proposition when julie had no father to be consulted: the case is now different; and, for your sake, i intend, for a time, to injure myself in the opinion of your good relation. i shall assume, i trust what, if ever i had it, would be immediately sacrificed to gratitude,--i mean, high aristocratical pride; and should your uncle make the proposal, refuse it upon the grounds that you are not noble by _descent_. no one will deny your nobility on any other point. do you understand me, newton? and will my so doing be conformable to your wishes?" "it will, monsieur le marquis, and i thank you most sincerely." "then make no objection when he proposes the match a second time; leave all the obloquy on my shoulders," said the marquis, smiling. this arrangement having been made, it was not surprising that newton heard his uncle's renewal of the proposition with such calmness and apparent acquiescence. "we dine with the marquis to-morrow, newton," observed mr john forster; "i shall take an opportunity after dinner of requesting a few minutes' interview, when i shall put the question to him." "certainly, sir, if you think right," replied newton. "well, i'm glad the dear girl has changed that foolish name of amber. what could possess my brother? julie is very fine, nevertheless; but then she was christened by french people." the next day the parties met at dinner. isabel revel had been asked; and, having heard from madame de fontanges of the plan agreed upon, and anxious to see the old lawyer, she had consented to join the party. the dinner passed off as most dinners do when the viands and wines are good, and everybody is inclined to be happy. isabel was placed next to mr forster, who, without knowing who she was, felt much pleased with the deference and attention of so beautiful a young woman. "newton," said his uncle, when the ladies retired, and the gentlemen packed up their chairs, "who was that young lady who sat next to me?" "the young lady, my dear uncle, whom i did wish to introduce to you as my intended wife--miss isabel revel." "humph!--why, you never spoke to her before dinner, or paid her any common civility!" "you forget, sir, your injunctions, and--" "that's no reason, nephew, why you should forget common civility. i requested that you would not marry the young lady; but i never desired you to commit an act of rudeness. she is a very nice young person; and politeness is but a trifle, although marriage is a very serious thing." in pursuance of his plans, when the gentlemen rose, mr john forster requested a few minutes' conversation with the marquis, who, bowing politely, showed the way to a small study on the same floor. mr forster immediately stated his wish that an engagement should be formed between his nephew and julie de fontanges. "mr forster," replied the marquis, drawing up proudly, "the obligations i am under to your family are so great, that there are but few points in which i could refuse you; and i therefore am quite distressed that of this proposal i am obliged to decline the honour. you may be ignorant, mr forster, that the family of the de fontanges is one of the oldest in france; and, with every respect for you and your nephew, and all gratitude for your kindness, i cannot permit my daughter to form a _mésalliance_." "a _mésalliance!_--humph! i presume, sir, in plain english, it means marrying beneath her rank in life?" the marquis bowed. "i beg to observe, sir," said mr john forster, "that our family is a very old one. i can show you our pedigree. it has lain for some years by the side of your daughter's bundle in the iron safe." "i have no doubt of the excellence of your family, mr forster. i can only express my deep regret that it is not noble. excuse me, mr forster; except you can prove that--" "why, i could prove it by purchasing a dozen marquisates, if i thought proper!" "granted, mr forster. in our country they are to be purchased; but we make a great difference between the parvenus of the present day and the _ancienne noblesse_." "well, mr marquis, just as you please; but i consider myself quite as good as a french marquis," replied mr forster, in a tone of irritation. "better than many, i have no doubt; but still, we draw the line. noble blood, mr forster." "noble fiddlestick! monsieur le marquis, in this country, and the inhabitants are not fools, we allow money to weigh against rank. it purchases that, as it does everything else, except heaven. now, monsieur le marquis--" "excuse me, sir; no money will purchase the hand of julie de fontanges," replied the marquis. "well, then, monsieur le marquis, i should think that the obligations you are under in restoring your daughter to your arms--" "warrants your asking for her back again, mr forster?" replied the marquis, haughtily. "a labourer might find this diamond _solitaire_ that's now upon my finger. does it therefore follow that i am to make him a present of it?" "humph!" ejaculated mr forster, much affronted with the comparison. "in short, my dear sir, anything which you or your family can think of, which it is in our power to grant, will make us most happy; but to _sully_ the blood of the most ancient--" john forster would hear no more; he quitted the room and walked upstairs before the marquis had completed his speech. when he entered the drawing-room, his countenance plainly expressed his disappointment. like all men who have toiled for riches, he had formed plans, in which he considered his wealth was to command success, and had overlooked every obstacle which might present itself against the completion of his wishes. "newton," said he, as they stood apart near the window, "you have been a good lad in not persisting to thwart my views, but that french marquis, with his folly and his 'ancienne noblesse,' has overthrown all my plans. now, i shall not interfere with yours. introduce me to miss what's her name; she is a very fine girl, and from what i saw of her during dinner, i like her very much." isabel exerted herself to please, and succeeded. satisfied with his nephew's choice, flattered by his previous apparent submission, and disgusted with the marquis, mr john forster thought no more of mademoiselle de fontanges. his consent was voluntary, and in a short time isabel revel changed her name. it was about five months after newton's marriage that he received a letter from the board, appointing him to the command of a ship. newton handed the letter over to mr forster. "i presume, sir, it is your wish that i should accept the offer?" "what offer?" said the old lawyer, who was reading through a case for counsel's opinion. "_melville_--for madras and china.--why, newton, i really do not see any occasion for your going afloat again. there is an old proverb--'the pitcher that goes often to the well is broken at last.' you're not tired of your wife already?" "i hope not, sir; but i thought it might be your wish." "it's my wish that you should stay at home. a poor man may go to sea, because he stands a chance to come home rich; but a man who has money in hand, and in prospect, if he goes to sea, he is a fool. follow your profession as long as you require it, but no longer." "why, then, do you work so hard, my dear sir," said isabel, leaning over the old gentleman, and kissing him, in gratitude for his decision. "surely you can afford to relax a little now?" "why do i work so hard, isabel?" replied mr forster, looking up at her through his spectacles. "why, you expect to have a family, do you not?" isabel blushed; the expectation was undeniable. "well, then, i presume the children will have no objection to find a few thousands more to be divided among them by-and-bye--will they, daughter?" the conversation was interrupted by the entry of a servant with a letter; mr forster broke the seal, and looked at the signature. "humph! from the proud old marquis. 'very sorry, for a short period, to have fallen in your good opinion--should have rejoiced to have called newton my son-in-law! '--humph! 'family pride all assumed--newton's happiness at stake--trust the deceit will be pardoned, and a renewal of former intimacy.' why, newton, is all this true?" "ask isabel, sir," replied newton, smiling. "well, then, isabel, is all this true?" "ask newton, sir," replied isabel, kissing him. "the fact is, my dear sir, i could not afford to part with newton, even to please you, so we made up a little plot." "humph!--made up a little plot--well--i sha'n't alter my will, nevertheless;" and mr forster recommenced the reading of his brief. such is the history of newton forster, which, like most novels or plays, has been wound up with marriage. the last time that i appeared before my readers, they were dissatisfied with the termination of my story; they considered i had deprived them of "a happy marriage," to which, as an undoubted right, they were entitled, after wading through three tedious volumes. as i am anxious to keep on good terms with the public, i hasten to repair the injury which it has sustained, by stating that about three years after the marriage of newton forster, the following paragraph appeared in the several papers of the metropolis: "yesterday, by special license, the right honourable william lord aveleyn to mademoiselle julie de fontanges, only daughter of the marquis de fontanges, late governor of the island of bourbon. the marriage was to have been solemnised in december last, but was postponed, in consequence of the death of the late lord aveleyn. after the ceremony, the happy couple," &c. sec. &c. * * * * * and now, most arbitrary public, i consider that i have made the _amende honorable_, and that we are quits; for, if you were minus a happy marriage in the last work, you have a couple to indemnify you in the present. the end the pirates of malabar and an englishwoman in india two hundred years ago [illustration: mahratta grabs and gallivats attacking an english ship.] the pirates of malabar and an englishwoman in india two hundred years ago by colonel john biddulph preface for most people, interest in the doings of our forefathers in india dates from our wars with the french in the middle of the eighteenth century. before then their lives are generally supposed to have been spent in monotonous trade dealings in pepper and calico, from which large profits were earned for their masters in england, while their principal excitements were derived from drinking and quarrelling among themselves. little account has been taken of the tremendous risks and difficulties under which the trade was maintained, the losses that were suffered, and the dangers that were run by the company's servants from the moment they left the english channel. the privations and dangers of the voyage to india were alone sufficient to deter all but the hardiest spirits, and the debt we owe to those who, by painful effort, won a footing for our indian trade, is deserving of more recognition than it has received. scurvy, shortness of water, and mutinous crews were to be reckoned on in every voyage; navigation was not a science but a matter of rule and thumb, and shipwreck was frequent; while every coast was inhospitable. thus, on the th september, , the _nathaniel_, having sent a boat's crew on shore near aden, in search of water, the men allowed themselves to be inveigled inland by treacherous natives, who fell upon them and murdered twelve out of fourteen who had landed from the ship. such an occurrence now would be followed by a visit from a man-of-war to punish the murderers. two hundred years ago it was only an incident to set down in the ship's log-book. but all such outrages and losses were small in comparison with those to which traders were exposed at the hands of pirates. it is difficult to realize, in these days, what a terrible scourge piracy was to the indian trade, two hundred years ago. from the moment of losing sight of the lizard till the day of casting anchor in the port of destination an east india ship was never safe from attack, with the chance of slavery or a cruel death to crew and passengers, in case of capture. from finisterre to cape verd the moorish pirates made the seas unsafe, sometimes venturing into the mouth of the channel to make a capture. farther south, every watering-place on the african coast was infested by the english and french pirates who had their headquarters in the west indies. from the cape of good hope to the head of the persian gulf, from cape comorin to sumatra, every coast was beset by english, french, dutch, danish, portuguese, arab, malay or other local pirates. in the bay of bengal alone, piracy on a dangerous scale was practically unknown. there was no peace on the ocean. the sea was a vast no man's domain, where every man might take his prey. law and order stopped short at low-water mark. the principle that traders might claim protection and vengeance for their wrongs from their country, had not yet been recognized, and they sailed the seas at their own risk. before the close of the seventeenth century the buccaneers had passed away, but their depredations, in pursuit of what they called "free trade," were of a different nature from those of the pirates who succeeded them. buccaneer exploits were confined to the spanish main, where they ravaged and burnt spanish settlements on the atlantic and pacific coasts, moving with large forces by sea and land. according to esquemeling, morgan sailed on his expedition against panama with thirty-seven sail and two thousand fighting men, besides mariners and boys. but the spanish alone were the objects of their attack. so long as spain claimed a monopoly of south american trade, it was the business of spain alone to keep the marauders away; other governments were not disposed to assist her. hardly had the last of the buccaneers disappeared from the western seas, when a more lawless race of rovers appeared, extending their operations into the indian ocean, acting generally in single ships, plundering vessels of every nationality, though seldom attacking places on shore. of these men, chiefly english, the most notorious were teach, every, kidd, roberts, england, and tew; but there were many others less known to fame, who helped almost to extinguish trade between europe, america, and the east. some idea of the enormous losses caused by them may be gathered from the fact that bartholomew roberts alone was credited with the destruction of four hundred trading vessels in three years. in a single day he captured eleven vessels, english, french, and portuguese, on the african coast. war in europe, and the financial exhaustion that ensued, rendered it almost impossible for the maritime powers to put an effective check on the pirates either in the east or the west. with peace their numbers increased by the conversion of privateersmen into freebooters. slaver, privateers-man, and pirate were almost interchangeable terms. at a time when every main road in england was beset by highwaymen, travellers by sea were not likely to escape unmolested. but the chief cause of their immunity lay in the fact that it was the business of nobody in particular to act against them, while they were more or less made welcome in every undefended port. they passed themselves off as merchantmen or slavers, though their real character was well known, but they paid royally for what they wanted; and, as gold, silver, and jewels were the principal booty from which they made their 'dividend,' many a rich bale of spices and merchandise went to purchase the good will of their friends on shore, who, in return, supplied their wants, and gave them timely information of rich prizes to be looked for, or armed ships to be avoided. they prided themselves on being men of honour in the way of trade; enemies to deceit, and only robbing in their own way. the malabar coast was scandalized when kidd broke the rule, and tricked or bullied people out of supplies. officials high in authority winked at their doings from which they drew a profit, and when armed squadrons were sent to look for them, the commanders were not always averse to doing business with the freebooters. the greatest sufferers among european traders in india were the english; for not only were the greater number of pirates of english blood, but pirate captains of other nationalities often sailed under english colours. the native officials, unable to distinguish the rogues from the honest traders, held the east india company's servants responsible for the misdeeds of the piccaroons, from whom they suffered so grievously. still, whatever their nationality might chance to be, it is fair to say that the generality of them were courageous rascals and splendid seamen, who, with their large crews, handled their ships better than any merchantmen could do. when a pirate ship was cast away on a desolate coast, they built themselves another; the spirit of the sea was in their veins; whether building and rigging a ship, or sailing and fighting her, they could do everything that the most skilful seamen of the age could do. as was said half a century later of la bourdonnais, himself a true corsair in spirit, their knowledge in mechanics rendered them capable of building a ship from the keel; their skill in navigation, of conducting her to any part of the globe; and their courage, of fighting against any equal force. their lives were a continual alternation between idleness and extreme toil, riotous debauchery and great privation, prolonged monotony and days of great excitement and adventure. at one moment they were revelling in unlimited rum, and gambling for handfuls of gold and diamonds; at another, half starving for food and reduced to a pint of water a day under a tropical sun. yet the attractions of the life were so great that men of good position took to piracy. thus, major stede bonnet, of barbados, master of a plentiful fortune, and a gentleman of good reputation, fitted out a sloop and went a-pirating, for which he was hanged, together with twenty-two of his crew, in november, . even women, like anne bonny and mary read, turned pirates and handled sword and pistol. desperate, reckless, and lawless, they were filled with the spirit of adventure, and were the forerunners of the men that hawke, nelson, and dundonald led to victory. long after they had disappeared from the seas the indian trade continued to be exposed to the ravages of native pirates, who were not finally coerced into good behaviour till well into the nineteenth century. of the european pirates kidd, the most ignoble of them all, is alone remembered, while the name of angria is only recalled in connection with the destruction of gheriah by watson and clive. the long half-century of amateur warfare waged by bombay against the angrian power is dismissed in a few words by our indian historians, and the expeditions sent forth by boone against angrian strongholds are passed over in silence. an account of some of them is given in clement downing's curious little book "indian wars," valuable as the relation of an eye-witness; but the work, published in , is inaccessible to the general reader, besides shewing many omissions and inaccuracies. the early records of the east india company have furnished the foundation on which this neglected chapter of our indian history has been compiled. if the company's servants appear at times in an unfavourable light, the conditions of their service must be considered, while the low standard of conduct prevailing in england two hundred years ago must not be forgotten. they were traders, not administrators, and the charter under which the company traded was of very insecure duration. twice the crown broke faith with them, and granted charters to rival associations. as the stability of the company became assured, the conduct of its servants improved. it is not intended in these pages to give an exhaustive account of all the pirates who haunted the indian seas, but to present some idea of the perils that beset the indian trade--perils that have so entirely passed away that their existence is forgotten. scattered among the monotonous records of the company's trade are many touches of human interest. along with the details relating to sugar, pepper, and shipping, personal matters affecting the company's servants are set down; treating of their quarrels, their debts, and, too often, of their misconduct, as ordinary incidents in the general course of administration. at times a bright light is turned on some individual, who relapses into obscurity and is heard of no more, while the names of others emerge again and again, like a coloured thread woven in the canvas; showing how much romance there was in the lives of the early traders. one such thread i have followed in the account of mrs. gyfford, from her first arrival in india till her final disappearance in the court of chancery, showing the vicissitudes and dangers to which an englishwoman in india was exposed two hundred years ago. to mr. william foster, of the india office, i am especially indebted for aid in directing my attention to old documents that would otherwise have escaped notice, and who has generously placed at my disposal some of the results of his own researches into the history of the company in the seventeenth century, as yet unpublished. my thanks are also due to sir ernest robinson for permitting me to use his picture of an engagement with mahratta ships, as a frontispiece. j.b. contents chapter i rise of european piracy in the east portuguese pirates--vincente sodre--dutch pirates--royal filibustering--endymion porter's venture--the courten association--the indian red sea fleet--john hand--odium excited against the english in surat--the _caesar_ attacked by french pirates--danish depredations--west indian pirates--ovington's narrative--interlopers and permission ships--embargo placed on english trade--rovers trapped at mungr�ole--john steel--every seizes the _charles the second_ and turns pirate--his letter to english commanders--the madagascar settlements--libertatia--fate of sawbridge--capture of the _gunj suwaie_--immense booty--danger of the english at surat--bombay threatened--friendly behaviour of the surat governor--embargo on european trade--every sails for america--his reputed end--great increase of piracy--mutiny of the _mocha_ and _josiah_ crews--culliford in the _resolution_--the _london_ seized by imaum of muscat. chapter ii captain kidd measures to suppress piracy--the _adventure_ fitted out--warren's squadron meets with kidd--his suspicious behaviour--he threatens the _sidney_--waylays the red sea fleet--captures the _mary_--visits carwar and calicut--his letter to the factory--chased by portuguese men-of-war--chases the _sedgwick_--chivers--action between _dorrill_ and _resolution_--kidd captures the _quedah merchant_--dilemma of european traders at surat--their agreements with the authorities--experience of the _benjamin_--news of kidd's piracies reaches england--despatch of squadron under warren--littleton at madagascar--kidd sails for new york--arrested and tried--his defence and execution--justice of his sentence--his character--diminution of piracy--lowth in the _loyal merchant_--act for suppression of piracy--captain millar ... chapter iii the rise of conajee angria native piracy hereditary on the malabar coast--marco polo's account--fryer's narrative--the kempsant--arab and sanganian pirates--attack on the _president_--loss of the _josiah_--attack on the _phoenix_--the _thomas_ captured--depredations of the gulf pirates--directors' views--conajee angria--attacks english ships--destroys the _bombay_--fortifies kennery--becomes independent--captures the governor's yacht--attacks the _somers_ and _grantham_--makes peace with bombay--his navy--great increase of european and native piracy ... chapter iv an active governor arrival of mr. boone as governor--he builds ships and improves defences of bombay--desperate engagement of _morning star_ with sanganians--alexander hamilton--expedition against vingorla--its failure--hamilton made commodore--expedition against carwar--landing force defeated--successful skirmish--desertion of goa recruits--reinforcements--landing force again defeated--the rajah makes peace--hamilton resigns commodoreship--a noseless company--angria recommences attacks--abortive expedition against gheriah--downing's account of it--preparations to attack kennery ... chapter v the company's servants the company's civil servants--their comparison with english who went to america--their miserable salaries--the company's military servants--regarded with distrust--shaxton's mutiny--captain keigwin--broken pledges and ill-treatment--directors' vacillating policy--military grievances--keigwin seizes the administration of bombay--his wise rule--makes his submission to the crown--low status of company's military officers--lord egmont's speech--factors and writers as generals and colonels--bad quality of the common soldiers--their bad treatment--complaint against midford--directors' parsimony ... chapter vi expedition against kennery sivajee's occupation of kennery--a naval action--minchin and keigwin--bombay threatened--the seedee intervenes--conajee angria occupies kennery--boone sails with the expedition--manuel de castro--futile proceedings--force landed and repulsed--second landing--manuel de castro's treachery--gideon russell--bad behaviour of two captains--defeat--attack abandoned--the _st. george_--the _phram_--manuel de castro punished--bombay wall completed--angria makes overtures for peace--boone outwitted ... chapter vii expedition against gheriah trouble with the portuguese--madagascar pirates again--loss of the _cassandra_--captain macrae's brave defence--the one-legged pirate--richard lazenby--expedition against gheriah--mr. walter brown--his incompetency--gordon's landing--insubordination and drunkenness--arrival of the _phram_--general attack--failure--the kempsant's alliance--attack on deoghur--the madagascar pirates, england and taylor--ignominious flight--fate of the _phram_--brown despatched south again--the pirates at cochin--they take flight to madagascar--their rage against macrae and england--england marooned--taylor takes goa ship--rich prize--governor macrae ... chapter viii expedition against colaba measures taken in england against pirates--woodes rogers at the bahamas--edward teach--challoner ogle--bartholomew roberts killed--matthews sent to the east indies--naval officers' duels--portuguese alliance--expedition against colaba--assault--defeat--a split in the alliance--plot against boone--his departure--matthews' schemes--his insulting behaviour--he quarrels with everybody--goes to madagascar--the king of ranter bay--matthews goes to bengal ... chapter ix a troubled year in bombay loss of the _hunter_ galley--quarrel with portuguese--alliance of portuguese with angria--war with both--a double triumph--portuguese make peace--angria cowed--matthews reappears--trouble caused by him--he returns to england--court-martialled--the last of matthews ... chapter x twenty-six years of conflict the case of mr. curgenven--death of conajee angria--quarrels of his sons--portuguese intervention--sumbhajee angria--political changes--disaster to _bombay_ and _bengal_ galleys--the _ockham_ beats off angria's fleet--the coolees--loss of the _derby_--mahrattas expel portuguese from salsette--captain inchbird--mannajee angria gives trouble--dutch squadron repulsed from gheriah--gallant action of the _harrington_--sumbhajee attacks colaba--english assist mannajee--loss of the _antelope_--death of sumbhajee angria--toolajee angria--capture of the _anson_--toolajee takes the _restoration_--power of toolajee--lisle's squadron--building of the _protector_ and _guardian_ ... chapter xi the downfall of angria toolajee fights successful action with the dutch--he tries to make peace with bombay--alliance formed against him--commodore william james--slackness of the peishwa's fleet--severndroog--james's gallant attack--fall of severndroog--council postpone attack on gheriah--clive arrives from england--projects of the directors--admiral watson--preparations against gheriah--the council's instructions--council of war about prize-money--double dealing of the peishwa's officers--watson's hint--ships engage gheriah--angrian fleet burnt--fall of gheriah--clive occupies the fort--the prize-money--dispute between council and poonah durbar--extinction of coast piracy--severndroog tower ... * * * * * an englishwoman in india two hundred years ago illustrations mahratta grabs and gallivats attacking an english ship. map of malabar coast. * * * * * the pirates of malabar chapter i _rise of european piracy in the east_ portuguese pirates--vincente sodre--dutch pirates--royal filibustering--endymion porter's venture--the courten association--the indian red sea fleet--john hand--odium excited against the english in surat--the _caesar_ attacked by french pirates--danish depredations--west indian pirates--ovington's narrative--interlopers and permission ships--embargo placed on english trade--rovers trapped at mungrole--john steel--every seizes the _charles the second_ and turns pirate--his letter to english commanders--the madagascar settlements--libertatia--fate of sawbridge--capture of the _gunj suwaie_--immense booty--danger of the english at surat--bombay threatened--friendly behaviour of the surat governor--embargo on european trade--every sails for america--his reputed end--great increase of piracy--mutiny of the _mocha_ and _josiah_ crews--culliford in the _resolution_--the _london_ seized by imaum of muscat. from the first days of european enterprise in the east, the coasts of india were regarded as a favourable field for filibusters, the earliest we hear of being vincente sodre, a companion of vasco da gama in his second voyage. intercourse with heathens and idolaters was regulated according to a different code of ethics from that applied to intercourse with christians. the authority of the old testament upheld slavery, and africans were regarded more as cattle than human beings; while asiatics were classed higher, but still as immeasurably inferior to europeans. to prey upon mahommedan ships was simply to pursue in other waters the chronic warfare carried on against moors and turks in the mediterranean. the same feelings that led the spaniards to adopt the standard of the cross in their conquest of mexico and peru were present, though less openly avowed, in the minds of the merchants and adventurers of all classes and nationalities who flocked into the indian seas in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. with the decadence of buccaneering and the growth of indian trade, there was a corresponding increase of piracy, and european traders ceased to enjoy immunity. in the depredations of the dutch brought the english into disgrace. their warehouses at surat were seized, and the president and factors were placed in irons, in which condition they remained seven months. this grievance was the greater, as it happened at the time that the cruel torture and execution of captain towerson and his crew by the dutch took place at amboyna. it was bad enough to be made responsible for the doings of their own countrymen, but to be punished for the misdeeds of their enemies was a bitter pill to swallow. in , just as peace was being concluded with france and spain, charles i., who was beginning his experiment of absolute government, despatched the _seahorse_, captain quail, to the red sea to capture the ships and goods of spanish subjects, as well as of any other nations not in league and amity with england. there were no spaniards in the red sea or the indian ocean, but international arrangements in europe were not regarded when the equator had been crossed. quail captured a malabar vessel, for which the company's servants at surat were forced to pay full compensation. the _seahorse_ returned to england in , but in view of the new field of enterprise opened up, endymion porter, gentleman of the king's bedchamber, embarked on a piratical speculation, in partnership with two london merchants, bonnell and kynaston, with a licence under the privy seal to visit any part of the world and capture ships and goods of any state not in league and amity with england. two ships, the _samaritan_ and _roebuck_, were fitted out with such secrecy that the east india company were kept in ignorance, and sailed in april, , for the red sea, under captain cobb. the _samaritan_ was wrecked in the comoro islands; but cobb, continuing his cruise with the _roebuck_, captured two mogul vessels at the mouth of the red sea, from one of which he took a large sum of money and a quantity of goods, though the vessel had a pass from the surat factory. again the company's servants at surat were imprisoned, and not released till they had paid full compensation. some small satisfaction was experienced when it became known that john proud, master of the _swan_, one of the company's ships, had encountered the _roebuck_ in the comoro islands, and had attacked the freebooter. he was unable to capture it, but succeeded in procuring restitution of the captured goods; the treasure, however, was carried off to london, where it must have seemed as if the days of drake and hawkins had come again. the company laid their grievance before the king, who expressed much concern, promising to write to the great mogul and explain matters; so the company commenced an action against bonnell and kynaston in the admiralty court. porter was too highly placed to be struck at. bonnell evaded arrest and escaped to france, but kynaston was arrested and lodged in gaol; upon which charles ordered his release on bail, saying he would try the case himself at his leisure. but porter's views went beyond a single piratical voyage. hardly had cobb started on his cruise, when he entered into partnership with sir william courten for an association to establish a separate trade to the east indies. a royal grant was obtained, and the king himself was credited with a share to the nominal extent of £ , . the grant was a flagrant breach of faith, and was the inauguration of the system of interlopers that in after years caused so much loss and trouble to the company. four ships were equipped and sent out, and before long it became known that two vessels from surat and diu had been plundered by courten's ships, and their crews tortured. again the company's servants at surat were seized and thrown into prison, where they were kept for two months, being only released on payment of rs. , , , and on solemnly swearing to respect mogul ships. the civil war brought these courtly piracies to an end, and the decay of the spanish power drew the more turbulent spirits of europe and america to the spanish main, so that for a time there was a diminution of european piracy in indian waters. as buccaneering became more dangerous, or less lucrative, adventurers of all nations again appeared in eastern waters, and the old trouble reappeared in an aggravated form. the indian red sea fleet offered an especially tempting booty to the rovers. lobo, a jesuit priest, writing in the seventeenth century, tells us that so vast was the commerce of jeddah, and so great the value of the ships trading to that place, that when, in india, it was wished to describe a thing of inestimable price, it was customary to say, 'it is of more value than a jeddah ship.' every year during the winter months, indian traders, and pilgrims for mecca, found their way in single ships to the red sea. on the setting in of the monsoon, they collected at mocha, and made their way back in a single body. all indian trade with the red sea was paid for in gold and silver, so that the returning ships offered many tempting prizes to freebooters. in john hand, master of the _bristol_, interloper, cleared his ship with papers made out for lisbon and brazil, and sailed for madeira. there he called his crew together, and told them he intended to take his ship to the east indies. those who were unwilling were overawed, hand being a mighty 'pastionate' man. he appears to have been half pirate and half trader; equally ready to attack other traders, or to trade himself in spices and drugs. on the sumatra coast, finding the natives unwilling to do business with him, he went ashore with a pistol in his pocket to bring the 'black dogs' to reason. the pistol went off in his pocket and shattered his thigh, and that was the end of john hand. in the same year, six men, of whom four were english and two dutch, while on passage in a native merchant's ship from the persian gulf to surat, seized the ship, killing the owner and his two wives. the lascars were thrown overboard, six being retained to work the ship. their cruise did not last long. making for honore, they threw the six lascars overboard when nearing the port. the men managed to get to land, and reaching honore, gave information of the would-be pirates to the local authorities, who seized the ship, and soon disposed of the rogues. three years later, two ships under english colours, mounting respectively forty-four and twenty guns, were reported to have captured vessels in the red sea, to the value of rs. , . the seedee of jinjeera, who styled himself the mogul's admiral, received a yearly subsidy of four lakhs for convoying the fleet, a duty that he was quite unable to perform against european desperadoes. public opinion at surat was at once excited against the english, and further inflamed by the dutch and french, who were only too anxious to see a rival excluded from the trade. sir john child, to pacify the governor, offered to send a man-of-war to look for the pirates; but the dutch and french factors continued to 'spitt their venom' till the governor laughed in their faces and asked why they did not join in sending vessels to look for the rogues, since the matter seemed to them so serious. in the same season a gallant engagement was fought against pirates, though not in indian waters. the company's ship _caesar_, captain wright, bound from england for bombay, was chased off the coast of gambia by five ships, carrying each from twenty to thirty guns, under french colours. wright had no intention of yielding without a struggle, so put his ship before the wind, to gain time for getting into fighting trim. the _caesar_ was carrying soldiers, and there were plenty of men to fight the ship. the boats were cut away, the decks cleared, ammunition and arms served out, three thousand pounds of bread which cumbered the gun-room were thrown overboard, and the tops were filled with marksmen. as soon as all was ready, the mainsail was furled, and the ship kept under easy sail. before long the two smaller ships came up, hoisted the red flag, and began firing, one on the _caesar's_ quarter and one astern. soon the three other ships, two of which wright styled the admiral and vice-admiral, came up. the admiral ranged up on the quarter and tried to board, but was obliged to sheer off, with the loss of many men and a bowsprit shot away. the vice-admiral tried to board at the bow, but with no better success, losing a foreyard and mizzen-mast. for five hours the engagement lasted, but the small-arm men in the _caesar's_ tops fired so well that the pirates could hardly serve their guns. the crew showed a wonderful spirits cheering loudly at every successful shot, till the discomfited pirates bore up, leaving the _caesar_ to pursue her way to bombay, much knocked about as to hull, but having lost only one man killed and eight wounded. in the following year came news to surat of two vessels, under danish colours, that had stopped english ships and seized native ones between surat and bombay. the _phoenix_, a british man-of-war, was at surat at the time, so, together with the _kent_, east indiaman, it was despatched to look after the marauders, taking with them also two small boys, sent to represent the french and the dutch. in due time captain tyrrell returned, and reported that he had found a squadron of four vessels; that after a two days' chase he had brought them to, when they turned out to be two danish ships, with two prizes they had taken. they showed him their commission, authorizing them to make reprisals on the mogul's subjects for affronts offered to danish traders; so he left them alone. a few months later the portuguese factory at cong, in the persian gulf, was plundered by an english pirate; another was heard of in the red sea, while philip babington an irish pirate, was cruising off tellichery in the _charming mary_. by a number of sea rovers from the west indies had made their appearance, and the factory at fort st. george reported that the sea trade was 'pestered with pirates.' the first comers had contented themselves with plundering native ships. now their operations were extended to european vessels not of their own nationality. in time this restriction ceased to be observed; they hoisted the red or black flag, with or without the colours of the nationality they affected, and spared no vessel they were strong enough to capture. the armenian merchants were loud in their complaints. an armenian ship, bound from goa to madras, with twenty thousand pagodas on board, was taken by a pirate ship of two hundred tons, carrying twenty-two guns and a crew of sixty men. another armenian ship, with fifty thousand xeraphims, was taken near bombay, on its voyage from goa to surat. besides those that beset the malabar coast, there were pirates in the persian gulf, at the mouth of the red sea, and in the mozambique channel, while five pirate vessels were cruising off acheen. during the next ten years the losses caused by the pirates were prodigious. ovington mentions that at st. helena ( ) they were told, by a slaver, of three pirates, two english and the other dutch, so richly laden with booty that they could hardly navigate their ships, which had become weather-beaten and unseaworthy from their long cruises off the red sea mouth. their worn-out canvas sails were replaced with double silk. "they were prodigal in the expences of their unjust gain, and quenched their thirst with europe liquor at any rate this commander (the slaver) would put upon it; and were so frank both in distributing their goods, and guzzling down the noble wine, as if they were both wearied with the possession of their rapine, and willing to stifle all the melancholy reflections concerning it." such an account was bound to fire the imagination of every seaman who heard it. the number of pirates was increased by the interlopers, merchant adventurers trading without a licence, who, like john hand, when they failed to get cargoes, plundered native ships. their proceedings were imitated by the permission ships, vessels that held the company's licence for a single voyage. not seldom the crews of interlopers and permission ships rose and seized the vessel against the will of their owners and commanders and hoisted the jolly roger. commissions were granted to the east india company's commanders to seize interlopers; but the interlopers, as a rule, were remarkably well able to take care of themselves. as pirates and interlopers alike sailed under english colours, the whole odium fell on the english. in august, , a ship belonging to the wealthy merchant, abdul guffoor, was taken at the mouth of the surat river, with nine lakhs in hard cash on board. a guard was placed on the factory at surat, and an embargo laid on english trade. as the pirate had shown the colours of several nationalities, the authorities were loth to proceed to extremities. fortunately for the english company, a member of the pirate crew was captured, and proved to be a dane; so the embargo on english trade was taken off. though they plied their calling at sea, almost with impunity, the pirates occasionally fell victims to oriental treachery on shore. thus, james gilliam, a rover, having put into mungrole, on the kattiawar coast, was made welcome and much praised for the noble lavishness with which he paid for supplies. soon there came an invitation to a banquet, and gilliam, with some of his officers and crew, twenty in all, were received by the representative of the nawab of junaghur with excessive ceremony. much polite curiosity was evinced about the noble strangers. "why did they always go armed? were their muskets loaded? would they discharge them to show their host the european method?" the muskets were discharged, and immediately the banquet was announced. "delay to reload the muskets was inexpedient. it would be time to recharge their weapons after the feast." and then, when seated and defenceless, there was an irruption of armed men, and gilliam, with his followers, were seized and fettered. for a year they lay at junaghur, where two of them died. in vain gilliam contrived to send a letter to the surat factory, asking that they might be claimed as british subjects. president harris knew that the least interest shown in the fate of the rovers would be fatal to the interests of the company, and was relieved when he heard that they had been sent to aurungzeeb's camp; after which they are heard of no more. in the beginning of , authority was given to the company's commanders to seize pirates and hold them till the king's pleasure was known, but the measure was of small effect. the pirates were prime seamen, who outsailed and outfought the company's ships; while among the company's crews they had numerous sympathizers. the prizes to be gained were so great and the risks so small, that the company could hardly restrain their own men from joining the sea rovers. thus, in , john steel[ ] ran away with the long boat of the _ruby_ frigate. sixteen others who had plotted to join him were detected in time, and clapped in irons. the french and dutch gave passes to all who applied for them, so steel placed himself under french protection, and for two years 'that rogue steel' finds frequent mention in the coast letters. four years later steel was arrested in england. but though the directors had been supplied with many accounts of his misdeeds, no sworn evidence could be produced against him, so steel escaped scot-free. all other pirates, however, were destined to be eclipsed in fame by henry every, _alias_ bridgman,[ ] who now made his appearance in the indian seas. his exploits, the great wealth he amassed by piracy, and his reputed marriage with a mogul princess, continued to excite the public mind long after he had disappeared from the scene. several biographies of him were written, one of them attributed to defoe, all of them containing great exaggerations; and a play, _the successful pirate_, was written in his honour. his biographers generally give his name as john avery, but it was as is here given. according to the account of van broeck, a dutchman, who was detained on board his ship for a time, and was on good terms with him, he was born at plymouth, the son of a trading captain who had served in the navy under blake. every himself served in the navy, in the _resolution_ and _edgar_, before he got the command of a merchant ship, in which he made several voyages to the west indies. in may, , he was first mate of the _charles the second_, one of the small squadron of english ships hired from sir james houblon, by the spanish government, to act against french smugglers who were troubling their peruvian trade.[ ] the spaniards were bad paymasters, and houblon's squadron was detained at corunna three or four months, while the crews became more and more discontented as their wages remained unpaid. as their sense of grievance increased, a plot was formed among the most turbulent spirits to seize a ship and turn rovers, under every's command. on the night of the th may, the captain of the _charles the second_ was made prisoner while in bed. a boat-load of men sent from the _james_ to prevent the capture, joined the mutineers; the cables were cut, and the ship ran out of harbour. the captain and all who were unwilling to join were put into a boat, and the _charles_, renamed the _fancy_, was headed south for the coast of africa. the only man detained against his will was the doctor, as he was a useful man. some months were spent on the guinea coast, where some negroes were captured, and five ships--three english and two danish--were plundered and burnt. before the end of the year every was east of the cape, intent on the red sea traders. the first intelligence of him that reached bombay was in may, , when three outward-bound merchantmen reported that they had seen him at johanna. "your honor's ships going into that island gave him chase, but he was too nimble for them by much, having taken down a great deale of his upper works and made her exceeding snugg, which advantage being added to her well sailing before, causes her to sail so hard now, that she fears not who follows her. this ship will undoubtedly (go) into the red sea, which will procure infinite clamours at surat." accompanying this report came the following characteristic letter from every:-- "february y'e th, / . "to all english. commanders lett this satisfye that i was riding here att this instant in y'e ship fancy man of warr formerly the charles of y'e spanish expedition who departed from croniae y'e th of may. : being and am now in a ship of guns men & bound to seek our fortunes i have never as yett wronged any english or dutch nor never intend whilst i am commander. wherefore as i commonly speake w'th all ships i desire who ever comes to y'e perusal of this to take this signall that if you or aney whome you may informe are desirous to know w't wee are att a distance then make your antient vp in a ball or bundle and hoyst him att y'e mizon peek y'e mizon being furled i shall answere w'th y'e same & never molest you: for my men are hungry stout and resolute: & should they exceed my desire i cannott help my selfe. as yett an englishman's friend henry every." "here is od french armed men now att mohilla who waits for opportunity of getting aney ship, take care of your selves."[ ] according to van broeck, he was a man of good natural disposition, who had been soured by the bad treatment he received at the hands of his relations. the letter shows him to have been a man of some education, and during his short but active career in the indian seas he appears to have attacked native ships only. the company's records do not mention the loss of a single english ship at every's hands, a circumstance that no doubt told heavily against the english in native opinion at surat. the same ships that brought every's letter to sir john gayer brought intelligence of a well-known french pirate having got aground at mohilla. the three company's ships watering at johanna, heard of the occurrence, and proceeded to the spot, burnt the french ship after taking out what treasure was on board, and captured six of the frenchmen, who were brought to bombay. every's friendly warning about the ' od french armed men' evidently referred to the wrecked crew. the value of perim, or bab's key, as it was then called by mariners, to command the trade of the red sea, was at once perceived by every, who attempted to make a settlement there. after some unprofitable digging for water, he abandoned the project, and established himself in madagascar, which had before this become known as a pirate resort. during the next thirty years the only traders who dared show themselves on the madagascar coast were those who did business with the pirates, owing to the number of pirate settlements that sprang up at different points; the best known being at st. mary's island, st. augustine's, port dauphin, and charnock's point. they built themselves forts and established a reign of terror over the surrounding country, sometimes taking a part in native quarrels, and sometimes fighting among themselves; dubbing themselves kings, and living in squalid dignity with large seraglios of native women. captain woodes rogers, who touched at madagascar for slaves, sixteen years after every's time, described those he met as having been on the islands above twenty-five years, with a motley crowd of children and grandchildren. "having been so many years upon this island, it may be imagined their cloaths had long been worn out, so that their majesties were extremely out at the elbows: i cannot say they were ragged, since they had no cloaths, they had nothing to cover them but the skins of beasts without any tanning, but with all the hair on, nor a shoe nor stocking, so they looked like the pictures of hercules in the lion's skin; and being overgrown with beard, and hair upon their bodies, they appeared the most savage figures that a man's imagination can frame."[ ] one remarkable settlement was founded in the north, near diego suarez, by misson, a frenchman, and the most humane of pirates, with whom was allied tew, the english pirate. misson's aim was to build a fortified town "that they might have some place to call their own; and a receptacle, when age and wounds had rendered them incapable of hardship, where they might enjoy the fruits of their labour and go to their graves in peace." the settlement was named libertatia. slavery was not permitted, and freed slaves were encouraged to settle there. the harbour was strongly fortified, as a portuguese squadron that attacked them found to its cost. a dock was made; crops were sown; a lord conservator was appointed for three years, with a parliament to make laws. the colony was still in its infancy when it was surprised and destroyed by the natives, while misson was away on a cruise; and so libertatia came to an end. tew succeeded in escaping to his sloop with a quantity of diamonds and gold in bars. on misson rejoining him, they determined to go to america. misson's ship foundered in a storm, while tew made his way to rhode islands, and lived there for a time unquestioned. but the fascinations of a rover's life were too much for him. he fitted out a sloop and made again for the red sea, and was killed in action there with a mogul ship. from their madagascar settlements the pirates scoured the east coast of africa, the indian ocean as far as sumatra, the mouth of the red sea, where the mocha ships offered many rich prizes, the malabar coast, and the gulf of oman. from time to time, ships from new england and the west indies brought supplies and recruits, taking back those who were tired of the life, and who wished to enjoy their booty. european prisoners were seldom treated barbarously when there was no resistance, and the pirate crews found many recruits among captured merchantmen. their worst cruelties were reserved for the native merchants of india who fell into their hands. they believed all native traders to be possessed of jewels, as was indeed often the case, and the cruellest tortures were inflicted on them to make them surrender their valuables. one unhappy englishman we hear of, captain sawbridge, who was taken by pirates, while on a voyage to surat with a ship-load of arab horses from bombay. his complaints and expostulations were so annoying to his captors that, after repeatedly telling him to hold his tongue, they took a sail needle and twine and sewed his lips together. they kept him thus several hours, with his hands tied behind him, while they plundered his ship, which they afterwards set on fire, burning her and the horses in her. sawbridge and his people were carried to aden and set on shore, where he died soon after. before long. every made some notable captures. off aden he found five pirate ships of english nationality, three of them from america, commanded by may, farrell, and wake. in the gulf of aden he burned the town of mahet on the somali coast because the people refused to trade with him. in september, while cruising off socotra with the _fancy_, two sloops, and a galley, he took the _futteh mahmood_ with a valuable cargo, belonging to abdool quffoor, the wealthiest and most influential merchant in surat. a few days later he took off sanjan, north of bombay, a ship belonging to the emperor, called the _gunj suwaie_ (exceeding treasure). this was the great capture that made every famous. according to the legend, there was a granddaughter of aurungzeeb on board, whom every wedded by the help of a moollah, and carried off to madagascar. but the story is only the most sensational of the many romantic inventions that have accumulated round every's name. the native historian[ ] who relates the capture of the _gunj suwaie_, and who had friends on board, would certainly not have refrained from mentioning such an event if it had occurred; nor would the mogul emperor have failed to wreak vengeance on the english for such an insult to his family. the _gunj suwaie_ was the largest ship belonging to the port of surat. it carried eighty guns and four hundred matchlocks, besides other warlike implements, and was deemed so strong that it disdained the help of a convoy. on this occasion it was returning from the red sea with the result of the season's trading, amounting to fifty-two lakhs of rupees[ ] in silver and gold, and having on board a number of mahommedan ladies returning from pilgrimage to mecca. in spite of the disparity of force, every bore down and engaged. the first gun fired by the _gunj suwaie_ burst, killing three or four men and wounding others. the main mast was badly damaged by every's broadsides, and the _fancy_ ran alongside and boarded. this was the moment when a decent defence should have been made. the sailor's cutlass was a poor match for the curved sword and shield, so much so that the english were notorious in the east for their want of boldness in sword-play. but ibrahim khan, the captain, was a coward, and ran below at the sight of the white faces. his crew followed his example, and the vessel was taken almost without resistance. so rich a prize was not to be relinquished without a very complete search. for a whole week the _gunj suwaie_ was rummaged from stem to stern, while the crew of the _fancy_ indulged in a horrible orgy, excited beyond measure by the immense booty that had fallen into their hands. several of the women threw themselves into the sea or slew themselves with daggers; the last piece of silver was sought out and carried on board the _fancy_, the last jewel torn from the passengers and crew, and then the _gunj suwaie_ was left to find its way to surat as it best could. the vials of long-accumulated wrath were poured out on the english. instigated by abdul guffoor, the populace of surat flew to arms to wreak vengeance on the factory. the governor, itimad khan, was well disposed to the english, but popular excitement ran so high that he found it difficult to protect them. guards were placed on the factory to save it from plunder. a mufti urged that the english should be put to death in revenge for the death of so many true believers, and quoted an appropriate text from the koran. soon came an order from aurungzeeb directing the seedee to march on bombay, and for all the english in surat and broach to be made prisoners. president annesley and the rest, sixty-three in all, were placed in irons, and so remained eleven months. to make matters worse, news arrived of every having captured the _rampura_, a cambay ship with a cargo valued at rs. , , . "it is strange," wrote sir john gayer, "to see how almost all the merchants are incensed against our nation, reproaching the governor extremely for taking our part, and as strange to see that notwithstanding all, he stems the stream against them more than well could be imagined, considering his extreme timorous nature." the strangeness of the merchants' hostility is hardly apparent, but it is not too much to say that itimad khan's friendly behaviour alone saved english trade from extinction. the dutch, always hostile in the east, whatever might be the relations between holland and england in europe, strove to improve the occasion by fomenting popular excitement, and tried to get the english permanently excluded from the indian trade. in the words of sir john grayer, "they retained their edomitish principles, and rejoice to see jacob laid low." but itimad khan knew that the pirates were of all nationalities, and refused to hold the english alone responsible. to propitiate the governor, sir john gayer made over to him the six french pirates taken at mohilla, not without qualms at handing over christians to mahommedan mercies. he fully expected that the treasure taken out of the wreck would also be demanded of him; but itimad khan was not an avaricious man, and no such demand was made. "his contempt of money is not to be paralleled by any of the king's umbraws or governors," sir john wrote, a year later, when itimad khan was dead. to forestall the dutch with the emperor, gayer sent an agent offering to convoy the red sea fleet for the future, in return for a yearly payment of four lakhs a year. the offer was refused, but it served to place the english in a more favourable light, and to procure the cancelling of orders that had been given for attacking bombay and madras. had it been accepted, the seedee would have been added to the number of the company's enemies. the dutch, not to be outdone, offered to perform the same service in return for a monopoly of trade in the emperor's dominions. this brought all other europeans into line against the dutch proposal, and the intrigue was defeated. the embargo on all european trade at surat was maintained, while the dutch, french, and english were directed to scour the seas and destroy the pirates. it was further ordered that europeans on shore were not to carry arms or use palanquins, and their ships were forbidden to hoist their national flags. the dutch and french hung back. they would not send a ship to sea without payment, except for their own affairs. sir john gayer, more wisely, sent armed ships to convoy the mocha fleet, at the company's charge, and so the storm passed off. meanwhile, every, glutted with booty, made up his mind to retire[ ] with his enormous gains. according to johnson, he gave the slip, at night, to his consorts, sailed for providence in the bahamas, where his crew dispersed, and thence made his way to england, just at the time a royal proclamation offering £ for his apprehension was published. the reward was doubled by an offer of four thousand rupees from the company; eight rupees being the equivalent of a pound at that time. several of his crew also straggled home and were captured; but before he left the indian coast, twenty-five frenchmen, fourteen danes, and some english were put ashore, fearing to show themselves in europe or america. this fact would seem to throw some doubt on the account of his having left his consorts by stealth. on the th october, , six of his crew were tried and sentenced at the old bailey, and a true bill was found and an indictment framed against every himself, though he had not been apprehended. according to johnson,[ ] every changed his name and lived unostentatiously, while trying to sell the jewels he had amassed. the merchant in whose hands he had placed them, suspecting how they had been come by, threatened him. every fled to ireland, leaving his jewels in the merchant's hands, and finally died in devonshire in extreme poverty. but the authority for this, as for most of the popular accounts of every, is extremely doubtful. that he was cheated out of some of his ill-gotten gains is probable enough, but it is in the highest degree improbable that he was known to be living in poverty, and yet that the large reward offered for his apprehension was not earned. what is alone certain is that he was never apprehended, and that in a few months he carried off an amount of plunder such as never before was taken out of the indian seas by a single rover. for long he was the hero of every seaport town in england and north america; innumerable legends gathered round his name, and an immense impulse was given to piracy. a few months after his departure, there were five pirate ships in the red sea, under english colours; two more, each mounting fourteen guns, were in the persian gulf, and another was cruising off tellicherry. at madagascar others were coming in fast. the news of every's great booty had spread from port to port, and every restless spirit was intent on seeking his fortune in this new eldorado, as men nowadays flock to a new goldfield. the company's sailors were not proof against the temptation. while on the way from bombay to china the crew of the _mocha_ frigate mutinied, off the coast of acheen, killed their captain, edgecombe, and set afloat in the pinnace twenty-seven officers and men who refused to join them. the _mocha_ was then renamed the _defence_, and for the next three years did an infinity of damage in the indian ocean. at the same time, the crew of the _josiah_ ketch from bombay, while at anchor in the madras roads, took advantage of the commander being on shore to run away with the ship. the whole thing had been planned between the two crews before leaving bombay; their intention being to meet off the coast of sumatra, and cruise in company. the piratical career of the _josiah_ did not last long. making first for the nicobars, the crew flocked on shore, and were soon involved in quarrels with the natives; leaving on board only two men, one of whom was james cruffe, the armourer, who had been forced to join them against his will. the other man was but a lukewarm pirate, and cruffe prevailed on him to join in an attempt to carry off the ship. they cut the cable, and by great good fortune, without any knowledge of navigation, succeeded in carrying the ship into acheen. stout's command of the _defence_, once _mocha_, quickly came to an end. according to one account, he was put to death by his comrades, at the laccadives, for trying to desert them; according to another account, he was slain by some malays. his place was taken by culliford, who had been the leader of the mutineers of the _josiah_. he changed the ship's name to the _resolution_, and proved himself one of the most daring rovers of his day. the untrustworthiness of his crews placed sir john gayer in an awkward dilemma. he had to report to the directors that he dared not send ships to convoy pilgrims lest the crews should mutiny; that a boat could not be manned in bombay harbour for fear of desertion, while, on shore, he had not a soldier fit to be made a corporal. a powerful french squadron had appeared on the coast, and the surat president calculated that the company's recent losses on captured ships sailing from surat amounted to a million sterling. the losses of the native merchants were even more serious; trade was almost at a standstill, while three more pirate ships from new york appeared in the gulf of cambay, and captured country ships to the value of four lakhs of rupees. every letter along the coast at this date speaks of the doings of the rovers: every ship coming into harbour told of pirates, of chases and narrow escapes, and of reported captures. "these pirates spare none but take all they meet, and take the europe men into their own ships, with such goods as they like, and sink the ships, sending the lascars on rafts to find the shore." so bold were the marauders that they cruised in sight of bombay harbour, and careened their ships in sight of factories along the coast. to avenge their losses, the muscat arabs, in april, , seized the _london_, belonging to mr. affleck, a private merchant. the arabs were engaged in hostilities with the portuguese at the time, and forced the crew of the _london_ to fight for them. those who were unwilling were lashed to masts exposed to portuguese fire, from which they did not escape scatheless. in vain the commanders of two of the company's vessels assured the imaum that the _london_ was not a pirate. "you have sent me a letter," he wrote, "about my people taking one of your ships. it is true that i have done so, in return for one you english took from me, so now we are even and have ship for ship; for this one i will not surrender. if you wish to be friends, i am willing to be so; if not, i will fight you and take all the ships i can." one pirate ship was reported to have chased two cong ships, capturing one and forcing the other ashore, where it became a total wreck. "what influence this may have on the rt. hon. company's affairs, god alone knows," wrote the surat president, mournfully. soon he was in better spirits. the same pirates had landed and plundered cong; but, allowing themselves to be surprised, fifty-six of the crew had been set upon and killed. with few exceptions, the english pirates came from the american colonies. every year, from new york, boston, jamaica, and the bahamas, ships were fitted out, nominally for the slave trade, though it was no secret that they were intended for piracy in the eastern seas. whatever compunction might be felt at attacking european ships, there was none about plundering asiatic merchants, where great booty was to be gained with little risk. sometimes the governors were in league with the pirates, who paid them to wink at their doings. those who were more honest had insufficient power to check the evil practices that were leniently, if not favourably, regarded by the colonial community, while their time was fully occupied in combating the factious opposition of the colonial legislatures, and in protective measures against the french and indians. the english government, absorbed in the french war, had no ships in the indian seas; but the straits to which english trade in the east had been reduced, and the enormous losses caused by the pirates, at last forced some measures to be adopted for coping with the evil that had assumed such gigantic proportions. [ ] it appears likely that this was the john steel mentioned by drury as his uncle in bengal. there is very little doubt that much of drury's alleged slavery in madagascar was spent among the pirates. [ ] it would appear that he assumed the name of every on taking to piracy. [ ] sir james houblon was an alderman of london, and a governor of the bank of england at the time. [ ] the letter appears to have been left by every with the natives of johanna, who gave it to the merchant captains who brought it to bombay. [ ] the quotation is taken from johnson's history of the pirates. in his cruising voyage round the world woodes rogers did not touch at madagascar. on that occasion ( ) he met two ex-pirates at the cape, who had received pardons, and told him that the madagascar settlements had dwindled to sixty or seventy men, "most of them very poor and despicable, even to the natives," and possessed of only one ship and a sloop. but, he adds, "if care be not taken, after a peace, to clear that island of them, and hinder others from joining them, it may be a temptation for loose straggling fellows to resort thither, and make it once more a troublesome nest of freebooters." [ ] elliot's history of india as told by its own historians. muntakhabu-l lubab of khafi khan. [ ] equal to £ , at that day. [ ] according to the statement of a lascar, taken in the _futteh mahmood_ and carried to madagascar, every sailed for the bahamas in the autumn of , so that his career in the indian seas lasted only six months. on reaching providence, every presented the governor with forty pieces of eight and four pieces of gold for allowing them to come and go in safety. [ ] johnson's "general history of the pyrates," . chapter ii _captain kidd_ measures to suppress piracy--the _adventure_ fitted out--warren's squadron meets with kidd--his suspicious behaviour--he threatens the _sidney_--waylays the red sea fleet--captures the _mary_--visits carwar and calicut--his letter to the factory--chased by portuguese men-of-war--chases the _sedgwick_--chivers--action between _dorrill_ and _resolution_--kidd captures the _quedah merchant_--dilemma of european traders at surat--their agreements with the authorities--experience of the _benjamin_--news of kidd's piracies reaches england--despatch of squadron under warren--littleton at madagascar--kidd sails for new york--arrested and tried--his defence and execution--justice of his sentence--his character--diminution of piracy--lowth in the _loyal merchant_--act for suppression of piracy--captain millar. war with france was being actively prosecuted by land and sea. in the nation was still smarting under reverses in the low countries and the repulse of the brest expedition. at sea the navy was holding its own, though english commerce suffered terribly under the attacks of french corsairs of dunkirk and st. malo. the company applied for a ship to be sent to the indian seas to deal with the pirates; but lord orford, the head of the admiralty, refused to spare one. it was the fashion for wealthy men to obtain letters of marque for privateering, and a syndicate was formed, to which the chancellor, lord somers, lord orford, lord bellamont, and other whig nobles were parties, to send out a privateer against french commerce. for this purpose the _adventure_ galley was purchased and fitted out, and the command was given to william kidd, who was suggested to lord bellamont as a fit person for the task. kidd was an old privateers-man who had gained some reputation in the west indies during the war. lord bellamont had been appointed governor of new york, though he did not proceed there till two years later. the king had charged him to use his utmost endeavours to put a check on the pirates who sailed from new england, and nothing better occurred to him than to obtain a commission for kidd to act against the rovers. a general reward of £ was offered for the apprehension of each pirate, and £ for every, increased in the following year to £ . in december, a commission under the admiralty seal was issued to kidd, authorizing him to proceed against french shipping. he was to keep a journal of his proceedings, and any ship captured was to be carried into the nearest port and legally adjudged by a competent court. if condemned, he might dispose of it according to custom. six weeks later, a second commission under the great seal was granted him, in his capacity of a private man of war, to apprehend all pirates, freebooters, and sea rovers, the names of thomas too (? tew), john ireland, thomas wake, and william maze, or mace, being specially mentioned. again, he was enjoined to keep an exact journal of his doings, and the pirate ships he captured were to be proceeded against according to law, in the same manner as french captures. a subsequent warrant was granted to the syndicate, who figure in it as the earl of bellamont, edmund harrison, william rowley, george watson, thomas reynolds, and samuel newton. under these unpretentious names were hidden lords orford and somers, and other whig nobles. they were to account for all goods and valuables captured in the rovers' possession: one-tenth was to be reserved for the crown, the rest being assigned to them to recoup their expenditure. the _adventure_ carried thirty guns and rowed twenty-six or thirty oars. in may, , kidd sailed from plymouth for new york with a crew of about seventy men. on the way he captured a small french vessel, which was properly condemned, and the proceeds helped to complete the equipment of the _adventure_. in new york he filled up his crew to one hundred and fifty-five men, and people shook their heads when they saw the men of doubtful character that he enlisted. it was felt at the time that, either his intentions were dishonest, or he was taking a crew that he would be unable to control. the men were promised shares of what should be taken, while kidd himself was to have forty shares. nothing was said as to the share of the owners or the crown. in september he sailed for the cape. there were plenty of pirates and french trading-ships close at hand on the american coast, but he did not waste a day in looking for them. within a few days of kidd's leaving plymouth, a royal squadron consisting of the _windsor_, _tyger_, _advice_, and _vulture_, under commodore warren, sailed from sheerness to visit the harbours and watering-places, used by east india ships, as far as the cape, and clear them of pirates. the squadron, with five east indiamen under convoy, made its way slowly along the african coast, losing many men from sickness. two hundred leagues west of the cape they sighted a strange sail that seemed to wish to avoid them. warren gave chase and forced it to heave to. on being signalled to come on board, the commander proved to be kidd, in command of the _adventure_. asked to account for himself, he told how he was engaged to look for every and destroy pirates, and showed his commission. apparently, this was the first that warren had heard of him, but there was no gainsaying the royal commission, so the usual hospitality was shown him, and he was bidden to keep company as far as the cape. warren had lost many men on the guinea coast, and asked kidd to spare him some. no better opportunity could have been found for getting rid of troublesome men, but kidd declined to part with a single one. as warren's wine told on him, his true character showed itself. he boasted of the feats he was going to do, and the wealth he would get, till warren was filled with disgust and suspicion. the _adventure_ wanted a new mainsail. warren could not spare him one. no matter, he would take one from the first ship he met; and he was finally sent back to the _adventure_, reeling drunk. for six days he sailed in company with the squadron. then a calm came on, and at night, making use of his oars, kidd stole away, and was nearly out of sight when the sun rose. on reaching the cape, warren could get no news of him, but to the captains of the company's ships he communicated his suspicions of kidd. three of them, bound for johanna in the comoro islands, the _sidney_, the _madras merchant_, and the _east india merchant_, agreed to sail in company for mutual protection. the _sidney_, being the faster sailer, reached johanna in advance of her consorts, and found the _adventure_ at anchor in the roadstead. as the _sidney_ came to anchor, kidd sent a boat to captain gyfford, ordering him to strike his colours, and threatening to board him if he refused. gyfford prepared to defend himself. two days later the _east india merchant_ and the _madras merchant_ appeared, making for the anchorage, and kidd lowered his tone. he then invited the three captains to come on board the _adventure_, which they refused to do, letting him plainly see that they distrusted him. soon they had to warn him regarding his ill-treatment of the johanna people, for which they threatened to call him to account. this unlooked-for attitude on the part of the three captains made kidd uneasy; and finding that they would not leave the anchorage till he had gone, he made sail and departed. some of the crew of the _adventure_ had, however, used suspicious language, saying they were looking for an east india ship. when asked if they would attack a single one, they answered evasively, while continuing to boast of the things they were going to do. these early proceedings of kidd effectually dispose of the plea that his intentions were at first honest, and that he only yielded to the coercion of his crew in taking to piracy, after reaching the indian seas. the truth is that kidd was resolved on piracy from the first, and had little difficulty in persuading the majority of the crew to join him. it can hardly be doubted that the accounts of the great wealth acquired by every had turned his head. there were a number of men on board the _adventure_ who were unwillingly coerced into piracy, and who remained in a chronic state of discontent, but kidd was not one of them. long before he had made a single capture, it was reported in the ports of western india that kidd was a pirate. from johanna he shaped his coarse for madagascar, but the pirates were all away in search of prey; so he continued his cruise in the mozambique channel and along the african coast. he is said to have met indian ships at this time without molesting them, which was afterwards cited to show that his intentions were then honest. it is more likely that he was only doubtful as to his own power, being unacquainted with the weakness of asiatics, and reserving himself for the rich prey offered by the mocha fleet. cruising northwards, he landed at mabber[ ] on the somali coast, and took some corn from the natives by force--his first bit of filibustering. then making for perim, he anchored to await the mocha fleet. three times he sent a boat to look into mocha harbour, and bring notice when the indian ships were ready to sail. as the fleet in scattered array emerged from the straits, he singled out a large vessel and began firing at it. this at once attracted the attention of the _sceptre_ frigate that sir john gayer had sent as a convoy, and kidd took to his heels. if every had been in his place, he would have followed the fleet across the indian ocean, and have picked up a straggler or two, but the sight of the _sceptre_ and a dutch man-of-war had been enough for kidd, and he left the pilgrim fleet alone. without molesting them further, he made his way eastward, and, on the th august, off sanjan, north of bombay, he took the _mary_ brigantine, a small native vessel from surat. this was kidd's first capture on the high seas. thomas parker, the master of the _mary_, was forced on board the _adventure_ to act as pilot, a portuguese was taken to act as interpreter, and the lascars of the _mary_ beaten and ill-treated. a week later he put into carwar for provisions, flying english colours; but his character was already known. the sunda rajah and the factory stood on their guard while he was in harbour. harvey, the chief of the factory, demanded the surrender of parker, but kidd vowed he knew nothing about him. eight of his crew deserted, and told their story. they had no desire for the piratical life into which they had been trepanned, and reported that many more of the crew would leave him if they could get the chance. while off carwar he careened the _adventure_ on a small islet in the harbour, which was long known as kidd's island. a month later he was off calicut, where his ever-recurring trouble about supplies is shown in the following letter to the factory:-- "adventure gally, october y'e 't, . "s'r, "i can't but admire y't y'r people is so fearfull to come near us for i have used all possible means to let them understand y't i am an englishman and a ff'rd not offering to molest any of their cannoes so think it convenient to write this y't you may understand whome i am which (i) hope may end all suspition. i come from england about mos. agone with y'e king's commission to take all pyrates in these seas, and from carwar came ab't a month agone, so do believe y't (you) have heard whome i am before y't and all i come for here is wood and water wh'h if you will be pleas'd to order me shall honestly satisfie for y'e same or any thing that they'l bring off which is all from him who will be very ready to serve you in what lyeth in my power. "william kidd." they knew who he was only too well, so he sailed for the laccadives, whence news was soon received of his barbarous treatment of the natives, and that he had killed his quartermaster.[ ] the letter is characteristic of kidd's methods. from his first entrance into the indian seas his conduct had aroused suspicion. owing to the large amount of coasting trade and the frequent necessity of calling at many places for water, the news of the sea spread from port to port with great rapidity. at the moment of his writing this letter he had the master of the _mary_ a prisoner under hatches, and the factory chiefs of carwar and calicut were well aware of it; but to the end he believed that he could throw dust in the eyes of the company's officials by making play with the royal commission. while he was on the coast, kidd was chased by two portuguese armed vessels, a grab and a sloop. the grab was a poor sailer, and kidd had no difficulty in eluding it; but the sloop, a better sailer, allowed itself to be drawn on in chase, till kidd, shortening sail, was able to give it several broadsides, which reduced it to a total wreck; after which he showed a clean pair of heels. at kidd's trial it was stated he had ten men wounded in this business. in april ( ) the _sedgwick_, arriving at fort st. david, reported that on its way from anjengo it had been chased for three days and nights by kidd, but had been saved by a stiff breeze springing up. on its return voyage the _sedgwick_ was less fortunate, being captured off cape comorin by chivers, a dutchman, in the _soldado_, otherwise known as the _algerine_, of two hundred and fifty tons and carrying twenty-eight guns. the cargo of the _sedgwick_ not being to chivers' liking, and being put into good humour with sundry bowls of punch, he let the _sedgwick_ go, taking out of her only sails and cordage. the year saw the company's trade almost extinguished owing to the depredations of the sea rovers and the hostility aroused against europeans. every letter brought accounts of the pirates and the losses occasioned by them. in small squadrons they swept the coast from madras to the mouths of the indus, and haunted the sea from cape comorin to the straits of malacca. in july, the company's ship _dorrill_, bound for china, was attacked in the straits of malacca by the _resolution_, late _mocha_, commanded by culliford, and, after a hot engagement of three hours, made the pirate sheer off, with heavy losses on both sides. bowen in the _speedy return_, for the taking of which green was, with doubtful justice, hanged, chivers in the _soldado_, north in the _pelican_, halsey, williams, white, and many others of less fame, were plundering and burning everywhere with impunity. early in the year, kidd captured the _quedah merchant_ a country ship bound from bengal to surat, belonging to some armenian merchants who were on board. the captain was an englishman named wright; the gunner was a frenchman, and there were two dutchmen. this was the best prize made by kidd, and yielded some £ , or £ , , which was at once divided among the crew of the _adventure_, kidd's forty shares being one-fourth of the whole. able seamen got one share; landsmen and servants a half-share only. the surat factory was filled with alarm, not without good reason. in vain sir john gayer wrote to the governor, and sent an agent to the emperor to disclaim responsibility. in august came an imperial order directing that the english, french, and dutch should be held responsible for all losses, and that for the _quedah merchant_ alone the english should pay two lakhs of rupees. guards were placed on the factories; all communication with them was forbidden; their mahommedan servants left them, and their creditors were made to give an account to the governor of all debts owing by europeans. the dutch and french tried to exonerate themselves by laying all the blame on the english, but the governor refused to make any distinction, and called on the three nations to pay fourteen lakhs of rupees as a compensation for the losses occasioned by piracy. sir john gayer was a man of action. like macrae, to be mentioned later in these pages, he had first brought himself into notice as a sea-captain, and as governor of bombay had upheld the company's interests for four years, in circumstances of no ordinary difficulty. the time for some decided action had arrived if the company's trade was to continue. on receiving intelligence of these occurrences, he appeared off surat with three armed ships, and sent word to the governor that he would neither pay any portion of the fourteen lakhs, nor give security. at the same time he intimated that he was ready to furnish convoys for the mocha ships, as he had already done, and, in proof of good will in acting against the pirates, pointed out that, now the war in europe was at an end, a royal squadron was on its way to the indian seas to extirpate them. the european traders on the west coast had always been so submissive to the emperor's authority that this unexpected display of vigour astonished the governor: he moderated his tone. the dutch declared they would abandon the surat trade rather than pay; so the governor consented to make no demand for past losses, if the english would engage to make good all future losses by piracy. this was also refused. finally, the english, french, and dutch agreed to act in concert to suppress piracy, and signed bonds by which they jointly engaged to make good all future losses. onerous as these terms were, the agreement came not a moment too soon. the news of it reached aurungzeeb just in time to procure the reversal of an order he had issued, putting a final stop to all european trade in his dominions. he told the surat governor to settle the matter in his own way. in pursuance of the agreement, the dutch convoyed the mecca pilgrims and patrolled the entrance to the red sea, besides making a payment of rs. , to the governor; the english paid rs. , and patrolled the south indian seas; while the french made a similar payment and policed the persian gulf. an experience of the _benjamin_ yacht at this time showed that pirates were not prone to wanton mischief, where there was no plunder to be gained. in november, the yacht lay at honore, taking in a cargo of pepper, when the well-known pirate ships _pelican_, _soldado_, and _resolution_ came into harbour for provisions. seeing the bombay governor's yacht, they naturally concluded that some attempt would be made to prevent the natives from supplying their wants. they at once sent word to the master of the _benjamin_ that they had no intention of molesting him, unless he hindered them in getting provisions, in which case they would sink him. the master of the yacht was only too glad to be left alone; the pirates got their provisions, and, in recognition of his behaviour, presented him with a recently captured portuguese ship. sir john gayer, in much fear lest he should be accused of being in league with the pirates, quickly made it over to the portuguese authorities. when the intelligence of kidd's piracies reached england, there was a storm of indignation in the country. party feeling was running high and with unusual violence. the majority in the house of commons desired the ruin of somers and orford while aiming at the king. the charge of abetment in kidd's misdeeds was too useful a weapon to be neglected, so it was added to the list of accusations against them. it must be admitted that the circumstances of the lord chancellor, the head of the admiralty, and other prominent men using their influence to forward a venture from which they were to profit, under fictitious names, and that had created such a scandal, demanded inquiry. it was hardly sufficient to say that they had lost their money. such an answer would justify any illegal enterprise in the event of its failure. the french war had come to an end, so in january, , a royal squadron of four men-of-war, the _anglesea_, _harwich_, _hastings_, and _lizard_, sailed from portsmouth for madagascar under warren.[ ] they carried with them four royal commissioners and a proclamation offering a free pardon, from which every and kidd were excepted, to all pirates who voluntarily surrendered themselves before the end of april, . the pardon related only to acts of piracy committed east of the cape of good hope, between the african and indian coasts. after calling at st. augustine's bay, where several pirates made their submission, the squadron reached tellicherry in november. as it came to its anchorage, warren died, and was buried on shore the following day. he was succeeded in the command by littleton. in the following may, littleton was on the madagascar coast, where he remained till the end of the year before returning home. during the whole time he was in communication with the pirates. his dealings with them brought him into disrepute in shipping circles. hamilton tells us that "for _some valuable reasons_ he let them go again; and because they found a difficulty in cleaning the bottoms of their large ships, he generously assisted them with large blocks and tackle falls for careening them." possibly hamilton's remark was due to the conduct of captain white of the _hastings_, whose behaviour excited such suspicion that littleton placed him under arrest, fearing he would make his ship over to the pirates. littleton remained on the madagascar coast for eight months without firing a shot. when he first reached st. mary's, the pirates greeted him with a salute of nine guns, to which he responded with five, and he was in close and daily communication with them. whether any pirates made their submission to him does not appear; but it is probable that his presence strengthened the resolution to obtain pardon of those who had previously engaged themselves to warren; among them culliford and chivers. the fact is that piracy was looked upon then more leniently than we should now regard it. plundering and ill-treating asiatics was a venial offence, and many a seaman after a cruise with the pirates returned to his calling on board an honest merchantman, without being thought much the worse for it. among all the naval officers sent to the indian seas at that time, warren appears to have been the only one who really tried to protect the company's interests. littleton quarrelled with sir nicholas waite, and had questionable dealings with the madagascar pirates. richards and harland quarrelled with sir john gayer, and crippled the company's ships by forcibly pressing their sailors to fill up their own crews; while matthews exceeded them all in outrageous behaviour, as will be recounted in its place. after capturing the _quedah merchant_, kidd shaped his course for madagascar, where he found culliford in the _resolution_, who at first treated him with suspicion, hearing that he had a commission to capture pirates. but kidd soon reassured him over sundry cups of bombo, protesting with many oaths that 'his soul should fry in hell' sooner than that he should hurt a hair of one of culliford's crew; and, as a proof of good will, presented him with two guns and an anchor. then, finding the _adventure_ had become unseaworthy, he abandoned her, and sailed for new england in the _quedah merchant_. in june, , he reached boston. before his arrival, he heard he had been proclaimed a pirate, so he deputed a friend to approach lord bellamont on his behalf. the _quedah merchant_ was disposed of, and his plunder placed in a safe place. by assurance, and by a valuable present to lady bellamont, he thought he could face matters out. bellamont appears to have been puzzled at first how to treat him. he was unwilling to believe all that was said. at the end of three weeks he made up his mind and arrested kidd. for eight months he lay in boston gaol, and was then sent to london for trial, remaining in newgate for more than a year. eleven of his crew were also arrested, two of them being admitted as king's witnesses. in the interval the storm against the whig ministers had gathered strength, and articles of impeachment against somers, orford, and others were being prepared by the house of commons. on the th march, , kidd was brought to the house to be examined, but he said nothing to inculpate any of the owners of the _adventure_, so a resolution was passed that he should be proceeded against according to law. on the th and th may he was brought up for trial at the old bailey. the first indictment against him was for the murder of moore, the gunner of the _adventure_. there had been a quarrel in which moore accused kidd of having ruined them all, on which kidd called him a 'lousy dog'; to which moore replied in a rage, that if he was a dog it was kidd who had made him one. at this kidd hurled a bucket at him and fractured his skull. the jury found him guilty. he was then tried, together with nine of his crew, for the taking of the _quedah merchant_. his line of defence was that it was sailing under a french pass, and therefore a lawful prize, but he evaded actually saying so. he declared that lord bellamont had some french passes of ships he had taken, but would not produce them. that kidd had captured some ships under french passes, and that the passes were in bellamont's hands, is extremely probable; but it is incredible that a french pass for the _quedah merchant_ was in bellamont's hands, and that he held it back. he had been accused of complicity in kidd's piracies, and threatened with impeachment. every consideration of private and political interest alike prompted him to clear himself of the charge, and confound those who accused the leading men of his party as well as himself. kidd tried to get the witnesses, some of them favourable to him, to say they had seen the french pass, but all they could say was that they had heard him declare there was one. the adverse witnesses deposed that he had feigned to believe that the french gunner of the _quedah merchant_ was the captain, though they all knew he was not. when asked, "captain kidd, can you make it appear there was a french pass aboard the _quedah merchant_?" he replied, "my lord, these men say they heard several say so." one of the armenian owners was in court, but he did not examine him; nor could he say why he had not had the ship properly condemned, like the french ship taken between plymouth and new york. his only reply was that he was not at the sharing of the goods, and knew nothing of it. for his attack on the mocha fleet he offered no explanation. he was found guilty, and was then tried for the captures of a moorish ship (parker's), a moorish ketch, and a portuguese ship. culliford and two others were next tried for taking a ship called the _great mahomet_. three of kidd's crew were acquitted, the rest of the prisoners were found guilty, and sentenced to be hanged. culliford was respited, having made his submission to warren. three of kidd's crew had hard measure dealt to them. they had made their submission under the king's proclamation, but not to one of the commissioners appointed for the purpose, so their submission went for nothing. on the th may, kidd, with six of his crew and two of culliford's, was hanged at execution dock, the common place of execution for pirates. it is impossible to follow kidd's career, and to study his trial, without coming to the conclusion that he deserved his fate. there is no sign that he was sacrificed to political expediency. directly the house of commons failed to bring home the responsibility for kidd's piracies to the leaders of the whig party, he ceased to be of any importance for political purposes. the charge of complicity with him was only one of ten charges against orford, one of fourteen against somers. the court is said to have dealt hardly with him, but courts of justice were not very tender to any criminals in those days, and the jury did not hesitate to acquit three of those tried with him. criminals were not allowed the aid of counsel, except on a point of law. kidd did raise a legal point, and was allowed the aid of a counsel to argue it. his intention was clear from the day he left new york. the four pirates named in his commission were then on the american coast; he made no effort to look for them, but steered at once for the cape. if he could not control his crew, he could have invoked warren's help; instead of which he stole away in the night. his threats to the _sidney_ at johanna, his attack, after three weeks' waiting, on the mocha fleet, his detention of parker, to say nothing of his dealings with culliford, can only be interpreted in one way. during his whole cruise he never put into surat, bombay, or goa, but cruised like any other pirate. the legend of his buried treasure has survived to our own day, owing to the fact that he had buried some of his booty before putting himself in bellamont's hands; but the record of his trial shows that, beyond what was obtained from the _quedah merchant_, his plunder consisted mostly of merchandise. that some of his ill-gotten gains were recovered at the time seems clear from an act of parliament passed in , enabling the crown to "dispose of the effects of william kidd, a notorious pirate, to the use of greenwich hospital"; which institution received accordingly - . the scandal caused by kidd's piratical doings under a commission from the crown, the political use made of it in parliament, and the legend of a vast hoard of buried treasure, have conferred on him a celebrity not justified by his exploits. as he appears in the company's records, he showed none of the picturesque daredevilry that distinguished many of the sea rovers whose names are less known. no desperate adventure or hard-fought action stand to his credit. wherever we get a glimpse of his character it shows nothing but mean, calculating cunning; and to the end he posed as the simple, innocent man who was shamefully misjudged. his crew were always discontented and ready to desert. he had none of the lavish open-handedness that made the fraternity welcome in so many ports. every, teach, england, and a dozen others in his place, would have thrown the commission to the winds, and sailed the seas under the red flag. kidd's ruling idea appears to have been that he could hoodwink the world as to his doings under cover of his commission: so that when he heard of the charges against him he believed he could disarm his accusers by sheer impudence. at his trial he attempted to lay all the blame on his crew, and vowed he was 'the innocentest person of them all,' and all the witnesses were perjured. whatever touch of misdirected heroism was to be found in any pirate, it was certainly not to be found in kidd. he was altogether a contemptible rascal, and had no claims to be a popular hero. though littleton's squadron captured no pirate ships, its presence till the autumn of had a salutary effect.[ ] some made their submission, and the number who continued to ply their trade was greatly reduced. many of them were glad to leave a calling that had now become hazardous, in which they had been unwillingly forced to join, while the renewal of the war in europe furnished a more legitimate outlet for the most turbulent spirits, in the shape of privateering. north, after making his submission to littleton, thought better of it, seeing the date of grace had expired, and refused to leave madagascar. there he remained for several years, fighting and subduing the natives round st. mary's, till he was finally killed by them. his comrades 'continued the war' for seven years till they had completely subdued the country round. on the th december, , the _loyal merchant_, captain lowth, east indiaman, lying in table bay, saw a small vessel of sixty tons enter the harbour under english colours. this proved to be the _margaret_ of new york. lowth's suspicions being awakened, he sent for the captain and some of the crew, who 'confessed the whole matter,' and were promptly put in irons. the _margaret_ was seized, in spite of dutch protests. two days later came in the _vine_, pink, from st. mary's, with a number of 'passengers' on board. these were pirates on their way to new england, to make their submission, among them chivers and culliford. lowth would have seized them also, but the dutch interfered, and the behaviour of the dutch admiral became so threatening that lowth cut short his stay and made sail for bombay, which he reached safely, taking with him the _margaret_ and eighteen prisoners. on reaching england, culliford was tried and condemned, but respited, as has already been mentioned. while kidd lay in newgate awaiting trial, an act was passed for the more effectual suppression of piracy. experience had shown that it was useless to issue proclamations against individuals, but that some new machinery must be created to deal with the gigantic evil that threatened to become chronic. under a former act, passed in the reign of henry viii., the lord high admiral, or his lieutenant, or his commissary, had been empowered to try pirates; but the procedure had long fallen into abeyance. it had been found almost impossible to bring offenders in distant seas to justice, to say nothing of the cost and trouble of bringing them to england for trial. now it was enacted that courts of seven persons might be formed for the trial of pirates at any place at sea or upon land, in any of his majesty's islands, plantations, colonies, dominions, forts, or factories. it was necessary that at least one of the seven should be the chief of an english factory, the governor or a member of council in a plantation or colony, or the commander of a king's ship. these courts had powers of capital punishment, and also had power to treat all persons who gave assistance or countenance to pirates as accessories, and liable to the same punishments as pirates. the act was to be in force for seven years only. in it was renewed for seven years, and in again for five years. the amnesty granted to some pirates, the hanging of others,[ ] and the new act of parliament, caused a great abatement of the evil. the madagascar settlements still flourished, but for a time european trade was free from attack. littleton's squadron had gone home, and was replaced by two royal ships, the _severn_ and the _scarborough_, which effected nothing against the pirates, but served by their presence to keep them quiet. the _severn_ and _scarborough_ sailed from england in may, , under commodore richards, who died at johanna in the following march. the command was then taken by captain harland, who visited madagascar and mauritius, where two men were arrested, who afterwards made their escape at mohilla. the two ships returned to england in october, . hamilton tells us how a "scots ship commanded by one millar did the public more service in destroying them, than all the chargeable squadrons that have been sent in quest of them; for, with a cargo of strong ale and brandy, which he carried to sell them, in anno , he killed above of them by carousing, although they took his ship and cargo as a present from him, and his men entered, most of them into the society of the pirates." [ ] this was probably a village near ras mabber, about one hundred and sixty-five miles south of cape guardafui. [ ] in ships of this class the quartermaster was next in importance to the captain or master. the incident refers to the death of moore, the gunner of the _adventure_, who was killed by kidd in a fit of anger for saying that kidd had ruined them all. the killing of moore was one of the indictments against kidd at his trial. [ ] warren had returned from his first cruise in the autumn of . [ ] one small arab vessel that rashly attacked the _harwich_, mistaking it for a merchant vessel, was disposed of with a broadside. [ ] twenty were condemned and hung in one batch, in june, ; one of the _mocha_ mutineers among them. this was probably guillam, to whom kidd had given a passage to america from madagascar, and was supposed to have been the man who stabbed captain edgecombe. chapter iii _the rise of conajee angria_ native piracy hereditary on the malabar coast--marco polo's account--fryer's narrative--the kempsant--arab and sanganian pirates--attack on the _president_--loss of the _josiah_--attack on the _phoenix_--the _thomas_ captured--depredations of the gulf pirates--directors' views--conajee angria--attacks english ships--destroys the _bombay_--fortifies kennery--becomes independent--captures the governor's yacht--attacks the _somers_ and _grantham_--makes peace with bombay--his navy--great increase of european and native piracy. europeans were not the only offenders. the delhi emperor, who claimed universal dominion on land, made no pretension to authority at sea. so long as the mocha fleet did not suffer, merchants were left to take care of themselves. there was no policing of the sea, and every trader had to rely on his own efforts for protection. the people of the malabar coast were left to pursue their hereditary vocation of piracy unmolested. the greek author of the "periplus of the erythraean sea," who wrote in the first century of our era, mentions the pirates infesting the coast between bombay and goa. two hundred years before vasco da gama had shown the way to india by sea, marco polo had told europe of the malabar pirates. "and you must know that from this kingdom of melibar, and from, another near it called gozurat, there go forth every year more than a hundred corsair vessels on cruize. these pirates take with them their wives and children, and stay out the whole summer. their method is to join in fleets of or of these pirate vessels together, and then they form what they call a sea cordon, that is, they drop off till there is an interval of or miles between ship and ship, so that they cover something like a hundred miles of sea, and no merchant ship can escape them. for when any one corsair sights a vessel a signal is made by fire or smoke, and then the whole of them make for this, and seize the merchants and plunder them. after they have plundered they let them go, saying, 'go along with you and get more gain, and that mayhap will fall to us also!' but now the merchants are aware of this, and go so well manned and armed, and with such great ships, that they don't fear the corsairs. still mishaps do befal them at times."[ ] from the persian gulf to cape comorin the whole coast was beset by native pirates, and, with the rise of the mahratta power, the evil increased. petty chiefs sometimes levied blackmail by giving passports to those who would pay for them, claiming the right to plunder all ships that did not carry their passes; but often the formality was dispensed with. owing to the paucity of records of the early days, and the more serious hostility of the portuguese and dutch, we hear little of the losses sustained from native pirates, except when some ship with a more valuable cargo than usual was captured. fryer tells us how, in his day, a rock off mangalore was known as sacrifice island, "in remembrance of a bloody butchery on some english by the pirate malabars." he further tells us how, in , between goa and vingorla, he took part in an attack on a pirate ship that they came on as it was plundering a prize it had just taken, while the dutch watched the engagement from the shore. "we soon made him yield his prize to engage with us, which they did briskly for two hours, striving to board us, casting stink-pots among us, which broke without any execution, but so frightened our rowers, that we were forced to be severe to restrain them. they plied their chambers and small shot, and slung stones, flourishing their targets and darting long lances. they were well manned in a boat ten times as big as our barge, and at least sixty fighting men besides rowers. we had none to manage our small gun," the gunner having deserted at goa. however, the pirates were beaten off, and fryer and his companions were mightily praised by the dutch. these pirates hailed probably from vingorla, where the sawunt waree chief, known in those days as the 'kempsant,'[ ] carried on a brisk piratical trade. the name was a corruption of khem sawunt, a common name of the vingorla chiefs; the portuguese changed it into quemar santo, 'the saint burner,' on account of his sacrilegious treatment of their churches. there were no more determined pirates than the arabs of muscat and the sanganians of beyt and dwarka, who, between them, intercepted the trade of the persian gulf, while the coolee rovers of guzarat took their toll of the plunder. in the company's ship _president_ was attacked by the muscat arabs with two ships and four grabs, and fought a gallant action. the grabs[ ] were generally two-masted ships, from one hundred and fifty to three hundred tons burden, built to draw very little water, and excellent sailers, especially in the light winds prevalent on the western coast. they had no bowsprit, but the main-deck was continued into a long overhanging prow. the favourite mode of using them was for two or three of them to run aboard their victim at the same time, and attack, sword in hand, along the prow. being built for fighting, and not for trade, they could sail round the clumsy merchantmen that hailed from the thames, and, if pressed, could find safety in the shallow bays and mouths of rivers along the coast. three grabs grappled the _president_ at once, but the boarders were beaten back, and all three were blown up and sunk, on which the rest of the squadron made off. the _president_ was set on fire in sixteen places, and lost eleven men killed and thirty-three wounded. in the following year the _josiah_ ketch was attacked by the sanganians while at anchor, and in the heat of the engagement blew up. a few of the crew saved themselves in a skiff, but the greater number perished, among them the commander, lieutenant pitts, whose father was known in bombay as 'the drunken lieutenant.' in september, , the _phoenix_, a british man-of-war that had been sent for a two-years' cruise in indian waters, was attacked by a sanganian vessel that mistook her for a merchantman. it was almost a calm, and captain tyrrell hoisted out his boats to capture the sanganian ship, but they were beaten off, so he sunk her with a couple of broadsides. forty-one of the pirates were picked up, but many of them refused quarter, and one hundred and seven were killed or drowned. the _phoenix_ had three men killed, one wounded, and two drowned. according to hamilton, sir george byng, the first lieutenant, was dangerously wounded; but the log of the _phoenix_ is silent on that point, though it gives the names of the casualties. three years later, the _thomas_, captain lavender, was less fortunate. attacked by four beyt ships, after a brave resistance, the _thomas_ took fire, and all on board perished. their depredations were not confined to the sea. in some beyt pirates landed and plundered a village within sight of broach. but the losses occasioned by native pirates were at first nearly lost sight of in the more serious losses occasioned by european corsairs. "as for those sanganians and those mallabars and professed pirates," wrote the directors in , "we see no cause why you should not wage an offensive as well as a defensive war against them when they fall in your way: but it is hardly worth the while to keep small vessels to look after them, for they are poor rogues and nothing to be got of them to answer any charge." in , the year of aurungzeeb's death, the pirates of the persian gulf made a great haul of plunder. a squadron of them made their way to the red sea, waylaid the mocha fleet, and returned home laden with booty. in the following year, a squadron of fourteen arab ships from the gulf, carrying from thirty to fifty guns, and with seven thousand men on board, appeared on the malabar coast and surprised honore, mangalore, and balasore(?); but the people, having lately been plundered by the seedee, were ready with their arms, and beat them off with the loss of four or five hundred men. "the arab insolencies are often in the thoughts of the court," wrote the london directors, "but the court fears they shall not be able to do anything effectually to check their growing strength during the present war, which finds employment for all our naval force. further, the court sympathizes with madras on their severe losses by the pirates, which puts a damp on the company's trade, and affects their revenues." annoying as were the losses that were suffered from the chronic depredations of the arabs and sanganians, they sank into insignificance when compared with the troubles experienced on the rise to power of conajee (kanhojee) angria. the growth of the mahratta power under sivajee had been accompanied by the formation of a formidable fleet which harried the coast of the concan, and against which the seedee chief, the emperor's representative afloat, could hardly maintain himself. in conajee angria succeeded to the command of the mahratta navy, with the title of darya-sáranga. in the name of the satara chief he was master of the whole coast from bombay to vingorla, with the exception of the seedee's territory. defenceless towns as far south as travancore were attacked and plundered, while, at sea, vessels of native merchants were preyed upon. for a time he seems not to have meddled with the company's vessels; as the size of his ships increased, he grew bolder, and, in , his doings began to excite apprehension. in that year he was addressed to release a small trading vessel from calicut with six englishmen on board that had been seized and carried into one of his harbours. what had roused his anger against the english does not appear, but a month later we find him sending word to bombay that he would give the english cause to remember the name of conajee angria, a threat that he carried out only too well. two years later we find him described as a 'rebel independent of the rajah sivajee,' and mr. reynolds was deputed to find him and tell him that he could not be permitted searching, molesting, or seizing vessels in bombay waters: to which he returned a defiant answer, that he had done many benefits to the english, who had broken faith with him, and henceforth he would seize their vessels wherever he could find them. in his ships attacked the _bombay_ frigate, which was blown up after a brief engagement, and for the next half-century angrian piracy was a scourge to the european trade of the west coast. in conajee angria seized and fortified kennery, and his ships fought the _godolphin_ for two days, within sight of bombay, but were finally beaten off. he had now grown so powerful that, in , the directors were told he could take any ship except the largest europe ones; "along the coast from surat to dabul he takes all private merchant vessels he meets." owing to the minority and imprisonment of sivajee's grandson, sahoojee,[ ] the mahrattas were torn by internal divisions, in which conajee angria played his part. on the death of aurungzeeb, sahoojee regained his liberty, and was seated on the guddee of satara. owing to his want of hardihood, and weakness of character, the dissensions continued, and sivajee's kingdom seemed to be on the point of breaking up into a number of independent chiefships. among those aiming at independence was conajee angria. in , an army sent against him under the peishwa, bhyroo punt, was defeated, and bhyroo punt taken prisoner. it was reported that conajee was preparing to march on satara. ballajee rao, who afterwards became peishwa, was placed at the head of such troops as could hastily be collected together, and opened negotiations with conajee. an accommodation was arrived at, by which conajee agreed to acknowledge allegiance to satara, in return for which he was confirmed in command of the fleet, with the title of surkheil, and granted twenty-six forts and fortified places with their dependent villages.[ ] the first result of this treaty was a war with the seedee, who had enjoyed some of the places in question for a number of years. conajee was supported by the satara arms, and the seedee was forced to submit to the loss. to all intents and purposes, conajee was now an independent chief. he was the recognized master of a strip of territory between the sea and the western ghauts, extending from bombay harbour to vingorla, excluding the seedee's territories, a tract, roughly speaking, about two hundred and forty miles in length by forty miles in breadth. with his harbours strongly fortified, while the western ghauts made his territories difficult of access by land, he was in a position to bid defiance to all enemies. moreover, he was the recognized chief of the hardy coast population of hereditary seamen, who to this day furnish the best lascars to our indian marine. angria's exploits on land had not interfered with his interests at sea. in november, , he captured the governor of bombay's armed yacht, together with the _anne_ ketch from carwar.[ ] in the engagement, mr. chown, chief of the carwar factory, was killed, and his young wife, a widow for the second time at the age of eighteen, became angria's prisoner. a month later, the _somers_ and _grantham_, east indiamen, on their voyage from england to bombay, were attacked by a grab and a gallivat belonging to angria, off the coast north of goa. owing to there being a calm at the time, the east indiamen were unable to bring their guns to bear: "for which reason and by y'e earnest intercession of y'e whole ship's company to y'e captain" the boats of the _somers_ and _grantham_ were hoisted out, and an attempt was made to board the pirates. the attack was beaten off with the loss of four men killed and seventeen wounded; but the pirates found the entertainment so little to their liking that they made off. on hearing of the capture of the governor's yacht, the portuguese wrote to propose a joint attack on angria. a few months before, he had captured the greater part of a portuguese 'armado,' and disabled a thirty-gun man-of-war that was convoying it. governor aislabie declined the portuguese offer, but it had the effect of bringing angria to terms. thinking it politic to make peace with the english, while his affairs with the rajah of satara were still unsettled, he sent a messenger to bombay, offering to deliver up all vessels, goods, and captives taken from the company, if an englishman of credit was sent to him to settle on terms of peace for the future. aislabie demanded that in future english ships should be free from molestation; that no ships of any nation coming into bombay should be interfered with between mahim and kennery; that english merchants should have liberty of trade in angria's ports, on payment of the usual dues; and that angria should be responsible for any damage done in future by the ships belonging to his mahratta superiors. in return, the governor engaged to give passes only to ships belonging to merchants recognized by the company, and to allow angria's people full trading facilities in bombay, on the usual dues being paid. to these terms angria agreed, but failed to get the governor's consent to additional terms of an egregious nature; that he should be supplied by the company with powder and shot on payment; that a place should be assigned to him to make powder in; that if pressed by his enemies, he should be assisted by the company; that merchant ships should not be convoyed in or out of bombay harbour. there remained the duty of sending him 'an englishman of credit' to 'deliver him the articles.' the council, 'knowing him to be a man of ill principles,' thought it improper to order any man on such a risky service, but lieutenant mackintosh, in consideration of a gratuity of one thousand rupees, undertook to go, and departed for colaba, with rs. , as ransom for the european prisoners, the convention sealed with the council's seal, and ships to bring back the restored goods. and so for a time there was security from angria's attacks, but, with his hands free on the satara side, and in a more secure position than ever, it was not likely that the peace would be of long continuance. with a fleet of armed vessels carrying thirty and forty guns apiece, with kennery island in his possession within sight of bombay harbour, angria and his successors continued to be a menace to the existence of bombay, while the angrian territory became the alsatia of the indian seas, where desperadoes of all nationalities were made welcome. the next few years saw an enormous increase of piracy in the indian seas. angria was practically secure in his fastnesses along the coast, and plundered every ship not strong enough to defend itself. his finest vessels were commanded by europeans, generally dutch. the signing of the peace of utrecht brought a fresh swarm of european adventurers to reap the harvest of the seas. the privateersmen, disregarding the peace, under pretence of making war on france and spain, plundered ships of all nations. conden,[ ] white, england, taylor, and many others, made madagascar their headquarters, and emulated the feats of every and kidd. the beyt pirates were as mischievous as ever, while the muscat arabs could muster, in , a ship of seventy-four guns, two of sixty, one of fifty, eighteen carrying thirty-two to twelve guns each, and a host of smaller vessels carrying never less than four guns. the company was forced to rely on its own exertions, as there was not a single king's ship in indian waters. the few armed vessels belonging to bombay convoyed the more valuable vessels along the coast. the larger ships, that made the ocean voyage between india and europe, sailed in company for mutual protection. [ ] yule's "marco polo." [ ] the 'kempason' and 'king kemshew' of downing. [ ] from the arabic _ghorab_, 'a raven.' [ ] known in the english annals of the time as the sow rajah, and the south rajah. [ ] the principal forts were kennery, colaba, severndroog, viziadroog or gheriah, jyeghur, deoghur, manikdroog, futtehghur, oochitghur; and yeswuntdroog. [ ] see page . [ ] the name of this pirate is also given as congdon and condent. chapter iv _an active governor_ arrival of mr. boone as governor--he builds ships and improves defences of bombay--desperate engagement of _morning star_ with sanganians--alexander hamilton--expedition against vingorla--its failure--hamilton made commodore--expedition against carwar--landing force defeated--successful skirmish--desertion of goa recruits--reinforcements--landing force again defeated--the rajah makes peace--hamilton resigns commodoreship--a noseless company--angria recommences attacks--abortive expedition against gheriah--downing's account of it--preparations to attack kennery. on the th december, , bombay was _en fête_. the east indiamen _stanhope_ and _queen_ had arrived from england, bringing the new governor, mr. charles boone, and three new councillors. his predecessor, mr. aislabie, had sailed for england in october. at the landing-place the new-comers were met by the late council and the principal inhabitants and merchants of bombay. thirty-one pieces of ordnance greeted them with a salvo, and, as they put foot on shore, three companies of soldiers saluted them with three volleys of small arms. boone was a man of very different stamp from his predecessors. the quarrels, intrigues, and self-seeking that had been so disastrous a feature during the tenure of office of child, waite, and gayer were abhorrent to him. he was a zealous servant of the company, whose interests he did his best to promote with the inadequate means at his disposal. in coming up the coast he had touched at the places where the company had factories, and by the time of his arrival in bombay he had fully realized that the pirate question demanded serious treatment. bombay was then an open town, only the factory being fortified. soon after receiving bombay from the crown, the directors had ordered it to be fortified, but had refused to employ skilled officers, because "we know that it is natural to engineers to contrive curiosities that are very expensive." the only protection to the town was such as was afforded by a number of martello towers along the shore. nineteen years before boone's time the muscat arabs had made a descent on salsette, ravaging, burning, and plundering as they pleased, killing the portuguese priests and carrying off fourteen hundred captives into slavery. since then the formidable power of angria had arisen, but nothing had been done to improve the defences of the settlement. boone's first care was to trace out an enclosing wall, the building of which was to be paid for by contributions from the native merchants. at the same time he set to work to build fighting ships. within a few months of his arrival, the _britannia_, eighteen guns, built at carwar, the _fame_, sixteen guns, built at surat, and the _revenge_, sixteen guns, built at bombay, were flying the company's flag. it was easier to build ships than to get sailors to man them, in view of the miserable pay given by the company, and the attractions of service under native chiefs. many of the crews were foreigners, who were ready enough to take service with angria, if the inclination took them, and the bulk of the crews were indian lascars. a few months later, the _victory_, twenty-four guns, was launched, and two years after his arrival, boone had at his disposal a fine fleet consisting of nineteen frigates, grabs, ketches, gallivats, and rowing galleys, carrying two hundred and twenty guns, besides a bomb vessel and a fireship. with such a force much ought to have been accomplished, but throughout his tenure of office boone's efforts were crippled by the incompetency and indiscipline of those on whom he depended to carry out his designs: while the efficiency of the ships was diminished by their employment to carry cargoes along the coast. in march, , bombay was stirred by the arrival of a private ship, the _morning star_, which had escaped the beyt pirates after a long and severe encounter. the affair is described by hamilton; but he modestly conceals the fact that he was himself in command of the _morning star_, of which he was chief owner. the ship was on its way from gombroon to surat, with a valuable cargo, of which the pirates had intelligence; and two squadrons were fitted out to waylay her. on the th march she was assailed by eight pirate ships, the largest of which was of five hundred tons, three others being of nearly three hundred tons each, and the rest galleys and shybars, or half-galleys. between them they carried about two thousand men. on board the _morning star_ there were only six europeans, a number of native merchants, and about thirty-five or forty lascars, about half of whom were trustworthy. the first attack was made by the largest of the pirate ships alone, and was beaten off with loss to the assailants. in the fight, hamilton had his thigh pierced through with a lance. for the rest of that day and the whole of the following no further attack was made; but the pirates hung around planning another assault. on the nd it was delivered. the two largest pirates ran the _morning star_ aboard, one on her bow and one on her quarter, while three others poured their crews across the decks of their comrades. for four hours a desperate combat ensued, the six vessels being locked together. in the heat of the fight the native merchants went on board the pirates to try and ransom themselves, and were accompanied by half the lascars who deserted their commander; only the europeans and seventeen lascars remained to fight the ship. she caught fire in three places, the poop and half-deck being burned through. the two pirate ships likewise caught fire, which caused them to slacken their efforts. in the confusion hamilton managed to disengage his ship, and made sail; the five pirate ships being so entangled together that they were unable to pursue, and two of them so injured as to be in a sinking condition. so hamilton brought off his ship in safety, after as gallant a feat of arms as was ever performed. seven of his men were killed, and about the same number wounded, and finding no surgeon in surat, he came on to bombay. the native merchants who were carried off by the pirates were made to pay a ransom of £ , and brought back word that great slaughter had been done on the pirates, while their commodore lost his head, on returning to beyt, for allowing so rich a prize to escape. in april, boone sent down the _fame_ and the _britannia_, under commodore weekes, to attack vingorla. they carried a company of sepoys under stanton, one of the company's military officers. on the way they were joined by the _revenge_, and they also had with them ten or twelve gallivats. weekes appears to have been timid and incompetent, while the force was altogether insufficient for the purpose. several days were spent in trying to find a landing-place, without success, on the rocky, surf-beaten shore, while the fortress was bombarded from different points. a violent quarrel occurred between weekes and stanton, and the expedition returned to bombay. this was the first, but not the most serious, of boone's failures. it was characteristic of all the warlike expeditions he sent out, that while he was indefatigable in preparing armaments, all other details requisite to success were left to chance. the council resolved that weekes was unfit to be commodore, and deposed him. to fill his place the veteran alexander hamilton, whose recent defence of the _morning star_ had shown his fighting capacity, was induced to relinquish his private trade, and made commander-in-chief of all the company's frigates on a salary of rs. a month. his ship, the _morning star_, was also hired by the council. as soon as the monsoon was over, he was required to conduct an expedition to relieve the carwar factory, which was beleaguered by the sunda rajah. the chief of the factory at this time was mr. george taylor. in the spring of , a bombay merchant's ship carrying an english pass and flying english colours had been seized by the rajah, who imprisoned the crew. demands for their surrender were being made, when, in may, the _elizabeth_, belonging to mr. strutt, a private merchant at surat, with £ , worth of treasure on board, went ashore near carwar. before more than half the treasure could be removed in safety to the factory, the rajah sent down an armed force to seize the ship as jetsam, imprisoned the captain and crew, and laid siege to the factory. so hamilton was sent down with a small squadron and some troops. fortunately the factory was exceptionally well provisioned. on the th august, the _morning star_, with five gallivats and a sloop, arrived off carwar, and blockaded the harbour till the arrival of hamilton and the rest of the force on the th september. in command of the land force was midford, one of the company's factors. on the th, the troops were landed, under midford and stanton, in a heavy surf which drove the gallivats[ ] on shore and upset them, throwing the whole party into the water. midford, with some of his men, struggled on shore, but stanton was taken out of the water senseless.[ ] in the midst of this scene of confusion they were suddenly charged by the rajah's horsemen. half drowned, undisciplined, and with their ammunition spoiled by water, they could make only a feeble resistance. midford and his english serjeant, hill, were desperately wounded and made prisoners, together with five europeans and forty-seven topasses, while sixty men were killed and two gallivats lost. the wretched topasses had their noses cut off, five european heads were stuck up in derision before the factory, while midford and hill were alternately cajoled and threatened to induce them to take service with the rajah. in consequence of this disaster, the factory sued for peace, but the rajah's terms were so humiliating that they were rejected, and it was decided to await further reinforcements from bombay; but two months elapsed before their arrival. meanwhile, a post of four hundred men was established on shore to guard the water-supply required for daily use. this gave rise to a skirmish, which put some heart into the invaders. early one morning the post was attacked by the enemy, who found, to their surprise, that they had come under fire of the guns of some small vessels hamilton had anchored close inshore. after an hour's cannonade, they broke and fled, pursued by the party on shore, who accounted for some two hundred of them. encouraged by this success, stanton continued to harass the rajah by small night attacks, and by burning some of his villages, while at sea they did him more damage by intercepting his ships laden with salt and other necessaries, and especially three, bringing arab horses from muscat; though the captors were much troubled in providing water and provender for them. meanwhile, the factory, which was five or six miles up the river, on the north bank, continued to be invested, and in order to prevent any communication with the squadron, a boom was laid across the river, commanded by a battery on the south side. in spite of this, communication was kept up through the portuguese factory, and, more than once, lieutenant forbes contrived to pass in and out in a rowing-boat, but it was impossible to send in provisions. about this time we find hamilton reporting to bombay-- "the recruits from goa had a skirmish at break of day, on [th] september, with the enemy, wherein they behaved themselves bravely, but that on an attempt to burn some villages afterwards, they advised the enemy of it, and deserted with some arms and granadoes." at last the looked-for reinforcements arrived from bombay, under captain gordon, raising the whole strength of the expedition to men, including seamen, and a landing in force was determined on. two of the prizes had been equipped as floating batteries, with shot-proof bulwarks, and were laid ashore to engage the rajah's batteries. at four o'clock in the morning of the th november, men were put ashore, under gordon, without hindrance from the enemy, who were ready to take to flight before such a force. gordon's idea was to advance in a hollow square, which, in spite of hamilton's sneer at him as a 'freshwater land officer,' was a good enough formation in the circumstances; but so much time was consumed in getting the men into the required formation, owing to the inexperience and want of discipline among both officers and men, that the enemy took heart again and advanced to meet them. when the square at last moved forward, with gordon at their head, they were met with a hot fire, and gordon was a mark for every aim. before long he fell, shot in the breast, and captain smith, 'commonly called old woman,' on whom the command devolved, at once gave the word to retreat. according to hamilton, 'he pulled off his red coat and vanished.' the rajah's horsemen charged down, sword in hand, on the disordered ranks; the men threw down their arms and fled to the boats, leaving some two hundred and fifty of their number dead on the field. fortunately, the floating batteries covered the embarkation, and prevented the enemy, who had suffered some loss, from gathering the spoils of the fallen. eighty seamen were sent on shore, and brought back about two hundred muskets that had been thrown away in flight, most of them loaded. thus ingloriously ended the attempts at landing. the factory was by this time reduced to great straits for food, and this fresh disaster made peace imperative; the rajah, in spite of his success so far, was anxious to come to an accommodation. the expense of maintaining so many armed men threatened to ruin him; the sea blockade and the detention of the horses were events on which he had not reckoned: and, worse still, his northern borders were harried by the sow bajah, 'which made him incline very much towards a peace:' so an agreement was quickly arrived at, and, on the th november, peace was proclaimed on easy terms for both parties. the expedition had cost the company rs. , in hard cash. the inability of the landing force to advance beyond range of the ships' guns bears witness to their military incapacity. his short experience of six months under the company had completely disgusted alexander hamilton. immediately on his return to bombay he resigned his post as commander-in-chief of their ships-of-war, and resumed business as a private trader. his relations with the military officers during the expedition appear to have been satisfactory, but against taylor, the head of the carwar factory, he formulated a series of charges, accusing him of having been the cause of the trouble with the rajah, through his indiscretion and bad faith. taylor retaliated by accusing hamilton of not having taken proper measures to relieve the factory. the council investigated the charges, and contented themselves with cautioning taylor to behave better in future. the unfortunate topasses, who had had their noses cut off, were formed into a company of marines, and had their pay augmented to rs. a month.[ ] in this odd way the bombay marine battalion appears to have had its origin. we get some idea of the sunda rajahs of the period in a letter from carwar, dated the th january, . "he" (the sunda rajah) "is so excessive craving after money, that he is about sacrificing twelve men and twelve women with child, to get two pots of treasure which one of his magicians tells him lies buried near his palace." while these events were taking place at carwar, boone found himself involved in trouble with angria. for some time after the treaty made by aislabie, angria had respected bombay trading ships, but of late he had begun to show his teeth again. in the beginning of he had made prize of a company's boat in sight of the harbour, and of another belonging to a private merchant. four private ships from mahim, valued at , xeraphims, were also captured by him, and his ships trading to bombay refused to pay harbour dues. while hamilton was engaged at carwar, angria's fleet attacked and took the _success_, east indiaman, on its way from surat. with an impoverished exchequer, a force weakened and disorganized by the carwar adventure, and no ammunition in his magazine, boone found himself in no condition to take active measures for the present. in the vain hope of bringing angria to reason, a letter of expostulation was written, which met with a hostile response, quickly followed by the capture of the _otter_, a bengal ship. a second letter of defiance was received, so, on the th may, in spite of inadequate resources, the council resolved on striking a blow. an expedition against gheriah was determined on, and twenty gallivats were sent down, manned with sepoys, to retake, if possible, the captured vessels, "if they were attacked, to repel force by force, and if possible plunder his country." the official record of the expedition is as follows:-- _ th june_.--two gallivats returned having plundered a town in angria's country, and brought away sixteen prisoners. _ th june_.--returned our gallivats, having by mismanagement of the chief officer lost about fifty men and destroyed one town of angria's. downing, who was present, gives an account of the attack on gheriah, though he makes a mistake as to the date. as it is the only account we have of what took place, it will be better to give it in his own words. "on the th of the same instant the president reviewed the land forces on shore, and saw all things put in good and sufficient order. major vane, chief engineer for the company, had tried all the mortars and coehorns, then fitted and stocked for the expedition. mr. john minims was appointed chief engineer for the direction of these mortars and coehorns, which did great service. we proceeded down the coast for gerey, which is not above twelve hours' sail from bombay, where we with all our navy soon arrived, and run boldly into the harbour. captain berlew (bellew?) commodore, and ranged a line from the eastermost part of the fortifications to the outer part of the harbour. keeping all our small galleys and galleywats on the off-side under shelter. but they had strong fortifications on both sides; so that we left our strongest ships in the harbour, to make a breach in the walls, in order to storm the castle. the rocks were very high, and so slippery that one could hardly stand without a staff, and consequently not a place convenient to draw men up in any posture of defence. we endeavoured to get the fireship in, but could not; for on the east part of the fort they had a cove or creek, where they had laid up a great part of their fleet, and had got a strong boom across the same; so that we could not annoy them any otherwise than by throwing our bombs and coehorns very thick into the garrison, which we did for a considerable time, and were in hopes after the first and second day's siege, that we should have drove them out of that strong castle, but we soon found that the place was impregnable. for as we kept throwing our shells as fast as we could in regular time, cooling our chambers before we loaded again; after we had beat over two or three houses in the castle, the shells fell on the rocks in the inside the castle, and their weight and force of falling would break them without so much as their blowing up.... as to storming the walls, they were so high that our scaling ladders would not near reach the top of them...." "after the second day we landed all our forces, taking the opportunity of the tide.... we got them all on shore, and marched up the country, without molestation; only now and then the castle would let fly a shot or two, which did us small damage. we attempted to march the army down to their shipping, and to set them on fire; but when we came within a mile of the place the land was all swampy, and so very muddy by the spring tides flowing over that we could not proceed. on our retreat they galled us very much by firing from the castle, we being obliged to come near the castle walls to take our forces off again. here the gallant captain gordon was slightly wounded again.... i question whether there were a hundred men in the castle during the time of the siege...." "we drew off our forces on the th april, and went up to bombay to repair our frigates and take care of our wounded men, of whom we had a considerable number." in no way discouraged by the failure, boone at once set to work to prepare for a fresh attack on angria. this time it was determined that kennery, within sight of bombay harbour, should be the object of attack, and all through the monsoon preparations were made. [ ] galleywats, or gallivats, were large rowing-boats with two masts, of forty to seventy tons, and carrying four to eight guns. [ ] in a letter, three years later, on the conduct of military officers, it is stated that "stanton was drunk the time he should have gone upon action at carwar." [ ] bombay consultations, nd january, . chapter v _the company's servants_ the company's civil servants--their comparison with english who went to america--their miserable salaries--the company's military servants-- regarded with distrust--shaxton's mutiny--captain keigwin--broken pledges and ill-treatment--directors' vacillating policy--military grievances-- keigwin seizes the administration of bombay--his wise rule--makes his submission to the crown--low status of company's military officers--lord egmont's speech--factors and writers as generals and colonels--bad quality of the common soldiers--their bad treatment--complaint against midford-- directors' parsimony. it may be useful here to consider the difference in the men sent out, by england, to the east and west indies during the seventeenth and part of the eighteenth centuries. to the west indies went out representatives of the landed gentry from every county in england. charters were obtained from the crown, conferring estates, and sometimes whole islands, on men of ancient families. slaves were cheap, and sugar cultivation brought in great wealth; the whole machinery of english life was reproduced in the tropics--counties, parishes; sheriffs, rectories, tithes, an established church, etc. the same causes that sent the cavaliers to virginia, sent a smaller migration to the west indies. at the restoration, the men who had conquered jamaica for cromwell were unwilling to return to england. monmouth's rebellion and the expulsion of the stuarts produced a fresh influx. but, whether cavaliers or roundheads or jacobites, they came from the landholding class in england. the evidence may still be read in old west indian graveyards, where the crumbling monuments show the carefully engraved armorial bearings, and the inscriptions record the families and homes in england from which those whom they commemorate had sprung. in the east indies nothing of the kind was possible. the acquisition of land for agriculture was out of the question. trade was the only opening, and that was monopolized by the company. except as a servant of the company, an englishman had no legal status in the east. the chief profits went to the shareholders in london. if at the end of twenty-five years or so a company's servant could return to england with a few thousands made by private trade, he was a fortunate man. private traders and a few of the governors were alone able to make fortunes. the shaking of the pagoda tree did not begin till after plassey. the result was that the men who went to india were of a totally different class from those who went to america and the west indies; they were young men from small trading families in london, greenwich, and deptford, or from seaport towns like bristol and plymouth. among them were some restless and adventurous spirits who found life in england too tame or too burdensome. for such men india was long regarded as a useful outlet. "if you cannot devise expedients to send contributions, or procure credit, all is lost, and i must go to the indies," wrote william the third, in bitter humour, at a desperate crisis in his affairs. fryer tells us ( ) how the company had entertained bluecoat boys as apprentices for seven years, after which time they were to be made writers, if able to furnish the required security. the salaries they received from the company were only nominal. a bombay pay-list of january, , shows us the official salaries at that time. the governor received £ per annum. next to him came eight merchants, who with him constituted the council, and received respectively, one £ , one £ , two £ , and four £ each. below them came three senior factors at £ each, three junior factors at £ , and seven writers at £ .[ ] the tale is completed by the accountant and the chaplain, who received £ each. a writer on entering the service had to find security for £ , which was increased to £ when he rose to be a factor. the unmarried servants of the company were lodged at the company's expense; the married ones received a lodging allowance, and a public table was maintained. in fact, the company treated them as if they were apprentices in a warehouse in st. paul's churchyard, and, when the conditions of their service are taken into account, it is not surprising that there was a considerable amount of dishonesty among them. these conditions apart, they were neither worse nor better than the men of their time. as the original company gained stability by the incorporation of its upstart rival established in ,[ ] which put an end to a condition of affairs that promised to be ruinous to both, and by the grant of perpetuity issued in the year following incorporation, there was a gradual improvement in the quality of their civil servants. though no increase in the salaries of junior officers took place for many years afterwards, the greater facilities opened to them, for trade, attracted better men into the service, among them some cadets of good family. miserable as was the display of military incompetency at carwar and on subsequent occasions, it is hardly surprising when the condition of the company's soldiers is considered. the company's policy was to keep officers and men in a state of degrading subjection; to prevent the officers from having any authority over their men, while pledges as to pay were often broken. when the company first received bombay from the crown, the royal troops in the island were invited to remain in the company's service on the same rank and pay, on the condition that they might resign when they pleased--a condition that made discipline impossible. the greater number of them accepted the terms. two years later, a company was sent out under captain shaxton to fill vacancies. shaxton was evidently a man of good abilities and position; one who had been trained in the stern military school of the civil wars. he was to be a factor in addition to his military command, and if, after trial, his qualifications would admit of it, he was to hold the office of deputy governor. the men were engaged for three years. by the time he had been two years in bombay, shaxton found that, under the penurious rule of the company, efficiency was impossible, while the two european companies maintained for the defence of the island could only be kept up to strength by filling the vacancies with natives. four years later,[ ] a mutiny broke out, in which shaxton supported the demands of his men. they complained that a month's pay, promised to them on engagement, was due to them, and claimed their discharge, as their time of service had expired. president aungier behaved with prudence and firmness. he pacified the men by granting their demands, and brought the ringleaders to trial by court-martial. three of them were condemned to death, of whom one, corporal fake, was shot, and the other two pardoned. shaxton was then brought to trial, found guilty of some of the charges, and sent to england for punishment according to the king's pleasure. two years later a troop of horse was formed, and sent out under captain richard keigwin, who was to command the garrison on a salary of £ a year. keigwin was a man of good cornish family, who had entered the king's navy in , and taken part in monk's memorable four days' battle against the dutch in the following year. when st. helena was recaptured from the dutch ( ), he had distinguished himself in command of the boats that made the attack, and was left as governor of the island till it was taken over by the east india company. as a reward for his services, the company made him their military commandant at bombay. two years later again, the company, in a fit of economy, reduced their military establishment to two lieutenants, two ensigns, and one hundred and eighty-eight rank and file. the troop of horse was disbanded, keigwin was discharged from the service, and thirty soldiers, who had been detached to surat to defend the factory against sivajee, were refused any extra allowance, which caused much discontent. before long the directors became alarmed at the defenceless state of bombay, and sent out keigwin again with troops and artillery, to have the chief military command and the third seat in council. to meet the expense, the other officers were made to suffer in rank and pay, and the whole of the small force fell into a dangerous state of discontent. among other reductions in the pay of their military force, the directors reduced the rate of exchange, a measure that affected the men as well as the officers; and, not content with making these changes prospective, insisted that the officers should refund the surplus of what they had received. keigwin also had his personal grievance. he claimed subsistence money, like the rest of the merchants and factors, the company's table having been abolished.[ ] after much altercation, a grant was made to him, on the condition that it would have to be refunded if disallowed by the directors. he was sick of the company, with their greed and their selfish economies at the expense of their servants, their broken pledges and stupid changes of policy in military affairs, the intrigues of sir john child at surat, and the schemes of his brother, sir josiah child, in england. like many other englishmen, he considered the company was an anomaly, dangerous to the authority of the crown, and his distrust was increased by the mismanagement and corruption that existed among their servants in the east. on the th december, , he seized mr. ward, the deputy governor, and such of the council as sided with him, assembled the troops, and issued a proclamation declaring the company's authority at an end, and that the island was henceforth under the king's protection. by general consent he was elected governor, and at once proceeded to restore order. the troops and inhabitants were called on to take an oath of allegiance to the king, and to renounce their obedience to the company, a demand that was universally complied with. officials were appointed, grievances were redressed, and trade was encouraged, to be carried on without molestation so long as keigwin's authority was not challenged. money arriving from england was lodged in the fort, with a declaration that it would be employed only in defence of the island, and letters were addressed by keigwin to the king and the duke of york, stating his determination to hold the island for the king till his majesty's pleasure should be known, together with the causes that had led to the revolt; one of them being the necessity of preserving it from becoming a conquest to the native powers. never had bombay been so well governed as it was during the eleven months of keigwin's rule. the seedee sent a friendly deputation to him. from the rajah of satara he obtained confirmation of the articles agreed on by sivajee, a grant for the establishment of factories at cuddalore and thevenapatam, an exemption from duties in the carnatic, and the payment of twelve thousand pagodas in compensation for losses sustained at different places formerly plundered by the mahrattas. there was no disorder or bloodshed; the only thing of the kind that has been recorded being a wound received by keigwin himself in a quarrel at table. so great was the enthusiasm for keigwin, that when, first commissioners, and then sir john child himself, came from surat to try and re-establish the company's authority, it was with difficulty that the crews of their vessels could be prevented from joining keigwin and his adherents.[ ] it was well for the company that he was a man of solid character and not an adventurer. on the arrival of sir thomas grantham from england in november, , keigwin surrendered the island to him, as a king's officer, on condition of a free pardon for himself and his associates, and proceeded to england.[ ] the company's treasure was intact, and, except for the dangerous spirit against the company that had been aroused, bombay was in a better state than it had been at the time of the revolt. after this the company decided to have nothing more to do with professional soldiers. it was the time when the great feeling of hostility to a standing army was growing up in england, under the mischievous preaching of agitators, which reached its height thirteen years later. they took into their service men of low origin, devoid of military training, who would have no influence over their men, and who would submit to any treatment. boone, writing to the directors in , says-- "it is well known the company's servants, in all the settlements i have been in, seldom keep company with the military, especially the council. now and then they may invite one to take a dinner, which is a favour; but the men which he distinguishes are not company for your second." the social status of the company's officers appears later, when an act was passed to extend the mutiny act to the east indies and st. helena, in consequence of the company's right to exercise martial law having been questioned. in opposing the bill, the earl of egmont said-- "if i am rightly informed, there are some of the company's officers of a very low character. one of them was formerly a trumpeter at a raree show in this country, and when he was discharged that honourable service he listed himself in the company's service as a common soldier, and i suppose was made an officer by one of those governors for trumpeting to him better than any other man could do it in the country. another, i am told, was a low sort of barber--one of our shave-for-a-penny barbers--here in london. and another of them was a butcher here, and when he is not upon duty i am told he still exercises his trade there. can we think that such officers will not be despised by gentlemen who have the honour to bear his majesty's commission?" he based his opposition to the bill on the unfitness of the company's officers to exercise authority, and to the bad relations sure to arise between them and the king's officers.[ ] in quarters they were not allowed to give any orders to their men, or to have any control over them, the most trivial matters being kept in the hands of the merchants and factors. to such an extent was this carried, that for fifty years afterwards no military officer was allowed to give out the parole and countersign.[ ] their only duties were to command the men when under arms. commissions were granted and taken away by the council without reference to the directors. under such treatment there could be neither self-respect nor pride in their profession. of their general behaviour, we may gather some idea from an entry concerning lieutenant parker at this time. he was arraigned before the council for drinking, brawling with his men, and frequenting base houses, for which the council deprived him of his commission; but as he was 'an extraordinary person in disciplining (drilling) soldiers,' he was appointed adjutant of the regiment till he should give a specimen of improved behaviour. when there was fighting to be done, the command was taken by factors and writers, who were given temporary commissions as captains, colonels, etc. midford, brown, cowan, and others we hear of in command of troops, were only soldiers for the occasion. so far back as the directors had enjoined on their civil servants to acquire a knowledge of military discipline, that in the event of any sudden attack they might bear arms. clive was far from being the first of the company's servants to lay down the pen for the sword, but he was the first to do so permanently. the inferior quality of the company's officers through the first half of the century is reflected in the fact that among the many who distinguished themselves in the hard fighting that went on from to , we find only two who had not graduated in the king's service. these were clive, who entered the company's service as a writer, and preston, who was sent to india as a civil engineer. of the company's purely military officers we hear little or nothing. the men were worse than the officers. instead of the sturdy agricultural labourers and farmers' sons that filled the ranks of the king's regiments, they were 'the refuse of the vilest employments in london,' as orme described them fifty years later; 'the worst of their kind,' according to clive. of all nationalities, ages, and colours, badly armed, badly fed, and badly paid, they were almost without discipline. the native chiefs vied with each other in getting europeans into their service, so that none but the most wretched would stay to serve the company. at the best they were only factory guards, and maintained for purposes of escort and display; and it was always the company's practice to retain officers and men in their service up to any age. on one occasion we find boone writing to the directors that 'it would not do to disgust the men too much.' miserable as was their pay of sixteen laris[ ] a month, we find them complaining to the council that midford had kept back two laris a month from each man. to which midford replied that he never received nor took any more profit from the soldiers than what other officers did, all through the island of bombay; with which answer the council was apparently satisfied. the real grievance of the men appears to have been that midford, not being a military officer, was not entitled to make the deduction. the directors were careful in enjoining that powder was not to be wasted at exercise; "but sometimes the men must be used to firing, lest in time of action they should start at the noise or the recoil of their arms." to bring such officers and men into the field was to invite disaster. soldiers are not made by dressing men in uniform and putting muskets into their hands. [illustration: map] [ ] according to the company's instructions in , writers were to receive no salary at all for the first five years, and after that £ a year. in the court of directors settled the salaries of merchants at £ , factors at £ , and writers at £ per annum (bruce); but in the salaries were as above stated. [ ] the london company and the english east india company were amalgamated in . [ ] . [ ] it was afterwards re-established, and again abolished in boone's time. [ ] bombay was subordinate to the surat factory till . [ ] four years after returning to england, keigwin was given the command of a frigate. in he accompanied the expedition against the french in the west indies, and fell at the head of his men in the assault of basseterre, st. christopher's.--_dic. nat. bio_. [ ] hansard, . [ ] the first general order issued by the commander-in-chief in madras was dated the nd november, . [ ] the lari was the well-known hook money of the persian gulf. it was worth about sixpence. chapter vi _expedition against kennery_ sivajee's occupation of kennery--a naval action--minchin and keigwin--bombay threatened--the seedee intervenes--conajee angria occupies kennery--boone sails with the expedition--manuel de castro--futile proceedings--force landed and repulsed--second landing--manuel de castro's treachery--gideon russell--bad behaviour of two captains--defeat--attack abandoned--the _st. george_--the _phram_--manuel de castro punished--bombay wall completed--angria makes overtures for peace--boone outwitted. the islet of kennery, about ten miles from the mouth of the harbour, and three from the mainland, had long been a thorn in the side of bombay trade. at the time of the first occupation of bombay it was uninhabited. in it was suddenly occupied by sivajee, who began to fortify it. the danger of this to bombay was at once seen, and part of the garrison was sent in small vessels, afterwards reinforced by the _revenge_, frigate, to intercept the communication between kennery and the mainland. on the th october, the mahratta fleet bore down and engaged. in half an hour the _dove_, grab, hauled down its colours and was captured, and all the smaller vessels made sail for bombay, leaving the _revenge_, like its more famous namesake, alone amidst its foes. fortunately, there were on board two sturdy englishmen, minchin, the company's commodore, and keigwin, the commander of the garrison. undismayed by the odds against them, minchin and keigwin gallantly fought their ship; all attempts at boarding were repelled with loss, five of the mahratta gallivats were sunk, and, at last, the whole mahratta fleet took to flight, pursued by the _revenge_, and sought refuge in the shallow waters at the mouth of the negotna river. two days later, they came out again, but found keigwin and minchin so ready to engage, that they desisted from the attempt to reach kennery. in this way, for some time, a partial blockade of the negotna river was maintained by the _revenge_, which had been reinforced by the _hunter_ frigate, and a number of small vessels from bombay. in spite of all efforts, a few mahratta vessels from time to time evaded the blockade, and kept kennery supplied with provisions and arms. this unexpected opposition from a company of traders stirred sivajee to settle the matter by an attack on bombay, which was in no condition to make any resistance. he marched five thousand men to kalyan, and demanded permission, of the portuguese, to land at thana and march on bombay. the permission was refused, but the bombay council were so alarmed lest the portuguese should ultimately give way, that they opened negotiations with sivajee. meanwhile, his seizure of kennery had alarmed the seedee, who sent his fleet into bombay harbour, and offered his co-operation to the president, who accepted it with some misgivings. before long, it was discovered that the seedee intended to keep kennery for himself, if he could capture it, which seemed to the council as bad as if it were in sivajee's hands, so the english squadron held aloof, while the struggle for kennery continued between the seedee and the mahrattas. sivajee was too much occupied with other matters to trouble about bombay, and in march, , a treaty of peace was made. his struggle with the seedee for the possession of kennery went on, with results that are not recorded; but eventually both parties appear to have left the place to itself. in , conajee angria seized the islet and fortified it. by the end of october all was ready. the ships from england, with the merchandise and money for the yearly investment, had arrived, and joined in the expedition. in order to put an end to the quarrels among commanders that had marked the failure of former expeditions, boone resolved to take the command himself; so, on the st november, he hoisted his flag on board the _addison_, east indiaman, having with him mr. walter brown and other factors and writers. there was at this time in the service a renegade portuguese, one manuel de castro, who had been in angria's service before boone had given him employment. he had been present at hamilton's attack on carwar, when his misbehaviour had been such as to make all present distrust him. by his boasts of his knowledge of angria's harbours he had gained the confidence of the council, and had been appointed commodore of the company's gallivats. but several of the english captains refused to serve under him, protesting that they knew his character better than the governor did; so boone contented himself by giving him command of only five gallivats. on the nd, the squadron weighed anchor, and, on the following day anchored off kennery. it consisted of the _addison_ and _dartmouth_, east indiamen, the _victoria_ frigate, the _revenge_ and _defiance_ grabs, the _fame_ galley, the _hunter_ ketch, two bombketches, and forty-eight gallivats. on the th they were joined by the _morrice_, and on the th by the _stanhope_, east indiamen. directly after anchoring, a futile bombardment was opened on the kennery fort, but the distance was so great that nothing was effected but waste of ammunition. the ships then stood in closer, and opened fire again, while the _dartmouth_ ran in and fired several broadsides. while this was going on, the _victory_ and _revenge_ were signalled to attack two grabs that were seen coming out of the harbour; but, on fourteen gallivats coming out to assist the grabs, they were recalled. the th was spent in preparations for a landing, and the gallivats rowed round the island to choose a landing-place. it was finally arranged that the soldiers and marines should land to windward, while the sepoys, covered by the fire of grabs and gallivats, should land at the opposite side of the island, to leeward. but when the moment arrived, next morning, the sepoys absolutely refused to land, in spite of the severest measures.[ ] the soldiers and marines, three hundred in number, landed, but were beaten back with a loss of eighteen killed and fifty wounded, "more by ye force of stones hoven from ye rocks than fier arms." some loss was occasioned by the bursting of a gun on board one of the gallivats. manuel de castro, with his squadron of gallivats, had been ordered to lie off the mouth of the harbour and prevent reinforcements reaching kennery. notwithstanding, he allowed five of angria's gallivats to slip in with ammunition and provisions for the besieged, of which they were believed to stand much in need. the th was occupied in making preparations for another attack, and volunteers were called for from among the sailors, for which service they were to receive forty rupees each, which, at the existing rate of exchange, was reckoned equal to five pounds sterling. the loss of a leg or arm was to be recompensed by a sum of £ on return to england, and employment for life under the company. the married men were promised, if killed, that their widows should receive £ , with £ for each child. these offers procured some forty volunteers, who were to be led by gideon russell, mate of the _morrice_. early next morning the attacking party were put into the boats, to land under cover of the fire of the _britannia_, _fame_ and _revenge_; when it was found that a strong current prevented disembarkation, and the boats were forced to lie off under a heavy fire, until the tide changed. to make matters worse, manuel de castro ran two of his gallivats ashore under the guns of the castle, so that fifty or sixty men were killed or wounded before a landing was effected. at ten o'clock the boats pulled for the landing-place; but the tide was still running so strongly that they were thrown into confusion, and many of the attacking party never landed at all. the sepoys again refused to land. a small party of seamen, headed by gideon russell, attacked the gateway under a shower of shot and stones, and, before long, russell fell, grievously wounded. he was carried back to the _morrice_, where he died next day. the seamen continued their attack under clement downing, backed by major stanton, captain coxsidge, and the soldiers. john steele, the carpenter's mate of the _morrice_, with his broad axe hewed at the gate and nearly effected an entrance, when the cowardice of two of stanton's captains caused the attack to miscarry. one of them threw down his sword, which was carried to boone, who, on return to bombay, ordered him to be broke at the head of the garrison. the other, somewhat more courageous, came boldly up to the gate and fired his pistol; but the bullet rebounded and struck him on the nose; upon which he ordered the drums to beat a retreat, and the soldiers got back to the boats, leaving a small handful of seamen to prosecute the attack. these, in turn, seeing the hopelessness of any further attempts, retreated to their boats, and rowed off under a heavy fire, leaving many wounded to be massacred by the enemy. it was the old story, repeated so often on these occasions; a badly planned attack carried out half-heartedly by undisciplined men, under one or two resolute leaders; as soon as the leaders were disabled, the rest retreated with more or less loss. a desultory bombardment was continued for some days, and some shots were fired against colaba; but kennery was now well provided with ammunition, and could return two shots for every one fired by the bombay squadron. on the th, angria sent a flag of truce to offer terms, which were rejected. on the th, boone returned to bombay in the _dartmouth_, seeing that nothing more could be effected, and, on the th, the whole squadron made sail for bombay, after exhausting all their ammunition. their return seems to have been hastened by the appearance of angria's fleet from gheriah, which had bombay for a time at its mercy. the failure of the attack on kennery, under his own eyes, taught boone that, without some assistance from england, he could hope to accomplish little against angria, whose ships now lay off the harbour, making it difficult for trading vessels to go in or out. three times the _morrice_ got under way, and three times had to return, before she could start on her return voyage to europe. in consequence of boone's representations, the directors sent out the _st. george_, a sixty-gun ship, to act as a guardship for the harbour. her arrival only served to show the incompetency of many of the company's naval officers at that time. in laying the ship on shore to scour its bottom after the voyage from england, its back was broken, and the _st. george_ became a total wreck. meanwhile, with an eye to a future campaign against angria's strongholds, boone set to work to build a floating battery. the _phram_, as it was called, was designed with shot-proof sides to carry twelve -pdrs.; but, as will appear before long, its fate was as ignominious as that of the _st. george_. his own observation had convinced boone of the treachery of manuel de castro. on his return to bombay, the renegade was put in irons, and shipped off to st. helena. there he was detected in fomenting a mutiny among the convicts and slaves. he was deported, and before long made his way back into angria's service. meanwhile, the wall round the town, the building of which had been one of boone's earliest projects, was nearing completion. it was built entirely, or almost entirely, by contributions from the native merchants, and boone reported to the directors that, when the whole space was built over, the ground-rents would realize rs. a year for the company's treasury. the church also, the building of which had been started by aislabie, was finished about this time. the original chapel inside the factory was no longer able to accommodate the increasing english population, besides being in a ruinous condition. like other chiefs along the coast, the bombay authorities gave passes to traders living under their protection, and in their warfare with angria they had adopted the practice of other chiefs, of not recognizing the immunity of vessels that did not carry passes from themselves. we find at this time the kattiawar traders complaining of two ships having been seized that held protective passes from angria. in reply they were told that they must have english passes. the company was at war with angria, and his power was increased by those who paid him for protection. so, like all neutrals, they had to suffer in a war with which they had no concern. apprehensive of a fresh attack after the monsoon, angria opened delusive negotiations for a treaty of peace, through his feudal lord, sahoojee. boone was regularly taken in, and announced with satisfaction, to the directors, that a treaty had been made, under which angria contracted to restore all ships and vessels he had taken, except the _success_, which was hopelessly decayed, for which he was to pay rs. , , or to restore goods to that amount. in lieu of captured cargoes he was to pay rs. , , or to give goods of equal value, and within two years he was to pay rs. , more, for which payment sahoojee undertook to be surety. boone reported that he had captured from angria prizes to the value of rs. , which, together with the above payment, and a two-per-cent. war-tax on the people of bombay, would go some way to recoup the company for their losses and the cost of the expeditions. altogether, the prospects of increased trade were brighter, but, so long as angria held colaba, he considered there could be no permanent peace. he was soon undeceived. as soon as angria saw that he was safe from attack for another season, he repudiated the treaty, and by the beginning of the new year his piratical doings were renewed. [ ] "killed and wounded several of them, but all to no purpose."--_log of the addison_. chapter vii _expedition against gheriah_ trouble with the portuguese--madagascar pirates again--loss of the _cassandra_--captain macrae's brave defence--the one-legged pirate--richard lazenby--expedition against gheriah--mr. walter brown--his incompetency--gordon's landing--insubordination and drunkenness--arrival of the _phram_--general attack--failure--the kempsant's alliance--attack on deoghur--the madagascar pirates, england and taylor--ignominious flight--fate of the _phram_--brown despatched south again--the pirates at cochin--they take flight to madagascar--their rage against macrae and england--england marooned--taylor takes goa ship--rich prize--governor macrae. in addition to other embarrassments, boone became involved, at this time, in a quarrel with the portuguese. the surrender of bombay to the english had, from the first, been extremely distasteful to the goa authorities, who understood the value of the place better than did the authorities in lisbon; and they had so interpreted the treaty that gave bombay to the english that, at the time of transfer, they had managed to retain everything except the island of bombay. the english had been obliged to renounce all claim to salsette and other dependencies of bombay, or to exclusive possession of the harbour, and to agree that the portuguese residents should be exempted from the payment of customs, and have full liberty of trade with the portuguese establishments in salsette. this last condition had been repudiated in england, but continued to be claimed by the portuguese, who harassed the position of the english by levying duties, and impeding the passage of supplies, while they gave asylum to deserters and runaways of all kinds. by the treaty, toleration for the exercise of the roman catholic religion had been secured; and there had remained in bombay a large establishment of franciscan friars, who made no efforts to conceal their hostility to the company's government. in addition to other treacherous acts, boone had to complain of the friars tampering with his soldiers and slaves, and encouraging them to desert. in order to put an end to the evil, he banished all the portuguese friars, and installed in their place an italian bishop and some italian carmelite friars. this was held by the goa authorities to be an infringement of the rights of the king of portugal. in retaliation, all roman catholics in bombay were forbidden to recognize the authority of the italian bishop and friars, and the portuguese general of the north was ordered to prohibit all intercourse with bombay, and to inflict the severest penalties on all persons attempting to go there or to leave it. "those who are captured shall be whipped and put in the galleys for five years, and, if of noble birth, they shall pay the sum of one thousand xeraphims in lieu of working in the galleys, and shall be transported for five years to the fortress of diu."[ ] it seemed as if boone was to have a portuguese war added to his other troubles. fortunately, more moderate counsels prevailed, and, in september, a conciliatory letter was written to boone by the viceroy, announcing his approaching departure. a few days later, the new viceroy, francisco josé de sampaio e castro, arrived in goa. while the quarrel was in progress, a native ship from surat, bound for jeddah, was captured off bassein by a european pirate ship. this was probably england's ship, _victory_, of which we shall hear more directly. the ship and cargo, valued at twelve lakhs, were carried off, and the passengers and crew put ashore at malabar hill. a month later, boone received intelligence of a serious loss to the company's trade from the madagascar pirates. on the th august, the _greenwich_, captain kirby, and the _cassandra_, captain james macrae, bringing the usual yearly investment for bombay and surat, were in johanna roads, engaged in watering. at anchor, near them, was an ostend ship that had called for the same purpose. a few days before, they had received intelligence that a french pirate, oliver la bouche,[ ] had run on a reef off mayotta, and lost his ship, and was engaged in building a new one. thinking that the opportunity of catching the pirates at a disadvantage should not be lost, macrae and kirby agreed to go in search of them and attack them. they had just completed their arrangements when two strange sails hove in sight. they proved to be the _victory_, a french-built ship of forty-six guns, commanded by the well-known pirate, edward england, and the _fancy_, a dutch-built ship of twenty-four guns, commanded by taylor. macrae and kirby prepared to give them a hot reception, the ostend ship promising to stand by them. so far were they from simply trying to make their escape, that they looked forward to the handsome reward the company would give them for the capture of the pirates. from what followed it is easy to see that macrae's was the guiding spirit in this. cables were cut, and they stood out to sea, but, owing to the light baffling winds, made little way. by next morning the pirates had closed, and bore down with a black flag (skull and crossbones) at the main, a red flag at the fore, and the cross of st. george at the ensign staff. the _greenwich_ and the ostender, having a better wind than the _cassandra_, had got some distance away. in vain macrae fired gun after gun at the _greenwich_ to make kirby heave to. in a most dastardly way the captain of the _greenwich_ pursued his course, taking the ostender with him, till he had got well to windward; when, at a distance of two or three miles, he hove to and watched the fate of the _cassandra_. the _cassandra_ was a new ship of tons, on her first voyage. macrae was a thoroughly good seaman, with a fine crew that were attached to him, and was resolved to fight his ship to the last. early in the engagement he gave the _victory_ some shots between wind and water, which made england keep off till he had stopped the leaks. taylor got out the boats of the _fancy_ and tried to tow her alongside, to carry the _cassandra_ by boarding, but such good practice was made by the _cassandra's_ marksmen that the design was given up. at the end of three hours the _victory_ had repaired damages, and was closing again. macrae had lost so many of his crew, that, giving up all hope of assistance from kirby, he determined to run his ship ashore. the _fancy_, which drew less water, followed with the intention of boarding, but got aground within pistol-shot, with her bows towards the _cassandra's_ broadside, and the action recommenced hotter than ever. there the two ships lay, both fast aground, pelting each other furiously, till the crew of the _fancy_, finding the _cassandra's_ fire too hot for them, left their guns and ran below. had kirby come to his assistance at this moment, macrae's triumph would have been assured; but this was the moment chosen by kirby to bear up and shape his course for bombay. england in the _victory_, seeing that the _greenwich_ might be disregarded, sent three boats full of men to reinforce the _fancy_; by which time there had been so many killed and wounded on board the _cassandra_, that the crew, losing heart, refused to fight the ship any longer. thirteen had been killed and twenty-four wounded, among the latter macrae himself, who had been struck by a musket ball on the head; so, some in the long boat and some by swimming reached the shore, leaving on board three wounded men who could not be moved, and who were butchered by the pirates. not deeming it safe to linger on the coast, macrae and his crew hastened inland, reaching the town of the local chief, twenty-five miles off, the following morning. exhausted with fatigue and wounds, almost naked, they were in a pitiable condition. the natives received them hospitably, supplied their wants to the best of their ability, and refused to surrender them to the pirates, who offered a reward for them. after the first rage of the pirates, at the heavy losses they had sustained, had abated, and soothed, no doubt, by the capture of a fine new ship with £ , on board in hard cash, macrae ventured to open communications with them. several among them had sailed with him, and his reputation for considerate treatment of his men was well known. with all their faults, they were not all of them men to resent greatly, after their first fury had cooled, the loss that had been suffered in fair fight; so england gave him a promise of safety, and he ventured himself among them. the _cassandra_ and the _fancy_ had been floated, and macrae was entertained on board his own ship with his own liquors and provisions. his position was not without danger, as there were many brutal fellows among the pirates. england, who had a reputation for good treatment of prisoners, befriended him; but taylor, whose influence was greatest among the most brutal of the rovers, insisted he should be made an end of. in the midst of the quarrel, a fierce-looking fellow with a wooden leg and his belt full of pistols, intervened, asking with many oaths for macrae, who thought his last moment had come.[ ] he was pleasantly surprised when the ruffian took him by the hand, and swore with many oaths that he would make mince-meat of the first man that hurt him; and protested, with more oaths, that macrae was an honest fellow, and he had formerly sailed with him. so the dispute ended. taylor was plied with punch till he was prevailed on to consent that the _fancy_, together with some of the _cassandra's_ cargo, should be given to macrae, and before he could recover from his carouse, macrae had got safe to shore again. as soon as the pirates had left the coast, in the _victory_ and the _cassandra_, macrae set to work to patch up the much-battered _fancy_, and in a few days sailed for bombay, with forty-one of his ship's company, among whom were two passengers and twelve soldiers. after forty-eight days of terrible sufferings almost naked, half starved, and reduced to a daily pint of water each, they reached bombay on the th october. it would have been well for the company if they had had more captains like macrae. his arrival brought much obloquy on kirby, whose shameful desertion was now made known. the pirates only detained one of the _cassandra's_ crew--richard lazenby, the carpenter's mate, whom they forced unwillingly to go with them. there is still extant a curious account by lazenby of his cruise with the pirates. he tells of the cruel tortures inflicted on all captured natives; how on the malabar coast they had friends, especially among the dutch at cochin, who bought their plunder, supplied them with provisions, and gave them information of armed ships to be avoided, and rich prizes to be intercepted. those who wished to retire from the trade were given passages to europe with their ill-gotten gains, in french ships; and finally, after witnessing the capture of the portuguese viceroy, to be related presently, he was put ashore at bourbon, whence, in time, he made his way to england. since the renewal of war by angria, at the beginning of the year, boone had resolved to strike another blow against gheriah, and all through the monsoon preparations had been made for action in september. great things were expected of the _phram_, which was, however, not ready when the expedition sailed. the direction of affairs was, on this occasion, entrusted to mr. walter brown, who was styled for the occasion "admiral of the fleet, and commander-in-chief of all the forces." on the th september anchor was weighed, and on the morning of the th they arrived off gheriah. at dabul, where they had called in for news, they learned that the _phram_ and the _chandos_ might soon be expected, but that there was no prospect of captain johnson's machine being ready to take part in the expedition. what captain johnson's machine was we do not learn, but the intelligence 'mightily disconcerted the soldiery.' the squadron consisted of the _london_, which acted as flagship, the _victory_ frigate, the _revenge_ and _defiance_ grabs, the _hunter_ galley, two gallivats, a bombketch, a fireship, and a number of fishing-boats for landing troops. the troops for the expedition consisted of soldiers and topasses and chosen sepoys. brown appears to have been thoroughly incompetent for such a command, and the undertaking was destined to add one more to the dismal list of failures. his first act was to make the _london_ exchange useless shots with the fort at a mile distance. the following day, the bombketch was ordered to run close in within pistol-shot, and bombard the place at night. one shell and one carcass were fired, neither of which went halfway, by reason of the mortars being so faultily constructed that the chambers could not contain a sufficient charge of powder. 'this misfortune set the people a-grumbling.' on the st, brown held a consultation of his officers, and proposed to land three hundred men, at night, a mile from the town, so as to surprise it at daylight. the officers protested against the scheme; they justly remarked that it would be folly to make such an attack before the arrival of the whole force. the _phram_ and the _chandos_, with the platoons of europeans, were still to come. they represented that the garrison of the fort alone was a thousand strong, to say nothing of the small walled town which must be taken before the fort could be attacked. such a proposal was not likely to increase their confidence in brown. sickness had already set in among the troops, and that evening captain jeremiah easthope died of fever. brown was all for immediate action, without having any definite plan. on the nd, gordon was ordered to land with fifty men, and occupy a small building on the top of a hill on the north side of the river. what he was expected to do there does not appear. soon, a number of boats full of men were observed crossing from the fort to engage gordon, so a reinforcement of fifty men was sent to him. on reaching the hill, gordon found that what had been taken for a building consisted only of a natural pile of loose stones, such as are to be frequently seen on the deccan hills, and there was nothing for it but to re-embark. he managed his retreat to the landing-place in good order, followed by the enemy at musket-shot distance. several times he faced about, but the enemy always shrank from close quarters. nothing had been done to cover the place of embarkation, and it was only after the strongest remonstrances from those on board that brown was prevailed on to order the _revenge_ and the _hunter_ to stand in and cover the re-embarkation of gordon's party. in spite of this precaution, a lieutenant, a sergeant, a quartermaster of the _london_ and six men were killed, and about twenty men wounded. it is difficult to imagine anything feebler and more aimless than the whole proceeding. the next day the bombketch was again sent in to bombard the fort, with the same result as before. the proceedings were enlivened by the punishment of sergeant passmore, who was reported by gordon for cowardly behaviour. he was sent round the fleet to receive ten lashes alongside each ship. the next three days were spent in idleness, awaiting the _phram_, from which so much was expected. on board ship there was no discipline, but plenty of hard drinking. in order to make the men fight well, brown's idea was to supply them with unlimited rum: the officers kept pace with the men in their libations, and what little discipline existed soon disappeared. orders were disobeyed, while drunkenness, violence, and insubordination reigned unchecked. when remonstrances were addressed to brown, he refused to stop the supply of liquor, saying that the people must not be put out of humour at this juncture, and they must drink as they pleased: all which is duly recorded by captain upton of the _london_. the enemy meanwhile was observed busily constructing new batteries, and boats full of armed men were constantly crossing the river, but nothing was done to intercept them. at last, the _chandos_, _pelham_, and _phram_ arrived, having spent ten days in their voyage from bombay. nothing better occurred to brown than to send the _phram_ at once to engage the fort. on opening fire, it was found that her ports were so low and the gun-carriages so high, that her guns could only be fired when depressed so as to strike the water twenty yards off. so she was brought out again with one man mortally wounded, and the officers and soldiers so mightily discouraged that they declared, unless she could be made serviceable, it was useless to attempt anything further. the ships' carpenters were set to work on the _phram_, while the dejection and drinking increased. fifty men of the _chandos_ who had not yet had an opportunity of gauging brown's incapacity, volunteered, for forty rupees a head, to join a landing party; but not a single seaman in the squadron would consent, 'upon any consideration whatsoever,' to go on board the _phram_, till an increased bounty secured the services of the _chandos'_ sailors. by the th all was ready for the grand attack. two landing parties, one of three hundred and forty soldiers under captain stanton, and the other of two hundred and thirty-seven seamen under captain woodward, were held in readiness, and soon after midday the fleet stood into the inner harbour, with the exception of the _phram_, which engaged the fort from the outer harbour. lieutenant wise had been selected as a fit person to command and point the _phram's_ guns, which he did so badly that his shot mostly fell in the inner harbour. the mahrattas were quite ready for them, and all the afternoon the cannonade went on, till sunset put an end to it. five men on board the _phram_ were wounded, but it had engaged at too great a distance to do or suffer much harm. brown, in the _london_, had kept out of action, and contented himself with sending six dozen of wine and arrack to the men on board the _phram_, together with orders to stanton, who was on board, to warp into the harbour at night and renew the action next morning. the following day firing recommenced, and it was found necessary to displace lieutenant wise, he being continually drunk, and to allow the sailors to point their own guns. the closer range caused numerous casualties on board the _phram_. among the soldiers, mr. tuladay and four men were killed, and a great number wounded. the seamen also had several killed and wounded. many of the casualties were caused by the bursting of a gun on board the _phram_. the explosion fired the gun on the opposite side of the deck, which was loaded with grape, and pointing over a boat full of topasses. the flame from the gun ignited their cartridge boxes, and the poor wretches were terribly scorched and injured. the fire of the ships in the inner harbour was successful in destroying a number of angria's ships that had sought refuge in the river; one of five hundred tons, one of two hundred tons, and ten smaller ones were set on fire and burnt. by nightfall, all hands thought they had done enough, and told stanton so, and in spite of brown's messages of expostulation, they took advantage of a land breeze to come out. at midnight came captain woodward, of the _revenge_, to report, in a panic, to brown that he had left his ship on the rocks close to the fort, and that both vessel and crew were as good as lost. half an hour after, the _revenge_ was seen coming out with the other vessels. she had not been ashore at all, and the only conclusion was that woodward was frightened out of his senses; so he was put in irons for his cowardice. thus came to an end the grand attack, and nothing better was to be expected. "i have continual disturbances in the ship dayly by the officers excessive drinking, and noe manner of command carryed," wrote captain upton, of the _london_. a few days later he records how captain s. and mr. d.[ ] fought with their fists in the roundhouse before mr. brown, who took no notice of it. the next few days were spent in repairing damages. while thus employed, messengers came from the kempsant, offering to join hands with the english in attacking angria. a quarrel had arisen between the two chiefs, owing to angria having plundered some of the kempsant's ships. but he stipulated that angria's fort at deoghur, seven leagues to the south, should be first attacked; so, on the th october, part of the fleet was sent down to reconnoitre. on the th, fresh stores of arrack, water and provisions having been received from goa, brown called a consultation of the officers on board the _addison_, and proposed another landing under the _phrams_ guns. but the officers were disheartened, undisciplined, and under no control. one objection after another was raised, and the council of war came to an end by other officers of the squadron, who had learned what was going on, coming aboard, and conveying to brown in no measured terms that they would have nothing to do with it. one of them in a passion told brown he was mad, and did not know what he was about--which was true enough. the next day, a foolish show of landing was made, and then brown decided to abandon the attempt and transfer his attack to deoghur. deoghur, or, as it was sometimes called, tamana, was one of the ten principal forts ceded to angria in . it commanded the small but good harbour formed by the tamana river. this was angria's southernmost stronghold. the name tamana is still to be found at a small place ten miles up the river. here brown brought his squadron on the th october. the usual desultory and harmless bombardment followed; the _phram_ and the bombketch being equally inefficient. then, when brown suggested a landing party to storm the place, the officers refused to second him, and so, with some additional loss, the attack on deoghur came to an end. not a word is said as to any assistance rendered by the kempsant. at daybreak on the st, the whole squadron sailed northward, but the tale of brown's incompetency was not complete. a little before noon next morning four strange sails were seen in the offing, which, before long, were made out to be the dreaded madagascar pirates, with the _cassandra_, _victory_, and two prizes they had just taken. the sight of them struck brown with terror, though a little reflection would have shown him that the pirates would have little or no inducement to attack armed ships carrying no valuable merchandise. he directed his whole squadron to anchor off gheriah, which must have appeared puzzling to his late antagonists in that place. hoping to evade the pirate ships, anchor was weighed in the night, and the squadron sailed northward, no order being preserved, and the fleet getting much scattered. as it happened, the pirates had mistaken them for angria's fleet, and were standing to the northward in search of prey, without any thought of attacking them. without any hostile intention on either side, the two squadrons became intermingled. while it was still dark, the party on the _london_ was startled by a cannon shot flying over them, and in the faint morning light they saw a large ship on their quarter. on hailing to ask her name, an answer came back that it was the _victory_. brown preferred to believe that it was his own ship of that name; but his answering hail, giving the name of the _london_, was replied to with a broadside, to which a smart fire was returned by the _revenge_ and the _defiance_, that were close astern. on both sides there was no willingness to fight. the pirates were at first seized with consternation at discovering their mistake; they had turned their prizes adrift after throwing their sails overboard, and, with only three hundred men for their joint crews, forty of them negroes, were not strong enough to engage the bombay squadron. but england was a man who preferred fighting to running, so putting a bold face on the matter, the _cassandra_ ran through the fleet, firing into the _victory_, the _chandos_, and the _phram_. the _chandos_, which was towing the _phram_, at once cast it loose. the fleet scattered in all directions, like a flock of sheep when a strange dog runs through it. upton, of the _london_, a chicken-hearted fellow, persuaded brown that they ought not to engage, as boone had sent them to attack gheriah, but had given them no instructions about the madagascar pirates. brown seemingly did not want much persuading, and crowded all sail to escape; at the same time striking his flag to show that he did not intend fighting, which excited the indignation of his own sailors and the derision of the pirates. he next sent orders by a gallivat for the _phram_ to be burned, and thus that useless machine, from which so much had been expected; and that had cost so much money and labour, came to an end. these foolish proceedings gave england the measure of his antagonists. 'observing the indifferency of the fleet,' the best way of saving himself was, he thought, to 'play the bull-beggar' with them; so he set to work to chase them northward. the superior sailing powers of the pirates enabled them to do as they pleased. when they overtook the rearmost of the ships brown had still got with him, they backed their sails and fired into them till they had got well ahead again. in this ignominious fashion the greater part of the fleet was shuffled along for two days by the pirates, as a flock of sheep is driven by a couple of sheep-dogs, till they at last found refuge in goa. the soldiers on board the _london_ improved the occasion by breaking into the 'lazaretto' and getting drunk on the wine they found there. part of the fleet made for carwar, and others found safety under the guns of anjediva. the pirates, having effected their purpose of driving them off, turned south and took the _elizabeth_ at anchor off honore. before long, an indignant letter from boone ordered brown to cruise southward and engage the pirates at all hazards; so the unhappy brown put to sea again. the news of the capture of the _elizabeth_ was enough for him: on the third day he turned northward again and made for bombay; to make his peace with the exasperated governor as he best could. it is not difficult to imagine boone's disgust at the failure of his schemes, and the worthlessness of those he had to depend upon; but it must be admitted that these desultory attacks, first on one place and then on another, were not calculated to effect anything useful. had he concentrated his efforts on kennery, he might have rendered the waters of bombay more secure. brown laid the blame of his failure on the disobedience of his officers, which had been so flagrant as to conceal his own incapacity; so, on the th december, boone again despatched him to search for the pirates, and give protection to the country vessels bringing up pepper from the southern factories. he took with him a fine squadron: the _greenwich_, guns; the _chandos_, guns; the _victory_, guns; the _britannia_, guns; the _revenge_, guns; and a fireship. the pusillanimous upton was left behind, and, next to himself in command of the expedition, but in reality the moving spirit, he took the gallant macrae. england and taylor had meanwhile been constrained to run down to the laccadives, for want of water and provisions. not getting what they wanted, they had come northward again to cochin, where they were royally entertained by the dutch authorities. they were supplied with everything they required, including a present, from the governor, of a boat loaded with arrack, and sixty bales of sugar, for all of which handsome payment was made, while handfuls of duccatoons were thrown into the boat for the boatmen to scramble for. a fine clock and gold watch, found in the _cassandra_ when captured, were sent as a present to the governor's daughter, and formal salutes were fired on both sides as they entered and left the harbour. no wonder that they were made welcome along the coast. on leaving cochin, they took a small vessel from tellicherry sailing under a bombay pass. from the master they learned that the bombay squadron, with macrae in command, was cruising in search of them. they were roused to fury by this news of macrae's 'ingratitude,' and vied with each other in devising the tortures to which they would subject him if he fell into their hands again, while their anger was vented on england and all who had stood up for macrae after the capture of the _cassandra_. before long they were sighted by brown, who bore down on them and signalled them to heave to. this behaviour, so different from their previous experiences, was little to their liking. they made sail for the southwards, and, for two days, were held in chase, till by superior sailing they lost their pursuers. such an extraordinary change in the behaviour of the bombay squadron taught them that the indian coast was no longer a safe place for honest rovers. it was expedient to take themselves elsewhere: so sail was made for mauritius. against macrae their curses were loud and deep. a villain they had treated so well as to give him a ship and other presents, and now to be in arms against them! no fate was bad enough for such a man. they had been cruelly deceived. to appease their wrath they turned upon england. but for his foolish championship of macrae, this would not have happened. taylor had been right all along. they would only follow him in future. in their rage they first talked of hanging england, till more moderate counsels prevailed, and it was decided to maroon him at mauritius, which was done. england and three others who had befriended macrae were set on shore, among them, no doubt, the one-legged pirate, and in due course of time made their way over to st. mary's.[ ] at st. mary's the command of the _victory_ was made over to oliver la bouche, or la buze, whose efforts at shipbuilding had apparently not met with success, and the two ships, in company, before long took what was probably the richest prize that ever fell into pirate hands. the ex-viceroy of goa, the conde de ericeira, had sailed for lisbon, in january, in the _nostra senhora de cabo_, a seventy-gun ship, taking with him a rich consignment of jewels for the portuguese government, and the proceeds of his own private trading during the three years of his viceroyalty. off the cape they encountered a heavy storm, which dismasted the ship, forced them to throw many of their guns overboard, and obliged them to put back to bourbon to refit. taylor and la buze, learning the helplessness of the viceroy's ship, sailed into the anchorage under english colours. a salute from the viceroy's ship was answered with a shotted broadside, and, in the confusion that ensued, the portuguese ship was boarded and carried almost without resistance. seldom or never had such a prize fallen into pirate hands so easily. the booty in diamonds and money was in the shape most coveted by the rovers. the jewels alone were estimated at over three million dollars. the hard cash was said to be five hundred thousand crowns, and the viceroy was forced to raise another two thousand crowns as a personal ransom, which would have been higher, had he not convinced them that part of the jewels and money on board was his own property. bourbon was a french possession, but the governor, m. desforges, was obliged to observe _une grande circonspection_ in his dealings with the pirates who came and went as they pleased. bernardin de st. pierre, who visited bourbon nearly fifty years later, repeats a tradition, how la buze sat at table between the viceroy and the governor, and in an access of generosity remitted the viceroy's ransom. he further tells us that la buze eventually settled down in the island, and was hung some years later. taylor, continuing his cruise in the _cassandra_, took a fine ostend ship, and carried her to st. mary's. while most of the pirates were on shore, the prisoners overpowered the few left to guard them, and carried off the ship. we get a last glimpse of the _cassandra_ in a private letter written to the directors in may, , from jamaica, in which it is stated that the _cassandra_ was lying at portobello, while taylor was engaged in negotiating with the captain of an english man-of-war for a pardon. the negotiations apparently fell through, as taylor was eventually given a commission by the spaniards. the letter relates how the crew boasted that they had, each man, twelve hundred pounds in gold and silver, besides a great store of diamonds and many rich goods. of the sharing of these diamonds, johnson tells a story how one man, being given for his share one big diamond instead of a number of small ones, broke it up with a hammer, so that he might have as many 'sparks' as the others. macrae's defence of the _cassandra_, and the boldness and ability he displayed in his dealings with the pirates, brought him into prominent notice. the son of a poor ayrshire cottager, he had worked himself up, from before the mast, to the command of a ship. soon after his return to england, the directors appointed him to be their supervisor on the west coast of sumatra, and, before he sailed, a provisional commission was given him to succeed to the presidentship of madras, on a vacancy occurring. eighteen months later, he took his seat as governor at fort st. george. his six years of office were distinguished by his efforts to put an end to many abuses that had grown up in the company's affairs. he left india with a fortune of £ , , made by private trade, and settled down near his birthplace, which he had not revisited since he left it as a boy. he died in . note.--the account of england's cruise in the _cassandra_, given in johnson's "history of the pirates," is evidently taken from lazenby's narrative to the e.i.c. directors. macrae's account of the capture of the _cassandra_, given by johnson, appears also to have been part of a similar report to the directors, but the report itself has disappeared. additional information is to be found in the logs of the _greenwich_ and _london_. [ ] proclamation issued at goa, th july, (danvers). [ ] this was oliver levasseur, otherwise la buze of calais, a noted french pirate. by the english he was called la bouche, and, in one ship's log, lepouse. on woodes rogers assuming the governorship of the bahamas, la bouche and england sailed for madagascar. [ ] stevenson, in "treasure island," evidently took his idea of john silver, the one-legged pirate, from this incident. "now what a ship was christened" (he makes him say) "so let her stay, i says. so it was with the _cassandra_ as brought us all home from malabar, after england took the viceroy of the indies.... first with england, then with flint; that's my story." [ ] probably stanton and drage. [ ] in lazenby's narrative, england is mentioned as seegar, which was probably his real name, england being only an _alias_. chapter viii _expedition against colaba_ measures taken in england against pirates--woodes rogers at the bahamas--edward teach--challoner ogle--bartholomew roberts killed--matthews sent to the east indies--naval officers' duels--portuguese alliance--expedition against colaba--assault--defeat--a split in the alliance--plot against boone--his departure--matthews' schemes--his insulting behaviour--he quarrels with everybody--goes to madagascar--the king of ranter bay--matthews goes to bengal. as long as their forces had been occupied with the french war and the highland rising, the english ministry had been powerless to check the depredations of the pirates, which had become intolerable both in the east and west indies. now europe was at peace, and measures could be concerted to put a stop to the evil. as usual, the peace of utrecht was followed by an increase of piracy, through the privateersmen being thrown out of employment. on the th september, , a royal proclamation was published, offering a free pardon, to all pirates on the american coast surrendering within one year, for all piracies committed before the th january. as rewards for the capture of pirate ships, to every captain £ , to other officers £ , to petty officers £ , and to ordinary seamen £ were to be paid on conviction of the offenders. to pirates, a reward of £ was offered for the surrender of a pirate captain or commander before the th september, . the effect of the proclamation, in conjunction with the measures taken in the bahamas, was very great. by the st july, , to which date the time of grace was extended, all but three or four of the most desperate rovers had retired from business. but against the most audacious of them more vigorous measures were necessary. it was of little use to hunt down pirates at sea, so long as their haunts in the bahamas and madagascar were allowed to flourish, and, as the west indian rovers were the most mischievous to european trade, the bahamas were first taken in hand. during the war, the bahamas had been twice taken and plundered by the french and spanish; all semblance of authority had disappeared, and it was estimated that there were upwards of two thousand pirates in and about providence. in , captain woodes rogers leased the islands for twenty-one years, from the proprietors, and received a commission as governor; he sailed, for providence, with a naval force and powers to offer an amnesty to all who submitted. five or six well-known pirate captains made their peace with the government, and a number of their crews, though some of them went back to their old trade before long. england, la buze, and others slipped away and made for madagascar. a council was then formed, consisting of six of the adventurers and six of the inhabitants who had never been pirates themselves. this was followed by the submission of others; some were hung, and order of a sort was re-established in the bahamas. the coasts of virginia and north carolina were at this time beset by a number of pirates, the most notorious of whom was edward teach, _alias_ blackbeard, a bristol man, who had begun his piratical career in the spring of ; the most sinister figure in the annals of piracy. pirate captains were, as a rule, chosen by their crews, and if their conduct was unsatisfactory to the rovers, they were deposed and sometimes put to death or marooned; but teach, as fearless as he was merciless, ruled his crew by terror. as an instance of his savage humour, it is related that on one occasion, in a drinking bout, he blew out the light and fired two pistols among his companions, wounding israel hands, his sailing master, severely. on being asked why he did it, he damned them, and said if he did not kill one of them now and then, they would forget who he was. so impressed were his crew with his wickedness, that they believed they carried the devil on board, who appeared at intervals among them as one of the crew, but could not be identified as belonging to the ship's company. once he fought the _scarborough_, a man-of-war of thirty guns, and beat her off. he boldly went ashore when he pleased, forcing the governor of north carolina to marry him, and to supply him with medicines for his crew. with his face covered with black hair, and a beard of extravagant length, fantastically tied up in ribbons, he presented a wild and truculent figure that was the terror of the coast. an extract of a journal he kept, found after his death, is given by johnson-- "such a day, rum all out:--our company somewhat sober: a damn'd confusion amongst us!--rogues a plotting;--great talk of separation.--so i look'd sharp for a prize;--such a day took one, with a great deal of liquor on board, so kept the company hot, damned hot, then all things went well again." eden, the governor of north carolina, was suspected of sharing in teach's plunder, and his conduct was so suspicious that it could only be set down to dishonesty or to extreme pusillanimity; so, in their distress, the north carolina planters sought the assistance of the governor of virginia. there were at this time two men-of-war, the _pearl_ and the _lime_, lying in the james river, but their size was too great to permit of their searching the creeks and inlets frequented by teach; therefore, two small sloops, without guns, were fitted out and placed under command of maynard, first lieutenant of the _pearl_. at the same time a proclamation was published in virginia offering rewards for the apprehension of pirates, with a special reward of £ for teach. though the whole had been planned with great secrecy. teach received warnings from friends on shore, but paid no attention to them, and maynard surprised him at anchor in a small inlet. teach cut his cable and tried to stand out to sea, but ran aground. maynard anchored within half gunshot and set to work to lighten his sloops, while teach roared out curses and threats, to which maynard replied that he expected no quarter and would give none. just as maynard was ready to attack, teach got afloat and bore down on the sloops, giving them a broadside that partially disabled one sloop, and killed or wounded twenty men in maynard's. nothing discouraged, maynard kept his men under cover and ran the pirate aboard, and was at once attacked by teach with fourteen men. teach and maynard met hand to hand, and there was a desperate encounter, teach fighting like a ferocious animal at bay. maynard's sword broke, but he was saved by one of his men coming to his assistance, and teach at last fell dead on the deck of the sloop with twenty-five wounds. the second sloop, meanwhile, had boarded and captured the pirate ship, and maynard sailed back to the james river with teach's head at his bowsprit. fifteen of the pirates were taken alive, of whom thirteen were hung. a year after teach's death there appeared on the american coast bartholomew roberts, a welshman from haverfordwest, who, for over two years, was the scourge of the american and african traders. it was said of him that he was a sober man who drank tea constantly, which made him an object of suspicion to his crew. his temperance did not prevent him from being the most wantonly wicked pirate who sailed the seas. in a newfoundland harbour, on one occasion, he burned and sank twenty-one vessels, destroyed the fisheries and stages, and wrought all the havoc he could, out of pure wantonness. on another occasion, he captured a slaver with eighty slaves on board, and burned it, slaves and all, because it would cost too much time and trouble to unshackle the unfortunate wretches. at the same time, he was a man of order and method. he drew up a set of rules, to which his crew subscribed, in which, among other things, it was laid down that no women should be allowed on board; dice and gambling were prohibited; lights were put out at o'clock; and musicians were exempt from playing on sundays. the chaplain of cape coast castle having been captured, he was pressed to join the pirates, being promised that nothing would be required of him except to make punch and say prayers. on his declining the office, all church property was restored to him "except three prayer books and a bottle-screw." in pursuit of roberts, the british government despatched captain challoner ogle, with the _swallow_ and _weymouth_. failing to find him in american waters. ogle steered for the african shore, and, on the th february, , when separated from the _weymouth_, he came on the pirates at anchor off cape lopez. putting the _swallow_ about, and handling his sails as if in confusion and alarm, ogle stood out to sea, pursued by the _ranger_. when well out of sight of land, the _ranger_ was allowed to draw up, and the pirate crew suddenly found themselves under the fire of a sixty-gun ship, for which their own thirty-two guns were no match, and after a short engagement the black flag was hauled down. on the th, ogle stood in again to engage the _royal fortune_, disposing his flags to make the pirates believe his ship had been captured by the _ranger_. roberts fought with desperation when he discovered the ruse. dressed in rich crimson damask, a scarlet feather in his hat, a gold chain with large diamond cross round his neck, he made a resistance worthy of his reputation, determined to blow up his ship rather than yield. at the main he hoisted a black flag, on which were displayed a skeleton and a man with a flaming sword; the jack was black, showing a man standing on two skulls, and st. george's ensign was at the ensign staff. after a desperate encounter, roberts was slain by a grape-shot, and the _royal fortune_ carried by boarding, the pirates resisting to the last. out of two hundred and seventy-six men captured in the two ships, fifty-two were executed, all of them englishmen. ogle was knighted for his able and gallant conduct. the re-establishment of authority at the bahamas had led to an increase in the numbers of the madagascar pirates; so commodore thomas matthews was despatched to the east indies with a strong squadron, consisting of the _lyon_, guns; _salisbury_, guns; _exeter_, guns; and _shoreham_, guns. the company's ship _grantham_ was also placed under his orders, to act as a store-ship. in byng's successful action with the spanish, off cape passaro (august, ), matthews had commanded the _kent_ with credit; but with the exception of courage, he apparently failed to possess a single quality for independent command. irascible, domineering to his subordinates, and insolent to all others he was brought in contact with, he was entirely devoid of judgment or discretion. twenty years later, when he became better known, walpole wrote of his 'brutal manners,' and horace mann nicknamed him 'il furibondo.' there could not have been a worse selection for the work in hand. the desire of the directors was that the squadron should, before going to bombay, proceed to st. augustine's bay and st. mary's. thence, that a ship should be detached to bourbon, where it was supposed a new pirate settlement was being formed; after which, they wished the squadron to proceed to the mouth of the red sea, where pirates would in all probability be found waiting for the indian ships in july and august. but matthews had views of his own, and was not much concerned with the wishes of the directors, who had designs of opening up trade with madagascar, and, as a preliminary step, desired to see the pirate settlements rooted out. in february, , the squadron sailed from spithead, with orders to rendezvous at st. augustine's bay. soon after leaving the channel, the _salisbury_ and _exeter_ were dismasted in a storm, and were obliged to put into lisbon to repair damages. matthews continued his voyage with the _lyon_ and the _shoreham_ to st. augustine's bay. he found no pirate ships there at the time, and good policy demanded that he should await the _salisbury_ and the _exeter_. instead of doing so, he continued his voyage to bombay, where he arrived on the th september. before leaving, he entrusted to the natives of st. augustine's bay a letter for captain cockburn, of the _salisbury_, in which a number of particulars were given of the squadron. the proceeding was so ill-advised and so well calculated to defeat the object of the squadron's coming into indian waters, that it was believed in the squadron that matthews had done it purposely to put the pirates on their guard. whether this was his intention or not, it serves to show the opinion held of him by those under his command. soon after matthews' departure, taylor and la buze reached st. augustine's bay, read the letter, and sailed at once for fort dauphin, in the south-eastern end of madagascar. the _salisbury_ and _exeter_ arrived soon afterwards, and getting no news either of matthews or the pirates, sailed for bombay. these proceedings were not of happy augury for the success of the expedition. the pirates had information of the squadron being in the indian seas, and were doubtless kept henceforth informed, from time to time, of its movements through their various sources of intelligence. taylor, satisfied with his gains, sailed for the west indies and surrendered to the spaniards, who gave him a commission. matthews' first act on dropping anchor, was to force the native vessels in harbour, belonging to bombay traders, to strike the english colours they were in the habit of displaying, and he next embarked in a squabble with the governor as to who was to fire the first salute, a matter that was not settled without many messages to and fro. the officers of the squadron, taking their cue from matthews, 'looked as much superior to us,' downing tells us, 'as the greatness of their ambition could possibly lead them. there were daily duels fought by one or other of them, and challenges perpetually sent round the island by the gentlemen of the navy.' the duels seem mostly to have taken place among the naval officers, who must have been a quarrelsome lot. on the voyage from england, mr. mitchell and mr. sutherland, 'son of my lord sutherland,' had quarrelled, and mitchell, considering himself aggrieved, demanded his discharge on arrival at bombay, which was granted. he then sent a challenge to sutherland, who wounded and disabled him. but all duels were not so harmless. a few days afterwards, sutherland and dalrymple, 'grandson of sir david dalrymple, his majesty's advocate for scotland,' both midshipmen, quarrelled over dice, and fought a duel, without seconds, the following morning; when dalrymple was run through the body and killed on the spot--a fate that was apparently not altogether undeserved. sutherland was tried by court-martial, found guilty of murder, and sentenced to death; but as it was necessary for the death-warrant to be signed by the king, it was arranged to carry him a prisoner to england. touching at barbadoes, he made his escape, and remained there till a free pardon was granted him. not long afterwards a duel, arising out of a quarrel about a lady's health, was fought between stepney, the second lieutenant, and berkeley, the third lieutenant of the _salisbury_, in which both were badly wounded. stepney died a fortnight after the duel, but, as the surgeon certified that he had not died of his wound, berkeley was not brought to a court-martial. meanwhile, great preparations were being made for a fresh campaign against angria, and while these bickerings went on among the subordinates, the governor and matthews were engaged in planning the attack. long before matthews' arrival, negotiations had been opened between the portuguese viceroy, francisco josé de sampaio e castro, and the bombay council, for a joint attack on colaba. through the management of mr. robert cowan, who had been deputed, in march, to goa, for the purpose, a treaty of mutual co-operation had been drawn up, by which the bombay council undertook to furnish two thousand men and five ships. the portuguese authorities undertook to furnish an equal force. the negotiation was not completed till the beginning of september, and cowan, in recognition of the ability he had displayed, was given a seat in the council. the combined forces were to assemble at chaul, then a portuguese possession, and march overland to attack colaba. forgetting the old adage about selling the skin of the bear while the animal was still alive, it was further agreed that colaba, after capture, was to be the property of portugal, while gheriah was to be handed over to the english. the arrival of matthews' squadron therefore brought a welcome addition to the bombay armaments. a camp was formed for the expeditionary force; drilling was the order of the day; cowan was named general, and various commissions as colonels, majors, and captains were granted to officers of the navy who volunteered for land service. on the th october, a seven days' fast was ordered, to secure the divine blessing on the undertaking, and the chaplain was directed to preach an appropriate sermon. on the th november, the expedition left bombay, and anchored off chaul, where the portuguese force had already assembled. the english force consisted of europeans and topasses, a troop of horsemen, and sepoys. matthews also contributed seamen, of whom were to serve the guns. the artillery consisted of two -pounders, two -pounders, four -pounders, six small field guns, two mortars, and eight coehorns. the portuguese force consisted of europeans, horsemen, volunteers, and sepoys, with six -pounders, six -pounders, ten field pieces, and eight mortars, commanded by the general of the north. the viceroy was also present. such a force, combined with the men-of-war, was sufficient, under proper direction, to have destroyed all angria's strongholds along the coast. some delay was caused by the necessity of building a bridge over the ragocim river, and then the army advanced, to be quickly brought to a standstill again till sufficient transport could be brought from bombay. on the th december, after marching round the head of the alibagh river, the army encamped close to alibagh fort; while the men-of-war anchored in the roads. during the march, a few of angria's horsemen had been seen from time to time. on one occasion, while the viceroy, accompanied by matthews, cowan, and other commanders, was riding to view the country, a horseman approached them under cover of a cactus hedge, and threw his lance, wounding matthews in the thigh. matthews vainly pursued him, beside himself with rage at his wound and at his pistols missing fire. on the th, an assault was made on the fort, though the heavy guns had not been landed. outside the fort there were fifteen hundred horse and a thousand foot sent by sahoojee to angria's assistance. the portuguese were to face them, while five hundred english soldiers and marines, led by naval officers, were to force the gateway and scale the rampart. common sense demanded that sahoojee's force outside the fort should be disposed of, and the heavy guns that had been brought with so much labour from chaul should be mounted and used, before any attempt at an assault was projected; but there was a woeful absence of ordinary capacity among the commanders. at four in the afternoon, the little force under brathwaite, first lieutenant of the _lyon_, who held the rank of colonel for the occasion, advanced to the assault. the gateway was blocked, and could not be forced; many of the scaling ladders were too short, and the affair resolved itself into a struggle, by a small number who had gained the rampart, to maintain themselves, while the rest remained exposed to the fire from the walls. in the midst of it, sahoojee's force advanced on the portuguese, who broke and fled in wild confusion, leaving the english, force to their fate. the assaulting party, seeing their danger, drew off, leaving many of their wounded behind them, the whole force gave ground, and soon there was a wild rush for the camp, luckily not followed by the mahratta horsemen. thirty-three had been killed and twenty-seven wounded; among the latter, lieutenant bellamy of the navy, who had behaved with great dash and bravery. matthews' marines suffered heavily. though wanting in discipline, they displayed much courage. all the field guns and a great deal of ammunition fell into the hands of the mahrattas. the whole blame was laid on the portuguese, to whom treachery was imputed. matthews, always violent, flew at the general of the north and assaulted him,[ ] and treated the viceroy not much better. a little more enterprise on the part of the mahrattas would have destroyed the whole force. the following day some heavy guns were landed, and a four-gun battery was constructed. but the portuguese had had enough of it, and were determined to withdraw. from the beginning, there had been little cordiality between the ill-matched allies. in the english camp, cowan was devoid of military experience or instinct, and commanded little confidence among men habituated to defeat in their attacks on angrian strongholds; while matthews, violent and overbearing, claimed a right to direct operations that he knew nothing about. the portuguese, on their side, proud in the recollection of the great position they had once held on the malabar coast, and which, though now fast falling into decay, was still immeasurably superior to that of the english merchants, were disgusted at the constant drunkenness, quarrelling, and want of discipline among the english, and incensed at the charge of treachery, for which there was no justification. feigning illness, the viceroy betook himself to his ship. angria saw his opportunity of breaking up the alliance, and opened negotiations with him. on the th, the viceroy wrote to the english, proposing a suspension of arms. with a bad grace they were obliged to consent, seeing in the negotiation, which was against the compact that neither should treat separately, farther confirmation of their suspicion of treachery. angria granted the portuguese full reparation for injuries, and formed an offensive and defensive alliance with them. the english were left to shift for themselves. full of wrath, they embarked at once, and sailed for bombay on the th. while the force was engaged at colaba, the malwans[ ] strove to make a diversion in angria's favour by attacking english ships, under pretence that they were portuguese vessels; they being at war with goa at the time. the sunda rajah also attacked a private english ship, but was beaten off. in the gulf, the bombay sloop _prince_ took a muscat ship of fourteen guns, but after some days was obliged to relinquish its prize to a muscat squadron. it is impossible not to sympathize with boone's disappointment at the failure of this long-planned expedition, which he had looked forward to as the crowning achievement of his presidentship. the time had come for him to return to england. his successor, mr. william. phipps, had arrived from mocha, in august, and had taken the second seat in council, while awaiting boone's departure. boone's last year in bombay was embittered by a dangerous intrigue against him, headed by parker and braddyll, two of the council. investigation showed that they had plotted to seize his person, and had even uttered threats against his life. being arrested and ordered to leave bombay, they fled to goa. after a time, braddyll made his way in a small boat to bombay, and sought protection on board the _lyon_, which was readily extended to him by matthews. as braddyll's name appears among those present in council in bombay, in , he must have succeeded in making his peace with the company. under the company's rule, in those days, all but the worst offences were condoned, so long as they were not directly aimed at the company's trade. a plot against the governor's freedom might be pardoned, but, for assistance given to the ostenders there was no _locus poenitentiae_. on the th january, boone embarked on board the _london_, after making over the governorship to mr. phipps, followed by the good wishes of the community. during his six years of office he had proved himself a faithful and zealous servant of the company: 'a gentleman of as much honour and good sense as any that ever sat in that chair,' according to hamilton. he had found bombay with a languishing trade and open to attack. under his fostering care, trade had improved, so that merchants from bengal and madras had found it profitable to settle there. a good wall had been built to guard the town against sudden raids, and a respectable naval force had been created to keep piracy in check. he deserves remembrance as the first bombay governor who tried to put down the coast pirates by active measures. though his expeditions against them had been uniformly unsuccessful, he had taught angria that the company's trade could not be attacked with impunity, and his ill-success was entirely due to the worthlessness of his instruments. at his departure, salutes were fired from every gun ashore and afloat, except from matthews' squadron, which did not fire a gun. as he sailed down the coast, accompanied by the _victoria_ and _revenge_, loaded with stores for carwar and anjengo, he was attacked by angria's squadron, but beat them off. off anjediva he came on the kempsant's grabs plundering a ship, which he rescued. one of the grabs was taken and another driven ashore; and so he was gratified with a small success over his inveterate enemies, as he bid farewell to the indian coast. as soon as matthews had returned to bombay, after the alibagh fiasco, he applied himself to what, to him, was the principal reason for his coming to india, viz. private trade. for the company's interests he did not care a button; in fact, anything that injured the company found an advocate in him. as for the pirates, if they did not come in his way, he was not going to trouble himself much about them. to enrich himself by starting a private trade of his own, was his one object, and, with this end in view, he sailed for surat. with him he took mrs. braddyll and mrs. wyche, with sundry chests of treasure, in spite of phipps' remonstrances: the estates of both having been attached by the council. in surat he tried to raise a large sum for a venture in the china trade; but the arbitrary conduct of the king's officers had raised so much distrust among the native merchants, that he was unsuccessful. within three weeks he was back again in bombay, and was at once involved in an angry correspondence with the council. not confining himself to an acrimonious exchange of letters, he affixed at the sea gate an insulting proclamation. phipps ordered it to be removed, on which matthews wrote that, if it were not at once replaced, he would publish it by beat of drum through bombay, and, should any resistance be offered, he would not leave a house standing in the place. in this dilemma the council consented to replace it, but, to save their dignity, added a notice that it was licensed by the secretary. it is difficult to see how this improved the matter. however, matthews sailed the next day for madagascar, so no doubt the proclamation did not long remain after his departure. his absence from bombay, though doubtless felt as a relief by phipps and the council, was probably, before long, a cause of regret in the troubles that shortly beset them: but for the moment we will follow his movements. not contented with his quarrels with the council, matthews was soon at daggers drawn with his own captains. first he proposed to them to employ their ships in trading, on condition that two-thirds of the profits were to be his. the captains refused to have anything to do with the proposal. he had already had a quarrel with cockburn, his second in command, the first of many that were to follow. before leaving bombay, a quarrel arose between him and sir robert johnson, of the _exeter_. johnson threw up his command, and took passage for england in one of the company's ships, which was lost with all hands on the voyage. with sir robert johnson, his son, a lieutenant in the navy, perished. brathwaite was appointed to the command of the _exeter_. it had already come to be widely known that anybody who was in trouble with the company would find countenance and protection from matthews. he told the portuguese officials that the company's vessels were only traders, and therefore not entitled to a salute, gun for gun. this matter of salutes was a very important one in matthews' eyes. every trading ship, however small it might be, carried guns, and there was a great deal of saluting. in acknowledging such salutes matthews always responded with three or four less guns than were given him. on one occasion there is a record of his replying with one gun only.[ ] wherever matthews could find an opportunity for lowering the credit or hurting the interests of the company, he seized it. on reaching carpenter's bay in mauritius, he found an impudent message from the pirates, 'writ on captain carpenter's tomb with a piece of charcoal,' to the effect that they had been expecting him and had gone to port dauphin. the squadron next proceeded to bourbon, where they sold some casks of arrack and madeira to the french for a very good profit, and thence proceeded to charnock point, st. mary's island, madagascar. here they found the wrecks of several merchant ships that had been run ashore by the pirates. scattered on the beach were lying their cargoes, china ware, rich drugs and spices, cloth, guns, and other articles, lying where the pirates had cast them. men waded knee-deep in pepper, cloves, and cinnamon, such was the quantity. in shallow water were lying the remains of a fine jeddah ship that had been taken, with thirteen lakhs of treasure on board, by a pirate named conden, who commanded a ship called the _flying dragon_. matthews at once began to transfer the guns and such commodities as were least damaged to his own ships. a flag of truce had been first sent ashore to communicate with england and the other pirates, but it was found that they had fled inland. a week later, a white man, accompanied by a well-armed guard of natives, made his appearance. he told them that he was a jamaica man named john plantain, that he had been a pirate, but was tired of the trade, and had settled down on the spot. this john plantain was a man of some note in the piratical world. every and england had sailed with him, and treated him with much consideration and some fear. he had made himself master of a considerable tract of country, so that the pirates had given him the name of the king of ranter bay.[ ] he gave an invitation to matthews to visit his castle, where he entertained some of the officers of the squadron. matthews' first idea was to seize him, but finding that john plantain had a good number of armed natives with him, besides a scotchman and a dane, and that his castle had plenty of guns mounted, he decided to trade with him instead. the pirates made no secret of having taken part in the capture of the goa viceroy's ship, and of a rich native vessel with eighteen lakhs of rupees on board. so hats, shoes, stockings, wine, and arrack were made over to john plantain, for which he paid a good price in gold and diamonds. in spite of his notions as to piracy, john plantain showed himself an honester man than matthews. having paid liberally for the things he had bought, he left the hogsheads of wine and arrack on the beach under a small guard. as soon as his back was turned, matthews manned his boats, brought off all the liquor he had been paid for, and some of the native guard as well. after which notable achievement he sailed away for bengal, consoling himself with the thought that he was not like one of "those vile pirates, who, after committing many evil actions, had settled down among a parcel of heathens to indulge themselves in all sorts of vice."[ ] after a fortnight at charnock's point, the squadron made its way round the north of madagascar to manigaro (manankara) bay, whence they steered for johanna. as the directors afterwards remarked, matthews ought to have divided his squadron, and searched both coasts of the great island; but his heart was not in the quest for pirates; he was bent only on trade. sending the _salisbury_ and _exeter_ to cruise towards socotra, he took the _lyon_ and _shoreham_ to bengal, and, in the beginning of august, he was at anchor in the hoogly, near diamond harbour. there he remained till the end of october. there were no pirates in the bay of bengal, but the sugar trade was very lucrative, and he wanted to invest in it. he was not long in calcutta without coming to loggerheads with the council concerning mrs. gyfford, who, as mrs. chown, has already been mentioned in these pages,[ ] and whose third husband had perished in the anjengo massacre eighteen months before. in flying from anjengo she had carried off the factory books, together with all the money she could lay her hands on. as the company had large claims on gyfford's estate, the council was bent on making her disgorge. matthews espoused her quarrel, as he did that of all who were in the company's bad books, and, in defiance of the council, carried her off to bombay, and eventually to england. [ ] 'thrust his cane in his mouth.'--_downing_. [ ] malwan was a small fortified harbour belonging to kolapore, about sixty miles north of goa. the malwans were noted pirates. [ ] when watson came to india, he returned salutes gun for gun. [ ] perhaps autongil bay. [ ] this account of matthews' visit to madagascar rests to a great extent on the narrative of clement downing, who held the rating of a midshipman on board the _salisbury_ at the time. it is confirmed by the logs of the _lyon_ and _salisbury_. he makes no attempt to conceal his opinion of matthews' misdoings. he also gives the history of john plantain, who finally made his way to gheriah, and took service with angria. [ ] see p. . chapter ix _a troubled year in bombay_ loss of the _hunter_ galley--quarrel with portuguese--alliance of portuguese with angria--war with both--a double triumph--portuguese make peace--angria cowed--matthews reappears--trouble caused by him--he returns to england--court-martialled--the last of matthews. the year succeeding boone's departure was a stirring one in bombay. on the th february, the _eagle_ and _hunter_ galleys, while off bassein, convoying a surat ship, were attacked by four of angria's grabs. after a five-hours' engagement, during which the _hunter_ made three attempts at boarding, an unlucky shot ignited some loose powder, and the galley blew up, every soul on board perishing. a similar explosion, though less serious, took place on board the _eagle_, which forced her to take refuge in a shattered condition in saragon harbour. here the portuguese showed such unfriendliness, that the council were obliged to send other galleys to protect and bring the _eagle_ away. since the conclusion of the portuguese treaty with angria, an angry correspondence had gone on between goa and bombay, and soon the old causes of quarrel were revived. the chief of these was the levying of duties at certain places. the general of the north, who had tried to force on a quarrel a year before, smarting, doubtless, under the treatment he had received from matthews at the siege of alibagh, began to levy duties on provisions coming from bombay to portuguese territory. phipps retaliated by levying customs duties at mahim, which the portuguese had always claimed to be free to both nations. the quarrel grew hot. the general of the north forbade all communication with bombay, and, on the th may, a british gallivat was fired on at mahim. the council resolved to uphold their rights, but were in a poor condition to do so. meanwhile, it became known that angria's assistance was being invited by the portuguese. on the rd june, a party from bombay landed and destroyed the portuguese fort at corlem, and shelled bandara. captain loader, of the _revenge_, without orders, burned the undefended village on elephanta, for which he was suspended from his command; but at the end of a week he was reinstated. want of shipping for a time prevented any vigorous prosecution of hostilities on the part of the council. they were obliged to remain on the defensive, while portuguese galleys cruised off the island, making occasional raids, killing a militiaman or two, and burning villages. mahim, riva, and darvi were all raided, but with small benefit to the assailants. on the th august, at night, a portuguese force landed and destroyed the fort at warlee, assisted by the treachery of a renegade portuguese. on the rd and th september, two attempts to land at the breach were repulsed, and the council were cheered by the arrival of the _salisbury_ and _exeter_ from their red sea cruise. cockburn, of the _salisbury_, less churlish than matthews, at once put two pinnaces and seventy-six men at the council's disposal. a small expedition of eleven gallivats under stanton was also fitted out, and a battery erected by the portuguese at surey to hinder provisions coming into bombay, was captured. one man of the _exeter_ was killed and another wounded. just then came news that angria was fitting out an expedition of five thousand men to attack carwar, and the _exeter_ sailed there to defend the factory. at the beginning of november, the tide turned. news having been received that some of angria's grabs were cruising off warlee, the _victoria_ and _revenge_, manned with crews from the _salisbury_, were sent out. after a hot engagement, angria's commodore, a dutchman, was killed, and his ship, mounting sixteen guns, taken. on the same day that the captured ship was brought into bombay, two other captures entered the harbour. the directors had sent out from england three galleys, the _bombay_, the _bengal_, and the _fort st. george_, manned with sailors from the thames. as they were proceeding up the coast they found themselves dogged for two days by two strange grabs showing no colours. resolved to put an end to it, on the third day, on the st november, off cape ramus, they shortened sail and called on the strangers to show their colours. they proved to be portuguese, and the english hails were answered by threats and shouts of defiance. the _bengal_ then fired a shot across the bows of the leading grab, which was answered by a broadside, killing the second mate and two seamen. the _bombay_ closed in, while the _fort st. george_ turned its attention to the second grab. in half an hour both of the portuguese vessels struck their colours, and the galleys continued their course for bombay with their two prizes, each carrying twenty guns. such was the difference made by having british seamen, instead of the miserable crews that had hitherto manned the company's ships. it was well for the bombay council that matthews had been absent while this was going on. for two months and a half he had remained at anchor in the hooghly. early in december he reached bombay, and at once recommenced his quarrels with the council and his captains. cockburn, of the _salisbury_, was placed under arrest, presumably for the assistance he had given to the council. after a time he was transferred to the _exeter_, and ordered to proceed to england. in coming up the coast matthews had touched at goa, and informed the viceroy of his disapproval of the company's actions, and that his squadron would soon be leaving the indian seas. but the viceroy had had enough fighting. the capture of his grabs had brought him to reason. he laid all the blame for recent hostilities on the general of the north, and a peaceful accommodation was come to with the council, matthews being disregarded. in spite of matthews' failure to destroy the madagascar pirates, the presence of his squadron in indian waters impelled them to seek safety in the west indies, and henceforward they ceased to be dangerous to the trade-ships of india. the madagascar settlements lingered on till they died a natural death. angria, too, had been tamed by the slaying of his commodore and the capture of his ships. for years the sea-borne trade of bombay had not been so little subject to molestation as it was for the next three or four years. matthews had sent home two of his ships, remaining, himself, to do another year's trading, during which he lost no opportunity of worrying and insulting the company's officers. everybody at variance with the council found an advocate in him. a parsee broker, named bomanjee, was under arrest for fraud; matthews demanded his surrender. the council placed bomanjee in close confinement in the fort, to prevent his being carried off. matthews promised bomanjee's sons he would take one of them to england, and undertook to make the directors see things in a proper light. men charged with abominable crimes received countenance from him. he told the council that they were only traders, and had no power to punish anybody. the crown alone had power to punish. he (matthews) represented the crown, and was answerable only to the king of england. one may picture to one's self the satisfaction with which, at the end of the year, the council learned that matthews was really going. in december, , he set sail for england. during the two years he had been in the indian seas he had accomplished nothing he ought to have done, and done almost everything he ought not to have done. he had been sent out to suppress the pirates and to protect the company's interests. he had not captured a single pirate ship or rooted out a single pirate haunt. claiming, as a king's officer, to be exempt from the provisions of the company's charter, he had indulged in private trade, and had even had dealings with the pirates. he had flouted the company's authority wherever it existed, and had encouraged others to resist it. every person who had a dispute with the company received protection from him. he told the goa authorities that the company's vessels were only traders, and therefore not entitled to the salutes they had always received. he had refused to give up the company's sailors whom he encouraged to desert to his ship. he forbade the bombay traders to fly british colours, but allowed his own trading friends to do so. he had gone trading to bengal and mocha, where there were no pirates; two months and a half he had spent in the hooghly; three months and a half he had spent at madras and st. david's for trade purposes; and, when the quarrel between the bombay authorities and the portuguese was going on, he gave out that he would send the goa viceroy a petticoat, as an old woman, if he did not take every one of the company's ships. he had quarrelled with all his captains, and one of them, sir robert johnson, owed his death to him. at surat he had found a discharged servant of the company, one mr. wyche, on whose departure the governor had laid an embargo till his accounts were cleared. matthews took him and his eleven chests of treasure on board his ship, in defiance of the governor's orders, and put him ashore at calicut, whence he escaped to french territory. from surat also he carried to england the broker's son, rustumjee nowrojee, to worry the directors. he carried off mrs. gyfford, and brought her to england in his ship. his last act on the coast was to call at anjengo, in order to obtain property she claimed there: but it is probable that he also secured a cargo of pepper. it is small wonder that, on his arrival in england, in july, , the wrath of the directors was kindled against him, and an account of his misbehaviour was forwarded to the secretary of state. the naval authorities called on the directors to produce their witnesses for the charge of trading with the pirates. the difficulty of doing so was obvious, as the witnesses were all under matthews' command; so the charge was dropped, and the directors sued him in the court of exchequer for infringing their charter by private trading. meanwhile the naval authorities had their own account to settle with matthews; captain maine, of the _shoreham_, having made various charges against him. in the last week of december, , he was brought to a court-martial on board the _sandwich_ in the medway, and the finding of the court was thus recorded:-- "the court, having read the complaints of the directors of the e.i. co. of several irregularities said to be committed by captain thomas matthews while commander-in-chief of a squadron of his majesty's ships sent to the east indies, a publication being made three several times, if any person or persons were attending on behalf of the said directors, in order to prove the several matters therein contained, and not any appearing, the court proceeded on the complaints exhibited by captain covil maine, and having strictly examined into the several particulars and matters therein contained and heard divers witnesses upon oath, they are unanimously of opinion, that the said captain matthews hath in all respects complied with his instructions, except that of receiving merchandize on board before the late act of parliament, instituted an act for the more effectual suppression of piracy, came to hand, but not afterwards; and it appearing to the court, that he had sent men irregularly to merchant ships, and finding he falls under the rd article of war, they have resolved he be mulcted four months' pay, and that the same be applied for the benefit of the chest of chatham, and he is hereby mulcted accordingly." six weeks later, the directors obtained a decree against him in the court of exchequer, for £ , _s_. _d_., which, according to act of parliament, was doubled as a penalty. in , matthews again found favour with an english ministry. he was appointed minister at turin and commander-in-chief in the mediterranean. in february, , he encountered a combined french and spanish fleet off toulon. his behaviour to his subordinates had excited their ill-will to such an extent that his second in command and many of the captains refused to follow him. the allied fleet escaped with the loss of one ship only. both admirals and five captains were cashiered, and that is the last we hear of matthews. the remembrance of his behaviour long rankled in the minds of the directors, and twenty years elapsed before they could again bring themselves to apply for the despatch of a royal squadron to the indian seas.[ ] [ ] the squadron under barnet, which was sent out in , on the declaration of war with france. chapter x _twenty-six years of conflict_ the case of mr. curgenven--death of conajee angria--quarrels of his sons--portuguese intervention--sumbhajee angria--political changes--disaster to _bombay_ and _bengal_ galleys--the _ockham_ beats off angria's fleet--the coolees--loss of the _derby_--mahrattas expel portuguese from salsette--captain inchbird--mannajee angria gives trouble--dutch squadron repulsed from gheriah--gallant action of the _harrington_--sumbhajee attacks colaba--english assist mannajee--loss of the _antelope_--death of sumbhajee angria--toolajee angria--capture of the _anson_--toolajee takes the _restoration_--power of toolajee--lisle's squadron--building of the _protector_ and _guardian_. as an instance of the miseries to which men were exposed by angria's piracies, may be mentioned the case of mr. curgenven, a private merchant of madras. being bound on a trading voyage to china, he sailed from surat in august, , in the _charlotte_. before he could get clear of the coast, he was captured by angria's fleet and carried into gheriah. there he remained for nearly ten years, during the whole of which time he was made to wear fetters and work as a slave. in spite of the letters he was able to send to bombay, nothing appears to have been done to procure his liberty. at last, on payment of a ransom, he was set free, and joined his wife in england. but the fetters he had worn so long had injured one of his legs, and amputation was necessary. as he was recovering from the operation, an artery burst, and he died on the spot. with boone's departure from india the attacks on the angrian strongholds came to an end. they were henceforth regarded as impregnable, and boone's successors contented themselves with checking the angrian power at sea. in june, , conajee angria died. he left two legitimate sons, sakhajee and sumbhajee; three illegitimate sons, toolajee, mannajee, and yessajee. sakhajee established himself at colaba, while sumbhajee angria remained at severndroog, to carry on the predatory policy of their father. in march, , sakhajee died, and mannajee and yessajee were sent to hold colaba for sumbhajee. before long, mannajee quarrelled with sumbhajee and yessajee, and fled to chaul. the portuguese espoused his quarrel, and furnished him with a force against colaba, which was taken; mannajee gallantly leading the assault, sword in hand. he at once imprisoned yessajee, and put out his eyes. as soon as the portuguese force was withdrawn, sumbhajee attacked colaba. mannajee invoked the aid of the peishwa, who compelled sumbhajee to raise the siege, and received the angrian forts of koolta and rajmachee in return, while mannajee proclaimed his allegiance to the peishwa, and henceforth was secure under his protection. the portuguese, incensed against mannajee, who had broken his promises to cede them certain districts in return for their assistance in capturing colaba, joined hands with sumbhajee angria against him. this brought down upon them the hostility of the mahratta court, who, after two years' severe fighting, expelled them from salsette and all their possessions in the neighbourhood of bombay, while the english looked on at the contest waged at their doors with indifference. in order to strengthen themselves against the dutch, the portuguese had ceded bombay to the english, and then, by their bad faith in retaining salsette and thana, they had opened a sore that never was healed. by espousing the quarrel of mannajee they had earned the enmity of sumbhajee; and by joining in sumbhajee's quarrel against mannajee they had brought down on themselves the formidable power of the peishwa. before long, sumbhajee turned against them again, and they were left without a single ally to struggle as they could. their intervention in angrian quarrels was the final cause of the downfall of portuguese power on the west coast. the old political landmarks were fast disappearing. everywhere the mogul power was crumbling to pieces, and new principalities were being formed. the peishwa had shaken off his allegiance to satara, and his armies were making his authority felt all over hindostan and the deccan; while mahratta rule was being established in guzerat by the gaicowar. the dutch and french had ceased to make progress; the portuguese power was on the wane; the seedee was losing territory under the attacks of mannajee and the peishwa, while the angrian power was divided. meanwhile, the company's position on the west coast was steadily improving. european pirates had ceased to haunt the indian seas; mannajee angria found it necessary to maintain good relations with the english, though occasional acts of hostility showed that he was not to be trusted; while the peishwa, whose aims were directed inland, had no quarrel with them, and concluded a treaty with bombay. trade was flourishing, though the piracies of sumbhajee angria, in spite of his feud with mannajee, caused losses from time to time. the english ships, better manned and better found, no longer contented themselves with repelling attacks, but boldly cruised in search of sumbhajee's vessels, capturing them or driving them to seek refuge in their fortified harbours. to relate in detail all the encounters that took place would be tedious; but some of them may be mentioned, in order to give an idea of the warfare that went on for thirty years after boone's relinquishment of office. in october, , intelligence having been received of angrian gallivats cruising north of bombay, some bombay gallivats were sent out, and after a smart action captured three of them, each carrying five guns. a month later, the _bombay_ and _bengal_ galleys were attacked off colaba by four grabs and fifteen gallivats. there was a calm at the time: the hostile grabs were towed under the galleys' stern and opened a heavy fire. the galleys were only able to reply with small arm fire, and suffered severely. several attempts to board were repelled, when an unlucky shot exploded two barrels of musket cartridges on board the _bengal_. the quarter-deck was blown up, and, in the confusion, the enemy boarded and carried the ship. the first lieutenant, although wounded, jumped overboard and swam to the _bombay_, which was also in evil plight. a similar explosion had occurred, killing the captain, the first lieutenant, and many of the crew. at this juncture came a welcome breeze, bringing up the _victory_ grab, which had witnessed the fight without being able to take part in it, and the angrians drew off. no less than eighty europeans were lost to the company in this action. in january, , the _ockham_, east indiaman, coming up the coast with a light wind, was beset, off dabul, by an angrian squadron of five grabs and three gallivats. at sunset they came within shot, and a little harmless cannonading took place at long range, till dark. at one in the morning, the moon having risen, they bore down again and attacked the _ockham_ in their favourite manner, astern. for some time the east indiaman was exposed to the fire of ten nine-pounders, to which it could only reply with two stern-chasers. captain jobson, finding his rigging much cut up, and seeing that the loss of a mast would probably entail the loss of his ship, determined to entice them to close quarters, in the good breeze that was springing up. the plan was explained to the crew, who were in good heart, and encouraged by a promise of two months' pay. every gun was manned, while the fire of the two stern-chasers was allowed to slacken, as if ammunition was running short. the bait took; the grabs drew up on the _ockham's_ quarter, with their crews cheering and sounding trumpets. at a cable's distance the _ockham_ suddenly tacked; and as she gathered way on her new course, she was in the midst of the grabs, firing into them round shot and grape, together with volleys of small arms. this unexpected manoeuvre made the angrians draw off, and the _ockham_ resumed her course. at daybreak, only four grabs were in chase, the fifth having evidently suffered severe injuries. a stiff breeze had sprung up, and the crew were eager for another bout, so the _ockham_ tacked again, and stood for the grabs. but they had had enough of it, and evaded coming to close quarters. their best chances of successes lay in calms and light airs. with an antagonist like jobson, in a good stiff wind, the odds were against them; they had lost many men; so after hovering round for some hours they made off to severndroog. in , the coolee rovers, who infested the coast of guzerat, gave much trouble. their stronghold was at sultanpore, on the river coorla, and they enjoyed the protection of several wealthy persons who shared in their plunder. a squadron under captain radford nunn was sent against them, which captured five armed vessels and burnt fourteen more. to save others from capture they burnt about fifty more small sailing-boats themselves. six months later, ten more of their boats were burnt and two captured. under these blows they were quiet for a time. in december, , a valuable ship fell into sumbhajee angria's hands, owing to the bad behaviour of its captain. the _derby_, east indiaman, bringing a great cargo of naval stores from england, and the usual treasure for investment, was due to arrive in bombay in november. the captain, anselme, was a schemer, and wished to remain in india for a year, instead of returning to england at once, as had been arranged. accordingly, he lingered a month in johanna, and shaped his course northward along the african coast. thence getting a fair wind which would have brought him directly to bombay, without running the risk of working along the malabar coast, he, instead, steered for the latitude of goa, and thence crept northwards, making as much delay as possible, so as not to reach bombay till january. on the th december, an angrian squadron of five grabs and four gallivats bore down on the _derby_, off severndroog, and engaged in their favourite way of attacking a big ship, astern. there was little wind, and the _derby_ would neither stay nor wear. only two guns could be brought to bear at first; there were no guns mounted in the gun-room, and no encouragement was given to the crew. two years before, the directors had authorized the captains of outward-bound ships, when exposed to a serious attack, to hoist two treasure chests on deck, for distribution, after the engagement, to the ship's company, in order to encourage them in making a good resistance. the captains of homeward-bound ships were empowered to promise £ to their crews in the same circumstances. nothing of the kind was done by anselme. the crew, discontented, fought with little spirit; many of them refused to stand to their guns. the main and mizzen masts were shot away, seven men, including the first mate, were killed, five were dangerously, and a number more slightly, wounded. still, many of the officers and men were willing to continue the fight, but were overruled by the captain, who insisted on surrender, and the _derby_ with prisoners, of whom two were ladies, was carried into severndroog. no such loss had befallen the company for many years. the much-needed naval stores went to equip angria's fleet, and the money for the season's investment was lost. the whole bombay trade was dislocated. angria, desirous of peace, opened negotiations. the council, wishing to redeem the prisoners, offered a six months' truce, and, after eleven months of captivity the prisoners were sent to bombay, with the exception of three who took service with angria. in december, , the _king george_ and three other vessels captured a large grab belonging to sumbhajee angria, together with prisoners. a surat ship that had been taken was also recovered. the year was an anxious one in bombay. the mahrattas were occupied with the siege of bassein, which was defended with desperate valour by the portuguese. sumbhajee's vessels were active on the coast, and mannajee was restless and untrustworthy. commodore bagwell, with four of the company's best ships, the _victory, king george, princess caroline_, and _resolution_, was sent to cruise against sumbhajee, while captain inchbird was deputed on a friendly mission to mannajee. on the nd december, bagwell sighted sumbhajee's fleet of nine grabs and thirteen gallivats coming out of gheriah. he gave chase, and forced them to take refuge in the mouth of the rajapore river, where they anchored. bagwell, ignorant of the navigation, and with his crews badly afflicted with scurvy, boldly bore down on them; on which they cut their cables and ran into the river. before they could get out of shot, he was able to pour in several broadsides at close range, killing angria's chief admiral, and inflicting much damage. fearing to lose some of his ships in the shoal water, he was obliged to draw off, having had one midshipman killed. mannajee at once took advantage of sumbhajee's temporary discomfiture to attack and capture caranjah from the portuguese. then, elated at his success, and in spite of his own professions of friendship, he seized three unarmed bombay trading ships and two belonging to surat. to punish him, captain inchbird was sent with a small squadron, and seized eight of his fighting gallivats, together with a number of fishing-boats. negotiations were opened, broken off, and renewed, during which mannajee insolently hoisted his flag on the island of elephanta. with the mahratta army close at hand in salsette, the bombay council dared not push matters to extremity; so, invoking the help of chimnajee appa, the peishwa's brother, they patched up a peace with mannajee. at the same time, bombay succeeded in making a treaty of friendship with the peishwa, which secured, to the english, trading facilities in his dominions. while this was going on, a dutch squadron of seven ships of war and seven sloops attacked gheriah, and were beaten off. a little later, sumbhajee took the _jupiter_, a french ship of forty guns, with four hundred slaves on board. to english, dutch, french, and portuguese alike, his fortresses were impregnable. in january, , a gallant action was fought by the _harrington_, captain jenkins. the _harrington_ was returning from a voyage to china, and, in coming up the coast, had joined company with the _pulteney_, _ceres_, and _halifax_. between tellicherry and bombay they were attacked by fifteen sail of angria's fleet. four grabs ran alongside the _harrington_, but were received with such a well-directed fire that they dropped astern. the four company's ships then formed line abreast, and were attacked from astern by angria's ships. the brunt of the fight fell on the _harrington_. jenkins had trained his crew, and was prepared for this method of attack. after five hours of heavy firing the angrian ships drew off, showing confusion and loss. at daylight the next morning they attacked again. the _ceres_ had fallen to leeward, and three grabs attacked her, while three more bore down on the _harrington_ to windward. disregarding his own attackers, jenkins bore down on the assailants of the _ceres_, and drove them off; then, hauling his wind, he awaited the attack of the others. the three leeward grabs were towed up within range, and for the next two or three hours the _harrington_ engaged all six, almost single-handed. the wind had fallen; the _ceres_ and _halifax_ were out of gunshot; the _pulteney_ alone was able to give assistance at long range. so well served were the _harrington's_ guns that she inflicted more damage than she received, and, by ten o'clock, four of the grabs gave up the contest and were towed away to windward. the other two grabs continued the action for some time, till they also were towed out of action. the two squadrons, just out of gunshot of each other, consulted among themselves. jenkins found he had only seven rounds left for his big guns, and his consorts, which were more lightly armed, were in little better plight to renew the combat. still, he put a good face on it, showing no unwillingness to continue the fight; and, on a breeze springing up, the angrians drew off, leaving the east indiamen to pursue their voyage. only one man on board the _harrington_ was wounded, though the ship was much knocked about. jenkins was much commended for his skill and courage, and two years later we find him acting as commodore of the company's fleet at bombay. three weeks later, sumbhajee's fleet of five grabs and some gallivats appeared off bombay, and cruised off the mouth of the harbour, as if inviting attack. commodore langworth, with the _pulteney_, _trial, _neptune's prize_, a bombketch, and five of the largest gallivats, was sent out. the angrian fleet stood away to the southward, followed by langworth. the demonstration was a trick to draw off the bombay fighting ships. when they were well out of the way, sumbhajee made a sudden attack on mannajee's territories with two thousand men and forty or fifty gallivats. sumbhajee had gained over a number of mannajee's officers, and alibagh, thull, and sagurgurh fell into his hands at once. he attacked chaul, but was beaten off by the portuguese, and then laid siege to colaba. mannajee was at once reduced to great straits. half his garrison were untrustworthy, and his water supply was cut off. in his distress he appealed to bombay for assistance. though the council bore him little good will, they recognized that it was better to maintain him in colaba than to allow sumbhajee to establish himself there; so, in great haste, the _halifax_, a small country ship, the _futteh dowlet_ grab, the _triumph_, _prahm_, and the _robert_ galley were equipped and sent down, under captain inchbird, arriving just in time to save the place. water was supplied to the garrison, and bombardier smith, together with gunner's mate watson, a mortar and plenty of ammunition were put into the fort. sumbhajee's batteries were much damaged by the shells from the mortar, his camp was bombarded by inchbird, and his gallivats forced to run for severndroog. this prompt action of the bombay council upset sumbhajee's plans. he addressed remonstrances to the council, offering to restore the _anne_, which he had taken some months before. a week later, a mahratta force, from salsette, under the peishwa's son, ballajee bajee rao, appeared on the scene, attacked sumbhajee's camp, destroyed some of his batteries, killing a number of his men, and taking prisoner his half-brother, toolajee. in his distress, sumbhajee tried to come to terms with mannajee. each distrusted the other, and both were afraid of the peishwa. at this juncture the death of the peishwa was announced. ballajee bajee rao was obliged to return to satara, and sumbhajee was allowed to retreat, after making peace with the mahrattas. the promptitude and energy with which the english had come to the assistance of mannajee raised them greatly in the esteem of the new peishwa, and strengthened the bonds of the alliance. mannajee now found it expedient to make a solid peace with the english. the new peishwa had his hands full at satara. the only power able to afford him ready protection against sumbhajee was the english, the value of whose friendship he had lately experienced. so he sent agents to bombay, offering to pay a sum of rs. , on restitution of the gallivats taken from him by inchbird the year before. on this basis a peace was made. at the same time, the portuguese, whose power and resources were fast diminishing, recognized the difficulty of retaining the isolated fortress of chaul. they offered it first to the dutch and then to the english, but the dangerous gift was refused by both. finally they made it over to the peishwa by agreement.[ ] while these things were going on, the _antelope_, gallivat, fell a prey to the coolee rovers of sultanpore. through the treachery of the pilot it was run ashore. the crew defended themselves gallantly, but in the course of the action the ship blew up, and ten europeans, two sepoys, and two lascars were killed. in view of the losses he had sustained, sumbhajee angria now tried to patch up a peace with bombay. in order to test his sincerity, he was required, as a preliminary step, to restore the english prisoners he held. just then he scored a success against the portuguese, from whom he captured two fine grabs and a convoy; so the negotiation came to a standstill. but his fortunes were declining, his people were leaving his service, while mannajee, protected by the peishwa and the english, was increasing in power; so he again addressed the bombay governor, in a letter beginning 'for thirty years we have been at war.' but it was soon discovered that his object was to have his hands free to attack mannajee, and his overtures came to nothing. in may, , he captured the bombay ketch _salamander_, off colaba, but before it could be carried off it was rescued by some of mannajee's ships from chaul, and restored to bombay. very shortly afterwards, sumbhajee died, and was succeeded by his half-brother, toolajee. the reputation of the english in bombay was now so good, that a quarrel between mannajee and the peishwa was referred to them for arbitration. the predatory policy of the angrian family did not suffer in the hands of toolajee. within a few weeks of sumbhajee's death, his squadron fought a prolonged action with the _warwick_ and _montagu_, east indiamen, and carried off five small vessels sailing under their convoy. commodore hough in the _restoration_, together with the _bombay_ grab, was at once sent down the coast, and found seven angrian grabs with a number of gallivats, which he forced to take shelter under the guns of severndroog. a year later, the _princess augusta_ from bencoolen was captured by toolajee, and taken into gheriah. after plundering it, toolajee found it was too poor a sailer to be of use to him, so he allowed the bombay council to redeem it for rs. . meanwhile, war with france had broken out, and the capture of madras by la bourdonnais dealt a severe blow to english prestige. the restless mannajee began stopping and plundering small native craft belonging to bombay, with the intention, no doubt, of flying at higher game in time. reprisals were at once ordered, and a vessel of mannajee's was captured. this brought him to reason, and the vessel was released on his signing a bond to make good the losses he had caused. the loss of madras was telling against the english, everywhere. in bengal the mahrattas seized the cossimbazaar flotilla bound for calcutta, valued at four lakhs of rupees. mannajee still continued to be troublesome, till the seedee, taking advantage of the situation, attacked and captured thull, which kept him quiet for a time. considerable anxiety was caused in bombay, at this time, by the appearance of three french men-of-war cruising on the coast, with the evident intention of waylaying the company's ships from europe. one of them was a fifty-gun ship, and there was nothing in bombay harbour to cope with her. to meet the difficulty, a large number of fishing-boats were sent out, each with an english sailor on board, to creep along the coast and warn all incoming ships. in spite of these precautions, the _anson_ missed the boats sent to warn her, and was attacked by the french _apollo_ and _anglesea_ within sight of the harbour. captain foulis defended himself long enough to enable him to send off the dispatches and treasure he carried, in his boats, before he was forced to surrender.[ ] the directors bestowed on him a gratuity of £ for his able conduct. fortunately for bombay, toolajee angria's energies were at this time directed against canara, where in two successive expeditions he sacked mangalore and honore, carrying off a large booty. in october, , toolajee, who for some time had been giving little trouble, inflicted a severe loss on the bombay marine. the _restoration_ was the most efficient ship at the council's disposal. it had been commanded by captain hough, a bold and resolute man, who had done good service in her, attacking angria's ships and chasing them into their fortified harbours. she carried seventy-five european seamen, sixteen lascars, and thirty soldiers--unruly fellows who wanted a firm hand over them. hough had fallen ill, and the command was given to captain thomas leake, an irresolute man, not fitted to command such, a crew. they very soon fell into disorder. while coming up the coast from goa they were attacked by toolajee's fleet of five grabs, accompanied by a swarm of gallivats. from noon till dark the _restoration_ was surrounded and cannonaded. her guns were so badly served that they inflicted little or no damage, while her own sails and rigging were badly cut about. during the night, the action was fitfully continued, her ammunition being lavishly and uselessly expended. toolajee himself was present, and had a number of european gunners with him. at noon the next day his grabs edged down again, fell aboard the _restoration_, and boarded. on this, the colours were struck, leake ran below, an example that was followed by his crew, and the ship was taken. when they were released, some months afterwards, the council, after due inquiry, decided that leake and his officers should not serve the company again till the directors' pleasure was known. meanwhile, the coolees of guzerat had become very troublesome. in , they captured a bengal ship with rs. , in hard cash on board, and a cargo of nearly equal value. their depredations continuing, the dutch proposed joint action against them; so, in december, , a joint dutch and english squadron forced the defences of the coorla river, burnt and captured twenty-three of their vessels, and reduced them to quietness for a time. toolajee had now become very powerful. from cutch to cochin his vessels swept the coast in greater numbers than conajee had ever shown, and cruised defiantly off bombay harbour. but for the presence of four king's ships on the coast, bombay trade would have suffered severely. when boscawen left indian waters,[ ] after receiving over madras from the french, he detached four ships, the _vigilant_, tartar_, _ruby_, and _syren_, to cruise on the west coast, under commodore lisle. for two years, the protection afforded by lisle's squadron gave some security to the bombay coast trade. as the small sailing boats, in which the coast trade was carried on, made their way under convoy of the king's ships, angria's squadrons hovered round to pick up stragglers, and several slight encounters took place. the superior sailing powers of the mahratta vessels enabled them to keep out of range of the big guns, while they snatched prizes within sight of the men-of-war. thus, in february, , three small traders were snapped up, while under convoy of the _ruby_, by an angrian squadron that hung on their tracks for four days, between bombay and vingorla. in october, the _tartar_, with twenty-six sail under convoy, was followed for three days, between bombay and surat, by eleven angrian gallivats, and lost one of the number. three weeks later, the _syren's_ convoy was attacked in the same waters by thirteen angrian vessels, which were beaten off without loss. in march, , thirty-six trading vessels, under convoy of the _vigilant_ and _ruby_, were attacked by six angrian vessels, which behaved with great boldness. instead of devoting themselves to the traders, they bore down on the _ruby_, and opened fire at close range, with great guns and small arms. before long an angrian grab was seen to be on fire, and in a short time the after part blew up. several pieces of mast were blown on board the _ruby_, tearing her sails and wounding two men. the grab sunk, and her consorts made off. hardly had lisle's squadron sailed for england[ ] when the council sustained a loss in the _swallow_ sloop, which was taken by toolajee, together with a convoy of rice-boats. the great benefit conferred on the coast trade by lisle's squadron taught the directors the necessity of a change of policy. hitherto their fighting ships had been utilized to carry cargoes along the coast, a practice that greatly hampered their action. they now determined on keeping ships for fighting only; so they ordered the building of the _protector_, a forty-gun ship, and the _guardian_, a sloop. the two new ships left sheerness in the winter of , commanded by captains cheyne and james, and the most stringent orders were sent with them that they were to carry no cargoes, and were to be kept on the malabar coast as long as angria should keep the sea. during the next three years, the _protector_ and _guardian_ did much useful work, convoying the coasting trade, and offering battle to angria's ships whenever they met them. [ ] september, . [ ] nd september, . [ ] november, . [ ] november, . chapter xi _the downfall of angria_ toolajee fights successful action with the dutch--he tries to make peace with bombay--alliance formed against him--commodore william james-- slackness of the peishwa's fleet--severndroog--james's gallant attack-- fall of severndroog--council postpone attack on gheriah--clive arrives from england--projects of the directors--admiral watson--preparations against gheriah.--the council's instructions--council of war about prize-money--double dealing of the peishwa's officers--watson's hint--ships engage gheriah--angrian fleet burnt--fall of gheriah--clive occupies the fort--the prize-money--dispute between council and poonah durbar--extinction of coast piracy--severndroog tower. in the beginning of , the dutch suffered a severe loss at toolajee's hands. a vessel loaded with ammunition was taken, and two large ships were blown up after a stiff fight, in which toolajee had two three-masted grabs sunk and a great number of men killed. six months later, toolajee sent an agent to bombay to propose terms of accommodation. they were terms to which a conciliatory answer, at least, would have been returned in conajee angria's time. the council's reply betrays a consciousness of increased strength. "can you imagine that the english will ever submit to take passes of any indian nation? this they cannot do. we grant passes, but would take none from anybody." toolajee was told that if he was in earnest in desiring peace, he should return the vessels he had taken, and send men of figure and consequence to treat, instead of the obscure individual through whom his overtures had come. in spite of this peremptory reply, toolajee continued to make half-hearted proposals for peace. the fact was that he was now at open war with the peishwa, who had made himself master of the concan, with the exception of the coastline. according to orme, toolajee had cut off the noses of the agents sent by the peishwa to demand the tribute formerly paid to satara. the poonah durbar were so incensed against him that they were determined on his destruction, though without the assistance of the english they had little expectation of success against his coast fortresses. the bombay council was ready enough to join in the undertaking, but was unwilling to take immediate action. this unwillingness was apparently due to their desire to see order first restored in surat, where affairs had fallen into great disorder in the general break-up of mogul rule. the mahratta court at poona had been close observers of the long war waged in the carnatic between the english and french. they had seen madras taken, only to be regained by diplomacy, and after the english had been foiled at pondicherry. they had witnessed the rise of french power under dupleix; rulers deposed and others set up, in the deccan and the carnatic, by french arms; and then, when mahomed ali, the rightful ruler of the carnatic, was at his last gasp, they had seen his cause espoused by the english, and one humiliation after another inflicted on french armies, till at last the french were forced to recognize mahomed ali's title, while a powerful english squadron and a king's regiment had been sent out to make good the claim. the good relations established between the peishwa's government and bombay by the treaty of , had been strengthened since the arrival of mr. richard bourchier, as governor, in ; the fighting in the carnatic had raised the military reputation of the english, while their support of mahomed ali, whom the mahrattas styled 'their master,' had greatly increased the esteem in which they were held. when it was definitely known that hostilities between the english and french were at an end, ramajee punt, the sirsoobah of the concan, was dispatched to bombay to concert measures against toolajee. mr. bourchier was urged to summon the king's ships from madras to co-operate with the peishwa's forces. to await the arrival of watson's squadron from madras would have lost the favourable season before the monsoon, so it was determined to fit out at once what ships were in the harbour, and send them under commodore william james. articles of agreement were drawn up, by which it was settled that severndroog, anjanvel, and jyeghur should be attacked by the mahrattas, while the english engaged to keep the sea, and prevent toolajee's fleet from throwing succours into the places attacked. a division of the spoils between the victors was agreed on, by which the english were to receive bankote and himmutghur, with five villages, in perpetual sovereignty. the peishwa's fleet was to be under james's orders, and he was instructed to give all the assistance in his power, but not to lend any of his people, except a few to point the guns. very little is accurately known of james's career before his entry into the east india company's service. he was born in pembrokeshire in humble circumstances, and went to sea at an early age. according to one account, he served in hawke's ship, but, wherever his training was received, it had made him a first-rate seaman. in , he entered the company's marine service, being then about twenty-six years of age. in , he sailed from england in command of the _guardian_ sloop, one of the two men-of-war built by the directors for the protection of bombay trade. his services against the coast pirates, during the next two years, procured his advancement to the post of commodore at bombay, and it was soon remarked that the sailing of the _protector_, on which his flag was now hoisted, had greatly improved by the changes he had made. by his capture of severndroog, now to be related, he became famous. he played his part at the capture of gheriah, and, in the following year, when the news of the disaster at calcutta became known in bombay, he was sent down in the _revenge_, with four hundred men, to join the force sent up from madras under watson and clive. off calicut he encountered the french ship _indien_, carrying twenty-four guns and over two hundred men, and captured her. he afterwards joined the board of directors, was created a baronet, had a seat in parliament, and, in time, became chairman of the company. sterne, in the last year of his life, formed a close friendship with mr. and mrs. james, and, a few days before he died, recommended his daughter lydia to their care. on the nd march, , james sailed from bombay in the _protector_, forty guns, having with him the _swallow_, sixteen guns, the _viper_ bombketch, and the _triumph_ prahm. the following day, he sighted an angrian squadron of seven grabs and eleven gallivats, which he chased for a couple of hours without success. two days later, he was joined off chaul by the peishwa's fleet, consisting of seven grabs, two batellas, and about forty gallivats. to james's annoyance, he found his allies in no hurry to get on. twice they insisted on landing, lingering for over three days in one place. on the th, severndroog was sighted, and angria's fleet of seven grabs and ten gallivats was observed coming out. the signal to chase was made, but obeyed with little alacrity by the peishwa's people, though experience had shown that they could outsail the bombay ships. james gave chase with his little squadron, his mahratta allies being left, by evening, hull down, astern. the angrians made prodigious exertions to escape, hanging out turbans and clothing to catch every breath of air. all the following day the ineffectual chase continued, the _protector_ outsailing its own consorts, and losing sight altogether of its mahratta allies. finding it useless to persevere, james hauled his wind, and stood to the northward for severndroog, which he had left far behind in the chase. here he found ramajee punt, who had landed a few men, and entrenched himself at about two miles from the nearest fort, with a single four-pounder gun. the harbour of severndroog[ ] is formed by a slight indentation in the coast and a small rocky islet about a quarter of a mile from the mainland, on which was the severndroog fort, with walls fifty feet high, and, in many places, parapets cut out of the solid rock; the whole armed with about fifty guns. on the mainland, opposite to severndroog, was another fort. fort gova, armed with, about forty-four guns, while southwards of gova were two smaller forts on a small promontory, futteh droog and kanak droog, armed with twenty guns each. james at once saw that the reduction of the different forts by the peishwa's troops would be a matter of months, even if he was able to keep out succours from the sea, which the monsoon would render impossible; so, in spite of the council's orders, he resolved on taking matters into his own hands. he had been brought up in a good school, and knew that, to match a ship against a fort with success, it was necessary to get as close as possible, and overpower it with weight of metal. after taking the necessary soundings, on the nd april he stood in to four-fathom water, taking with him the _viper_ and _triumph_, and bombarded severndroog fort. the mahratta fleet gave no assistance, so the _swallow_ was detached to guard the southern entrance. all day long the cannonade continued, till a heavy swell setting into the harbour, in the evening, obliged a cessation of fire. the fort fired briskly in return, but did little damage; while the mahratta fleet lay off out of range, idle spectators of the conflict. at night came ramajee punt on board the _protector_, bringing with him a deserter from the fort, who reported that the governor had been killed and a good deal of damage done. he told them that it was impossible to breach the side on which the _protector's_ fire was directed, as it was all solid rock. in the morning, the _protector_ weighed and ran in again, james placing his ships between severndroog and gova. the flagship engaged severndroog so closely that, by the small arm fire of men in the tops, and by firing two or three upper-deck guns at a time instead of in broadsides, the severndroog gunners were hardly able to return a shot. with her lower-deck guns on the other side the _protector_ cannonaded the mainland forts, which also received the attention of the _viper_ and _triumph_. it would be difficult to find a parallel to this instance of a single ship and two bombketches successfully engaging four forts at once, that far outnumbered them in guns; but so good were james's arrangements that neither his ships nor his men suffered harm. soon after midday a magazine exploded in severndroog; the conflagration spread, and, before long, men, women, and children were seen taking to their boats, and escaping to the mainland. numbers of them were intercepted and taken by the _swallow_ and the mahratta gallivats. the bombardment of the mainland forts was continued till night, and resumed the following morning, till about ten o'clock, when all three hauled down their colours. thus, in forty-eight hours, did james by his vigorous action reduce this angrian stronghold that was second only to gheriah in strength. the mahrattas were never slow at seizing any advantage that had been won by others, as was shown a few months later at gheriah; but on this occasion they were so struck by james's intrepidity that they refused to enter gova without him. the english flag was hoisted in all three forts, amid the cheers of the english sailors. it was then found that, by mismanagement, the governor of gova had been allowed to escape over to severndroog, and gallantly reoccupied it, with a small body of sepoys, hoping to hold out till assistance could reach him from dabul. so the _protector's_ guns were set to work again, and, under cover of their fire, a party of seamen was landed, who hewed open the sally port with their axes and made themselves masters of the fort. thus, in a few hours, and without losing a single man, had "the spirited resolution of commodore james destroyed the timorous prejudices which had for twenty years been entertained of the impracticability of reducing any of angria's fortified harbours." the whole success of the expedition had been due to james, and the peishwa's officers ungrudgingly acknowledged the fact, as well as the bad behaviour of their own people. "i have learnt with particular satisfaction that the fleet your honor sent to the assistance of ramajee punt have by their courage and conduct reduced severndroog, the suddenness of which transcends my expectations; and i allow myself incapable of sufficiently commending their merit," wrote the peishwa's commander-in-chief to bourchier. ramajee punt wrote in similar terms, and sent a dress of honour to james. in their elation, the peishwa's officers wished to complete the destruction of angria without delay. bankote was surrendered to them without firing a shot, and a demonstration was made against rutnaghiri. but the council was cautious, and forbade james to risk his ships. the mahrattas offered him two lakhs of rupees if he would support them in attacking dabul, but he dared not exceed his orders again, and returned to bombay. the success of a second _coup-de-main_ could not be relied on, and a repulse would have restored toolajee's drooping spirits, and made future success more difficult. the soldiers bombay had lent to madras were no longer required, so james was sent there in the _protector_, to bring them back after the monsoon. in the end of october, an unexpected accession of force, from england, reached bombay. in the suspension of arms that had been concluded at madras between the english and french, carnatic affairs alone were made the subject of agreement. bussy, with a french force, remained in the deccan, engaged in extending the nizam's influence, a proceeding that was viewed with alarm by the peishwa. with the object of expelling the french from the deccan, the english government sent out to bombay a force of seven hundred men, to act against bussy, in concert with the mahratta government. the command was to be taken by lieutenant-colonel scott, the company's engineer-general at madras. the directors had also sent clive to bombay to act as second in command to scott. but scott had died, in the mean time, and the _doddington_, east indiaman, bringing the directors' instructions to the bombay council, had been wrecked near the cape. before the middle of november, watson's squadron arrived, in furtherance of the deccan project, together with james, in the _protector_, bringing two hundred and fifty-five bombay soldiers from madras. clive, alone, knew of the directors' plan for the deccan, and urged it on the council. ramajee punt was in bombay urging them to complete the destruction of angria, and inviting them to take possession of bankote;[ ] so they decided to devote themselves to gheriah, on the grounds that the deccan expedition would be an infringement of the late agreement with the french. seeing that nothing was to be done in the _deccan_, watson tendered the services of his squadron to assist in the reduction of gheriah, and clive offered to command the land forces. james was sent down in the _protector_, with the _revenge_ and _guardian_, with sir william hewitt, watson's flag lieutenant, to reconnoitre and take soundings. nothing was known of gheriah. it was supposed to be as high, and as strong as gibraltar. like that celebrated fortress, it stood on rocky ground at the end of a promontory, connected with the mainland by a narrow neck of ground, at the month of a small estuary. james found that it was less formidable than it had been represented, and that large ships could go close in. to prevent toolajee's ships from escaping, the _bridgewater_, _kingsfisher_, and _revenge_ were sent to blockade the place till the expedition was ready to start. on the th february, the whole force was assembled off gheriah, a greater armament than had yet ever left bombay harbour. in addition to watson's squadron of six vessels, four of them line-of-battle ships, and displaying the flags of two admirals, the company's marine made a brave show of eighteen ships, large and small, carrying two hundred and fourteen guns, besides twenty fishing-boats to land troops with, each carrying a swivel-gun in the bows. between them they carried eight hundred european and six hundred native troops. with watson also went captain hough, superintendent of the company's marine, as representative of the council. part of the instructions given to clive and hough by the council will bear repeating. "it is probable that toolajee angria may offer to capitulate, and possibly offer a sum of money; but you are to consider that this fellow is not on a footing with any prince in the known world, he being a pirate in whom no confidence can be put, not only taking, burning, and destroying ships of all nations, but even the vessels belonging to the natives, which have his own passes, and for which he has annually collected large sums of money. should he offer any sum of money it must be a very great one that will pay us for the many rich ships he has taken (which we can't enumerate), besides the innumerable other smaller vessels; but we well remember the _charlotte_ bound from hence to china, belonging to madras; the _william_ belonging to bombay, from bengal; the _severn_, a bengal freight ship for bussorah, value nine or ten lakhs of rupees; the _derby_ belonging to the hon'ble company, with the grab _restoration_, value rs. , , - - ; the sloop _pilot_ and the _augusta_; also the _dadaboy_ from surat, _rose_ from mangalore, grab _anne_ from gombroon, _benjimolly_ from the malabar coast, and _futte dowlat_ from muscat." the council were desirous of getting toolajee into their own custody, fearful that, if left in mahratta hands, he would be set free before long, and the work would have to be done over again. before the expedition left bombay, a council of war was held, to decide on the division of spoils, between the sea and land forces. such agreements were common enough, on such occasions, in order to prevent subsequent disputes and individual plundering. in settling the shares of the officers, the council decided that clive and chalmers, who was next to clive in command of the troops, should have shares equal to that of two captains of king's ships. to this clive objected that, though as lieutenant-colonel, his share would, according to custom, be equal to that of a naval captain, on this occasion, as commander-in-chief of the troops, it should be greater, and ought not to be less than that of rear-admiral pocock. the council of war refused to agree to this, as the naval officers, who formed the majority, could not be brought to consent. like drake, who would rather diminish his own portion than leave any of his people unsatisfied, watson undertook to 'give the colonel such a part of his share as will make it equal to rear-admiral pocock's;' and this was duly entered in the proceedings. in the division of spoils, no mention is made of their mahratta allies. they were left out of account altogether, and the reason is not far to seek. experience had shown that, in the coming military operations, the mahrattas would count for nothing. all the hard knocks would fall on the english, and it was but fair that they should have the prize-money; the mahrattas would gain a substantial benefit in the possession of gheriah, which was to be made over to them after capture. the arrangements for the command of the troops showed that the lessons of the last ten years of warfare against the french had borne fruit. the command was left to those who made it their profession. henceforth we hear no more of factors and writers strutting about in uniform, calling themselves colonels and captains for a few weeks, and then returning to their ledgers. we have done with the midfords and the browns. out of the thirteen years he had served the company, clive had been a soldier for eleven. he had definitely abandoned his civil position, and had embraced a military career, and his merits had been recognized by the grant of a lieutenant-colonel's commission from the king. the subordinate military officers also had improved. the worst of them had been weeded out, and many of them had learned their business under lawrence in the carnatic. though much unnecessary interference still went on in quarters, they were left unfettered in the command of their men in the field. a few hours after leaving bombay, the expedition was overtaken by despatches from bourchier, with intelligence that the mahrattas were treating with toolajee. on reaching gheriah, they found the mahratta army encamped against it, and ramajee punt himself came off to tell the commanders that, with a little patience, the fort would surrender without firing a shot, as toolajee was already in their hands and ready to treat. alarmed at the great armament coming against him, and cowed by recent reverses, toolajee had come as a suppliant into the mahratta camp to try if, by finesse and chicanery, he might escape utter destruction, while, in gheriah, he had left his brother-in-law with orders to defend it to the last. the peishwa's officers, on their side, were anxious to get the place into their hands without admitting the english to any share of the booty; a design that was at once seen through by hough and watson. ramajee promised to bring toolajee with him the following day, to show that he was not treating separately. instead of doing so, he sent some subordinate officers, together with some of toolajee's relations, with excuses, to keep watson in play, while a large bribe was offered to hough to induce him to persuade the admiral to suspend operations. watson, who had already summoned the fort to surrender, let them know that he would not wait very long. they were taken to view the ship with its tiers of heavy guns, and, as a grim hint of what might be expected, he presented toolajee's friends with a thirty-two pound shot as they left the ship. at half-past one in the afternoon, the flag of truce having returned with the governor's refusal to surrender, signal was made to weigh, and the whole fleet stood into the harbour in three divisions, led by the _kingsfisher_, sloop, and the _bridgewater_. the inner line, nearest to the fort was formed by the line-of-battle ships and the _protector_: the company's grabs and bombketches, with the _guardian_, formed the second line, while the gallivats and small vessels formed a third, outer line. as the _kingsfisher_ came opposite the fort, a shot was fired at her. the signal was made to engage, and as each ship reached its station it came to an anchor, the inner line being within musket-shot of the fort. across the mouth of the river, toolajee's grabs were drawn up, among them being the _restoration_, the capture of which, six years before, had caused so much heart-burning in bombay. as the heavy shot and shell came pouring in from over one hundred and fifty guns at close range, the gheriah defenders manfully strove to repay the same with interest. but so terrific was the fire brought to bear on them, that it was impossible for them to lay their guns properly. in that february afternoon many a cruel outrage was expiated under that hail of iron. after two hours' firing, a shell set the _restoration_ on fire; it spread to the grabs, and before long the angrian fleet,[ ] that had been the terror of the coast for half a century, was in a blaze. the boats were ordered out, and, as evening came on, clive was put on shore with the troops, and took up a position a mile and a half from the fort. the mahrattas joined him, and toolajee, from whom the peishwa's people had extorted a promise to surrender the fort, found means to send a letter into the place, warning his brother-in-law against surrender to the english. in the fort all was terror and dismay, though the governor manfully did his duty. from the burning shipping the flames spread to the bazaars and warehouses. all night the bombketches threw in shells, while the conflagration continued. one square tower in the fort burned with such violence as to resemble a fabric of red-hot iron in a smithy. early next morning, watson sent in a flag of truce again, but surrender was still refused, so the line-of-battle ships were warped in and recommenced firing; while clive, who had approached the fort, battered it from the land side. at four in the afternoon a magazine in the fort blew up, and a white flag was hoisted. an officer was sent on shore, but the governor still attempted to evade surrender. he consented to admit five or six men into the fort to hoist english colours, but would not definitely surrender possession till next day. so fire was reopened, and in twenty minutes more the angrian flag was hauled down for the last time, and the last shred of angrian independence had ceased to exist. sixty men, under captains forbes and buchanan, were marched up to hold the gate for the night. a body of the peishwa's troops tried to gain admission, and offered the officers a bill on bombay for a lakh of rupees to allow them to pass in. the offer was rejected, but the peishwa's officer still continued to press in, till forbes faced his men about, and, drawing his sword, swore he would cut him down if he persisted. the following morning, the fort was taken possession of by clive. the success had been gained at the cost of about twenty men killed and wounded. ramajee punt at once made a formal demand for the fort to be given up to him. watson, in return, demanded that toolajee should be made over into english custody. meanwhile, a hunt for the treasure secreted in different places went on. "every day hitherto has been productive of some new discoveries of treasure, plate, and jewels, etc.," wrote hough three days later. altogether about one hundred and thirty thousand pounds' worth of gold, silver, and jewels were secured, and divided between the land and sea forces. true to his promise, watson sent clive a thousand pounds to make his share equal to pocock's. clive sent it back again. he was satisfied with the acknowledgment of his claim, but would not take what came out of watson's private purse. "thus did these two gallant officers endeavour to outvie each other in mutual proofs of disinterestedness and generosity," wrote ives in his narrative. a thousand pounds was a larger sum then than it would be now, and clive was a poor man at the time, but he was never greedy of money. the incident justifies his boast, long afterwards, of his moderation when the treasures of bengal were at his mercy. it is allowable to suppose that it strengthened the mutual respect of both, and facilitated their co-operation in bengal, a year later. it was a fortunate thing for england that watson was not a man of matthews' stamp. the europeans in toolajee's service appear to have left him before the attack began, as no mention is made of them; but ten englishmen and three dutchmen were found in the place, in a state of slavery, and released. in delivering over bankote, the mahrattas had failed to give, with the fort, the five villages according to agreement. the council were desirous of having toolajee in their own keeping, so they refused to give over gheriah, and for some months a wrangle went on concerning the points in dispute. the council proposed that they should retain gheriah and give up bankote. the peishwa taunted the council with breach of faith, and refused to give up toolajee. the squabble was at last settled by the mahrattas engaging to give ten villages near bankote, and that toolajee should not receive any territory within forty miles of the sea. on these conditions gheriah was delivered over. toolajee, instead of being given any territory, was kept a prisoner for the rest of his life. some years afterwards, his sons made their escape, and sought refuge in bombay. with the fall of gheriah, the heavy cloud that had so long hung over bombay trade was dispelled. thenceforward none but the smallest vessels had anything to fear on the coast south of bombay, though another half-century elapsed before the malwans were compelled to give up piracy. the sanganians continued to be troublesome, at times, till they too were finally reduced to order in , after more than one expedition had been sent against them. persian gulf piracy continued to flourish till , when it was brought to an end by a happy combination of arms and diplomacy. on shooter's hill, adjoining woolwich common, the tower of severndroog, erected by james's widow to commemorate his great achievement, forms a conspicuous landmark in the surrounding country. here, in sight of the spot where the bones of kidd and his associates long hung in chains as a terror to evil-doers, there still lingers a breath of that long struggle against the angrian pirates, and of its triumphant conclusion. "this far-seen monumental tow'r records the achievements of the brave, and angria's subjugated pow'r, who plundered on the eastern wave." _"walks through london," david hughson_. [ ] properly suvarna droog, 'the golden fortress.' [ ] bankote was made over on the th december, and the british flag hoisted there on the th january, . [ ] three three-masted ships carrying twenty guns each; nine two-masted, carrying from twelve to sixteen guns; thirteen gallivats, carrying from six to ten guns; thirty others unclassed; two on the stocks, one of them pierced for forty guns. * * * * * an englishwoman in india two hundred years ago on the th march, , the _loyall bliss_, east indiaman, captain hudson, left her anchorage in the downs and sailed for bengal. as passengers, she carried captain gerrard cooke, his wife, a son and two daughters, together with a few soldiers. for many years cooke had served the company at fort william, as gunner, an office that included the discharge of many incongruous duties. after a stay in england, he was now returning to bengal, as engineer, with the rank of captain. the _loyall bliss_ was a clumsy sailer, and made slow progress; so that august had come before she left the cape behind her. contrary winds and bad weather still detained her, and kept her westward of her course. by the middle of september, the south-west monsoon, on which they depended to carry them up the bay, had ceased to blow, so-- "our people being a great many downe with the scurvy and our water being short, wee called a consultation of officers it being too late to pretend to get bengali the season being come that the n.e. trade wind being sett in and our people almost every man tainted with distemper," it was determined to make for carwar and "endever to gett refresments there." on the th october, they came to anchor in the little bay formed by the carwar river. the next day, hearing of a french man-of-war being on the coast, they procured a pilot and anchored again under the guns of the portuguese fort on the island of angediva, where lay the bones of some three hundred of the first royal troops ever sent to india. twenty-six soldiers were sent on shore, 'most of them not being able to stand.' the chief of the company's factory at carwar at that time was mr. john harvey, who entertained captain hudson and all the gentlemen and ladies on board 'in a splendid manner.' one may picture to one's self the pleasure with which they escaped for a time from the ship and its scurvy-stricken crew. to mr. harvey and the company's officials they were welcome as bringing the latest news from england. they were able to tell of marlborough's victory at oudenarde, and the capture of lille and minorca, while harvey was able to tell them of captain kidd's visit to carwar twelve years before, and to show them where the freebooter had careened his ship. but mr. john harvey found other matter of interest in his visitors. there were few englishwomen in india in those days, and the unexpected advent of a fresh young english girl aroused his susceptibilities to such an extent that he forgot to report to bombay the arrival of the _loyall bliss_, for which, he, in due time, received a reprimand. he quickly made known to captain cooke that he had taken a very great liking to his eldest daughter. mistress catherine cooke, 'a most beautiful lady, not exceeding thirteen or fourteen years of age.' cooke was a poor man, and had left two more daughters in england; so, as mr. harvey 'proffered to make great settlements provided the father and mother would consent to her marriage,' mistress catherine cooke, 'to oblige her parents,' consented also. there was little time for delay, as the captain of the _loyall bliss_ was impatient to be off. the company's ship _tankerville_ was on the coast, bound southward, and it was desirable they should sail in company for mutual protection. so, on the nd october, the _loyall bliss_ made sail for bengal, where she safely arrived in due time, leaving behind the young bride at carwar. to the lookers-on the marriage was repugnant, and can hardly have been a happy one for the young girl, as harvey was 'a deformed man and in years.' he had been long on the coast, and by diligent trading had acquired a little money; but he had other things to think of besides his private trade, as we find recorded at the time that 'the rajah of carwar continues ill-natured.' by the end of , he made up his mind to resign the company's service, wind up his affairs, and go to england; so mr. robert mence was appointed to succeed him at carwar, and, in april, , harvey and his child-wife came to bombay. but to wind up trading transactions of many years' standing was necessarily a long business, and there was no necessity for hurry, as no ship could leave for england till after the monsoon. as always happened in those days, his own accounts were mixed up with those of the company, and would require laborious disentanglement. before leaving carwar, he had leased to the company his trading grab, the _salamander_, and had taken the precaution to pay himself out of the company's treasure chest at carwar. before long, there was an order to the carwar chief to recharge mr. harvey pagodas, jett, and pice he had charged to the company for the use of the _salamander_, the account having been liquidated in bombay; from which it would appear that he had been paid twice for his ship. the accounts of those days must have been maddening affairs owing to the multiplicity of coinages. pounds sterling, pagodas, rupees, fanams, xeraphims, laris, juttals, matte, reis, rials, cruzadoes, sequins, pice, budgerooks, and dollars of different values were all brought into the official accounts. in , the confusion was increased by a tin coinage called deccanees.[ ] the conversion of sums from one coinage to another, many of them of unstable value, must have been an everlasting trouble.[ ] in august we find harvey writing to the council to say that he had at tellicherry a chest of pillar dollars weighing lbs. ozs. dwts., which he requests may be paid into the company's cash there, and in return a chest of dollars may be given him at bombay. his young wife doubtless assisted him in his complicated accounts, and gained some knowledge of local trade. it must have been a wonderful delight to her to escape from the dulness of carwar and mix in the larger society of bombay, and she must have realized with sadness the mistake she had made in marrying a deformed man old enough to be her grandfather, at the solicitation of her parents. she made, at this time, two acquaintances that were destined to have considerable influence on her future life. on the th august, the _godolphin_, twenty-one days from mocha, approached bombay, but being unable to make the harbour before nightfall, anchored outside; a proceeding that would appear, even to a landsman, absolutely suicidal in the middle of the monsoon, but was probably due to fear of pirates.[ ] that night heavy weather came on, the ship's cable parted, and the _godolphin_ became a total wreck at the foot of malabar hill. apparently, all the englishmen on board were saved, among them the second supercargo, a young man named thomas chown, who lost all his possessions. there was also in bombay, at the time, a young factor, william gyfford, who had come to india, six years before, as a writer, at the age of seventeen. we shall hear of both of them again. in october, came news of the death of mr. robert mence at carwar. 'tho his time there was so small wee find he had misapplyed and odd pagodas to his own use,' the bombay council reported to the directors in london. in his place was appointed mr. miles fleetwood, who was then in bombay awaiting a passage to the persian gulf where he had been appointed a factor. with him returned to carwar, harvey and his wife, to adjust some depending accounts with the country people there. we get an account of carwar thirty years before this, from alexander hamilton, which shows that there was plenty of sport near at hand for those who were inclined for it, and it is interesting to find that the englishmen who now travel in search of big game had their predecessors in those days-- "this country is so famous for hunting, that two gentlemen of distinction, viz: mr. _lembourg_ of the house of _lembourg_ in _germany_, and mr. _goring_, a son of my lord _goring's_ in _england_, went _incognito_ in one of the _east india_ company's ships, for india. they left letters directed for their relations, in the hands of a friend of theirs, to be delivered two or three months after their departure, so that letters of credit followed them by the next year's shipping, with orders from the _east india_ company to the chiefs of the factories, wherever they should happen to come, to treat them according to their quality. they spent three years at _carwar, viz:_ from anno to , then being tired with that sort of pleasure, they both took passage on board a company's ship for _england_, but mr. _goring_ died four days after the ship's departure from _carwar_, and lies buried on the island of _st. mary_, about four leagues from the shore, off _batacola_, and mr. _lembourg_ returned safe to _england_." four months after his return to carwar, harvey died, leaving his girl-wife a widow. she remained at carwar, engaged in winding up the trading affairs of her late husband, and asserting her claim to his estate, which had been taken possession of by the company's officials, according to custom. according to the practice of the day, every merchant and factor had private trading accounts which were mixed up with the company's accounts, so that on retirement they were not allowed to leave the country till the company's claims were settled. in case of death, their estates were taken possession of for the same reason. two months later, mr. thomas chown, the late supercargo of the _godolphin_, was sent down to carwar as a factor, and, a few weeks after his arrival, he married the young widow. application was now made to the council at bombay for the effects of her late husband to be made over to her, and orders were sent to carwar for the late mr. harvey's effects to be sold, and one-third of the estate to be paid to mrs. chown, provided harvey had died intestate. the carwar factory chief replied that the effects had realized , rupees fanam and budgerooks; that harvey had left a will dated the th april, , and that therefore nothing had been paid to mrs. chown. it was necessary for chown and his wife to go to bombay and prosecute their claims in person. the short voyage was destined to be an eventful one. on the rd november ( ), chown and his wife left carwar in the _anne_ ketch, having a cargo of pepper and wax on board, to urge their claim to the late mr. harvey's estate. the coast swarmed with pirate craft, among which those of conajee angria were the most numerous and the most formidable. it was usual, therefore, for every cargo of any value to be convoyed by an armed vessel. to protect the _anne_, governor aislabie's armed yacht had been sent down, and a small frigate, the _defiance_,[ ] was also with them. the day after leaving carwar they were swooped down upon by four of angria's ships, and a hot action ensued. the brunt of it fell on the governor's yacht, which had both masts shot away and was forced to surrender. the ketch tried to escape back to carwar, but was laid aboard by two grabs, and had to surrender when she had expended most of her ammunition. in the action, chown had his arm torn off by a cannon-shot, and expired in his wife's arms. so again, in little more than three years from her first marriage, mrs. chown was left a widow when she could hardly have been eighteen. the captured vessels and the prisoners were carried off; the crews to gheriah and the european prisoners to colaba. to make matters worse for the poor widow, she was expecting the birth of an infant. great was the excitement in bombay when the news of mrs. chown's capture arrived. the governor was away at surat, and all that could be done was to address angria; so a letter was written to him 'in english and gentues,' asking for the captives and all papers to be restored, and some medicine was sent for the wounded. just at this time also news was received of the indiaman _new george_ having been taken by the french near don mascharenas.[ ] sir john gayer, who was on board, finished his troubled career in the east by being killed in the action. after keeping them a month in captivity angria sent back his prisoners, except the captains ransom. in acknowledgment of kindness shown to the released prisoners by the seedee, that chief was presented with a pair of musquetoons, a fowling-piece, and five yards of 'embost' cloth. but in the governor's absence the council could do nothing about payment of ransom. when he returned, negotiations went on through the european prisoners in colaba. angria being sincerely anxious for peace with the english while he was in arms against his own chief, terms were arranged, and lieutenant mackintosh was despatched to colaba with rs. , as ransom for the europeans, and the sealed convention. on the nd february ( ), he returned, bringing with him mrs. chown and the other captives, the captured goods, and the _anne_ ketch, but the yacht was too badly damaged to put to sea. according to downing, mrs. chown was in such a state that mackintosh, 'was obliged to wrap his clothes about her to cover her nakedness.' but her courage had never forsaken her; 'she most courageously withstood all angria's base usage, and endured his insults beyond expectation.' shortly afterwards she was delivered of a son. out of her first husband's estate one thousand rupees were granted her for present necessities, with an allowance of one hundred xeraphims a month. very shortly afterwards we find her being married for the third time, to young william gyfford, with the governor's approval. according to the statute law of bombay, no marriage was binding, except it had the governor's consent; hamilton tells us how on one occasion a factor, mr. solomon loyd, having married a young lady without the governor's consent, sir john gayer dissolved the marriage, and married the lady again to his own son. in october, two years and a half after her first husband's death, seven thousand four hundred and ninety-two rupees, being one-third of his estate, were paid over to her. it is carefully recorded that neither of her deceased husbands had left wills, though the existence of harvey's will had been very precisely recorded by the council, fifteen months before. young gyfford, who was then twenty-five, appears to have been a favourite with the governor, and had lately been given charge of the bombay market. eighteen months after his marriage, we find william gyfford appointed supercargo of the _catherine_, trading to mocha. the office was a most desirable one for a young factor. it afforded him opportunities for private trade at first hand, instead of through agents, that in the mind of an adventurous young man quite outbalanced the perils of the sea. in spite of small salaries, a goodly appearance was made by the company's servants in public. at the public table, where they sat in order of seniority, all dishes, plates, and drinking-cups were of pure silver or fine china. english, portuguese, and indian cooks were employed, so that every taste might be suited. before and after meals silver basins were taken round for each person to wash his hands. arrack, shiraz wine, and 'pale punch,' a compound of brandy, rose-water, lime-juice, and sugar, were drunk, and, at times, we hear of canary wine. in , boone abolished the public table, and diet money was given in its place. boone reported to the directors that, by the change, a saving of nearly rs. , a year was effected, and the company's servants better satisfied. on festival days the governor would invite the whole factory to a picnic in some garden outside the city. on such an occasion, a procession was formed, headed by the governor and his lady, in palanquins. two large ensigns were carried before them, followed by a number of led horses in gorgeous trappings of velvet and silver. following the governor came the captain of the peons on horseback, with forty or fifty armed men on foot. next followed the members of the council, the merchants, factors, and writers, in order of seniority, in fine bullock coaches or riding on horses, all maintained at the company's expense. at the dewallee festival every servant of the company, from the governor to the youngest writer, received a 'peshcush' from the brokers and bunyas, which to the younger men were of much importance; as they depended on these gifts to procure their annual supply of clothes. of the country, away from the coast, they were profoundly ignorant. the far-off king of 'dilly' was little more than a name to them, and they were more concerned in the doings of petty potentates with strange names, such as the zamorin, the zammelook, the kempsant, and the sow rajah, who have long disappeared. they talked of the people as gentoos, moors, mallwans, sanganians, gennims, warrels, coulis, patanners, etc., and the number of political, racial, religious, and linguistic divisions presented to their view must have been especially puzzling. owing to the numerous languages necessary to carry on trade on the malabar coast, they were forced to depend almost entirely on untrustworthy portuguese interpreters. their difficulties in this respect are dwelt on by hamilton-- "one great misfortune that attends us _european_ travellers in _india_ is, the want of knowledge of their languages, and they being so numerous, that one intire century would be too short a time to learn them all: i could not find one in ten thousand that could speak intelligible _english_, tho' along the sea coast the _portuguese_ have left a vestige of their language, tho' much corrupted, yet it is the language that most _europeans_ learn first, to qualify them for a general converse with one another, as well as with the different inhabitants of _india_." after two years' work, as supercargo, on different ships, gyfford was sent down to anjengo as chief of the factory. anjengo was at that time one of the most important factories on the malabar coast, though of comparatively recent establishment. it was first frequented by the portuguese, who, after a time, were ousted by the dutch. it belonged to the rani of attinga, who owned a small principality extending along sixty miles of coast. in ,[ ] rani ashure invited the english to form a trading settlement in her dominions, and two were formed, at vittoor (returah) and villanjuen (brinjone). but for some reason, she became dissatisfied with the english, and the hostility of the dutch, in spite of the alliance between the two countries in europe, caused great trouble. in november, , john brabourne was sent to attinga, where, by his successful diplomacy, the sandy spit of anjengo was granted to the english, as a site for a fort, together with the monopoly of the pepper trade of attinga. soon, the dutch protests and intrigues aroused the rani's suspicions. she ordered brabourne to stop his building. finding him deaf to her orders, she first tried to starve out the english by cutting off supplies, but as the sea was open, the land blockade proved ineffectual. she then sent an armed force against brabourne, which was speedily put to flight, and terms of peace were arranged. the fort was completed, and a most flourishing trade in pepper and cotton cloth speedily grew up. anjengo became the first port of call for outward-bound ships. the anjengo fortification appeared so formidable to the dutch, that they closed their factories at cochin, quilon, and cannanore.[ ] about , rani ashure died, and the little principality fell into disorder. it was a tradition that only women should reign, and ashure's successor was unable to make her authority felt. the poolas, who governed the four districts into which the principality was divided, intrigued for power against each other, and before long the rani became a puppet in the hands of poola venjamutta. in , a new governor, sir nicholas waite, was appointed to bombay. for some reason he left brabourne without instructions or money for investment.[ ] their small salaries and their private trading seem to have made the company's servants very independent. we constantly find them throwing up the service and going away, without waiting for permission. brabourne went off to madras, after delivering over the fort to mr. simon cowse, who had long resided there, apparently as a private merchant, and who proved, as times went, a good servant to the company. the company's service in those days was full of intrigue and personal quarrels. the merchant second in rank at anjengo, john kyffin, intrigued against cowse so successfully, that cowse was deposed, and kyffin was made chief of the settlement. he appears to have been a thoroughly unscrupulous man. to enrich himself in his private pepper trade 'he stuck at nothing.' he took part in the local intrigues of attinga, from which his predecessors had held aloof, played into the hands of poola venjamutta, quarrelled with the other local officials, and behaved with great violence whenever there was the slightest hitch in his trade. kyffin's want of loyalty to the company was still more clearly shown by his friendly dealings with their rivals, a proceeding that was strictly forbidden. in june, , kyffin made known to the council at bombay his wish to retire, and william gyfford was appointed to succeed him as soon as the monsoon would permit. so, in due course of time, gyfford and his wife went to anjengo; but, in spite of his resignation, kyffin stuck to his office, and evidently viewed gyfford with unfriendly eyes. in the following april, intelligence reached the council at bombay that kyffin had had dealings with the ostenders, and had been 'very assisting' to them; so, a peremptory order went down from bombay, dismissing him from the company's service, if the report of his assisting the ostenders was true. if the report was not true, no change was to be made. a commission to gyfford to assume the chiefship was sent at the same time. interlopers and ostenders, he was told, were not to receive even provisions or water. so kyffin departed, and gyfford reigned at anjengo in his stead. but the follies of kyffin had roused a feeling against the english that was not likely to be allayed by gyfford, who exceeded kyffin in dishonesty and imprudence. he threw himself into the pepper trade, using the company's money for his own purposes, and joined hands with the portuguese interpreter, ignatio malheiros, who appears to have been a consummate rogue. before long, religious feeling was aroused by the interpreter obtaining possession of some pagoda land in a money-lending transaction. gyfford also aroused resentment, by trying to cheat the native traders over the price of pepper, by showing fictitious entries in the factory books, and by the use of false weights. the only thing wanting for an explosion was the alienation of the mahommedan section, which, before long, was produced by chance and by gyfford's folly. it happened that some mahommedan traders came to the fort to transact business with cowse, who had resumed business as a private merchant; but he was not at leisure, so they went to the interpreter's house, to sit down and wait. while there, the interpreter's 'strumpet' threw some _hooli_ powder on one of the merchants. stung by the insult, the man drew his sword, wounded the woman, and would have killed her, if he and his companions had not been disarmed. gyfford, when they were brought before him, allowed himself to be influenced by the interpreter, and ordered them to be turned out of the fort, after their swords had been insultingly broken over their heads. the people of attinga flew to arms, and threatened the fort. for some months there were constant skirmishes. the english had no difficulty in defeating all attacks, but, none the less, trade was brought to a standstill; so mr. walter brown was sent down from bombay to put matters straight. poola venjamutta, who had all the time kept himself in the background, was quite ready to help an accommodation, as open force had proved useless. things having quieted down, gyfford, 'flushed with the hopes of having peace and pepper,' devoted himself to trade. he had at this time a brigantine called the _thomas_, commanded by his wife's brother, thomas cooke, doing his private trade along the coast. the year passed quietly. force having proved unavailing, the attinga people dissembled their anger, and waited for an opportunity to revenge themselves. so well was the popular feeling against the english concealed, that cowse, with his long experience and knowledge of the language, had no suspicions. there had been an old custom, since the establishment of the factory, of giving presents yearly to the rani, in the name of the company; but for some years the practice had fallen into abeyance. gyfford, wishing to ingratiate himself with the authorities, resolved on reviving the custom, and to do so in the most ceremonious way, by going himself with the presents for seven years. accordingly, on the th april, , accompanied by all the merchants and factors, and taking all his best men, about one hundred and twenty in number, and the same number of coolies, gyfford started for attinga, four miles up the river. here they were received by an enormous crowd of people, who gave them a friendly reception. the details of what followed are imperfectly recorded, and much is left to conjecture, but gyfford's foolish over-confidence is sufficiently apparent. in spite of their brave display, his men carried no ammunition. poola venjamutta was not to be seen. they were told he was drunk, and they must wait till he was fit to receive them. he was apparently playing a double part, but the blame for what followed was afterwards laid on his rival, poola cadamon pillay. cowse's suspicions were aroused, and he advised an immediate return to anjengo, but gyfford refused to take the advice. he is said to have struck cowse, and to have threatened with imprisonment. the rani also sent a message, advising a return to anjengo. it was getting late, and to extricate himself from the crowd, gyfford allowed the whole party to be inveigled into a small enclosure. to show his goodwill to the crowd, he ordered his men to fire a salvo, and then he found that the ammunition carried by the coolies had been secured, and they were defenceless. in this hopeless position, he managed to entrust a letter addressed to the storekeeper at anjengo, to the hands of a friendly native. it reached anjengo at one o'clock next day, and ran as follows:-- "captain sewell. we are treacherously dealt with here, therefore keep a very good look-out of any designs on you. have a good look to your two trankers,[ ] we hope to be with you to-night. take care and don't frighten the women; we are in no great danger. give the bearer a chequeen."[ ] but none of the english were to see anjengo again. that night, or the next morning, a sudden attack was made, the crowd surged in on the soldiers, overwhelmed them, and cut them to pieces. the principal english were seized and reserved for a more cruel death. in the confusion, cowse, who was a favourite among the natives, managed to disguise himself, got through the crowd, and sought to reach anjengo by a little frequented path. by bad luck he was overtaken by a mahommedan merchant who owed him money. cowse offered to acquit him of the debt, but to no purpose. he was mercilessly killed, and thus the debt was settled. 'stone dead hath no fellow,' as the chronicler of his death says. the rest of the english were tortured to death, gyfford and the interpreter being reserved for the worst barbarities. ignatio malheiros was gradually dismembered, while gyfford had his tongue torn out, was nailed to a log of wood, and sent floating down the river. it is easy to picture to one's self the consternation in anjengo, that th april, when, soon after midday, gyfford's hasty note was received, and the same evening, when a score of wounded men (topasses) straggled in to confirm the worst fears; 'all miserably wounded, some with or cutts and arrows in their bodyes to a lower number, but none without any.' gyfford had taken away all the able men with him, leaving in the fort only 'the dregs,' old men, boys, and pensioners, less than forty in number. at their head were robert sewell, who describes himself as storekeeper, captain and adjutant by order of governor boone; lieutenant peter lapthorne, ensign thomas davis, and gunner samuel ince. the first three of them were absolutely useless, and gunner ince, whose name deserves to be remembered, was the only one of the four who rose to the situation. his first care was for the three english women, whose husbands had just been killed. by good fortune there happened to be in the road a small country ship that had brought a consignment of cowries from the maldives. mrs. gyfford, for the third time a widow, mrs. cowse with four children, and mrs. burton with two, were hastily put on board, and sailed at once for madras. no mention appears of mrs. gyfford having any children with her, but she carried off the factory records and papers, and what money she could lay her hands on. she was no longer the confiding girl, who had given herself to governor harvey eleven years before. she had learned something of the world she lived in, and intended to take care of herself as well as she could. she even tried to carry off peter lapthorne with her, but sewell intervened and prevented it. so giving him hasty directions to act as her agent, she passed through the dangerous anjengo surf and got on board. a letter to her from lapthorne, written a few weeks later, relates that the only property he could find belonging to her were 'two wiggs and a bolster and some ophium' in the warehouse. having got rid of the white women, sewell and his companions set to work to hold the fort against the attack that was inevitable. from the old records we get an idea of what the fort was like. as designed by brabourne, it covered a square of about sixty yards each way, but this did not include the two trankers, palisaded out-works, alluded to in gyfford's note. ten years before, the attention of the council at bombay had been drawn to the bad condition of the "fort house, being no more then timber covered with palm leaves (cajanns) so very dangerous taking fire," and the chief of the factory was ordered to build "a small compact house of brick with a hall, and conveniencys for half a dozen company's servants. and being advised that for want of a necessary house in the fort, they keep the fort gate open all night for the guard going out and in, which irregularity may prove of so pernicious consequence as the loss of that garrison, especially in a country where they are surrounded with such treacherous people as the natives and the dutch," it was ordered that a "necessary house over the fort walls" should be built, and the gates kept locked after o'clock at night. how far these orders had been carried out does not appear; but the company's goods were still kept in a warehouse outside the walls: some of the company's servants also had houses outside, and the palm-leaf roofs were still there. for garrison they only had about thirty-five boys and pensioners, 'whereof not twenty fit to hold a firelock,' and, for want of a sufficient garrison, it was necessary to withdraw from the trankers, which were thought to be so important for the safety of the place. desperate as was the outlook. gunner ince exerted himself like a man, animating everybody by his example. by his exertions, seven hundred bags of rice, with salt fish for a month, and the company's treasure were got in from the warehouse, and an urgent appeal was sent to calicut. the surgeon had been killed with gyfford; they had no smith or carpenter or tools, except a few hatchets, and the attinga people swarming into anjengo burned and plundered the settlement, forcing a crowd of women and children to take refuge in the small fort. though no concerted attack was made at first, the assailants tried with fire arrows to set fire to the palm-leaf roofs, which had to be dismantled; and all through the siege, which lasted six months, the sufferings of the garrison were increased by the burning rays of a tropical sun or the torrential rains of the monsoon. on the th april, they were cheered by the arrival of two small english ships from cochin, where the intelligence of the disaster had reached; and received a small reinforcement of seven men with a consignment of provisions. a message of condolence also had come from the rajah of quilon, who offered to receive the women and children, so one hundred and fifty native women and children, widows and orphans of the slain, were sent off. on the st may, an ensign and fifty-one men, collected by mr. adams from calicut and tellicherry, joined the garrison, and gave some relief from the constant sentry duty that was necessary. the enemy, meanwhile, had contented themselves with harassing the garrison by firing long shots at them; but it was rumoured that the rajah of travancore was sending troops, and then they would have to sustain a serious attack. gunner ince, on whom the whole weight of the defence rested, let it be known that in the last extremity he would blow up the magazine. it is cheering to find that there was at least one man who was prepared to do his duty. sewell and lapthorne got drunk, and joined with the warehouseman, a portuguese named rodriguez, in plundering the company's warehouse and sending goods away to quilon; the soldiers followed the example, and plundered the rooms inside the fort, while the late interpreter's family were allowed to send away, to quilon, effects to the value of one hundred thousand fanams, though it was known that the company had a claim on him for over two-thirds of the amount, on account of money advanced to him. davis was dying of a lingering illness, to which he succumbed in the beginning of july. on the th june, a vigorous attack was made on the fort from three sides at once. on one side the enemy had thrown up an entrenchment, and on the river side they had effected a lodgment in cowse's house, a substantial building close to the wall of the fort. this would have soon made the fort untenable, so a small party was sent to dislodge the occupants. at first they were repulsed, but a second attempt was successful. marching up to the windows, 'where they were as thick as bees,' they threw hand grenades into the house, which was hurriedly evacuated; numbers of the enemy leaping into the river, where some of them were drowned. ince then bombarded them out of the entrenchment, and the attack came to an end. several of the garrison were wounded, but none killed; but what chiefly mortified them was that the arms of the men slain with gyfford were used against them. after this the land blockade lingered on, but no very serious attack seems to have been made. a second reinforcement of thirty men was sent down by adams from calicut, and the rani and poola venjamutta sent 'refreshments,' and promised that the attacks of their rebellious subjects should cease. the rani also wrote to the madras council, and sent a deputation of one hundred brahmins to tellicherry, to express her horror of the barbarities committed by her people, and her willingness to join the company's forces in punishing the guilty. intelligence of the disaster at anjengo did not reach bombay till the beginning of july. the monsoon was in full force, and no assistance could be sent till it was over. men and supplies were gathered in from carwar and surat, and, on the th october, mr. midford, with three hundred men, reached anjengo. his report on the state of affairs he found there makes it a matter of surprise that the place had not fallen. the safety of the fort had been entirely due to gunner ince. sewell's behaviour was that of a fool or a madman. together with lapthorne, he had set the example of plundering the company, and their men had done as much damage as the enemy. sewell, as storekeeper, had no books, and said he never had kept any. lapthorne had retained two months' pay, due to the men killed with gyfford, and asserted his right to it. much of the company's treasure was unaccounted for, and mrs. gyfford had carried off the books. midford sent sewell and lapthorne under arrest to bombay, where they were let off with a scolding, and proceeded to restore order. the rani and venjamutta were friendly, but told him he must take his own vengeance on the nairs for their inhuman action. so he commenced a series of raids into the surrounding country, which reduced it to some sort of subjection. soon there came an order for most of his men to be sent back to bombay, where warlike measures against angria were on foot. a cessation of arms was patched up, and midford installed himself as chief. he proved to be no honester than his predecessors. he monopolized the pepper trade on his own private account, making himself advances out of the company's treasury. in less than a year he was dead, but before his death alexander orme,[ ] then a private merchant on the coast, was sent to anjengo as chief of the factory, at the special request of the rani. before long, orme had to report to the council that there were due to the company, from gyfford's estate, , fanams, and that , gold fanams had disappeared during midford's chiefship which could not be accounted for. midford had also drawn pay for twenty european soldiers who did not exist. the council ascribed midford's misdeeds to his 'unaccountable stupidity,' and the directors answered that 'the charges against mr. midford are very grievous ones.' in september, , the council received from orme a copy of the treaty he had made with the rani. the following were the chief provisions. the ringleaders in the attack on gyfford were to be punished and their estates confiscated; all christians living between edawa and brinjone were to be brought under the company's protection; the rani was to reimburse the company for all expenses caused by the attack on anjengo; the company was to have exclusive right to the pepper trade, and were empowered to build factories in the rani's dominions wherever they pleased; the rani was to return all arms taken in the late out-break, and to furnish timber to rebuild the church that had been burned. the treaty was guaranteed by the rani's brother, the rajah of chinganatta. by the directors it was received with mixed feelings. "last years letters took some notice about the affair at anjengo, we had not then the account of the treaty mr. orme made with the queen of attinga and king of chinganetty, we are sorry to find it included in the treaty, that we must supply souldiers to carry on the war against her rebellious subjects for which she is to pay the charge, and in the interim to pawn lands for answering principal and interest, because it will certainly involve us in a trouble if we succeed, and more if we dont, add to this, the variable temper and poverty of those people may incline them to refuse to refund, and in time they may redemand and force back their lands, if the articles are fully comply'd with they seem to be for the companys benefit, but we fear we shall have the least share of it, to what purpose is her grant to us of all the pepper in her countrey, if our unfaithful people there get all for themselves and none for us, as you charge mr. midford with doing, we dont want an extent of lands, if we could but (obtain) pepper cheap and sufficient, and what benefit will it be to us, to have the liberty of building factorys, which in event is only a liberty to lavish away our money, and turning quick stock into dead, unless you could be morally certain it would be worth while to get a small residence in the king of chengenattys countrey, where it is said the dutch make great investments of peice goods cheaper and better, than they used to do at negapatam, and therefore have deserted it, we consider further, if such goods as are proper for our europe market were procurable, how comes it we have had none hitherto, it is true we have had cloth from anjengo good of the sorts, but invoiced so dear that we forbad sending more unless to be purchased at the prices we limited, since then we have heard no more about it, but we are told it is traded in to bombay to some profit, what profit will the putting the christians between edova and brinjohn under our jurisdiction yeild to us, and what security can you have that the king of chenganattys guarranteeship will answer and give full satisfaction, these are what appear to us worthy your serious and deliberate consideration to be well thought of before you come to a determination what orders to give, we find by your consultations in january / you had sent down treasure to anjengo, to enable the chief to levy souldiers to revenge the murder of the english, since you could not spare forces which as there exprest is absolutely necessary, for else the natives will have but contemptible thoughts of the english, who will then loose their esteem, had we ever found a benefit by their esteem, something might be said for it, but in the present case we fear we shall buy our esteem at too dear a rate, we should be extreamly glad to be mistaken and to find in effect what your th paragraph says in words, that you hope to make it a valuable settlement."[ ] we left mrs. gyfford flying from anjengo in a small country ship, with two other english women and six children. the misery that the three poor widows must have endured for a month, crowded into a small country boat, without preparation or ordinary comforts, at the hottest time of the year, must have been extreme. on the th may, the fugitives landed at madras. the council there granted them a compassionate allowance, of which mrs. gyfford refused to avail herself. after a time she made her way to calcutta and joined her father's family, leaving, with an agent in madras, the anjengo factory books, which, after repeated demands, were surrendered to the madras council. from madras to calcutta she was pursued by the demands of the bombay council. the books had been restored at madras, and the bengal government extracted rs. from her; but, in reply to further demands, she would only answer that she was 'an unfortunate widow, struggling with adversity, whose husband had met his death serving our honourable masters,' and that it was shameful to demand money from her, when she herself was owed large sums by the company. she could only refer them to her agents at madras and anjengo. still, she was in a considerable dilemma, as she could not get out of the country without a full settlement of accounts, and, if resistance was carried too far, her father might be made to suffer. at this juncture an unexpected way of escape presented itself. twelve months before this, commodore matthews had arrived in bombay with a squadron of the royal navy for the suppression of piracy. but matthews was more bent on enriching himself by trade than on harrying pirates; and, as his own trading was inimical to the company's interests and certain to set the company's servants against him, he had from the first assumed a position of hostility to the company. every opportunity was seized of damaging the company's interests and lowering the company's authority. all who were in the company's bad books found a patron and protector in matthews; so, when in september, , the flagship appeared in the hooghly, mrs. gyfford was quick to grasp the opportunity, that presented itself, of bidding defiance to her pursuers. she at once opened communication with matthews, and besought his protection. she was an unfortunate widow who had lost two husbands by violent deaths in the company's service, and, now that she was unprotected, the company was trying to wring from her the little money she had brought away from anjengo, while she herself had large claims against the company. this was quite enough for matthews. here was a young and pretty woman with a good sum of money, shamefully persecuted by the company, to which he felt nothing but hostility. at one stroke he could gratify his dislike of the company and succour a badly treated young woman, whose hard fate should arouse sympathy in every generous mind; so the bengal council were told that mrs. gyfford was now under the protection of the crown, and was not to be molested. in the hope of securing some portion of the money due to the company, the council attached the brigantine _thomas_, commanded by mrs. gyfford's brother. a letter was at once forthcoming from matthews to say that he had purchased mrs. gyfford's interest in the vessel. finding themselves thus forestalled, the council begged matthews not to take her away from calcutta till she had furnished security for the company's claim of rs. , , matthews replied that he should take her to bombay, where she would answer anything that might be alleged against her. as soon as he had completed his trading in bengal, mrs. gyfford, with her effects, embarked on board the _lyon_, and so returned to bombay. there, in january, , we find her living under matthews' roof, much to the wrath of the council and the scandal of her former acquaintances. by this time, the council had received from anjengo more precise details as to what was due to the company from gyfford's estate. all the cowries, pepper, and cloth that were said to belong to gyfford had been bought with the company's money, and the company's claim against his estate was nearly £ . a stringent order was sent to mrs. gyfford, forbidding her to leave bombay till the claim was settled. matthews at once put her on board the _lyon_ again, and there she remained; not venturing to set foot on shore, lest the council should lay hands on her. by the end of the year, matthews was ready to return to england. intent to the last on trade, he touched at carwar, tellicherry, and st. david's, and, in mrs. gyfford's interests, a visit was also paid anjengo, to try and recover some of the property she claimed to have left there. she was not going to be put off with lapthorne's 'two wiggs and a bolster.' in july ( ) the _lyon_ reached portsmouth, and was put out of commission. at first the directors appear to have paid little attention to mrs. gyfford, perhaps not thinking her worth powder and shot. their principal anger was directed against matthews, against whom they obtained a decree in the court of chancery for unlawful trading. but mrs. gyfford would not keep silence. perhaps she really believed in the justice of her claims. she bombarded the directors with petitions, till at last, two years after her arrival in england, they tardily awoke to the fact that they themselves had substantial claims against her. they offered to submit the claims to arbitration, to which mrs. gyfford consented; but as she still refrained from coming to close quarters, they filed a suit against her in the court of chancery, nearly four years after her arrival in england. mrs. gyfford promptly replied with a counter-suit, in which, among other things, she claimed £ , for presents taken by gyfford to the rani of attinga on that fatal th april, seven years before. four years later, she was still deep in litigation, having quarrelled with her agent, peter lapthorne, among others. it is to be hoped, for her sake, that chancery suits were cheaper than they are now. here we may say good-bye to her. for those who are curious in such matters, a search among the chancery records will probably reveal the result, but it is improbable that the company reaped any benefit from their action. and so she passes from the scene, a curious example of the vicissitudes to which englishwomen in india were exposed, two hundred years ago. [ ] they were issued at the rate of sixty-five for a rupee; before long, their value was reduced to seventy-two for a rupee, at which price they were much in request, and the governor reported that he expected to coin sixteen tons of them yearly. [ ] in october, , the bombay council decided that the xeraphims, being much debased with copper and other alloy, their recognized value should in future be half a rupee, or two laris and forty reis. the xeraphim was a goa coin, originally worth less than one and sixpence. the name, according to yule, was a corruption of the arabic _ashrafi_. [ ] the year before, the _godolphin_ had escaped from an angrian fleet, after a two days' encounter within sight of bombay. [ ] the records are silent as to the _defiance_, but it is mentioned by downing, who says that, instead of doing his duty, the captain made the best of his way to bombay. the story seems to be borne out by a faded letter from the captain to the directors, appealing against dismissal from the service. [ ] the name is now given to the group of islands to which bourbon and mauritius belong. at that time it generally applied to bourbon, and especially to st. paul's bay, which was a favourite place of call for ships to water at. [ ] according to some accounts, the first settlement was a few years earlier, but the dates of the early travellers are very unreliable. hamilton says that a present was sent in to the queen; "a beautiful young english gentleman had the honour to present it to her black majesty; and as soon as the queen saw him, she fell in love with him, and next day made proposals of marriage to him, but he modestly refused so great an honour however, to please her majesty, he staid at court a month or two and satisfied her so well that when he left her court she made him some presents." [ ] bruce. [ ] this is the reason given by bruce for brabourne leaving anjengo, but the death of brabourne's wife, in , probably had a good deal to do with his leaving the place. her tomb still exists. [ ] tranqueira (port.), a palisade. [ ] meaning sequin: the origin of the modern anglo-indianism, chick.' [ ] the father of robert orme, the historian, who was born at anjengo. [ ] letter from court of directors to bombay, th march, . index a abdul guffoor, his ship seized off surat; his ship, _futteh mahmood_, taken by every; incites the natives of surat against the english. adams, mr., sends relief to anjengo. _addison_, the, east indiaman, commanded by boone, against kennery; consultation on board. _adventure_ galley, the, fitted out as a privateer; commanded by kidd; size and defence of; anchors off johanna; anchors at perim; flies english colours at carwar; sails to calicut; chased by two portuguese vessels; chases the _sedgwick_; her crew divide the spoil of the _quedah merchant_; becomes unseaworthy; her owners not inculpated by kidd. _advice_, the, king's ship, under warren. affleck, mr., owner of the _london_. aislabie, william, president of bombay, his negotiations with angria; sails for england; begins building the church at bombay; his armed yacht taken by angria. _algerine_, the. _see soldado_, the. alibagh fort, unsuccessfully assaulted by the english and portuguese; taken by sumbhajee angria. _anglesea_ the, man-of-war. _anglesea_ the, french man-of-war, attacks the _anson_; angria, conajee (kanhojee), pirate, rise of the power of; succeeds to the command of the mahratta navy; styled darya-s ranga; destroys the _bombay_ frigate; fortifies kennery; attacks the _godolphin_; concludes a treaty with the mahrattas; becomes an independent chief; captures the _anne_ ketch; his ships attack the _somers_ and _grantham_; captures a portuguese 'armado,'; opens negotiations with the english; articles of agreement delivered to, by lieutenant mackintosh; his territory a refuge for desperadoes; defies governor boone; fruitless attack made on his fort at gheriah; offers terms to governor boone; negotiates with the english through sahoojee; his ships burnt in gheriah harbour; makes a treaty with the portuguese; fits out an expedition against carwar; his commodore killed and ship taken; his power weakened; his treatment of curgenven; his death. angria, mannajee, illegitimate son of conajee angria; quarrels with sumbhajee; takes colaba; imprisons yessajee; his relations with the english; captures caranjah; seizes bombay ships; captain inchbird sent to punish; his territories attacked by sumbhajee; increase of power of. angria, sakhajee, son of conajee angria; establishes himself at colaba; dies. angria, sumbhajee, son of conajee angria; quarrels with mannajee; his gallivata captured; captures the _derby_; opens negotiations with bombay; his fleet chased by bagwell; takes the _jupiter_; attacks mannajee's territories; his camp bombarded by inchbird; retreats from colaba; makes overtures of peace to bombay; captures the _salamander_; dies. angria, toolajee, illegitimate son of conajee angria; taken prisoner by mahrattas; succeeds sumbhajee; captures the _princess augusta_; sacks mangalore and honore; captures the _restoration_; captures trading boats; chases the _tartar_; attacks the _ruby_; takes the _swallow_; proposes terms to the bombay council; the english co-operate with the peishwa against; his fleet chased by james; his fort at severndroog bombarded; the council's orders as to terms of capitulation with; leaves gheriah and treats with the mahrattas; warns his brother-in-law against surrendering gheriah; his person demanded from the mahrattas; his fleet destroyed at gheriah; imprisoned for life by the mahrattas; escape of his sons from captivity. angria, yessajee, illegitimate son of conajee angria; imprisoned by mannajee. anjediva, island, part of brown's fleet finds refuge at; portuguese fort on. anjengo, the dutch oust the portuguese from; english factory and fort at; unrest at; massacre of the english at; state of the garrison at; fort at, besieged; the company's goods at, plundered; monopoly of pepper trade at, secured to the company; the company's remarks on trade at. _anne_, the, grab, taken by toolajee angria. _anne_, ketch, the, sails for bombay; how protected; attacked and captured by angrian ships; recovered from angria; taken by sumbhajee angria. annesley, daniel, president of surat, imprisoned anselme, captain, commander of the _derby_, purposely delays his ship; surrenders the _derby_ to angria. _anson_, the, east indiaman, attacked by french man-of-war. _antelope_, the, taken by the coolee rovers. _apollo_, the, french man-of-war, attacks the _anson_. arabs, the, of muscat, pirates; attack the company's ship _president_; ravage salsette. armenian merchants, their complaints of pirates. armenian ships, plundered by pirates. ashure, rani of attinga, the english settle in her territory; dies. attinga, monopoly of the pepper trade at, granted to the english; internal divisions in; massacre of the english from anjengo at. attinga, rani of, the, blockades the english at anjengo; makes peace with the english; yearly presents to; sends food to the besieged at anjengo; disclaims participation in the massacre of the english; requests orme to be chief at anjengo; to compensate for attack on anjengo. _see also s.v._ ashure. _augusta_, the, taken by toolajee angria. aungier, gerald, president of; bombay, quells mutiny among the soldiers. aurungzeeb, mogul emperor; his ship, _gunj suwaie_, taken by every; story of the capture of his granddaughter; his order to imprison the english in surat and bombay; holds the english responsible for loss of the _quedah merchant_; reverses his order to stop european trade; death of. b babington, philip, irish pirate; commands the _charming mary_. bab's key _see_ perim. bagwell, commodore; chases sumbhajee angria's fleet into rajapore river. bahama islands, the; a haunt of pirates. ballajee bajee rao, the peishwa's son; attacks sumbhajee angria's camp; his alliance with the english. ballajee rao. _see_ peishwa, the. bandara, shelled by the english. bankote to be made over to the english; surrender of, to the mahrattas; surrender of, to the english. bassein besieged by the mahrattas. bellamont, lady; kidd's present to. bellamont, lord; supports syndicate to send out a privateer against french commerce; appointed governor of new york; obtains a commission for kidd; arrests kidd; said by kidd to have french passes of captured ships; accused of complicity in kidd's piracies. bellamy, lieutenant; killed before alibagh. _bengal_ galley, the; engages portuguese grabs; attacked off colaba and boarded by angrian ships. _benjamin_ yacht, the; unmolested by pirates. _benjimolly_ the; taken by toolajee angria. berkeley, lieutenant; fights a duel with lieutenant stepney. berlew (? bellew), captain; directs attack on gheriah; beyt, pirates from. bhyroo punt. _see_ peishwa, the. blackbeard. _see_ teach, edward. bomanjee, a parsee broker; arrest of, for fraud; his cause espoused by matthews. bombay, its defenceless position; seized by keigwin for the king; surrendered to grantham; boone builds a wall round; conditions imposed by the portuguese at the cession of; increased reputation of the english at; council-of-war held at; freed from the pirates; state kept up by the company's servants at. bombay council, conclude a six months' truce with sumbhajee angria; send warning to merchantmen of french man-of-war; their reply to toolajee angria's overtures; co-operate with the peishwa against toolajee angria; terms of agreement between the mahrattas and; their instructions to olive and hough; proceed against mrs. gyfford. _bombay_ frigate, the, destroyed by angria's vessels. _bombay_ galley, the, engages portuguese grabs; attacked off colaba by angrian ships; sent against the angrian fleet. bombay marine battalion, formation of. bonnell and kynaston, partners of porter; action brought against, by the east india company. boone, charles, president of bombay; his character and capacity; fleet organized by; failure of his attempt on vingorla; sends an expedition to gheriah; plans an attack on kennery; his opinion of the company's military; rejects angria's terms; builds the _phram_, a floating battery; builds a wall round bombay; his trouble with the portuguese; plans a second expedition against gheriah; orders brown to engage the madagascar pirates; plans a fresh attack on angria; his disappointment at failure of the expedition against colaba; intrigues against; embarks for england; attacked on his homeward journey by angria; rescues a ship from the kempsant's grabs; succeeded by william phipps; abolishes the public table at bombay. boscawen, admiral, leaves four ships to protect the coast of india. bourbon, isle of, the _nostra senhorade cabo_ taken by pirates at; governor of, compelled to countenance pirates; matthews trades at. bourchier, richard, president of bombay, strengthens alliance with the peishwa. bowen,--, pirate, commands the _speedy return_. brabourne, john, procures grant of anjengo for the english; completes the fort at anjengo; leaves anjengo. braddyll, mr., member of bombay council, intrigues against boone; is protected by matthews. braddyll, mrs., taken to surat by matthews. brathwaite, lieutenant, of the _lyon_ leads the assault on alibagh; made captain of the _exeter_. _bridgewater_, the, blockades gheriah. bridgman, henry. _see_ every, henry. brinjone. _see_ villanjuen. _bristol_, the, taken to sumatra on a piratical cruise. _britannia_, the, company's armed ship, built at carwar, by boone's orders; sent to attack vingorla; takes part in the attack on kennery; sent in search of pirates. brown, walter, factor, commands company's troops; serves on the _addison_ against kennery; commands the expedition against gheriah; cowardice and incompetency; plans a night surprise on gheriah; abandons the attack on gheriah and deoghur; his fleet chased by the pirates; orders the _phram_ to be burned; sent in search of pirates; chases the _cassandra_ and _victory_; sent to anjengo to accommodate matters. buchanan, captain, holds gheriah after its capture. burton, mrs., escapes from anjengo. byng; sir george, first lieutenant of the _phoenix_. c _caesar_, the, engages with pirates. calicut, kidd's letter of protest to the factory at; relief sent to anjengo from. carolina, north, pirates off the coasts of; governor of, intimidated by teach; planters at, seek assistance from virginia. carpenter's bay, mauritius, message from the pirates found at. carwar, kidd's visit to; factory at, besieged by the sunda rajah; part of brown's fleet escapes to; threatened by angria's forces; captain hudson entertained at; hamilton's account of. _cassandra_, the, company's ship (later a madagascar pirate ship), her fight with pirates; taken by england; falls in with brown's fleet; chases the english fleet to goa; spoil from, presented to the daughter of the governor of cochin; chased by brown and macrae; with the _victory_, takes the _nostra senhora de cabo_; takes an ostend ship; macrae's defence of; booty acquired by the crew of. _catherine_, the, trades to mocha. _ceres_, the, company's ship, attacked by angrian pirates. chalmers, lieut.-colonel, commands troops at gheriah. _chandos_, the, employed in the attack on gheriah; fired on by the _cassandra_; sent with brown in search of pirates. _charles the second_, the, seized by every and mutineers; renamed the _fancy_. _charlotte_, the, madras ship, taken by angria's fleet. _charming mary_, the, a pirate ship. charnock's point, st. mary's island, a pirate settlement; wrecks of merchant ships at; matthews takes booty at. chaul, the rendezvous for the colaba expedition; mannajee angria escapes to; attacked by sumbhajee angria; made over to the peishwa; james joined by the mahratta fleet at. cheyne, captain, commands the _protector_ child, sir john, president of surat attempts to pacify the native governor; compared with governor boone; his intrigues at surat; endeavours to re-establish the company's authority at bombay. child, sir josiah. chimnajee appa, the peishwa's brother, his aid invoked against mannajee angria. chinganatta, the rajah of, guarantees the treaty at anjengo. chivers, a dutchman, commands the _soldado_ or _algerine_; captures and releases the _sedgwick_; promises submission to warren. chown, catherine (_née_ cooke), sails for bombay on the _anne_; her second husband killed; is captured by angrian pirates; taken prisoner to colaba; a ransom demanded for; birth of her son; marries william gyfford. _see also s.v._ cooke, catherine; gyfford, catherine; harvey, catherine. chown, thomas, supercargo of the _godolphin_; wrecked; goes to carwar as factor; marries catherine harvey; sails for bombay to prosecute his wife's claims; killed in action with angria's fleet. clive, robert (lord); commands land forces against gheriah; bombay council's instructions to; dispute as to his share of spoil at gheriah; his capacity as a soldier. cobb, captain, commands the _samaritan_ and _roebuck_; captures two mogul vessels. cockburn, captain, commander of the _salisbury_, matthews' letter to; matthews quarrels with; assists the council at bombay; placed under arrest by matthews; transferred to the _exeter_. coins, multiplicity of, at bombay. colaba, granted to conajee angria by treaty; lieutenant mackintosh goes to, with articles of treaty; fired on by the english; english and portuguese make an unsuccessful attack on; appropriated by sakhajee angria; taken by mannajee angria; attacked by sumbhajee angria; engagement between angrian ships and bombay gallivats off. conajee angria. _see_ angria, conajee. concan, the coast of, harried by sivajee's fleet; the peishwa becomes master of. conden (congdon, condent), pirate, his headquarters, madagascar; commands the _flying dragon_. cong, plundered by pirates. cooke, catherine, daughter of captain cooke, gunner; marries john harvey. _see also s.v._ chown, catherine; gyfford, catherine; harvey, catherine. cooke, captain gerrard, gunner at fort william; made engineer and captain; father of catherine gyfford; marries his daughter to harvey. cooke, thomas, gyfford's brother-in-law, commands the _thomas_; his ship attached by the bengal council. coolee rovers, the. coorla, river, defences of; forced by the english and; dutch. corlem, portuguese fort at, destroyed by the english. courten, sir william, his attempt to establish a separate trade in the east indies. cowan, robert, factor, commands company's troops; negotiates treaty between english and portuguese at goa; his services recognized; made a general in the expedition against colaba; his military incapacity. cowse, mrs., escapes from anjengo. cowse, simon, anjengo left in charge of, by brabourne; deposed by kyffin; resumes business as private merchant; his advice to gyfford; killed in escaping to anjengo; the enemy occupy his house at anjengo. coxsidge, captain, takes part in the attack on kennery. cruffe, james, armourer, recaptures the _josiah_ ketch. cuddalore, establishment of a factory at. culliford, ----, mutineer and pirate, succeeds stent as commander of the _defence_; renames her the _resolution_; attacks the _dorrill_, ; promises submission to warren; kidd's dealings with; trial, condemnation and respite of. curgenven, mr., private merchant, sails for china on the _charlotte_; captured by angria's fleet; a prisoner for ten years. d dabul, the _ockham_ attacked off, by angrian pirates; the mahrattas offer james a reward to attack. _dadaboy_, the, taken by toolajee angria. dalrymple, mr., killed in a duel with mr. sutherland. danes, the, their supposed piratical outrages; implicated in the capture of abdul guffoor's ship. _dartmouth_, the, east indiaman, takes part in the attack on kennery. darya--s ranga. _see_ angria, conajee. davis, thomas, besieged in anjengo; dies at anjengo. deccanees, tin coins, value of. _defence_, the (formerly the _mocha_ frigate, _q.v._), becomes a pirate; renamed the _resolution_. _defiance_ grab, the, present at the attacks on kennery; present at gheriah; engages the _victory_, pirate ship. _defiance_, the, frigate, attacked by angria's ships. _derby_, the, company's ship, taken by toolajee angria. deoghur (or tamana), granted to conajee angria by treaty; angria's southernmost stronghold; attack on, abandoned. _derby_, the, east indiaman, taken by sumbhajee angria's ships. desforges, m., governor of bourbon. diego suarez, pirate settlement of libertatia at. _doddington_, the, east indiaman, wrecked. _dorrill_, the, company's ship, attacked by the _resolution_. _dove_ the, company's grab, captured by mahratta fleet. downing, clement, takes part in the attack on kennery. dutch, the, torture and execute captain towerson; obstruct the english at surat; protect pirates at the cape; entertain england and taylor at cochin; unite with the english against coolee rovers; their disastrous engagement with toolajee angria; their hostility to the english at anjengo; their investments in chinganatta. dwarka, pirates at. e _eagle_ galley, the, attacked by angria's grabs; takes refuge in saragon harbour. easthope, captain jeremiah, dies of fever, before gheriah. east india company, the, their servants at surat imprisoned; bring an action against bonnell and kynaston; grant commissions to seize interlopers and pirates; offer a reward for every's apprehension; untrustworthiness of their crews; petition the admiralty for a ship to deal with pirates; their trade in india ruined by pirates; character and pay of their servants; incompetence of their military; send out a guardship to bombay; their action with regard to matthews; build the _guardian_ and _protector_ for protection of coast trade; complicated accounts of; in india; state kept up by their servants at bombay; their remarks on the treaty with the rani of attinga; file a suit against mrs. gyfford. _east india merchant_, the, company's ship. edawa. eden,--, governor of north carolina, suspected of complicity with teach. _edgar_, the, every serves in. edgecombe, captain, commander of the _mocha_ frigate; his crew mutiny; stabbed. egmont, earl of, his estimation of the company's military officers. elephanta, island, portuguese village on, burned; mannajee angria hoists his flag on. _elizabeth_, the, private ship, plundered by the sunda rajah; taken by pirates off honore. england, edward, pirate; his headquarters, madagascar; commands the _victory_; his engagement with the _cassandra_; entertains macrae on board the _cassandra_; engages brown's fleet and chases it to goa; entertained at cochin by the dutch; his crew incensed against macrae; marooned at mauritius; goes to st. mary's. english, the, in ill-odour at surat; blamed for piracy of other nations. suffer for every's seizure of the _gunj suwaie_. ericeira, conde de, ex-viceroy of goa, his ship boarded by pirates; forced to ransom himself. every, henry, _alias_ bridgman, his career as a pirate; parentage of; seizes the _charles the second_ and renames her; his piratical outrages on the guinea coast; his friendly warning to the english; establishes himself at madagascar; takes the _futteh mahmood_; takes the _gunj suwaie_; his reported abduction of aurungzeeb's granddaughter; captures the _rampura_; retires to england; reward for his apprehension offered; his reported flight, to ireland, and death in devonshire; compared with kidd. every, john. _see_ every, henry. execution dock, kidd hanged at; _exeter_, the, king's ship, sent out against pirates; dismasted; her captains; takes part in the expedition against the portuguese; goes to the defence of carwar. f fake, corporal, mutinies, and is shot. _fame_, the, company's armed ship; built at surat by boone's orders; sent to attack vingorla; takes part in the attack on kennery. _fancy_, the pirate ship, commanded by taylor; her engagement with the _cassandra_; given to macrae. _fancy_, the (formerly the _charles the second, q.v.)_, pirate ship; commanded by every; takes the _futteh mahmood_; takes the _gunj suwaie_. farrell, captain, pirate. fleetwood, miles, succeeds mence as chief at carwar. _flying dragon_, the, pirate ship. forbes, lieutenant, communicates with the besieged in carwar factory; holds gheriah after its capture. _fort st. george_, the, galley, engages portuguese grabs. foulis, captain, commander of the _anson_; his bravery against the french. french, the, at surat; their men-of-war menace the company's ships; their defeat in the carnatic; take the _new george_; east indiaman. _futteh dowlet_ grab, the; sent by bombay council to assist mannajee angria; taken by toolajee angria. futteh droog, angrian fort, bombarded by james. futtehghur, granted to conajee angria by treaty. _futteh mahmood_, the, taken by every. g gallivats, large rowing boats. gayer, sir john, president of surat, receives news of every; delivers french pirates to the governor of surat; offers to convoy the red sea fleet; harassed by untrustworthiness of english crews; disclaims responsibility with regard to the _quedah merchant_; hands over to the portuguese their ship taken by pirates; harland and richards quarrel with; compared with governor boone; killed in action on the _new george_; annuls a marriage. gheriah or viziadroog, granted to conajee angria by treaty; account of attack on; angria's fleet from; menaces bombay; second expedition against; its fate settled; attacked by a dutch squadron; capture of; attacked by allied forces; reported impregnability of; blockaded by james; division of spoil taken at; european slaves at; surrendered to the mahrattas. gilliam, james, pirate, seized and imprisoned at mungrole; sent to aurungzeeb's camp. goa, proclamation issued from, to the portuguese at bombay; viceroys of. _godolphin_, the, attacked by angria's ships_; wrecked outside bombay. gordon, captain, takes reinforcements to carwar; is wounded; his fruitless action at gheriah. goring, mr., his visit to oarwar, dies at sea. gova, fort, bombarded by james; governor of; escapes to severndroog. grabs, two-masted ships, description of. _grantham_, the, east indiaman, attacked by angria's ships; placed under matthews' orders against pirates. grantham, sir thomas; keigwin surrenders bombay to. green,--, pirate, takes the _speedy return_; hanged. _greenwich_, the, company's ship, leaves the _cassandra_ in her contest with pirates; sent in search of pirates. _guardian_, sloop, the, man-of-war, built to protect the malabar coast; commanded by james; takes part in the combined attack on gheriah. giuliam,--, pirate, hanged; _gunj suwaie_ (exceeding treasure), the; taken by every. guzerat, coast of; infested by coolee rovers. gyfford, captain, commander of the _sidney_; distrusts kidd. gyfford; catherine _(née_ cooke), a third of harvey's estate paid to; her third husband killed at anjengo; escapes from anjengo; carries off factory records from anjengo; appoints lapthorne her agent; lands at madras; goes to calcutta; declines to satisfy claims against her husband; matthews espouses her quarrel with the bengal council; is carried off to bombay by matthews; attempts to secure her effects at anjengo; is brought to england by matthews; petitions the directors for redress; files a suit against the company; quarrels with lapthorne. _see also s.v._ chown, catherine; cooke, catherine; harvey, catherine. gyfford, william, factor at bombay, marries catherine chown; appointed supercargo of the _catherine_; chief of anjengo factory; his dishonesty; insults mahommedan traders; his private trade; goes to attinga with presents for the rani; is inveigled into an ambush and tortured to death; his estate a debtor to the company. h _halifax_, the, company's ship, attacked by angrian pirates. _halifax_, the, country ship, sent to assist mannajee angria. halsey,--, pirate. hamilton, alexander, his defence of littleton; his account of the engagement between the _phoenix_ and a sanganian pirate; commands the _morning star_; is attacked by pirates; made commander-in-chief of the company's frigates; sent to relieve carwar factory; resigns his post as commander-in-chief; brings charges against taylor; his account of carwar. hand, john, master of the _bristol_, interloper. hands, israel, wounded by teach. harland, captain, quarrels with sir john gayer; succeeds richards as commander of the _severn_ and the _scarborough_. _harrington_, the, company's ship, engages pirate ships. harris, president at surat, declines to interfere to procure gilliam's release. harvey, catherine _(née_ cooke), goes to bombay; returns to carwar; asserts her claim, to harvey's estate; marries thomas chown; sails for bombay. _see also s.v._ chown, catherine; cooke, catherine; gyfford, catherine. harvey, john, chief of carwar factory, demands the surrender of parker by kidd; entertains captain hudson; marries catherine cooke; his deformity; resigns the company's service; goes to bombay to wind up his affairs; returns to carwar; dies. _harwich_, the, man-of-war, under warren, attacked by a pirate vessel. _hastings_, the, man-of-war, under warren, hewitt, lieutenant, sent to reconnoitre at gheriah. hill, serjeant, wounded in the attack on carwar. himmutghur, to be made over to the english. honore, seizure of a pirate ship at; pirates provision their ships at; attacked by arab pirates; sacked by toolajee angria, houblon, sir james, his ships hired by the spanish government. hough, commodore, drives angrian grabs to severndroog; his ability, present at the attack on gheriah. hudson, captain, commands the _loyall bliss_. _hunter_, the, reinforces the _revenge_; takes part in the attack on kennery; present at gheriah; attacked by angria's grabs. i ibrahim khan, captain of the _gunj suwaie_, cowardice of. ince, samuel, gunner, defends anjengo; is reinforced from cochin; his bravery. inchbird, captain, sent on a mission to mannajee angria; seizes mannajee angria's gallivats; commands ships sent to the relief of mannajee angria at colaba. _indien_, the, french ship, captured by commodore james. interlopers, unlicensed merchant adventurers. ireland, john, pirate, commission to kidd to apprehend. itimad khan, governor of surat, protects the english; character of. j _james_, the, one of houblon's squadron; her men join the mutineers on the _charles the second_. james, commodore william, commands the _guardian_; commands a squadron against gheriah; his early life; his capacity; captures the _indien_; his success at severndroog; director of the east india company, baronet, and member of parliament, sent to madras. jenkins, captain of the _harrington_, his conflict with angrian pirates; his courage commended. jinjeera, the seedee of, complains of english outrages. jobson, captain, commander of the _ockham_, beats off angrian pirates. johnson, sir robert, captain of the _exeter_, matthews quarrels with; perishes at sea; matthews answerable for the death of. jolly roger, the, hoisted by mutinous ships. josé, francisco de sampaio e castro, viceroy of goa; unites with boone in the expedition against colaba; treatment of, by matthews; comes to terms with the council at bombay. _josiah_ ketch, the, taken by her crew; recaptured by cruffe and carried to acheen; attacked by the sanganians. junaghur, imprisonment of gilliam and his followers at. _jupiter_, the, french ship, taken by sumbhajee angria. jyeghur, granted to conajee angria by treaty; the mahrattas to attack. k kanak droog, angrian fort, bombarded by james. keigwin, captain richard, sent to bombay; his troop disbanded; again sent out to bombay; distrusts the company; takes possession of bombay; his good government, and popularity; surrenders bombay to sir thomas grantham; his death at st. christopher's; fights the mahratta fleet in the _revenge_. kempsant, the, the sawunt waree chief at vingorla; quarrels with angria; proposes an alliance with the english; his attitude at the attack on deoghur. kennery, occupied by sivajee; blockaded by the company's ships; seized and fortified by conajee angria; granted to conajee angria by treaty; the seedee and mahrattas struggle for the possession of; reinforced and provisioned by angria; boone commands an expedition against; failure of attack on. _kent_ the, east indiaman, sent in search of danish pirates; commanded by matthews in the action off cape passaro. kidd, william, account of his career; commands the _adventure_ galley; commissions granted to, against pirates; excites warren's suspicion; his piratical intentions discussed; attacks the mocha fleet; takes the _mary_ brigantine; his cruelty to the natives of the laccadives; chases the _sedgwick_; captures the _quedah merchant_; attitude of the english government towards; fraternizes with culliford; abandons the _adventure_; sails to boston on the _quedah merchant_; hides his plunder; arrested by lord bellamont; tried at the old bailey; found guilty on several charges; hanged; a contemptible character. kidd's island, why so named. _king george_, the, company's ship, captures an angrian grab; sent against sumbhajee angria. _kingsfisher_, the, sloop, blockades gheriah. kirby, captain, commander of the _greenwich_; his cowardice. koolta, fort, ceded to the peishwa. kyffin, john, second at anjengo, intrigues against cowse; chief at anjengo; his disloyalty to the company; dismissed the company's service. kynaston and bonnell, partners of porter. l la buze, oliver (la bouche, levasseur), french pirate, loses his ship off mayotta; made commander of the _victory_; tradition of his life at bourbon, and his end; at madagascar; escapes matthews' squadron. lari, the (coin), value of. lavender, captain, commander of the _thomas_, perishes with his ship. langworth, commodore, sent against sumbhajee angria's fleet. lapthorne, lieutenant peter, besieged in anjengo; agent for mrs. gyfford's affairs; his drunkenness and dishonesty; sent under arrest; to bombay. latenby, richard, carpenter's mate of the _cassandra_, his account of his enforced cruise with the pirates. leake, captain thomas, succeeds hough as commodore of the _restoration_; his ship taken by toolajee angria; his incapacity punished. lembourg, mr., his visit to carwar. levasseur (la bouche), oliver. _see_ la buze, oliver. libertatia, model pirate settlement; history of. _lime_, the, man-of-war, sent in search of teach. lisle, commodore, his squadron protects bombay coast trade; littleton, commodore, succeeds warren; suspected of dealings with the pirates; hamilton's defence of; quarrels with sir nicholas waite; effect of the presence of his squadron. _lizard_, the, man-of-war, under warren. loader, captain, of the _revenge_, burns a village in elephanta. _london_, the, seized by muscat arabs; her crew forced to fight with the portuguese; acts as flagship in the attack on gheriah; fired on by the _victory_; pirate ship; her crew break into the lazaretto at goa; boone sails for england in. lowth, captain, of the _loyal merchant_; seizes the _margaret_; prevented by the dutch from seizing the _vine_. _loyall bliss_, the, east indiaman, her voyage to bengal; puts in at carwar. _loyal merchant_, the, takes the _margaret_, a pirate ship. loyd, solomon, his marriage annulled. _lyon_, the, king's ship, sent out against pirates; taken by matthews to bengal; mrs. gyfford sails to england on; put out of commission. m mace, william. _see_ maze, william. mackintosh, lieutenant, goes to colaba with articles of treaty with angria. macrae, captain james, commander of the _cassandra_; his ship attacked and taken by pirates off madagascar; escapes with his crew; communicates with the pirates; the _fancy_ given to; serves under brown in the expedition in search of pirates; chases the _cassandra_ and _victory_; his parentage and character; becomes governor of fort st. george. madagascar, a pirate resort. madras, capture of, by la bourdonnais. _madras merchant_, the, company's ship, joins the _sidney_ at johanna. mahim, freedom of trade at, claimed by the portuguese; raided. mahomed ali, his power re-established by the english. mahrattas, the, their fleet repulsed by minchin and keigwin; rise of the power of; besiege bassein; attack sumbhajee angria's camp; seize a flotilla bound for calcutta; their respect for english arms; articles of agreement between the english and; their inefficiency as allies; treat with toolajee angria; encamp against grheriah; dispute with the english as to toolajee angria; gheriah delivered over to. maine, captain covil, of the _shoreham_ brings charges against matthews. malheiros, ignatio, portuguese interpreter at anjengo; insults mahommedan traders; seized by attinga natives and tortured to death. malwans, the, pirates, attack english ships. mangalore, attacked by arab pirates; sacked by toolajee angria. manikdroog, granted to conajee angria, by treaty. mannajee angria. _see_ angela, mannajee. manuel de castro, portuguese renegade, appointed commodore of the company's gallivats; distrusted by english captains; permits angria's gallivats to reinforce kennery; treachery of, punished; foments a mutiny at st. helena; returns to angria. _margaret_, the, of new york, pirate ship, seized by captain lowth. _mary_ brigantine, the, taken by kidd off sanjan; her master imprisoned on the _adventure_. matthews, commodore thomas, sent with a squadron against madagascar pirates; his character; suspected of complicity with pirates; his quarrels in india; takes part in the expedition against angria; his conduct at alibagh; his private trade; his disloyalty to the company; espouses mrs. gyfford's cause; effect of his squadron on madagascar pirates; the directors bring an action against; tried by court-martial for irregularities; appointed commander-in-chief in the mediterranean. may, captain, commander of a pirate ship, taken by every,. maynard, lieutenant of the _pearl_, commands sloops sent in search of teach; engages, and kills teach. maze (or mace), william, pirate, commission to kidd to apprehend. mecca, pilgrims from, taken in the _gunj suwaie_; pilgrims to, protected by the dutch. mence, robert, succeeds harvey as chief at oarwar; embezzles the company's money; dies at oarwar. midford, mr., factor, commands the land force sent to relieve carwar; commands company's troops; keeps back soldiers' pay; his incapacity; sent to the relief of anjengo; his punitive expeditions in attinga; becomes chief at anjengo; his dishonesty; death of. minchin, commodore, repels mahratta ships. minims, john, appointed engineer for the attack on gheriah. misson, french pirate, establishes the settlement of libertatia; is drowned on the way to america. mitchell, mr., fights a duel with mr. sutherland. mocha fleet, the, kidd's attack on.; waylaid by arab pirates. _mocha_ frigate, the, crew of, mutiny off acheen; renamed the _defence_; renamed the _resolution_. _montagu_, the, east indiaman, attacked by toolajee angria's fleet. moore,----, gunner of the _adventure_, murdered by kidd. _morning star_, the, private ship, commanded by alexander hamilton; her encounter with pirates; hired by the council at bombay; sent to relieve carwar. _morrice_, the, east indiaman, takes part in the attack on kennery; in danger from angria's fleet. mungrole, seizure of gilliam at. muscat, arabs of, seize the _london_ to avenge their losses. n negotna, river, blockaded by english ships. _neptune's prize_, the, bombketch, sent against sumbhajee angria's fleet. _new george_, the, east indiaman, taken by the french. north, ----, pirate, commands the _pelican_; recants his submission to warren; is killed by natives of st. mary's. _nostra senhora de cabo_, the, portuguese ship; taken by the _cassandra_ and _victory_. nunn, captain radford, sent against the coolee rovers. o _ockham_, the, east indiaman, fierce engagement between angrian pirates and. ogle, captain challoner, sent in pursuit of roberts; engages the _ranger_ and _royal fortune_; knighted for bravery against pirates. oochitghur, granted to conajee angria by treaty. orford, lord, head of the admiralty, refuses a ship to repress pirates; supports syndicate to send out a privateer against french commerce; secretly interested in kidd's mission; impeachment against, prepared. orme, alexander, becomes chief at anjengo; reports defalcations in accounts at anjengo; provisions in his treaty with the rani. ostend ships. ostenders, the, kyffin's dealings with; peremptory orders regarding. _otter_, the, bengal ship, taken by angria's forces. p parker, lieutenant, deprived of his commission. parker, mr., member of the bombay council, intrigues against boone. parker, thomas, master of the _mary_, his ship captured by kidd; imprisoned on the _adventure_. passmore, sergeant, punished for cowardice. _pearl_, the, man-of-war, sent in search of teach. peishwa, the, defeated by conajee angria's forces; makes terms with conajee angria; assists mannajee angria; angrian forts ceded to; shakes off his allegiance to satara; concludes a treaty with bombay; death of; chaul resigned to the new, by the portuguese; his agents mutilated by toolajee angria; invokes assistance of bombay against angria; his friendly relations with bombay; his fleet takes part in the attack on severndroog; his troops take part in the attack on gheriah. _pelham_, the, employed in the attack on gheriah. _pelican_, the, pirate ship, gets provisions at honore. perim, its value as a trading port. permission ships, imitate pirates. persian gulf, piratical outrages in the. phipps, william, succeeds boone as governor of bombay; remonstrates against matthews; levies customs duties at mahim; _phoenix_, the, man-of-war, goes in search of danish pirates; attacked by sanganian pirates. _phram_, the, floating battery, designed by boone; employed against gheriah; her uselessness; casualties on; fired on by the _cassandra_; her ultimate fate. _pilot_ sloop, the, taken by toolajee angria. pirates, earliest mention of, in india; their efficiency as seamen; extent of their raids from madagascar; in india, whence recruited; their treatment of english prisoners; their cruelty to native merchants; commissions issued to kidd for capture of; warren sent with a squadron against; royal squadron sent from europe to extirpate; pardon offered to, for voluntary surrender of; acts passed for repression of; rewards for capture of; execution of; matthews sent against; cessation of danger from. pitts, lieutenant, commander of the _josiah_, perishes with his ship. plantain, john, ex-pirate, entertains matthews. pocock, hear-admiral, his share in the spoil of gheriah. poola cadamon pillay, blamed for the massacre at anjengo. poolas, the, their intrigues in attinga. poola venjamutta, usurps power in attinga; intrigues with kyffin; treats with walter brown; plays a double part; sends food to the besieged at anjengo; friendly to the english. port dauphin, a pirate settlement. porter, endymion, licensed with bonnell and kynaston to prey on ships of non-friendly nations; his association with sir william courten. portuguese, the, the crew of the _london_ compelled to attack; their 'armado' captured by angria; refuse to allow sivajee to land at thana; friction with, at bombay; their co-operation secured against angria; attacked at alibagh by sahoojee's forces; ill-feeling between the english and; angria opens negotiations with; their general of the north insulted by matthews; two of their grabs captured by english galleys; come to terms with the council at bombay; espouse the cause of mannajee angria; ally themselves with sumbhajee angria; expelled from salsette by the mahrattas; effect of their intervention in angrian quarrels; besieged at bassein; caranjah taken from, by mannajee angria; drive sumbhajee angria from chaul; resign chaul to the peishwa; employed as interpreters. _president_, the, company's ship, attacked by muscat arabs. _prince_, the, bombay sloop, takes a muscat ship. _princess augusta_, the, captured by toolajee angria; redeemed. _princess caroline_, the, company's ship, sent against sumbhajee angria. _protector_, the, sloop, man-of-war, built to protect the malabar coast from angrian pirates; commanded by _james_; takes part in the attack on severndroog; sent to madras; returns to bombay; takes part in the combined attack on gheriah. proud, john, master of the _swan_, attacks the _roebuck_. providence island, a pirate resort. _pulteney_, the company's ship, attacked by angrian pirates; sent against sumbhajee angria's fleet. q quail, captain, commands the _seahorse_. _quedah merchant_, the, country ship, captured by kidd. _queen_, the, east indiaman. quemar santo, the saint burner. _see_ kempsant. quilon, the rajah of, succours the anjengo garrison; plundered goods from anjengo sent to. r rajmachee, fort, ceded to the peishwa. ramajee punt, sirsoobah of the concan; concerts measures against toolajee angria; assists in the attack on severndroog; urges the english to complete angria's destruction; treats with toolajee angria; promises to surrender toolajee angria; his ill-faith with the english; demands surrender of gheriah to the mahrattas. _rampura_, the, captured by every. ramus, cape, engagement between the english and portuguese off. _ranger_, the, pirate ship, taken by ogle. red sea, the, a favourite resort of pirates. _resolution_, the, (_alias_ the _mocha_ and the _defence, q.v._), pirate ship commanded by culliford; attacks the _dorrill_; at honore; at madagascar. _resolution_, the, company's ship, sent against sumbhajee angria. _resolution_, the, king's ship, every serves in. _restoration_, the, sent against angrian grabs; taken by toolajee angria; is opposed to the english at gheriah. returah. _see_ vittoor. _revenge_, the, company's grab, built at bombay, by boone's orders; sent to attack vingorla; sent to blockade kennery; engaged by the mahratta fleet; takes part in the attacks on gheriah; engages the _victory_, pirate ship; sent in search of pirates; accompanies boone in the _london_; attacks angria's grabs; goes to the relief of calcutta. reynolds, mr., protests against conajee angria's actions. richards, commodore, quarrels with sir john gayer; commands the _severn_ and _scarborough_; dies at johanna. _robert_ galley, the, sent to assist mannajee angria. roberts, bartholomew, pirate, scours the american coast; his cruelty and strict rule; captain ogle sent in search of; slain on the _royal fortune_. rodriguez, a portuguese, plunders the company's warehouse at anjengo. _roebuck_, the, fitted out by porter, bonnell, and kynaston. rogers, captain woodes, his description of the pirate settlers at madagascar; governor of the bahamas. _rose_, the, taken by toolajee angria. _royal fortune_, the, pirate ship, taken by ogle. _ruby_, the, king's ship, placed under lisle's command; her convoy attacked by angrian vessels. _ruby_ frigate, the, long-boat of, stolen by john steel. russell, gideon, mate of the _morrice_, leads volunteers in the attack on kennery; is wounded and dies. rustumjee nowrojee, son of bomanjee, taken to england by matthews. rutnaghiri, angrian stronghold, attacked by the mahrattas. s sacrifice island, why so called. sagurgurh, taken by sumbhajee angria. sahoojee, sivajee's grandson, dissensions in his kingdom; called the sow rajah by the english; treats with boone in angria's behalf; sends a force to alibagh to assist angria. st. augustine's, a pirate settlement. _st. george_, the, sent out by the company as a guard ship; wrecked. st. mary's island, a pirate settlement. sakhajee angria. _see_ angria, sakhajee. _salamander_, the, bombay ketch, captured by sumbhajee angria; rescued by mannajee angria. _salamander_, the, trading grab, leased to the company by harvey. _salisbury_, the, king's ship, sent out under matthews against pirates. selsette, attacked and plundered by muscat arabs; the english renounce all claim on; the portuguese expelled from. _samaritan_, the, fitted out by porter, bonnell, and kynaston, wrecked. _sandwich_, the, matthews court-martialled on. sanganiana, the, pirates, attack the _josiah_; attack the _phoenix_; reduced to order. satara, sahoojee proclaimed at; conajee angria's relations with; the rajah of, treats with keigwin. sawbridge, captain, seized by pirates. _scarborough_, the, man-of-war; beaten off by teach. _sceptre_, the, sent as a convoy for the mocha fleet. scott, lieutenant colonel, the company's chief engineer at madras. _seahorse_, the, sent to the red sea. _sedgwick_, the, captured off cape comorin. seedee, the, ordered to march on bombay and imprison the english; plunders towns on the malabar coast; conajee angria makes war on; sends a deputation to keigwin; offers to co-operate with the english; loses territory; captures thull; his kindness to english prisoners. _severn_, the, bengal freight ship, taken by toolajee angria. _severn_, the, man-of-war, effects nothing against the pirates. severndroog, granted to conajee angria by treaty; sumbhajee angria's headquarters; attacked and taken by the english and mahrattas, under james. severndroog, tower of, why erected. sewell, robert, gyfford's letter to; storekeeper at anjengo; his drunkenness and dishonesty; sent, under arrest, to bombay. shaxton, captain, commands the company's military at bombay; tried for complicity with mutineers. _shoreham_, the, king's ship, sent out under matthews against pirates. _sidney_, the, company's ship, threatened by kidd. sivajee, his fleet harries the concan coast; his agreement with the english; occupies and fortifies kennery; plans an attack on bombay; concludes peace with the english. smith, bombardier, sent to assist mannajee angria at colaba. smith, captain, succeeds gordon as commander of the force sent to relieve carwar; his cowardice. _soldado_, the, or _algerine_, the, pirate ship, commanded by chivers. _somers_, the, east indiaman, attacked by angria's ships. somers, lord, secretly interested in kidd's mission; impeachment against, prepared. _speedy return_, the, pirate ship, commanded by bowen. _stanhope_, the, east indiaman; takes part in the attack on kennery. stanton, major, commands sepoys sent to attack vingorla; quarrels with weekes; commands the land force sent to relieve carwar; takes part in the attack on kennery; commands the landing party against gheriah; commands the expedition against the portuguese. steel, john, deserts the company's service and turns pirate; arrest and release of. steele, john, carpenter's mate of the _morrice_, his prowess before kennery. stepney, lieut, on the _salisbury_, fights a duel with lieut. berkeley. stout, ----, mutineer, commands the _defence_; accounts of his end. strutt, mr., private merchant, owner of the _elizabeth_. _success_, the, east indiaman, taken by angria's fleet; indemnity for. sultanpore, headquarters of the coolee rovers. sumbhajee angria. _see_ angria, sumbhajee. sunda rajah, the, refuses dealings with kidd; attacks english ships; seizes the _elizabeth_; besieges carwar factory; comes to terms with the english; cruelty of. surat, the company's servants at, imprisoned; populace of, influenced against the english; trade at, crippled, owing to piracy; fourteen lakhs of rupees demanded from europeans at; europeans at, combine to suppress piracy; disorders at. surey, portuguese battery at, captured by stanton. surkheil, title given to conajee angria. sutherland, mr., fights duels with mitchell and dalrymple; sentenced to death; pardoned. _swallow_, the, king's ship, commanded by captain ogle; engages pirate ships; takes part in the attack on severndroog. _swallow_, the, sloop, taken by toolajee angria. _swan_, the, encounters the _roebuck_. _syren_, the, protects the bombay coast trade; her convoy attacked by angrian vessels. t tamana. _see_ deoghur. _tankerville_, the, company's ship, sails with the _royall bliss_. _tartar_, the, king's ship, protects the bombay coast trade; her convoy chased by angrian vessels. taylor, ----, pirate, his headquarters at madagascar; commands the _fancy_; engages the _cassandra_; prevented from murdering macrae; resigns the _fancy_ to macrae; commands the _cassandra_; takes the _nostra senhorade calo_ and an ostend ship; negotiates for a pardon; escapes matthew's squadron; surrenders to the spaniards and obtains a commission. taylor, george, chief of the factory at carwar; charged with indiscretion by hamilton; cautioned by the bombay council. teach, edward, pirate, _alias_ blackbeard; his fearlessness and cruelty; reward offered for his capture; killed in hand-to-hand encounter. tew (? thomas too), english pirate, allied with misson; escapes from libertatia; killed in action; commission to kidd to apprehend. thevenapatam, establishment of a factory at. _thomas_, the, attacked by four beyt ships. _thomas_, the, brigantine, owned by gyfford; attached by the bengal council. thull, taken by sumbhajee angria; captured by the seedee. too, thomas. _see_ tew, thomas. toolajee angria. _see_ angria, toolajee. topasses, mutilated at carwar; nucleus of the bombay marine battalion; many, burned on the _phram_ before gheriah. towerson, captain, torture and execution of. _trial_, the, sent against sumbhajee angria's fleet. _triumph_, the, prahm sent to assist mannajee angria; takes part in the attack on severndroog. tuluday, mr., soldier, killed on board the _phram_. _tyger_, the, king's ship, under warren. tyrell, captain, commander of the _phoenix_; sent in search of danish pirates; sinks a sanganian pirate ship. u upton, captain, commander of the _london_; his cowardice. utrecht, peace of, effect of the, on piracy; v van broeck, his account of every. vane, major, chief engineer to the company. venjamutta. _see_ poola venjamutta. viceroys of goa. _see_ ericeira; josÃ�, francisco de sampaio. _victoria_, the, accompanies the _london_; attacks angria's grabs. _victory_, the, company's armed ship, built by boone's orders; takes part in the attack on kennery; present at gheriah; fired on by the _cassandra_; sails in search of pirates; comes to the relief of the crews of the _bengal_ and _bombay_ galleys; sent against sumbhajee angria. _victory_, the, pirate ship, commanded by england; engages the _cassandra_; mistaken for the company's ship; la buze made commander of. _vigilant_, the, king's ship, protects the bombay coast trade; attacked by angrian vessels. villanjuen (brinjone), in attinga, trading settlement at. vincente sodre, an early pirate. _vine_ pink, the, pirate ship; the dutch prevent captain lowth from seizing. vingorla, pirates at. _viper_, the, bombketch, takes part in the attack on severndroog. virginia, pirates off the coasts of; governor of, sends ships in search of teach. vittoor (returah), in attinga, trading settlement at. viziadroog. _see_ gheriah. _vulture_, the, king's ship, under warren. w waite, sir nicholas, president of surat; compared with governor boone; appointed governor of bombay. wake, captain thomas, commander of a pirate ship taken by everyl commission to kidd, to apprehend. ward, mr., deputy governor of bombay, seized by keigwin. warlee, fort at, destroyed by the portuguese; engagement with angria's grabs off. warren, commodore, commands a royal squadron against the pirates; suspects kidd's intentions; returns from his first cruise; commands a squadron in to extirpate pirates; reaches tellicherry and dies. _warwick_, the, east indiaman, attacked by toolajee angria's fleet. watson, admiral, commands a squadron in the attack on gheriah; his generosity to olive; his reception of toolajee's friends; demands toolajee angria from the mahrattas. watson, gunner's mate, sent to relieve mannajee angria at colaba. weekes, commodore, commands the _fame_ and the _britannia_ against vingorla; quarrels with stanton; deposed. west indies, character of settlers. _weymouth_, the, king's ship, sent in pursuit of pirates. white, ----, pirate, his headquarters at madagascar. white, captain, commander of the _hastings_, arrested by littleton. _william_, the, bombay ship, taken by toolajee angria. williams, ----, pirate. _windsor_, the, king's ship, under warren. wise, lieutenant, directs the _phram's_ guns; drunkenness of. woodward, captain, commands the landing-party at gheriah; commander of the _revenge_; his cowardice punished. wright, captain, commands the _caesar_, engages five pirate ships. wright, captain of the _quedan merchant_. wyche, mr., discharged the company's service; his escape connived at by matthews. wyche, mrs., taken to surat by matthews. x xeraphims, value of. y yessajee aligna _see_ angria, yessajee. yeswuntdroog, granted to conajee angria by treaty. the end gutenberg. (this file was produced from images generously made available by the internet archive.) [transcriber's note: every effort has been made to replicate this text as faithfully as possible, including obsolete and variant spellings and other inconsistencies. text that has been changed to correct an obvious error is noted at the end of this ebook.] the proper limits of the government's interference with the affairs of the east-india company, attempted to be assigned. with some few reflections extorted by, and on, the distracted state of the times. by john, earl of stair. ----and beshrew my soul, but i do love the favour and the form of this most fair occasion; by the which we will untread the steps of damned flight, and, like a 'bated and retiring flood, leaving our rankness and irregular course, stoop low within these bounds we have o'erlook'd, and calmly run on in obedience. london: printed for j. stockdale, opposite burlington-house, piccadilly. mdcc lxxxiv. entered at stationers' hall. the proper limits of the government's interference with the affairs of the east-india company, &c. each day's experience proves the fallibility of conjecture, even when established on apparently the surest foundations. having stated, indeed materially and substantially proved, that the annual peace expenditure of the state, if decently, not profusely, nor even amply provided for, could not be performed for less than sixteen millions five hundred thousand pounds; and having asserted, with truth, that the annual receipts have scarcely, on the most productive years of the public revenue, exceeded twelve millions; and the necessary corollary, arising out of these propositions, being an annual surplus or sinking fund to the amount (if at all proportional) of at least fifteen hundred thousand pounds, as a provision for great civil emergencies or future wars, without which no system of finance can be either respectable or assuredly permanent; and it following of necessary consequence from these premises, that the proper peace revenue, from something more than twelve millions, which is its present amount, ought to be raised to eighteen millions yearly:--these matters, i say, being as i have represented them, i firmly believed the public affairs of this country were tolerably embarrassed, and weakly imagined ministers might find full employment in extricating them, without courting, and eagerly, through right and through wrong, aspiring and grasping at the management of affairs fully in as great a state of confusion as our own. but i find i greatly under-rated the cravings of the appetite of our late rulers, who seem to have had stomach for all difficulties, however remote from the natural and needful course of their public functions, and however averse the parties interested were to trust their concerns to their direction. in consequence of this canine hunger and thirst after regulation, a bill was brought in and passed by a very great majority of the house of commons, to virtually consolidate the embarrassed concerns of the east-india company, in direct opposition to the desires of the proprietors, with the no less embarrassed affairs of this unhappy country. this bill has been thrown out by a wise and virtuous majority in the house of peers; but as the majority there was but small, and threats are thrown out (in order to make it still smaller) against peers, for exercising their indispensable distinctive prerogative duty of giving honest counsel to their king; and as the same majority, leagued to promote their own advancement and the ruin of the state, still exists and exults in the house of commons; i doubt not but the same strange destructive measure will be resumed. it therefore becomes the business of every well-wisher to the prosperity of britain, to oppose and to refute the specious nothings offered to blind and to conceal from the public the designs of a dark and fatal tendency attached to it; and i think it my duty, moreover, and a justice due to the creditors of the public in particular, at least, to such as shall adhere to me, to protest and enter my dissent in their name against any increase of the public debt, by the addition and incorporation of the debts of the east-india company with those of the public, in any manner, whether openly, or by implication and management. i now proceed to consider the reasons offered in vindication of the bill by which so daring a violation of every thing the laws hold most sacred was attempted. the first plea that was insisted on, was, that the company was bankrupt; but this argument defeats itself. if they are bankrupt, the law has provided a due course of proceeding: ministers, or the deputies of ministers, are not the proper assignees to the bankrupt's estate: the trade is, moreover, by the civil death of the company, open to every adventurer. but this pretext of bankruptcy is but a flimsy disguise easily seen through: ministers are not so eager to obtain the administration of the affairs of a bankrupt: the virtuous majority in the house of commons, increased without any visible cause, or known success, or advantage of any kind, real or pretended, obtained to the public from the cares of the late administration;--increased, i say, from a small doubtful few in the disapprobation of the peace, to a steady, triumphant majority of one hundred and fourteen in the business of the east-india company; gives no note or appearance of a present bankruptcy in the company's affairs; but to those that do not know the incorruptible integrity and disinterestedness of the british legislative bodies, gives an ugly hint and surmise of what is likely to happen in future. of bankruptcy i need say no more; it confutes itself. the next plea is humanity, and a wish to restore in india a better and a juster system of government, less rapacious, and less oppressive to the natives. this is certainly a fair and generous object; but how do the means correspond with the end, or, what solid proof have we that excesses do exist, or, at least, have been carried to the singular and unnatural extent each parliamentary declaimer is pleased to assign to them? having forced the company to bear a share in all the foolish wars britain involved herself in, money must be found. the smooth swindling methods of funding, without giving the creditors adequate securities for either principal or interest, are not practicable in cina. self-preservation enforced the necessity of violence, more obnoxious in the beginning, but, perhaps, in the end, less ruinous than the soft, sly deceits of europe. those violent measures, palliated by the necessity of self-preservation, excepted, what remains but an _ex parte_ charge, in reports to the house of commons, curious and voluminous indeed, but without confrontation of the accused, or any other necessary preliminary to condemnation, sought by private equity, or required by public justice? we have only an inform mass of matter, where disappointment, vanity, and malevolence, are too often prompted by management and design to accuse, and every accusation is held forth as compleat evidence of guilt. indeed, some accounts scattered through the vast abyss of eastern manners and customs, make by much the most useful and entertaining part of this exceedingly tedious farrago; though in this part it falls far short in beauty of style and composition, and probably does not much exceed in veracity, the arabian night's entertainments.--but grant that wrongs and injustice predominate, who are to restore the golden age in india? we know the late ministry, their habitudes, and connections; from brooks's, then, it is fair to suppose the daring argonauts were to have sailed in search of the golden fleece: from almack's our bold pizarros must have taken their course to civilize our new-acquired ministerial peru. determined minds used to set fame and fortune on the dies uncertain cast: soft souls, overflowing with christian forbearance, and the milk of human kindness suckt in at the gaming-table, from such apostles, alas! i rather should suspect, with atè by their side, come hot from hell, shall in these confines, with a monarch's voice, cry havoc! and let slip the dogs of war. yet i readily agree that it may be proper to send out a well-chosen commission of visitation and inspection, with adequate and efficient powers from parliament; though i am greatly deceived, if they do not find that matters are much exaggerated. the reports to the house of commons from committees are generally very false mediums to view the object they treat of through: they are moved for common by persons interested in the event, sedulously attended by them, and the materials are too often modelled and made up according to their views, and to serve their purposes. i have therefore ever greatly regretted the abolition of the board of trade, the fair, candid judges in these matters, or who might be made so. the argument from the abuse to the use, is not a fair consequence; and i sincerely and earnestly recommend the re-establishment of that board. from the revenues of the duchy court of lancaster now vacant, and a small gleaning from the enormous overgrown sine-cures in the exchequer, this may be done without expence, and with great emolument to the crown and to the public. it is, besides, the height of absurdity, to think the indians are unhappy because they do not live under the same constitution as the inhabitants of this island. the government in that country, for a very long period of time, has been so unsettled, that no form of it that has any stability, or affords any degree of protection to the subjects that live under it, can be pronounced to be a bad one: in every other case, the weaker are almost sure to be exterminated by those that are stronger. i should esteem it, in such uncertainty of doing any good of any kind, extremely improper for the public to make a common cause with the east-india company, further than i have already stated, and likewise by assisting them with some necessary pecuniary aid in their present distress. the consequences of the public taking upon themselves the direction of the company's trade, or even of their territorial acquisitions, i apprehend would be most ruinous. no nation has ever attempted any thing of this kind without being greatly losers by it, even where government was carried on principles infinitely more favourable to such an enterprise than the free constitution of this country admits of. france has often been compelled, in order to preserve the trade to india and their companies from sinking, to interfere, and i believe is still concerned in the national trade to india; but this is on mere compulsion and necessity, and is, and has ever been, a very losing business to the crown of france. if this is so, then how much worse must it be here, where the advantages taken of the public in every public business are enormous: and indeed the uncertainty of the time of payment, and the difficulty of passing the account, do warrant a demand of a great latitude at any time; but at present, when the ordnance debentures are at per cent. discount, and the navy bills, which carry an interest of per cent. are at per cent. discount, it is almost impossible to say on what terms a contract with government would be advantageous. in more settled times, i believe, per cent. on estimate, and near per cent. on arbitrary statements, did not vary much from the difference, to the disadvantage of the public, betwixt public and private contracts for the same performances. in this view, and it is a just one, nothing but absolute necessity, and the sure consequence of losing the trade altogether, could justify the interference of government beyond the limits already assigned, if even these could justify it. but this necessity is happily entirely out of the question at present: the company anxiously desire to go on with their trade: a forbearance of duties due, is all they ask, to the extent of, i think, a million. if it was three times as much, government would be mad, if they hesitated in the alternative betwixt indulging them in their demand, and taking their concerns into their own hands. the affairs of the company have been embarrassed before; they have borrowed large sums from government, which they have honestly repaid. their surplus in peaceable times is very large; and if tranquility is any way durable in india, and the administration of the company's affairs is continued in the hands of that powerful genius of resource, mr. hastings, i make no doubt they will extricate themselves with honour, and do justice to every creditor they have. i am at least sure, that this is giving the only chance of making them beneficial to this country; and it is what the company is highly entitled to. i have often wondered upon what principle of policy one of our two great commercial companies should be the _enfant galé_, the spoilt child of every administration whilst the other was treated like the step-son of the state, with every mark of jealousy and unkindness. the merits of the east-india company towards the nation are great and notorious. whilst every other country has been taxing their subjects, in order to support their east-india trade, the english east-india company has been the support, to a good extent directly, and in a very great and eminent degree indirectly, of the british finances; and in the late war the company maintained alone, in their dominions and enterprises, the superiority which usually attended the british arms in every quarter of the globe; and at last, in the acquisitions made by the company's arms, the material indispensable sacrifices to procure a necessary peace were found. indeed, their expences in the reduction of pondicherry, and the value of it, and of the other restitutions made to the french by the definitive treaty of peace, seem to me a very onerous and most just debt on britain, and why they are not stated as such by the company, i cannot see any shadow of a reason. it was under the direction of their own proprietary, uncontrouled by parliament, that the company rose to an unexampled height of wealth and prosperity: since the interference of parliament, their affairs have declined. possibly now the patronage is so valuable and extensive, their constitution may be defective, by the too immediate dependence of the directors on the proprietors, who, by their brigues and cabals, overawe, and often make abortive the best intentions of the directors. but matters of charter and property are of so difficult and delicate a nature, that it is hard to say, whether any attempt to remedy this might not do more harm than good. it is related, that monsieur colbert, lewis the fourteenth's very able minister of commerce and finance, and to whose memory france stands much indebted, called an assembly of the most eminent men in the french king's dominions in the commercial line, to whom he proposed the consideration, if any, and what advantages might accrue to commerce by the interference of government. the unanimous answer of the assembly was, _laisser le faire_, let it alone. a new doctrine has been likewise attempted to be established in favour of the late india bill, viz. that measures are not to be so fully and fairly canvassed as they ought, but are to rely and be supported by the responsibility of the proposer of them. the presumption and absurdity of such a proposition is too great to require an answer. the responsibility of the proposer often would not procure him ten pounds; and as to any thing sanguinary, god knows! the hazard is very, very trifling. indeed, the persons who avowedly, first by denial of justice to america, plunged us into a war, and afterwards, by obstinately persevering in it, when experience had evinced the success was impracticable, and who by so doing have irretrievably (i fear) undone their country, enjoy in pomp and serenity, even to ostentation, the honours and lucrative employments heaped upon them. if justice is demanded for glory, for wealth, for dominion lost, they pay you with an ideal jest: if you want more, a ready vote of acquittal is at hand from a packt majority, united on the most sordid principles, to promote each other's advantage, in open and abandoned violation, on one part of the coalition, of the faith a thousand times pledged to bring delinquents to justice, who now are not only protected, but represented, with a falsehood and inconsistency that degrades human nature, as great, wise, and virtuous ministers, by those very men who not very many months stigmatized them as the base undoers of their country. his majesty has, however, been pleased to nominate a new ministry: they are young and untried: i wish them well; and my poor support shall be theirs, if they deserve it. i hope their real essential bond of union is at least less dangerous than that of their predecessors, viz. through violation of charters to obtain the plunder of india for themselves and adherents. i should have thought a dissolution of parliament necessary to have preceded, in order to procure any stability in the settlement of a new ministry. the reason offered against this measure was quite trifling, viz. the delay of public business; for the parliament would have been dissolved, and a new one elected, in little more than the period of usual recess at this time of the year; which recess was not intended to have been shortened, if the late overthrow of the ministry had not taken place. should the indecent interruption of every thing that does not promote their own continuance, still prevail in a majority of the house of commons, the delay of public business will be well compensated by the facilities a new election will probably afford, and by the rapid progress of measures beneficial and necessary to the public that will take place hereafter, which, under the present jarring situation and equipoise of parties, cannot, in my poor opinion, ever be carried on with either certainty or dispatch. but i still dread the continuance of the present distractions. the politics of st. james's have had ill luck for common, and, by some fatal ascendancy, have generally backwards trod the very paths they most anxiously sought to shun. the faction has emissaries spread far and wide to pluck allegiance from men's hearts. it will demand, on the part of the king, an active, unremitting attention to replace himself in that state of pre-eminence and influence the constitution allows, and even requires. let this never be out of mind. when his majesty hunts the stag, let him reflect that he is himself the hunted stag, the royal hart held at bay by a fierce, unrelenting faction, who deny, or mean to explain away, his dearest, clearest prerogatives. a prince so virtuous, who never was even suspected to mean any foul play to the state, ought to command in every honest service, and he will command no other, those servants whom he is now obliged to sue to, and often is refused. the onward path, ingenuous openness of fair sincerity and prudent oeconomy in private life, lead to peace of mind, and to heaven's best gift, independence; they martial kings to greatness, to awe, and affectionate veneration. i know the delicate ground i tread; but i owe much to my sovereign, and, above all, truth; and i will pay the debt, tho' the most ungrateful office, yet the surest pledge of real love and respect that i can give. what have i to fear? i have lived too long; i never wished to survive the glory of my country; and i cannot form a wish so mean as to survive its liberties. whig as i am, if liberty must expire, i hold its cuthanaria to be in a mild despotism. but in all the bills of mortality, of human grandeur, never sure was so strange a catastrophe recorded, as a king taken prisoner, and a great and glorious constitution squirted to death, by the sportings of a set of prodigal, undone, gambling, friblish, impudent eton boys. _jan. . ._ finis. * * * * * [transcriber's notes: the transcriber made these changes to the text to correct obvious errors: . p. stationers hall --> stationers' hall . p. brankrupt --> bankrupt . p. securites --> securities . p. tranquiility --> tranquility end of transcriber's notes] gutenberg. (this file was produced from images generously made available by the internet archive.) [transcriber's note: every effort has been made to replicate this text as faithfully as possible, including obsolete and variant spellings and other inconsistencies. text that has been changed to correct an obvious error is noted at the end of this ebook.] a short view of the laws now subsisting with respect to the powers of the east india company to borrow money under their seal, and to incur debts in the course of their trade, by the purchase of goods on credit, and by freighting ships or other mercantile transactions. london: printed for w. nicoll, in st. paul's church-yard. mdcclxvii. a short view, _&c._ as many erroneous opinions have been industriously propagated with respect to the powers of the east india company to contract debts, i think it a duty to the company and to the public, to give a fair state of the laws now subsisting with respect to these matters, by which the prejudiced may be set to rights, the ignorant informed, and the malevolent deceivers of the public exposed and detected. by act and william iii. c. . § . the company is allowed to borrow on the credit of the two millions lent to government, but is restrained from borrowing any greater sums than shall be employed in their trade, without, however, any restriction as to the amount of such borrowing, only such borrowing must be under common seal. by § of the same statute, the company is directed to take care that the sum total of its debts do not exceed the amount of its funds and effects, and if they shall reduce their funds and effects by dividends, so as not to leave sufficient to answer their debts, the persons who receive the dividends are each made answerable to pay the debts, to the amount of the dividend respectively received. by act ann, c. . § . the company having lent to the public , , _l._ more, they are allowed to borrow under their common seal, to the amount of , , _l._ above what they might lawfully borrow by the preceding act. by act geo. i. c. . § , the company is allowed to borrow under their common seal for carrying on their trade or lending on bottomry, to the amount of the sum due from the publick, _or five millions_. by act geo. ii. c. . § . the company having advanced _one million_ more to government, the power of borrowing under their common seal, is extended to one million above what they might borrow before that act. in consequence of these acts, the company has always considered itself entitled to borrow to the amount of six millions under its common seal. by act geo. ii. c. . § and . the company was authorized to convert part of its bond debts into annuities, to the amount of , , _l._ but it is declared that its power of borrowing granted by former acts should continue in force, but that the amount of the annuity should be computed as part of what they were empowered to borrow. in consequence of this last act, the company did convert , , _l._ or near _three millions_ of their bonds into annuities, and they owe besides, by bonds under their common seal, , , _l._ so that the total amount of their bonds and annuities is , , _l._ which is , _l._ under the six millions which they are entitled to borrow by bonds and annuities. in the course of the company's trade, they have been in the practice, like all other merchants, of purchasing goods upon credit, and of contracting for ships upon freight, and only advancing a part of that freight 'till after the voyage was compleated. it was impossible for them to carry on their trade in a proper manner in any other way, for if they had paid ready money for all their goods, and advanced the whole freights, they would have been exposed to imposition in the quality of the goods, and to misconduct in the freighters of the ships, without retaining in their hands a proper sum to repay such damage as the company might suffer by the hands of the freighters or merchants. it never therefore was supposed that the company transgressed the statutes which restrained their power of borrowing under their seal to six millions, by carrying on their trade in the way of purchasing goods on credit; and indeed if this had been meant, the law would and ought to have allowed them a more extensive power of borrowing; for it is certain the company's fortifications in india have cost more than _three millions_, and the nature of their trade in india requires that they should always have to the value of at least _three millions_, in goods and cash, or what is called quick stock, employed in india for making their investments, (including the cargoes afloat going out and coming home) so that here is the whole sum which they are allowed to borrow, disposed of in india, besides the value of the goods which they must always have in their warehouses at home, to the amount of more than _two millions_. if it had been therefore the intention of the legislature to restrain the company from purchasing goods on credit, or from incurring freights or other such debts, and that their whole debts of every kind should not exceed six millions, it is very plain to those who are versant in mercantile transactions, and who know the state of this company's trade, that they could not have carried on their affairs in such a manner as they have done, nor have rendered the trade of india so great an object as it is, to this commercial kingdom. it has sometimes happened to this company, as it frequently happens to other merchants, that its returns have not arrived at the time expected, and that their investments during some particular years have fallen short; in such cases they have not been able to pay, with the strictest punctuality, the price of the goods bought on credit, nor the freights due for shipping or other articles of the same kind; and in such cases the furnishers of these goods or ships have indulged the company with a delay of payment; and in order to indemnify themselves for that delay, these creditors have either taken a higher price for their next goods, or sometimes have been allowed interest from the company, but in no instance have these debts, so contracted, been converted into debts under the company's seal, nor were ever considered as money borrowed. the purpose of restraining the company as to their power of borrowing under their common seal, was merely to prevent their interfering in the market with government loans, exactly upon the same principle that private lotteries, &c. are prohibited by law; but in all other respects the company is unlimited, as every private merchant is, as to the exercise it may chuse to make of its credit in the purchase of goods, or incurring debts in any other mode except coming into the market to borrow under their seal, by which alone the company can interfere with the loans required by government for the purposes of the state. so long as the company carries on its trade with advantage to itself and the nation, and preserves entire, an ample sufficiency of funds to pay all its debts, and repay its capital, there can be no reason in common sense for preventing its employing its credit in the purchase of as great a quantity as possible of our own commodities to send to india, and employing as great a number of shipping as the trade will possibly allow. the company's trade is so much extended of late years beyond its former limits, that its power of borrowing on annuities and bonds ought also to have been increased; for if six millions was thought reasonable forty or fifty years ago, the publick ought now by the same parity of reason to allow at least eight or ten millions to be borrowed under seal, especially as the wealth of the nation, and of consequence the market for borrowing has so greatly increased during that period. the expensive wars which the company carried on for many years, obliged them, for want of cash, or a power of borrowing, to diminish both their exports and imports to the great prejudice of the nation; so that the kingdom in general has no reason to applaud the wisdom of that law which retrained the company to six millions. besides, we have of late years extended our china trade beyond any thing that was ever attempted in former times, insomuch that above _three millions_ sterling is now invested in teas alone. it is impossible that we could either have carried on these wars which have ended with so much success, or have extended our commerce and the exportation of home commodities to the amazing degree we have done, if the statutes restricting our borrowing under seal had been understood to prohibit the using our credit in the purchase of goods. the debts due by the company at present, exclusive of its bonds and annuities, are particularly set forth in an account delivered in by order of the house of commons, the particulars of which debts are these: for customs on goods, sold and unsold, now in england, £ , , the customs are not payable till the goods are sold, and even as to those sold, a long delay of payment is always allowed. the arrear of customs on goods sold, is at present about , _l._ or , _l._ £ to what owing for silver and to sundrys, with interest thereon, , the greatest part of this debt is due to the bank of england, as the price of silver bought from the bank for exportation, several years ago. the company never granted any security under their seal for this debt, more than for the price of other goods bought on credit; and this debt stands at this day upon the footing of a simple entry in the company's books, and in the books of the bank, as a sum due for the price of silver, and the bank have willingly accepted interest at _per cent._ and have indulged the company with a delay of payment. £ to the amount of bills of exchange drawn from india, unpaid, with interest, , to freight and demurage, , to tradesmens bills in the department of the committee of shipping, , to ditto, in the committee of buying, , to dividends on stock not yet demanded, , to dividend on stock, due at midsummer, at the rate of _per cent._ , to interest on annuities to midsummer, including interest not yet demanded, , to interest on bonds to midsummer, including interest not yet demanded, , to commission due to supercargoes, , to the proprietors of goods sold in private trade, , to warrants passed the court unpaid, , to alms-house at poplar, , to salaries of clerks, _&c._ and for tradesmens bills for work done to the house, _&c._ , to ballance to government for naval and garrison stores received in india, , _l._ but as government owes to our company , _l._ as the price of salt-petre, this ought not to be stated. these are the whole debts dated by the directors themselves as due by this company, besides their bonds and annuities, a great part of them are not payable in the common course of business for a considerable time, some of them not till the year , and the company are possessed of effects now in england, independent of the cargoes of this year daily expected, sufficient to pay them all; but at any rate none of these debts fall within the prohibition of the statutes by which the company is restrained from borrowing under their common seal to a greater amount than six millions, for none of these debts have been borrowed under the common seal, nor indeed have been borrowed at all in the sense meant by the act of parliament, but are merely book debts contracted as the price of goods, _&c._ in the common course of merchandise. it further appears by a calculation made by one of the directors themselves, a member of the committee of treasury, that by the sale of goods in the common course of the company's sales, the company will be in cash, to pay off all these debts and also to pay the dividend of - / _per cent._ against the month of february . a copy of this account is annexed. but whatever may be in that matter, it is sufficient for the present argument, to shew that none of the debts due by the company, over and above their bonds, fall within the prohibition of the statutes which have restrained the company's power of borrowing under seal; none of the company's creditors have complained of the late increase of dividend, the directors alone and their faction have objected to it, and have pretended as their excuse that they deemed it illegal to make any increase of dividend while the company owed any debts beyond the six millions in bonds and annuities. they have not urged the argument as a matter of inexpediency merely, for that argument would have appeared too groundless when the payment of all these creditors must in every way take place almost immediately, but they have put the argument on an objection of illegality, founded upon the statutes which restrain the company's power of borrowing; and indeed if the objection of the directors had arose from inexpediency alone, they could not have been justified in making so violent and obstinate an opposition to the sentiments of the proprietors, nor could they be justified as honest men in endeavouring to shake the very foundation of the company's credit, and to injure its stock, in order merely to save the company from paying a sum of , _l._ more or less, in february next. but indeed upon the footing of the directors argument that the company can never divide if they have other debts besides their bonds and annuities, no dividend can ever take place, for the company cannot carry on their trade in a proper manner without contracting such debts as the price of goods purchased on credit, and the freights of ships employed by them. it is proper therefore, after having premised this general view of the statutes which restrain the company's power of borrowing, to consider these statutes more particularly one by one, to see if we can discover any pretence for that doubt which the directors have affected to entertain concerning the company's power of borrowing. it is extremely remarkable, that when the directors were asked in the general court whether they had taken any opinions of council to justify their pretended doubt as to the company's power of contracting such debts, they declared that they had not, and the chairman said, he did not think they would have been justified if they had taken such opinions. nothing can shew more clearly the unjustifiable motives of the directors opposition than this answer: they opposed the dividend upon pretence of a doubt of the company's power of incurring debts beyond six millions, and yet they did not take the opinion of council concerning the company's real powers. they knew that no opinion could be procured to give a foundation for the doubt which they pretended to entertain, and therefore they took no opinions, but made use of their pretended doubt as a mask to cover the real motives which induced them to engage in their conspiracy against the interest of the proprietors whose servants they are. the act and of king william, c. . contains no clauses which can any way restrain the company's power of borrowing or extending its trade, except what is to be found in section , , , and .--by sections , and , there is no other restriction except that the company shall not, _in any one year_, successively, send or cause to be sent to the east indies from england or any other country, goods, bullion, or commodities to any greater value than their principal stock subscribed. and the fact is, that the company never has sent _in any one year_, goods, bullion or commodities to the value of one-third of their principal stock, and therefore no argument can be founded on the limitations contained in these three clauses. the section of this statute, begins with a recital of the act and of king william in favor of the bank of england, _viz._ that no other bank than the bank of england shall be erected, permitted or allowed by act of parliament, and then the act proceeds, that for the better securing the priviledges of the bank of england, _it shall not be lawful_ (in the record it is _shall and may be lawfull_) for any company to be established by virtue of this act, to borrow or give security for any sum or sums of money on credit, on any publick funds hereby granted, and that it shall not be lawful for such company to be established by virtue of this act, to borrow or give security for any greater sum or sums of money, than such as shall be really and _bona fide_, expended and laid out in and for the buying of goods, bullion or commodities, to be exported for the proper account of the said company to be established, or shall be otherwise employed in their trade, all which sum or sums of money so to be borrowed for the purpose aforesaid, shall be borrowed only on their common seal, and shall not be made payable or _bona fide_, agreed to be paid at any time less than six months from the time of borrowing thereof: and that it shall not be lawful for the company to be established by this act, to discount any bills of exchange, or other bills or notes whatsoever, or to keep any books or cash for any persons whatsoever, other than only the proper monies and cash of the said company. the plain import of this clause is not to restrain the company with respect to the extent of their trade, but merely to prevent its interfering with the business carried on by the bank of england. the purchasing goods upon credit can never be considered as an interference of that kind. the th section of this act does no way restrain the company with respect to the amount of its debts, excepting only that the company shall take care that the sum total of all the debts which they shall owe at any one time shall not exceed the value _of the principal or capital stock or stocks which at any such time shall be and remain to the said society undivided_; and that in case the company, by any dividend whatsoever to be made amongst themselves, shall reduce or lessen their joint stock, principal or capital, without paying off or proportionably reducing the sum total of their debts, so that the value of the joint stock, principal or capital undivided, shall not be sufficient to answer their just debts then remaining unpaid. in every such case the particular members receiving such dividend shall be severally liable to the amount of the dividends received, to pay and satisfy the debts which shall remain due and unpaid by the company. the plain import of this clause of the act, is to secure the creditors of the company from any unjustice by the company's dividing their effects so as not to leave a sufficiency for payment of its whole debts, and can never admit of the construction which has been attempted to be put upon it, as if the company's debts could never exceed the sum of money subscribed to government.----by the words principal or capital flock or flocks undivided, is plainly here to be understood the total funds and effects of the company, which are in fact the capital upon which the company does trade; and there would be the greatest absurdity in supposing, that in a case where the company had in its warehouses goods and effects to the value of three times its debts, the debtors of the company could have an action against the receivers of dividends, under pretence that the sum total of the company's debts exceeded the sum total of the capital stock subscribed to government, at a time when the company's total goods and effects might, as at present, exceed its total debts, in such a proportion as not only to pay its whole debts, but also to repay its capital advanced, and leave five or six millions over of clear ballance to be divided amongst the proprietors. but if the words, principal capital stock or flocks undivided, could in this clause admit of the construction which is put upon them, yet certainly the words _sum total of debts_ can in that case be only understood to mean the ballance of debts after deducing the fair value of the company's effects, other than its capital subscribed; and if the _debts_ are understood in this sense, viz. as the ballance of debts, there would be no inconsistency, that when the sum total of the ballance of debts exceeds the capital stock subscribed, that the receivers of dividends should be respectively answerable to pay the debts in proportion to what they receive, but unless the words, principal or capital stock or stocks undivided, or the words, sum total of debts are to be understood in the sense here affixed to them, the statute can not be explained so as to be agreeable to common sense or reason. by the act th q. ann. c. . § . it is provided, that for the better enabling the east india company to raise and pay the sum of , , _l._ advanced to the publick, the common seal of the company shall and may be made use of to borrow any sum or sums of money, from time to time, upon account of their united stock and funds, so as the sum total of all the principal monies which at any one time shall be owing upon the security of the said seal do not exceed , , _l._ over and above the monies which might lawfully be borrowed thereupon before the making of this present act. if any obscurity had in fact existed upon the footing of the former acts, this clause of the act q. ann is sufficient to clear it up, the company are no way restrained by the plain words and meaning of this last clause, as to the other book debts which they may owe not under the common seal, because debts under the common seal are the only ones which could interfere either with the bank of england or with government loans. by the act th of george i. c. . p. . it is enacted, that it shall and may be lawful for the east india company to borrow or take up money upon any contracts, bonds, &c. under their common seal, for carrying on their trade, or for lending money, by way of bottomry, so as by the monies already borrowed by them, and by the monies which they shall hereafter borrow pursuant to this act, the whole sum which they shall owe at any one time do not exceed the sum due at that time from the public to the said company, or the sum of _five millions_ of pounds sterling in the whole. the plain meaning of this clause is, that the company shall not owe, _under their common seal_, at any one time, a greater sum than , , _l._ but it neither imports nor implies any restriction upon the company with respect to the purchasing goods upon credit, or freights due to ships, or other book debts incurred in the common course of trade without borrowing. a criticism has been made on this clause, as if the company could not take the benefit of borrowing to the amount of five millions under this statute, because the first part of the statute recites a plan or scheme which had been formed for incorporating nine millions of the south sea capital stock into the stock of the east india company, which scheme never took effect, and therefore it has been argued that the power of borrowing given to the east india company being a part of that scheme, must fall with it. but the answer is very obvious: the power of borrowing given to the east india company is not granted under any condition whatever, but is given in positive and direct words, to the amount of five millions--and the act does not proceed upon the intention to incorporate the nine millions of south sea stock as a condition, but only recites that as a proposition, and gives leave to the several companies to carry it into execution if they thought proper. but if any doubt had remained concerning this power of the company to borrow five millions, it is fully removed, not only by their having in practice explained the act in the most extensive manner, without challenge, but by the subsequent act geo. ii. c. . § and . which plainly proceeds upon the supposition, that the company was at that time intitled to borrow to the amount of six millions, and allows them to convert , , _l._ as part of their bonds into annuities. the d section of the same act is a repetition almost verbatim of the th section of the act and th of king william, c. . by which, in order to prevent the company from interfering with the bank of england, they are allowed to borrow on the credit of their capital stock, provided the sum so borrowed shall be laid out in goods to be exported or otherwise employed in their trade, or lent on bottomry, and that such sums shall only be borrowed under their common seal, and shall not be payable on demand but at six months, and that they shall not discount bills or notes, or keep cash for other persons.--in this clause the words "_it shall not be lawful_," in place of "_it shall and may be lawful_," are erroneously copied from the printed clause th of the act and th of william, c. . the act th geo. ii. c. . § . gives the company simply a power in order to raise the sum of one million paid by them to government, of borrowing _under their common seal_ to the amount of one million more than they could before lawfully borrow. this seems to be a compleat view of the whole subsisting statutes by which the east india company is restrained from borrowing money; and it must appear evident, that by none of them the company is prohibited from purchasing goods upon credit, or incurring book debts, and therefore the great clamour which has been raised, as if the company had acted contrary to law, or in an inexpedient or improper manner, by incurring the book debts which it presently owes, over and above its bonds and annuities, must appear totally groundless and absurd. it further appears, that the company's affairs are now in such a situation, that every one of these debts will be paid off in a very few months, and that the , _l._ of additional dividend, voted to take place at christmas next, will in no respect retard the payment of these debts; and that the company will be further possessed, when the ships of this season shall have arrived, of effects equal to the payment of almost the whole of their bond debts, which, however, there is no intention nor no occasion to pay off. but supposing the whole of the company's book debts could not be so soon discharged, this can be no objection to the small additional dividend of , _l._ considering the present flourishing state of the company's affairs. the creditors to whom the book debts are owing are under no uneasiness, nor do they complain of the increase of dividend, which it is now allowed the company are fully able to pay, and to continue that payment out of the profits of their trade alone. every merchant, when he regulates the sum to be bestowed by him upon his subsistence, or the annual expence of his family, considers, _first_, what is the total amount of his effects, compared with his debts; and secondly, what is the amount of his annual profits; and if he finds that he has a considerable fortune over and above his debts, and that his annual profits are also considerable; he freely resolves, and with great propriety, to bestow a share of his annual profits upon the support and expence of his family; and it never can enter into his deliberation, in fixing what that annual expence shall be, whether or not at every particular period of the year, he is sure of having a balance of cash in his banker's hand; because, if his total expence is properly regulated, so as not to exceed what he can really afford, he knows the goods he is possessed of, must always be able to command cash sufficient for his temporary occasions: and indeed, if this rule were erroneous, there are many merchants in london possessed of fortunes to the amount of , _l._ and their annual profits two or three thousands, who could not afford _l._ a year for their usual subsistence. if they were to be restricted in the manner now proposed for the india company, they could not purchase a dinner and pay their debts; their effects probably in america or the west indies, in the way of trade, their returns uncertain, as to the particular time, and large debts due in england, as the price of cargoes sent abroad; so that, upon the footing of their banker's book, after deducting all their debts due at home, they might be obliged to subsist upon air for several years together. the credit of a public company is much superior to that of private merchants; those to whom they owe the prices of goods, freights or other book debts, are much more ready to indulge them with delays of payment than the creditors of particular merchants. the india company is under no embarrasment with respect to its creditors; its only embarrasment is from the choice it has unhappily made of a set of directors, who seem determined, if possible, to stab the credit of the company, and to try to what degree of injuries and insults the patience of the proprietors will tamely submit. the proprietors have resolved to apply to parliament, by petition against a bill now depending, for rescinding the - / _per cent._ additional dividend, voted by the general court on the th of may last, in strict conformity to the powers granted by charter. the respect due to the legislature restrains me from expressing my sentiments with regard to this retrospective law relating to private property and public credit. if any thing is interesting in this happy constitution, these points certainly are. the questions concerning general warrants, and dispensing powers, were, in respect of these, of very inferior importance. it is the duty of every british subject to submit with reverence and veneration, to whatever obtains the sanction of the three branches of the legislature; but when any particular bill appears, to common apprehension, to be of dangerous consequence, we are entitled to hope and presume that it never will pass into a law. state of the east india company's affairs with respect to the cash which will come into their treasury, and what must be issued from thence at different periods. cash. dr. . may . to ballance of the account of the debts _l._ _s._ _d._ and credits of the east india company in england, made out by the court of directors, estimated to the th of may , after deducting the amount of the bonds from the debt side, and what the government owes to the company from the credit side, , sep. to part of the produce of the cargo by the asia, that will be exposed to sale, , . to part of the produce of eleven ships, jan. viz. from bengal and madras, three from bombay, and one from mocha, the prompt payment, , ---------------- , to this sale might be added the prompt of the sale of peculs of silk, by the fourteen ships from china, , china ware, drugs, &c. , ------- , ------- to balance to february , , brought forward, , july . to part of the produce of the eleven ships to be exposed at the march sale, the prompt, , to the private trade, , to transacting the annuitants, , ---------------- , . _per contra_, _cr._ oct. . by / interest on the bonds and annuities, deducting what received from government, due at michaelmas, , dec. . by / a year's salaries, and other contingencies, , . feb. . by / a year's dividend on the stock, at - / _per cent. per annum_, , ------- , balance of cash in favour of the company in february , , --------------- £ , --------------- by the above balance, , by silk and drugs, &c. on the _dr._ side, , --------------- , --------------- . march . due to government, by agreement, the first payment , may . by / a year's interest on the bond and annuities, deducting what received from the government, due at lady day , june . by / year's salaries, and other contingencies, , aug. . by / a year's dividends, , ------- , by balance of cash in favour of the company in august , ------- , when this account was produced to the general court by the accurate and intelligent director who made it out, he declared that he had dissented in the court of directors from the opinion of the other directors as to the - / per cent. dividend, in which he had been joined by several other directors, though a majority opposed this dividend, and he explained the above account in a very clear and satisfactory manner, and shewed, that in the preparing the account, he had made the most ample allowances of every kind, and declared himself ready to answer every objection which the other directors could offer against it.--the other directors fairly acknowledged that none of them had carried their calculations so far down as february , when the dividend was to become payable. * * * * * [transcriber's notes: the transcriber made these changes to the text to correct obvious errors: . p. councel --> council . p. commodies --> commodities . p. l. --> _l._ . p. subsistance --> subsistence end of transcriber's notes] gutenberg. (this file was produced from images generously made available by the internet archive.) [transcriber's note: every effort has been made to replicate this text as faithfully as possible, including obsolete and variant spellings and other inconsistencies. text that has been changed to correct an obvious error is noted at the end of this ebook.] a caution to the directors of the east-india company, with regard to their making the midsummer dividend of five per cent. without due attention to a late act of parliament, and a by-law of their own. "upon the whole, i will beg leave to tell what is really my opinion: it is, that it be repealed absolutely, totally, and immediately." _a late celebrated speech._ london: printed for george kearsly, in ludgate-street. mdcclxvii. a caution to the directors, &c. gentlemen, perhaps there never was such a necessity, for an address to you upon the subject of _caution_, since the east-india company was established, as at present.--your great successes in india, have drawn upon you the envy of your own countrymen, as well as the other european powers; the great increase of your dividend, has alarmed the proprietors of other funds for their own property; the differences among yourselves, and your fellow-proprietors, have furnished this envy, and these fears, with the means perhaps of overturning your constitution. tho' i will not presume to determine, whence these differences arose, or who have been to blame, that not being part of the present design, you will agree with me they have drawn upon you the notice of the legislature, and have produced an act of parliament, that affords either party but little cause for rejoicing, however grateful it may be to the public. i must suppose you would wish to keep your _golden fleece_ to yourselves--union among yourselves would have secured it--but your differences have exasperated the watchful dragon, the _guardian_ of this _treasure_, and you now only hold it in _participation_--a strange _participation_ too, where the public is to receive four hundred thousand pounds, while you are to receive _nothing_--i say _nothing_--for i shall endeavour to prove you cannot make your dividend of l. _per cent._ due the th of last july, nor will you be able, as things now stand, to declare the dividend of l. _per cent._ at christmas next. i am satisfied that such a consequence as this, will not be admitted without some proof; but i should conceive very little proof necessary, to awaken your _caution_, at the time you are going to pay the l. _per cent._ dividend, if it is but hinted, that it cannot be done without incurring a danger of the censure of parliament. i presume only to recommend _caution_, but i will submit to your better judgments, the reasons which convince me, that while the late act of parliament, for regulating your dividends, remains in force, you cannot divide the l. _per cent._ which you have declared payable the th of july last, nor can you declare, or make the like dividend of l. _per cent._ at christmas next. i will set down the proper clauses in the several acts of parliament, with a letter of the alphabet before each, for the convenience of referring to them, as occasion may offer. cap. . a. "that no dividend shall be made by the said company, for, or in respect of any time, subsequent to the th day of june, , otherwise than in pursuance of a vote, or resolution, passed by way of ballotting, in a general court of the said company, which shall have been summoned for the purpose of declaring a dividend, and of the meeting of which general court, seven days notice at the least, shall have been given in writing, fixed upon the royal exchange in london." ibid.--b. "that it shall not be lawful, for any general court of the said company, at any time between the eighth day of may, , and the beginning of the next session of parliament, to declare, or resolve upon, any encrease of dividend, beyond the rate of l. _per cent. per ann._ being the rate at which the dividend for the half year ending the th day of june, , is made payable." cap. . c. "that, from and after the th day of july, , no declaration of a dividend shall be made, by any general court, of any of the said company's, other than one of the half yearly, or quarterly general courts, at the distance of five calendar months, at the least, from the last preceding declaration, of a dividend, and that no declaration of more than one half yearly dividend, shall be made by one general court." . by-law. d. "that no _alteration_ be made in the dividend, on the capital stock of this company, without first giving six months publick notice." by clause a, it appears that no dividend can be made, after the th of june, without the vote of a general court, (and by clause c, that must be a quarterly court) called for the purpose of declaring the intended dividend, with seven days previous notice thereof, in writing fixed upon the royal exchange--by the resolution, of your court of directors, of the d of may last, as well as by your uniform practice in making dividends, the half year's dividend of l. _per cent._ declared in september last, and now in course of payment, was due the th of july last, and that day, and not the th of june, is the day on which this dividend must be understood to be made, in consequence of the september declaration. now as this dividend declared to be made on the th of july, is made for and in respect of time subsequent to the th of june, and is made not in pursuance of a vote, carried by ballot, in a general quarterly court, summoned for the purpose of declaring a dividend, with seven days notice of such a meeting, given in writing and fixed upon the royal exchange, it is not warranted by the act, but is, according to the plain and obvious construction of the act, _illegal_. i have heard two objections, and two only, made to this construction; one, that the legislature was mistaken as to the time, in which the dividends are always made by this company, supposing them payable the th of june, instead of the th of july, and that they did not intend to prevent your dividing l. _per cent._ at midsummer. the other, that if they were not mistaken, and if they did intend to prevent your dividing the l. _per cent._ at midsummer, the act itself fails in this intention, since it only prevents your dividing for eleven days, being the interval between the th of june and the th of july, and you are, on this account, left at liberty to pay the l. _per cent._ after deducting the proportional part for those eleven days. as to the first, i think nothing can be more absurd, than to suppose that the wisdom of the legislature, should be capable of such a blunder. in order to this, we must suppose, that they who, in the same session, made a law with respect to the publick funds, in which the dividends are fixed for payment on the th of july, and the th of january, could take it for granted that the india dividends were fixed for the th of june and the th of december; and we must suppose too that they could take this for granted, which is so contrary to the general practice in other funds, without making any enquiry of the directors, who daily attended, and were examined while the bill was passing: for if they did make enquiry, they must have heard that this company observed the same days of payment with the government, and have done so invariably from the original institution; and in such a case, the blunder can hardly be called the effect of oversight, but a wilful blindness. this absurdity is too gross to pass current, but the clause (c) in cap. of the said act, will shew that the parliament were not ignorant, that the dividends would become due on the th of july, but have proceeded on the consideration of it's being due on that day. in this clause, they say, that no _declaration_, &c. shall be after the th of july. now when they had in contemplation the _making_ of a dividend, they mentioned the th of june, a time preceding the th of july, in order to prevent it; when they had in contemplation the _declaring_ of a dividend, they say the th of july subsequent to the th, to distinguish between the terms _making_ and _declaring_, which have been so often confounded. it must appear highly improbable to every impartial mind, that the legislature should enact a law, to regulate the making of dividends, without knowing the time, when they are made payable; or if they were ignorant, that they would not enquire, when the directors attended to answer all enquiries, and were actually examined from day to day, while the bill was framing; and very few will be hardy enough to affirm, that if the parliament were aware, that the dividends would be due the th of july, such a blunder could creep into the act of parliament. the most natural construction, upon reading the said act, is, that the th of june was not inserted by mistake, but by design, and that the legislature plainly intended, in the restraining clauses, that the india company should make no dividend at all from christmas last, which was before the encrease of the dividend, to the beginning of the next session of parliament; in which time, all your homeward-bound ships would arrive, the midsummer annual account would be made up, and the ministry would have an opportunity of learning from lord clive, what was the real situation of the affairs in india. i know it is commonly imagined to have been the intention of parliament, to rescind the resolution of the th of may about the l. and - th. _per cent._ but this imagination is contrary to fact, for that resolution is unrepealed, unrescinded, and unless the parliament, at the next meeting, shall make some law to prevent it, you may divide l. - th _per cent._ at christmas next--no single word, in either act of parliament, mentions the resolution of the th of may, and the act which restrains the dividing between the th of may, and the beginning of the next session, manifestly avoided mentioning the th of may, and made the interval of restraint commence on the th, to shew it did not mean to rescind the resolution of the th of may. had the parliament designed to restrain the dividing according to that resolution at christmas next, the interval of restraint would have gone beyond the th of january--as that clause, which restrains the present dividend, the manifest object of the parliament, stopt short of the th of july, and would not have stopt, as it has done, at the beginning of the next session of parliament. the preamble of the act professes nothing for its object, but "to secure as well the permanent interest of the company, as the state of credit both private and public, from the mischiefs which must ensue, from an improper, and improvident increase of the dividends of the said company." thus the parliament had in view only improper and improvident dividends, dividends made without a due regard to the circumstances of the company, whether the same should be l. -half _per cent._ l. _per cent._ or l. _per cent._ and i may appeal to yourselves, gentlemen, whether you had any objection to the dividend of l. -half taking place at christmas, that did not arise from a consideration of these circumstances, from your apprehension that your finances would not be such at christmas, as to enable you to pay off the company's debts, to pay the , l. the first half yearly payment to government, and to make a dividend of l. - th to the proprietors. and i would ask, whether any other consideration weighed with the legislature? you will confess, as the undoubted truth is, that this alone made you wish, that parliament would interpose to prevent the dividing l. - th at christmas. and i affirm this alone determined the wisdom of the legislature to interpose for that purpose. they have interposed, and what have they done? they have stopped your making any dividend till the meeting of parliament. but they have determined nothing with respect to the l. - th _per cent._ the resolution of the th of may stands unrepealed; and if it shall then appear, such an increase will not be improper, and improvident, at christmas next, if, i say, gentlemen, after the arrival of the homeward-bound ships, after the examination of the annual account, which has never yet been produced, if after hearing the opinion of lord clive, concerning the real situation of your affairs in india, the flourishing state of your trade, the regular payment of your revenue, and the stability of your possessions, you shall think that the l. - th _per cent._ may be paid without giving any cause of complaint to the creditors of the company, and join with the general court in a representation to the ministry, that such an encrease will not be improper, or improvident, at christmas, there can be no reason to suppose, that parliament will again interpose, by a new act, to restrain your making such a dividend; and if they do not interpose by a new act, you may divide l. - th _per cent._ by a due exercise of your present powers, as will be shewn in another place. but should there, on the contrary, be any room, at the meeting of the parliament, to believe such a dividend at christmas will be improper and improvident, it is no doubt the intention of parliament to make a new act, the next session, to restrain your dividing l. -half _per cent._ l. _per cent._ l. _per cent._ or any _per cent._ at all, if it shall be so necessary, in order to prevent the mischiefs recited in the preamble before mentioned. the remedy provided by the wisdom of the legislature, is, according to this construction, adequate to the mischiefs apprehended; as at the time of making the act, the dividend even of five _per cent._ was proved by you, and nothing can be clearer than that you did prove it, to be improper and improvident, they have restrained it till the meeting of parliament, and as it may then be represented by you, that such a dividend will not be improper, or improvident, they have made the time of restriction stop at that period, to give you a future power of dividing that sum, or l. - th agreeable to the resolution of the th of may, if they see no reason for interposing against it. but if the legislature had not restrained you from making any dividend, between the th of june, and the beginning of the next session of parliament, if they had left you to divide the l. _per cent._ dividend for the th of july, they would have provided no present remedy at all. it is well known, you opposed the encrease of dividend to l. _per cent._ in september last, and that you opposed it, upon the principle of it's being improper and improvident, from the state of the account, then produced by you to the general court. you have frequently declared since, you thought this measure of raising the dividend to l. _per cent. inexpedient_ and unwarrantable, as the company have not discharged their debts--you opposed the resolution of increasing it to l. -half on the th of may, in no other manner, but by producing in court the same state of the company's affairs, upon which you opposed the increasing it to l. _per cent._ in the month of september, and declaring the state of affairs was not altered since that time; from whence it was to be understood that there was, in your opinion, no better reason for dividing l. - th in may, than there had been, for dividing l. _per cent._ in september. on this principle, and on this principle alone, you called in the aid of the legislature, to assist you in preventing the mischief, that must be produced by such improper and improvident dividends, and on this principle alone the parliament interposed to support you--you proved to them you could not divide l. - th, you proved too, by the same arguments, that you could not divide l. nay, that you could not divide at all; for i may with confidence affirm, that not a single argument was advanced to prove the dividend of l. - th to be improper and improvident, that did not extend to prove the dividend of l. _per cent._ or any dividend at all, equally so. i am warranted to go farther. if the company would not, in your opinion, be in a condition at christmas to divide l. - th, when the homeward-bound ships should have arrived, there was much less reason for suffering you to divide l. _per cent._ at midsummer, while the ships were still upon the seas, the annual account unsettled, and the state of your affairs in india unknown. and yet, after this it seems, we are to suppose the legislature did not intend to prevent you making the l. _per cent._ dividend declared to be due the th of july. we are to suppose, that they did not intend to hinder your dividing after the rate of l. _per cent._ at midsummer, when any dividend at all was proved improper and improvident, but that they intended to hinder your making a dividend after the rate of l. -half _per cent._ at christmas, when future arrivals, and future accounts, might make such a dividend proper and expedient. we all saw with concern, that the members of both houses were detained in town, to lend the wished-for interposition; had the christmas dividend been the sole object of their attention, the business might have been postponed till the next session, as that is expected to take place before this dividend can be made; and the rather, as those lights may then be had, which could not be expected, though much wished for, at the end of the last session. but as preventing the dividend of l. _per cent._ declared for the th of july, was the principal object, it was necessary to settle that business before the session was closed; and i believe you are satisfied, gentlemen, there was sufficient evidence laid by you before both houses, to prove a dividend of l. _per cent._ improper and improvident at that time, whether you agree to determine a dividend with the deputy-chairman upon a cash account, or with the chairman upon a general account. the wisdom of the legislature has stopt your dividing at midsummer, while your ability is doubtful, and has left it in your power, after the beginning of the next session, to make a dividend of l. - th at christmas, if your ability is no longer doubtful at that time. i presume, the first objection is by this time sufficiently answered, that it is clear the legislature made no mistake when they inserted the th of june; and that they meant to prevent any dividing between that day and the meeting of parliament. i shall now proceed to the second objection, _viz._ that whether the legislature meant to prevent the dividend of l. _per cent._ taking place the th of july or not, the act will not have the effect contended for--it is insisted, that the clause (a) which restrains the company from making "any dividend, for, or in respect of, any time subsequent to the th of june, ," includes no more than the eleven days, between that day and the th of july, and will not affect the rest of the half year, but a proportionable dividend may be made up to the th of june. by a resolution of a general court, held in september last, the company declared, that they would make a dividend on the th of july, then next following, of l. for every hundred, for the half year between the th of january and the th of july following. the sum to be divided, is l. for every hundred pounds. the time for which it is declared, is half a year. the day of payment july. if the eleven days are deducted, you will divide only l. s. d. halfpenny, and not l. for every hundred. the dividend will not be for half a year. nor will it be due the th of july, but the th of june.--this, and the september resolution, will be as different as any two proportions can possibly be, in which no single term is common to both. and such a dividend as this, can no more be said to be made by virtue of the resolution of september, than it can be said to be made by virtue of the preceding resolution, for dividing only l. _per cent._ or that of the th of may for l. - th. the dividends on the india company's property, are different from those on the government stock. the latter are intended by parliament, to continue a certain, or uncertain number of years, and the rate of interest is fixed unalterably, during the continuance of such stock, to be paid half yearly, on the th of january and the th of july; the india dividends have been declared by the company, when, how, for what time, and for what sum, they please. they might, before the th by-law was made, divide monthly, weekly, or on a distant day that cannot be called either a weekly, monthly, or half yearly payment; and before the appointed day, they might vary the dividend, might increase, decrease, or annul it.--their usual practice has been, to declare a certain specific sum to be paid on a certain day, for the half year between such a day and such a day, and not as the government does, an annual sum payable half yearly.--they have not declared by the resolution of september an annual dividend of l. _per cent._ payable half yearly, in which case, perhaps, an apportionment might be admitted, but they have declared, the specific sum of l. for every hundred, to be paid on the th of july; in like manner as on the th of may, they did not declare an annual dividend of l. -half _per cent._ but the specific sum of l. s. to be paid for the half yearly dividend on the th of january next. the general court in september had only in contemplation the apportionment of the dividend to the quantity of stock possessed by each proprietor; the division of time was never under consideration; the time was given, _viz._ half a year between the th of january and the th of july; had the quantity of stock been given, _viz._ had every proprietor held l. and no more or less, the court would then have declared, that every proprietor should receive l. on the th day of july. if the time is altered, the original proportion is changed; the proprietor of l. stock, will not receive the l. _per cent._ that was declared. and what is offered in lieu of it, is not to be found in any part of the resolution, under which it is pre-to be made. again, if any case can be supposed to have happened, before the passing of these acts, that might have made it necessary, or prudent, for the india company to make a dividend for four months, instead of six, would you, gentlemen, have presumed to make a proportionable dividend for four months, under the resolution, that declared a dividend for six, or would not you rather have called together the proprietors to get this new resolution made by a general court? you undoubtedly would, you certainly must; such a change in the time of making dividends payable, must have been stiled an alteration in your dividend; and the th by-law would have made it necessary for you to give six months notice of such an alteration. i would ask, where the difference is, whether the alteration be from six months, to four months, or from days, to , which is the present alteration? the one is an alteration of months, the other of days, but they are equally alterations, the alterations equally demand a new declaration, and are equally objects of the th by-law. and you can no more divide for days, ending the th of june, under a declaration that orders you to divide for , ending the th of july, than you could make three payments of four months in a year, under a declaration of two half yearly one's. the legislature, in the act of parliament for the alteration of the stile, has said, that midsummer-day shall fall on the th of june; because this alteration would have carried it otherwise to the th of july; the stocks however have not been affected by that act, the th of july, and the th of jan. have been constantly the days of payment, for the midsummer, and christmas dividends, for most of the government as well as the east india stocks. would any administration alter the days of payment of the government stock, without the sanction of parliament? you will not say, gentlemen, they would. i will venture to affirm for you too, that you will not make this trifling alteration, of dividing for , instead of days, or, at least, that you will first take the opinion of a general court upon it, that your enemies may not have room to say, that you did not care to call a court for this purpose, from a consciousness, that the th by-law, and the acts of parliament, would stand in your way, if you submitted this difficulty to a serious discussion. they certainly do stand in your way, the legislature intended they should stand in your way, and so long as that by-law, and these acts of parliament, remain in force, it will be impossible for you to divide the l. _per cent._ now in course of payment. before i dismiss this part of the argument, i must submit to your consideration two necessary consequences, that must follow from your determining to make the dividend of l. s. d. halfpenny _per cent._ payable the th of june, instead of the l. _per cent._ that was declared payable the th of july. first, a great confusion must arise in the foreign contracts; a dutchman at amsterdam sells stock, on the th of june, to another of the same place; the dividend is understood by each party to be the property of the purchaser, as no proprietor, foreign or domestic, is ignorant, that the india midsummer dividend is payable, and has ever been payable, the th of july; and yet, according to this determination, the l. s. and d. halfpenny _per cent._ will be the property of the seller. secondly, it is well known much of the india stock is held in trust, that a. shall enjoy the dividends for his life, and after his death they shall go to b. i am told such a case has happened, in which, a. died the th of june last, it is certain the dividend would belong to b, if it is paid the th of july; but it will go to the executor of a, to the prejudice of b, if you pay the l. s. d. halfpenny for the dividend due the th of june. these are the reasons which induce me to think, gentlemen, that the legislature did not mistake the time the dividends become due, that they did not mean the th of july, when they inserted the th of june, that they intended to restrain the company from making any dividend, before the beginning of the next session of parliament, and that they have effectually restrained you by the clause a. yet i will suppose, for the present, you still think that the legislature had no such intention of retraining the present dividend of l. _per cent._ and inserted the th of june, instead of the th of july, imagining the dividend became payable on the former, instead of the latter of those days; would you, gentlemen, in such a case, take upon yourselves to divide contrary to the express words of an act of parliament? and would you justify this disobedience to the law, by imputing a blunder to the only body upon earth in which we can allow infallibility? it will not surely give offence, if i presume you may be mistaken in your construction of the act, while you fix the charge, of saying one thing, and meaning another, upon the king, lords, and commons of this realm; and should your judgment not be infallible, and in your construction of this law, the mistake should be on your side, ignorance will be but a poor plea for the breach of an act, which you arraigned upon the same principle. if the law maxim, _ignorantia legis neminem excusat_ is ever to be justified upon the principle of humanity, it will be in this case, where it interprets the law, contrary to the express and obvious meaning of it. if, for the sake of argument, we admit that the legislature may have committed this blunder, do you allow it to be consistent, with the rules of true policy, to let those who are the objects of a law, become the interpreters, much more the correctors of it? suppose a law should prove hurtful to society; let us suppose, if such a case can be supposed, it would break in upon the security of life, liberty, and property, which it is the sole object of law to support? no power in this kingdom, can alter such a law, but that which made it; and the judges, who are the interpreters of the law, are bound to determine all cases which come under that law, according to the plain and obvious construction of it. they cannot correct; their province is, to tell what the law is, not what it should be. will you assume a power to yourselves, not granted to the king's judges? will you, gentlemen, presume to interpret, that the legislature should have said the th of july, instead of the th of june; and determine, that the dividend shall be made which stands restrained by the express words of that law? if you will correct the law, why will you not do it with as little violence as possible? why will you not alter , and say it should be ? in that case, the law would not take place this twelve month, there would be no doubt about your dividends, in the mean time, and this will be but the alteration of a single figure, while what you contend for, changes words as well as figures. you will say, no doubt, that you do not desire the proprietors should divide l. - th at christmas, which they would, if this construction was allowed; they are not in cash, they have not paid their debts, is certainly a good argument, but not insuperable, against dividing; you opposed the dividend of l. _per cent._ in september, upon the same principles. that you should not be in cash, that you had not paid your debts, was your only objection at that time; and we now find you straining the law, makeing an act of parliament say it meant july, when it said june; and intended to insert the figure , when it made use of , in order that you may now make this dividend, which you opposed when it was declared in september last. you would now make the legislature say, it was not their meaning to rescind this dividend of l. _per cent._ when they have rescinded it in direct terms, because you proved you should not be in cash, and should not have paid your debts at the time it would be payable. i will venture to affirm too, that you would not be half so inconsistent, in using the same industry, and following the same method of interpretation, to divide after the rate of l. -half _per cent._ at christmas; for the legislature, as we have proved, have not shewn their intention of rescinding absolutely, this l. -half, while the l. _per cent._ is restrained as matters stand, beyond all dispute, and can never be made, but in defiance of the power of parliament, and without such a defiance, as, if it is to be justified, will justify the violation of all law, divine and human. a law of england says, you shall _not_ divide up to the th of july, being after the th of june; you substitute the th of july in the place of the th of june, and then say, you may divide up to the th of july. the law of moses says, thou shalt _not_ steal; you strike out the word _not_, by a less violent alteration, and then theft becomes as little a crime in england, as it was at sparta. but i would beg leave to ask, if the mistake contended for should be admitted on all hands, would you take upon yourselves to correct it, or wait till it was rectified by parliament? if when a deed is executed, a mistake is discovered, it cannot be corrected without the privity, and consent, of all parties; if blunders are made in law pleadings, that are upon record, they cannot be amended without the leave of the court, which has the custody of such records: a trustee in such deed would not pay a sum of money contrary to the express words of the deed, but would wait till the matter was set right; nor would a party in any cause presume upon a mistake in a record, to disobey the orders of a court of justice; and will you, gentlemen, give less authority to an act of the legislature, than to a private deed, or the record of any petty court of law? we must suppose the legislature will be as jealous of their resolutions, as the east-india company are of theirs. you cannot have forgot the proceedings of a late general court, upon the subject of dismissing the prosecutions brought against some of your servants abroad.--this business was brought on at that court, on account of the clamours raised without doors, and at the recommendation of a worthy member, to whom you owe the two acts of parliament, that you then so much desired to be made, and now so much wish to break through. it was proposed at that court, that the question for dismissing these prosecutions should be put to a ballot, to convince all the world, that the resolution of the th of may, for this dismission, which was confirmed on the th, was not a partial one, but agreeable to the sense of all the proprietors taken at large. i believe there was not a proprietor in the court who did not wish that such a ballot could be taken; but when it came to be considered, that the question then proposed to be submitted to a third decision, had been unanimously voted on the th of may, and as unanimously confirmed on the th, the great importance of giving weight, and stability, to their resolutions, determined the wisdom of that court, to put the propriety of such a measure to the test of a previous question, which was proposed, put, and carried, by a great and respectable majority, against a third consideration. you will after this, gentlemen, assume with an ill grace, that the parliament are not to support these resolutions; however you may wish to have them reconsidered, or repealed. they certainly will support their resolutions, and i need not remind you that the breach of an act of parliament will be a forfeiture of your charter.--and though a gentle administration might treat your dividing upon such a notion of a mistake with great lenity, what are you not to expect, if the minister should say, you have made the dividend we meant to restrain; we restrained it, because you convinced us it would be improper and improvident; you have since changed your mind, and you would alter the law? here even the lenity of the present ministry cannot avail you; your charter would be forfeited, and the world would not pity, but laugh at your presumption. but to suppose still, that the legislature are mistaken, may we not suppose too a change in the present administration, and that a future minister may embrace this, as a fair opportunity, to seize upon the charter, or at least to squeeze the company, and make them purchase a forgiveness at a very high price? if we plead that we injured nobody, it may be said, we have insulted the dignity of parliament, and a minister, who may be no friend to the company, will have a very plausible pretence to make you part with your millions for the public good. however heavy you should find the rod of power, the world will not then hearken to your complaints of severity; you have already drawn upon you the censure of your fellow subjects, by the resolution of the th of may, with regard to your dividends, which they say were made, in defiance of the king's ministers. the previous question upon the affair of dismissing the prosecutions has not retrieved your credit among them. what will they not think, what will they not say, if you divide thus in violation of a recent act of parliament? they see the legislature has determined you shall not divide, because you have proved you cannot divide; will they not say now, that you have determined, in your turn, you will divide, because the legislature has said you shall not divide? i conjure you therefore, gentlemen, use the utmost caution at the present crisis, call in the ablest assistance, whilst you are making a construction on these acts of parliament, nor presume too far to trust your own judgments. i am the more earnest in this recommendation, as i find you mistake the intention, and operation, of these acts, with respect to a christmas dividend, as you do with respect to this you are now going to pay. i understand, it is your opinion, that in order to make a dividend of l. _per cent._ at christmas next, a court may be called in september with the seven days notice, prescribed by the said act, cap. , and l. _per cent._ may be then declared, by a vote taken by ballot, to be payable at christmas. i must remind you, that the vote for l. -half, passed on the th of may, stands unrepealed by you, or by parliament, and by clause c. you cannot make any declaration of a dividend, but at the distance of five months from the last declaration; which five months, from the th of may, will not be expired, till october, when you cannot hold the michaelmas quarterly court, because your charter, in page , expressly says, it must be held in the month of september. you cannot therefore declare any dividend till the christmas court, as by the said clause c. every declaration must be made at a quarterly court; nor can you even then declare a dividend of l. _per cent._ as the th by-law will stand in your way, which enacts, "that no alteration shall be made in the dividend, on the capital stock of this company, without first giving six months public notice;" and such notice cannot be given of the intended alteration of dividend, from l. - th to l. _per cent._ you see, therefore, that no dividend can be declared at christmas next but the l. - th, and that may be confidently declared, without infringing any act of parliament, or any of your own by-laws. do you ask then, how i would construe the late acts? and what measures i would advise you to take? my design is only to awaken your _caution_. but as a well-wisher to you and the company, and interested in it's welfare, i will further offer my sentiments on the conduct necessary to be observed on this occasion. i consider the intention of the legislature, to be what is professed in the preamble of cap. , to prevent improper and improvident dividends: you only proved, when the affair was before parliament, the dividend at midsummer, to be improper and improvident, because the homeward-bound ships were not arrived, the advices from lord clive were not received, and the annual account itself was not yet made up. it was not, nor could it at that time be disclosed to parliament, what dividend at christmas would be improper, or improvident; the legislature has therefore restrained your midsummer dividend, and has prevented your declaring any dividend at all, till the next session, which is expected in november; and if they shall then see no cause to restrain you further, you will be at liberty to declare and divide your l. - th _per cent._ at christmas; but if they should then find you in no better situation then they left you in the last session, you may expect to be restrained by a fresh law, in that dividend, as you are in this. are we then, say you, to lose the present dividend for ever? as things stand at present, i answer, yes. if you divide, you divide in defiance of the legislature, at the risque of your charter, and your own persons; if you call a general court, and, with the sanction of such a court, apply to parliament, by an humble petition, to have your midsummer dividend restored; there will be no room to believe the legislature will not take off the refraction, if you prove yourselves in a condition to make the dividend you propose, as we may be confident they would be ready to rectify a mistake, in any act, whenever it should be pointed out to them. i must however add, if the annual account, which the gentlemen would not suffer you to produce, at the last general court, will not bear the light, submit with patience to the present loss; but if you think it will prove the dividend of l. _per cent._ at this midsummer, and l, - th _per cent._ at christmas, will be neither improper or improvident, you will see this restricting clause _repealed absolutely, totally, and immediately_. i am, &c. * * * * * [transcriber's notes: the transcriber made these changes to the text to correct obvious errors: . p. elven --> eleven . p. declaning --> declaring . p. under which it is pre- to be made. (left as published) end of transcriber's notes] third edition. _free trade with india._ an enquiry into the true state of the question at issue between his majesty's ministers, the honorable _the east india company_, and the public at large, on _the justice and policy_ of a free trade to india. _by common sense._ london: sold by messrs. sherwood, neely & jones, paternoster-row. . [_price one shilling._] _printed by w. glendinning, , hatton garden._ preface to the _second edition_. the first edition of the following view of the question of _a free trade_ to india having been sold off in the space of two days, is a proof of the interest the public take in the question of a free trade; my aim has been to clear the subject of all extraneous matter, and present it in a plain and perspicuous manner to my readers, i have neither addressed myself to their prejudices nor their passions, but have endeavoured by a simple chain of reasoning to come at the truth, which is my single object, for being totally unconnected with government, the east india company, or mercantile concerns, i can have no motive for disguising it. soon after the publication of the first edition on the d instant, i received the following letter, which will perhaps be more acceptable than any thing further from me by way of preface. _tavistock place, jan. , ._ dear sir, i have read your common sense, which is good sense, and so intelligible that he who runs may read, and he who reads can scarcely fail to understand. i wish you had treated the subject of monopolies more copiously, and informed your readers that in the early ages of commerce monopolies were so extended, and the principle so abused, that they could not fail to become obnoxious to all, and tradition has made the name hateful ever since. the kings of france, particularly louis xiv. to raise money sold _maitrices_, as they were called, or a sort of privilege for exercising certain trades, and he at the same time limited the number, this practice, together with the former monopolies not abolished, created a general wish for _freedom of trade_ in france.[a] the sect of economists were composed of republican philosophers, who proclaimed the grand advantages to be derived from the entire freedom of trade, nor was it then foreseen that under that pretext they were seeking _liberty and equality_, which but a few years after deluged france with the blood of her best sons, and had nearly ruined the world. you mention adam smith, he was the disciple and admirer of the economists; in a word he was what we denominate a democrat. as to entire freedom of trade, who that ever thought on the subject could dream of it. the corn laws, all bounties and drawbacks, the regulation even of weights and measures, the assay of silver and gold, the interest of money, &c. &c. &c. are directly in opposition to it, and prove the economists were wrong. when the french revolution broke out, excepting in weights and measures, every restraint was done away, but instead of things improving thereby they grew visibly worse. a short history of monopolies would be a very useful work, as it would clear up many mistakes concerning them. if adam smith were now alive he would probably have changed many of his opinions, for he was a good, and honest, as well as an able man, but he was deceived, not being initiated in the ulterior mysteries of m. turgot and his associates. i am your's, &c. free trade with india. _&c. &c._ the questions that have arisen of late respecting the east india company, or rather _the commerce with india_, for that is the stake and nothing less, are undoubtedly of great and serious importance. to enter into all the ramifications of the subject would require volumes, the mere bulk of which would startle most readers, and prevent their going into the question, and induce them to take up with the opinions of one, who appearing to have bestowed labour and attention on the subject, shapes his results in the manner best suited to his purpose. this mode of proceeding almost as old as the creation, and which will continue as long as any man pays a deference to the judgment of another, is the grand engine of designing men to bias the minds of the million who "hate the labour of a serious thought," a specious appellation is enough for the million to form a decision upon. i could instance many of these senseless war-whoops from "_liberty_ and _equality_" to "_a free trade_,"[b] were it necessary, or at all to the point. this mode, however, is only objectionable in the hands of sinister persons, for where the question at issue like the present, is very intricate, some such mode must be had recourse to, in order to simplify the question; i have therefore always considered that to take a popular view of a subject, some great leading points must be seized, and from these our judgment should be formed. this, if not the most accurate, is at least the best mode, where what is called public feeling is to be consulted. to study the interests of great britain and of british merchants with regard to the trade with india; to combine those with the territorial possessions and the interests of the country at large; to investigate also not only what would be the immediate consequences of a sudden change, but what might be the ultimate effects, are all necessary, to form that sort of judgment proper for the basis of action. that those immediately concerned with the affairs of india have examined the subject with great care and to good purpose, is abundantly evident from the correspondence, speeches, and pamphlets, already before the public; fraught as they are with many important facts, much acute observation, and for the most part dictated by a desire to come, if possible, to the best conclusion, all this is evident, yet it strikes me that something useful remains behind. were the question simply between _government_ and _the company_, i should not descant upon it; aware as i am that it has been canvassed by the parties on every ground and in every shape; but there is a _third_ party who has interfered. the _merchants at large_ all over the kingdom, the _shippers_ at _the out-ports_, and the manufacturers in the interior, all urged on by what is termed the _public voice_, crying out _a free trade_ and _no monopoly_. the trading towns, cities, and manufacturers do not pretend to have considered the subject minutely; therefore, for aught they know to the contrary, they are acting honestly and right; i will therefore address them with that open frankness which such conduct deserves, and which may lead to a conclusion very different from what was aimed at in the last session of parliament. for the sake of perspicuity i shall consider the subject under different heads. i. all monopolies are not wrong or injurious, as in some cases, we are the best and cheapest served by a monopoly; this proved, it follows that the india company being possessed of a monopoly, does not of itself argue that it should be withdrawn. ii. that the trade with india is far from being carried on, on the principle of monopoly. iii. that any great change must be attended with great danger, consequently we must not follow theory too readily, but pay great respect to practice and experience. iv. that the public at large have no reason to complain of the india company, as the articles brought by it have not increased in price in proportion either to rums or sugars from the west indies, where there is no monopoly. v. that the merchants of liverpool, hull, &c. and the manufacturers in their endeavours to share the trade with london, are seeking what would be injurious to them. vi. that some errors were fallen into in the present charter, which may be advantageously corrected in the next, and a few slight amendments may be attempted with safety, but no great change or innovation. * * * * * i. _all monopolies are not wrong or injurious, as in some cases, we are the best and cheapest served by a monopoly, this once proved, it follows that the india company being possessed of a monopoly, does not of itself argue that it should be withdrawn._ the manner in which the public can be the best and cheapest supplied with an article, is in itself the _best_, whether it be by a monopoly or not. this is conceded even by adam smith, that great enemy to monopolies; and he adduces in proof _the post office_, which is _one of the strictest and most complete monopolies in existence_, yet the business is done remarkably cheap and well, and with a degree of security not otherwise attainable. it is infinitely more correct than the carriage of small parcels, which is by open competition, and all circumstances considered much cheaper. the bank of england is partly a monopoly, but by no means a complete one, and it is better regulated and does business better than private banks that issue notes, and which are so far its rivals. most of the concerns which have been brought to maturity in this country have first flourished as _monopolies_ under the name of patents, and indeed there are many reasons for highly praising those temporary monopolies.[c] the insurance companies are not exactly monopolies, neither are they free traders in the true acceptation of the term, jointly or separately taking insurances without legislative interference; and, without such companies, it would be impracticable to carry on insurance so well as it is done. navigations and water-works companies are monopolies in _principle_, but they are necessary and advantageous. from all these examples it follows, that _monopoly_ is not bad _merely_ as _monopoly_, and that its being _injurious_ depends on particular circumstances, and therefore the india company being a company of monopolists, would not be a sufficient reason for its abolition, even were it proved to be so, but this has not yet been done. ii. _that the trade with india is far from being carried on, upon the principle of monopoly._ from the first discovery of india, and the most ancient and authentic records in existence, we learn that the trade to the east, which produces whatever is most brilliant to the eye, most delicious to the taste, or agreeable to the smell, has been the envy of nations. to share in them, solomon built tadmor in the desert, (the hebrew name, in greek, palmyra); for this alexander the great destroyed tyre, built alexandria and invaded india; for this trade venice, genoa, and constantinople contended above eight hundred years, when the discovery of a passage by the cape of good hope, wrested that commerce from the ancient competitors, and the dutch and portuguese became the successors of those inland merchants, who partly by caravans and partly by navigation, had supplied europe with the silks, the pearls, the perfumes, and the precious stones of asia from the earliest ages. at so great a distance every power that traded found it necessary to have an establishment. the inhabitants have not laws sufficient to protect the merchant, such as are necessary to a flourishing state of commerce; hence arose settlements and conquests, of the moral justice of which, i have nothing to say in this place; but being established, in order to maintain them, it was necessary to have revenues, and to continue certain privileges to the first traders, in order that they might act as a body, and supply from the general stock what was for the general advantage. the great body of the public are perhaps not aware that so far from ever intending to make a monopoly of the trade to india, there were in fact _two_ companies _at one time_, and that experience proved it was necessary to unite them into one, since which period, the public, as well as the servants of the company have always been permitted to participate on certain conditions.[d] the above is a very brief, but true history of the trade to india; now we will consider its present state as a _supposed monopoly_. as to the trade to china in tea, and to certain other articles, and also to ships there is monopoly, but if the trade to china were open to all the irregularities of common trading vessels, we should be excluded from it entirely in six months. the utmost circumspection and delicacy being necessary in trading with that country, besides which, the commerce demands such a large extent of capital and produces so little profit, that it would not answer the purpose of individual merchants. it is however sufficient for this article to say, that the company carry out and bring home a great variety of articles, at a fixed, and indeed at a very low rate of freight, such as no individual would do, or ever attempted to do. that if any manufacturer or merchant can find out an article that will sell in india, the company so far from preventing his doing so, afford him facilities not otherwise attainable. no mistake can in fact be greater than to say, with the uninformed and misled public, that the east india company is a monopoly, and injures trade by preventing our merchants and manufacturers from having a scope for their capital and industry. thus then the clamour raised last year, in favour of what is called a free trade, is entirely founded in error, but even were it not so, we may fairly enquire. iii. _whether any great change would not be attended with great danger? if so we must not follow theory too readily, but pay great respect to practice and experience._ the trade to india, in its present state, produces a great influx of wealth to the country, though but a very moderate average profit to the proprietors as a trading company. we must, therefore, risk this, if we consider that the french had an east india company in , and that by way of being liberal and free, they did what an inconsiderate public want us to do. they abolished the company, and let every one do as he pleased, when the trade vanished like a dream. l'orient, the seat of french east india trade, fell, and no one rose in its place, neither towns nor individuals, and the trade with india became extinct in france. i will admit that such would not be precisely the case here, still we ought to keep such an example in our minds to warn us against the dangers of innovation; besides it is sufficient that our _present state_ is good, for that is a sufficient reason to prevent our risking it by too sudden a change. if we follow experience slowly, we may perhaps make things better, and perhaps not; but at all events the error will be small and may be repaired, we can come back to the point we left. whereas if we throw open the trade, or extend it even to a limited number of out-ports, we may find it impossible to retrieve the error, supposing it should turn out to be one. softly and sure is a maxim which could never be better applied than in the present instance; and if a thousand sheets were to be written upon the expediency of the measure, after what has happened in france, it is quite evident that to the same conclusion we must come. iv. _that the public at large have no reason to complain of the india company, as the articles brought by it have not increased in price in proportion to either rums or sugars from the west indies, where there is no monopoly._ a single instance must convince the most sceptical. the east india company carry british manufactures out to india at about _s._ per ton--a distance of seven thousand miles--a rate cheaper than the carriage for five hundred miles in any other direction; therefore our manufacturers have a good chance of selling their goods, owing to their not being greatly enhanced by freight, and the servants of the company are allowed to traffic, so that every article adapted for the india market can find its way there without difficulty, though the company itself may not enter into such details. those who wish to send goods to india are therefore highly indebted to the company; and as to the imports i will ask the public only one simple question: have east india commodities risen in price, notwithstanding the heavy duties and increased expences of ship-building, and every article relating thereto, so much as west india produce? it is not necessary to dwell on this point; it is an evident fact that the east india goods are far cheaper than they would be if brought over by individual merchants, and the supply is more regular. if sales are slow the company keeps its goods at its own loss, with admirable good nature, or at least with admirable _sang froid_, and it never creates an artificial scarcity to enhance the price. the sales are by fair competition and without favour; what would the public wish or desire more? we come now to the next point. v. _that the merchants of liverpool, hull, &c. and the manufacturers, in their endeavour to share the trade with london, are asking what would be injurious to themselves._ having already shewn the danger of any great change, let us consider the probability of advantage. when goods are shipped for such a remote market, it is essentially necessary, previously to ascertain, that they are wanted. now when the exports are confined to one company, from its accurate knowledge of trade, it can proportion the quantities of the articles to the general demand for each; but if there are merchants, entirely ignorant of what each other are doing; or what is worse, deceiving each other, in order to insure a better market for their own shipment, they will necessarily send too much of some articles and not enough of others; hence many will be ruined, for they cannot carry their cargoes from port to port as in europe or america: if the market is over-stocked at the port they are bound to, there is no alternative, but sacrificing the cargo for what it will fetch, or leaving it on hand to await the chance of a future sale. on the return of the vessel, here the merchant awakes from his golden dream, and finds himself on the verge of bankruptcy, for the utmost limit of credit has expired--he is ruined! as to our manufactures it is not probable that more would be consumed than at present, for as we have already observed, the officers in the company's service carry out goods of all descriptions, and enter into competition with each other, and that whatever can be sold they can and do take out[e]; however if this reasoning be not satisfactory, there is a very easy way of extending that species of traffic without any danger. at present none of our manufacturers lose by bad debts with india; were the trade laid open, it would undoubtedly be worse than at beunos ayres, when one call from sir home popham took out from three to four millions of british capital, (as a boatswain whistles his crew on deck,) to the great loss and disappointment of some, and the absolute ruin of many more. now should the consumption of our goods not be increased; opening the trade would manifestly injure all embarking in it; for the freight and insurance could not be lower, but would be considerably higher than at present. as to a few individual towns asserting a claim to participate in the commerce of india, it is a very singular and novel kind of claim: if i apprehend aright, the nature of things attaches particular advantages to particular places; i mean privileges which are _naturally_ local. the court, for example, is held at london, which brings a great influx of wealth to the metropolis. on this principle edinburgh might put in a claim to have the court some part of the year, and such claim might be followed up by similar ones from the _keel-men_ of newcastle, the locksmiths of walsal, and the tinmen of cornwall. the thing is really too ridiculous to think seriously upon. some advantages are not only local, but indivisible, and there is no injustice arising therefrom, though with a little sophistry in certain cases it may be made to appear injustice when it is really not so, which is the case in the present instance, for it is in the revenue that the nation is a gainer by the east india company, and that must suffer considerably in the collection; besides, all the docks, warehouses, and other establishments made here, on the faith of the trade remaining as it is, must come into the question. if trade must be dispersed equally over a country, like spreading manure on a field, it would be different; but there is an absurdity in the very idea of spreading it equally, and justice has absolutely nothing to do with the question; it is entirely a matter of policy and expediency. vi. _that some errors were fallen into in the present charter, which may be advantageously corrected in the next; and a few slight amendments may be attempted with safety, but no great change or innovation._ making the dividends fixed, and independent of loss or gain, is wrong and absurd. no effort can increase the dividend, no extravagance or negligence can lessen it, and it cannot be concealed, that from such a state of things it necessarily arises that patronage is the only bonus on india stock. there is some connection either with ship-builders, sail-makers, or the furnishers of stores, officers, secretaries, clerks, or appointments abroad. it is true the connection is circuitous, and the patronage difficult to trace, but the fact resolves itself to this, that however it may be divided amongst them, the whole of the patronage of places and profits, at home and abroad, civil and military, is vested in the directors and proprietors, and that patronage is of an amazing amount and extent. in this enquiry i have endeavoured at impartiality, i write not to serve the east india company, but the country itself--ministers want the east india patronage, it was for this, charles fox made his celebrated struggle; it is this golden prize that makes the present ministers hazard every thing to obtain; it is not the flimsy net-work mask of freedom of trade, the very worst pretext they could have found, it is the patronage of india they fight for, and to obtain which, would break down every barrier, destroy every establishment, and trample on every right.--_let those then who already think the influence of the crown too great beware how they throw into the scale_ the patronage of india. freedom of trade is like the trojan horse, from it will issue what will destroy the freedom of the country.--there are many other errors in the arrangements of the company, but they are minor ones and not worth detailing here. the grand question to be decided is, the opening of the trade, which i have already treated. in conclusion then, monopoly is not always injurious.--the east india company does not possess a monopoly.--great changes will be attended with great danger. _the public has no reason to complain, nor the merchants any right to arrogate to themselves claims which do not exist._ there would be great risk and no advantage in sharing the trade with the out-ports; and lastly, that the faults in the present system are entirely of a different nature, and may be easily and safely amended. finis. glendinning, printer, hatton garden, london. footnotes: [a] my friend does not seem to be aware that buonaparte has generalized the principle; nearly all the tradesmen in paris being compelled to purchase those maitrices. the principle is in some degree known and acted upon in england, as in the case of bankers, wine-merchants, &c. &c. &c. and the _limited_ principle in the case of licences of public houses, &c. [b] it would be a curious piece of history to enumerate the instances in which such watch-words have been used, by whom, for what purposes, and what were the results arising therefrom in each case. [c] lloyd's coffee-house is in fact a monopoly, self created, and of a new species, a sort of _republican company_, resembling in some things, what are termed regulated companies, in contradiction to the joint stock companies, with this difference however, that the present members may exclude whom they please which is a monopoly principle. [d] the public does not, perhaps, know also, that oliver cromwell in levelling times, abolished the charter, but that like the _house of peers_, which was also abolished, it was obliged to be restored. the present attempt, is in fact, a small attack of liberty and equality, that epidemical disease that raged in england at the time of the great rebellion, and in france at the beginning of the revolution. destruction or a strait waistcoat must be the consequence of such a disease. [e] besides, the portuguese, spaniards, dutch, french, and english settlers in the interior have explored the country, and tried what extension they could give to the trade, so that the british merchants, who proceed on the idea that they will make discoveries, and form new connections, labour under a total mistake. transcriber's notes: text in italics is indicated by underscores: _italics_. inconsistencies in spelling and hyphenation have been retained from the original. obvious typographical errors have been corrected as follows: page : "copously" changed to "copiously" page : "desart" changed to "desert" page : "advantageouly" changed to "advantageously" ============================================================== this work is licensed under a creative commons attribution . unported license, http://creativecommons.org/ ============================================================== the moghul based on real people (ca. ) - the moghul begins in a rip-roaring sea battle north of bombay in which the vastly out-gunned adventurer, brian hawksworth, ship's captain and emissary of king james, blows away a flotilla of portuguese galleons to gain access to an indian port. he's come to open trade for "barbaric" england and squeeze out the portuguese, who try to kill him at every turn. but once on land, he's captive: the beauty and romance of the exquisite moghul empire seduce him from his material goals to a new quest - of supreme sensuality in music, visions, and sacred lovemaking. india, ruled by the son of great akbar, is about to pass to one of his sons. hawksworth must choose sides, but will he choose right? the future of england, and of india, depend on it. assailed by intrigue and assassination, tormented by a forbidden love, enthralled by a mystic poet, hawksworth engages war elephants, tiger hunts, the harem of the red fort of agra, the rajput warriors at udaipur, becomes intimate champion to shah jahan, (builder of the taj mahal), and, in his supreme test, plays the sitar with a touch that elicits from the great shah - "finally, my english friend - you understand." the moghul was immediately a european bestseller, optioned by indian producers who commissioned a six-hour mini-series, then canadian producers with the bbc. the moghul a sweeping adventure that swept the critics! "if you enjoyed the far pavilions or sho-gun, you should obtain thomas hoover's new novel about india . . . robust . . . rousing ... rollicking adventure . . . just about perfect' --fort worth star-telegram "high action . . . sprawling" --san diego union "thomas hoover captures the sounds and smells and atmosphere of the time, from the mysteriesofthe harem tothe battles between massed elephants" --milwaukee journal "rousing" --publishers weekly "good entertainment ... i would not hesitate to recommend the moghul to anyone who enjoys robust historical adventure and romance" -- omaha world-herald "plenty of action . . . fascinating ... a vividly told tale" -- wichita falls times books by thomas hoover nonfiction zen culture the zen experience fiction the moghul caribbee wall street samurai (the samurai strategy) project daedalus project cyclops life blood syndrome all free as e-books at www.thomashoover.info zebra books are published by kensington publishing corp. park avenue south new york, n.y. copyright © by thomas hoover reprinted by arrangement with doubleday & co., inc. all rights reserved. no part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews. first zebra books printing: october printed in the united states of america key words author: thomas hoover title: the moghul moghul, india, shah jahan, british india, taj mahal, portuguese india, india, shah jahan, india history, agra, raj, seventeenth-century india author's note this tale is offered to the memory of one william hawkins ( - ), a brandy-drinking, turkish-speaking seaman and adventurer who was the first englishman to reach the court of jahangir, the great moghul of india. there he delivered gifts from the new east india company and a letter from king james proposing direct trade, then a zealously protected monopoly of portugal. as he gradually adopted indian ways, hawkins became a court favorite of the moghul, who made him a knightly _khan _and eventually tried to keep him in india. after several portuguese-instigated attempts to murder him, hawkins attached himself for safety to a certain willful indian woman. the end of their story eventually became a minor legend throughout the early east india company. as astonishing as some of the elements in the historical landscape described here may seem today, they are all by and large fictional re- creations of actual events, practices, people--drawn from diaries of seventeenth-century european travelers and from indian historical materials. aside from the names, only the clocks in this remote world have been knowingly altered. years in historical time have become months in these pages, months have become days. several vicious naval engagements between english frigates and portuguese galleons, several major land battles between indian armies, have each been compressed into one. but the major occurrences in this faraway saga all happened. while shakespeare wrote of commoners and kings, while colonists hewed log cabins from the wilds of the new world, a land ruled by violent intrigue, powerful drugs, and sensual beauty lay hidden in that legendary place known as moghul india. book one landfall chapter one he watched from the quarterdeck as the chain fed through the whitecaps of the bay, its staccato clatter muffled, hollow in the midday heat. then he sensed the anchor grab and felt an uneasy tremor pass along the hull as the links snapped taut against the tide. the cannon were already run in and cooling, but vagrant threads of smoke still traced skyward through the scuttles and open hatch, curling ringlets over two draped bodies by the mainmast. along the main deck scurvy-blotched seamen, haggard and shirtless to the sun, eased the wounded toward the shade of the fo'c'sle. he drew the last swallow of brandy from his hooped wooden tankard and instinctively shifted his gaze aloft, squinting against the midday sun to watch as two bosun's mates edged along the yards to furl the mainsail. then he turned to inspect the triangular lateen sail behind him, parted into shreds by the first portuguese cannon salvo, its canvas now strewn among the mizzenmast shrouds. a round of cheers told him the last two casks of salt pork had finally emerged from the smoky hold, and he moved to the railing to watch as they were rolled toward the cauldron boiling on deck. as he surveyed the faces of the gathering men, he asked himself how many could still chew the briny meat he had hoarded so carefully for this final morning of the voyage. the crowd parted as he moved down the companionway steps and onto the deck. he was tall, with lines of fatigue etched down his angular face and smoke residue laced through his unkempt hair and short beard. his doublet was plain canvas, and his breeches and boots scarcely differed from those of a common seaman. his only adornment was a small gold ring in his left ear. today he also wore a bloodstained binding around his thigh, where a musket shot from a portuguese maintop had furrowed the skin. he was brian hawksworth, captain of the five-hundred-ton english frigate _discovery _and captain-general of the third voyage of england's new east india company. his commission, assigned in london over seven months past, was to take two armed trading frigates around the cape of good hope, up the eastern coast of africa, and then through the arabian sea to the northwest coast of india. the company had twice before sailed eastward from the cape, to the equatorial islands of the indies. no english vessel in history had ever sailed north for india. the destination of this, the first english voyage to challenge lisbon's control of the india trade, was the port of surat, twelve leagues inland up the tapti river, largest of the only two harbors on the indian subcontinent not controlled by portugal. he reached for the second tankard of brandy that had been brought and squinted again toward the mouth of the tapti, where four armed portuguese galleons had been anchored earlier that morning. damn the company. no one planned on galleons at the river mouth. not now, not this early in the season. did the portugals somehow learn our destination? . . . and if they knew that, do they know the rest of the company's plan? since the tapti had been badly silted for decades, navigable only by cargo barge or small craft, he and the merchants must travel upriver to surat by pinnace, the twenty-foot sailboat lashed amidships on the _discovery_'s main deck. there the merchants would try to negotiate england's first direct trade with india. and brian hawksworth would undertake a separate mission, one the east india company hoped might someday change the course of trade throughout the indies. he remounted the steps to the quarterdeck and paused to study the green shoreline circling their inlet. the low-lying hills undulated in the sun's heat, washing the _discovery _in the dense perfume of land. already india beckoned, the lure even stronger than all the legends told. he smiled to himself and drank again, this time a toast to the first english captain ever to hoist colors off the coast of india. then with a weary hand he reached for the telescope, an expensive new dutch invention, and trained it on his second frigate, the _resolve_, anchored a musket shot away. like the _discovery_, she rode easily at anchor, bearing to lee. he noted with relief that her ship's carpenter had finally sealed a patch of oakum and sail in the gash along her portside bow. for a few hours now, the men on the pumps could retire from the sweltering hold. finally, he directed the glass toward the remains of two portuguese galleons aground in the sandy shallows off his starboard quarter, black smoke still streaming from gaps in their planking where explosions had ripped through the hull. and for an instant his stomach tightened, just as it had earlier that morning, when one of those same galleons had laid deep shadows across the _discovery's _decks, so close he could almost read the eyes of the infantry poised with grapples to swing down and board. the portugals will be back, he told himself, and soon. with fireships. he scanned the river mouth once more. it was deserted now. even the fishing craft had fled. but upriver would be another matter. portuguese longboats, launched with boarding parties of infantry, had been stranded when the two galleons were lost. together they had carried easily a hundred, perhaps two hundred musketmen. they made for the tapti, he thought grimly, and they'll be upriver waiting. we have to launch before they can set a blockade. tonight. on the tide. he revolved to find giles mackintosh, quartermaster of the _discovery_, waiting mutely by his side. "mackintosh, start outfitting the pinnace. we launch at sunset, before the last dog watch." the quartermaster pulled at his matted red curls in silence as he studied the tree-lined river mouth. then he turned abruptly to hawksworth. "takin' the pinnace upriver'll be a death sentence, cap'n, i warrant you. portugals'll be layin' for us, thicker'n whores at a tyburn hangin'." he paused deliberately and knotted the string holding back hair from his smoke-darkened cheeks. "i say we weigh at the tide and ease the frigates straight up their hell-bound river. she's wide as the thames at woolwich. we'll run out the guns and hand the pox-rotted papists another taste o' english courtesy." "can you navigate the sandbars?" "i've seen nae sign of bars." "the indian pilot we took on yesterday claims there's shallows upriver." "all the more reason to sail. by my thinkin' the pilot's a full-bred moor. an' they're all the same, indian or turk." mackintosh blew his nose over the railing, punctuating his disgust. "show me one that's na a liar, a thief, or a damned sodomite. nae honest christian'll credit the word of a moor." "there's risk either way." hawksworth drew slowly on the brandy, appearing to weigh the scotsman's views. "but there's the cargo to think of. taken for all, it's got to be the pinnace. and this moorish pilot's not like the turks. i should know." "aye, cap'n, as you will." mackintosh nodded with seeming reluctance, admiring how hawksworth had retained mastery of their old game. even after two years apart. "but i'll be watchin' the bastard, e'ery move he makes." hawksworth turned and slowly descended the quarterdeck steps. as he entered the passageway leading aft to the great cabin and the merchants' cabins, he saw the silhouette of george elkington. the chief merchant of the voyage was standing by the quarter gallery railing, drawing on a long clay pipe as he urinated into the swells. when he spotted hawksworth, he whirled and marched heavily down the corridor, perfunctorily securing the single remaining button of his breeches. elkington's once-pink jowls were slack and pasty, and his grease- stained doublet sagged over what had been, seven months past, a luxuriant belly. sweat trickled down from the sides of his large hat, streaming oily rivulets across his cheeks. "hawksworth, did i hear you order the pinnace launch'd tonight? e'en before we've made safe anchorage for the cargo?" "the sooner the better. the portugals know we'll have to go upriver. by tomorrow they'll be ready." "your first obligation, sirrah, is the goods. every shilling the company subscrib'd is cargo'd in these two damn'd merchantmen. a fine fortune in wool broadcloth, devonshire kersey, pig iron, tin, quicksilver. i've a good ten thousand pound of my own accounts invest'd. and you'd leave it all hove to in this piss crock of a bay, whilst the portugals are doubtless crewin' up a dozen two-deckers down the coast in goa. 'tis sure they'll be laid full about this anchorage inside a fortnight." hawksworth inspected elkington with loathing, musing what he disliked about him most--his grating voice, or his small lifeless eyes. and what you probably don't realize is they'll be back next time with trained gunners. not like today, when their gun crews clearly were lisbon dockside rabble, private traders who'd earned passage out to the indies on the easy claim they were gunners, half not knowing a linstock from a lamppost. "elkington, i'll tell you as much of our plans as befits your place." hawksworth moved past him toward the door of the great cabin. "we're taking the pinnace upriver tonight on the tide. and you'll be in it, along with your coxcomb clerk. captain kerridge of the _resolve_ will take command of the ships. i've already prepared orders to move both frigates to a new anchorage." "i demand to know what damn'd fool scheme you've hatch'd." "there's no reason you have to know. right now the fewer who know the better, particularly the men going upriver." "well, i know this much, hawksworth. this voyage to india may well be the east india company's last chance to trade in the indies. if we fail three voyages in a row, we'd as well close down the company and just buy pepper and spice outright from the damn'd hollanders. england's got no goods that'll trade in the spice islands south o' here. remember lancaster cargo'd wool down to the islands on the first two company voyages, thinkin' to swap it for pepper, and discover'd for himself what i'd guess'd all along--a tribe of heathens sweatin' in the sun have no call for woolen breeches. so either we trade up here in the north, where they'll take wool, or we're finish'd." "the anchorage i've found should keep the cargo--and the men--safe till we make surat. with luck you'll have your cargo aland before the portugals locate us." hawksworth pushed open the heavy oak door of the great cabin and entered, stranding elkington in the passageway. "and now i wish you good day." the cabin's dark overhead beams were musty from the heat and its air still dense with smoke from the cannon. the stern windows were partly blocked now by the two bronze demi-culverin that had been run out aft, "stern-chaser" cannon that could spit a nine-pound ball with deadly accuracy--their lighter bronze permitting longer barrels than those of the cast-iron guns below decks. he strode directly to the oil lantern swaying over the great center desk and turned up the wick. the cabin brightened slightly, but the face of the english lute wedged in the corner seemed suddenly to come alive, shining gold over the cramped quarters like a full moon. he stared at it wistfully for a moment, then shook his head and settled himself behind the large oak desk. and asked himself once more why he had ever agreed to the voyage. to prove something? to the company? to himself? he reflected again on how it had come about, and why he had finally accepted the company's offer. . . . it had been a dull morning in late october, the kind of day when all london seems trapped in an icy gloom creeping up from the thames. his weekly lodgings were frigid as always, and his mind was still numb from the previous night's tavern brandy. back from tunis scarcely a month, he already had nothing left to pawn. two years before, he had been leading a convoy of merchantmen through the mediterranean when their ships and cargo were seized by turkish corsairs, galleys owned by the notorious _dey _of tunis. he had finally managed to get back to london, but now he was a captain without a ship. in years past this might have been small matter to remedy. but no longer. england, he discovered, had changed. the change was apparent mainly to seamen. the lower house of parliament was still preoccupied fighting king james's new proposal that scotland be joined to england, viewed by most englishmen as a sufferance of proud beggars and ruffians upon a nation of uniformly upright taxpayers; in london idle crowds still swarmed the bear gardens to wager on the huge mastiffs pitted against the chained bears; rioting tenant farmers continued to outrage propertied men by tearing down enclosures and grazing their flocks on the gentry's private hunting estates; and the new puritans increasingly harassed everyone they disapproved of, from clerics who wore vestments to women who wore cosmetics to children who would play ball on sunday. around london more talk turned on which handsome young courtier was the latest favorite of their effeminate new king than on his majesty's enforcement of his new and strict decree forbidding privateering--the staple occupation of england seamen for the last three decades of elizabeth's reign. king james had cravenly signed a treaty of peace with spain, and by that act brought ruin to half a hundred thousand english "sea dogs." they awoke to discover their historic livelihood, legally plundering the shipping of spain and portugal under wartime letters of marque, had become a criminal offense. for a captain without a ship, another commission by a trading company seemed out of the question, and especially now, with experienced seamen standing idle the length of london. worst of all, the woman he had hoped to return to, red-haired maggie tyne of billingsgate, had disappeared from her old lodgings and haunts leaving no trace. rumor had her married--some said to the master of a newcastle coal barge, others to a gentleman. london seemed empty now, and he passed the vacant days with brandy and his lute, and thoughts of quitting the sea-- to do he knew not what. then in that cold early dawn appeared the letter, requesting his immediate appearance at the director's office of the east india company, should this coincide with his convenience. he found its tone ominous. was some merchant planning to have him jailed for his loss of cargo to the turks? but he'd been sailing for the levant company, not the east india company. he debated with himself all morning, and finally decided to go. and face the mercantile bastards. the new offices of the company already seemed embalmed in the smell of lamp oil and sweat, their freshly painted wood timbers masked in dull soot. a stale odor of ink, paper, and arid commerce assailed his senses as he was announced and ushered through the heavy oak door of the director's suite. and he was astonished by what awaited. standing hard by the director's desk--was maggie. he'd searched the length of london in vain for her, and here she was. but he almost didn't recognize her. their two years apart had brought a change beyond anything he could have imagined. no one would have guessed what she once had been, a dockside girl happiest at the southwark bear-gardens, or in a goose-down bed. and somehow she had always managed to turn a shilling at both--wagering with a practiced eye on the snarling dogs brought in to bloody the bears, or taking her pleasure only after deftly extracting some loan, to allay an urgent need she inevitably remembered the moment she entered his lodgings. that morning, however, she reigned like an exotic flower, flourishing amid the mercantile gloom. she was dressed and painted in the very latest upper-class style--her red hair now bleached deep yellow, sprinkled thick with gold dust, and buried under a feathered hat; her crushed-velvet bodice low-necked, cut fashionably just below the nipples, then tied at the neck with a silk lace ruff; her once-ruddy breasts now painted pale, with blue veins penciled in; and her face carefully powdered lead-white, save the red dye on her lips and cheeks and the glued-on beauty patches of stars and half-moons. his dockside girl had become a completely modern lady of fashion. he watched in disbelief as she curtsied to him, awkwardly. then he noticed sir randolph spencer, director of the company. "captain hawksworth. so you're the man we've heard so much about? understand you escaped from tunis under the very nose of the damned turks." he extended a manicured hand while he braced himself on the silver knob of his cane. although spencer's flowing hair was pure white, his face still clung tenuously to youth. his doublet was expensive, and in the new longer waist-length style hawksworth remembered seeing on young men-about-town. "'tis indeed a pleasure. nay, 'tis an honor." the tone was practiced and polite, a transparent attempt at sincerity rendered difficult by hawksworth's ragged appearance. he had listened to spencer mutely, suddenly realizing his loss of cargo had been forgotten. he was being congratulated for coming back alive. "'twas the wife, margaret here, set me thinkin' about you. says you two were lightly acquainted in younger years. pity i never knew her then myself." spencer motioned him toward a carved wooden chair facing the desk. "she ask'd to be here today to help me welcome you. uncommonly winsome lady, what say?" hawksworth looked at maggie's gloating eyes and felt his heart turn. it was obvious enough she'd found her price. at last she had what she'd always really wanted, a rich widower. but why trouble to flaunt it? he suspected he already knew. she simply couldn't resist. "now i pride myself on being a sound judge of humanity, hawksworth, and i've made sufficient inquiry to know you can work a ship with the best. so i'll come right to it. i suppose 'tis common talk the company's dispatchin' another voyage down to the indies this comin' spring. soon as our new frigate, the _discovery_, is out of the yard. and this time our first port of call's to be india." spencer caught hawksworth's look, without realizing it was directed past him, at maggie. "aye, i know. we all know. the damned portugals've been there a hundred year, thick as flies on pudding. but by jesus we've no choice but to try openin' india to english trade." spencer had paused and examined hawksworth skeptically. a process of sizing up seemed underway, of pondering whether this shipless captain with the bloodshot eyes and gold earring was really the man. he looked down and inspected his manicured nails for a long moment, then continued. "now what i'm about to tell you mustn't go past this room. but first let me ask you, is everything i've heard about you true? 'tis said the _dey _of tunis held you there after he took your merchantmen, in hopes you'd teach his damned turks how to use the english cannon you had on board." "he's started building sailing bottoms now, thinking he'll replace the galleys his turkish pirates have used for so long. his shipwrights are some english privateers who've relocated in tunis to escape prison here. and he was planning to outfit his new sailing ships with my cannon. he claims english cast-iron culverin are the best in the world." "god damn the barbary turks. and the englishmen who've started helping them." spencer bristled. "next thing and they'll be out past gibraltar, pillaging our shipping right up the thames. but i understand you revised his plans." "the turks don't have any more cannon now than they had two years ago. when i refused to help them, they put me in prison, under guard. but one night i managed to knife two of the guards and slip down to the yard. i worked till dawn and had the guns spiked before anybody realized i was gone." "and i hear you next stole a single-masted shallop and sail'd the length of the barbary coast alone, right up to gibraltar, where you hailed an english merchantman?" "didn't seem much point in staying on after that." "you're the man all right. now, 'tis said you learn'd the language of the turks while you were in tunis. well, sirrah, answer me now, can you speak it or no?" "for two years i scarcely heard a word of english. but what's that to do with trade in india? from what i know, you'll need a few merchants who speak portuguese. and plenty of english . . ." "hear me out, sir. if all i wanted was to anchor a cargo of english goods and pull off some trade for a season, i'd not be needin' a man like you. but let me tell you a thing or so about india. the rulers there now are named moghuls. they used to be called mongols, turkish-afghans from turkistan, before they took over india about a hundred years back, and their king, the one they call the great moghul, still speaks some turki, the language of the central asian steppes. now i'm told this turki bears fair resemblance to the language of the damned turks in the mediterranean." spencer assumed a conspiratorial smile. "i've a plan in mind, but it needs a man who speaks this great moghul's language." hawksworth suddenly realized maggie must have somehow convinced spencer he was the only seaman in england who knew turkish. it could scarcely be true. "now i ask you, hawksworth, what's the purpose of the east india company? well, 'tis to trade wool for pepper and spice, simple as that. to find a market for english commodity, mainly wool. and to ship home with cheap pepper. now we can buy all the pepper we like down in java and sumatra, but they'll not take wool in trade. and if we keep on buying there with gold, there'll never be a farthing's profit in our voyages to the indies. by the same token, we're sure these moghuls in north india will take wool. they already buy it from the damned portugals. but they don't grow pepper." spencer leaned forward and his look darkened slightly. "the hard fact is the east india company's not done nearly as well as our subscribers hoped. but now the idea's come along--i hate to admit 'twas george elkington first thought of it--that we try swappin' wool for the cotton goods they produce in north india, then ship these south and trade for pepper and spice. indian traders have sold their cotton calicoes in the spice islands for years. do you follow the strategy?" spencer had scrutinized hawksworth for a moment, puzzling at his flash of anger when elkington's name was mentioned, then pressed forward. "overall not a bad idea, considerin' it came from elkington." then spencer dropped his voice to just above a whisper. "but what he doesn't understand is if we're goin' to start tradin' in india, we'll need a real treaty, like the hollanders have down in some of the islands. because once you've got a treaty, you can settle a permanent trading station, what we call a 'factory,' and bargain year round. buy when prices are best." hawksworth sensed the interview would not be short, and he settled uneasily into the chair. maggie still stood erect and formal, affecting a dignity more studied than natural. as spencer warmed to his subject he seemed to have forgotten her. "now, sir, once we have a factory we can start sending in a few cannon-- to 'protect our merchants,' like the hollanders do in the islands--and soon enough we've got the locals edgy. handle it right and pretty soon they'll sign over exclusive trade. no more competition." spencer smiled again in private satisfaction. "are you startin' to follow my thinkin'?" "what you've described is the very arrangement the portugals have in india now." hawksworth tried to appear attentive, but he couldn't keep his eyes off maggie, who stood behind spencer wearing a triumphant smile. "and they've got plenty of cannon and sail to make sure their trade's exclusive." "we know all about the portugals' fleet of warships, and their shipyards in goa, and all the rest. but these things always take time. took the portugals many a year to get their hooks into india's ports. but their days are numbered there, hawksworth. the whole eastern empire of the portugals is rotten. i can almost smell it. but if we dally about, the damned hollanders are sure to move in." spencer had become increasingly excited, and hawksworth watched as he began pacing about the room. "well, if you're saying you want a treaty, why not just send an ambassador to the great moghul's court?" "damn me, hawksworth, it's not that easy. we send some dandified gentry who doesn't know the language, and he'll end up havin' to do all his talkin' through court interpreters. and who might they be? well let me just show you, sirrah." spencer began to shuffle impatiently through the papers on his desk. "they're jesuits. damned jesuits. papists straight out o' lisbon. we know for a fact they do all the translatin' for the court in agra." he paused as he rummaged the stacks in front of him. "we've just got hold of some jesuit letters. sent out from the moghul capital at agra, through goa, intended for lison. they'll tell you plain enough what the company's up against." his search became increasingly frenetic. "damn me, they were here." he rose and shuffled toward the door, waving his cane in nervous agitation. "hold a minute." hawksworth had watched him disappear through the doorway, then looked back to see maggie laughing. she retrieved a leather-bound packet from the mantel and tossed it carelessly onto the desk. he found himself watching her in admiration, realizing some things never change. "what the hell's this about?" she smiled and her voice was like always. "methinks 'tis plain enough." "you want me gone from london this badly?" "he takes care o' me. at least he loves me. something you were ne'er capable of." "and what were you capable of? all you wanted was . . ." "i . . ." she looked away. "i know he'll give me what you ne'er would. at least he has feelin' for me. more than you e'er did. or could." then she turned back and looked at him for a long moment. "say you'll go. knowin' you're still. . ." "damn it all!" spencer burst back through the doorway. then he spied the leather packet. "that's it." he seized the bundle and thrust it toward hawksworth. "read these through, sirrah, and you'll see clear enough what we're up against. there's absolutely no point whatever in postin' a real ambassador now." he hesitated for a moment, as though unsure how to phrase his next point. "the most amazing thing is what they say about the great moghul himself, the one they call arangbar. the jesuits claim the man's scarcely ever sober. seems he lives on some kind of poppy sap they call opium, and on wine. he's a moor sure enough, but he drinks like a christian, downs a full gallon of wine a day. e'en holds audiences with a flagon in his hand. from the letters i can sense the jesuits all marvel how the damned heathen does it, but they swear 'tis true. no, sirrah, we can't send some fancy-titled ambassador now. that's later. we want a man of quality, it goes without sayin', but he's got to be able to drink with that damned moor and parlay with him in his cups. no jesuit interpreters." hawksworth steadied his hand on the carved arm of the chair, still amazed by maggie. "what will your subscribers think about sending the captain of a merchantman to the court of moghul india?" "never you mind the subscribers. just tell me if you'd consider it. t'will be a hard voyage, and a perilous trip inland once you make landfall. but you sail'd the mediterranean half a decade, and you know enough about the turks." spencer tapped his fingers impatiently on his ink-stained blotter. "and lest you're worried, have no doubt the company knows how to reward success." hawksworth looked again at maggie. her blue eyes were mute as stone. "to tell the truth, i'm not sure i'm interested in a voyage to india. george elkington might be able to tell you the reason why. have you told me all of it?" "damn elkington. what's he to do with this?" spencer stopped in front of the desk and fixed hawksworth's gaze. "aye, there's more. but what i'm about to tell you now absolutely has to remain between us. so have i your word?" hawksworth found himself nodding. "very well, sir. then i'll give you the rest. his majesty, king james, is sending a personal letter to be delivered to this great moghul. and gifts. all the usual diplomatic falderal these potentates expect. you'd deliver the whole affair. now the letter'll offer full and free trade between england and india, nothing more. won't mention the portugals. that'll come later. this is just the beginning. for now all we want is a treaty to trade alongside the damned papists. break their monopoly." "but why all the secrecy?" "'tis plain as a pikestaff, sirrah. the fewer know what we're plannin', the less chance of word gettin' out to the portugals, or the hollanders. let the papists and the butterboxes look to their affairs after we have a treaty. remember the portugals are swarmin' about the moghul's court, audiences every day. not to mention a fleet of warships holdin' the entire coast. and if they spy your colors, they're not apt to welcome you aland for roast capon and grog." "who else knows about this?" "nobody. least of all that windbag elkington, who'd have it talk'd the length of cheapside in a fortnight. he'll be on the voyage, i regret to say, but just as chief merchant. which is all he's fit for, though i'd warrant he presumes otherwise." "i'd like a few days to think about it." hawksworth looked again at maggie, still disbelieving. "first i'd like to see the _discovery_. and i'd also like to see your navigation charts for the indian ocean. i've seen plenty of logs down to the cape, and east, but nothing north from there." "and with good reason. we've got no rutters north of the cape. no english sea dog's ever sail'd it. but i've made some inquiries, and i think i've located a salt here who shipp'd it once, a long time past. a dutchman named huyghen. the truth is he was born and rais'd right here in london. he started out a papist and when things got a bit hot in england back around time of the armada he left for holland. e'en took a dutch name. next he mov'd on down to portugal thinkin' to be a jesuit, then shipp'd out to goa and round the indies. but he got a bellyfull of popery soon enough, and came back to amsterdam. some years later he help'd out their merchants by tellin' them exactly how the portugals navigate the passage round the cape and out. the hollanders say hadn't been for the maps he drew up, they'd never have been able to double the cape in the first place. but he's back in london now, and we've track'd him down. i understand he may've gone a bit daft, but perhaps 'twould do no harm if you spoke to him." "and what about the _discovery_? i want to see her too." "that you will, sir. she's in our shipyard down at deptford. might be well if i just had huyghen see you there. by all means look her over." he beamed. "and a lovelier sight you're ne'er like to meet." then, remembering himself, he quickly turned aside. "unless, of course, 'twould be my margaret here." . . . as agreed, hawksworth was taken to deptford the next day, the company's carriage inching through london's teeming streets for what seemed a lifetime. his first sight of the shipyard was a confused tangle of planking, ropes, and workmen, but he knew at a glance the _discovery_ was destined to be handsome. the keel had been laid weeks before, and he could already tell her fo'c'sle would be low and rakish. she was a hundred and thirty feet from the red lion of her beakhead to the taffrail at her stern--where gilding already was being applied to the ornate quarter galleries. she was five hundred tons burden, each ton some six hundred cubic feet of cargo space, and she would carry a hundred and twenty men when fully crewed. over her swarmed an army of carpenters, painters, coopers, riggers, and joiners, while skilled artisans were busy attaching newly gilded sculptures to her bow and stern. that day they were completing the installation of the hull chain-plates that would secure deadeyes for the shrouds, and he moved closer to watch. stories had circulated the docks that less than a month into the company's last voyage the mainmast yard of a vessel had split, and the shipbuilder, william benten, and his foreman, edward chandler, had narrowly escaped charges of lining their pockets by substituting cheap, uncured wood. he noticed that barrels of beer had been stationed around the yard for the workmen, to blunt the lure of nearby alehouses, and as he stood watching he saw chandler seize a grizzled old bystander who had helped himself to a tot of beer and begin forcibly evicting him from the yard. as they passed, he heard the old man--clad in a worn leather jerkin, his face ravaged by decades of salt wind and hard drink-- reviling the company. "what does the rottin' east india company know o' the indies. you'll ne'er double the cape in that pissin' shallop. 'twould scarce serve to ferry the thames." the old man struggled weakly to loosen chandler's grasp on his jerkin. "but i can tell you th' portugals've got carracks that'll do it full easy, thousand-ton bottoms that'd hold this skiff in the orlop deck and leave air for a hundred barrel o' biscuit. an' i've shipped 'em. by all the saints, where's the man standin' that knows the indies better?" hawksworth realized he must be huyghen. he intercepted him at the edge of the yard and invited him to a tavern, but the old englishman-turned- dutchman bitterly declined. "i'll ha' none o' your fancy taverns, lad, aswarm wi' pox-faced gentry fingerin' their meat pies. they'll ne'er take in the likes o' me." then he examined hawksworth and flashed a toothless grin. "but there's an alehouse right down the way where a man wi' salt in his veins can still taste a drop in peace." they went and hawksworth had ordered the first round. when the tankards arrived, huyghen attacked his thirstily, maintaining a cynical silence as hawksworth began describing the company's planned voyage, then asked him what he knew of the passage east and north of the cape. as soon as his first tankard was dry, the old man spoke. "aye, i made the passage once, wi' portugals. back in' . to goa. an' i've been to the indies many a time since, wi' dutchmen. but ne'er again to that pissin' sinkhole." "but what about the passage north, through the indian ocean?" "i'll tell you this, lad, 'tis a sight different from shootin' down to java, like the company's done before. 'tis the roughest passage you're e'er like to ship. portugals post bottoms twice the burden o' the company's damn'd little frigates and still lose a hundred men e'ery voyage out. when scurvy don't take 'em all. e'en the dutchmen are scared o' it." then huyghen returned to his stories of goa. something in the experience seemed to preoccupy his mind. hawksworth found the digression irritating, and he impatiently pressed forward. "but what about the passage? how do they steer north from the cape? the company has no charts, no rutters by pilots who've made the passage." "an' how could they?" huyghen evaluated hawksworth's purse lying on the wooden table and discreetly signaled another round. "the portugals know the trick, lad, but you'll ne'er find one o' the whoremasters who'll give it out." "but is there a trade wind you can ride? like the westerly to the americas?" "nothin' o' the sort, lad. but there's a wind sure enough. only she shifts about month by month. give me that chart an' i'll show you." huyghen stretched for the parchment hawksworth had brought, the new map of the world published by john davis in . he spread it over the table, oblivious to the grease and encrusted ale, and stared at it for a moment in groggy disbelief. then he turned on hawksworth. "who drew up this map?" "it was assembled by an english navigator, from charts he made on his voyages." "he's the lyin' son of a spaniard's whore. i made this chart o' the indies wi' my own hand, years ago, for the dutchmen. but what's the difference? he copied it right." huyghen spat on the floor and then stabbed the east coast of africa with a stubby finger. "now you come out o' the mozambique channel and into the indian ocean too early in the summer, and you'll be the only bottom fool enough to be out o' port. the monsoon'll batter you to plankin'. get there too late, say past the middle o' september, and you're fightin' a head wind all the way. she's already turn'd on you. but come north round by sokatra near the end o' august and you'll ride a steady gale right into north india. that's the tail o' the monsoon, lad, just before the winds switch about. two weeks, three at most, that's all you'll get. but steer it true an' you'll make landfall just as india's ports reopen for the autumn tradin' season." huyghen's voice trailed off as he morosely inspected the bottom of his tankard. hawksworth motioned for a third round, and as the old man drew on the ale his eyes mellowed. "aye, you might make it. there's a look about you tells me you can work a ship. but why would you want to be goin'? t'will swallow you up, lad. i've only been to goa, mind you, down on india's west coastline, but that was near enough. i ne'er saw a man come back once he went in india proper. somethin' about it keeps 'em there. portugals says she always changes a man. he loses touch wi' what he was. nothin' we know about counts for anything there, lad." "what do you mean? how different could it be? i saw plenty of moors in tunis." huyghen laughed bitterly. "if you're thinkin' 'tis the same as tunis, then you're e'en a bigger fool than i took you for. nay, lad, the moor part's the very least o' it." he drew on his tankard slowly, deliberately. "i've thought on't a considerable time, an' i think i've decipher'd what 'tis. but 'tis not a thing easy to spell out." huyghen was beginning to drift now, his eyes glazed in warm forgetfulness from the ale. but still he continued. "you know, lad, i actually saw some englishmen go into india once before. back in ' . year i was in goa. an' they were ne'er heard from since." hawksworth stared at the old man a moment, and suddenly the name clicked, and the date-- . huyghen must have been the dutch catholic, the one said to speak fluent english, who'd intervened for the english scouting party imprisoned in goa that year by the portuguese. he tried to still his pulse. "do you remember the englishmen's names?" "seem to recall they were led by a man nam'd symmes. but 'twas a long time past, lad. aye, goa was quite the place then. lucky i escap'd when i did. e'en there, you stay awhile an' somethin' starts to hold you. too much o' india about the place. after a while all this"--huyghen gestured fondly about the alehouse, where sweat-soaked laborers and seamen were drinking, quarreling, swearing as they bargained with a scattering of weary prostitutes in dirty, tattered shifts--"all this seems . . ." he took a deep draft of ale, attempting vainly to formulate his thoughts. "i've ne'er been one wi' words. but don't do it, lad. you go in, go all the way in to india, an' i'll wager you'll ne'er be heard from more. i've seen it happen." hawksworth listened as huyghen continued, his stories of the indies a mixture of ale and dreams. after a time he signaled another round for them both. it was many empty tankards later when they parted. but huyghen's words stayed. and that night brian hawksworth walked alone on the quay beside the thames, bundled against the wet autumn wind, and watched the ferry lanterns ply through the fog and heard the muffled harangues of streetwalkers and cabmen from the muddy street above. he thought about huyghen, and about the man named roger symmes, and about the voyage to india. and he thought too about maggie, who wanted him out of london before her rich widower discovered the truth. or before she admitted the truth to herself. but either way it no longer seemed to matter. that night he decided to accept the commission. . . . the _discovery _rolled heavily and hawksworth glanced instinctively toward the pulley lines that secured the two bronze cannon. then he remembered why he had left the quarterdeck, and he unlocked the top drawer of the desk and removed the ship's log. he leafed one more time through its pages, admiring his own script--strong but with an occasional flourish. someday this could be the most valuable book in england, he told himself. if we return. this will be the first log in england to describe what the voyage to india is really like. the company will have a full account of the weather and sea, recorded by estimated longitude, the distance traveled east. he congratulated himself again on the care with which he had taken their daily speed and used it to estimate longitude every morning since the cape, the last location where it was known exactly. and as he studied the pages of the log, he realized how exact huyghen's prediction had been. the old man had been eerily correct about the winds and the sea. they had caught the "tail o' the monsoon" precisely. "august . course n.e. ft e.; the wind at w.s., with gusts and rain. made leagues today. estimated longitude from the cape ° ' e. "august . course n.e.; the wind at west, a fresh gale, with gusts and rain this hours. leagues . estimated longitude from the cape, ° ' e." the late august westerly huyghen had foretold was carrying them a good hundred land miles a day. they rode the monsoon's tail, and it was still angry, but there was no longer a question that english frigates could weather the passage. as august drew to a close, however, scurvy had finally grown epidemic on his sister ship, the _resolve_. the men's teeth loosened, their gums bled, and they began to complain of aching and burning in their limbs. it was all the more tragic for the fact that this timeless scourge of ocean travelers might at long last be preventable. lancaster, on the very first voyage of the east india company, had stumbled onto an historic _discovery_. as a test, he'd shipped bottles of the juice of lemons on his flagship and ordered every seaman to take three spoonfuls a day. and his had been the only vessel of the three to withstand scurvy. hawksworth had argued with captain kerridge of the _resolve_, insisting they both stow lemon juice as a preventative. but kerridge had always resented lancaster, particularly the fact he'd been knighted on return from a voyage that showed almost no profit. he refused to credit lancaster's findings. "no connection. by my thinkin' lancaster just had a run o' sea-dog luck. then he goes about claimin' salt meat brings on the scurvy. a pack o' damn'd foolishness. i say salt meat's fine for the lads. boil it up with a mess o' dried peas and i'll have it myself. the _resolve' _ll be provision'd like always. sea biscuit, salt pork, hollander cheese. any fool knows scurvy comes from men sleepin' in the night dews off the sea. secure your gunports by night and you'll ne'er see the damn'd scurvy." hawksworth had suspected kerridge's real reason was the cost: lemon juice was imported and expensive. when the company rejected his own request for an allowance, he had provisioned the _discovery _out of his own advance. kerridge had called him a fool. and when they sailed in late february, the _resolve_ was unprovided. just as hawksworth had feared, the _resolve's _crew had been plagued by scurvy throughout the voyage, even though both vessels had put in for fresh provisions at zanzibar in late june. six weeks ago, he had had no choice but to order half his own remaining store of lemon juice transferred to the sister ship, even though this meant reducing the _discovery_'s ration to a spoon a day, not enough. by the first week of september, they were so near india they could almost smell land, but he dared not try for landfall. not yet. not without an indian pilot to guide them past the notorious sandbars and shoals that lined the coast like giant submerged claws. the monsoon winds were dying. indian shipping surely would begin soon. so they hove to, waiting. and as they waited, they watched the last kegs of water choke with green slime, the wax candles melt in the heat, and the remaining biscuit all but disappear to weevils. hungry seamen set a price on the rats that ran the shrouds. how long could they last? hawksworth reached the last entry in the log. yesterday. the day they had waited for. "sept. . laid by the lee. estimated longitude from the cape, ° ' e. latitude observed ° '. at in the morning we command a large ship from the country to heave to, by shooting four pieces across her bow. took from this ship an indian pilot, paying in spanish rials of eight. first offered english gold sovereigns, but these refused as unknown coin. also purchased casks water, some baskets lemons, melons, plantains." the provisions had scarcely lasted out the day, spread over twice a hundred hungry seamen. but with a pilot they could at last make landfall. and landfall they had made, at a terrible price. yet even this anchorage could not be kept. it was too exposed and vulnerable. he had expected it to be so, and he had been right. but he also knew where they might find safety. the previous night he had ordered the indian pilot to sketch a chart of the coastline on both sides of the tapti river delta. he did not tell him why. and on the map he had spotted a cove five leagues to the north, called swalley, that looked to be shallow and was also shielded by hills screening it from the sea. even if the portuguese discovered them, the deep draft of portuguese galleons would hold them at sea. the most they could do would be send boarding parties by pinnace, or fireships. the cove would buy time, time to replenish stores, perhaps even to set the men ashore and attend the sick. the longer the anchorage could be kept secret, the better their chances. he had already prepared sealed orders for captain kerridge, directing him to steer both frigates there after dark, when their movement could not be followed by the hidden eyes along the coast. he took a deep breath and flipped forward to a blank page in the log. and realized this was the moment he had been dreading, been postponing: the last entry for the voyage out. perhaps his last ever--if events in india turned against him. he swabbed more sweat from his face and glanced one last time at the glistening face of the lute, wondering what he would be doing now, at this moment, if he still were in london, penniless but on his own. then he wiped off the quill lying neatly alongside the leather-bound volume, inked it, and shoved back the sleeve of his doublet to write. chapter two the events of that morning were almost too improbable to be described. after taking on the indian pilot, hawksworth's plan had been to make landfall immediately, then launch a pinnace for surat, there to negotiate trade for their goods and safe conduct to the capital at agra for himself. if things went as planned, the goods would be exchanged and he would be on his way to the moghul capital long before word of their arrival could reach goa and the portuguese. the pilot's worth was never in question. a practiced seaman, he had steered them easily through the uncharted currents and hidden swallows of the bay. they had plotted a course directly east-north-east, running with topgallants on the night breeze, to make dawn anchorage at the mouth of the tapti river. through the night the _resolve_ had stayed with them handily, steering by their stem lantern. when the first light broke in the east, hard and sudden, there it lay-- the coast of india, the landfall, the sight they had waited for the long seven months. amid the cheers he had ordered their colors hoisted-- the red cross, bordered in white, on a field of blue--the first english flag ever to fly off india's coast. but as the flag snapped its way along the poop staff, and the men struck up a hornpipe on deck, their triumph suddenly was severed by a cry from the maintop. "sails off the starboard quarter." in the sudden hush that rolled across the ship like a shroud, freezing the tumult of voice and foot, hawksworth had charged up the companionway to the quarterdeck. and there, while the masts tuned a melancholy dirge, he had studied the ships in disbelief with his glass. four galleons anchored at the river mouth. portuguese men-of-war. each easily a thousand ton, twice the size of the _discovery_. he had sorted quickly through his options. strike sail and heave to, on the odds they may leave? it was too late. run up portuguese colors, the old privateers' ruse, and possibly catch them by surprise? unlikely. come about and run for open sea? never. that's never an english seadog's way. no, keep to windward and engage. here in the bay. "mackintosh!" hawksworth turned to see the quartermaster already poised expectantly on the main deck. "order malloyre to draw up the gunports. have the sails wet down and see the cookroom fire is out." "aye, sir. this'll be a bloody one." "what counts is who bleeds most. get every able man on station." as hawksworth turned to check the whipstaff, the long wooden lever that guided the ship's rudder, he passingly noted that curious conflict of body sensation he remembered from two encounters in years past: once, when on the amsterdam run he had seen privateers suddenly loom off the coast of scotland, and then on his last voyage through the mediterranean, when his convoy first spotted the turkish pirate galleys. while his mind calculated the elements of a strategy, coolly refining each individual detail, his stomach belied his rational facade and knotted in instinctive, primal fear. and he had asked himself whether this day his mind or his body would prevail. the odds were very bad, even if they could keep the wind. and if the portuguese had trained gun crews . . . then he spotted the indian pilot, leaning casually against the steering house, his face expressionless. he wore a tiny moustache and long, trimmed sideburns. and unlike the english seamen, all barefoot and naked to the waist, he was still dressed formally, just as when he came aboard. a fresh turban of white cotton, embroidered in a delicate brown, was secured neatly about the crown of his head, exposing his long ears and small, jeweled earrings. a spotless yellow cloak covered the waist of his tightly tailored blue trousers. damn him. did he somehow know? did he steer us into a trap? seeming to read hawksworth's thoughts, the pilot broke the silence between them, his turki heavily accented with his native gujarati. "this is your first test. officers of the moghul's army are doubtless at the shore, observing. what will you do?" "what do you think we'll do? we'll stand the bastards. and with malloyre's gunners i think we can . . ." "then permit me an observation. a modest thought, but possibly useful. do you see, there"--he pulled erect and pointed toward the shore--"hard by the galleons, there where the seabirds swirl in a dark cloud? that is the river mouth. and on either side are many sandbars, borne there from the river's delta. along the coast beyond these, though you cannot see them now, are channels, too shallow for the draft of a galleon but perhaps safe for these frigates. reach them and you will be beyond range of all portuguese ordnance save their stern demi-culverin. then they will be forced to try boarding you by longboat, something their infantry does poorly and with great reluctance." "are there channels on both sides of the river mouth? to windward and to leeward?" "certainly, my _feringhi _ captain." he examined hawksworth with a puzzled stare. "but only a fool would not hold to port, to windward." hawksworth studied the shoreline with the glass, and an audacious gamble began to take form in his mind. why try to keep both frigates to windward? that's what they'll expect, and any moment now they'll weigh and beat to windward also. and from their position, they'll probably gain the weather gage, forcing us to leeward, downwind where we can't maneuver. that means an open fight--when the _resolve_ can barely muster a watch. how can she crew the gun deck and man the sheets? but maybe she won't have to. maybe there's another way. "mackintosh." the quartermaster was mounting the quarterdeck companionway. "order the mains'l and fores'l reefed. and the tops'ls shortened. we'll heave to while we run out the guns. and signal the _resolve_ while i prepare orders for kerridge." the grizzled scotsman stood listening in dismay, and hawksworth read his thoughts precisely in his eyes. there's nae time to heave to. and for wha'? we strike an inch o' canvas an' the fornicatin' portugals'll take the weather gage sure. ha' you nae stomach for a fight? why na just haul down colors and ha' done with it? but he said nothing. he turned automatically and bellowed orders aloft. hawksworth felt out the morning breeze, tasting its cut, while he watched the seamen begin swinging themselves up the shrouds, warming the morning air with oaths as the _discovery _pitched and heeled in the chop. and then he turned and strode down the quarterdeck companionway toward the great cabin to prepare orders for the _resolve_. as he passed along the main deck, half a dozen crewmen were already unlashing the longboat from its berth amidships. and when he emerged again on deck with the oilskin- wrapped dispatch, after what seemed only moments, the longboat was already launched, oarsmen at station. he passed the packet to mackintosh without a word, then mounted the companionway ladder back to the quarterdeck. the indian pilot stood against the banister, shaded by the lateen sail, calmly studying the galleons. "three of these i know very well." his accented turki was almost lost in a roll of spray off the stern. "they are the _st. sebastian_, the _bon jesus_, and the _bon ventura_. they arrived new from lisbon last year, after the monsoon, to patrol our shipping lanes, to enforce the regulation that all indian vessels purchase a trading license from authorities in goa." "and what of the fourth?" "it is said she berthed in goa only this spring. i do not know her name. there were rumors she brought the new viceroy, but early, before his four-year term began. i have never before seen her north, in these waters." my god. hawksworth looked at the warships in dismay. is this the course of the company's fortune? a voyage depending on secrecy blunders across a fleet bearing the incoming viceroy of goa. the most powerful portuguese in the indies. "they are invincible," the pilot continued, his voice still matter-of- fact. "the galleons own our waters. they have two decks of guns. no indian vessel, even the reckless corsairs along our southern coast of malabar, dare meet them in the open sea. owners who refuse to submit and buy a portuguese trading license must sail hundreds of leagues off course to avoid their patrol." "and what do you propose? that we heave to and strike our colors? without even a fight?" hawksworth was astonished by the pilot's casual unconcern. is he owned by the portugals too? "you may act as you choose. i have witnessed many vain boasts of english bravery during my brief service aboard your ship. but an indian captain would choose prudence at such a time. strike colors and offer to pay for a license. otherwise you will be handled as a pirate." "no englishman will ever pay a portugal or a spaniard for a license to trade. or a permit to piss." hawksworth turned away, trying to ignore the cold sweat beading on his chest. "we never have. we never will." the pilot watched him for a moment, and then smiled. "you are in the seas off india now, captain. here the portuguese have been masters for a hundred years." his voice betrayed a trace of annoyance at hawksworth's seeming preoccupation, and he moved closer. "you would do well to hear me out. we know the portuguese very well. better perhaps than you. their cruelties here began a full century ago, when the barbarous captain vasco de gama first discovered our malabar coast, near the southern tip of india. he had the portuguese nose for others' wealth, and when he returned again with twenty ships, our merchants rose against him. but he butchered their fleet, and took prisoners by the thousand. he did not, however, simply execute them. first he cut away their ears, noses, and hands and sent these to the local raja, recommending he make a curry. next a portuguese captain named albuquerque came with more warships to ravage our trade in the north, that on the red sea. and when servants of islam again rose up to defend what is ours, allah the merciful once more chose to turn his face from them, leaving all to defeat. soon the infidel portuguese came with many fleets, and in a span no more than a male child reaching manhood, had seized our ocean and stolen our trade." the pilot's face remained blandly expressionless as he continued, but he reached out and caught hawksworth's sleeve. "next they needed a portuguese trading station, so they bribed pirates to help storm our coastal fortress at goa, an island citadel with a deep port. and this place they made the collection point for all the pepper, spices, jewels, dyes, silver, and gold they have plundered from us. they lacked the courage to invade india herself, as the moghuls did soon after, so they made our sea their infidel empire. it is theirs, from the coast of africa, to the gulf of persia, to the molucca islands. and they seek not merely conquest, or enforced commerce, but also our conversion to their religion of cruelty. they have flooded our ports with ignorant priests. to them this is a crusade against islam, against the one true faith, a crusade that has triumphed--for a time--where barbarous christian land assaults on our holy mecca have always failed." then the pilot turned directly to hawksworth and a smile flickered momentarily across his lips. "and now you english have come to challenge them by sea. you must pardon me if i smile. even if you prevail today, which i must tell you i doubt, and even if one day more of your warships follow and drive them from our seas entirely--even if all this should take place, you will find your victory hollow. as theirs has been. for we have already destroyed them. the way india consumes all who come with arms. the ancient way. they have robbed our wealth, but in return we have consumed their spirit. until at last they are left with nothing but empty commodity. it will be no different for you, english captain. you will never have india. it is india who will have you." he paused and looked again toward the galleons, their sails swelling on the horizon. "but today i think the portuguese will spare us the trouble." hawksworth examined the pilot, struggling to decipher his words. "let me tell you something about england. all we ask is trade, for you and for us, and we don't have any priests to send. only catholic traders do that. and if you think we'll not stand well today, you know even less about the english. the thing we do best is fight at sea. our sea dogs destroyed the entire navy of spain twenty years ago, when they sent their armada to invade england, and even to this day the spaniards and portugals have never understood our simple strategy. they still think a warship's merely a land fortress afloat. all they know to do is throw infantry against a ship and try to board her. the english know sea battles are won with cannon and maneuverability, not soldiers." hawksworth directed the pilot's gaze down the _discovery_. the ship was of the new english "race-built" class, low in the water and swift. absent were the bulky superstructures on bow and stern that weighed down a galleon, the "castles" that spanish and portuguese commanders used to stage infantry for boarding an enemy vessel. a full thirty years before, the english seaman and explorer john hawkins had scoffed at these, as had francis drake and walter raleigh. they saw clearly that the galleons' towering bow and stem, their forecastle and poop, slow them, since the bluff beamy hull needed to support their weight wouldn't bite the water. a superstructure above decks serves only to spoil a warship's handling in a breeze, they declared, and to lend a better target to an english gunner. "your ships assuredly are smaller than portuguese galleons, i agree," the pilot volunteered after a pause, "but i see no advantage in this." "you'll see soon enough. the _discovery _may be low, but she'll sail within six points of the wind, and she's quicker on the helm than anything afloat." hawksworth raised the glass and studied the galleons again. as he expected they were beating to windward, laboring under a full head of canvas. good. now the _resolve_ can make her move. the longboat was returning, its prow biting the trough of each swell, while on the _resolve_ seamen swarmed the shrouds and rigging. hawksworth watched with satisfaction as his sister ship's main course swiveled precisely into the breeze and her sprits'l bellied for a run down the wind. her orders were to steer to leeward, skirting the edge of the galleons' cannon range. and if i know the portugals, he told himself, they'll be impatient enough to start loosing round after round of shot at her, even from a quarter mile off. it takes courage to hold fire till you're under an enemy's guns, but only then do you have accuracy. noise and smoke are battle enough for most portugals, but the main result is to overheat and immobilize their cannon. as the _discovery_ lay hove to, biding time, the _resolve_ cut directly down the leeward side of the galleons, laboring under full press of sail, masts straining against the load. the indian pilot watched the frigate in growing astonishment, then turned to hawksworth. "your english frigates may be swift, but your english strategy is unworthy of a common _mahout_, who commands an old she-elephant with greater cunning. your sister frigate has now forfeited the windward position. why give over your only advantage?" even as he spoke the four portuguese warships, caught beating to windward, began to shorten sail and pay off to leeward to intercept the _resolve_, their bows slowly crossing the wind as they turned. "i've made a gamble, something a portugal would never do," hawksworth replied. "and now i have to do something no englishman would ever do. unless outgunned and forced to." before the pilot could respond, hawksworth was gone, heading for the gun deck. the ring of his boots on the oak ladder leading to the lower deck was lost in the grind of wooden trucks, as seamen threw their weight against the heavy ropes and tackles, slowly hauling out the guns. the _discovery_ was armed with two rows of truck-mounted cast-iron culverin, and she had sailed with twenty-two barrels of powder and almost four hundred round shot. hawksworth had also stowed a supply of crossbar shot and deadly langrel--thin casings filled with iron fragments--for use against enemy rigging and sail at close quarters. shafts of dusty light from the gunports and overhead scuttles relieved the lantern-lit gloom, illuminating the massive beams supporting the decks above. sleeping hammocks were lashed away, but the space was airless, already sultry from the morning sun, and the rancid tang of sweat mixed with fresh saltpeter from the gunpowder caught in hawksworth's mouth, bittersweet. he walked down the deck, alert to the details that could spell victory or loss. first he checked the wooden tubs of vinegared urine and the long swabs stationed between the cannon, used for cleaning burning fragments of metal from the smoking barrels after each round. fail to swab a barrel and there could be an unplanned detonation when the next powder charge was tamped into place. then he counted the budge-barrels of powder, now swathed in water-soaked blankets to fend off sparks, and watched as edward malloyre, the man some called the best master gunner in england, inspected each cannon's touchhole as its lead plate was removed, assuring himself it had not corroded from the gases expelled during their last gunnery practice, in the mozambique channel. "master malloyre." "aye, sir, all's in order. we'll hand the spanish bastards a taste o' english iron." malloyre, who had never troubled to differentiate portugal from spain, was built like a bear, with short bowed legs and a tree-stump frame. he drew himself erect, his balding pate easily clearing the rugged overhead beams, and searched the gloom. "the worshipful company may ha' signed on a sorry lot o' pimpin' apple squires, but, by jesus, i've made englishmen o' them. my sovereign to your shilling we hole the pox-rotted papists wi' the first round." "i'll stand the wager, malloyre, and add the last keg of brandy. but you'll earn it. i want the portside battery loaded with crossbar forward, and langrel aft. and set the langrel for the decks, not the sail." malloyre stared at him incredulously. the command told him immediately that this would be a battle with no quarter. the use of langrel against personnel left no room for truce. then suddenly the true implications of hawksworth's command hit him like a blow in the chest. "that shot's for close quarters. we lay alongside, and the bastards'll grapple and board us sure. swarm us like curs on a bitch." "that's the order, malloyre. be quick on it. set the starboard round first. and light the linstocks." hawksworth turned to count the shot and absently picked up one of the linstocks lying on deck--an iron- plated staff used to set off a cannon--fingering the oil-soaked match rope at its tip and inhaling its dank musk. and the smell awoke again the memory of that last day two years before in the mediterranean, with turkish pirate galleys fore and aft, when there had been no quarter, and no hope . . . "beggin' your pardon, sir." malloyre's voice was urgent, bringing him back. "what's the firin' orders?" "just fire the starboard round as a broadside, and set for the lower gun deck." "aye aye, sir." he paused. "and lord jesus pray we'll live to swab out." malloyre's parting words would have followed him up the ladder to the main deck, but they were swallowed in the muffled roll of cannon fire sounding over the bay. the galleons were spreading, circling the _resolve_ as they bore down upon her, and they had begun to vomit round after round, jets of water randomly around the frigate as she plunged toward the shallows and safety. any minute now, hawksworth told himself, and she'll be in the shallows. if she doesn't run aground on a bar. then he saw the _resolve_ begin to come about, reefing and furling her sails. she's made the shallows. and the portugals' guns have quieted. "permission to set sail, sir. the bleedin' portugals'll be on her in a trice." mackintosh stood on the quarterdeck by the steering house. and he made no attempt to disguise the anxiety in his eyes. "give the portugals time, mackintosh, and you'll see their second fatal mistake. the first was overheating the cannon on their upper decks. the second will be to short-hand their crews. they're out of cannon range now, so they'll launch longboats, and assign half the watch as oarsmen. here, take the glass. tell me what you see." mackintosh studied the shallows with the telescope, while a smile slowly grew on his hard face. "i'm a motherless dutchman. an' there's a king's guard o' portugal musketmen loadin' in. wearin' their damn'd silver helmets." they haven't changed in thirty years, hawksworth smiled to himself. the portugals still think their infantry is too dignified to row, so they assign their crews to the oars and leave their warships shorthanded. but they won't find it easy to board the _resolve_ from longboats. not with english musketmen in her maintop. and that should give us just enough time. . . . "are all the longboats out yet, mackintosh?" "aye, sir." the quartermaster steadied the glass against the roll of the ship. "and making for the _resolve _like they was runnin' from hell itself." "then bear full sail. two points to windward of the bastard on the left. full press, and hoist the spritsail. keep the wind and pay her room till we're in range." with an exultant whoop mackintosh jabbed the sweat-soaked telescope toward hawksworth, and began bellowing orders to the mates. within moments sails unfurled and snapped in the wind, sending the _discovery_'s bow biting into the chop and hurtling spray over the bulwarks. hawksworth kept to the quarterdeck, studying the nearest warship with the glass. the galleon's forecastle towered above the horizon now like some gothic fortress, and with the glass he could make out pennants blazoned from all her yardarms. then he turned toward the indian pilot, whose gaze was riveted on the portuguese warships. "what's the name of the galleon on the left, the large one?" hawksworth pointed toward the vessel he had been observing with the glass. "i can't read it from this distance." "that one is the _bon ventura_. we know her to be heavily armed." "i'd say she's over a thousand tons burden. i wonder how handy she'll be with her best men out in the longboats?" "she'll meet you soon enough, with her full bounty. it is said that last year she caught and sank a twenty-gun dutch frigate trading in the moluccas." "she'll still have to come about into the wind." hawksworth seemed not to hear the pilot now, so absorbed was he in the looming battle. as though in answer to his thoughts, the _bon ventura _started to heel slowly about, like an angered bull. but the _discovery_ now had the windward position secure, and the portuguese ship would have to tack laboriously into the wind. her canvas was close-hauled and she would be slow. we've got the weather gage now, hawksworth told himself, and we'll hold it. then he noticed that the second galleon in the row, the _st. sebastian_, had also begun wearing around, bringing her stern across the wind as she too turned to meet the _discovery_. "they've deciphered our plan," hawksworth said quietly to himself, "and now it's two of the bastards we'll face. but with luck we'll engage the _bon ventura_ before the _st. sebastian _can beat to range. and the _bon ventura_ is drawing away from the fleet. that bit of bravado will cost her." the _discovery _was closing rapidly on the _bon ventura_. in minutes they would be within range. mackintosh was at the whipstaff now, holding their course, his senses alert to every twist in the wind. he involuntarily clenched and unclenched his teeth, while his knuckles were bloodless white from his grip on the hardwood steering lever. hawksworth raised the glass again, knowing what he hoped to see. "the portugals have just made their third mistake, mackintosh." he tried to mask his excitement. "they've sealed the lower gunports to shut out water while they're tacking. so after they get position they'll still have to run out the lower guns." "aye. that's why two-deckers won't buy a whore's chastity on a day like this. but they'll have the upper guns on us soon enough." "wait and see, mackintosh. i'll warrant their upper guns are overheated by now. they'll think twice about trying to prime them just yet. they'll have to wait a bit. perhaps just long enough for us to get alongside. then the upper guns'll touch nothing but our rigging." the breeze freshened even more, driving the _discovery _rapidly toward her target. mackintosh eyed the galleon nervously, knowing the frigate was heavily outgunned. finally he could bear the tension no longer. "we've got range now. permission to bring her about." "steady as she goes. they're slow on the helm." hawksworth glanced at the line of seamen along the port side, untying bundles of musket arrows and lighting the linstock. "bosun! are the men at stations?" "aye, sir." a gravel voice sounded through the din. "stocks were a bit damp, but i warrant the hellish sun's dryin' 'em out. we'll give the fornicators a fine english salute." hawksworth gauged the galleon's course, estimating her speed and her ability to maneuver. then he saw her start coming about in the water, turning to position the starboard battery for a broadside. gunports on the lower deck flipped up and cannon began slowly to emerge, like hard black fangs. nervous sweat began to bead on mackintosh's brow as the _discovery _held her course directly down the galleon's windward side. the _bon ventura_'s broadside battery was not yet set, but a sudden burst of black smoke from her starboard bow-chaser sent a ball smashing through the _discovery's _quarter gallery, removing much of its ornate embellishment. then came another flare of smoke and flame, hurtling a second ball through the lateen sail above mackintosh's head. the quartermaster went pale, and looked imploringly at hawksworth. "steady as she goes, mackintosh, they still haven't fully set their guns." the knot in hawksworth's stomach was like a searing ball of fire. god, for a brandy. but we've got to hold till we've got sure range. to come about now would keep our distance, and mean a classic battle. one we're sure to lose. he pushed away the realization of the immense chance they were taking. but now there was no turning back, even if he wanted. finally he could bear it no longer. god make it right. "now, mackintosh! bring her hard about!" the quartermaster threw his weight against the whipstaff, shouting orders to the two seamen on the deck below to haul the tackles on the tiller, helping him flip the rudder. then he turned and bellowed commands to the mates. "hands to the braces. bring her hard about." the seamen poised incredulously in the maintop and foretop cheered as they began to haul in the ropes securing the yards, and in moments the sails swiveled off the wind. the _discovery _careened in the chopping seas, responding readily to the shift in rudder and canvas. by this time hawksworth was standing over the scuttle above the gun deck, shouting to malloyre. "coming about. prepare to fire the starboard battery when your guns bear." the _discovery_ had wheeled a sharp arc in the water, laying herself broadside to the galleon, hardly fifty yards away. the english seamen aloft stared mutely at the towering forecastle of the portuguese warship, most never before having seen a galleon at close range. although the guns on her upper deck were still silent, had they spoken now they would have touched nothing but the frigate's tops'ls. but as the galleon turned, the cannon on her lower deck were coming into final position. in moments she would lay the _discovery_ with a broadside. hawksworth watched her carefully, calculating, and then the knot in his stomach dissolved like ice in the sun. the _discovery _would be in position seconds ahead. malloyre's command to fire cut the awe-stricken silence. the next instant a low roar seemed to emanate from all the timbers of the english frigate, while red-tipped flame tongued from her starboard side. the ship heeled dangerously sideways, while black smoke, acrid and searing, boiled up through the scuttles and hatch, as though propelled on its way by the round of cheers from below decks, the traditional salute of ship's gunners. hawksworth later remembered noting that the battery had fired in perfect unison, not losing the set of a single gun by the ship's recoil. a medley of screams came first, piercing the blackened air. then the smoke drifted downwind, over the side of the _bon ventura_, revealing a savage incision where her lower gun deck had once been. cannon were thrown askew, and the mangled forms of portuguese gunners, many with limbs shattered or missing, could be seen through the splintered hull. but hawksworth did not pause to inspect the damage; he was already yelling the next orders to mackintosh, hoping to be heard above the din. the advantage of surprise would be short-lived. "pay off the helm! bring her hard about!" again the rudder swiveled in its locks, while seamen aloft hauled the sheets and braces, but this time the _discovery _came about easily, using the wind to advantage. as he turned to check the whipstaff, hawksworth heard a high-pitched ricochet off the steering house and sensed a sudden dry numbness in his thigh. only then did he look up to see the line of portuguese musketmen on the decks of the _bon ventura_, firing sporadically at the english seamen on decks and aloft. damn. a lucky shot by some lisbon recruit. he seized a handful of coarse salt from a bucket by the binnacle and pressed it against the blood. a flash of pain passed briefly through his consciousness and then was forgotten. the _discovery's _stern had crossed the wind. there was no time to lose. he moved down the companionway to again shout orders to malloyre on the gun deck. "set for the fo'c'sle and rigging. fire as your guns bear." the _bon ventura_ still lay immobile, so unexpected had been the broadside. but a boarding party of portuguese infantry was poised on the galleon's forecastle superstructure, armed with swords and pikes, ready to fling grapples and swing aboard the frigate. the portuguese had watched in helpless amazement as the _discovery_ completely came about and again was broadside. suddenly the captain of the infantry realized what was in store and yelled frantically at his men to take cover. but his last command was lost in the roar of the _discovery's _guns. this time flames and smoke erupted from the _discovery's _portside battery, but now it spewed knife-edged chunks of metal and twisting crossbars. again the screams came first, as the musketmen and infantry on the fo'c'sle were swept across the decks in the deadly rain. crossbars chewed through the galleon's mainsail, parting it into two flapping remnants, while the rigging on the foremast was blown by the boards, tangling and taking with it a party of musketmen stationed in the foretop. now the galleon bobbed helpless in the water, as the last seamen remaining on the shrouds plunged for the decks and safety. "when you're ready, mackintosh." the quartermaster signaled the bosun, and a line of seamen along the port gunwales touched musket arrows to the lighted linstock and took aim. streaks of flame forked into the tattered rigging of the _bon ventura_, and in moments her canvas billowed red. again the portuguese were caught unaware, and only a few manned water buckets to extinguish the burning shreds of canvas drifting to the deck. they were almost alongside now, but no portuguese infantry would pour down the side of the forecastle onto their decks. the galleon's decks were a hemorrhage of the wounded and dying. "by jesus, 'tis a sight for english eyes." edward malloyre's blackened face, streaked with sweat, bobbed up through the hatch over the gun deck, and he surveyed the wreckage of the _bon ventura_. "had to give 'er a look, cap'n. see if my lads earn'd their biscuit." he beamed with open pride. "malloyre, how does it stand below decks?" hawksworth yelled from the quarterdeck. "starboard side's swabbed out. how shall we load 'em, sir?" malloyre leaned backward to gain a better look at the galleon, which now towered above them. "round shot, and run them out fast as you can." "aye, sir. an' no more close quarters if you please. ne'er want to be this close to one o' the bastards again." malloyre started to retreat through the hatch, but then he turned, paused for a second, and yelled at hawksworth. "beggin' your pardon, cap'n. i knew all along 'twas best to pull alongside and lay 'em wi' crossbar. just wanted to give the lads a bit o' a scare. keep 'em jumpin'." hawksworth waved his hand and watched as malloyre's pudgy frame dropped through the gun-deck hatch like a rabbit diving for its warren. mackintosh was standing on the main deck, his tangled red mane blackened with smoke, watching as the _discovery _drifted slowly toward the side of the bobbing galleon. then, when they were only feet away, he signaled the bosun, and a line of english seamen lit the waiting fuses and began to loft clay powder pots across the waist of the _bon ventura_, now almost above their heads. when they had finished, he passed orders and the _discovery _began to pull away, before her sails could ignite. then one by one the powder pots started to explode, spewing burning sulphur over the portuguese vessel's decks. hawksworth watched the carnage, and asked himself if he had been right to do what he'd done. they'd have sunk us. cut down the men and taken the officers and merchants to a goa prison. and then what? we couldn't have sunk them with cannon in a week. the only choice was fire. then he turned to see the _st. sebastian _making toward them. her cannon were already run out, and at any moment she would start coming about for a broadside. again he felt the throb in his thigh, and it triggered a wave of fear that swept upward from his stomach. the indian pilot stood next to him, also watching the approaching galleon. "i have seen a miracle, captain. allah the compassionate has watched over you today." the pilot's face showed none of the strain of battle. and his clothes were still spotless, oddly immune from the oily smoke that blackened all the english seamen. "but i fear there cannot be two miracles on the same morning. you are about to pay for your fortune. perhaps there is still time to strike your colors and save the lives of your men." "we surrender now and we'll rot in a goa prison forever. or be pulled apart on the _strappado_." hawksworth glared back. "and i seem to recall the quran says 'do not falter when you've gained the upper hand.'" "you do not have the upper hand, my captain, and the holy quran speaks only of those who trust in allah, the merciful. . . ." his voice trailed off as he turned to stare at hawksworth. "it is not common for a _feringhi_ to know the holy quran. how is it you--?" "i just spent two years in a turkish prison, and i heard little else." hawksworth turned and was testing the wind, weighing his options. the _st. sebastian _was almost on them. her cannon were already run out, and at any moment she would start coming about for a broadside. he could still hear the trucks of the cannon below decks, as the starboard battery was being run out, and he knew the portside crews were only now beginning to swab the last glowing shreds of metal from the cannon barrels. good god, there's no time to set the ordnance. they'll blow us to hell. he deliberated for a long moment, weighing his options. as he watched, the _st. sebastian _began to shorten sail, preparing to come about and fire. only minutes remained. then he noticed that the wind on the burning _bon ventura's _superstructure was drifting her in the direction of the approaching _st. sebastian_, and he hit on another gamble. they've shortened sail in order to come about, which means they're vulnerable. now if i can make them try to take their bow across the wind, with their sails shortened . . . "mackintosh, take her hard about! set the courses for a port tack." once again the _discovery_ heeled in the water, her stern deftly crossing the wind, and then she was back under full sail, still to windward of the burning galleon. the sudden tack had left the burning _bon ventura _directly between the english frigate and the approaching galleon. the _discovery _pulled away, keeping the wind, forcing the galleon to tack also if she would engage them. hawksworth watched, holding his breath as portuguese seamen began to man the sheets, bringing the _st. sebastian's _bow into the wind. it was fatal. the approaching galleon had shortened too much sail in preparation to come about for the broadside, and now she lacked the momentum to cross the wind. instead the sluggish, top-heavy warship hung in stays, her sails slack, her bulky bow fighting the wind, refusing to pay off onto the opposite tack. all the while the _bon ventura_ was drifting inexorably toward her, flaming. i was right, hawksworth thought. she didn't have the speed to bring her bow around. with his glass he watched the galleon's captain order her back to the original tack. but time had run out. blinding explosions suddenly illuminated the gunports of the burning _bon ventura_, as powder barrels on the gun decks ignited, first the upper and then the lower. in only moments the fire found the powder room aft of the orlop deck, and as the english seamen looked on spellbound the galleon seemed to erupt in a single cloud of fire, rocketing burning timbers and spars across the sea's surface. the mainmast, flaming like a giant taper, snapped and heaved slowly into the fo'c'sle. then the superstructure on the stern folded and dropped through the main deck, throwing a plume of sparks high into the morning air. although the _st. sebastian _had righted herself, she still had not regained speed, for now the sails had lost their luff and sagged to leeward. why isn't she underway, hawksworth asked himself, surely she'll circle and engage us? he looked again with the glass and the reason became clear. the portuguese crewmen on the _st. sebastian_ had begun throwing themselves into the sea, terrified at the sight of the _bon ventura's _blazing hull drifting slowly across their bow. the wind had freshened again and was pushing the burning galleon rapidly now. the blaze had become an inferno, fueled by casks of coconut oil stored below decks on the galleon, and hawksworth involuntarily shielded his eyes and face from the heat that, even at their distance, seared the _discovery_. as he watched, the drifting _bon ventura _suddenly lurched crazily sideways, and then came the sound of a coarse, grinding impact, as her burning timbers sprayed across the decks of the _st. sebastian_. in moments the second galleon was also an abandoned inferno, her crew long since afloat in the safety of the sea, clinging to debris and making for shore. "allah has been merciful twice to you in one morning, captain. i had never before known the extent of his bounty. you are a man most fortunate." the pilot's words, spoken softly and with pronounced gravity, were almost drowned in the cheers that engulfed the decks and rigging of the _discovery_. "the battle's just begun. boarding parties are at the _resolve_, and there are two more galleons." hawksworth reached for the glass by the binnacle. "no, captain, i doubt very much the portuguese will trouble you further. your luck has been too exceptional. but they will return another day." the pilot squinted toward the shore, as though confirming something he knew should be there. hawksworth trained his glass on the two galleons that still held the _resolve_ pinned in the shallows. they were heeling about, preparing to run southward on the wind under full press of sail. he also realized their longboats had been abandoned. some were following futilely after the retreating galleons, while others were already rowing toward the river mouth. the english frigate had been forgotten. then he noted that although pennants no longer flew from the yardarms of the galleons, the large, unnamed vessel had run out a brilliant red ensign on her poop staff. he studied it carefully, then turned to the pilot, extending the glass. "take a look and tell me what the colors are on the large man-of-war. i've never seen them before." the pilot waved away the telescope with a smile. "i need no christian device to tell you that. we all know it. with all your fortune, you have failed to understand the most important thing that happened today." "and what is that?" "those are the colors of the viceroy of goa, flown only when he is aboard his flagship. you have humiliated him today. the colors speak his defiance. his promise to you." as the pilot spoke, mackintosh came bounding up the companionway to the quarterdeck, his soot-covered face beaming. "what a bleedin' day! _what _a bleedin' day!" then his eyes dimmed for an instant. "but a man'd be called a liar who told the story." "how many dead and wounded, mackintosh?" "two maintopmen killed by musket fire. and a bosun's mate took a splinter in the side, very bad, when the bastards laid us wi' the first bowchasers. a few other lads took musket fire, but the surgeon'll sew 'em up fine." "then break out the last keg of brandy. and see that malloyre's men get the first tot. . . but don't forget to send a tankard to the quarterdeck." mackintosh broke an appreciative grin and headed down the companionway ladder. the sun was baking the decks now, and a swarm of locusts had appeared from nowhere to buzz about the maintop. the wind was beginning to slacken in the heat, and silence slowly settled over the _discovery_. hawksworth turned his glass one last time to the large galleon. he could still make out the ensign over the crests of surf, blood red in the sun. chapter three the bells sounded ending the afternoon watch and calling the first dog watch. only four hours since noon, but already the morning's carnage seemed a memory from a distant lifetime. sultry tropic air, motionless and stifling, immersed the _discovery_ as the gaunt-faced seamen labored to finish securing the mast of the pinnace. mackintosh had ordered the pinnace's sail unrolled on deck, and as he inspected the stitches for rot he alternately reviled the men, the heat, the company. hawksworth had completed the log and stood in the companionway outside the great cabin to watch the preparations, take the air, and exercise his leg. all the previous night he had stood on the quarterdeck, keeping the helm and translating for the pilot. and tonight again there would be no sleep. there's time for a rest now, his weary mind urged, till the first bell of this watch, half an hour. then he cursed himself for his weakness, his readiness to yield, and shoved open the door of the great cabin. the oil lamp swayed with each roll of the ship, punctuating the rhythmic creak of the wood paneling and adding to the sweltering heat. he locked the door, then strode aft to push ajar the two stern windows. but the stolid air lay inert, refusing to lift. he would have to prepare the chest in suffocating misery. so be it. brushing the hair back from his eyes, he unlocked a bronzed sea chest and began to extract one by one the articles entrusted to the company by king james. first was the letter, in english with a formal copy in diplomatic spanish, both scribed on parchment and sealed in a leather case secured with his majesty's impression in red wax. the seal, set in london over seven months before, was soft in the heat now, pliant to his touch. he surveyed the room for a moment and then his eye hit on the pair of formal thigh- length stockings the company had insisted he pack. perfect. he bound his hose around the king's letter, knotted it protectively over the seal, and tossed the bundle into the smaller wooden chest he would take ashore. then he began to transfer the royal presents: a brace of gold-plated pistols, a half dozen silver-handled swords, a small silver-trimmed saddle, a set of delicate norwich crystal, jeweled rings, a leather- bound mirror, a silver whistle studded with emeralds, a large cocked hat trimmed in silk, a miniature portrait of king james, and finally, a dozen bottles of fine english sack. he checked each item for damage and then packed them tightly into the small chest. finally he inserted a tightly fitting false bottom and covered it with a coarse woolen rug. then the second packing began. he started with more gifts, these for port officials, mainly silver-trimmed knives and rings set with small inexpensive pearls. he also enclosed several boxed sets of english gold sovereigns, which the company had requested be distributed as widely as possible, in hopes they would begin to be accepted. finally he looked about the room for personal goods. first he folded in a new leather jerkin, then next to it packed a new pair of leather boots. he stared at the boots for a moment, and then removed them while he carefully wrapped two primed pistols and slid one deep into each hollow toe. next to the boots he packed a case of spanish brandy he had been saving, for personal use aland. lastly he took his glistening english lute from its corner berth, held it for a moment, and tested the strings. he adjusted the tuning on one string, then wrapped the lute's melon-shaped body in a silk cloth, and nestled it next to the brandy. as he secured the lock on the chest and pocketed the large brass key, he suddenly asked himself how he would get the chest into india without its being searched. i'm not a genuine ambassador. i'm the captain of a merchantman, with no diplomatic standing. the company, for all its mercantile wisdom, neglected to consider that small difficulty. so i'll just have to sound like an ambassador. that shouldn't be so hard. just be impressed with your own importance. and find nothing, food or lodgings, sufficiently extravagant. then he drew himself erect and unlocked the door of the great cabin. only one thing remained. "mackintosh!" the quartermaster was in the pinnace now, fitting the tiller, and he glanced up in irritation. "send the pilot to my cabin." hawksworth had scarcely seated himself behind the great oak table before the tall chestnut-skinned man appeared in the doorway. hawksworth examined the face again, expressionless and secure, asking himself its years. is he thirty; is he fifty? the features seemed cast from an ageless mold, hard and seamless, immune to time. "may i be of service?" "repeat your name for me." hawksworth spoke in turkish. "and tell me again the business of your vessel." "my name is karim hasan ali." the reply came smoothly, but almost too rapidly for hawksworth to follow. "my ship was the rahimi, a pilgrim vessel on her return voyage from mecca, by way of aden, to our northern port of diu. we carry muslim pilgrims outbound from india in the spring, and return after the monsoon. as you assuredly must know, for a thousand years mecca has been the shrine all followers of islam must visit once in their life. our cabins are always full." hawksworth recalled the vessel, and his astonishment at her size. she had had five masts and was easily twelve hundred tons, over twice the burden of the _discovery_ and greater than anything he had ever seen before, even the most ambitious spanish carrack. but when they spotted her, tacking eastward across the bay of cambay, she was unarmed and hove to almost before they had fired across her bow. why unarmed, he had asked himself then, and why strike so readily? now he understood. "and you were the pilot for the _rahimi_?" "i am called the _musallim_." a note of formality entered the indian's voice and he instinctively drew himself more erect. "is that the pilot?" "yes, but more. perhaps it is like your first mate. but i am in full charge of navigation for the _nakuda_, the owner. to you he would be captain." "and what was your salary for the voyage?" "i received two hundred rupees for the trip to aden, and am allowed two extra cabins of goods for personal trade." hawksworth smiled resignedly to himself, remembering he had unquestioningly delivered to the _nakuda _a bag of spanish rials of eight equivalent to five hundred indian rupees to buy out the pilot's contract. then he spoke. "tonight, we go upriver to surat. you're still in my service and you'll be pilot." "i had expected it. i know the river well." "will there be any portugal traders on the river?" hawksworth searched his eyes hoping to monitor their truthfulness. "i would not expect it. although this year's monsoons are past and the river has returned to normal, there are new sandbanks. every season they shift, becoming more treacherous. only those of us who know the river well understand the moods of her sands. i have never seen _topiwallah _traders in surat this early in the season." karim paused, following hawksworth's puzzled expression, then continued, with an air of condescension," _topiwallah _is our word meaning 'men who wear hats.' we call christian traders _topiwallahs_." he fixed hawksworth squarely. "and we have other names for their priests." "call christians what you will, but just remember england is not portugal." hawksworth's tone stiffened. "england has rid herself of the popery that still rules the spaniards and portugals. along with their fear-mongering jesuits and their damned inquisition. it's now treason to practice catholic rites in england." "i have heard something of your petty european squabbles, your christian rivalries. is it your intention now to spread them to india as well?" "all england wants is trade. nothing else." hawksworth shifted his leg, leaning forward to tighten the bandage. "i'm here as an ambassador. to convey the friendship of my king, and his offer of free and open trade." "and after you begin this trade, what then? will you next try to drive the portuguese from our ports? so that you can steal away shipping from our own merchantmen, as they have done, and demand we pay you for a license to ply our own seas?" "i told you we only want trade. england has no use for sailing licenses, or priests. our only enemies here are the portugals. and the damned hollanders if they start trying to interfere." karim studied hawksworth in silence, fingering his jeweled earring in thought as he recalled the morning's battle. two small english merchant frigates had prevailed over four portuguese warships, galleons. never before, he told himself, have the portuguese been humiliated before our eyes. pigeons must already be winging word of this incredible encounter to agra. separately, no doubt, to the moghul and to the queen. but queen janahara will know first. as always. and she will know her portuguese profits are no longer secure. and what about prince jadar? yes, the prince will already have heard, hours ago. what will prince jadar decide to do? that's the most important question now. "just tell me about the navigation of the river," hawksworth continued unable to decipher karim's distant expression. "how long will it take for our pinnace to reach surat? we cast off at sunset." "the tide will be running in tonight, and that will aid your oarsmen." karim instantly became businesslike. "there will also be a night breeze off the sea. but the portuguese have no authority on our river. once you are inland you are under the rule of the governor of surat. . . . and, of course, prince jadar, whom the moghul has appointed to administrate this province." hawksworth heard the first bell and walked to the stern windows to monitor the slant of the dying sun and to inhale the fresh evening air. then he wheeled and examined karim, the pilot's face shadowed in the half light. "and who are these officials? this governor and prince?" karim smiled and carefully secured the fold of his turban. "the governor administers the port of surat. he collects trading duties of the moghul's court in agra. prince jadar is the son of the moghul and the military ruler of gujarat, this province." "then who will i meet in surat?" hawksworth groped for a pattern. "the governor or the prince?" again karim paused, wondering how much to tell, before continuing evenly, "neither of these need concern you now. the first official you must satisfy will be the shahbandar, what the moghuls call the _mutasaddi_. the shahbandar controls the customs house, the portal for all who would enter the moghul's domain. his power over the port is absolute." hawksworth slapped one of the bronze cannon to punctuate his dismay. in india also! good jesus, every muslin port in the world must have this same petty official. i've heard that shahbandar is persian for "lord of the haven," and if that's true the office is named perfectly. every one i've known has had the right to refuse entry to anyone, at his whim, if bribes are insufficient and no more powerful official intervenes. "who does the shahbandar here answer to? the governor? the prince? the moghul himself? or somebody _else _you haven't told me about yet?" hawksworth tried to push back his rising anxiety. "captain, you have, in your guileless _feringhi _way, raised a question it is wiser not to pursue. i can only assure you the shahbandar is a man of importance in surat, and in india." "but who should i seek out when we reach surat?" at that moment two bells sounded on the quarterdeck, and with them a ray from the fading sun pierced the stern window, glancing off the oak boards of the table. a twilight silence seemed to settle uneasily over the _discovery_, amplifying the creaking of her boards. "captain, i have already told you more than most foreigners know. you would be wise to prepare now to meet the shahbandar." karim rose abruptly and bowed, palms together, hands at his brow. "you must forgive me. in islam we pray at sunset." hawksworth stared after him in perplexity as karim turned and vanished into the darkened companionway. not yet even aland, and already i sense trouble. he fears the shahbandar, that's clear enough, but i'm not sure it's for the usual reasons. is there some intrigue underway that we're about to be drawn into, god help us? he took a deep breath and, fighting the ache in his leg, made his way out to the quarter gallery on the stern. a lone flying fish, marooned in the bay from its home in the open sea, burst from the almost placid waters, glinting the orange sun off its body and settling with a splash, annoying the seabirds that squabbled over gallery scraps along the port side. seamen carrying rations of salt pork and biscuit were clambering down the companionway and through the hatch leading to the lower deck and their hammocks. hawksworth listened to them curse the close, humid air below, and then he turned to inhale again the land breeze, permeated with a green perfume of almost palpable intensity. following the direction of the sweetened air, he turned and examined the darkening shore one last time. india now seemed vaguely obscured, as through a light mist. or was it merely encroaching darkness? and through this veil the land seemed somehow to brood? or did it beckon? it's my imagination, he told himself. india is there all right, solid ground, and scarcely a cannon shot away. india, the place of fable and mystery to englishmen for centuries. and also the place where a certain party of english travelers disappeared so many years ago. that should have been a warning, he told himself. it's almost too ironic that you're the next man to try to go in. you, of all the men in england. are you destined to repeat their tragedy? he recalled again the story he knew all too well. the man financing those english travelers almost three decades past had been none other than peter elkington, father of george elkington, chief merchant on this voyage. like his son, peter elkington was a swearing, drinking, whoring merchant, a big-bellied giant of a man who many people claimed looked more and more like king harry the older and fatter he got. it was peter elkington's original idea those many years back to send englishmen to india. the time was before england met and obliterated the armada of spain, and long before she could hope to challenge the oceanic trade networks of the catholic countries--spain to the new world, portugal to the east. in those days the only possible road to india for england and the rest of europe still was overland, the centuries-old caravan trail that long preceded portugal's secret new sea route around the cape. the idea of an english mission overland to india had grown out of peter elkington's levant company, franchised by queen elizabeth to exploit her new treaty with the ottoman turks, controllers of the caravan trade between india and the mediterranean. through the levant company, english traders could at last buy spices directly at tripoli from overland caravans traveling the persian gulf and across arabia, thereby circumventing the greedy venetian brokers who for centuries had served as middlemen for europe's pepper and spices. but peter elkington wanted more. why buy expensive spices at the shores of the mediterranean? why not extend england's own trade lines all the way to india and buy directly? to gain intelligence for this daring trade expansion, he decided to finance a secret expedition to scout the road to india, to send a party of english traders through the mediterranean to tripoli, and on from there in disguise across arabia to the persian gulf, where they would hire passage on a native trader all the way to the western shore of india. their ultimate destination was the great moghufs court, deep in india, and hidden in their bags would be a letter from queen elizabeth, proposing direct trade. eventually three adventurous traders were recruited to go, led by roger symmes of the levant company. but peter elkington wanted a fourth, for protection, and he eventually persuaded a young army captain of some reputation to join the party. the captain--originally a painter, who had later turned soldier after the death of his wife--was vigorous, spirited, and a deadly marksman. peter elkington promised him a nobleman's fortune if they succeeded. and he promised to take responsibility for captain hawksworth's eight-year-old son, brian, if they failed. peter elkington himself came down to the thames that cold, gray february dawn they set sail, bringing along his own son, george--a pudgy, pampered adolescent in a silk doublet. young george elkington regally ignored brian hawksworth, a snub only one of the two still remembered. as the sails slowly dissolved into the icy mist, brian climbed atop his uncle's shoulders to catch a long last glimpse. no one dreamed that only one of the four would ever see london again. letters smuggled back in cipher kept the levant company informed of progress. the party reached tripoli without incident, made their way successfully overland through arabia, and then hired passage on an arab trader for her trip down the persian gulf. the plan seemed to be working perfectly. then came a final letter, from the portuguese fortress of hormuz, a salt-covered island peopled by traders, overlooking the straits between the persian gulf and the gulf of oman, gateway to the arabian sea and india's ports. while waiting at hormuz for passage on to india, the english party had been betrayed by a suspicious venetian and accused of being spies. the portuguese governor of hormuz had nervously imprisoned them and decreed they be shipped to goa for trial. after waiting a few more months for further word, peter elkington finally summoned brian hawksworth to the offices of the levant company and read him this last letter. he then proceeded to curse the contract with captain hawksworth that rendered the levant company responsible for brian's education should the expedition meet disaster. peter elkington admitted his plan had failed, and with that admission, the levant company quietly abandoned its vision of direct trade with india. but brian hawksworth now had a private tutor, engaged by the levant company, a tousle-haired young apostate recently dismissed from his post at eton for his anti-religious views. this new tutor scorned as dogmatic the accepted subjects of latin, rhetoric, and hebrew--all intended to help elizabethan scholars fathom abstruse theological disputations--and insisted instead on mathematics, and the new subject of science. his anti-clerical outlook also meant he would teach none of the german in fashion with the puritans, or the french and spanish favored by catholics. for him all that mattered was classical greek: the language of logic, pure philosophy, mathematics, and science. the end result was that the commoner brian hawksworth received an education far different from, if not better than, that of most gentlemen, and one that greatly surpassed the hornbook alphabet and numbers that passed for learning among others of his own class. to no one's surprise, brian hawksworth was his father's son, and he took naturally to marksmanship and fencing. but his first love came to be the english lute, his escape from the world of his tutor's hard numbers and theorems. it lasted until the day he was fourteen, the day the levant company's responsibility expired. the next morning brian hawksworth found himself apprenticed to a thames waterman and placed in service on one of the mud-encrusted ferryboats that plied london's main artery. after three months of misery and ill pay, he slipped away to take a berth on a north sea merchantman. there he sensed at once his calling was the sea, and he also discovered his knowledge of mathematics gave him an understanding of navigation few other seamen enjoyed. by then he scarcely remembered his father, or the luckless expedition to india. until the day roger symmes appeared alone back in london, almost ten years after that icy morning the levant company's expedition had sailed. . . . the _discovery _groaned, and hawksworth sensed the wind freshen as it whipped through the stern quarter gallery and noticed the increasingly brisk swirl of the tide. almost time to cast off. as he made his way back to the great cabin for a last check, his thoughts returned again to london, those many years ago. he had found symmes at the offices of the levant company, nursing a tankard of ale as he sat very close to their large roaring fireplace. he bore little resemblance to the jaunty adventurer hawksworth remembered from that long-ago morning on the thames. now he was an incongruous figure, costumed in a tight-fitting new silk doublet and wearing several large gold rings, yet with a face that was haggard beyond anything hawksworth had ever seen. his vacant eyes seemed unable to focus as he glanced up briefly and then returned his stare to the crackling logs in the hearth. but he needed no prompting to begin his story. "aye, 'tis a tale to make the blood run ice." symmes eased open a button of his ornate doublet and shakily loosened his new ruff collar. "after the venetian rogue gets us arrest'd with his damnable lie, the bastard portugals clap us in the hold of a coastin' barge makin' for goa, in company with near a hundred arab horses. when we finally make port, they haul us out of that stink hole and slam us in another, this time the viceroy's dungeons. we took ourselves for dead men." "but what happened to my father?" hawksworth blinked the sweat from his eyes, wanting the story but wanting almost more to escape the overheated, timbered offices that loomed so alien. "that's the horrible part o' the story. it happen'd the next mornin', poor luckless bastard. we're all march'd into this big stone-floor'd room where they keep the _strappado_." "what's that?" "tis a kindly little invention o' the portugals, lad. first they bind your hands behind your back and run the rope up over a hangin' pulley block. then they hoist you up in the air and set to givin' it little tugs, makin' you hop like you're dancin' the french lavolta. when they tire o' the sport, or they're due to go say their rosary beads, they just give it a good strong heave and pop your arms out o' your shoulders. jesuits claim 'twould make a moor pray to the pope." hawksworth found himself watching symmes's wild eyes as he recounted the story, and wondering how he could remember every detail of events a decade past. "then this young captain comes in, struttin' bastard, hardly a good twenty year on him. later i made a point to learn his name--vaijantes, miguel vaijantes." "what did he do?" "had to see him, lad. eyes black and hard as onyx. an' he sports this sword he's had made up with rubies in the handle. ne'er saw the likes o' it, before or since, e'en in india. but he's a portugal, tho', through an' through. no doubt on that one." "but what did he do?" "why, he has the guards sling hawksworth up in the _strappado_, lad, seein' he's the strongest one o' us. figur'd he'd last longer, i suppose, make more sport." "vaijantes had them torture my father?" "aye. think's he'll squeeze a confession and be a hero. but ol' hawksworth ne'er said a word. all day. by nightfall vaijantes has pull'd his arms right out. they carried him out of the room a dead man." hawksworth still remembered how his stomach turned at that moment, with the final knowledge that his father was not merely missing, or away--as he had told himself, and others--but had been coldly murdered. he had checked his tears, lest symmes see, and pressed on. "what happened to you, and to the others? did he torture you next?" "would have, not a doubt on't. we all wonder'd who'd be the next one. then that night they post a jesuit down to our cell, a turncoat dutchman by the name of huyghen, who spoke perfect english, thinkin' he'd cozen us into confessin'. but he hates the portugals e'en more'n we do. an' he tells us we'd most likely go free if we'd pretend to turn papist. so the next day we blurt out we're actually a band o' wealthy adventurers in disguise, rich lads out to taste the world, but we've seen the error o' our ways an' we've decided to foreswear the flesh and turn jesuits ourselves. thinkin' of donatin' everything we own to their holy order." symmes paused and nervously drew a small sip from his tankard of spiced ale. "vicious papist bastards." "did they really believe you?" "guess the dutchman must've convinc'd 'em somehow. anyway, our story look'd square enough to get us out on bail, there bein' no evidence for the charge o' spyin' in any case. but we'd hardly took a breath of air before our old friend the hollander comes runnin' with news the viceroy's council just voted to ship us back to lisbon for trial. that happens and we're dead men. no question. we had to look to it." symmes seemed to find concentration increasingly difficult, but he extracted a long-stemmed pipe and began stuffing black strands into it with a trembling hand while he composed himself. finally he continued. "had to leave goa that very night. what else could we do? so we traded what little we had for diamonds, sew'd 'em up in our clothes, and waded the river into india. by dawn we're beyond reach o' the portugals. in india. an' then, lad, is when it began." "what happened?" "t'would take a year to tell it all. somehow we eventually got to the great moghul's court. i think he was named akman. an' we start livin' like i never thought i'd see. should've seen his city, lad, made london look like a shropshire village. he had a big red marble palace called fatehpur sekri, with jewels common as rocks, an' gold e'erywhere, an' gardens filled with fountains, an' mystical music like i'd ne'er heard, an' dancin' women that look'd like angels . . ." his voice trailed off. "ah, lad, the women there." symmes suddenly remembered himself and turned to examine hawksworth with his glassy eyes. "but i fancy you're a bit young to appreciate that part o' it, lad." then his gaze returned to the fire and he rambled on, warming to his own voice. "an' there was poets readin' persian, and painters drawin' pictures that took days to do one the size of a book page. an' the banquets, feasts you're ne'er like to see this side o' judgment day." symmes paused to draw on his pipe for a moment, his hand still shaking, and then he plunged ahead. "but it was the drugs that did it, lad, what they call'd affion and bhang, made out o' poppy flowers and some kind of hemp. take enough of them and the world around you starts to get lost. after a while you ne'er want to come back. it kill'd the others, lad. god only knows how i escap'd." then symmes took up his well-rehearsed monologue about the wealth he'd witnessed, stories of potential trade that had earned him a place at many a merchant's table. his tale expanded, becoming ever more fantastic, until it was impossible to tell where fact ended and wishful fabrication began. although symmes had never actually met any indian officials, and though the letter from queen elizabeth had been lost en route, his astonishing story of india's riches inspired the greed of all england's merchants. excitement swelled throughout london's cheapside, as traders began to clamor for england to challenge portugal's monopoly of the sea passage around the cape. symmes, by his inflated, half-imaginary account, had unwittingly sown the first seeds of the east india company. only young brian hawksworth, who nourished no mercantile fantasies, seemed to realize that roger symmes had returned from india quite completely mad. chapter four "pinnace is afloat, cap'n. i'm thinkin' we should stow the goods and be underway. if we're goin'." mackintosh's silhouette was framed in the doorway of the great cabin, his eyes gaunt in the lantern light. dark had dropped suddenly over the _discovery_, bringing with it a cooling respite from the inferno of day. "we'll cast off before the watch is out. start loading the cloth and iron-work"--hawksworth turned and pointed toward his own locked sea chest--"and send for the purser." mackintosh backed through the doorway and turned automatically to leave. but then he paused, his body suspended in uncertainty for a long moment. finally he revolved again to hawksworth. "have to tell you, i've a feelin' we'll na be sailin' out o' this piss- hole alive." he squinted across the semi-dark of the cabin. "it's my nose tellin' me, sir, and she's always right." "the company's sailed to the indies twice before, mackintosh." "aye, but na to india. the bleedin' company ne'er dropped anchor in this nest o' portugals. 'twas down to java before. with nothin' but a few dutchmen to trouble o'er. india's na the indies, cap'n. the indies is down in the spice islands, where seas are open. the ports o' india belong to the portugals, sure as england owns the straits o' dover. so beggin' your pardon, cap'n, this is na the indies. this might well be lisbon harbor." "we'll have a secure anchorage. and once we're inland the portugals can't touch us." hawksworth tried to hold a tone of confidence in his voice. "the pilot says he can take us upriver tonight. under cover of dark." "no christian can trust a bleedin' moor, cap'n. an' this one's got a curious look. somethin' in his eyes. can't tell if he's lookin' at you or na." hawksworth wanted to agree, but he stopped himself. "moors just have their own ways, mackintosh. their mind works differently. but i can already tell this one's not like the turks." hawksworth still had not decided what he thought about the pilot. it scarcely matters now, he told himself, we've no choice but to trust him. "whatever he's thinking, he'll have no room to play us false." "maybe na, but he keeps lookin' toward the shore. like he's expectin' somethin'. the bastard's na tellin' us what he knows. i smell it. the nose, cap'n." "we'll have muskets, mackintosh. and the cover of dark. now load the pinnace and let's be on with it." mackintosh stared at the boards, shifting and tightening his belt. he started to argue more, but hawksworth's voice stopped him. "and, mackintosh, order the muskets primed with pistol shot." hawksworth recalled a trick his father had once told him about, many long years past. "if anybody ventures to surprise us, we'll hand them a surprise in turn. a musket ball's useless in the dark of night, clump of pistol shot at close quarters is another story." the prospect of a fight seemed to transform mackintosh. with a grin he snapped alert, whirled, and stalked down the companionway toward the main deck. moments later the balding purser appeared, a lifelong seaman with an unctuous smile and rapacious eyes who had dispensed stores on many a prosperous merchantman, and grown rich on a career of bribes. he mechanically logged hawksworth's chest in his account book and then signaled the bosun to stow the heavy wooden trunk into the pinnace. hawksworth watched the proceedings absently as he checked the edge on his sword. then he slipped the belt over his shoulder and secured its large brass buckle. finally he locked the stern windows and surveyed the darkened cabin one last time. the _discovery_. may god defend her and see us all home safe. every man. then without looking back he firmly closed the heavy oak door, latched it, and headed down the companionway toward the main deck. rolls of broadcloth lay stacked along the waist of the ship, and beside them were muskets and a keg of powder. george elkington was checking off samples of cloth as they were loaded irto the pinnace, noting his selection in a book of accounts. standing next to him, watching idly, was humphrey spencer, youngest son of sir randolph spencer. he had shipped the voyage as the assistant to elkington, but his real motivation was not commerce but adventure, and a stock of tales to spin out in taverns when he returned. his face of twenty had suffered little from the voyage, for a stream of bribes to the knowing purser had reserved for him the choice provisions, including virtually all the honey and raisins. humphrey spencer had donned a tall, brimmed hat, a feather protruding from its beaver band, and his fresh doublet of green taffeta fairly glowed in the lantern's rays. his new thigh-length hose were an immaculate tan and his ruff collar pure silk. a bouquet of perfume hovered about him like an invisible cloud. spencer turned and began to pace the deck in distraught agitation, oblivious to his interference as weary seamen worked around him to drag rolls of broadcloth next to the gunwales, stacking them for others to hoist and stow in the pinnace. then he spotted hawksworth, and his eyes brightened. "captain, at last you're here. your bosun is an arrant knave, my life on't. he'll not have these rogues stow my chest." "there's no room in the pinnace for your chest, spencer." "but how'm i to conduct affairs 'mongst the moors without a gentleman's fittings?" he reviewed hawksworth's leather jerkin and seaboots with disdain. before hawksworth could reply, elkington was pulling himself erect, wincing at the gout as his eyes blazed. "spencer, you've enough to do just mindin' the accounts, which thus far you've shown scant aptness for." he turned and spat into the scuppers. "your father'd have me make you a merchant, but methinks i'd sooner school an ape to sing. 'tis tradin' we're here for, not to preen like a damn'd coxcomb. now look to it." "you'll accompany us, spencer, as is your charge." hawksworth walked past the young clerk, headed for the fo'c'sle. "the only 'fittings' you'll need are a sword and musket, which i dearly hope you know enough to use. now prepare to board." as hawksworth passed the mainmast, bosun's mate john garway dropped the bundle he was holding and stepped forward, beaming a toothless smile. "beggin' your pardon, cap'n. might i be havin' a word?" "what is it, garway." "would you ask the heathen, sir, for the men? we've been wonderin' if there's like to be an alehouse or such in this place we're goin'. an' a few o' the kindly sex what might be friendly disposed, if you follow my reckonin', sir." hawksworth looked up and saw karim waiting by the fo'c'sle, his effects rolled in a small woven tapestry under his arm. when the question was translated, the pilot laid aside the bundle and stepped toward the group of waiting seamen, who had all stopped work to listen. he studied them for a moment--ragged and rank with sweat, their faces blotched with scurvy and their hair matted with grease and lice--and smiled with expressionless eyes. "your men will find they can purchase _arak_, a local liquor as potent as any i have seen from europe. and the public women of surat are masters of all refinements of the senses. they are exquisite, worthy even of the moghul himself. accomplished women of pleasure have been brought here from all civilized parts of the world, even egypt and persia. i'm sure your seamen will find the accommodations of surat worthy of their expectations." hawksworth translated the reply and a cheer rose from the men. "hear that, mates?" master's mate thomas davies turned to the crowd, his face a haggard leer. "let the rottin' portugals swab cannon in hell. i'll be aswim in grog an' snuffin' my wick with a willin' wench. heathen or no, 'tis all one, what say?" a confirming hurrah lifted from the decks and the men resumed their labor with spirits noticeably replenished. hawksworth turned and ascended the companionway ladder to the quarterdeck, leaving behind the tense bravado. as he surveyed the deck below from his new vantage, he suddenly sensed an eerie light enveloping the chip, a curious glow that seemed almost to heighten the pensive lament of the boards and the lulling melody of wind through the rigging. then he realized why. the moon! i'd forgotten. or was i too tired to think? but now . . . it's almost like daylight. god help us, we've lost the last of our luck. "ready to cast off." mackintosh mounted the companionway to the quarterdeck, his face now drawn deep with fatigue. "shall i board the men?" hawksworth turned with a nod, and followed him down to the main deck. oarsmen began scrambling down the side of the _discovery_, a motley host, shoeless and clad only in powder- smudged breeches. though a rope ladder dangled from the gunwales, the seamen preferred to grasp the dead-eyes, easing themselves onto the raised gunport lids, and from there dropping the last few feet into the pinnace. they were followed by george elkington, who lowered himself down the swaying ladder, breathing oaths. hawksworth lingered by the railing, searching the moonlit horizon and the darkened coast. his senses quickened as he probed for some clue that would trigger an advance alert. but the moonlit water's edge lay barren, deserted save for an occasional beached fishing skiff, its sisal nets exposed on poles to dry. why the emptiness? during the day there were people. then he sensed karim standing beside him, also intent on the empty shore. the pilot's back was to the lantern that swung from the mainmast and his face was shrouded in shadow. abruptly, he addressed hawksworth in turki. "the face of india glories in the moonlight, do you agree? it is beautiful, and lies at peace." "you're right about the beauty. it could almost be the coast of wales." hawksworth thought he sensed a powerful presence about karim now, something he could not explain, only detect with a troubled intuition. then the pilot spoke again. "have you prepared yourself to meet the shahbandar?" "we're ready. we have samples of english goods. and i'm an ambassador from king james. there's no reason to deny us entry." "i told you he is a man of importance. and he already knows, as all who matter will soon know, of your exceptional fortune today. do you really think today's battle will go unnoticed in india?" "i think the portugals noticed. and i know they'll be back. but with luck we'll manage." hawksworth felt the muscles in his throat tighten involuntarily, knowing a fleet of warships from goa would probably be headed north within a fortnight. "no, captain, again you miss my meaning." karim turned to draw closer to hawksworth, flashing a joyless smile. "i speak of india. not the portuguese. they are nothing. yes, they trouble our seas, but they are nothing. they do not rule india. do you understand?" hawksworth stiffened, unsure how to respond. "i know the moghul rules india. and that he'll have to wonder if the damned portugals are still master of his seas." "surely you realize, captain, that the portuguese's profits are staggering. are you also aware these profits are shared with certain persons of importance in india?" "you mean the portugals have bribed officials?" that's nothing new, hawksworth thought. "who? the shahbandar?" "let us say they often give commissions." karim waved his hand as though administering a dispensation. "but there are others whom they allow to invest directly in their trade. the profits give these persons power they often do not use wisely." "are you telling me the moghul himself invests with the damned portugals?" hawksworth's hopes plummeted. "on the contrary. his majesty is an honorable man, and a simple man who knows but little of what some do in his name. but do you understand there must be one in his realm who will someday have his place? remember he is mortal. he rules like a god, but he is mortal." "what does this have to do with the shahbandar? surely he'd not challenge the moghul. and i know the moghul has sons . . ." "of course, he is not the one." karim's smile was gentle. "but do not forget the shahbandar is powerful, more powerful than most realize. he knows all that happens in india, for his many friends repay their obligation to him with knowledge. as for you, if he judges your wisdom worthy of your fortune today, he may choose to aid you. your journey to agra will not be without peril. there are already those in india who will not wish you there. perhaps the shahbandar can give you guidance. it will be for him to decide." hawksworth studied karim incredulously. how could he know? "whatever i may find necessary to do, it will not involve a port official like the shahbandar. and a trip to agra surely would not require his approval." "but you must find your way." karim examined hawksworth with a quick sidelong glance, realizing he had guessed correctly. "my friend, your defeat of the portuguese today may have implications you do not realize. but at times you talk as a fool, even more than the portuguese. you will need a guide on your journey. believe me when i tell you." karim paused for a moment to examine hawksworth, as though wondering how to couch his next words. "perhaps you should let the stars guide you. in the holy quran the prophet has said of allah, 'and he hath set for you the stars' . . ." "'that you may guide your course by them."' hawksworth picked up the verse, "'amid the dark of land and sea.' yes, i learned that verse in tunis. and i knew already a seaman steers by the stars. but i don't understand what bearing that has on a journey to agra." "just as i begin to think you have wisdom, again you cease to listen. but i think now you will remember what i have said." "hawksworth!" elkington's voice boomed from the pinnace below. "have we sail'd a blessed seven month to this nest o' heathens so's to idle about and palaver?" hawksworth turned to see humphrey spencer gingerly lowering himself down the ladder into the pinnace, the feather in his hatband whipping in the night wind. the oarsmen were at their stations, ready. "one thing more, captain." karim pressed a hand against hawksworth's arm, holding him back. "one thing more i will tell you. many _feringhi_, foreigners, who come to india are very unwise. because our women keep the veil, and dwell indoors, foreigners assume they have no power, no influence. do not act as other foolish _feringhi _and make this mistake. in surat . . ." "what women do you mean? the wives of officials?" "please, listen. when you reach surat, remember one last admonition from the quran. there it is written, 'as for women from whom you fear rebellion, admonish them and banish them to beds apart.' but sometimes a woman too can be strong-willed. she can be the one who banishes her husband, denying him his rights. if she is important, there is nothing he can do. remember. . ." "damn it to hell," elkington's voice roared again, "i'm not likin' these moonlight ventures. tis full risk aplenty when you can see who's holdin' a knife to your throat. but if we're goin', i say let's be done with it and have off." hawksworth turned back to karim, but he was gone, swinging himself lightly over the side of the _discovery _and into the pinnace. across the moonlight-drenched swells the _resolve_ lay quiet, her stern lantern reassuringly aglow, ready to hoist sail for the cove. and on the _discovery_ seamen were at station, poised to follow. hawksworth looked once more toward the abandoned shore, troubled, and then dropped quickly down the side into the pinnace. there was no sound now, only the cadence of the boards as the _discovery's _anchor chain argued against the tide. and then a dull thud as the mooring line dropped onto the floor planking of the pinnace. hawksworth ordered mackintosh to row with the tide until they reached the shelter of the river mouth, and then to ship the oars and hoist sail if the breeze held. he had picked the ablest men as oarsmen, those not wounded and least touched by scurvy, and next to each lay a heavy cutlass. he watched mackintosh in admiration as the quartermaster effortlessly maneuvered the tiller with one hand and directed the oarsmen with the other. the moon was even more alive now, glinting off the scotsman's red hair. as the hypnotic rhythm of the oars lulled hawksworth's mind, he felt a growing tiredness begin to beg at his senses. against his will he started to drift, to follow the moonlight's dancing, prismatic tinge on the moving crest of waves. and to puzzle over what lay ahead. half-dozing, he found his thoughts drawn to the shahbandar who waited in surat, almost like a gatekeeper who held the keys to india. he mulled karim's words again, the hints of what would unlock that doorway, and slowly his waking mind drifted out of reach. he passed unknowing into that dreamlike state where deepest truth so often lies waiting, unknown to rationality. and there, somehow, the pilot's words made perfect sense . . . "permission to hoist the sail." mackintosh cut the pinnace into the river mouth, holding to the center of the channel. hawksworth startled momentarily at the voice, then forced himself alert and scanned the dark riverbanks. there was still nothing. he nodded to mackintosh and watched as the sail slipped quietly up the mast. soon the wind and tide were carrying them swiftly, silently. as he watched the run of the tide against the hull, he suddenly noticed a group of round objects, deep red, bobbing past. "karim." hawksworth drew his sword and pointed toward one of the balls. "what are those?" "a fruit of our country, captain. the _topiwallahs _call them 'coconuts.'" karim's voice was scarcely above a whisper, and his eyes left the shore for only a moment. "they are the last remains of the august festival." "what festival is that?" "the celebration of the hindu traders. marking the end of the monsoon and the opening of the tapti river to trade. hindus at surat smear coconuts with vermilion and cast them into the tapti, believing this will appease the angry life-force of the sea. they also cover barges with flowers and span them across the harbor. if you were there, you would hear them play their music and chant songs to their heathen gods." "and the coconuts eventually float out to sea?" "a few, yes. but mostly they are stolen by wicked boys, who swim after them. these few perhaps their gods saved for themselves." hawksworth examined the bobbing balls anew. the coconut was yet another legend of the indies. stories passed that a man could live for days on the liquor sealed within its straw-matted shell. the moon chased random clouds, but still the riverbank was illuminated like day. the damp air was still, amplifying the music of the night--the buzz of gnats, the call of night birds, even the occasional trumpet of a distant elephant, pierced the solid wood line on either side of the narrowing river. hawksworth tasted the dark, alert, troubled. where are the human sounds? where are the barges i saw plying the river mouth during the day? i sense an uneasiness in the pilot, an alarm he does not wish me to see. damn the moon. if only we had dark. "karim." hawksworth spoke softly, his eyes never long from the dense rampart of trees along the riverbank. "what do you wish, captain?" "have you ever traveled up the river before by moonlight?" "once, yes, many years ago. when i was young and burning for a woman after our ship had dropped anchor in the bay. i was only a _karwa_ then, a common seaman, and i thought i would not be missed. i was wrong. the _nakuda_ discovered me in surat and reclaimed my wage for the entire voyage. it was a very hungry time." "was the river quiet then, as it is now?" "yes, captain, just the same." though karim looked at him directly, the darkness still guarded his eyes. "mackintosh." hawksworth's voice cut the silence. "issue the muskets." his eyes swept along the shore, and then to the narrow bend they were fast approaching. karim is lying, he told himself; at last the pilot has begun to play false with us. why? what does he fear? "aye aye, cap'n." mackintosh was instantly alert. "what do you see?" the sudden voices startled elkington awake, and his nodding head snapped erect. "the damn'd moors have settl'd in for the night. if you'd hold your peace, i could join 'em. i'll need the full o' my wits for hagglin' with that subtle lot o' thieves come the morrow. there's no portugals. e'en the night birds are quiet as mice." "precisely," hawksworth shot back. "and i would thank you to take a musket, and note its flintlock is full-cocked and the flashpan dry." then he continued, "mackintosh, strike the sail. and, karim, take the tiller." the pinnace was a sudden burst of activity, as seamen quickly hauled in the sail and began to check the prime on their flintlocks. with the sail lashed, their view was unobstructed in all directions. the tide rushing through the narrows of the approaching bend carried the pinnace ever more rapidly, and now only occasional help was needed from the oarsmen to keep it aright. a cloud drifted over the moon, and for an instant the river turned black. hawksworth searched the darkness ahead, silent, waiting. then he saw it. _ "on the boards!"_ a blaze of musket fire spanned the river ahead, illuminating the blockade of longboats. balls sang into the water around them while others splattered off the side of the pinnace or hissed past the mast. then the returning moon glinted off the silver helmets of the portuguese infantry. as karim instinctively cut the pinnace toward the shore, portuguese longboats maneuvered easily toward them, muskets spewing sporadic flame. the english oarsmen positioned themselves to return the fire, but hawksworth stopped them. not yet, he told himself, we'll have no chance to reload. the first round has to count. and damn my thoughtlessness, for not bringing pikes. we could have . . . the pinnace lurched crazily and careened sideways, hurtling around broadside to the longboats. a sandbar. we've struck a damned sandbar. but we've got to face them with the prow. otherwise . . . as though sensing hawksworth's thoughts, karim seized an oar and began to pole the pinnace's stern off the bar. slowly it eased around, coming about to face the approaching longboats. no sooner had the pinnace righted itself than the first longboat glanced off the side of the bow, and a grapple caught their gunwale. then the first portuguese soldier leaped aboard--and doubled in a flame of sparks as mackintosh shoved a musket into his belly and pulled the trigger. as the other english muskets spoke out in a spray of pistol shot, several portuguese in the longboat pitched forward, writhing. mackintosh began to bark commands for reloading. "half-cock your muskets. wipe your pans. handle your primers. cast about to charge . . ." but time had run out. two more longboats bracketed each side of the bow. and now portuguese were piling aboard. "damn the muskets," hawksworth yelled. "take your swords." the night air came alive with the sound of steel against steel, while each side taunted the other with unintelligible obscenities. the english were outnumbered many to one, and slowly they found themselves being driven to the stern of the pinnace. still more portuguese poured aboard now, as the pinnace groaned against the sand. hawksworth kept to the front of his men, matching the poorly trained portuguese infantry easily. thank god there's no more foot room, he thought, we can almost stand them man for man . . . at that moment two portuguese pinned hawksworth's sword against the mast, allowing a third to gain footing and lunge. as hawksworth swerved to avoid the thrust, his foot crashed through the thin planking covering the keel, bringing him down. mackintosh yelled a warning and leaped forward, slashing the first soldier through the waist and sending him to the bottom of the pinnace, moaning. then the quartermaster seized the other man by the throat and, lunging like a bull, whipped him against the mast, snapping his neck. hawksworth groped blindly for his sword and watched as the third soldier poised for a mortal sweep. where is it? good god, he'll cut me in half. suddenly he felt a cold metal object pressed against his hand, and above the din he caught humphrey spencer's high-pitched voice, urging. it was a pocket pistol. did he prime it? does he know how? as the portuguese soldier began his swing, hawksworth raised the pistol and squeezed. there was a dull snap, a hiss, and then a blaze that melted the soldier's face into red. he flung the pistol aside and seized the dying portuguese's sword. he was armed again, but there was little advantage left. slowly the english were crowded into a huddle of the stern. cornered, abaft the mast, they no longer had room to parry. hawksworth watched in horror as a burly portuguese, his silver helmet askew, braced himself against the mast and drew back his sword to send a swath through the english. hawksworth tried to set a parry, but his arms were pinned. he'll kill half the men. the bastard will . . . a bemused expression unexpectedly illuminated the soldier's face, a smile with no mirth. in an instant it transmuted to disbelief, while his raised sword clattered to the planking. as hawksworth watched, the portuguese's hand began to work mechanically at his chest. then his helmet tumbled away, and he slumped forward, motionless but still erect. he stood limp, head cocked sideways, as though distracted during prayer. why doesn't he move? was this all some bizarre, senseless jest? then hawksworth saw the arrows. a neat row of thin bamboo shafts had pierced the soldier's portuguese armor, riveting him to the mast. a low-pitched hum swallowed the sudden silence, as volleys of bamboo arrows sang from the darkness of the shore. measured, deadly. hawksworth watched in disbelief as one by one the portuguese soldiers around them crumpled, a few firing wildly into the night. in what seemed only moments it was over, the air a cacophony of screams and moaning death. hawksworth turned to karim, noting fright in the pilot's eyes for the very first time. "the arrows." he finally found his voice. "whose are they?" "i can probably tell you." the pilot stepped forward and deftly broke away the feathered tip on one of the shafts still holding the portuguese to the mast. as he did so, the other arrows snapped and the portuguese slumped against the gunwale, then slipped over the side and into the dark water. karim watched him disappear, then raised the arrow to the moonlight. for an instant hawksworth thought he saw a quizzical look enter the pilot's eyes. before he could speak, lines of fire shot across the surface of the water, as fire arrows came, slamming into the longboats as they drifted away on the tide. streak after streak found the hulls and in moments they were torches. in the flickering light, hawksworth could make out what seemed to be grapples, flashing from the shore, pulling the floating bodies of the dead and dying to anonymity. he watched spellbound for a moment, then turned again toward the stern. "karim, i asked whose arrows . . ." the pilot was gone. only the english seamen remained, dazed and uncomprehending. then the night fell suddenly silent once more, save for the slap of the running tide against the hull. book two surat-- the threshold chapter five the room was musty and close, as though the rainy season had not passed, and the floor was hard mud. through crude wooden shutters they could glimpse the early sun stoking anew for the day's inferno, but now it merely washed the earthen walls in stripes of golden light. hawksworth stood by the window examining the grassy square that spanned out toward the river. the porters, in whose lodge they were confined, milled about the open area, chanting and sweating as they unloaded large bales of cotton from the two-wheeled bullock carts that continually rolled into the square. he steadied himself against the heavy wooden frame of the window and wondered if his land legs would return before the day was out. "god curse all moors." mackintosh stooped over the tray resting on the grease-smudged center carpet and pulled a lid from one of the earthen bowls. he stared critically at the dense, milky liquid inside, then gingerly dipped in a finger and took a portion to his lips. he tested the substance--tangy curds smelling faintly of spice--and his face hardened. "tis damned spoilt milk." he spat fiercely onto the carpet and seized a piece of fried bread to purge the taste. "fitter for swine than men." "what'd they do with the samples?" elkington sprawled heavily in the corner, his eyes bloodshot from the all-night vigil upriver. "with no guards the heathens'll be thievin' the lot." he squinted toward the window, but made no effort to move. his exhaustion and despair were total. "the goods are still where they unloaded them." hawksworth revolved toward the room. "they say nothing happens till the shahbandar arrives." "what'd they say about him?" elkington slowly drew himself to his feet. "they said he arrives at mid morning, verifies his seal on the customs house door, and then orders it opened. they also said that all traders must be searched personally by his officers. he imposes duty on everything, right down to the shillings in your pocket." "damn'd if i'll pay duty. not for samples." "that's what i said. and they ignored me. it seems to be law." hawksworth noticed that the gold was dissolving from the dawn sky, surrendering to a brilliant azure. he turned, scooped a portion of curds onto a piece of fried bread, and silently chewed as he puzzled over the morning. and the night before. who had saved them? and why? did someone in india hate the portuguese so much they would defend the english before even knowing who they were? no one in india could know about king james's letter, about the east india company's plans. no one. even george elkington did not know everything. yet someone in india already wanted the english alive. he had wrestled with the question for the rest of the trip upriver, and he could think of no answers. they had been saved for a reason, a reason he did not know, and that worried him even more than the portuguese. without a pilot they had had to probe upriver slowly, sounding for sandbars with an oar. finally, when they were near exhaustion, the river suddenly curved and widened. then, in the first dim light of morning, they caught the unmistakable outlines of a harbor. it had to be surat. the river lay north-south now, with the main city sprawled along its eastern shore. the tide began to fall back, depleted, and he realized they had timed its flow perfectly. as they waited for dawn, the port slowly revealed itself in the eastern glow. long stone steps emerged directly from the tapti river and broadened into a wide, airy square flanked on three sides by massive stone buildings. the structure on the downriver side was obviously a fortress, built square with a large turret at each corner, and along the top of walls hawksworth could see the muzzles of cannon--they looked to be eight-inchers--trained directly on the water. and in the waning dark he spotted tiny points of light, spaced regularly along the top of the fortress walls. that could only mean one thing. "mackintosh, ship the oars and drop anchor. we can't dock until daylight." "aye, cap'n, but why not take her in now? we can see to make a landin'." "and they can see us well enough to position their cannon. look carefully along there." hawksworth directed his gaze toward the top of the fortress. "they've lighted linstocks for the guns." "mother of god! do they think we're goin' to storm their bleedin' harbor with a pinnace?" "probably a standard precaution. but if we hold here, at least we'll keep at the edge of their range. and we'd better put all weapons out of sight. i want them to see a pinnace of friendly traders at sunup." the dawn opened quickly, and as they watched, the square blossomed to life. large two-wheeled carts appeared through the half-dark, drawn by muscular black oxen, some of whose horns had been tipped in silver. one by one the oxen lumbered into the square, urged forward by the shouts and beatings of turbaned drivers who wore folded white skirts instead of breeches. small fires were kindled by some of the men, and the unmistakable scent of glowing dung chips savored the dark clouds of smoke that drifted out across the river's surface. then hawksworth first noticed the bathers that had appeared along the shore on either side of the stone steps: brown men stripped to loincloths and women in brilliantly colored head-to-toe wraps were easing themselves ceremoniously into the chilled, mud-colored water, some bowing repeatedly in the direction of the rising sun. only the waters fronting the stairway remained unobstructed. when the dawn sky had lightened to a muted red, hawksworth decided to start their move. he surveyed the men crowded in the pinnace one last time, and read in some faces expectation and in others fear. but in all there was bone-deep fatigue. only elkington seemed fully absorbed in the vision that lay before them. even from their distance the chief merchant was already assessing the goods being unloaded from the carts: rolls of brown cloth, bundles of indigo, and bales of combed cotton fiber. he would point, then turn and gesture excitedly as he lectured spencer. the young clerk was now a bedraggled remnant of fashion in the powder- smudged remains of his new doublet. the plumed hat he had worn as they cast off had been lost in the attack downriver, and now he crouched in the bottom of the pinnace, humiliated and morose, his eyes vacant. "mackintosh, weigh anchor. we'll row to the steps. slowly." the men bobbed alert as they hoisted the chain into the prow of the pinnace. oars were slipped noisily into their rowlocks and mackintosh signaled to get underway. as they approached the stairway, alarmed cries suddenly arose from the sentinels stationed on stone platforms flanking either side of the steps. in moments a crowd collected along the river, with turbaned men shouting in a language hawksworth could not place and gesturing the pinnace away from the dock. what could they want, he asked himself? who are they? they're not armed. they don't look hostile. just upset. "permission to land." hawksworth shouted to them in turkish, his voice slicing through the din and throwing a sudden silence over the crowd. "the customs house does not open until two hours before midday," a tall, bearded man shouted back. then he squinted toward the pinnace. "who are you? portuguese?" "no, we're english." so that's it, hawksworth thought. they assumed we were portugals with a boatload of booty. here for a bit of private trade. the man examined the pinnace in confusion. then he shouted again over the waters. "you are not portuguese?" "i told you we're english." "only portuguese _topiwallahs_ are allowed to trade." the man was now scrutinizing the pinnace in open perplexity. "we've no goods for trade. only samples." hawksworth tried to think of a way to confound the bureaucratic mind. "we only want food and drink." "you cannot land at this hour." "in name of allah, the merciful." hawksworth stretched for his final ploy, invocation of that hospitality underlying all islamic life. demands can be ignored. a traveler's need, never. "food and drink for my men." miraculously, it seemed to work. the bearded man stopped short and examined them again closely. then he turned and dictated rapidly to the group of waiting porters. in moments the men had plunged into the chilled morning water, calling for the mooring line of the pinnace. as they towed the pinnace into the shallows near the steps, other porters swarmed about the boat and gestured to indicate the english should climb over the gunwales and be carried ashore. they caught hold of george elkington first. he clung futilely to the gunwales as he was dragged cursing from the bobbing pinnace and hoisted on the backs of two small indian men. arms flailing, he toppled himself from their grasp and splashed backward into the muddy tapti. after he floated to the surface, sputtering, he was dragged bodily from the water and up the steps. then the others were carried ashore, and only mackintosh tried to protest. the last to leave the pinnace, hawksworth hoisted himself off the prow and onto the back of a wiry indian whose thin limbs belied their strength. the man's turban smelled faintly of sweat, but his well-worn shirt was spotless. his dark eyes assessed hawksworth with a practiced sidelong glance, evaluating his attire, his importance, and the approximate cash value of his sword in a single sweep. only after the porters had deposited them on the stone steps did hawksworth finally realize that india's best port had no wharf, that human backs served as the loading platform for all men and goods. as he looked around, he also noticed they had been surrounded by a crowd of men, not identified by turbans as were the porters but uniformed more expensively and wielding long, heavy canes. wordlessly, automatically, the men aligned themselves in two rows to create a protected pathway leading up the steps and into the square. hawksworth watched as they beat back the gathering crowd of onlookers with their canes, and he suddenly understood this was how the port prevented traders from passing valuables to an accomplice in the crowd and circumventing customs. then the tall bearded man approached hawksworth, smiled professionally, and bowed in the manner of karim, hands together at the brow. "you are welcome in the name of the shahbandar, as a guest only, not as a trader." without further greeting he directed them across the open square toward a small stone building. "you will wait in the porters' lodge until the customs house opens." as he ordered the heavy wooden door opened, he curtly added, "the shahbandar will rule whether your presence here is permitted." he had watched them enter, and then he was gone. shortly after, the food had appeared. hawksworth examined the room once more, its close air still damp with the chill of dawn. the walls were squared, and the ceiling high and arched. in a back corner a niche had been created, and in it rested a small round stone pillar, presumably a religious object but one hawksworth did not recognize. who would venerate a column of stone, he mused, particularly one which seems almost like a man's organ? it can't be the muslims. they worship their own organs like no other race, but they generally honor their law against icons. so it must be for the gentiles, the hindus. which means that the porters are hindus and their overseers moors. that's the privilege of conquerors. just like every other land the moors have seized by the sword. he glanced again at the tray and noted that the food had been completely devoured, consumed by ravenous seamen who would have scorned to touch milk curds six months before. after a moment's consideration, hawksworth turned and seated himself on the edge of the carpet. there's nothing to be done. we may as well rest while we have the chance. george elkington had rolled himself in a corner of the carpet and now he dozed fitfully. humphrey spencer fought sleep as he worked vainly to brush away the powder smudges from his doublet. mackintosh had finished whetting his seaman's knife and now sat absorbed in searching his hair for lice. bosun's mate john garway lounged against a side wall, idly scratching his codpiece and dreaming of the women he would soon have, his toothless smile fixed in sleepy anticipation. the master's mate, thomas davies, dozed in a heap by the door, his narrow face depleted and aged with scurvy. in a back corner dice and a pile of coins had miraculously appeared, and the other seamen sprawled about them on the floor, bloodshot eyes focused on the chance numbers that would spell the longest splurge in port. hawksworth stretched his wounded leg once more, leaned stiffly against the front wall, and forced his mind to drift again into needed rest. hawksworth was suddenly alert, his senses troubled. the sun had reached midmorning now, and it washed the mud floor in brilliant yellow light. he sensed that a heavy shadow had passed through its beam. he had not specifically seen it, but somehow, intuitively, he knew. without a word he edged to the side of the heavy wooden door, his hand close to his sword handle. all the others except mackintosh were by now asleep. only the quartermaster had noticed it. he quickly moved to the side of the door opposite hawksworth and casually drew his heavy, bone-handled knife. without warning the door swung outward. facing them was the same bearded man who had invited them ashore. the square behind him was bright now with the glare of late morning, and in the light hawksworth realized he was wearing an immaculate white turban, a long blue skirt over tightly fitting white breeches, and ornate leather shoes, turned up at the toe in a curved point. this time, however, he no longer bore welcome. "where have you anchored your ships?" the turki was accented and abrupt. news travels fast, hawksworth thought, as he tried to shove the haze from his mind. "where is the shahbandar?" "your merchantmen were not in the bay this morning. where are they now?" the man seemed to ignore hawksworth's question. "i demand to see the shahbandar. and i'll answer no questions till i do." "you do not demand of the shahbandar." the man's black beard worked nervously, even when he paused. "you and all your men are to be brought to the customs house, together with your goods." "where is he now?" "he is here." "where?" the indian turned and gestured quickly across the maidan, the square, toward the large windowless stone building that sat on the water's edge opposite the fortress. hawksworth looked at the cluster of armed guards and realized this must be the mint. this was the building, he now remembered karim telling him, where foreign money was "exchanged." all foreign coins, even spanish rials of eight, were required to be melted down and reminted into rupees before they could be used for purchase. supposedly a protection against counterfeit or base coin, this requirement produced months of delay. the shahbandar gave only one alternative to traders in a hurry: borrow ready-made rupees at exorbitant interest. "after he has authorized the beginning of today's work at the mint, he will verify the seal on the door of the customs house"--he pointed to the squat building adjoining their lodge--"and open it for today. all goods must be taxed and receive his _chapp _or seal before they can enter or leave india." the men had begun to stir, and hawksworth turned to translate. the english assembled warily, and the air came alive with an almost palpable apprehension as hawksworth led them into the bustling square. "we must wait." the tall indian suddenly paused near the center of the maidan, just as a group of guards emerged from the mint. each wore a heavy sword, and they were escorting a large closed palanquin carried on the shoulders of four bearers dressed only in white skirts folded about their waist. the guards cleared a path through the crowd of merchants, and made their way slowly to the door of the customs house. the crowd surged in behind them, blocking the view, but moments later the tall doors of the customs house were seen to swing open, and the crowd funneled in, behind the palanquin and the guards. then the indian motioned for them to follow. the interior of the customs house smelled of sweat, mingled with spice and the dusty fragrance of indigo. as oil lamps were lighted and attached to the side walls, the milling crowd grew visible. through the semi-dark porters were already bearing the english goods in from the _maidan_ and piling them in one of the allotted stalls. the tall guide turned to hawksworth. "you and all your men must now be searched, here in the counting room." "i'll not allow it." hawksworth motioned the english back. "i told you i demand to see the shahbandar." "he'll receive you when he will. he has not granted an audience." "then we'll not be searched. tell him that. now." the indian paused for a moment, then reluctantly turned and made his way toward a door at the rear of the large room. elkington pressed forward, his face strained. "tell the bleedin' heathen we're english. we'll not be treated like this rabble." he motioned around the room, a bedlam of arab, persian, and indian traders who eyed the english warily as they shouted for the attention of customs inspectors and competed to bribe porters. "just hold quiet. i think they know exactly who we are. and they know about the ships." as they waited, hawksworth wondered what he should tell the shahbandar, and he again puzzled over the words of karim. think. what can you tell him that he hasn't already heard? i'll wager he knows full well we were attacked by portugals in the bay. that we burned and sank two galleons. will he now hold us responsible for warfare in indian waters? i'll even wager he knows we were attacked on the river. and who saved us. the large indian was returning, striding through the center aisle accompanied by four of the shahbandar's guards. he motioned for hawksworth to follow, alone. the door of the rear chamber was sheathed in bronze, with heavy ornate hinges and an immense hasp. it seemed to swing open of itself as they approached. and they were in the chamber of the shahbandar. as he entered, hawksworth was momentarily blinded by the blaze of oil lamps that lined the walls of the room. unlike the simple plaster walls and pillars of the outer receiving area, this inner chamber was forbiddingly ornate, with gilded ceilings almost thirty feet high. the room was already bustling with clerks straightening piles of account books and readying themselves for the day's affairs. the room fell silent and a way suddenly cleared through the center, as the hindu clerks fell back along the walls. they all wore tight, neat headdresses and formal cotton top shirts, and hawksworth felt a sudden consciousness of his own clothes--muddy boots and powder-smeared jerkin and breeches. for the first time since they arrived he found himself in a room with no other europeans. the isolation felt sudden and complete. then he saw the shahbandar. on a raised dais at the rear of the room, beneath a canopy of gold- embroidered cloth, sat the chief port official of india. he rested stiffly on a four-legged couch strewn with cushions, and he wore a turban of blue silk, narrow- patterned trousers, and an embroidered tan robe that crossed to the right over his plump belly and was secured with a row of what appeared to be rubies. he seemed oblivious to hawksworth as he cursed and drew on the end of a tube being held to his mouth by an attending clerk. the clerk's other hand worked a burning taper over the open top of a long-necked clay pot. the tube being held to the shahbandar's mouth was attached to a spout on the side. suddenly hawksworth heard a gurgle from the pot and saw the shahbandar inhale a mouthful of dark smoke. "tobacco is the only thing the _topiwallahs _ever brought to india that she did not already have. even then we still had to devise the hookah to smoke it properly." he inhaled appreciatively. "it is forbidden during this month of ramadan, but no man was made to fast during daylight and also forgo tobacco. the morning sun still rose in the east, and thus it is written the gate of repentance remains open to god's servants." the shahbandar examined hawksworth with curiosity. his face recalled hard desert nomad blood, but now it was softened with ease, plump and moustachioed. he wore gold earrings, and he was barefoot. "favor me by coming closer. i must see this _feringhi _captain who brings such turmoil to our waters." he turned and cursed the servant as the hookah continued to gurgle inconclusively. then a roll of smoke burst through the tube and the shahbandar's eyes mellowed as he drew it deeply into his lungs. he held the smoke for a moment while he gazed quizzically at hawksworth, squinting as though the air between them were opaque. "they tell me you are english. may i have the pleasure to know your name?" "i'm brian hawksworth, captain of the frigate _discovery_. may i also have the privilege of an introduction." "i will stand before allah as mirza nuruddin." he again drew deeply on the hookah. "but here i am the shahbandar." he exhaled a cloud and examined hawksworth. "your ship and another were in our bay yesterday. i am told they weighed anchor at nightfall. do english vessels customarily sail without their captain?" "when they have reason to do so." hawksworth fixed him squarely, wondering if he was really almost blind or if he merely wanted to appear so. "and what, captain . . . hawksworth, brings you and your contentious warships to our port? it is not often our friends the portuguese permit their fellow christians to visit us." "our ships are traders of england's east india company." "do not squander my time telling me what i already know." the shahbandar suddenly seemed to erupt. "they have never before come to india. why are you here now?" hawksworth sensed suddenly that the shahbandar had been merely toying with him. that he knew full well why they had come and had already decided what to do. he recalled the words of karim, declaring the shahbandar had his own private system of spies. "we are here for the same reason we have visited the islands. to trade the goods of europe." "but we already do trade with europeans. the portuguese. who also protect our seas." "have you found profit in it?" "enough. but it is not your place to question me, captain hawksworth." "then you may wish to profit through english trade as well." "and your merchants, i assume, also expect to profit here." "that's the normal basis of trade." hawksworth shifted, easing his leg. the shahbandar glanced downward, but without removing his lips from the tube of the hookah. "i notice you have a wound, captain hawksworth. yours would seem a perilous profession." "it's sometimes even more perilous for our enemies." "i presume you mean the portuguese." the shahbandar cursed the servant anew and called for a new taper to fire the hookah. "but their perils are over. yours have only begun. surely you do not expect they will allow you to trade here." "trade here is a matter between england and india. it does not involve the portugals." the shahbandar smiled. "but we have a trade agreement with the portuguese, a _firman_ signed by his majesty, the moghul of india, allowing them free access to our ports. we have no such agreement with england." "then we were mistaken. we believed the port of surat belonged to india, not to the portugals." hawksworth felt his palms moisten at the growing game of nerves. "india, you would say, has no ports of her own. no authority to trade with whom she will." "you come to our door with warfare and insolence, captain hawksworth. perhaps i would have been surprised if you had done otherwise." the shahbandar paused to draw thoughtfully on the smoking mouthpiece. "why should i expect this? although you would not ask, let me assume you have. the reputation of english sea dogs is not unknown in the indies." "and i can easily guess who brought you these libelous reports of england. perhaps you should examine their motives." "we have received guidance in our judgment from those we have trusted for many years." the shahbandar waved aside the hookah and fixed hawksworth with a hard gaze. hawksworth returned the unblinking stare for a moment while an idea formed in his mind. "i believe it once was written, 'there are those who purchase error at the price of guidance, so their commerce does not prosper. neither are they guided.'" a sudden hush enveloped the room as the shahbandar examined hawksworth with uncharacteristic surprise. for a moment his eyes seemed lost in concentration, then they quickly regained their focus. "the holy quran-- surah ii, if i have not lost the lessons of my youth." he stopped and smiled in disbelief. "it's impossible a _topiwallah_ should know the words of the merciful prophet, on whom be peace. you are a man of curious parts, english captain." again he paused. "and you dissemble with all the guile of a _mullah_." "i merely speak the truth." "then speak the truth to me now, captain hawksworth. is it not true the english are a notorious nation of pirates? that your merchants live off the commerce of others, pillaging where they see fit. should i not inquire, therefore, whether you intrude into our waters for the same purpose?" "england has warred in years past on her rightful enemies. but our wars are over. the east india company was founded for peaceful trade. and the company is here for no purpose but to trade peacefully with merchants in surat." hawksworth dutifully pressed forward. "our two merchantmen bring a rich store of english goods--woolens, ironwork, lead . . ." "while you war with the portuguese, in sight of our very shores. will you next make war on our own merchants? i'm told it is your historic livelihood." as he studied hawksworth, the shahbandar found himself reflecting on the previous evening. the sun had set and the ramadan meal was already underway when father manoel pinheiro, the second-ranked portuguese jesuit in india, had appeared at his gates demanding an audience. for two tiresome hours he had endured the jesuit's pained excuses for portugal's latest humiliation at sea. and his boasts that the english would never survive a trip upriver. and for the first time mirza nuruddin could remember, he had smelled fear. mirza nuruddin had sensed no fear in the portuguese eight years before, when an english captain named lancaster had attacked and pillaged a portuguese galleon in the seas off java. then the viceroy of goa brayed he would know retribution, although nothing was ever done. and a mere five years ago the viceroy himself led a fleet of twelve warships to malacca boasting to burn the eleven dutch merchantmen lading there. and the dutch sank almost his entire fleet. now the pirates of malabar daily harassed indian shipping the length of the western coast and the portuguese patrols seemed powerless to control them. in one short decade, he told himself, the portuguese have shown themselves unable to stop the growing dutch spice trade in the islands, unable to rid india's coasts of pirates, and now . . . now unable to keep other europeans from india's own doorstep. he studied hawksworth again and asked himself why the english had come. and why the two small english vessels had challenged four armed galleons, instead of turning and making for open sea? to trade a cargo of wool? no cargo was worth the risk they had taken. there had to be another reason. and that reason, or whatever lay behind it, terrified the portuguese. for the first time ever. "we defend ourselves when attacked. that's all." hawksworth found himself wanting to end the questions, to escape the smoky room and the shahbandar's intense gaze. "that has no bearing on our request to trade in this port." "i will take your request under advisement. in the meantime you and your men will be searched and your goods taxed, in keeping with our law." "you may search the men if you wish. but i am here as representative of the king of england. and as his representative i will not allow my personal chest to be searched, no more than his majesty, king james of england, would submit to such an indignity." hawksworth decided to reach for all the authority his ragged appearance would allow. "all _feringhi_, except ambassadors, must be searched. do you claim that immunity?" "i am an ambassador, and i will be traveling to agra to represent my king." "permission for _feringhi _to travel in india must come from the moghul himself." the shahbandar's face remained impassive but his mind raced. the stakes of the english game were not wool, he suddenly realized, but india. the english king was challenging portugal for the trade of india. their audacity as astonishing. "a request can be sent to agra by the governor of this province." "then i must see him to ask that a message be sent to agra. for now, i demand that my personal effects be released from the customs house. and that no duty be levied on our goods, which are samples and not for sale." "if your goods are not taxed, they will remain in the customs house. that is the law. because you claim to represent your king, i will forgo my obligation to search your person. all of your men, however, will be searched down to their boots, and any goods or coin they bring through this port will be taxed according to the prevailing rate. two and one- half percent of value." "our chief merchant wishes to display his samples to your traders." "i have told you i will consider your request for trade. there are many considerations." he signaled for the hookah to be lighted again. the interview seemed to be ended. hawksworth bowed with what formality he could muster and turned toward the counting-room door. "captain hawksworth. you will not be returning to your men. i have made other arrangements for your lodging." hawksworth revolved to see four porters waiting by an open door at the shahbandar's left. i must be tired. i hadn't noticed the door until now. then he realized it had been concealed in the decorations on the wall. when he did not move, the porters surrounded him. no, they're not porters. they're the guards who held back the crowds from the steps. and they're armed now. "i think you will find your lodgings suitable." the shahbandar watched hawksworth's body tense. "my men will escort you. your chest will remain here under my care." the shahbandar returned again to his gurgling hookah. "my chest will not be subject to search. if it is to be searched, i will return now to my ship." hawksworth still did not move. "your officials will respect my king, and his honor." "it is in my care." the shahbandar waved hawksworth toward the door. he did not look up from his pipe. as hawksworth passed into the midday sunshine, he saw the shahbandar's own palanquin waiting by the door. directly ahead spread the city's teeming horse and cattle bazaar, while on his right, under a dense banyan tree, a dark-eyed beggar sat on a pallet, clothed only in a white loincloth and wearing ashes in his braided hair and curious white and red marks on his forehead. his eyes were burning and intense, and he inspected the new _feringhi _as though he'd just seen the person of the devil. why should i travel hidden from view, hawksworth puzzled? but there was no time to ponder an answer. the cloth covering was lifted and he found himself urged into the cramped conveyance, made even more comfortless and hot by its heavy carpet lining and bolster seat. in moments the street had disappeared into jolting darkness. chapter six he felt the palanquin drop roughly onto a hard surface, and when the curtains were pulled aside he looked down to see the stone mosaic of a garden courtyard. they had traveled uphill at least part of the time, with what seemed many unnecessary turns and windings, and now they were hidden from the streets by the high walls of a garden enclosure. tall slender palms lined the inside of the garden's white plaster wall, and denser trees shaded a central two-story building, decorated around its entry with raised arabic lettering in ornate plasterwork. the guards motioned him through the large wooden portico of the house, which he began to suspect might be the residence of a wealthy merchant. after a long hallway, they entered a spacious room with clean white walls and a thick center carpet over a floor of patterned marble inlay. large pillows lay strewn about the carpet, and the air hung heavy with the stale scent of spice. it's the house of a rich merchant or official, all right. what else can it be? the decorated panels on the doors and the large brass knobs all indicate wealth. but what's the room for? for guests? no. it's too empty. there's almost no furniture. no bed. no . . . then suddenly he understood. a banquet room. he realized he had never seen a more sumptuous private dining hall, even among the aristocracy in london. the guards closed the heavy wooden doors, but there was no sound of their footsteps retreating. who are they protecting me from? a servant, with skin the color of ebony and a white turban that seemed to enclose a large part of his braided and folded-up beard, pushed open an interior door to deposit a silver tray. more fried bread and a bowl of curds. "where am i? whose house . . . ?" the man bowed, made hand signs pleading incomprehension, and retreated without a word. as hawksworth started to reach for a piece of the bread, the outer door opened, and one of the guards stepped briskly to the tray and stopped his hand. he said nothing, merely signaled to wait. moments later another guard also entered, and with him was a woman. she was unveiled, with dark skin and heavy gold bangles about her ankles. she stared at hawksworth with frightened eyes. brisk words passed in an alien language, and then the woman pointed to hawksworth and raised her voice as she replied to the guard. he said nothing, but simply lifted a long, sheathed knife from his waist and pointed it toward the tray, his gesture signifying all. after a moment's pause, the woman edged forward and gingerly sampled the curds with her fingers, first sniffing and then reluctantly tasting. more words passed, after which the guards bowed to hawksworth almost imperceptibly and escorted the woman from the room, closing the door. hawksworth watched in dismay and then turned again to examine the dishes. if they're that worried, food can wait. who was she? probably a slave. of the shahbandar? he removed his boots, tossed them in the corner, and eased himself onto the bolsters piled at one end of the central carpet. the wound in his leg had become a dull ache. jesus help me, i'm tired. what does the shahbandar really want? why was karim so fearful of him? and what's the role of the governor in all this? will all these requests and permissions and permits end up delaying us so long the portugals will find our anchorage? and what will the governor want out of me? he tried to focus his mind on the governor, on a figure he sculpted in his imagination. a fat, repugnant, pompous bureaucrat. but the figure slowly began to transform, and in time it became the turk who had imprisoned him in tunis, with a braided fez and a jeweled dagger at his waist. the fat turk was not listening, he was issuing a decree. you will stay. only then will i have what i want. what i must have. next a veiled woman entered the room, and her eyes were like maggie's. she seized his hand and guided him toward the women's apartments, past the frowning guards, who raised large scimitars in interdiction until she waved them aside. then she led him to the center of a brilliantly lighted room, until they stood before a large stone pillar, a pillar like the one in the porters' lodge except it was immense, taller than his head. you belong to me now, her eyes seemed to say, and she began to bind him to the pillar with silken cords. he struggled to free himself, but the grasp on his wrists only became stronger. in panic he struck out and yelled through the haze of incense. "let . . . !" "i'm only trying to wake you, captain." a voice cut through the nightmare. "his eminence, the shahbandar, has requested that i attend your wound." hawksworth startled awake and was reaching for his sword before he saw the swarthy little man, incongruous in a white swath of a skirt and a portuguese doublet, nervously shaking his arm. the man pulled back in momentary surprise, then dropped his cloth medicine bag on the floor and began to carefully fold a large red umbrella. hawksworth noted he wore no shoes on his dusty feet. "allow me to introduce myself." he bowed ceremoniously. "my name is mukarjee. it is my honor to attend the celebrated new _feringhi_." his turki was halting and strongly accented. he knelt and deftly cut away the wrapping on hawksworth's leg. "and who applied this?" with transparent disdain he began uncoiling the muddy bandage. "the christian _topiwallahs _constantly astound me. even though my daughter is married to one." one eyebrow twitched nervously as he worked. hawksworth stared at him through a groggy haze, marveling at the dexterity of his chestnut-brown hands. then he glanced nervously at the vials of colored liquid and jars of paste the man was methodically extracting from his cloth bag. "it was our ship's physician. he swathed this after attending a dozen men with like wounds or worse." "no explanations are necessary. _feringhi_ methods are always unmistakable. in goa, where i lived for many years after leaving bengal, i once served in a hospital built by christian priests." "you worked in a jesuit hospital?" "i did indeed." he began to scrape away the oily powder residue from the wound. hawksworth's leg jerked involuntarily from the flash of pain. "please do not move. yes, i served there until i could abide it no more. it was a very exclusive hospital. only _feringhi _were allowed to go there to be bled." he began to wash the wound, superficial but already festering, with a solution from one of the vials. "yes, we indians were denied that almost certain entry into christian paradise represented by its portals. but it was usually the first stop for arriving portuguese, after the brothels." "but why do so many portuguese sicken after they reach goa?" hawksworth watched mukarjee begin to knead a paste that smelled strongly of sandalwood spice. "it's well that you ask, captain hawksworth." mukarjee tested the consistency of the sandalwood paste with his finger and then placed it aside, apparently to thicken. "you appear to be a strong man, but after many months at sea you may not be as virile as you assume." he absently extracted a large, dark green leaf from the pocket of his doublet and dabbed it in a paste he kept in a crumpled paper. then he rolled it around the cracked pieces of a small brown nut, popped it into his mouth, and began to chew. suddenly remembering himself, he stopped and produced another leaf from his pocket. "would you care to try betel, what they call pan here in surat? it's very healthy for the teeth. and the digestion." "what is it?" "a delicious leaf. i find i cannot live without it, so perhaps it's a true addiction. it's slightly bitter by itself, but if you roll it around an areca nut and dip it in a bit of lime--which we make from mollusk shells--it is perfectly exquisite." hawksworth shook his head in wary dissent, whereupon mukarjee continued, settling himself on his haunches and sucking contentedly on the rolled leaf as he spoke. "you ask why i question your well-being, captain? because a large number of the _feringhis_ who come to goa, and india, are doomed to die." "you already said that. from what? poison in their food?" mukarjee examined him quizzically for a moment as he concentrated on the rolled leaf, savoring the taste, and hawksworth noticed a red trickle emerge from the corner of his mouth and slide slowly off his chin. he turned and discharged a mouthful of juice into a small brass container, clearing his mouth to speak. "the most common illness for europeans here is called the bloody flux." mukarjee tested the paste again with his finger, and then began to stir it vigorously with a wooden spatula. "for four or five days the body burns with intense heat, and then either it is gone or you are dead." "are there no medicines?" hawksworth watched as he began to spread the paste over the wound. "of course there are medicines." mukarjee chuckled resignedly. "but the portuguese scorn to use them." "probably wisely," hawksworth reflected. "it's said the flux is caused by an excess of humors in the blood. bleeding is the only real remedy." "i see." mukarjee began to apply the paste and then to bind hawksworth's leg with a swath of white cloth. "yes, my friend, that is what the portuguese do--you must hold still--and i have personally observed how effective it is in terminating illness." "the damned jesuits are the best physicians in europe." "so i have often been told. most frequently at funerals." mukarjee quickly tied a knot in the binding and spat another mouthful of red juice. "your wound is really nothing more than a scratch. but you would have been dead in a fortnight. by this, if not by exertion." "what do you mean?" hawksworth rose and tested his leg, amazed that the pain seemed to have vanished. "the greatest scourge of all for newly arrived europeans here seems to be our women. it is inevitable, and my greatest source of amusement." he spat the exhausted betel leaf toward the corner of the room and paused dramatically while he prepared another. "explain what you mean about the women." "let me give you an example from goa." mukarjee squatted again. "the portuguese soldiers arriving from lisbon each year tumble from their ships more dead than alive, weak from months at sea and the inevitable scurvy. they are in need of proper food, but they pay no attention to this, for they are even more starved for the company of women. . . . by the way, how is your wound?" mukarjee made no attempt to suppress a smile at hawksworth's astonished testing of his leg. "the pain seems to be gone." he tried squatted in indian style, like mukarjee, and found that this posture, too, brought no discomfort. "well, these scurvy-weakened soldiers immediately avail themselves of goa's many well-staffed brothels--which, i note, christians seem to frequent with greater devotion than their fine churches. what uneven test of skill and vigor transpires i would not speculate, but many of these _feringhis _soon find the only beds suited for them are in the jesuit's kings hospital, where few ever leave. i watched some five hundred portuguese a year tread this path of folly." mukarjee's lips were now the hue of the rose. "and what happens to those who do live?" "they eventually wed one of our women, or one of their own, and embrace the life of sensuality that marks the portuguese in goa. with twenty, sometimes even thirty slaves to supply their wants and pleasure. and after a time they develop stones in the kidney, or gout, or some other affliction of excess." "what do their wives die of? the same thing?" "some, yes, but i have also seen many charged with adultery by their fat portuguese husbands--a suspicion rarely without grounds, for they really have nothing more to do on hot afternoons than chew betel and intrigue with the lusty young soldiers--and executed. the women are said to deem it an honorable martyrdom, vowing they die for love." mukarjee rose and began meticulously replacing the vials in his cloth bag. "i may be allowed to visit you again if you wish, but i think there's no need. only forgo the company of our women for a time, my friend. practice prudence before pleasure." a shaft of light from the hallway cut across the room, as the door opened without warning. a guard stood in the passageway, wearing a uniform hawksworth had not seen before. "i must be leaving now." mukarjee's voice rose to public volume as he nervously scooped up his umbrella and his bag, without pausing to secure the knot at its top. then he bent toward hawksworth with a quick whisper. "captain, the shahbandar has sent his rajputs. you must take care." he deftly slipped past the guard in the doorway and was gone. hawksworth examined the rajputs warily. they wore leather helmets secured with a colored headband, knee- length tunics over heavy tight- fitting trousers, and a broad cloth belt. a large round leather shield hung at each man's side, suspended from a shoulder strap, and each guard wore an ornate quiver at his waist from which protruded a heavy horn bow and bamboo arrows. all were intent and unsmiling. their leader, his face framed in a thicket of coarse black hair, stepped through the doorway and addressed hawksworth in halting turki. "the shahbandar has requested your presence at the customs house. i am to inform you he has completed all formalities for admission of your personal chest and has approved it with his _chapp_." the palanquin was nowhere to be seen when they entered the street, but now hawksworth was surrounded. as they began walking he noticed the pain in his leg was gone. the street was lined by plaster walls and the cool evening air bore the scent of flowers from their concealed gardens. the houses behind the walls were partially shielded by tall trees, but he could tell they were several stories high, with flat roofs on which women clustered, watching. these must all be homes of rich muslim merchants. palaces for the princes of commerce. and the streets are filled with dark-skinned, slow-walking poor. probably servants, or slaves, in no hurry to end the errand that freed them from their drudgery inside. then as they started downhill, toward the river, they began to pass tile-roofed, plaster-walled homes he guessed were owned by hindu merchants, since they were without gardens or the high walls muslims used to hide their women. as they neared the river the air started to grow sultry, and they began passing the clay-walled huts of shopkeepers and clerks, roofed in palm leaves with latticework grills for windows. finally they reached the bazaar of surat, its rows of palm trees deserted now, with silence where earlier he had heard a tumult of hawkers and strident women's voices. next to the bazaar stood the stables, and hawksworth noticed flocks of small boys, naked save for a loincloth, scavenging to find any dung cakes that had been overlooked by the women who collected fuel. the air was dense and smelled of earth, and its taste overwhelmed his lingering memory of the wind off the sea. the streets of surat converged like the spokes of a wheel, with the customs house and port as its hub. just like every port town in the world, hawksworth smiled to himself: all roads lead to the sea. except here all roads lead to the customs house and the shahbandar. then, as they approached the last turn in the road, just outside the enclosure of the customs house, they were suddenly confronted by a band of mounted horsemen, armed with long-barreled muskets. the horsemen spanned the roadway and were probably twenty in all, well outnumbering the rajputs. the horsemen made no effort to move aside as hawksworth and his guards approached. hawksworth noticed the rajputs stiffen slightly and their hands drop loosely to the horn bows protruding from their quivers, but they did not break their pace. my god, they're not going to halt. there'll be bloodshed. and we're sure to lose. without warning a hand threw hawksworth sprawling against the thick plaster side of a building, and a large, round rhino-hide buckler suddenly was covering his body, shielding him entirely from the horsemen. next came a melee of shouts, and he peered out to see the rajputs encircling him, crouched in a firing pose, each bow aimed on a horseman and taut with its first arrow. the musket-bearing horsemen fumbled with their still uncocked weapons. in lightning moves of only seconds, the rajputs had seized the advantage. not only are their bows more accurate than muskets, hawksworth thought, they're also handier. they can loose half a dozen arrows before a musket can be reprimed. but what was the signal? i saw nothing, heard nothing. yet they acted as one. i've never before seen such speed, such discipline. then more shouting. hawksworth did not recognize the language, but he guessed it might be urdu, the mixture of imported persian and native hindi karim had said was used in the moghul's army as a compromise between the language of its persian-speaking officers and the hindi- speaking infantry. the rajputs did not move as the horseman in the lead withdrew a rolled paper from his waist and contemptuously tossed it onto the ground in front of them. while the others covered him with their bows, the leader of the rajputs advanced and retrieved the roll from the dust. hawksworth watched as he unscrolled it and examined in silence. at the bottom hawksworth could make out the red mark of a _chapp_, like the one he had seen on bundles in the customs house. the paper was passed among the rajputs, each studying it in turn, particularly the seal. then there were more shouts, and finally resolution. the dark-bearded leader of hawksworth's guard approached him and bowed. then he spoke in turki, his voice betraying none of the emotion hawksworth had witnessed moments before. "they are guards of the governor, mukarrab khan. they have shown us orders by the shahbandar, bearing his seal, instructing that you be transferred to their care. you will go with them." then he dropped his bow casually into his quiver and led the other men off in the direction of the customs house, all still marching, as though they knew no other pace. "captain hawksworth, please be tolerant of our hindu friends. they are single-minded soldiers of fortune, and a trifle old-fashioned in their manners." the leader of the guard smiled and pointed to a riderless saddled horse being held by one of the riders. "we have a mount for you. will you kindly join us?" hawksworth looked at the horse, a spirited arabian mare, and then at the saddle, a heavy round tapestry embroidered in silver thread with tassels front and back, held by a thick girth also of tapestry. the stirrups were small triangles of iron held by a leather strap attached to a ring at the top of the girth. a second tapestry band around the mare's neck secured the saddle near the mane. the mane itself had been woven with decorations of beads and small feathers. the horse's neck was held in a permanent arch by a leather checkrein extending from the base of the bridle through the chest strap, and secured to the lower girth. the mare pranced in anticipation, while her coat sparkled in the waning sun. she was a thing of pure beauty. "where are we going?" "but of course. the governor, mukarrab khan, has staged a small celebration this afternoon and would be honored if you could join him. today is the final day of ramadan, our month-long muslim fast. he's at the _chaugan_ field. but come, patience is not his most enduring quality." hawksworth did not move. "why did the shahbandar change his order? we were going to the customs house to fetch my chest." "the governor is a persuasive man. it was his pleasure that you join him this afternoon. but please mount. he is waiting." the man stroked his moustache with a manicured hand as he nodded toward the waiting mount. "his excellency sent one of his finest horses. i think he has a surprise for you." hawksworth swung himself into the saddle, and immediately his mare tossed her head in anticipation. she was lanky and spirited, nothing like the lumbering mount his father had once taught him to ride at the army's camp outside london so many, many years ago. without another word the men wheeled their horses and started off in a direction parallel to the river. then the one who had spoken abruptly halted the entire party. "please forgive me, but did i introduce myself? i am the secretary to his excellency, mukarrab khan. we were cast from the civilized comforts of agra onto this dung heap port of surat together. perhaps it was our stars." hawksworth was only half-listening to the man. he turned and looked back over his shoulder in time to see the rajputs entering into the compound of the customs house. the leader of the horsemen caught his glance and smiled. "let me apologize again for our friends of the rajput guard. you do understand they have no official standing. they serve whomever they are paid to serve. if that thief, the shahbandar, discharged them tomorrow and then another hired them to kill him, they would do so without a word. rajputs are professional mercenaries, who do battle as coldly as the tiger hunts game." he turned his horse onto a wide avenue that paralleled the river. the sunlight was now filtered through the haze of evening smoke from cooking fires that was enveloping the city. "do rajputs also serve the governor?" the man laughed broadly and smoothed the braided mane of his horse as he twisted sideways in the saddle and repeated hawksworth's question for the other riders. a peal of amusement cut the quiet of the evening streets. "my dear english captain, he might wish to hang them, but he would never hire them. his excellency has the pick of the moghul infantry and cavalry in this district, men of lineage and breeding. why should he need hindus?" hawksworth monitored the riders carefully out of the corner of his eye and thought he detected a trace of nervousness in their mirth. yes, he told himself, why use hindus--except the shahbandar's hindu mercenaries got the advantage of you in only seconds. while you and your pick of the moghul cavalry were fiddling with your uncocked muskets. perhaps there's a good reason the shahbandar doesn't hire men of lineage and breeding. hawksworth noticed they were paralleling a wall of the city, a high brick barrier with iron pikes set along its capstone. abruptly the wall curved across the road they were traveling and they were facing a massive wooden gate that spanned the width of the street. suddenly guards appeared, each in uniform and holding a pike. they hurriedly swung wide the gate as the procession approached, then snapped crisply to attention along the roadside. "this is the abidjan gate." the secretary nodded in response to the salute of the guards. "you can just see the field from here." he pointed ahead, then urged his horse to a gallop. a cooling dampness was invading the evening air, and now the sun had entirely disappeared into the cloud of dense cooking smoke that boiled above the city, layering a dark mantle over the landscape. again hawksworth felt his apprehension rising. what's the purpose of bringing me to a field outside the city, with dark approaching? he instinctively fingered the cool handle of his sword, but its feel did nothing to ease his mind. then he heard cheers from the field ahead, and saw a burning ball fly across the evening sky. ahead was a large green, and on it horsemen raced back and forth, shouting and cursing in several languages, their horses jostling recklessly. other mounted horsemen watched from the side of the green and bellowed encouragement. as they approached the edge of the field, hawksworth saw one of the players capture the burning ball, guiding it along the green with a long stick whose end appeared to be curved. he spurred his mottled gray mount toward two tall posts stationed at one end of the green. another player was hard in chase, and his horse, a dark stallion, was closing rapidly toward the rolling ball. as the first player swept upward with his stick, lofting the burning ball toward the posts, the second player passed him and--in a maneuver that seemed dazzling to hawksworth--circled his own stick over his head and captured the ball in midair, deflecting it toward the edge of the green where hawksworth and his guards waited. cheers went up from some of the players and spectators, and the horsemen all dashed for the edge of the green in chase of the ball, which rolled in among hawksworth's entourage and out of play. the horseman on the dark stallion suddenly noticed hawksworth and, with a shout to the other players, whipped his steed toward the arriving group. as he approached, hawksworth studied his face carefully. he was pudgy but still athletic, with a short, well-trimmed moustache and a tightly wound turban secured with a large red stone that looked like a ruby. he carried himself erect, with a confidence only full vigor could impart, yet his face was incongruously debauched, almost ravaged, and his eyes deeply weary. there was no hint of either triumph or pleasure in those eyes or in his languorous mouth, although he had just executed a sensational block of an almost certain score. he reined his wheezing mount only when directly in front of hawksworth, sending up a cloud of dust. "are you the english captain?" the voice was loud, with an impatient tone indicating long years of authority. "i command the frigates of the east india company." hawksworth tried to keep his gaze steady. what sort of man can this be, he asked himself? is this the one who can demand the shahbandar's signature and seal whenever he wishes? "then i welcome you, captain." the dark stallion reared suddenly for no apparent reason, in a display of exuberance. the man expertly reined him in, never removing his gaze from hawksworth, and continued in an even voice. "i've been most eager to meet the man who is suddenly so interesting to our portuguese friends. although i have a personal rule never to dabble in the affairs of europeans, as a sportsman i must congratulate you on your victory. a pity i missed the encounter." "i accept your congratulations on behalf of the east india company." hawksworth watched him for some sign of his attitude toward the portuguese, but he could detect nothing but smooth diplomacy. "yes, the east india company. i suppose this company of yours wants something from india, and i can easily imagine it might be profit. perhaps i should tell you straightaway that such matters bore me not a little." the man glanced impatiently back toward the field. "but come, it's growing darker as we talk. i'd hoped you might join us in our little game. it's elementary. should be child's play for a man who commands at sea." he turned to one of the men standing by the side of the field. "ahmed, prepare a stick for captain ... by the way, i wasn't given your name." "hawksworth." "yes. prepare a stick for captain hawksworth. he'll be joining us." hawksworth stared at the man, trying to gauge his impulsiveness. "you, i presume, are the governor." "forgive me. i so rarely find introductions required. mukarrab khan, your humble servant. yes, it's my fate to be governor of surat, but only because there's no outpost less interesting. but come, we lose precious time." he pivoted his pawing mount about and signaled for a new ball to be ignited. "you'll find our game very simple, captain hawksworth. the object is to take the ball between the posts you see there, what we call the _hal_. there are two teams of five players, but we normally rotate players every twenty minutes." his horse reared again in anticipation as the new ball was brought onto the field. "years ago we played only during the hours of day, but then our moghul's father, the great akman, introduced the burning ball, so he could play at night. it's _palas _wood, very light and slow-burning." hawksworth felt a nudge on his hand and looked down to see a stick being passed upward by one of the attendants. the handle was sheathed in silver, and the stick itself was over six feet long, with a flattened curve at the bottom, like a distorted shepherd's crook. hawksworth lifted it gingerly, testing its weight, and was surprised by its lightness. "you will be playing on the team of abul hasan." he nodded toward a middle-aged man with a youthful face and no moustache. "he is a _qazi_ here in surat, a judge who interprets and dispenses law, and when he's not busy abusing the powers of his office, he presumes to challenge me at _chaugan_." the official bowed slightly but did not smile. his dappled gray mare was sniffing at the governor's stallion. "he thinks he has me at a disadvantage, since in agra we played with only one goal, whereas here they use two, but _chaugan _is a test of skill, not rules. he leads the white turbans." only then did hawksworth notice that the governor's team all wore red turbans. the governor waved to his attendant. "a clean turban for the english captain."_ _"i'd prefer to play as i am." hawksworth saw a flash of disbelief in the governor's eyes. it was obvious he was never contradicted. "i never wear a hat, though it seems in india i'm still called a _topiwallah_. "very well, captain hawksworth. the _topiwallah _wears no turban." he seemed to smile as he turned to the other players and signaled for play to start. "abul hasan's team is composed of surat officials, captain. you will notice, however, that i am teamed with some of our merchants-- muslim, of course, not hindus--something i must do to ensure challenging opponents. the mere presence of merchants here today should give you some idea how very tedious i find living in surat. in agra no merchant would be allowed near a _chaugan _field. but here my officials enjoy winning their money so much that i am forced to relent." and he laughed warmly. the burning ball was slammed toward the middle of the field, and the players spurred their horses after it in lunging pursuit. hawksworth gripped the _chaugan_ stick in his right hand and the reins in the other as his mount galloped after the others, obviously eager to begin. the red turbans reached the ball first, with the governor in the lead. he caught the ball on a bounce and, wielding his stick in a graceful arc, whipped it under the neck of the dark stallion and directly toward the _hal_, while in the same motion reining in his mount sharply to follow its trajectory. but a white turban had anticipated his shot and was already in position to intercept the ball. he cut directly in front of the governor's path and with a practiced swipe bulleted the ball back toward the center of the field, knocking a spray of sparks across the face of the governor's horse. mukarrab khan's stallion seemed scarcely to notice as he reared, whirled, and flew in chase. the shot had passed over the heads of the three other white turbans and bounced off the grass a few feet behind hawksworth, still well to the rear. hawksworth reined his mount about and bore down on the ball, beginning to feel some of the exhilaration of the play. he reached the ball on its second bounce and with a rigid arc of his arm swung the _chaugan _stick. the impact recoiled a dizzying shock through the wood and up his right shoulder. he dimly heard the cheers of his teammates, seeming to congratulate him on his stroke. but where's the ball? he wondered as he scanned the darkened, empty expanse down the field. then he realized he had only deflected it, back toward the three white turbans in the center of the field. the last white turban in the row snared the ball with his stick, deflecting it again, but now in the direction of the reds. dust was boiling from the surface of the field, increasingly obscuring the players and the play. the darkened arena had become a jostling mob, friend scarcely distinguishable from foe, and all in pursuit of the only certain object, the still-glowing ball. hawksworth's eyes seared and his throat choked as he raced after the others--always, it seemed, bringing up the rear, while his mount took her head and rarely acknowledged his awkward attempts to command. he clung to the iron ring of his saddle, content merely to stay astride. give me a quarterdeck any day. the red turbans again had command of the ball, and hawksworth watched as the governor now raced to the lead, urged on by his teammates. he snared the ball effortlessly and with a powerful swing sent it arcing back toward his own _hal_. the other red turbans rushed in pursuit, but a white turban was already at the _hal_, waiting to deflect the play. he snared the ball in the crook of his stick and flung it back toward the center. the reds seemed to anticipate this, for they reined as one man and dashed back. but now a white had control, and he guided the ball alone across the grassy expanse, while a phalanx of other whites rode guard. hawksworth was still lagging in front of his own _hal_ when suddenly he saw the ball lofting toward him, a flaming mortar in the darkened sky. it slammed to earth near his horse's flank, spewing sparks. he cut his mare sharply to the left and galloped in pursuit. above the shouts he only dimly heard the reds thundering behind him, closing in as he reached the ball and caught it in the curve of his stick. roll it, he told himself, keep it on the ground . . . the reds were on him. in what seemed a swing for the ball, abul hasan brought his stick in a wide arc, its hardened crook accurately intersecting hawksworth's directly in the middle. hawksworth felt an uneven shudder pulse through his arm and heard his own stick shatter. the lower half flew to his right, and he watched in dismay as it sailed across the path of mukarrab khan's mount, just as the governor cut inward to block hawksworth. the hard wood caught the dark stallion directly across its front shins, and the horse stumbled awkwardly. hawksworth stared at horse and rider dumbly for a moment, as the stallion lost its stride, and he suddenly realized the governor's horse would fall. and when it did, mukarrab khan would be thrown directly below the horses thundering behind them. he cut his mount sharply to the right and deliberately slammed into the governor's stallion. mukarrab khan's dazed eyes flashed understanding and he stretched for the center ring of hawksworth's saddle during the fractional second their horses were in collision. at the same instant, he disengaged himself from his own stirrups and pulled himself across the neck of hawksworth's mare. two alert reds pulled their mounts alongside hawksworth and grabbed the reins of his mare. the dark stallion collapsed in the dust behind them with a pitiful neigh. then it rose and limped painfully toward the edge of the field, its left foreleg dangling shattered and useless. mukarrab khan lowered himself to the ground with an elaborate oath. a cheer sounded as the whites scored the ball unmolested. hawksworth was still watching the governor when one of the attendants rushed from the sidelines, seized the silver-topped fragment of his broken stick, and thrust it toward him. "the silver is yours to keep, sahib. it is the custom that one whose _chaugan_ stick is broken in play may keep its silver tip. as a token of bravery. for you it is especially deserved." he was short, swarthy, and dressed in a dust- covered white shirt. he bowed slightly, while his eyes gleamed their admiration in the darkness. "take it, captain. it is an honor." abul hasan rode up stiffly, brushing the dust from the mane of his horse. "no _feringhi_, to my knowledge, has ever before attempted _chaugan_, and certainly none has earned a silver knob." "captain hawksworth, you rode well." mukarrab khan had commandeered a mount and also drew alongside. there was a light scratch along the right side of his face, and the whimsical look had vanished from his eyes as he searched the faces clustered around. "a very curious accident. it has never happened before." he stared directly at hawksworth. "how was your stick broken?" "the _feringhi_ made an unfortunate swing, excellency," abul hasan interjected. "he played superbly, for a beginner, but he has still to fully master the stroke." "obviously. but he compensated by his luck--my luck-- in saving me from a fall. he rides well enough, no matter how uncertain his stroke." the governor examined them both skeptically. hawksworth watched the exchange in incredulous silence. the _qazi_ may be covering for his own accident. or perhaps it wasn't an accident. and if not, then he tried to kill the mukarrab khan in a way that would look like it was my responsibility. "i still maintain it was most curious." mukarrab khan turned to watch as the stable-keepers prepared to shoot his favorite horse. "but tell me now what you think of _chaugan_, captain hawksworth?" "it's exhilarating. and dangerous. a seaman might say it's like taking the whipstaff all alone in a gale, without a safety line." hawksworth tried unsuccessfully to decipher mukarrab khan's thoughts. "a quaint analogy, but doubtless apt." he tried to smile. "you know, captain, there are those who mistakenly regard _chaugan _as merely a game, whereas it is actually much, much more. it's a crucible of courage. it sharpens one's quickness of mind, tests one's powers of decision. the great akman believed the same, and for that reason he encouraged it years ago among his officials. of course it requires horsemanship, but in the last count it's a flawless test of manhood. you did not entirely disappoint me. i suspect you english could one day be worthy of our little game." a shot rang out, and the governor's face went pale for an instant, his eyes glossed with sadness. then he turned again to hawksworth. "deplorable waste. to think i bought him just last year especially for _chaugan_. from a grasping arab, a confirmed thief who sensed i fancied that stallion and absolutely refused to bargain." the voice was calmer now, the official facade returning. "but enough. perhaps i could interest you in a drink?" he signaled toward the edge of the field, and a waiting groom ran toward them, bearing a black clay pot with a long spout. "the sun has set. ramadan is finished for this year. so i will join you. let me show you how we drink on horseback." he lifted the pot above his head, tilted the spout toward him, and caught the stream effortlessly in his mouth. then he passed it to hawksworth. "it's called _sharbat_. the _topiwallahs _all seem to like it and mispronounce it 'sherbet.'" the water was sugar sweet and tangy with bits of lemon. god, hawksworth thought, would we had barrels of this for the voyage home. as he drank, drenching his beard, he first noticed the icy stars, a splendor of cold fire in an overhead canopy. the town's smoke had been banished by the freshening wind, and a placid silence now mantled the field. the players were preparing to leave, and the grooms were harnessing the remaining horses to lead them home. "tonight we feast to mark the end of ramadan, captain, our month of fasting during daylight hours. it's an evening celebrating the return of sensual pleasure." mukarrab khan stared at hawksworth for a moment. "by the looks of you, i'd suspect you're no jesuit. i would be honored if you could join me." he forced a blithe cheerfulness his weary eyes belied. as hawksworth listened, he realized he very much wanted to go. to lose himself for a time. and suddenly the words of huyghen, and of roger symmes, flashed through his mind. of the india you would not want to leave. _until you would not be able to leave. _as they rode toward the town, mukarrab khan fell silent. and abul hasan, too, seemed lost in his own thoughts. hawksworth slowly let his horse draw to the rear in order to count the governor's personal retinue of guards. thirty men, with quivers of arrows beside their saddle, pikes at their right stirrup, and a matchlock musket. as they rode, the other horsemen eyed hawksworth warily, keeping to themselves and making no effort to talk. hawksworth thought he sensed an underlying hostility lurking through the crowd, but whether it was between the merchants and officials, or toward him, he could not discern. then a presumptuous thought passed through his mind. could this entire scene have been staged by mukarrab khan to somehow test me? but to what purpose? what could he want to find out? whatever it was, i think he just may have found it. then he leaned back in the saddle, pushed aside his misgivings, and sampled the perfumed evening air. chapter seven they were deep within the center of surat, nearing the river, when suddenly the street opened onto a wide stone-paved plaza. the first thing hawksworth saw through the torchlight was a high iron fence, sentries posted with bucklers and pikes along its perimeter, and an ornate iron gate. then, as they neared, he realized the fence was the outer perimeter of an immense pink sandstone fortress, with high turrets and a wide, arched entryway. finally he spotted the water- filled moat that lay between the fence and the fortress walls. the moat was spanned by a single wooden bridge, and hawksworth noted that when the bridge was drawn inward it neatly sealed the entry of the fortress. as they approached the iron outer gate, the party of _chaugan _players began to disperse; after formal and minimal farewells the merchants and officials turned and disappeared into the night. soon only hawksworth and mukarrab khan were left, together with the governor's private grooms and guards. hawksworth studied the departing players with curiosity. what sway does mukarrab khan hold over them? respect? fear? then the iron gate swung wide and their horses clattered across the wooden drawbridge. hawksworth looked about and began to understand that the governor's palace guards were not merely ceremonial. lining both sides of the drawbridge were uniformed infantrymen armed with pikes. then as they passed under the stone archway leading into the fortress, hawksworth turned to see even more armed guards, poised just inside, pikes in formal salute. and farther back he saw two armored animals, gigantic, many times larger than the biggest horse, with massive ears and a snout several feet in length. that must be what a war elephant looks like. so they really do exist. but why so many guards? it's virtually a private army. then he felt a groom tug the reins of his horse and signal for him to dismount. they were now inside the palace grounds. ahead, through an intricate formal garden, stood the residence of the governor of surat. the elaborate carvings of its pink sandstone decoration reflected hard red in the torchlight. mukarrab khan directed him through a marble entryway, ornately rounded at the top like the turret of a mosque. they had entered some form of reception hallway, and hawksworth noticed that the marble floor was decorated with a complex geometry of colored stone. above his head were galleries of white plasterwork supported by delicate arches, and along the sides were ornate, curtained recesses. hanging oil lamps brilliantly illuminated the glistening walls, while rows of servants dressed in matching white turbans lined the sides in welcome. as they approached the end of the reception hallway, hawksworth studied the door ahead. it was massive, and thick enough to withstand any war machine that could be brought into the hallway, and yet its protective function was concealed from obvious notice by a decoration of intricate carvings and a flawless polish. the servants slowly revolved it outward on its heavy brass hinges and mukarrab khan led them into a vast open courtyard surrounded by a veranda, with columns supporting balconies of marble filigree. it seemed a vast reception hall set in the open air, an elegant plaza whose roof was stars, and whose centerpiece was a canopied pavilion, under which stood a raised couch of juniper wood lined with red satin--not unlike an english four-poster bed, save the posts were delicately thin and polished to a burnished ebony. large bronze lanterns along the balconies furnished a flickering vision of the complex interworking of paths, flower beds, and fountains surrounding the central pavilion. waiting on the veranda, just inside the entryway, were six tall figures, three on either side of the doorway. they were turbaned, exquisitely robed, and wore conspicuous jewels that gleamed against their dark skin. as they bowed to the governor, hawksworth examined them for a brief moment and then his recognition clicked. eunuchs. they must be mukarrab khan's private guards, since they can go anywhere, even the women's apartments. "captain hawksworth, perhaps you should meet my household officials. they are bengalis--slaves actually-- whom i bought young and trained years ago in agra. one must, regrettably, employ eunuchs to maintain a household such as this. one's palace women can never be trusted, and one's intriguing wives least of all. i named them in the arab fashion, after their position in the palace, so i need not trouble to remember their names, merely what they do. this is nahir, who is in charge of my accounts." he gestured toward a pudgy face now glaring out from beneath a deep blue headdress, a tall conical turban tied in place with a wrap of white silk that circled his bloated throat. the eunuch's open jacket was a heavy brocade and it heaved as he breathed, betraying the sagging fat around his nipples. "the one next to him selects my wardrobe." the second eunuch gazed at hawksworth impassively, his puffed, indulgent lips red with betel juice. "that one selects the clothes for my spendthrift women, and the one on his left is responsible for all their jewels. the one over there takes care of the household linens and oversees the servants. and the one behind him is in charge of the kitchen. you will be asked to endure his handiwork tonight." the eunuchs examined hawksworth's ragged appearance with transparent contempt, and they seemed to melt around him as he walked through the doorway--two ahead, two behind, and one on either side. none spoke a greeting. hawksworth examined them carefully, wondering which was in charge of the women's apartments. that's the most powerful position, he smiled to himself, nothing else really counts. a servant came down the veranda bearing a tray and brought it directly to the governor. then he kneeled and offered it. it was of beaten silver and on it were two large crystal goblets of a pastel green liquid. "captain, would you care to refresh yourself with a glass of _tundhi_. it's the traditional way we break the fast of ramadan." he directed the servant toward hawksworth. "it's prepared in the women's apartments during the day, as an excuse for something to do." hawksworth touched the drink lightly with his tongue. it was a mixture of sweet and tang quite unlike anything he had ever known. perhaps the closest was a brisk mug of spiced ale, pungent with clove and cinnamon. but this spiced drink was mysteriously subtle. puzzling, he turned to mukarrab khan. "what is this? it tastes like the air in a garden." "this? i've never paid any notice, although the women down it by the basinful after sunset." as he received his own goblet he turned to one of the eunuchs. "nahir, how do the women prepare _tundhi_?" "with seeds, khan sahib. seeds of melons, cucumber, lettuce, and coriander are pounded, and then blended with rosewater, pomegranate essence, and juice of the aloe flower. but the secret is to strain it properly, and i find i must carefully oversee the work." "doubtless." mukarrab khan's voice was curt. "i suspect you should attend the accounts more and the women's apartments less." he turned to another eunuch. "is my bath ready?" "as always, khan sahib." as the eunuch bowed he examined hawksworth's dust-covered face and hair discreetly. "will the distinguished _feringhi _also require a bath?" "he was on the _chaugan _field this afternoon, just as i was." hawksworth groaned inwardly. what english host would have the effrontery to suggest a guest needed a bath? for that matter, what englishman would even consider bathing more than twice a year? it's known well enough king james never bathes, that he never even washes his hands, only brushes them with a moist napkin at mealtime. yet this moor wants a full bath before a meal, merely to remove a bit of dust. "i would be content to rinse my hands." mukarrab khan examined him for a moment and then broke into a wide smile. "i always forget _feringhi _are positively afraid of water." he spoke quickly to one of the eunuchs, who turned and barked orders to the servants in a language hawksworth did not understand. "the servants will provide whatever you require." mukarrab khan bowed perfunctorily to hawksworth and disappeared through one of the arched doorways leading off the courtyard, followed by the eunuchs. then hawksworth turned to see a dark-skinned man bearing a large silver basin down the veranda. behind him a second man carried a red velvet cushion, shaped like a long cylinder, and placed it on a stool next to the canopied pavilion, gesturing for hawksworth to sit. as hawksworth seated himself and turned toward the basin the servant held waiting, he caught the fresh aroma of a full bouquet, as though the fragrances of some tropic eden had been distilled into the water. he looked down to see flower petals floating on its shimmering, oil- covered surface. how curious, he thought. english countrywomen sometimes distill toilet water from the flowers in their gardens, but never in such quantities'that it can be used merely to wash hands. and while english toilet waters are cloying and sweet, violets and gilliflowers, this aroma is light and delicate. war elephants and perfumed waters, in the same palace. it's incredible. he gingerly splashed his hands, and looked up to find a steaming towel being proffered. he sponged away the remaining mud of the playing field and watched as one by one the servants began to melt into the darkened recesses of the marble galleries. the last was an old withered gamekeeper, who wandered through the garden berating a sullen peacock toward its roost. and then the courtyard fell austerely quiet. illuminated now only by lanterns and pale moonlight, it became a fairyland almost outside of time. he smiled as he thought of where he had been only the previous night--fending off an attack by portuguese infantry. and now, this. his thoughts began to drift randomly, to float in and among the marble latticework of the veranda. and he thought once more of roger symmes and his bizarre stories of india. he was right. it's a heaven on earth. but with an undertow of violence just beneath the serene, polished surface. all this beauty, and yet it's guarded with war elephants and a moat. it's a world that's . . . artificial. it's carved of marble and jewels, and then locked away. now i'm beginning to understand why he found it so enticing. and frightening. god, for a brandy. now. "khan sahib awaits you." hawksworth looked up to see the eunuch standing directly in front of him, freshly attired in a long robe of patterned silk. as he rose, startled from his reveries, a pudgy hand shot out and seized his arm. "your sword is not permitted in the banquet room." hawksworth froze. then he remembered the knife strapped inside the top of his boot and the thought gave him comfort. he unbuckled his sword slowly, deliberately, pausing to meet the eunuch's defiant stare as he passed it over. the eunuch seemed to ignore hawksworth's look as he continued. "you will also remove your boots. it is against custom to wear them in the banquet room." hawksworth moved to protest, then sadly concluded there would be no point. of course the room would be filled with carpets. and that must be the reason everyone i've seen here wears open shoes with the backs folded down: they're constantly being removed at doorways. he bent over and unbuckled his boots. the eunuch stiffened momentarily when he saw the glint of the knife handle in the lamplight, but he said nothing, merely swept up the boots with his other hand. as they walked slowly down the marble hallway toward the bronzed door of the banquet room, hawksworth tried to rehearse what he would say to mukarrab khan. he has to petition the court in agra to grant safe conduct for the trip. he just has to send one letter. how can he possibly refuse? remember, you're an ambassador. . . . the eunuch shoved wide the bronzed door, and hawksworth was astonished by what he saw. the governor of surat lounged against a purple velvet bolster at the far end of a long room whose walls were a cool expanse of flawless white and whose marble floor was softened with an enormous carpet in the thick persian style. his skin glistened with light oil, and he had donned a fresh turban, patterned in brown and white, tied in intricate swirls, and bound with a strand of dark jewels. a single large pearl hung over his forehead, and two tassels, each also suspending a pearl, brushed his shoulders. he wore a tight-fitting patterned shirt in pale brown, and over this a heavy green vest lined in white satin and embroidered in gold. it was bound with a woven cinch decorated with brocade. around his neck were two strings of pearls, the shorter suspending a large ruby from its center. he had put on heavy bracelets, and intricate rings circled the first and fourth fingers of both hands. hawksworth also noticed for the first time that he wore earrings, each a tiny green emerald. the eunuchs stood behind him, and around the sides of the room servants and slaves stood waiting. along a back wall two men sat silently poised, one behind a pair of small drums and the other holding an ornate stringed instrument, its polished body glistening in the light. the only women in the room mingled among the servers. "captain hawksworth, our fare tonight will be simple and unworthy, but please honor my table by your indulgence." mukarrab khan smiled warmly and motioned hawksworth to enter. "at least we can talk freely." "is this an official meeting?" hawksworth did not move, but stood as officiously as he could muster. "if you wish. our meeting can be considered formal, even if we are not." "then as ambassador of his majesty, king james of england, i must insist that you rise to receive me." hawksworth tried to suppress the feeling that he looked vaguely foolish as a barefoot ambassador. but no one else in the room wore shoes either. "a governor is still his king's subject. i represent my king's person." "i was not informed you were an ambassador." mukarrab khan's face sobered noticeably, but he did not move. "you are captain-general of two merchant vessels." "i'm here in the name of the king of england, with authority to speak for him in all matters regarding trade." hawksworth recalled the effect this had had on the shahbandar. "i'm entrusted with his personal letter to the moghul." mukarrab khan examined hawksworth for a long moment, seeming to collect and assemble a number of thoughts. "your request would be proper for an ambassador. let us say i comply in the interest of mutual good will." he rose and bowed formally, if only sightly, more a nod. "the governor of surat welcomes you, a representative of the english king." "and i convey my king's acknowledgement of your welcome." hawksworth entered and seated himself facing mukarrab khan, against a large velvet bolster already positioned for him. "and what is this letter your english king sends to his majesty?" mukarrab khan reclined back on his own bolster and arched his fingertips together. "that is a concern between king james and the moghul." hawksworth caught the quickly suppressed flash of anger in mukarrab khan's eyes. "i only ask that you petition the court in agra for permission to travel there. it would also be helpful if you would order the shahbandar to allow our merchants to trade their goods at the port of surat." "yes, i understand you had the pleasure of meeting our shahbandar. i regret deeply having to tell you i have virtually no influence over that notorious man. he was appointed by the moghul's son, prince jadar, who is in charge of administering this province. he acts very much as he pleases." lie number one, hawksworth thought: you forced him to order my transfer here. "surely you're aware," mukarrab khan continued evenly, "that no other europeans besides the portuguese have ever before landed cargo on the shores of india. arabs, persians, even turks are a common sight, but no other europeans. not even your dutch, who, i'm told, consort with some of our southeastern neighbors. in fact, the moghul's trade agreement with the portuguese is intended to exclude all other europeans." mukarrab khan stirred on his bolster and signaled one of the eunuchs to prepare the carpet for dining. "although frankly he has little choice, since they control the seas. in fact, it might be said that they allow our merchants to trade. indian cargo vessels must all acquire a license from portuguese officials in goa before leaving port." "the portugals control india's trade because you've allowed them to. your territorial waters belong to india, or should." mukarrab khan seemed to ignore hawksworth as he watched the servants spread a large covering of tooled leather across the carpet in front of them. after a moment his concentration reappeared, and he turned abruptly. "ambassador hawksworth, we do not need to be advised by you how india should manage her own affairs. but perhaps i will advise you that his excellency, the portuguese viceroy, has already sent notice by messenger that he intends to lodge charges of piracy against your two ships. he has requested that they be confiscated and that you, your merchants, and your crews be transferred to goa for trial." hawksworth's heart stopped and he examined mukarrab khan in dismay. so the _chaugan _match had merely been an excuse to take him into confinement. after a moment he stiffened and drew himself erect. "and i say the portugals were the ones acting as pirates. their attack on our english merchantmen was in violation of the treaty of peace that now exists between england and spain, and by extension to the craven portugals, who are now nothing more than a vassal of the spanish king." "yes, i've heard rumors of this treaty. we in india are not entirely ignorant of europe. but his excellency denies there's any such treaty extending to our shores. as i recall he characterized england as an island of stinking fishermen, who should remain content to fish their own sea." "the treaty between england and spain exists." hawksworth decided to ignore the insult. "we have exchanged ambassadors and it is honored by both our kings. it ended almost two decades of war." "i will grant you such a treaty may indeed exist. whether it applies here i do not know. nor, frankly, do i particularly care. what i do know, english ambassador, is that you are very far from the law courts of europe. the portuguese still control the seas off india, as they have done for a hundred years. and unenforceable treaties have little bearing on the rule of might." "we showed you the 'might' of the portugals yesterday." mukarrab khan laughed heartily, and when he glanced toward his eunuchs, they returned obsequious grins. "you are truly more naive than i ever imagined, english captain hawksworth. what effect can one small engagement have on the fleet of warships at goa? if you want protection at sea, you will have to provide it yourself. is that what your king hopes to gain from the moghul, or from me?" "i told you i have only two requests. one is your message to agra requesting permission for my journey. the other is your approval to trade the cargo we've brought." "yes, so you have said. unfortunately, what you ask may not be all that easy to grant. your unhappy engagement with the portuguese viceroy's fleet has made my situation more than a trifle awkward." he leaned back and spoke rapidly in persian to the eunuchs standing behind him. then he turned back to hawksworth. "but as one of our agra poets, a sufi rascal named samad, once penned, the thread of life is all too short; the soul tastes wine and passes on.' before we explore these tiresome concerns further, let us taste some wine." the eunuchs were already dictating orders to the servants. a silver chalice of fresh fruit appeared beside hawksworth, brimming with mangoes, oranges larger than he had ever before seen, slices of melon, and other unknown fruits of varied colors. a similar bowl was placed beside mukarrab khan, who seemed to ignore it. then as hawksworth watched, the servants began spreading a white linen cloth over the red leather coverlet that had been placed on the carpet in front of them. "a host is expected, ambassador, to apologize for the meal he offers. i will take the occasion to do that now." mukarrab khan flashed a sprightly smile. "but perhaps after your months at sea, you will be lenient. for my own part, i have fasted today, and there's an arab proverb that hunger is the best spice. still, i prefer leisurely gratification. i concur with our hindu sensualists that pleasure prolonged is pleasure enhanced. all pleasure. perhaps this evening you will see their wisdom." before hawksworth could respond, two heavy doors at the back of the room slowly opened, glinting the lamplight off their elaborate filigree of gold and bronze, and the first trays appeared, covered with silver lids and borne by young men from the kitchen. uniformed servants preceded them into the room. one by one the trays were passed to the eunuchs, who removed their lids and carefully inspected the contents of each dish. after a brief consultation, the eunuchs ordered several of the dishes returned to the kitchen. hawksworth suddenly realized he was ravenous, and he watched the departing dishes in dismay. did they somehow fail the eunuchs' exacting standards? sweet jesus, who cares? it all looks delicious. after final approval by the eunuchs, the silver serving bowls were passed to servants waiting along the sides of the room, who in turn arrayed them across the linen cloth between hawksworth and mukarrab khan. a chief server then knelt behind the dishes, while several stacks of porcelain plates were placed next to him. hawksworth tried to count the silver serving bowls, but stopped after twenty. one by one the server ceremoniously removed the silver lids from the bowls. beneath them the contents of the dishes had been arrayed in the colors of a rainbow. on beds of rice that ranged from white to saffron to green, and even purple, was an overwhelming array of meats, fish, and birds of all sizes. there were carved baked fruits; tiny balls of meat flaked with spice and coconut; fried vegetables surrounded by silver cups of a pastel green sauce; large flat fish encased in dark baking shells flecked with red and green spices; and a virtual aviary of wild fowl, from small game birds to plump pea hens. the server dished hearty helpings from each bowl onto separate porcelain plates, together with mounds of almond rice and jellied fruits. as he started to pass the first plate to hawksworth, mukarrab khan roughly arrested his hand. "this ill-bred kitchen _wallah_ will serve in the stables after tonight." he seized the serving spoons and, with a flourish of traditional moghul etiquette, personally laded extra portions from each of the dishes onto hawksworth's plates. the server beamed a knowing smile. hawksworth stared at the food for a moment, dazzled, and then he gingerly sampled a meatball. the taste was delicious, yet hardy, and he caught the musky flavor of lamb, lightened and transmuted by a bouquet of spice. he next pulled away the side of a fish and wolfed it, before realizing the red and green flecks on its surface were some incendiary garnish. he surveyed the room in agony, praying for a mug of ale, till an alert eunuch signaled a servant to pass a dish of yogurt. to his amazement, the tangy, ice cold liquid seemed to instantly dissolve the fire on his tongue. he plunged back into the dishes. he had never eaten like this before, even in england. he suddenly recalled with a smile an episode six months into the voyage. after zanzibar, when he had become so weary of stale salt pork and biscuit he thought he could not bear to see it again, he had locked the door of the great cabin and composed a full english banquet in his mind--roast capon, next a pigeon pie larded in bacon fat, then a dripping red side of roast mutton, followed by oysters on the shell spiced with grilled eel, and finally a thick goose pudding on honeyed ham. and to wash it down, a bottle of sack to begin and a sweet muscadel, mulled even sweeter with sugar, to end. but this! no luscious pork fat, and not nearly cloying enough for a true englishman. yet it worked poetry. symmes was right. this was heaven. with both hands he ripped the leg off a huge bird that had been basted to a glistening red and, to the visible horror of the server, dipped it directly into one of the silver bowls of saffron sauce meant for pigeon eggs. hawksworth looked up in time to catch the server's look. does he think i don't like the food? to demonstrate appreciation, he hoisted a goblet of wine to toast the server, while he stretched for a piece of lamb with his other hand. but instead of acknowledging the compliment, the server went pale. "it's customary, ambassador, to use only one's right hand when eating." mukarrab khan forced a polite smile. "the left is normally reserved for . . . attending to other functions." hawksworth then noticed how mukarrab khan was dining. he, too, ate with his fingers, just as you would in england, but somehow he managed to lift his food gracefully with balls of rice, the sauce never soiling his fingertips. a breeze lightly touched hawksworth's cheek, and he turned to see a servant standing behind him, banishing the occasional fly with a large whisk fashioned from stiff horsehair attached to a long stick. another servant stood opposite, politely but unnecessarily cooling him with a large fan made of red leather stretched over a frame. "as i said, ambassador, your requests present a number of difficulties." mukarrab khan looked up and took a goblet of fruit nectar from a waiting servant. "you ask certain things from me, things not entirely in my power to grant, while there are others who make entirely different requests." "you mean the portugals." "yes, the portuguese viceroy, who maintains you have acted illegally, in violation of his law and ours, and should be brought to account." "and i accuse them of acting illegally. as i told you, there's been a spanish ambassador in london ever since the war ended, and when we return i assure you the east india company will . . ." "this is india, captain hawksworth, not london. please understand i must consider portuguese demands. but we are pragmatic. i urge you to tell me a bit more about your king's intentions. your king's letter. surely you must know what it contains." mukarrab khan paused to dip a fried mango into a shimmering orange sauce, asking himself what he should do. he had, of course, posted pigeons to agra at sunrise, but he suspected already what the reply would be. he had received a full account of the battle, and the attack on the river, before the early, pre-sun ramadan meal. and it was only shortly afterward that father manoel pinheiro had appeared, frantic and bathed in sweat. was it a sign of portuguese contempt, he often wondered, that they would assign such an incompetent to india? throughout their entire society of jesus, could there possibly be any priest more ill-bred? the jesuit had repeated facts already known throughout the palace, and mukarrab khan had listened politely, masking his amusement. how often did a smug portuguese find himself explaining a naval disaster? four portuguese warships, galleons with two gundecks, humiliated by two small english frigates. how, mukarrab khan had wondered aloud, could this have happened? "there were reasons, excellency. we have learned the english captain fired langrel into our infantry, shredded metal, a most flagrant violation of the unwritten ethics of warfare." "are there really supposed to be ethics in warfare? then i suppose you should have sent only two of your warships against him. instead you sent four, and still he prevailed. today he has no need for excuses. and tell me again what happened when your infantry assaulted the english traders on the river?" mukarrab khan had monitored the jesuit's eyes in secret glee, watching him mentally writhe in humiliation. "am i to understand you could not even capture a pinnace?" "no one knows, excellency. the men sent apparently disappeared without a trace. perhaps the english had set a trap." father pinheiro had swabbed his greasy brow with the sleeve of his cassock. his dark eyes showed none of the haughty disdain he usually brought to their meetings. "i would ask you not to speak of it outside the palace. it was, after all, a special mission." "you would prefer the court in agra not know?" "there is no reason to trouble the moghul, excellency." the jesuit paused carefully. "or her majesty, the queen. this really concerns the viceroy alone." the jesuit's persian was grammatically flawless, if heavily accented, and he awkwardly tried to leaven it with the polite complexities he had been taught in goa. "still less is there any need for prince jadar to know." "as you wish." mukarrab khan had nodded gravely, knowing the news had already reached half of india, and most certainly prince jadar. "how, then, may i assist?" "the english pirate and his merchants must be delayed here at least four weeks. until the fleet of galleons now unlading in goa, those of the spring voyage just arrived from lisbon, can be outfitted to meet him." "but surely he and his merchants will sail when they choose. and sooner if we deny them trade. do you suggest that i approve this trade?" "you must act as you see fit, excellency. you know the viceroy has always been of service to queen janahara." pinheiro had paused slyly. "just as you have been." the cynicism of pinheiro's flaunting his knowledge had galled mukarrab khan most of all. if this jesuit knew, who else must know? that the governor of surat was bound inescapably to the queen. that on any matter involving portuguese trade he must always send a formal message to the moghul and a secret one to the queen, and then wait while she dictated the ruling arangbar would give. did this jesuit know also why mukarrab khan had been exiled from agra? to the wilderness of provincial surat? that it was on orders of the queen, to marry and take with him a woman becoming dangerous, the _zenana _favorite of the moghul, before the woman's influence outweighed that even of janahara. and now this female viper was in his palace forever, could not be removed or divorced, because she was still a favorite of the moghul's. "so you tell me i must make them rich before you can destroy them. that seems to be christian wisdom at its most incisive." mukarrab khan had summoned a tray of rolled betel leaves, signifying that the interview was ended. "it is always a pleasure to see you, father. you will have my reply when allah wills." the jesuit had departed as awkwardly as he had come, and it was then that mukarrab khan decided to meet the englishman for himself. while there was still time. how long, he wondered, before the shahbandar realized the obvious? and the prince?" in the banquet room the air was now dense with the aroma of spice. hawksworth realized he had so gorged he could scarcely breathe. and he was having increasing difficulty deflecting mukarrab khan's probing questions. the governor was skillfully angling for information he properly did not need, and he did not seem a man given to aimless curiosity. "what do you mean when you ask about the 'intentions' of england?" "if the moghul should approve a trade agreement with your east india company, what volume of goods would you bring through our port here in surat?" mukarrab khan smiled disarmingly. "is the company's fleet extensive?" "that's a matter better addressed to the merchants of the company." hawksworth monitored mukarrab khan's expression, searching for a clue to his thoughts. "right now the company merely wishes to trade the goods in our two merchantmen. english wool for indian cotton." "yes, i am aware that was the first of your two requests." mukarrab khan motioned away the silver trays. "incidentally, i hope you are fond of lamb." the bronzed doors opened again and a single large tray was borne in by the dark-skinned, unsmiling servants. it supported a huge cooking vessel, still steaming from the oven. the lid was decorated with lifelike silver castings of various birds and animals. after two eunuchs examined it, the servants delivered it to the center of the linen serving cloth. "tonight to signify the end of ramadan i instructed my cooks to prepare my special biryani. i hope you will not be disappointed. my kitchen here is scandalous by agra standards, but i've succeeded in teaching them a few things." the lid was lifted from the pot and a bouquet of saffron burst over the room. inside, covering a flawless white crust, was a second menagerie of birds and animals, wrought from silver the thinness of paper. the server spooned impossible portions from the pot onto silver plates, one for hawksworth and one for mukarrab khan. the silver-foil menagerie was distributed around the sides of each plate. "actually i once bribed a cook in the moghul's own kitchen to give me this recipe. you will taste nothing like it here in surat." hawksworth watched as he assembled a ball of the rice-and-meat melange with his fingers and reverently popped it into his mouth. "please try it, ambassador. i think you'll find it remarkable. it requires the preparation of two sauces, and seems to occupy half my incompetent kitchen staff." the governor smiled appreciatively. hawksworth watched dumbfounded as he next chewed up and swallowed one of the silver-foil animals. hawksworth tried to construct a ball of the mixture but finally despaired and simply scooped up a handful. it was rich but light, and seemed to hint of every spice in the indies. "there are times," mukarrab khan continued, "when i positively yearn for the so-called deprivation of ramadan. when the appetite is whetted day long, the nightly indulgence is all the more gratifying." hawksworth took another mouthful of the savory mixture. after the many long months of salt meat and biscuit, he found his taste confused and overwhelmed by its complexity. its spices were all assertive, yet he could not specifically identify a single one. they had been blended, it seemed, to enhance one another, to create a pattern from many parts, much as the marble inlays of the floor, in which there were many colors, yet the overall effect was that of a single design, not its components. "i've never tasted anything quite like this, even in the levant. could you prepare instructions for our ship's cook?" "it would be my pleasure, ambassador, but i doubt very much a _feringhi_ cook could reproduce this dish. it's far too complex. first my kitchen prepares a masala, a blend of nuts and spices such as almonds, turmeric, and ginger. the bits of lamb are cooked in this and in ghee, which we make by boiling and clarifying butter. next a second sauce is prepared, this a lighter mixture--curds seasoned with mint, clove, and many other spices i'm sure you know nothing of. this is blended with the lamb, and then layered in the pot you see there together with rice cooked in milk and saffron. finally it's covered with a crust of wheat flour and baked in a special clay oven. is this really something a ship's cook could do?" hawksworth smiled resignedly and took another mouthful. whoever thought there could be so many uses for spice. we use spice in england, to be sure--clove, cinnamon, pepper, even ginger and cardamom-- but they're intended mainly to disguise the taste of meat past its prime. but here spices are essential ingredients. "let us return to your requests, captain hawksworth. i'm afraid neither of these is entirely within my power to bestow. in the matter of trading privileges for your cargo, i'll see what can be done. yours is an unusual request, in the sense that no europeans have ever come here to war with the portuguese, then asked to compete with them in trade." "it seems simple enough. we merely exchange our goods for some of the cotton cloth i saw arriving at the customs house this morning. the shahbandar stated you have the power to authorize this trade." "yes, i enjoy some modest influence. and i really don't expect that prince jadar would object." "he's the moghul's son?" "correct. he has full authority over this province, but he's frequently on campaign and difficult to reach. his other duties include responsibility for military conscription here, and maintaining order. these are somewhat uneasy times, especially in the deccan, southeast of here." "when will we learn your decision, or his decision? there are other markets for our goods." "you will learn his decision when it is decided." mukarrab khan shoved aside his plate and a servant whisked it from the carpet. "concerning your second request, that i petition agra to authorize your travel there, i will see what can be done. but it will require time." "i would ask the request be sent immediately." "naturally." mukarrab khan watched absently as more brimming trays were brought in, these piled with candied fruits and sweetmeats. a hookah water pipe appeared and was placed beside hawksworth. "do you enjoy the new _feringhi _custom of smoking tobacco, captain hawksworth? it was introduced recently, and already it's become fashionable. so much so the moghul just issued a decree denouncing it." "king james has denounced it too, claiming it destroys health. but it's also the fashion in london. personally, i think it ruins the taste of brandy, and wine." "overall i'm inclined to agree. but tell me now, what's your opinion of the wine you're drinking? it's persian." "better than the french. though frankly it could be sweeter." mukarrab khan laughed. "a common complaint from _topiwallahs_. some actually add sugar to our wine. abominable." he paused. "so i gather then you only use spirits?" "what do you mean?" "there are many subtle pleasures in the world, ambassador. liquors admittedly enhance one's dining, but they do little for one's appreciation of art." as hawksworth watched him, puzzling, he turned and spoke quietly to one of the eunuchs hovering behind him. moments later a small golden cabinet, encrusted with jewels, was placed between them. mukarrab khan opened a tiny drawer on the side of the box and extraced a small brown ball. "may i suggest a ball of _ghola_? he offered it to hawksworth. it carried a strange, alien fragrance. "what's _ghola_?" "a preparation of opium and spice, ambassador. i think it might help you better experience this evening's entertainment." he nodded lightly in the direction of the rear wall. the snap of a drum exploded behind hawksworth, and he whirled to see the two musicians begin tuning to perform. the drummer sat before two foot-high drums, each nestled in a circular roll of fabric. next to him was a wizened old man in a black muslim skullcap tuning a large six- stringed instrument made of two hollowed-out gourds, both lacquered and polished, connected by a long teakwood fingerboard. about a dozen curved brass frets were tied to the fingerboard with silk cords, and as hawksworth watched, the player began shifting the location of two frets, sliding them an inch or so along the neck to create a new musical scale. then he began adjusting the tension on a row of fine wires that lay directly against the teakwood fingerboard, sympathetic strings that passed beneath those to be plucked. these he seemed to be tuning to match the notes in the new scale he had created by moving the frets. when the sitarist had completed his tuning, he settled back and the room fell totally silent. he paused a moment, as though in meditation, then struck the first note of a somber melody hawksworth at first found almost totally rootless. using a wire plectrum attached to his right forefinger, he seemed to be waving sounds from the air above the fingerboard. a note would shimmer into existence from some undefined starting point, then glide through the scale via a subtle arabesque as he stretched the playing string diagonally against a fret, manipulating its tension. finally the sound would dissolve meltingly into its own silence. each note of the alien melody, if melody it could be called, was first lovingly explored for its own character, approached from both above and below as though a glistening prize on display. only after the note was suitably embroidered was it allowed to enter the melody--as though the song were a necklace that had to be strung one pearl at a time, and only after each pearl had been carefully polished. the tension of some vague melodic quest began to grow, with no hint of a resolution. in the emotional intensity of his haunting search, the passage of time had suddenly ceased to exist. finally, as though satisifed with his chosen scale, he returned to the very first note he had started from and actually began a song, deftly tying together the musical strands he had so painstakingly evolved. the sought-for resolution had never come, only the sense that the first note was the one he had been looking for the entire time. this must be the mystical music symmes spoke of, hawksworth thought, and he was right. it's unlike anything i've ever heard. where's the harmony, the chords of thirds and fifths? whatever's going on, i don't think opium is going to help me understand it. hawksworth turned, still puzzling, back to mukarrab khan and waved away the brown ball--which the governor immediately washed down himself with fruit nectar. "is our music a bit difficult for you to grasp, ambassador?" mukarrab khan leaned back on his bolster with an easy smile. "pity, for there's truly little else in this backwater port worth the bother. the cuisine is abominable, the classical dancers despicable. in desperation i've even had to train my own musicians, although i did manage to steal one ustad, a grand master, away from agra." he impulsively reached for the water pipe and absorbed a deep draw, his eyes misting. "i confess i do find it hard to follow." hawksworth took a draft of wine from the fresh cup that had been placed beside him on the carpet. "it demands a connoisseur's taste, ambassador, not unlike an appreciation of fine wine." the room grew ominously still for a moment, and then the drums suddenly exploded in a torrent of rhythm, wild and exciting yet unmistakably disciplined by some rigorous underlying structure. the rhythm soared in a cycle, returning again and again, after each elaborate interlocking of time and its divisions, back to a forceful crescendo. hawksworth watched mukarrab khan in fascination as he leaned back and closed his eyes in wistful anticipation. and at that moment the instrumentalist began a lightning-fast ascent of the scale, quavering each note in erotic suggestiveness for the fraction of a second it was fingered. the governor seemed absorbed in some intuitive communication with the sound, a reaction to music hawksworth had never before witnessed. his entire body would perceptibly tense as the drummer began a cycle, then it would pulse and relax the instant the cycle thudded to a resolution. hawksworth was struck by the sensuality inherent in the music, the almost sexual sense of tension and release. then he noticed two eunuchs leading a young boy into the room. the youth appeared to be hovering at the age of puberty, with still no trace of a beard. he wore a small but elaborately tied pastel turban, pearl earrings, and a large sapphire on a chain around his pale throat. his elaborate ensemble included a transparent blouse through which his delicate skin glistened in the lamplight, a long quilted sash at his waist, and tight-fitting trousers beneath light gauze pajamas that clung to his thighs as he moved. his lips were lightly red, and his perfume a mixture of flowers and musk. the boy reached for a ball of spiced opium and settled back against a quilted gold bolster next to mukarrab khan. the governor studied him momentarily and then returned to the music. and his thoughts. he reflected again on abul hasan's blundering "accident" on the _chaugan_ field, and what it must signify. if it were true the _qazi_ had been bought by the shahbandar, as some whispered, then it meant mirza nuruddin must be alarmed to the point of imprudence. fearful of what could happen if the english were detained long enough for the portuguese warships to prepare. which meant that somewhere behind it all lay the hand of prince jadar. he examined hawksworth again, wondering how this english captain could have savaged the viceroy's fleet with such embarrassing ease. what, he asked himself again, will the queen order done? "i'm sorry you don't find our music more congenial. ambassador. perhaps i too would be wiser if i loved it less. the passion for classical music has cost many a great warrior his kingdom in india over the last centuries. for example, when the great moghul patriarch akman conquered baz bahadur, once the proud ruler of malwa, it was because that prince was a better patron of music than of the arts of war." he smiled reflectively. "admittedly, the great akman himself also flooded his court with musicians, but then he had the wit to study arms as well. regrettably, i find myself lacking his strength of character." he paused to take a sip of nectar, then shrugged. "but enough. tell me now what you really think of my ustad, my master sitarist. there are those in agra who will never forgive me for stealing him away." "i'm not sure what i think. i've never heard a composition quite like the one he's playing." "what do you mean by 'composition'?" mukarrab khan's tone was puzzled. "that's how a piece of music is written out." mukarrab khan paused and examined him skeptically for a long moment. "written out? you write down your music? but whatever for? does that mean your musicians play the same song again and again, precisely the same way?" "if they're good they do. a composer writes a piece of music and musicians try to play it." "how utterly tiresome." mukarrab khan sighed and leaned back on his bolster. "music is a living art, ambassador. it's meant to illuminate the emotions of the one who gives it life. how can written music have any feeling? my ustad would never play a raga the same way twice. indeed, i doubt he would be physically capable of such a boorish feat." "you mean he creates a new composition each time he plays?" "not precisely. but his handling of the specific notes of a raga must speak to his mood, mv mood. these vary, why not his art?" "but what is a raga then, if not a song?" "that's always difficult to explain. at some rudimentary level you might say it's simply a melody form, a fixed series of notes around which a musician improvises. but although a raga has a rigorously prescribed ascending and descending note sequence and specific melodic motifs, it also has its own mood, 'flavor.' what we call its _rasa_. how could one possibly write down a mood?" "i guess i see your point. but it's still confusing." hawksworth took another sip of wine. "how many ragas are there?" "there are seventy-two primary scales on which ragas are based. but some scales have more than one raga. there are ragas for morning, for evening, for late at night. my ustad is playing a late evening raga now. although he uses only the notes and motifs peculiar to this raga, what he does with them is entirely governed by his feeling tonight." "but why is there no harmony?" "i don't understand what you mean by 'harmony.'" "striking several notes together, so they blend to produce a chord." mukarrab khan studied him, uncomprehending, and hawksworth continued. "if i had my lute i'd show you how harmony and chords are used in an english song." hawksworth thought again of his instrument, and of the difficulty he'd had protecting it during the voyage. he knew all along it was foolish to bring it, but he often told himself every man had the right to one folly. "then by all means." the governor's curiosity seemed to arouse him instantly from the opium. "would you believe i've never met a _feringhi_ who could play an instrument, any instrument?" "but my lute was detained, along with all my belongings, at the customs house. i was going to retrieve my chest from the shahbandar when you intercepted his men." "ambassador, please believe i had good reason. but i thought i told you arrangements have been made." he turned and dictated rapidly to one of the eunuchs. there was an expressionless bow, and the man left the room. moments later he returned through the bronze entry doors, followed by two dark-skinned servants carrying hawksworth's chest, one at each end. "i ordered your belongings sent from the customs house this afternoon. you would honor me by staying here as my guest." mukarrab khan smiled warmly. "and now i would hear you play this english instrument." hawksworth was momentarily startled, wondering why his safety was suddenly of such great interest to mukarrab khan. but he pushed aside the question and turned to examine the large brass lock on his chest. although it had been newly polished to a high sheen, as had the entire chest, there was no visible evidence it had been opened. he extracted the key from his doublet, slipped it into the lock, and turned it twice. it revolved smoothly, opening with a soft click. the lute rested precisely where he had left it. its body was shaped like a huge pear cut in half lengthwise, with the back a glistening melon of curved cedar staves and the face a polished cherry. the neck was broad, and the head, where the strings were wound to their pegs, angled sharply back. he admired it for a moment, already eager for the touch of its dark frets. during the voyage it had been wrapped in heavy cloth, sealed in oilskins, and stored deep in his cabin chest. not till landfall at zanzibar had he dared expose it to the sea air. of all english music, he still loved the galliards of dowland best. he was only a boy when dowland's first book of galliards was published, but he had been made to learn them all by heart, because his exacting tutor had despised popular ballads and street songs. mukarrab khan called for the instrument and slowly turned it in the lamplight, its polished cedar shining like a great jewel. he then passed it to his two musicians, and a brief discussion in persian ensued, as brows were wrinkled and grave points adjudicated. after its appearance was agreed upon, the instrumentalist gingerly plucked a gut string with the wire plectrum attached to his forefinger and studied its sound with a distant expression. the torrent of persian began anew, as each string was plucked in turn and its particular quality debated. then the governor revolved to hawksworth. "i congratulate your wisdom, ambassador, in not hazarding a truly fine instrument on a sea voyage. it would have been a waste of real workmanship." hawksworth stared at him dumbfounded. "there's not a finer lute in london." he seized it back. "i had it specially crafted several years ago by a master, a man once lute-maker to the queen. it's one of the last he made." "you must pardon me then, but why no embellishment? no ivory inlay, no carved decoration? compare, if you will, ustad qasim's sitar. it's a work of fine art. a full year was spent on its decoration. note the head has been carved as the body of a swan, the neck and pegs inlaid with finest ivory, the face decorated with mother-of-pearl and _lapis lazuli_. your lute has absolutely no decoration whatsoever." "the beauty of an instrument is in its tone." "yes, that's a separate point. but perhaps we should hear it played by one skilled in its use. i must confess we are all curious what can be done with so simple an instrument." mukarrab khan shifted on his bolster, while the young man next to him toyed with a jewel, not troubling to disguise his boredom. hawksworth tuned the strings quickly and meticulously. then he settled himself on the carpet and took a deep breath. his fingers were stiff, his mind groggy with wine, but he would play a song he knew well. a galliard dowland had written when queen elizabeth was still alive, in honor of a cornwall sea captain named piper, whom she'd given a letter of marque to attack the spanish, but who instead turned an uncontrollable pirate, pillaging the shipping of any flag convenient. he'd become an official outlaw but a genuine english folk hero, and dowland had honored his memory with a rousing composition--"piper's galliard." a full chord, followed by a run of crisp notes, cut the close air. the theme was somber, a plaintive query in a minor mode followed by a melodic but defiant reply. just the answer piper would have given to the charges, hawksworth thought. the servants had all gathered to listen, and the eunuchs had stopped gossiping. then hawksworth glanced toward the musicians, who had shifted themselves onto the carpet to watch. both the sitarist and his drummer still eyed the instrument skeptically, no hint of appreciation in their look. hawksworth had expected it. wait till they hear this. he crouched over the lute and attacked the strings with all four fingers, producing a dense toccata, with three melodic lines advancing at once, two in the treble and one in the base. his hand flew over the frets until it seemed every fingertip commanded a string, each embellishing a theme another had begun. then he brought the galliard to a rousing crescendo with a flourish that spanned two entire octaves. a polite silence seemed to grip the room. mukarrab khan sipped thoughtfully from his cup for a moment, his jeweled rings refracting the lamplight, then summoned a eunuch and whispered briefly in his ear. as the eunuch passed the order to a hovering servant, mukarrab khan turned to hawksworth. "your english music is interesting, ambassador, if somewhat simple." he cleared his throat as an excuse to pause. "but frankly i must tell you it touched only my mind. not my heart. although i heard it, i did not feel it. do you understand the difference? i sensed nothing of its rasa, the emotion and desire one should taste at a moment like this, the merging of sound and spirit. your english music seems to stand aloof, unapproachable." mukarrab khan searched for words. "it inhabits its own world admirably, but it did not enter mine." servants suddenly appeared bearing two silver trays, on which were crystal cups of green, frothy liquid. as the servant placed hawksworth's tray on the patterned carpet, he bowed, beaming. mukarrab khan ignored his own tray and instead summoned the sitarist, bahram qasim, to whisper brief instructions in his ear. then the governor turned to hawksworth. "perhaps i can show you what i mean. this may be difficult for you, so first i would urge you try a cup of _bhang_. it has the remarkable effect of opening one's heart." hawksworth tested the beverage warily. its underlying bitterness had been obscured with sweet yogurt and potent spices. it was actually very palatable. he drank again, this time thirstily. "what did you call this? _bhang?" _"yes, it's made from the leaves of hemp. unlike wine, which only dulls the spirit, _bhang _hones the senses. now i've arranged a demonstration for you." he signaled the sitarist, and bahram qasim began the unmistakable theme of "piper's galliard." the song was drawn out slowly, languorously, as each individual note was introduced, lovingly explored for its own pure sound, and then framed with microtone embellishment and a sensual vibrato. the clear, simple notes of the lute were transmuted into an almost orchestral richness by an undertone of harmonic density from the sitar's sympathetic strings, the second row of wires beneath those being plucked, tuned to match the notes of the song and respond without being touched. dowland's harmonies were absent, but now the entire room resonated with a single majestic chord underlying each note. gradually the sitarist accelerated the tempo, while also beginning to insert his own melodic variations over the original notes of the theme. hawksworth took another sip of _bhang _and suddenly noticed the notes seemed to be weaving a tapestry in his mind, evolving an elaborate pattern that enveloped the room with shapes as colored as the geometries of the persian carpet. next the drummer casually introduced a rhythmic underpinning, his lithe fingers touring easily over and around the taut drumheads as he dissected, then restructured the simple meter of dowland's music. he seemed to regard the original meter as merely a frame, a skeleton on which the real artistry had yet to be applied. he knowingly subdivided dowland's meter into minuscule elements of time, and with these devised elaborate new interlockings of sound and silence. yet each new structure always _resolve_d to its perfect culmination at the close of a musical phrase. then as he punctuated his transient edifice with a thud of the larger drum--much as an artist might sign a painting with an elaborate flourish--he would catch hawksworth's incredulous gaze and wink, his eyes twinkling in triumph. meanwhile, the sitarist structured dowland's spirited theme to the drummer's frame, adding microtones dowland had never imagined, and matching the ornate tempo of the drum as they blended together to become a single racing heartbeat. hawksworth realized suddenly that he was no longer merely hearing the music, that instead he seemed to be absorbing it. how curious . . . the music soared on to a final crescendo, a simultaneous climax of sitar and drum, and then the english song seemed to dissolve slowly into the incense around them. after only a moment's pause, the musicians immediately took up a sensuous late evening raga. hawksworth looked about and noticed for the first time that the lamps in the room had been lowered, settling a semi- darkness about the musicians and the moving figures around him. he felt for his glass of _bhang_ and saw that it was dry, and that another had been placed beside it. he drank again to clear his mind. what's going on? damned if i'll stay here. my god, it's impossible to think. i'm tired. no, not tired. it's just . . . just that my mind is . . . like i'd swilled a cask of ale. but i'm still in perfect control. and where's mukarrab khan? now there are screens where he was sitting. covered with peacocks that strut obscenely from one screen to the other. and the eunuchs are all watching. bastards. i'll take back my sword. jesus, where is it? i've never felt so adrift. but i'm not staying. i'll take the chest and damn his eunuchs. and his guards. he can't hold me here. not even on charges. there are no charges. i'm leaving. i'll find the men . . . he pulled himself defiantly to his feet. and collapsed. chapter eight the dream was more vivid than reality, intensely colored and astir with vague forms that drifted through his mind's ken, appearing then fading. the room seemed airless, a musk-filled cell of gilded blue panels and gold brocade. guarded faces hovered around and above, their eyes intense yet unseeing, distant as stained-glass masks of cathedral sinner and saint. a fingertip brushed his cheek, and with its touch the room gloried in a powerful fragrance of saffron. then a hand, floating unattached, gently removed his doublet; another slid away his mud-smeared breeches. he was naked. he looked down as though from afar at the texture of chest and thigh, and he wondered dimly if they were his own. then other hands . . . and suddenly he was immersed in a sea whose shores were white marble, whose surface sheened with oil of the rose. translucent petals drifted randomly atop the crests. hands toured his frame, discovering every tightened nerve, while powdered sandalwood enveloped his hair and beard until he seemed lost in a fragrant forest. as suddenly as the sea had come it drew away, but now there were steaming wraps tingling with astringent orange and clove, and he drifted through a land of aloe balm and amber. the room dissolved into semi-darkness, until at last only a single face remained, a woman with eyes round and moist and coldly dark. her lips were the deep red of betel, while her hair was coal and braided in a skein of jeweled tresses. a faceted stone sparkled on her left nostril, and heavy gold rings swung gently from each ear. henna-red nipples pressed erect against her diaphanous blouse, and between her breasts clung a garland of pearls. the heavy bracelets on her wrists and her upper arms glistened gold in the flickering candlelight. as he studied her eyes, they seemed locked into his own, and betrayed no notice of his body. he sent his voice through the dream's carpeted chambers, but his words were swallowed in dark air that drew out their sound and washed it to thin silence. in a final, awkward futility he struggled to free himself from the velvet bolster. but gently she pressed him back. "what would you have, my love? sweet _bhang _from my hand?" a cup found his lips, and before he knew he had taken more of the incendiary green confection. its warmth grew slowly into a pale light that shimmered off the gilded panels and then coalesced into the rainbow now pivoting pendulum-like above him, a glistening fan of peacock feathers swayed by a faceless, amber-skinned woman. his gaze returned to the eyes, and again he searched for sound. then came a voice he recognized as his own. "who are you?" "you may call me kali. others do. it's a name you would not understand. but can you understand that love is surrender?" the words coiled about his head, coruscating and empty of meaning. he shook them away and watched as she brushed a strand of hair from his face. with that simple motion, her nipples traced twin heliotrope arcs across the gossamer screen of her blouse. he examined her in disbelief, unable to find words. "when my lover lies silent, i do as i choose." deftly she uncoiled the white silk sash from around her waist and in a single practiced motion bound it over his eyes. the room vanished. in the dream's sudden night he grew intensely aware of touch and smell. commands came in an alien tongue, and he felt his breast and thighs brushed lightly by a new, pungent fragrance. "we have cloaked you in petals of spikenard, to banish the sight of your unshaven body. a _feringhi _knows so little of what pleases a woman." he felt a light brush across his parted lips, and then her eyelashes, stiffened dark with antimony, trilled a path downward over his skin, to his nipples. the hardened lashes stroked each nipple in turn with rapid flutters, until the skin tightened almost to bursting. an excruciating sensitivity burned through him, but still the lashes fluttered, determinedly, almost unendurably, until his aroused tips touched the aching portals of pain. then he sensed a tongue circle each nipple in turn, searching out the one most ripe. he felt her kneel above him, surrounding him with open thighs that clasped his chest. the room fell expectantly silent. then, as an unknown syllable sounded somewhere above him, he felt the nipple of his right breast seized in the lock of a warm, moist grasp. the surrounding thighs rocked gently at first, but slowly increased their rhythm in time with the sound of breath. suddenly he felt her body twist lightly and another tip, hardened as that on his chest, began to trace the nipple's swollen point. her thighs were smooth and moist as she pressed in with spiraling, ever more rapid intensity. he found himself deeply conscious of her rhythms and the hard cadence of breath. he reached for the strength to rip the silk from his eyes, to end the dream's tantalizing dark. but strength was not there. or time. before he could stir, he sensed the hardened tip shudder. again a grasp took his nipple and worked it with measured spasms, until the room's austere silence was cut by her sharp intake of breath, timed to match a single insistent contraction that seemed to envelope the whole of his breast. he felt her seize his hands in her own, and although he could see nothing, in his mind there grew a vision of her eyes at that moment. then there came a sound, partially stifled in her throat, but not before it had found the gilded walls and returned, annealed to a glassy relic of release. he felt her slowly withdraw, but then her mouth took his breast, till it had drawn away the musk. at last, perhaps to signify repletion, she lightly brushed his lips with the tip of her tongue. "you have pleased me." her voice was quiet now, almost a whisper. "now we will please each other." a hand worked at his loins, methodically applying a viscous, harshly scented oil. "would you could see with my eyes. the _lingam _of the fabled shiva was never garlanded such as this, or anointed so lovingly." then her voice turned harsh as she spoke short staccato commands in an unknown tongue. bangles sounded and silk rustled as the room emptied. now he caught a new scent, the harsh smell he remembered from the box the governor had offered. "i will tell you my secret." she whispered close to his ear. "there is no more exciting way to experience the ecstasy of love than with _affion_, the essence of the poppy. but i have a way to receive it no one else knows. it is like the burst of a lightning stroke. its power envelopes the senses." he felt her smooth a thick paste along the sides of his phallus, and sensed a tingle as she clasped it carefully with both hands. again she moved above him, but curiously there was no touch of her body. only the presence of her scent. a tight ring seemed to circle his flesh, and he felt the weight of her rounded buttocks slide down onto his thighs. he startled upward in shock and disbelief. never will i . . . "you must lie still, my love. in your surrender, only i may have my will." she began at once to move above his thighs, and again muted sounds struggled stillborn in her throat. with deliberate regularity her rhythm mounted, while an overwhelming sensation spread upward through his body. slowly he felt his new _resolve_ slipping from him. the convulsions started in his lower thighs, as muscles tightened involuntarily. and then the precipice grew near and he was at its edge and he was falling. he felt the surge, as though drawn out by the twist of her buttocks. then again and again, each spasm matched by her own as she worked to envelop him completely. he was scarcely aware of her nails fixed in his breasts. at that instant he seemed to drift apart from his body and observe mutely as it was consumed by its own sensations. until numbness washed over him, stilling his sense. as he lay in exhaustion his mind sorted through her words, and in the dream's darkness he vowed to take her again. the next time, it's you who'll surrender, woman called kali. to my will. and you'll find out the meaning of surrender. but his thoughts were lost among the gilded panels as she pulled the silk from his eyes and quietly whispered something he did not understand. in that instant he thought he saw where a tear had stained a path across one cheek. she looked at him longingly, then touched his lips with her own for a long moment before slipping quietly into the dark. the dream dissolved in sleep. and she was gone. . . . hawksworth was suddenly awake. the chill of early dawn penetrated his face and hands, and his hair sparkled with light jewels of dew. his leather couch was moist and glistening, while the pale sky above was blocked by a tapestried canopy. only in the east, above the white railing of the rooftop, could he see the glitter of a waning venus, her brief reign soon to dissolve in the red wash of early sun. he looked about his white brick enclosure and saw only a light wooden door leading into a second-floor apartment. he had no sooner drawn himself up to inhale the flower- scented dawn than two smiling men were standing over him, bowing. both wore turbans, pastel-colored jackets, and a white wrap about their lower torso. squinting into their eyes, hawksworth remembered them from the evening before. they had brought the basin of water in which he had first washed. as he pulled the embroidered coverlet closer about him he noticed a strange numbness in his body. and his mind ached as he tried to remember what precisely had happened. there was a game on horseback with the governor, and then a banquet, with an argument in which mukarrab khan threatened to betray us to the portugals, a curious evening of music. and then dreams . . . pulling himself up off the couch, he started unsteadily across the hard flat tile of the roof. immediately a servant was beside him, producing a heavy silk wrap and swathing it around his shoulders and waist. then the man bowed again and spoke in accented turki. "may allah prosper you today, sahib. may your fortunes answer the prayers of the poor." the man's expression softened to match his own compliment. "should it please the sahib, his morning bath is waiting." without thinking, without even hearing the words, he allowed himself to be led through the doorway into the second-floor apartment. there, in the center of the room, was his chest, its lock intact. he examined it with a quick glance, then followed the servants down a set of stone stairs to the ground-floor veranda--where a steaming marble tub waited. good jesus, not again! how can i make them understand? bathing weakens a man. he started to turn, but suddenly two eunuchs appeared out of nowhere and were guiding him up the two marble steps to a stone platform, where they seated him on a filigreed wooden stool. silently the servants stripped away his light wrap and began to knead his body and his hair with a fragrant powder, a blend of wood bark and some astringent fruit. the scent was mild, pleasant, and as their hands traveled over him he felt the pores of his skin open to divulge their residual rankness. this is better, he thought. cleaning without water. with only some sort of powder. i feel refreshed already. his muscles loosened as the men vigorously worked the mixture into his skin and then carefully cleansed it away with bulky cotton towels. next they turned to his hair, combing and massaging more of the powder through it strand by strand. at last they signaled for him to rise and enter the tub. its surface glistened with a perfumed oil, and the rising steam smelled faintly of clove. before he could protest, the eunuchs guided him down the marble steps. as he settled into the steam again he was surrounded by waiting servants, who sprinkled more oil over the water and massaged the emulsion into his hair and skin. i'm being bathed in oil, he smiled, marveling. it's absurd, yet here it seems perfectly right. the men worked devotedly, as though he were an inanimate utensil whose purity was their lifelong obligation. his body now glistened with a reddish tint of the oil, matching the early glow of the sun that penetrated the half- shuttered windows. as they motioned for him to leave the bath, he discovered to his amazement that he would have been perfectly content to stay. forever. but again hands were there, guiding him, this time toward a low wooden bench covered with thick woven tapestries. what now? what else can they do? i'm cleaner than the day i was born. what more . . . he was prostrate on the couch. a rough haircloth worked against his legs and torso, sending the blood surging. at the same time, a piece of porous sandstone in the practiced hands of another servant stripped away the loosened calluses and scales from his boot-roughened feet. a third man massaged still more perfumed oil, hinting of aloe and orange, into his back and along his sides and shoulders. his body had become an invigorated, pliant reed. they motioned for him to sit up and, as he watched, one of the men produced a mirror and razor. next he opened a bottle of fragrant liquid and began to apply it to hawksworth's beard and chest. and then also to his legs and crotch. "what's the purpose of that razor?" "we have orders to shave you, sahib, in our manner." the turbaned man who had greeted him that morning bowed slightly as he signaled the barber to begin. "you are to be shaved completely, as is our custom." "trim my beard if you like. but no more. damn you if you'll shave me like some catamite." hawksworth started to rise from his stool, but the barber was already over him, the blade flying across his face with a menacing deftness. "it has been ordered, sahib." the turbaned man bowed again, and without pausing for a reply produced a short, curved metal device and began to probe hawksworth's ears, his face intent in concentration as he carefully extracted an enormous ball of gray mud and encrusted sea salt. he scraped the other ear with the same deft twist. then he flipped the same instrument and began to trim hawksworth's ragged fingernails. hawksworth turned to the mirror to discover that his beard had already disappeared, leaving him clean-faced. at least i'll be in fashion back home, he thought, if i ever get back. beards are passing from style. but what's he doing now? by heaven, no . . . the razor swept cleanly across hawksworth's chest, leaving a swath of soft skin in its wake. it came down again, barely missing a nipple as he moved to rise. "you must be still, sahib. you will harm yourself." "i told you i'll not have it." hawksworth pushed the razor away. "but it is our custom." the man seemed to plead. "khan sahib ordered that you be groomed as an honored guest." "well, damn your customs. enough." there was a moment of silence. then the turbaned man bowed, his face despondent. "as the sahib desires." he signaled the barber to rub a light coat of saffron-scented oil on hawksworth's face and then to begin trimming hawksworth's hair with the pair of silver scissors he had brought. the barber quickly snipped away the growth of the voyage, leaving the hair moderately cropped, in the moghul fashion. hawksworth examined the mirror again. damn if i wouldn't make a proper cheapside dandy. right in style. and i hate being in style. then the turbaned man produced a heavy lead comb and began to work it repeatedly through hawksworth's hair. hawksworth watched the mirror in confusion. what's he doing? it's already been combed. and it's so short there's no point anyway. then he noticed the slight traces of gray around the sides beginning to darken, taking on the color of the lead. "please open your mouth." the turbaned man stood above him holding a dark piece of wood, frayed at the end and crooked. "and i will scrape your teeth with _nim_ root." "but that's insane. teeth are cleaned with a piece of cloth and a toothpick. or rubbed with a bit of sugar and salt ash . . ." the man was scrubbing away at hawksworth's mouth-- tongue, gums, teeth-- using a dentifrice that tasted like burnt almond shells. next he offered a mint-flavored mouth rinse to remove the debris. the turbaned man then inspected hawksworth critically from several sides, finally venturing to speak. "if i may suggest, a bit of _collyrium_, castor oil darkened with lampblack, would render your eyes much more striking." without waiting for confirmation, he applied a few quick strokes to hawksworth's eyelids, much as an artist might touch up a canvas. then one of the eunuchs stepped forward and supplied a silver tray to the turbaned servants. on it were folded garments: a tight-fitting pair of blue trousers, a patterned shirt, and a knee-length coat of thin, peach-colored muslin. they dressed hawksworth quickly, and then secured a patterned sash about his waist. waiting on the floor were leather slippers, low-quartered with a curved toe and a bent-down back. "what have you done with my doublet and breeches? and my boots?" "they are being cleaned today, sahib. you may have them again when you wish. but you may prefer to wear our garments while our guest." the turbaned man bowed again, then he moved away and held a long mirror for hawksworth to examine himself. "have we pleased you, sahib?" hawksworth scarcely recognized himself. he had been transformed from a rank but honest seaman into a moghul noble--youthful, smooth-skinned, smelling of spice. the soreness was banished from his limbs, and even his wound had all but disappeared. his hair was clean and completely dark, and his skin glowed. and his new clothes were more elaborate than anything he had ever worn. "now if you will please follow us to the garden. khan sahib has suggested you begin your day with some _tari _wine." hawksworth followed the men through the shuttered doorway into the open courtyard. the morning sun now illuminated the tops of a large grove of palm trees that circled an open cistern. he quickly surveyed the buildings, hoping to gain his bearings. so i've been quartered in one of the side buildings, off the main palace. but there are many, many rooms. who's living here? a group of servants stood waiting at the base of one of the palms. when they saw hawksworth, they mobilized to action. one young man among them, wearing a white wrap around his lower torso, immediately secured his belt and began to shimmy up the leaning palm. when he reached the top he locked his legs around the trunk and carefully detached an earthen pot that hung beneath an incision in the bark of the tree. balancing the pot in one hand, he stretched and nimbly pulled off a number of leaves from the tree and then lowered himself carrying his load. the moment his feet touched ground he raced toward the veranda and delivered the pot and leaves to a waiting eunuch. hawksworth watched as the eunuchs first inspected the items and then ordered them prepared. the leaves were washed thoroughly with water from the cistern and then folded into natural cups. the liquor from the pot was strained through muslin into a crystal decanter and the earthen receptacle discarded. then one of the turbaned servants poured a large portion of the liquor from the decanter into a palm-leaf cup and offered it to hawksworth. "it's _tari _wine, sahib. one of the pleasures of early morning in india." his matter-of-fact manner could not entirely hide his pride. "palm wine makes itself overnight. it does not last out the day. when the sun shines the trees only give off vinegar." hawksworth gingerly sipped the newly fermented palm sap and was pleasantly surprised by its light flavor, totally unlike ale, or even canary wine. after the third cup, the world around began to acquire a light sparkle of its own, and he realized the sap was more potent than it seemed. "not a bad way to start the day. what do you call it?" "it comes from the _tari _palm, and some _topiwallahs _call it toddy.'" "toddy, it's called? it's more than passable grog." "thank you, sahib. drink too much and you will spend the day with your head in a buzz." the servant giggled. "so now perhaps you should eat." he consulted briefly with the eunuchs, who nodded and signaled toward the veranda. moments later a tray appeared, piled high with honey- covered breads and glass dishes of sweet curds. some hard cheese also had found its way onto the tray, and hawksworth wondered if this was to placate his european taste. he sipped more of the toddy and munched the bread and curds. then he saw the women. there were five. they seemed clustered in a group as they entered the courtyard, but then he realized it was an aristocratic lady surrounded by four maids. they did not know he was there, for none covered her face. as he watched them they seemed preoccupied in an increasingly animated exchange. then the aristocratic woman stepped determinedly ahead, turned, and curtly gave instructions whose seriousness was clear, even if her words were foreign. her voice was not strident, but its authority was unmistakable. the other women paused, then slowly, one by one, they seemed to acknowledge her orders and they bowed. the lady whirled and continued on her way, while the other four women turned toward the direction they had come. then, as though the resolution of the argument had suddenly made them aware of their surroundings, they all seemed to see hawksworth at once. all five women froze. hawksworth smiled and tried to remember the bow he had seen performed to him so often. but he could not remove his eyes from the first woman, who was more striking than any he had ever before seen. her skin was fair, with a warm hint of olive, and her high cheekbones stood in stunning relief as they glanced away the golden light of dawn. her nose was thin and sculptured, while her lips would have been full, had they not been drawn tight in response to some unspecified inner determination. yet her eyes seemed untouched by what had just transpired. they were clear and receptive, even warm, and hawksworth asked himself at that moment if this bespoke innocence, or guile. in dress and adornment she scarcely differed from her maids. all had long black hair, brushed to gleaming and protected from the morning air with a transparent gossamer scarf edged in gold embroidery. at first glance there seemed little to distinguish among the tight strands of pearls each wore at the neck, or the jeweled bands on their wrists and upper arms. each wore a tight silk halter for a blouse, and to hawksworth's assessing eyes the maids all seemed to have abundant breasts swelling their halters to overflowing, some--perhaps all--with breasts more generous than the lady herself. then he noted in amazement that the women actually wore a form of tapered silk trouser, a tight- legged pajama similar to that worn by aristocratic men. unlike the male style, however, each woman's body was enveloped by a long transparent skirt, suspended from a band that circled her torso just beneath her breasts. and whereas men all wore a long scarf tied about the waist of their cloaks and hanging down the front, the women all had a long pleated panel tucked directly into the front waistband of their trousers and reaching almost to the ground. he could not help noticing that it clung sensually to their thighs as they walked, while its gold-embroidered hem tinkled against the gold bracelets each woman wore at her ankles. their shoes were red turkish leather, with gold decorations sewn across the top and a pointed toe that curved upward. the only difference between the lady and her maids seemed to be in the rich fabric of her lightly clinging trousers. then, too, there was slightly more gold thread in her long transparent skirt, and among the pearls at her neck nestled an unmistakable blue sapphire as large as a walnut. but her primary distinction was not merely the classic lines of her face or the perfect curve of her waist and thighs, but rather something in her bearing, in her assured but unmannered carriage. her real beauty lay in her breeding. all five women stared at hawksworth in momentary surprise and shock. then each maid automatically seized her transparent scarf and pulled it across her lower face. the woman also moved instinctively to do the same, but then she seemed to consciously stop herself and with an obvious attempt at restraint she walked on, barefaced, past the courtyard and into the garden beyond. alone. hawksworth watched her form disappear among the clipped hedges and elaborate marble pavilions of the garden. he noticed a curious sensation in his chest as she passed from view, and he suddenly found himself wanting very much to follow her. when he finally turned and looked back, the other women had already vanished. only then did he realize that all the servants had been watching him. the one nearest nodded in the direction of the garden and smiled knowingly. "perhaps it will not surprise you, sahib, to learn that she was once the favorite of the moghul himself. and now she is in surat. amazing." "but why's she here?" hawksworth glanced back at the garden once more to assure himself she was indeed lost to its recesses. "she is shirin, the first wife of khan sahib." he moved closer to hawksworth, so that his lowered voice would not reach the eunuchs. "she was removed from the moghul's _zenana _and married to khan sahib last year by queen janahara, just before her majesty had him appointed the governor of surat. some believe she appointed him here to remove shirin from agra, because she feared her." the servant's voice became a whisper. "we all know she has refused his excellency the legal rights of a husband." the silence of the court was cut by the unmistakable voice of mukarrab khan, sounding in anger as he gave some command from within the palace. there followed a chorus of women's wails. hawksworth turned to the servant, but the man read his inquiring glance. "he has ordered the women whipped for disobeying his order to accompany shirin at all times, even when she walks in the garden." then the door opened again, and mukarrab khan strode into the morning sunshine. "captain hawksworth, _salaam_. i trust allah gave you rest." "i slept so well i find difficulty remembering all we said last night." hawksworth watched him carefully. will he honor his threat to deliver us to the viceroy, for a trial at goa? "it was an amusing evening. hardly a time for weighty diplomatic exchange. and did you enjoy my little present?" hawksworth pondered his question for a moment, and the drugged dream of the night before suddenly became real. "you mean the woman? she was very . . . unusual, very different from the women of england." "yes, i daresay. she was one of my final gifts from . . . agra. i often have her entertain my guests. if you like, you may keep her while you stay with me. i already hear she fancies you. the serving women call her kali, after a goddess from their infidel pantheon. i think that one's their deity of destruction." "why did they give her that name?" "perhaps she'll tell you herself sometime." mukarrab khan gestured for a servant to bring his cloak. "i hope you'll forgive me, but i regret i must abandon you for a time. among my least pleasant duties is a monthly journey to cambay, our northern port in this province. it always requires almost a week, but i have no choice. their shahbandar would rob the moghul's treasury itself if he were not watched. but i think you'll enjoy yourself in my absence." "i would enjoy it more if i could be with my men." "and forgo the endless intrigues my kali undoubtedly plans for you?" he monitored hawksworth's unsettled expression. "or perhaps it's a boy you'd prefer. very well, if you wish you may even have . . ." "i'm more interested in the safety of our merchants and seamen. and our cargo. i haven't seen the men since yesterday, at the customs house." "they're all quite well. i've lodged them with a port official who speaks portuguese, which your chief merchant also seems to understand. i'm told, by the way, he's a thoroughly unpleasant specimen." "when can i see them?" "why any time you choose. you have only to speak to one of the eunuchs. but why trouble yourself today? spend it here and rest. perhaps enjoy the grounds and the garden. tomorrow is time enough to re-enter the wearisome halls of commerce." hawksworth decided that the time had come to raise the critical question. "and what about the portugals? and their false charges?" "i think that tiresome matter can be _resolve_d with time. i've sent notice to the court in agra, officially, that you wish to travel there. when the reply is received, matters can be settled. in the meantime, i must insist you stay here in the palace. it's a matter of your position. and frankly, your safety. the portuguese do not always employ upright means to achieve their ends." he tightened his traveling cloak. "don't worry yourself unduly. just try to make the most of my humble hospitality. the palace grounds are at your disposal. perhaps you'll find something in all this to engage your curiosity." mukarrab khan brushed away a fly from his cloak. "there's the garden. and if you're bored by that, then you might wish to examine the persian observatory constructed by my predecessor. you're a seaman and, i presume, a navigator. perhaps you can fathom how it all works. i've never been able to make anything out of it. ask the servants to show you. or just have some _tari_ wine on the veranda and enjoy the view." he bowed with official decorum and was gone, his entourage of guards in tow. hawksworth turned to see the servants waiting politely. the turbaned man, whose high forehead and noble visage were even more striking now in the direct sunshine, was dictating in a low voice to the others, discreetly translating mukarrab khan's orders into hindi, the language that seemed common to all the servants. "the palace and its grounds are at your disposal, sahib." the servant with the large white turban stood waiting. "our pleasure is to serve you." "i'd like to be alone for a while. to think about . . . to enjoy the beauty of the garden." "of course. sahib. perhaps i could have the honor of being your guide." "i think i'd prefer to see it alone." the servant's dismay was transparent, but he merely bowed and immediately seemed to dissolve into the marble porticoes of the veranda, as did all the others. hawksworth watched in amazement. they really do follow orders. now if i can start to figure out this place. i don't need guides. all i need are my eyes. and luck. the garden spread out before him. unlike the closely clipped geometry of the courtyard he had seen the night before, this was less formal and more natural, with a long waterway receding into the horizon. the pond was flanked by parallel arbors along each side, shading wide, paved walkways. he noticed there were no flowers, the main focus in an english garden, only gravel walks and the marble-tiled watercourse. the sense was one of sublime control. several dark-skinned gardeners in loincloths were wading knee-deep in the shallow reservoir, adjusting the flow from bubbling fountains that spewed from its surface at geometrically regular spacings, while others were intently pruning--in what seemed a superfluous, almost compulsive act--the already immaculate hedges. as hawksworth walked past, self-consciously trying to absorb a sense of place, the gardeners appraised him mutely with quick, flicking sweeps of their eyes. but none made any move to acknowledge his presence. the sun burned through the almost limitless sky, whose blue was polished to a ceramic glaze, and the air was clean and perfumed with nectar. the garden lay about him like a mosaic of naturalism perfected. through the conspicuous hand of man, nature had been coerced, or charmed, to exquisite refinement. the gravel pathway ended abruptly as he reached the pond's far shore, terminated by a row of marble flagstones. beyond lay geometrical arbors of fruit-laden trees-- mangoes, apples, pears, lemons, and even oranges. hawksworth tightened his new robe about his waist and entered one of the orchard's many pathways, marveling. i've found the garden of eden. the rows of trees spread out in perfect regularity, squared as carefully as the columns of the palace verandas and organized by species of fruit. as he explored the man-made forest, he began to find its regularity satisfying and curiously calming. then in the distance, over the treetops, a high stone wall came into view, and from beyond could be heard the splashes of men laboring in the moat. he realized he had reached the farthest extent of the palace grounds. as he neared the wall, the orchard gave way to an abandoned clearing in whose center stood a moss-covered marble stairway projecting upward into space, leading nowhere. the original polish on its steps was now buried in layers of dust and overgrowth. was there once a villa here? but where's the . . . ? then he saw the rest. curving upward on either side of the stairway was a moss-covered band of marble over two feet wide and almost twenty feet in length, concave, etched, and numbered. it's some sort of sundial. but it's enormous. he turned and realized he was standing next to yet another stone instrument, a round plaque in red and white marble, like the dial of a water clock, on which persian symbols for the zodiac had been inscribed. and beyond that was the remains of a circular building, perforated with dozens of doorways, with a tall pillar in the middle. next to it was a shallow marble well, half a hemisphere sunk into the ground, with precise gradations etched all across the bottom. hawksworth walked in among the marble instruments, his astonishment growing. they were all etched to a precision he had never before seen in stone. this observatory is incredible. the sundial is obvious, even if the purpose of the stairway over its center isn't. but what's the round vertical plaque? or that round building there, and the curious marble well? could those be some sort of persian astrolabe, like navigators use to estimate latitude by fixing the elevation of the sun or stars? what are they all for? some to fix stars? others to predict eclipses? but there has to be more. these are for observation. which means there have to be charts. or computations? or something. it's said the persians once mastered a level of mathematics and astronomy far beyond anything known in europe. is this some forgotten outpost of that time? just waiting to be rediscovered? he turned and examined the instruments again, finding himself wondering for an instant if they could somehow be hoisted aboard the _discovery_ and returned to england. and if the observatory's still here, perhaps the charts are here somewhere too. his excitement mounted as he searched the rest of the clearing. then he saw what he wanted. it has to be there. abutting the stone wall was a small hut of rough-hewn stone, with slatted windows and a weathered wooden door that was wedged ajar, its base permanently encrusted in the dried mud of the rainy season. the wall behind was so weathered that the metal spikes along its top had actually rusted away. this whole place must have been deserted for years. what a waste. as he approached the weathered stone hut, he tried to dampen his own hopes. how can there be anything left? who knows how long it's been abandoned? and even if there are calculations--or maybe even books!--they're most likely written in persian. or arabic. he took hold of the rotting door, which left a layer of decaying wood on his hand, and wrenched it open wider, kicking a path for its base through the crusted mud. then he slipped sideways through the opening. a stifled, startled cry cut the dense air of the hut, and an oil lamp glowing in the black was smothered in a single movement. then came a woman's voice. "you're not allowed here. servants are forbidden beyond the orchard." she had begun in persian, then repeated herself in hindi. "who are you?" hawksworth, startled by the unknown languages, began in english and then switched to turkish. "i thought . . ." "the english _feringhi_." the voice suddenly found control, and its turki was flawless. "you were in the courtyard this morning." she advanced slowly toward the shaft of light from the doorway. "what are you doing here? khan sahib could have you killed if the eunuchs discover you." he watched as her face emerged from the shadows. then his heart skipped. it was shirin. "the govern . . . khan sahib told me about this observatory. he said i . . ." "stars do not shine in the day, nor the sun in this room. what are you doing in here?" "i thought there might be charts, or a library." hawksworth heard his own voice echo against the raw stone walls of the room. he studied her face in the half light, realizing with a shock that she was even more striking now than in the sunshine of the garden. "did he also tell you to plunder all you find in the palace grounds?" "he said i might find the observatory curious, as a navigator. he was right. but there must be some charts. i thought this room might . . ." "there are some old papers here. perhaps he thought this place would keep you occupied. or test you one more time." "what do you mean?" she answered with a hard laugh, then circled hawksworth and examined him in the glancing morning light. her dark hair was backlighted now from the sun streaming through the doorway, her gauze head scarf glistening like spun gold. "yes, you're a _feringhi_. just like all the rest." her eyes flashed. "how many more like you are there in europe? enough, i would guess, to amuse our debauched governor forever." "i didn't double the cape for his amusement. or yours." what's the matter? everybody talks in riddles. "does this room have a library?" "yes, but the writings are in persian. which you don't understand." "how do you know what i understand?" she looked at him with open astonishment. "do you suppose there's anyone in the palace who doesn't already know all about you?" "and what do you know about me?" silence held the room for a moment. then she spoke. "i know you're a _feringhi_. like the portuguese. here for gold. and . . . the rest." she turned and walked back into the darkness. there was a spark of light and the lamp glowed again. "as for this room, there's nothing here you would understand. and when you return to the palace, and to his excellency's _affion _and his _nautch _girls, remember what happens to a man who is discovered with another's wife. i will forget i saw you here. you should forget also, if you wish to see the sun tomorrow." hawksworth found himself watching her spellbound, almost not hearing her words. he stood motionless for a moment, then walked directly toward her, trying not to feel self-conscious in his new moghul clothes. "i want to talk with you. to find out what's going on. i'll begin with this place. it's an observatory, or was. what harm can there be in looking around this room?" she stared at him without moving. "you certainly have a _feringhi'_s manner. if you won't leave, then i'll ask you some questions. what do you say is your reason for coming to india? it's rumored you're here for the english king." "what else have you heard?" "other things as well." she moved closer and her perfume enveloped him. her eyes were intense, almost overwhelming the jewel at her throat. "but i'd like to hear them from you. there's much dismay about you, about the battle, about the letter." hawksworth studied her wistfully. "you know about the letter?" "of course. everyone knows." she sighed at his naivete. "the contents of your chest were examined very carefully last night . . . but no one dared touch the seal on the letter, for fear of the moghul. is it true the english king may send an armada to attack goa?" "and if it were?" "it could make a great deal of difference. to many people here." "who?" "people who matter." "the only one who should matter is the moghul." she laughed again. "he's the very last one who matters. i see you comprehend very little." she paused and examined him closely. "but you're an interesting man. we all listened to you play the english sitar last night. and today the first place you chose to come was here. you're the first _feringhi_ ever to seek out this place, which was once famous throughout india. did you truly come here this morning just to learn?" "i haven't learned very much so far. at least in this room." he looked about them, noticing for the first time a small table on which there was a book and fresh writings. "you've not told what you're doing here. or why you can come here when the servants are forbidden." "servants once tried to steal some of the marble steps for a house. but the reason i come here is not really your concern, captain hawksworth. . . ." she caught his startled look and laughed. "of course i know your name. i also know you should learn not to drink _bhang_ with kali. she's more than your equal." hawksworth stifled his embarrassment and tried to ignore the barb. "there surely must be charts here. what harm if i merely look around?" shirin stiffened. "not now. not today. you have to leave." "but are there calculations, or charts?" "more than likely. but i told you they're in persian." "then maybe you could translate." "i could. but not today. i've told you, you have to leave. really you must." she pushed the door open wider and stood waiting. "i'll be back." he paused in the doorway and turned. "will you be here tomorrow?" "possibly." "then i'll be back for sure." she looked at him and shook her head resignedly. "you truly don't realize how dangerous it is for you to come here." "are you afraid?" "i'm always afraid. you should be too." she studied him in the sunshine, examining his eyes, and for a moment her face softened slightly. "but if you do come, will you bring your english sitar? i'd like very much to hear it once more." "and what will you do for me in return?" she laughed. "i'll try to excavate some musty persian books here that might tell you something about the observatory. but remember. no one must ever know. now, please." she urged him out, then reached and pulled the door tightly closed. hawksworth suddenly realized the heat had grown intense, and now the sun cut a sharp line down the face of the red marble dial, telling that midmorning approached. he examined the dial quickly and then turned to look again at the stone hut. with the door closed, the ramshackle hut again looked completely deserted. what in christ's name can she be doing? no matter, she's astonishing. and there's something in the way she handles herself. little wonder she was the favorite concubine, or whatever they call it, of the moghul. and it's easy to see why his queen married her off to mukarrab khan and sent them both here to get her out of the way. a clever way to banish . . . hawksworth froze. that's the word the pilot karim used! from the quran. "as for women from whom you fear rebellion, banish them to . . . beds apart." could this be the woman he meant? but what rebellion? whatever's going on, nobody's talking. all i see are armed guards. and fear. this palace is like a jewel-set dagger-exquisite, and deadly. he stared again at the moss-covered marble instruments. but i'll be back. if she'll be here, absolutely nothing could stop me. chapter nine the two _chitahs _tensed at the same instant and pulled taut the chains on their jewel-studded collars. they were tawny, dark-spotted indian hunting leopards, and they rode in carpeted litters, one on each side of the elephant's back. each wore a brocade saddlecloth signifying its rank, and now both began to flick the black-and-white striped tips of their tails in anticipation. prince jadar caught their motion and reined in his dun stallion; the bright morning sunshine glanced off his freshly oiled olive skin and highlighted the crevices of his lean angular face and his tightly trimmed short beard. he wore a forest-green hunting turban, secured with a heavy strand of pearls, and a dark green jacket emblazoned with his own royal crest. his fifty-man rajput guard had drawn alongside, and their horses tossed their heads and pawed impatiently, rattling the arrows in the brocade quivers by each man's saddle. then jadar spotted the _nilgai_, large bovine indian deer, grazing in a herd upwind near the base of a low-lying hill. with a flick of his hand he signaled the keepers who rode alongside the to begin removing the leopards' saddlecloths. he watched as first the male and then the female shook themselves and stretched their paws in readiness. "fifty rupees the male will make the first kill." jadar spoke quietly to vasant rao, the moustachioed young rajput captain who rode alongside. the commander of the prince's personal guards, he was the only man in india jadar trusted fully. "then give me two hundred on the female, highness." "a hundred. and half the hides for your regiment's shield maker." jadar turned toward the waiting keepers. "release the female. then count to a hundred and release the male." in moments the _chitahs _were bulleting toward the unsuspecting deer, darting from bush to bush, occasionally kicking up dust with their forefeet and hind legs to create camouflage. then, as they approached the final clearing, they suddenly parted--the female to the north, the male to the south. seconds later, as though on some private signal, the female sprang. she seemed to cover the remaining twenty yards in less than a second, and before the _nilgai _realized she was there, she had already pawed down a bleating straggler. the striped ears of the other _nilgai _shot erect at the sound, and the herd panicked, sweeping blindly away from her--and directly toward the cover where the male crouched. he waited coolly, and then, as the deer darted by, pounced. what followed was a fearsome devastation, as he brought down one after another of the confused prey with his powerful claws. "the female killed first, highness. i assume our bet was in gold coins, not silver." vasant rao laughed lightly and turned to study the brooding man at his side. can it be true what many suspect about the prince? he again found himself wondering. that he choses his strategy for a campaign from the final hunt of his _chitahs_! but what strategy is left for us? the deccanis have already reclaimed the city of ahmadnagar, deep in their territory, and once again made it their rebel capital. they drove the moghul garrison north to the fort at burhanpur, and now they threaten that city as well, the most important station in the vital route between agra and surat. we haven't the men and horse to turn them back. not this time. this was prince jadar's second campaign in the deccan, india's revolt- torn central plains, which lay far south of agra and east of the port of surat, and the second time he had led his army to regain cities lost to malik ambar, the abyssinian adventurer and military genius who periodically rose to lead the deccan against moghul rule. the deccan had never been secure, even under the moghurs father, akman, but under arangbar it had become a burial ground of reputation. one of the moghurs finest generals, whose dispatches from ahmadnagar, only the previous year, had boasted that the deccan was finally subdued, now cowered in the fortress at burhanpur. arangbar had no choice but to send jadar again. "did you see how they planned their attack?" jadar fingered the edges of his short beard, then pointed. "she drove them toward his trap. by attacking the weak, she frightened the strong, who flew to their doom." "we're not facing _nilgai_, highness." vasant rao shifted in his saddle to face the prince and shielded his eyes against the sun. "and our position is much worse than on the last campaign. this time we have only eighteen thousand men, all encamped here at ujjain, all weary to their bones from our siege at the kangra, north in the punjab, and then the long march down country. while malik ambar waits rested and secure in ahmadnagar, his own capital, a two months' march south." "we'll bring ambar to terms just as before, three years ago. by fear." jadar watched as the keepers began measuring the rations of meat to reward the _chitahs_. and he reflected over the secret envoy received early that morning from the commander of the fortress at mandu, the northern outpost of the deccan. . . . "your highness is respectfully advised the situation is worse, much worse, than told in the reports sent by ghulam adl." they were alone in jadar's tent and the envoy was on his knees, prostrate, terrified at his obligation to bring ill tidings to the son of the moghul. ghulam adl was the general in charge of the deccan, who had abandoned ahmadnagar to malik ambar and retreated north to burhanpur. his official reports still maintained an air of bravado, claiming a few reinforcements were all that was required to drive the rebels to final extinction. "we have asked ghulam adl for troops to help defend mandu, but he cannot leave burhanpur," the envoy continued. "the deccanis have surrounded the city, but they do not trouble themselves with a siege. they know he cannot move. so they have sent eight thousand light cavalry, maratha irregulars, north across the narbada river to plunder outlying districts. they are approaching mandu, and will be at the fortress within the week." "why doesn't ghulam adl call up troops from among the _mansabdars_. they've all been granted their annual allowance for maintenance of cavalry." _mansabdars _were nobles of the moghul empire who had been given rank by the moghul and were allowed to collect revenue from a specified number of estates and villages, allotted lands called _jagirs_, as a reward for service and loyalty. they collected taxes for the imperial treasury in agra, which allowed them a portion to maintain cavalry and equipage at the ready. assignment of a _jagir _always carried the responsibility of maintaining a specified number of troops and cavalry, which they were obliged to muster when requested by the moghul. "the _mansabdars_ have no men to muster, may it please your highness." the envoy's face was buried in the carpet, showing to jadar only the dust-covered back of his turban. "conditions have been severe over the past year. crops have been bad, and many _mansabdars _could not collect taxes because of the deccani raids. many have not paid their cavalry for over a year. the _mansabdars _still feed the horses that have been branded and placed in their care. but they have not fed the men who must ride. most of those have returned to their villages. there can be no army without coin to lure them back. the _mansabdars _are fearful of malik ambar now, and many have secretly agreed with him not to muster even the troops they still have." "how many deccani troops are encamped around burhanpur?" "our spies report as many as eighty thousand, highness. ghulam adl dares not leave the fort in the center of the city. he has no more than five thousand men still remaining loyal, and his supplies are short." jadar had ordered immediate solitary confinement for the envoy, lest the news reach the camp. now, watching his _chitahs _feed, he calculated his next move. i have to requisition silver coin from the treasury at agra, and hope a supply caravan can still get through. in the meantime i'll muster the remaining cavalry from the _mansabdars_, on the threat their _jagirs_ will be confiscated if they fail to deliver. it won't raise many men, but it will slow defections. but if we're to recall the men still loyal, we must have silver. to raise the thirty thousand men we need, men who've not been paid for a year, will require at least five million rupees, fifty _lakhs_. i must have it by the time we reach burhanpur. if we can hold that city, we can raise the army from there. "malik ambar sued for peace three years ago because his alliance came apart." vasant rao spoke again, watching jadar carefully, knowing that the prince was deeply troubled, had imprisoned a courier that very morning for which there could only be one reason--then released pigeons that flew north. "and his alliance will come apart again. if we sow enough fear." jadar seemed annoyed at the delay as the waiting _chitahs _were re-harnessed and the last carcasses of blue _nilgai _were loaded onto the ox-drawn wagons for return to the camp. "you still haven't learned to think like a _chitah_." jadar signaled the hunt was finished and wheeled his horse back toward the camp. vasant rao rode a few paces behind, asking himself how long that regal head would remain on those royal shoulders. you're threatened now on every side. you cannot be as oblivious as you seem. he thought back over prince jadar's career. of the moghul's four sons, prince jadar was the obvious one to succeed. jadar's elder brother khusrav had been blinded by the moghul years before for attempting a palace revolt. jadar's brother parwaz, also older than the prince, was a notorious drunkard and unacceptably dissolute, even by the lax standards of the moghul's court. and jadar's younger brother, allaudin, was the handsome but witless son of a concubine, who well deserved his secret nickname, nashu-dani, "the good-for-nothing." since there was no law in india that the oldest must automatically succeed, power devolved to the fittest. only jadar, son of a royal rajput mother, could lead an army, or rule india. among the moghul's four sons, he was the obvious, deserving heir. but ability alone was never enough to ensure success in the mire of palace intrigue. one must also have a powerful friend. for years prince jadar had the most powerful friend of all. the grooming of jadar for office had begun over five years earlier, when he was taken under the protection of queen janahara. she had made herself the guardian of jadar's interests at court; and two years ago she had induced the moghul to elevate jadar's _mansab_, his honorary rank, to twelve thousand _zat_. in income and prestige he had soared far beyond his brothers. as is always the case, jadar was expected to repay his obligation. on the day he ascended to the throne and assumed power from the ailing, opium-sotted arangbar, he was expected to share that power with queen janahara. but their unofficial alliance had begun to go wrong. very wrong. and what had gone wrong was the most obvious problem of all. jadar had lived half his life in army camps, fighting the moghul's wars because he was the only son who could fight them, and he no longer saw any reason to relinquish his battle-earned inheritance to the queen. what will the queen do? vasant rao asked himself again. i know she has turned on the prince. i know she tried to marry her persian daughter to jadar's blinded brother khusrav, but jadar discovered this and demanded khusrav be sent out of agra, to be kept in confinement by a raja loyal to the prince. but the queen is still in agra, and sooner or later she will produce another successor, a creature she can dominate. her task will be easy if jadar fails in this campaign. "i have reports maratha irregulars may be at the fort at mandu within a week." jadar broke the silence between them as they rode. the noisy rajput horsemen rode discreetly well behind, cursing, laughing, wagering. the flawless blue sky seemed to cloud as jadar spoke. "tell me what you would do?" "strike camp and march south. we have no choice." "sometimes you rajputs show less wit than your monkey god, hanumanji." jadar laughed good-naturedly. "you learned nothing from the hunt today. don't you see that would merely scatter them? they'll never dare meet us if we march in force. they'll only stage small raids. harass our baggage train. no, we must do just the opposite." jadar reined in his horse, turned to vasant rao, and lowered his voice. "think like a _chitah _for once, not like an impulsive rajput. we'll send a small cavalry force only--five hundred horse, you will help me pick them--who will disperse, ride separately, never show their numbers. like a _chitah _stalks. no supply contingent. no elephants. no wagons. and, after the marathas have set their siege at mandu, our cavalry will quietly group and attack their flank. as they fall back, which they always do when facing a disciplined unit, the cavalry in the fort will ride out in force, forming the second arm of a pincer. and that will be the last we see of malik ambar's famous maratha irregulars. they'll return to pillaging baggage trains and helpless villages." "and after that?" "we'll march directly on burhanpur. we should reach it in less than a month." "the marathas will begin to harass our supply trains as soon as we cross the narbada river. if they don't attack us while we cross." "after mandu, that's the one thing they will not do. remember the _chitahs_. the marathas will never know where our mandu cavalry may be waiting in ambush." "and when we reach burhanpur?" "we'll make our camp there, and muster cavalry from all the _mansabdars_." jadar passed over how he intended to do this. "that will be the end of ambar's many alliances. we'll have the men we need to march in force on the south, on to ahmadnagar, within the week. and malik ambar will sue for peace and return the territory he's seized, just like before." vasant rao nodded in silent acknowledgment, asking himself what the prince was withholding. the strategy was far too straightforward for jadar. the camp was coming into view now. a vast movable city, it was easily several miles in circuit. even from afar, however, jadar's massive central tent dominated. it was bright red and stationed in the center of the _gulal bar_, a restricted central zone almost two hundred yards on the side that formed the focal point of the camp. behind jadar's tent, separated by a figured satin partition, were the red chintz tents of the women, where his first wife, mumtaz, and her attendants stayed. directly in front of jadar's tent was a canopied platform with four massive corner pillars, called the _sarachah_, where jadar held private briefings. the entire _gulal_ _bar _was sealed from common view by a high cloth wall. near the entrance to jadar's enclosure was the camp artillery, including the cannon, and the tents of the lead horses and war elephants. its entry was guarded by mounted horsemen, and next to these were the tents for jadar's leopards. around the perimeter were the striped tents of the nobles and officers, whose respective colors flew above for easy identification. and spreading out from each officer's tent were the tents of his men, their wives, and their bazaar. the camp itself was laid out with such consistent precision that a soldier might easily find his tent in total darkness, regardless of where the army might be. as jadar dismounted at the entry to the gulal bar and strode toward his tent, his mind sorted through the moves that lay ahead. he had notified the moghul of the envoy's secret report and asked for five million rupees in silver coin. it was the price for the deccan. surely he could not refuse. arangbar's own administrators, who were supposed to monitor the mansabdars, were to blame. there were also other, new and disquieting, complexities. word had come through surat only the day before that the portuguese were secretly planning to arm malik ambar. why? it was common knowledge they feared and hated jadar, because he distrusted all christians and said so. and they certainly were aware that if he should someday unite the rebel- infested province of gujarat, where their ports of daimon and diu were situated, he would undoubtedly try to regain these ports for india. but they would not dare to openly, or even secretly, support rebels within the moghul empire unless they were sure there would be no reprisals from agra. which meant they had powerful accomplices in court. accomplices who would venture to endanger the empire itself to ruin jadar. whose interests in agra were served if the deccan remained in turmoil? if jadar were kept occupied and harried in the south? the question virtually answered itself. if this were not perplexing enough, news had arrived two days before telling of an incredible incident. two merchant frigates of another european nation, calling themselves english, had appeared off the bar of surat. and humiliated four portuguese warships. jadar had released pigeons for surat immediately, ordering that the english be protected until he could determine their intentions. the dispatch received the following morning, yesterday, reported that his orders had been timely. a portuguese ambush of the english as they came up the tapti river had been averted, by rajputs using arrows stolen from the governor's own guard. and this morning there had been another message from surat, with news that the governor had sent the moghul a dispatch claiming credit for the action--this only after he discovered the english captain had gifts for arangbar! but who knew the intentions of the captain of this english fleet? or the content of a letter he had brought for the moghul. reports said only that he was "quartered" in the governor's palace. where he could no longer be protected. . . . his eunuchs bowed and relayed an urgent message from mumtaz. his wife begged to receive his highness the moment he returned. without entering his own tent, jadar proceeded through the circle of guards protecting the women's quarters. mumtaz was waiting, surrounded by two of her women and the now-constant midwife. she was almost to term with jadar's third child. the first two had been daughters. his first thought when he saw her was that this birth must be male. merciful allah, make this a son. mumtaz's gleaming black hair had been tightly braided, and she wore a shawl and trousers of gold-threaded silk. she had a pronounced fondness for gold and silk: few other luxuries were to be found in the army camps that had been her home for most of their marriage. mumtaz's features were delicate, with high persian cheeks, and she was well over thirty--the age at which most muslim women ceased to interest their mates. but she had found ways to remain the center of jadar's life, if not dominate it. the flash of her eyes told jadar she was in an extreme temper. "pigeons arrived just after you left. the report from agra is astonishing." "what 'report' do you mean? do you and your women receive my dispatches now?" "which are rarely worth the bother. no, i receive my own. from father." mumtaz was the daughter of nadir sharif, prime minister of the moghul empire and brother of queen janahara. "i had the sense to leave him pigeons for here at ujjain. and also for burhanpur . . . which may prove to be vital for you, assuming that city is not overrun by deccanis by the time you reach it." "what message did nadir sharif ever send that wasn't dictated by our noble queen?" "you're a fool not to trust him. but you'd do well to begin. and soon." mumtaz's eyes snapped momentary fire, matching the hard red jewel on her forehead, and she eased herself slowly onto a well-traveled velvet bolster to lighten the weight of the child. "i think you'll discover your many friends may be difficult to find if we ever return to the capital." "come to the point. i want to see into their tent. they killed well today." jadar was always amused by mumtaz's temper. he had long ago despaired of receiving proper respect from her. she defied him exactly the way janahara defied the moghul. and he delighted in it. perhaps all persian wives were incorrigible. perhaps it was a racial trait. "very well. you should be pleased to know that his majesty has already forgotten you exist. he has agreed to the queen's outrageous scheme. an affront to sense, but it will be the end of you nonetheless." "agreed to what?" "the very marriage i warned you about, but you wouldn't listen. you were too clever. yes, you were brilliant. you sent the wrong brother away from agra. you sent khusrav, the competent one. you should have sent allaudin." "i don't believe it." "i do. and i told you it would happen. the queen has foisted her scrawny offspring, the simpering princess layla, onto allaudin. but it's the perfect match. the moghul's youngest son, the notorious 'good- for-nothing,' betrothed to that fumbling little sparrow. both weak and useless." "what could allaudin possibly do? even arangbar realizes he's incompetent." "but arangbar will soon be dead. so what he knows won't matter. it's perfect for the queen. she'll rule them both. in the meantime, she'll make sure you're nowhere near agra. your next appointment will probably be the punjab, or perhaps the himalayas. where you can chase yak with your leopards." mumtaz could scarcely contain her anger and frustration. "the time will come, and soon, when the moghul will chance his twenty glasses of wine and his twelve grains of opium one night too many. and the next day, while you're somewhere sporting with your _chitahs_, she'll summon her lackey general inayat latif and his bengal _mansabdars _to agra. and declare allaudin the next moghul." jadar was stunned. allaudin was incapable of anything, except bowing to the queen's orders like a hand puppet. once moghul, he certainly could not rule. she would rule for him. or probably eliminate him entirely after a few months. so janahara had finally made her move. to challenge prince jadar, the son who had earned the throne, for his rightful place. the battle had been joined. "so what do you propose to do? she waited just long enough to trap you in the deccan." mumtaz's fury was turning to despair. "if you go back now, you'll be accused of abandoning burhanpur. if you march on south, you'll be unable to return for months. and by that time allaudin will be married. father said she has convinced the moghul to give him a personal mansab rank of eight thousand _zat _and a horse rank of four thousand _suwar_. allaudin, who scarcely knows a bow from a wine bowl, will now have his own cavalry." jadar was looking at her, but he no longer heard. this changes everything. there'll be no silver. the queen will see to that. and no silver means no troops can be recalled from the deccan _mansabdars_. which means we lose the deccan. but she'd gladly give the deccan to destroy me. jadar looked at mumtaz and smiled. "yes, i must do something. but right now i'll see my _chitahs _fed." and he turned and strode briskly back toward his tent. a dense mantle of evening smoke enveloped the camp as the three generals passed through the entry of the gulal bar. they advanced to the front of the sarachah platform and halted to wait for jadar. each had brought a silver cup, as jadar had instructed. all three were seasoned military leaders. abdullah khan, a young moghul warrior, had been promoted to a rank of three thousand _suwar _after the successful siege at the northern fortress of kangra. under the prince he had risen from the rank of foot soldier to cavalry, and now he commanded his own division. the next was abul hasan, a cool-headed afghan strategist with rank of five thousand _suwar_, who had led prince jadar to his first victory in the deccan three years before. finally there was raja vikrama-jit, a bearded rajput of royal blood, who led the hindus. he scorned matchlocks and fought only with his sword, and he was the bravest man in battle that jadar had ever known. moments later prince jadar emerged through the smoke, carrying his heavy sword and accompanied by vasant rao. a servant trailed after them bearing a crystal decanter of wine and two silver goblets on a tray. the prince assumed his seat in the center of the platform and ordered the servant to place the decanter on a small table by his side. then he motioned away the servant and all the surrounding guards. "i propose we all take a glass of wine to clear our thoughts. it's persian, and i had it cooled in the saltpeter tent especially for this evening." jadar personally poured wine for each of the men, then filled the two goblets on the tray for vasant rao and for himself. "i hereby propose a toast to ahmadnagar, which malik ambar now calls his own capital. and to its recapture within a hundred days." the men raised their goblets and drank in silence. skepticism filled their eyes. jadar looked at them and smiled. "you do not agree? then let me tell you more. the situation is very bad. how bad even you do not yet know. but battles are more than a matter of numbers. they are a test of the will to win. that's why i called you here tonight." jadar paused. "but first, is the wine to your liking?" the men nodded silent assent. "good. drink deeply, for none of us will drink again until we drink in ahmadnagar. now i will take your cups." jadar reached for each man's cup individually and placed them in a row alongside the tray, together with his own and that of vasant rao. then he laid his own cup on its side on the tray and slowly drew his heavy sword from its scabbard. with a fierce swing he sliced the cup in half. then the next cup, and the next, until all were destroyed. the men watched him spellbound. "assemble your ranks in the bazaar at midnight. in full battle dress. i will address them. and at dawn, we march." jadar rose and as quickly as he had come disappeared into the darkness. battle gear--helmets, buckles, pikes, swords, muskets-- glistened in the torchlight as jadar rode a fully armored war elephant slowly down the center of the main bazaar. the bristling infantry, arrayed in rows on either side, watched him expectantly. a midnight muster was unheard of. but rumors had already swept the camp telling of the pending marriage of the queen's daughter to allaudin. all knew jadar had been betrayed. and with him, all of them as well. then they noticed carts following him, with barrels of wine from jadar's tent. when the prince reached the center of the bazaar, he raised his arms for silence. for a moment all that could be heard was the neigh of horses from the stables, and the cries of infants in the far reaches of the camp. he began in urdu, a hybrid camp tongue of persian and hindi, his voice ringing toward abul hassan's muslim troops. "tonight we are many." jadar paused deliberately. "but in battle the many are nothing. in battle there is only the one. each of you is that one." again a pause. then he shouted in a voice that carried to the far hills. "is there a believer among us tonight who would fight to the death for our victory?" a roar of assent sounded from the men. "will you swear it? on the holy quran?" this time the roar shook the tent poles of the bazaar. "is there one who would not?" silence. suddenly jadar turned to the troops of moghul lineage and switched his language to exquisite persian. "some here tonight swear to embrace death itself for our victory. but i know not the will of all. is there among you a man who would give his life for us?" again a roar of assent. "what man will swear it?" the roar seemed to envelop the camp. without pausing, jadar turned to the rajput contingent, addressing them easily in their native rajasthani. "does any among you know how to fight?" cheers. "does any know how to die?" more cheers. and then the rajputs began banging their swords on their bucklers. jadar bellowed above the sudden dim. "i know hindus cannot take an oath. but if you could, would it be to fight to the death for our victory?" bedlam seized the camp. and the chant "jadar-o-akbar," jadar is great, swept through the ranks. jadar let the chant continue for a time, and as he listened, he saw that mumtaz and her women had appeared at the gateway of the gulal bar, as he had instructed them. all activity had ceased in the camp, and even in the far background the women had gathered in the shadows of the tents, listening intently. then jadar motioned for silence and continued. "tonight we each will make a pledge. i to you. you to me. first my pledge to you." jadar commanded his elephant to kneel, and he dismounted and walked directly to the waiting wagons containing his wine barrels. he was handed a silver-handled battle axe, and with a powerful overhand swing he shattered the first barrel. then he signaled his waiting guard, and in moments every barrel had been axed. the center of the bazaar ran red, and the air was filled with the wine's sweet persian perfume. then he motioned toward the entry of the _gulal bar _and his women emerged, followed by an elephant whose _howdah_, the livery on its back, was filled with silver utensils. when the procession reached the clearing where jadar stood, the elephant's mahout commanded it to kneel. without a word jadar walked directly to the _howdah_. as though meeting an enemy in ambush, he suddenly drew his long sword and swung it through the livery, leaving a wide gash in its embroidered side. a glittering array of silver and gold plate, goblets, jewelry poured onto the ground. with a single motion he sheathed the sword and again took the axe. while the assembled camp watched spellbound, he quickly, methodically, smashed each of the silver and gold objects into small shreds. then he broke the silver handle of the axe and again mounted the elephant. "my pledge to you." his voice pierced the stunned silence of the camp as he repeated each sentence in three languages. "my pledge to you is not to touch wine, not to lie with women, not to look on silver or gold until we have taken ahmadnagar." the camp seemed to come apart with the cheer that followed, and again came the chant "jadar-o-akbar," "jadar-o-akbar." the sound was as one voice, and now even the distant hills echoed back the sound. again jadar stopped them. "your pledge to me must be the same. and together we will take ahmadnagar in a hundred days. by the head of the prophet i swear it to you." again the chant. and again jadar stopped them. "tonight i offer to fight for you. you must be ready to fight for me. and each must hold the other to his pledge." more cheers. "i have spilled my wine. i will stay apart from my women. i have smashed my gold and silver. i will give it to you. each tent will have a shard. but my eyes must never see it again." the roar of approval was deafening. "that is my pledge. you must also give me yours. leave your women in their tents and lie beside me under the stars. empty your wine flasks into the narbada river as we cross. as your oath to fight to the death. and all your silver, that of your vessels, that on your saddles, that on your women, must be brought here tonight. mark it with your seal, and leave it under guard in my own wagons, away from all eyes, until the day we reach ahmadnagar. then we will drink wine, we will have women, we will wear our finest in victory." jadar paused dramatically. "tonight we are many. tomorrow we are one. we march at sunrise!" the cheers began again, and immediately the pile of silver started to grow. muslim nobles began bringing silver-trimmed saddles, plates, even jewelry. but the most silver came from the hindu infantry, as their women were stripped of the silver bracelets and massive silver anklets that had been their dowries. jadar sat unmoving on his elephant as the men began to come forward with items of silver. soon there was a line stretching into the dark of the tents. he watched the pile growing, and his calculations began. will it be enough? the weight must be enough or the shahbandar, motherless thief that he is, will never agree. but i think we will have it. he thought back over the plan. it had required almost the entire afternoon to refine. but when he had convinced himself that it would succeed, he had posted the pigeons to surat. where, he had asked himself, can i find fifty lakhs of silver, five million rupees, within a month, and have them at burhanpur when we arrive? i'll not squeeze a copper _pice_, penny, from agra. if not agra, where? and slowly in his mind a form had taken shape. he had examined it, almost touched it, puzzled over it. and then he knew what it was. the mint at surat. where foreign coin is melted and recast as rupees. fifty lakhs of silver rupees would scarcely be missed. especially if the shahbandar would allow his minters to work a normal day. the backlog of foreign coin he holds unmelted, creating an artificial shortage of silver, would easily cover fifty lakhs of rupees. i need only borrow what i need, and with it buy back into service the cavalry i need to reclaim the deccan. the shahbandar. but will he do it? he will. if i can show him collateral. i don't have enough collateral. not in my own funds. not even in the local treasuries. but there must be enough silver in eighteen thousand tents to assemble five million rupees. i will hold it, and give him a note of obligation using it as collateral. if we reach ahmadnagar, i will squeeze the five million rupees many times over from every traitorous _mansabdar _i do not hang. i will confiscate their _jagir_ estates and let them buy them back. i can easily confiscate enough to return the shahbandar his loan, and then my men will have back their silver. if we do not reach ahmadnagar, it will be because we are dead. so what will it matter? we will make an oath to reach the city or die. only one problem remains. how to move the coin from surat to burhanpur. secretly. no one must know where it came from or that it's being transferred. but a train with fifty lakhs of rupees must be heavily guarded. and the guards will betray its value. unless there can be some other reason for a heavily guarded train from surat to burhanpur. a reason that would not automatically evoke suspicion. possibly a person of importance. someone whom all india knows cannot be touched. someone important to the moghul. and then the perfect answer came. the most obvious answer of all. who will soon be traveling from surat to burhanpur, en route to agra, under safe conduct of the moghul? the englishman. the infidel _feringhi _need never know. that with him will be the silver that will save prince jadar. chapter ten brian hawksworth stepped lightly off the prow of the barge as it eased into the riverbank and worked his way through the knee-deep tidal mud onto the sandy shore. even here, across the harbor, the water still stank of the sewers of surat. then he turned and surveyed the sprawling city, back across the broad estuary, astonished that they could have crossed the harbor so easily on nothing more substantial than a wide raft of boards lashed with rope, what the indians called a bark. ahead, waiting on the shore, was a line of loaded bullock carts-- conveyances with two wooden wheels higher than a man's head, a flat bed some six feet wide, and a heavy bamboo pole for a tongue--each yoked to two tall, humpbacked gray cattle with conspicuous ribs. the carts stretched down the muddy road that emerged from the tangle of coastal scrub and were piled to overflowing with rolls of english wool cloth. the turbaned drivers now shouted hindi obscenities as they walked alongside and lashed the sullen cattle into place for unloading. as hawksworth watched, the porters who had ridden with him splashed their way toward the shore and began driving stakes to secure the mooring lines of the bark. wool would be ferried across the harbor and cotton brought back with each trip. then hawksworth caught sight of george elkington's ragged hat bobbing in the midday sunshine as the chief merchant and his aide, humphrey spencer, climbed down from their two-wheeled indian coach, drawn by two white oxen, which had been loaned by shahbandar. farther down the line of carts was a detail of english seamen, led by red-haired mackintosh, and all carrying muskets, who had walked the fifteen-mile, two-day trek to guard the cargo. the trading season was well underway, and over the past three weeks a motley assemblage of cargo vessels from the length of the indian ocean had appeared downriver at the bar to commence unlading. foreign traders normally transported goods inland to surat on the barks that plied the tapti between the port and the shallow bar at the river mouth. but these vessels had arrived at the bar with the blessings of portugal, for they all had acquired a portuguese license and paid duty on their cargo at some portuguese-controlled tax point. after evaluating the risk of exposing his english frigates at the bar-- where maneuverability was limited and the possibility of portuguese surprise great--brian hawksworth had elected to unlade directly onshore from their protected anchorage north of the river mouth, the cove called swalley, then haul the goods overland to the banks of the tapti opposite surat. there would be no risk of portuguese interference inland and, once across from the port, the goods could be easily barged to the _maidan_. he turned again toward the river and examined the town of surat from his new vantage. it was easy to see now why this location had been chosen for the port, for here the river curved and widened, creating a natural, protected harbor. the most conspicuous landmarks visible from across the harbor were three stone villas along the riverfront, all owned by the shahbandar, and the square stone fort that stood on the downriver side of the harbor, its heavy ordnance trained perpetually on the water. the fort was surrounded by a moat on three sides and on the fourth by the river. entry could only be gained through a gate on the riverside, or a drawbridge that connected its entrance to the open _maidan_, the square where traders congregated. the square had swarmed with merchants and brokers as they passed through, and he had watched as two brokers stood together near its center--one from ahmedabad, up-country, and the other from surat--arguing loudly over the price and quality of a pile of indigo. the porters explained that the surat broker was accusing the other of mixing sand with the indigo to increase its weight, then disguising his deception by also adding enough oil that the indigo would still float on water, the test used to establish purity of the dried extract of the indigo leaf. as the argument grew more vigorous, hawksworth noticed the men join hands beneath a piece of cloth, where they began negotiating the actual price by means of their fingers, a figure undoubtedly little related to the movement of their tongues. now that the high trading season of september-january had begun, surat's narrow streets were one loud bazaar, swollen to almost two hundred thousand grasping traders, bargaining seamen, hawking merchants. a dozen languages stirred the air as a motley mélange of up- country indian traders, arabs, jains, parsis, persians, jews, egyptians, portuguese, and returning muslim pilgrims--every nationality known to the indian ocean--swaggered through the garbage-sodden mud paths called streets. hawksworth gazed back at the city and reflected over the curious events of the past three weeks. the english had, inexplicably, been received first with open hostility, and then with suspiciously cordial deference--first by the governor, and afterward by the shahbandar. something is very wrong, he told himself. a contest of wills is underway between the shahbandar, mirza nuruddin, and the governor, mukarrab khan. and so far, mukarrab khan seems to be winning. or is he? six days before, the governor had suddenly reversed his policy of noninterference in port affairs and authorized a license for the english to sell their cargo in surat and buy indian goods, something the shahbandar had found one excuse after another to delay. however, mukarrab khan had delivered this license directly to the english, rather than forwarding it to the shahbandar through normal channels, leaving brian hawksworth the unpleasant responsibility of presenting this document to the shahbandar in person. but the meeting turned out to be nothing like hawksworth had expected. "once more you astound me, captain." the close, torch-lit chamber of the customs house office had fallen expectantly silent as the shahbandar drew slowly on his hookah and squinted with his opaque, glassy eyes at the black seal of mukarrab khan affixed to the top of the page. hawksworth had waited for a glimmer of anger at this insulting breach of port protocol--which surely was mukarrab khan's reason for insisting the license be delivered by the english captain- general. but the shahbandar's eyes never lost their noncommittal squint. instead he had turned to hawksworth with a cordial smile. "your refusal to negotiate seems to have worked remarkable dispatch with his excellency's officials. i can't recall ever seeing them act this quickly." hawksworth had been amazed. how could mirza nuruddin possibly know the terms he had demanded of the governor: produce a license for trade within ten days or the two english frigates would weigh anchor and sail; and accept english sovereigns at bullion value rather than the prevailing discount rate of / percent required to circumvent "minting time," the weeks "required" by the shahbandar's minters to melt down foreign coin and re-mint it as indian rupees. no one could have been more surprised than brian hawksworth when mukarrab khan had immediately conceded the english terms and approved the license--valid for sixty days--to land goods, and to buy and sell. why had the governor agreed so readily, overriding the shahbandar's dawdling clerks? "naturally you'll need an officer here to schedule the river barks." the shahbandar's voice was even, but hawksworth thought he sensed an air of tension suddenly grip the room. "normally barks are reserved weeks in advance now during the high season, but we can always accommodate friends of mukarrab khan." it was then that hawksworth had told the shahbandar he would not be bringing cargo up the river, that instead it would be transported overland from their protected anchorage using bullock carts arranged for by mukarrab khan. "the cove you call swalley is several leagues up the coast, captain. foreign cargo has never before been unladed there, nor has it ever been brought overland as you propose." he had seemed genuinely disturbed. "i suggest it's both irregular and unworkable." "i think you understand why we have to unlade from the cove. the decision is made." hawksworth tried to keep his voice as firm as that of mirza nuruddin. "we'll unload the bullock carts just across the river from the port here, and we'll only need a bark to ferry goods across the harbor." "as you wish. i'll arrange to have one at your disposal." the shahbandar drew pensively on the hookah, ejecting coils of smoke into the already dense air of the chamber, and examined hawksworth. then he continued. "i understand your frigates are some five hundred tons each. full unlading will require at least three weeks, perhaps four. is that a reasonable estimate?" "we'll arrange the scheduling. why do you ask?" "merely for information, captain." again the shahbandar flashed his empty smile. then he bowed as lightly as protocol would admit and called for a tray of rolled betel leaves, signifying the meeting was ended. as hawksworth took one, he marveled that he had so quickly acquired a taste for their strange alkaline sweetness. then he looked again at mirza nuruddin's impassive eyes. damn him. does he know what the portugals were planning? and was he hoping we'd be caught unlading in the shallows at the river mouth? he knows i've just spoiled their plans. as he had passed back through the customs shed headed toward the _maidan_ and sunshine, hawksworth could feel the hostile stares. and he knew the reason. the new english visitors had already made an unforgettable impression on the town of surat. the merchants george elkington and humphrey spencer had been given accommodations by a portuguese-speaking muslim, whom spencer had immediately outraged by demanding they be served pork. the other men had been temporarily lodged in a vacant house owned by an indigo broker. after the hard-drinking english seamen had disrupted orderly proceedings in three separate brothels, and been banned in turn by each, the shahbandar had ordered five _nautch_ girls sent to them at the house. but with fewer women than men, a fight inevitably had ensued, with thorough demolition of the plaster walls and shutters. worst of all, bosun's mate john garway had gone on a drunken spree in the streets and, in a flourish of exuberance, severed the tail of a bullock calf--an animal sacred to the hindus--with his seaman's knife. a riot in the hindu quarter had erupted soon after, forcing mukarrab khan to remove the english seamen outside the town walls, in tents erected by the "tank," the city reservoir. yes, hawksworth sighed, it'll be a long time before india forgets her first taste of the english. the barge bobbed lightly as two indian porters, knee-deep in the mud, hoisted the first roll of woolen cloth onto the planking. this begins the final leg of the india voyage, hawksworth thought to himself. and this has been the easiest part of all. almost too easy. pox on it, believe in your luck for a change. the voyage will post a fortune in pepper. lancaster was knighted for little more than bringing home his vessels. he reached java, but he found no trade. he'd have sailed home a pauper if he hadn't ambushed a rich portuguese galleon in the harbor at sumatra. how many weeks to a knighthood? three? four? no, we'll make it in less. we'll man every watch. woolens aland, cotton out. i'll have the frigates laded, stores on board--we can buy cattle and sheep from villages up the coast--and all repairs completed in two weeks. i'll have both frigates in open seas inside a fortnight, where not a portugal bottom afloat can touch us. and if permission for the trip to agra comes, i'll be out of surat too. if i live that long. he reached into his belt and drew out a long portuguese stiletto. an elaborate cross was etched into the blade, and the handle was silver, with a ram's head at the butt. the ram's eyes were two small rubies. he had been carrying it for two days, and he reflected again on what had happened, still puzzling. he had returned to the observatory the next morning after he had met shirin, and this time he brought his lute. but she did not come. that morning, or the morning after, or the morning after. finally he swallowed his disappointment and concluded he would not see her again. then it was he had gone to work cleaning away the moss and accumulated mud from the stone instruments. parts of some seemed to be missing, and he had searched the hut for these without success. all he had found was a hand-held astrolabe, an instrument used to take the altitude of the sun. but he also found tables, piles of handwritten tables, that seemed to hold the key to the use of the instruments. his hopes had soared. it seemed possible, just possible, that buried somewhere in the hut was the key to the greatest mystery of all time--how to determine longitude at sea. hawksworth had often pondered the difficulties of navigation in the deep ocean, where only the sun and stars were guides. they were the primary determent to england's new ambition to explore the globe, for english navigators were still far less experienced than those of the spanish and portuguese. the problem seemed overwhelming. since the great earth was curved, no line on its surface was straight, and once at sea there was absolutely no way to determine exactly where you were, which way you were going, or how fast. the least uncertain measurement was probably latitude, a ship's location north or south of the equator. in the northern hemisphere the height of the polestar was a reasonably accurate determinant of latitude, although it was a full three degrees distant from the northernmost point in the sky. another measure of latitude was the height of the sun at midday, corrected for the specific day of the year. the problem lay in how to measure either of these elevations accurately. a hundred years before, the portuguese had come across an ingenious arab device for telling the elevation of the sun. it consisted of a board with a knotted length of string run through the middle. if a mariner held the board vertically and sighted the horizon at one end and some object in the sky at the other, the length of the string between the board and his eye could be used to calculate the elevation of the object. in a short time a version appeared in europe--with a second board replacing the string--called the cross-staff. however, since locating both the horizon and a star was almost impossible at any time except dawn or dusk, this device worked best for sighting the sun--save that it required staring into the disc of the sun to find its exact center. also, the cross-staff could not be used when the sun was high in the sky, which was the case in equatorial waters. another version of the cross-staff was the astrolabe, a round brass dial etched with degree markings and provided with a movable sight that permitted taking the elevation of the sun by its shadow. but even with the astrolabe there was the problem of catching the sun precisely at midday. and on a rolling ship the error in reading it could easily be four degrees. for longitude, a ship's location east or west on the globe, there were no fixed references at all; but as a mariner traveled east or west, the sun would come up somewhat earlier or later each day, and precisely how much earlier or later could be used to compute how far he had gone. therefore, calculating longitude depended solely on keeping time extremely accurately--something completely impossible. the best timekeeping device available was the hourglass or "sandglass," invented somewhere in the western mediterranean in the eleventh or twelfth century. sandglass makers never achieved real accuracy or consistency, and careful mariners always used several at once, hoping to average out variations. but on a long voyage seamen soon totally lost track of absolute time. since they were unable to determine a ship's location from the skies, mariners also tried to compute it from a vessel's speed and direction. speed was estimated by throwing a log with a knotted rope attached overboard and timing the rate at which the knots in the rope played out--using a sandglass. margins of error in computing speed were usually substantial. direction, too, was never known completely accurately. a compass pointed to magnetic north, not true north, and the difference between these seemed to vary unaccountably at different locations on the globe. some thought it had to do with the lodestone used to magnetize the needle, and others, like the grand pilot of the king of spain, maintained seamen were merely lying to cover their own errors. for it all, however, longitude was the most vital unknown. many attempts had been made to find a way to fix longitude, but nothing ever worked. seamen found the only real solution to the problem was "latitude sailing," a time-consuming and expensive procedure whereby a captain would sail north or south to the approximate latitude of his destination and then sail due east or west, rather than trying to sail on the diagonal. king philip iii of spain had offered a fortune to the first man who discovered how to tell longitude at sea. hawksworth spent days poring through the piles of tables, many of which were strewn about the floor of the room and damaged from mildew and rot. next he carefully copied the symbols off the walls of the circular building and matched these with those on several of the charts. were these the names of the major stars, or constellations of the zodiac, or . . . what? the number was twenty-eight. and then it came to him: they were the daily stations of the moon. as he continued to sift through the documents, he realized that the scholar who wrote them had predicted eclipses of the moon for many years in advance. then he found a book, obviously old, with charts that seemed to provide geometric corrections for the distortion caused by the atmosphere when sighting stars near the horizon, something that always had been troublesome for navigators. he also found other writings. new. some appeared to be verses, and others, tables of names and numbers. sums of money were written next to some of the names. but none of it meant anything without the persian, which he could not read. and shirin had never returned to the observatory, at least not when he was there. until two days ago. at the observatory that morning the sky had been a perfect ice blue, the garden and orchard still, the air dry and exhilarating. no workmen were splashing in the moat beyond the wall that day. only the buzz of gnats intruded on the silence. he had brought a bottle of dry persian wine to make the work go faster, finding he was growing accustomed to its taste. and he had brought his lute, as always, in hope shirin would come again. he was in the stone hut, cleaning and sorting pages of manuscript, when she appeared silently in the doorway. he looked up and felt a sudden rush in his chest. "have you uncovered all of jamshid beg's secrets?" her voice was lilting, but with a trace of unease. "i've found out that was our famous astronomer's name. he was originally from samarkand." "i think i'm beginning to understand some of the tables." hawksworth kept his tone matter-of-fact. "he should have been a navigator. he could have been a fellow at trinity house." "what is that?" "it's a guild in england. where navigators are trained." she laughed. "i think he preferred a world made only of numbers." her laugh was gone as quickly as it had come, and she moved toward him with a vaguely troubled look. "what have you found?" "a lot of things. take a look at this drawing." hawksworth tried to remain nonchalant as he moved the lamp back to the table from where he had placed it on the floor. "he identified what we call parallax, the slight circular motion of the moon throughout the day caused by the fact it's not sighted from the center of the earth, but from a spot on its surface that moves as the earth rotates. now if he could measure that accurately enough with these instruments . . ." shirin waved her hand and laughed again. "if you understand all this, why not just take the papers back to the palace and work with them there?" she was in the room now, her olive cheeks exquisitely shadowed by the partially open door, where flickering shadows played lightly through the brilliant sunshine. "today i'd rather hear you play your english instrument." "with pleasure. i've been trying to learn an indian raga." he kept his voice even and moved himself deftly between shirin and the doorway, blocking her exit. "but it sounds wrong on the lute. when i get to agra i'm thinking i'll have a sitar made . . ." he reached as though for the lute, then swung his hand upward and clapped it over shirin's mouth. before she could move he shoved her against the wall beside the door and stretched with his other hand to seize the heavy brass astrolabe that rested on a stand by the table. he caught a look of pure terror in her eyes, and for a moment he thought she might scream. he pressed her harder against the wall to seal her mouth, and as the shaft of light from the doorway dimmed momentarily he stepped forward and swung the brass astrolabe upward. there was a soft sound of impact, followed by a choked groan and the clatter of metal against the wooden door. he drew back the astrolabe, now with a trace of blood along its sharp edge and the remains of a tooth wedged between its discs. then he looked out to see a dark- skinned indian man in a loincloth rolling himself across the top of the garden wall. a faint splash followed, as he dropped into the moat. when hawksworth released shirin and placed the astrolabe back on its stand, he caught the glint of sunshine off a stiletto lying in the doorway. he bent down to retrieve it and suddenly she was next to him, holding his arm and staring at the place where the man had scaled the wall. "he was a sudra, a low caste." she looked at the stiletto in hawksworth's hand, and her voice turned to scorn. "it's portuguese. only the portuguese would hire someone like that, instead of a rajput." then she laughed nervously. "if they'd hired a rajput, someone would be dead now. hire a sudra and you get a sudra's work." "who was it?" "who knows? the horse bazaar is full of men who would kill for ten rupees." she pointed toward the wall. "do you see that piece of cloth? there on the old spike. i think it's a piece of his _dhoti_. would you get it for me?" after hawksworth had retrieved the shred of cotton loincloth, brown from a hundred washings in the river, she had taken it from him without a word. "what will you do with it?" "don't." she touched a finger to his lips. "these are things it's best not to ask." then she tucked the brown scrap into the silken sash at her waist and moved toward the door. "and it would be better if you forgot about today." hawksworth watched her for a second, then seized her arm and turned her facing him. "i may not know what's going on. but, by jesus, i'll know before you leave. and you can start by telling me why you come here." she stared back at him for a moment, meeting his eyes. there was something in them he had never seen before, almost admiration. then she caught herself and drew back, dropping into a chair. "very well. perhaps you do deserve to know." she slipped the translucent scarf from her hair and tossed it across the table. "why don't you open the wine you brought? i'll not tell you everything, because you shouldn't want me to, but i'll tell you what's important for you." hawksworth remembered how he had slowly poured the wine for her, his hand still trembling. "have you ever heard of samad?" she had begun, taking a small sip. "i think he's the poet mukarrab khan quoted once. he called him a sufi rascal." "is that what he said? good. that only confirms once again what i think of his excellency." she laughed with contempt. "samad is a great poet. he's perhaps the last great persian writer, in the tradition of omar khayyam. he has favored me by allowing me to be one of his disciples." "so you come here to write poems?" "when i feel something i want to say." "but i've also found lists of names here, and numbers." "i told you i can't tell you everything." shirin's look darkened momentarily as she drank again lightly from the cup, then settled it on the table. he found himself watching her face, drawn to her by something he could not fully understand. "but i can tell you this. there's someone in india who will one day rid us of the infidel portuguese. do you know of prince jadar?" "he's the son of the moghul. i'm guessing he'll probably succeed one day." "he should. if he's not betrayed. things are very unsettled in agra. he has many enemies there." she paused. "he has enemies here." "i'm not sure i understand." "then you should. because what happens in agra will affect everyone. even you." "but what does agra politics have to do with me? the knife was portuguese." "to understand what's happening, you should first know about akman, the one we remember now as the great moghul. he was the father of arangbar, the moghul now. i was only a small girl when akman died, but i still remember my sadness, my feeling the universe would collapse. we worshiped him almost. it's not talked about now, but the truth is akman didn't really want arangbar to succeed him, nobody did. but he had no choice. in fact, when akman died, arangbar's eldest son started a rebellion to deny him the throne, but that son's troops betrayed him, and after they surrendered arangbar blinded him in punishment. khusrav, his own son. although prince jadar was still only a young boy then, we all thought after that he would be moghul himself one day. but that was before the persians came to power in agra." "but aren't you persian yourself?" "i was born in india, but yes, i have the great fortune to be of persian blood. there are many persians in india. you know, persians still intimidate the moghuls. ours is a magnificent culture, an ancient culture, and persians never let the moghuls forget it." shirin had dabbed at her brow and rose to peer out the door of the observatory building, as though by instinct. "did you know that the first moghul came to india less than a hundred years ago, actually after the portuguese? he was named babur, a distant descendant of the mongol warrior genghis khan, and he was from central asia. babur was the grandfather of akman. they say he had wanted to invade persia but that the ruling dynasty, the safavis, was too strong. so he invaded india instead, and the moghuls have been trying to make it into persia ever since. that's why persians can always find work in india. they teach their language at court, and give lessons in fashion, and in painting and garden design. samad came here from persia, and now he's the national poet." "what do these persians have to do with whatever's happening in agra? are you, or your family, somehow involved too?" "my father was shayhk mirak." she hesitated a moment, as though expecting a response. then she continued evenly, "of course, you'd not know of him. he was a court painter. he came to india when akman was moghul and took a position under the persian mir sayyid ali, who directed the painting studio akman founded. you know, i've always found it amusing that akman had to use persian artists to create the moghul school of indian painting. anyway, my father was very skilled at moghul portraits, which everybody now says were invented by akman. and when akman died, arangbar named my father to head the school. it lasted until she was brought to agra." "who?" "the queen, the one called janahara." "but why was your father sent away?" "because i was sent away." hawksworth thought he sensed a kind of nervous intensity quivering behind shirin's voice. it's your story, he told himself, that i'd really like to hear. but he said nothing, and the silence swelled. finally she spoke again. "to understand the trouble now, you must understand about the queen. her story is almost amazing, and already legends are growing around her. it's said she was born the day her father, zainul beg, left persia as an adventurer bound for india. he ordered her abandoned in the sun to die, but after the caravan traveled on his wife lamented for the baby so much he decided to return for her. although the sun was intense, they found her still alive. it's said a cobra was shading her with his hood." shirin turned to hawksworth, her dark eyes seeming to snap. "can you believe such a story?" "no. it sounds like a fable." "neither can i. but half the people in india do. her father finally reached lahore, the city in india where akman was staying, and managed to enter his service. like any persian he did very well, and before long akman gave him a _mansab _rank of three hundred _zat_. his wife and daughter were allowed to come and go among the palace women. then, when she was seventeen, this little persian girl of the cobra began her plan. she repeatedly threw herself across the path of the moghul's son arangbar, whom she rightly guessed would be next in line for the throne. he was no match for her, and now people say she won his heart before he knew it himself. my own belief is she cast a spell on him." "and he married her?" "of course not. akman was no fool. he knew she was a schemer, and when he saw what she was doing he immediately had her married to a persian general named sher afgan, whom he then appointed governor of bengal, a province in the distant east of india. akman died a few years after that, still thinking he had saved arangbar from her, but he hadn't counted on the spell." "so how did she get back to agra, and become queen?" "that part i know very well." shirin laughed bitterly. "i was there. you see, arangbar never forgot his persian cobra girl, even after he became moghul himself. and he found a way to get her back. one day he announced he was receiving reports of unrest in bengal, where sher afgan was still governor, and he summoned the governor to agra to explain. when no answer came, he sent troops. nobody knows what happened, but the story was given out that sher afgan drew a sword on arangbar's men. perhaps he did. they say he was impulsive. but the imperial troops cut him down. then arangbar ordered sher afgan's persian wife and her little daughter, layla, back to agra and put them under the protection of his mother, the dowager queen. then, just as we'd all predicted, he married her. at first he was going to put her in the _zenana_, the harem, but she refused. she demanded to be made his queen, an equal. and that's what he did. except now she's actually more. she's the real ruler of india." "and you were in the harem, the _zenana_, then?" hawksworth decided to gamble on the story he had heard. shirin stared at him, trying to hide what seemed to be surprise. "you know." for a moment he thought she might reach out and touch his hand, but then she drew back into herself. "yes, i was still in the _zenana_ then, but not for long. the first thing janahara did was find out which women arangbar favored, and she then had us all married off to governors of provinces far from agra. you know a muslim man is allowed four wives, so there's always room for one more. mukarrab khan got me." "she seems very clever." "you haven't heard even half her story yet. next she arranged to have her brother, nadir sharif, appointed prime minister, and her father, zainul beg, made chief adviser to arangbar. so now she and her family control the moghul and everyone around him." shirin paused. "not quite everyone. yet. not prince jadar." "but he'll be the next moghul. when that happens, what becomes of her?" "he _should _be the next moghul. and if he is, her power will be gone. that's why she wants to destroy him now." "but how can she, if he's the rightful heir?" hawksworth found himself suddenly dismayed by the specter of agra in turmoil. "no one knows. but she'll think of a way. and then she'll find someone she can control to be the next moghul."'' 'but why do you care so much who succeeds arangbar?" "one reason i care is because of samad." her eyes suddenly saddened. "now i really don't understand. he's a poet. why should it matter to him?" "because the queen would like to see him dead. he has too much influence. you must understand that the queen and her family are shi'ites, a persian sect of islam. they believe all men should bow to some dogmatic mullah, whom they call an _imam_. but this was never in the teachings given to the prophet." a curse on all religions, hawksworth had thought. am i caught in the middle of some muslim holy war? "but why do these persians, or their _imams_, want to be rid of samad?" "because he's a sufi, a mystic, who teaches that we all should find god within our own selves. without the mullahs. that's why the persian shi'ites despise him and want him dead." "then he's supporting prince jadar?" "samad does not concern himself with politics. but it's the duty of the others of us, those who understand what is happening, to help prince jadar. because we know he will stop the persians and their shi'ites who are now spreading their poison of hate in india, and he'll also rid india of the portuguese. i'm sure of it." she paused for a moment. "you know, it's always seemed ironic that the persians and the portuguese should actually work together. but in a way each needs the other. the portuguese have made the persians, particularly the queen and her brother, nadir sharif, very rich, and in return they're allowed to send their jesuits to preach. so both the persians and the portuguese want to prevent prince jadar from becoming the next moghul, since they know he'd like nothing better than to rid india of them both." "but what does this have to do with me? i just want a trading _firman_ from arangbar. he's still alive and healthy, and he should know the portugals can't stop english trading ships from coming here. why shouldn't he give us a _firman_?" "can't you see? the english can never be allowed to trade here. it would be the beginning of the end for the portuguese. it would show all the world they no longer can control india's ports. but what i'm really trying to make you see is that it's not only the portuguese who want to stop you. it's also the people who support them. so no one can aid you openly. the persians are already too powerful. still, there are those here who would protect you." "who do you mean?" "how could i possibly tell you?" she held him with her eyes. "i scarcely know you. but you should listen to your intuition. samad says we all have an inner voice that tells us what is true." this time she did reach and touch his hand, and her touch was strangely warm in the chill of the room. "i can't tell you any more, really. so now will you play for me? something tender, perhaps. a song you would play for the woman you left behind you in england." "i didn't have all that much to leave behind." he picked up the lute. "but i'll be happy to play for you." "you have no one?" "there was a woman in london. but she married while i was . . . gone." "she wouldn't wait while you were away?" shirin sipped again from her cup and her eyes darkened. "that must have been very sad for you." "it could be she didn't think i was worth waiting for." he hesitated. "i've had some time to think about it since. in a way it was probably my own fault. i think she wanted more than i was ready to give." she looked at him and smiled. "perhaps what she wanted was you. and you wouldn't give yourself. tell me what she was like." "what was she like?" he looked away, remembering maggie's face with a strange mixture of longing and bitterness. "well, she's like nobody i've seen in india. red hair, blue eyes . . . and a salty tongue." he laughed. "if she was ever anybody's fourth wife, i'd pity the other three." he felt his laugh fade. "i missed her a lot when i was away before. but now . . ." he tried to shrug. she looked at him as though she understood it all. "then if you won't play for her any more, will you play just for me? one of your english ragas?" "what if i played a suite by dowland, one of our english composers? it's one of my favorites." he found himself smiling again, the lute comfortable and reassuring in his grasp. "i hope you won't think it sounds too out of place." "we're both out of place here now." she returned his smile wistfully and glanced at the papers on the desk. "you and me." hawksworth saw george elkington approaching and dropped the dagger quickly into his boot. "'twill take a lifetime the rate these heathens dawdle." elkington wiped a sweaty arm across his brow. deep bags sagged under his bloodshot eyes. "an' we'll be months movin' the lead and ironwork with these damn'd rickety carts. not to mention the silver bullion for buyin' commodity. we'll have to get a barge." "how many more trips do you need to bring in the wool?" "can't say. but 'tis clear we'll need more of these damn'd carts, for what little they're worth." as elkington turned to spit, he spotted a porter who had let a roll of woolen cloth dip into the river, and his neck veins pulsed. "hey, you heathen bastard, mind the water!" he stumbled after the terrified man trailing a stream of oaths. hawksworth leaned against the wooden spokes of a bullock cart and quickly passed the stiletto from his boot back to his belt. as he watched, the bark tipped, beginning to list dangerously, and then he heard elkington command the porters to stop the loading and prepare to get underway. only five of the twenty-five bullock carts had been emptied, and the sun was already approaching midafternoon. as hawksworth had watched the men at work, some corner of his mind had become dimly aware of a curious anomaly. whereas the shahbandar's porters were working at full speed, the drivers of the bullock carts seemed actually to be hindering the unloading--moving the carts around in a confused way that always kept the work disorganized. and a number of answers began, just began, to fall into place. "captain-general hawksworth, do you expect to be joinin' us?" george elkington stalked up and began to scrape his muddy boots on the spokes of the bullock cart "elkington, i want you to dismiss these drivers." hawksworth ignored his sarcastic tone. "i want the shahbandar to supply all our men from now on." "what the bloody hell for?" elkington tightened his hat and hitched up his belt. "something's wrong. did you have any accidents coming in from swalley?" "accidents? nay, not a bleedin' one. unless you'd call the axle of a cart breakin' the first day and blockin' a narrow turn in the road, with mud on both sides so we couldn't pass and had to unload the whole bleedin' lot and look half the mornin' for another cart to hire. an' then the drivers had a fight over who was responsible, and who'd pay for what, and we couldn't start till after midday. and yesterday one of their damn'd bullocks died, right in the road. which is scarce wonder, considerin' how worn out they are. nay, we had no accidents. the whole bleedin' trip was an accident." "then let's get rid of them all. men, carts, bullocks, the lot. and hire new. let the shahbandar hire them for us. we pay in silver, and give him his commission, and i'm sure he'll provide us what we need." "think he can do any better?" elkington's skeptical eyes squinted against the sun. "these damn'd heathens all appear similar." "i think he'll make a difference. they all seem terrified of him. we have to try." hawksworth started for the barge. "you don't have much time left." shirin had said. "try to understand what's happening." the porters were loosening the lines on the pegs. the bark was ready to get underway. "don't assume you know who'll aid you," she had said. "help may come in a way that surprises you. it can't be known who's helping you." he waded through the mud and pulled himself onto the bark. then he turned and rolled over onto a bale of cloth. the sky was flawless and empty. "just trust what feels right," she had said, and for no reason at all she had reached out and touched his lute. "learn to trust your senses. most of all"--she had taken his hand and held it longer than she should have--"learn to open yourself." they were underway. the shahbandar watched from the _maidan_ as the bark of english woolens moved in short spurts toward the steps below him. oars sparkled in the sunshine, and the faint chant of the rowers bounced, garbled, across the waves. behind him two short, surly-eyed men held the large umbrella that shaded his face and rotund belly. a circle of guards with poles pushed away traders who shouted begs and bribes for a moment of his time injtheir tent, to inspect their goods please and render them salable commodity with his chapp and an invoice stating their worth, preferably undervalued. the / percent duty was prescribed by the moghul. the assessed value was not. mirza nuruddin ignored them. he was calculating time, not rupees. his latest report was that four weeks more were needed for the viceroy to outfit the galleons and fireships. but the single-masted frigatta bringing the news from goa was two weeks in travel. which means the galleons will be here within three, perhaps two weeks, he told himself. a portuguese armada of twelve warships. the englishman's luck has run out. they'll be caught unlading and burned. he fingered the shred of dirty cloth tucked in his waist. it had been sent by shirin, wrapped with a gift of aga of the rose. her cryptic note had told him all he had needed to know. when his spies reported no one recently injured among the servants of the portuguese jesuits, the search had begun in the horse bazaar. they had found the man the next day. the truth had come quickly when mirza nuruddin's name was mentioned. and nothing had been learned. the man had been given the knife by hindi-speaking servants. their master's name was never divulged. but they knew well the routine of the englishman, and the location of the observatory. and now i must tamper with your destiny, english captain. we are all-- you, i, the prince--captives of a world we no longer can fully control. he asked himself again why he had made the choice, finally. to take the risks jadar had asked, when the odds against the prince were growing daily. it was stupid to support him now, and mirza nuruddin had always held absolute contempt for stupidity, particularly when it meant supporting a hopeless cause. if the queen crushes him, as she very likely will, i've jeopardized my position, my holdings, probably my life. the prince does not understand how difficult my task is. the infidel englishman is almost too clever. i had planned it perfectly. i had shown them the opportunity for great profit, then denied it to them. they were preparing to leave, but surely they would have returned, with a fleet. then mukarrab khan approved their trade, after waiting until he was certain the portuguese preparations were almost complete. so now they remain, awaiting their own destruction, never to leave again. and when these frigates are destroyed, will any english ever return? the englishman will surely be dead, or sent to goa. there'll be no trip to agra. and arangbar will never know why. but the silver coin will soon be ready. and the prince's cipher today said vasant rao himself will arrive in ten days to escort the englishman and the silver as far as burhanpur. time is running out. there's only one solution left. will it work? the barge eased into the shallows and the porters slid into the water, each already carrying a roll of cloth. "i expected this difficulty, captain hawksworth. but your path is of your own making. you yourself chose to unlade at that distance from the port." they were in mirza nuruddin's chamber, and the shahbandar faced hawksworth and elkington with his rheumy, fogbound eyes. the chamber had been emptied, as hawksworth had demanded. "i propose you consider the following. unlade the woolens from your smaller frigate immediately, and let me oversee their transport here." he drew nonchalantly on the hookah. "my fee would be a small commission above the cost of hiring the carts. one percent if they are delivered here within two weeks. two percent if they are delivered within one week. do you accept?" hawksworth decided not to translate the terms for elkington. "we accept." it seems fair, he told himself. this is no time to bargain. "you show yourself reasonable. now, the lead and ironwork you have cargoed is another matter. bullock carts are totally unsuitable for those weights in this sandy coastal delta. the weights involved require they be transported by river bark. and that means unlading at the river mouth." hawksworth shook his head. "we'll dump the cargo first. we can't take the risk now." "captain, there is risk and there is risk. what is life itself if not risk? without risk what man can call himself alive?" mirza nuruddin thought of his own risk at this moment, how his offer of help to the english would immediately be misconstrued by the entire port. until the plan had played through to its ending. then the thought of the ending buoyed him and he continued, his voice full of solicitude. "i can suggest a strategy for unlading your ironwork at the river mouth in reasonable safety, after your frigates have been lightened of their wool. with an experienced pilot, you can sail along the shoreline, south to the bar, and anchor under cover of dark. barks can be waiting to unlade you. if the lead and ironwork are ready for unlading, perhaps it can be completed in one night. you can unlade the smaller frigate first, return it to the cove you call swalley, and then unlade the other vessel. that way only one frigate is exposed at a time." as hawksworth and elkington listened, mirza nuruddin outlined the details of his offer. he would hire whatever men were needed. he normally did this for foreign traders, and took a percentage from them-- as well as from the meager salary of the men he hired. and he already had a pilot in mind, a man who knew every shoal and sandbar on the coastline. as hawksworth listened his senses suddenly told him to beware. hadn't shirin told him to trust his intuition? and this scheme was too pat. this time his guts told him to dump the lead in the bay and write off the loss. but elkington would never agree. he would want to believe they could unlade and sell the lead. his responsibility was profit on the cargo, not the risk of a vessel. so he would take this final risk. perhaps mirza nuruddin was right. risk exhilarated. he smiled inwardly and thought again of shirin. and of what she had said about trusting his instincts. then, ignoring them, he agreed to mirza nuruddin's plan. and the shahbandar produced a document already prepared for their signature. chapter eleven "now we will begin. as my guest, you have first throw of the dice." mirza nuruddin fingered the gold and ivory inlay of the wooden dice cup as he passed it to hawksworth. then he drew a heavy gurgle of smoke from his hookah, savoring the way it raced his heart for that brief instant before its marvelous calm washed over his nerves. he needed the calm. he knew that any plan, even one as carefully conceived as the one tonight, could fail through the blundering of incompetents. or betrayal. but tonight, he told himself, tonight you will win the game. the marble-paved inner court of the shahbandar's sprawling brick estate house was crowded almost to overflowing: with wealthy hindu money- lenders, whose mercenary hearts were as black as their robes were white; muslim port officials in silks and jewels, private riches gleaned at public expense; the turbaned captains of arab cargo ships anchored at the bar, hard men in varicolored robes who sat sweltering, smoking, and drinking steaming coffee; and a sprinkling of portuguese in starched doublets, the captains and officers of the three portuguese trading frigatta now anchored at the bar downriver. servants wearing only white loincloths circulated decanters of wine and boxes of rolled betel leaves as an antidote to the stifling air that lingered even now, almost at midnight, from a broiling day. the torchbearers of mirza nuruddin's household stood on the balconies continuously dousing a mixture of coconut oil and rose attar onto their huge flambeaux. behind latticework screens the _nautch_ girls waited in boredom, braiding their hair, smoothing their skintight trousers, inspecting themselves in the ring-mirror on their right thumb, and chewing betel. the dancing would not begin until well after midnight. as hawksworth took the dice cup, the sweating crowd fell expectantly silent, and for the first time he noticed the gentle splash of the river below them, through the trees. he stared for a moment at the lined board lying on the carpet between them, then he wished himself luck and tossed the three dice along its side. they were ivory and rectangular, their four long sides numbered one, two, five, and six with inlaid teakwood dots. he had thrown a one and two sixes. "a propitious start. you english embrace fortune as a brahmin his birthright." the shahbandar turned and smiled toward the portuguese captains loitering behind him, who watched mutely, scarcely masking their displeasure at being thrown together with the heretic english captain. but an invitation from the shahbandar was not something a prudent trader declined. "the night will be long, however. this is only your beginning." hawksworth passed the cup to the shahbandar and stared at the board, trying to understand the rules of _chaupar_, the favorite game of india from the moghul's _zenana _to the lowliest loitering scribe. the board was divided into four quadrants and a central square, using two sets of parallel lines, which formed a large cross in its middle. each quadrant was divided into three rows, marked with spaces for moving pieces. two or four could play, and each player had four pieces of colored teak that were placed initially at the back of two of the three spaced rows. after each dice throw, pieces were moved forward one or more spaces in a row until reaching its end, then up the next row, until they reached the square in the center. a piece reaching the center was called _rasida_, arrived. hawksworth remembered that a double six allowed him to move two of his pieces, those standing together, a full twelve spaces ahead. as he moved the pieces forward, groans and oaths in a number of languages sounded through the night air. betting had been heavy on the shahbandar, who had challenged both hawksworth and the senior portuguese captain to a set of games. only an adventurous few in the crowd would straddle their wagers and accept the long odds that the english captain would, or could, be so impractical as to defeat the man who must value and apply duty to his goods. "did i tell you, captain hawksworth, that _chaupar _was favored by the great moghul, akman?" the shahbandar rattled the dice in the cup for a long moment. "there's a story, hundreds of years old, that once a ruler of india sent the game of chess, what we call _chaturanga_ in india, to persia as a challenge to their court. they in return sent _chaupar_ to india." he paused dramatically. "it's a lie invented by a persian." he led the explosion of laughter and threw the dice. a servant called the numbers and the laughter died as suddenly as it had come. "the merciful prophet's wives were serpent-tongued bengalis." he had thrown three ones. a terrified servant moved the pieces while mirza nuruddin took a betel leaf from a tray and munched it sullenly. the crowd's tension was almost palpable. hawksworth took the cup and swirled it again. he absently noted that the moon had emerged from the trees and was now directly overhead. the shahbandar seemed to notice it as well. mackintosh watched as the last grains of red marble sand slipped through the two-foot-high hourglass by the binnacle and then he mechanically flipped it over. the moon now cast the shadow of the mainmast yard precisely across the waist of the ship, and the tide had begun to flow in rapidly. the men of the new watch were silently working their way up the shrouds. "midnight. the tide's up. there's nae need to wait more." he turned to captain kerridge, who stood beside him on the quarterdeck of the _resolve_. george elkington stood directly behind kerridge. "let's get under sail." elkington tapped out his pipe on the railing. then he turned to kerridge. "did you remember to douse the stern lantern?" "i give the orders, mr. elkington. and you can save your questions for the pilot." captain jonathan kerridge was a small, weasel-faced man with no chin and large bulging eyes. he signaled the _resolve_'s quartermaster and the anchor chain began to rattle slowly up the side. then the mainsail dropped, hung slack for a moment, and bellied against the wind, sending a groan through the mast. they were underway. the only light on board was a small, shielded lantern by the binnacle, for reading the large boxed compass. the needle showed their course to be almost due south, toward the bar at the mouth of the tapti. on their right was the empty bay and on their left the glimmer of occasional fires from the shoreline. the whipstaff had been taken by the indian pilot, a wrinkled nut-brown man the shahbandar had introduced as ahmet. he spoke a smattering of portuguese and had succeeded in explaining that he could reliably cover the eight-mile stretch south from swalley to the unloading bar at the tapti river mouth in one turn of the hourglass, if allah willed. with high tide, he had also managed to explain, there were only two sandbars they would have to avoid. and there would be no hostiles abroad this night. even the portuguese trading frigates were safely at anchor off the river mouth, for this evening their captains had been honored by an invitation to attend the gathering at mirza nuruddin's estate. "your beginning has been impressive, captain hawksworth. but now you must still maintain your advantage." mirza nuruddin watched as hawksworth threw a double five and a two, advancing two of his four pieces into the central square. the crowd groaned, coins began to change hands. "you have gained _rasida _for two pieces. i'll save time and concede this game. but we have six more to play. _chaupar _is a bit like life. it favors those with endurance." as the board was cleared for the next game, mirza nuruddin rose and strode to the end of the court. the wind was coming up now, as it always did on this monthly night of full moon and tide, sweeping up the river bringing the fresh salt air of the sea. and the currents would be shifting along the coast, as sandbars one by one were submerged by the incoming tide. he barked an inconsequential order to a hovering servant and then made his way back to the board, his guests parting automatically before him. the drinking crowd had already begun to turn boisterous, impatient for the appearance of the women. as always, the _nautch _girls would remain for additional entertainment after their dance, in private quarters available in the rambling new palace. "this game i will throw first." the shahbandar seated himself, and watched as hawksworth drew on a tankard of brandy, especially provided for the europeans present. then mirza nuruddin made a deft twist of the cup and the ivories dropped on the carpet in a neat row of three sixes. a servant barked the numbers and the crowd pressed forward as one to watch. "fifteen fathom and falling." the bosun leaned back from the railing and shouted toward the quarterdeck. in disbelief he quickly drew the line in over the gunwale at the waist of the _resolve_ and fed it out again. "now she reads thirteen fathom." kerridge glanced at the hourglass. the sand was half gone, and the compass reading still gave their course as due south. ahead the sea was blind dark but on the left the fires of shore still flickered, now perhaps even brighter than he had remembered them. then he realized a cloud had drifted momentarily over the moon, and he told himself this was why. the pilot held the whipstaff on a steady course. "i'd reef the foresail a notch, cap'n, and ease her two points to starboard. i'll lay a hundred sovereigns the current's chang'd on us." mackintosh ventured to break protocol and speak, his concern growing. i dinna like the feel of this, he told himself. we're driftin' too fast. i can feel it. "eight fathoms, sir." the bosun's voice again cut the dark. "jesus, cap'n," mackintosh erupted. "take her about. the pox- rotted current's . .." "she'll ride in three fathom. i've sailed the james, six hundred ton, in less. let her run." he turned to elkington. "ask the moor how much longer to the river mouth." george elkington turned and shot a stream of questions rapidly at the pilot, whose eyes glazed in his partial comprehension. he shook his head in a way that seemed to mean both yes and no simultaneously and then pointed into the dark and shrugged, emitting fragments of portuguese. "_em frente sahib. diretamente em frente._" then he gestured toward the waist of the ship and seemed to be asking the depth reading. as though in answer, the bosun's voice came again, trembling. "five fathom, cap'n, and still dropping." "cinco." elkington translated, but his concerned tone was a question. what does it mean? the pilot shouted an alarm in gujarati and threw his fragile weight against the whipstaff. the _resolve_ pitched and shuddered, groaning like some mourning animal at tether, but it no longer seemed to respond to the rudder. kerridge glared at the pilot in dismay. "tell the blathering heathen steady as she goes. she'll take--" the deck tipped crazily sideways, and a low grind seemed to pass up through its timbers. then the whipstaff kicked to port, strained against its rope, and with a snap from somewhere below, drifted free. the _resolve _careened dangerously into the wind, while a wave caught the waist of the ship and swept the bosun and his sounding line into the dark. "whorin' mary, mother of god, we've lost the rudder." mackintosh lunged down the companionway toward the main deck, drawing a heavy knife from his belt. as the frightened seamen clung to the tilting deck and braced themselves against the shrouds, he began slashing the lines securing the main sail. another wave seemed to catch the _resolve_ somewhere beneath her stern quarter gallery and lifted her again. she poised in midair for a long moment, then groaned farther into the sand. as the frigate tipped, mackintosh felt a rumble from the deck below and at that instant he knew with perfect certainty the _resolve _was doomed to go down. a cannon had snapped its securing lines and jumped its blocks. he grabbed a shroud and braced himself. then it came, the muffled sound of splintering as the cannon bore directly through the hull, well below the waterline of the heeling frigate. "takin' water in the hold." a frightened shout trailed out through the scuttles. the seamen on decks still clung to the shrouds, wedging themselves against the gunwales. "man the pumps in the well, you fatherless pimps." mackintosh shouted at the paralyzed seamen, knowing it was already too late, and then he began to sever the moorings of the longboat lashed to the mainmast. elkington was clinging to the lateen mast, winding a safety line about his waist and bellowing unintelligible instructions into the dark for hoisting the chests of silver bullion from the hold. no one on the quarterdeck had noticed when its railing splintered, sending captain kerridge and the indian pilot into the dark sea. "the strumpet luck seems to have switched her men tonight, captain hawksworth, like a _nautch_ girl when her _karwa_'s rupees are spent." mirza nuruddin signaled for his hookah to be relighted. he had just thrown another row of three sixes, and was now near to taking the seventh game, giving him six to hawksworth's one. all betting on hawksworth had stopped after the fourth game. "but the infinite will of god is always mysterious, mercifully granting us what we need more often than what we want." hawksworth had studied the last throw carefully, through the haze of brandy, and he suddenly realized mirza nuruddin had been cheating. by jesus, the dice are weighted. he sets them up somehow in the cup, then slides them quickly across the carpet. damn me if he's not a thief. but why bother to cheat me? i only laid five sovereigns on the game. he pushed aside the confusion and reflected again on the astounding genius who sat before him now, cheating at dice. his plan was masterful. host a gathering for the captains at the bar the night we will unload. even the portuguese. no one in command of a ship will be at the river mouth, no one who could possibly interfere. all our wool's already been unladed and brought overland to surat. then we transferred the ironwork and lead on the _discovery _to the _resolve_. so all the lead and ironwork in cargo will be unladed by moonlight tonight and on its way upriver by morning, before the portugals here even sleep off their liquor. and the _resolve _will be underway again by dawn, back to swalley with no one to challenge her. not even the portuguese trading frigatta, with their laughable eight-pound stern chasers. the _discovery _is almost laded with cotton. another couple of days should finish her. and then the _resolve_. another two week at most, and they'll be underway. the east india company, the worshipful damned east india company, will earn a fortune on this voyage. and a certain captain named brian hawksworth will be toasted the length of cheapside as the man who did what lancaster couldn't. the man who sent the east india company's frigates home with a cargo of the cheapest pepper in history. the butterbox hollanders will be buying pepper from the east india company next year and cursing captain brian hawksworth. or will it be sir brian hawksworth? he tried the name on his tongue as he swirled the dice for one last throw. this time he tried to duplicate the shahbandar's technique. easy swirls and then just let them slide onto the carpet as you make some distracting remark. "perhaps it's allah's will that a man make his own luck. is that written somewhere?" the dice slid onto the carpet and hawksworth reached for his brandy. three sixes. mirza nuruddin studied the three ivories indifferently as he drew on his hookah. but traces of a smile showed at the corner of his lips and his foggy eyes sparkled for an instant. "you see, captain hawksworth, you never know the hand of fortune till you play to the end." he motioned to a servant. "refresh the english captain's glass. i think he's starting to learn our game." the longboat scraped crazily across the deck and into the surf. then another wave washed over the deck, chilling the half-naked seamen who struggled to secure the longboat's line. two chests of silver bullion, newly hoisted from the hold, were now wedged against the mainmast. elkington clung to their handles, shouting between waves for the seamen to lower them into the longboat. mackintosh ignored him. "hoist the line to the poop. we'll board her from the stern gallery. take the longboat under and drop a ladder. you and you, garway and davies, bring the line about, to the gallery rail." the current tugged at the longboat, but its line held secure and the seamen passed the end up the companionway and toward the stern gallery, where the rope ladder was being played out. "the longboat'll not take all the men and the silver. blessed jesus, there's ten thousand pound sterling in these chests." elkington gasped as another wave washed over him, sending his hat into the surf. he seized a running seaman by the neck and yanked him toward the chests. "take one end, you whoreson bastard, and help hoist it through the companionway to the poop." but the man twisted free and disappeared toward the stem. with an oath, elkington began dragging the chest across the deck and down the companionway. by the time he reached the gallery, the ladder had already been dropped into the longboat. and five seamen were waiting with half-pikes. "i'll send you to hell if you try loadin' that chest." bosun's mate john garway held his pike in elkington's face. "we'll all not make it as 'tis." then thomas davies, acting on the thought in every man's mind, thrust his pike through the lock hinge on the chest and wrenched it off with a single powerful twist. "who needs the money more, say i, the bleedin' worshipful company, or a man who knows how to spend it?" in moments a dozen hands had ripped away the lid of the chest, and seamen began shoveling coins into their pockets. elkington was pushed sprawling into the companionway. other seamen ran to begin rifling the second chest. silver spilled from their pockets as the men poured down the swaying ladder into the longboat. as elkington fought his way back toward the stem, he took a long last look at the half-empty chests, then began stuffing the pockets of his own doublet. mackintosh emerged from the great cabin holding the ship's log. as he waited for the last seaman to board the longboat, he too lightened the _resolve _of a pocketful of silver. with all men on board the longboat's gunwales rode a scant three inches above waterline. bailing began after the first wave washed over her. then they hoisted sail and began to row for the dark shore. "tonight you may have been luckier than you suppose, captain hawksworth." the shahbandar's fingers deftly counted the five sovereigns through the leather pouch hawksworth had handed him. around them the final side bets were being placed against the portuguese captain who would play mirza nuruddin next. "it's hard to see how." "for the price of a mere five sovereigns, captain, you've learned a truth some men fail to master in a lifetime." mirza nuruddin motioned away the portuguese captain, his doublet stained with wine, who waited to take his place at the board. "i really must call the dancers now, lest some of my old friends lose regard for our hospitality. i hope you'll find them entertaining, captain hawksworth. if you've never seen the _nautch_, you've yet to call yourself a man." hawksworth pulled himself up and thought about the river and slowly worked his way through the crowd to the edge of the marble court. the damp, chill air purged the torch smoke from his lungs and began to sweep away the haze of brandy from his brain. he stared into the dark and asked the winds if they knew of the _resolve_. could it all have been a trap? what if he'd told the portugals, and they had warships waiting? without warning, the slow, almost reverent strains of a sarangi, the indian violin, stirred from the corner of the courtyard, and the crowd shifted expectantly. hawksworth turned to notice that a carpeted platform had been erected directly in the center of the court, and as he watched, a group of women, perhaps twenty, slowly began to mount steps along its side. the torches had grown dim, but he could still see enough to tell they all wore the veil of purdah and long skirts over their trousers. as they moved chastely toward the center of the platform he thought they looked remarkably like village women going to a well, save they wore rows of tiny bells around their ankles and heavy bangles on their wrists. the air was rent by a burst of drumming, and the courtyard suddenly flared as servants threw oil on the smoldering torches around the balcony. at that instant, in a gesture of high drama, the women ripped away their turquoise veils and flung them skyward. the crowd erupted in a roar. hawksworth stared at the women in astonishment. their skirts, the skintight trousers beneath, and their short halters-- were all gossamer, completely transparent. the dance was underway. hips jerked spasmodically, in perfect time with the drummer's accelerating, hypnotic rhythms--arching now to the side, now suggestively forward. hawksworth found himself exploring the dancers' mask-like faces, all heavily painted and expressionless. then he watched their hands, which moved in sculptural arcs through a kind of sign language certain indians in the crowd seemed to know. other hand messages were understood by all, as the women stroked themselves intimately, in what seemed almost a parody of sensuality. as the rhythm continued to intensify, they begap to rip away their garments one by one, beginning with their parted waist wraps. next their halters were thrown to the crowd, though their breasts had long since found release from whatever minimal containment they might have known at the beginning of the dance. their earth-brown skin now glistened bare in the perfumed torchlight. the dance seemed to hawksworth to go on and on, incredibly building to ever more frantic levels of intensity. the drunken crowd swayed with the women, its excitement and expectation swelling. then at last the women's trousers also were ripped away, leaving them adorned with only bangles and reflecting jewels. yet the dance continued still, as they writhed onto their knees at the edge of the platform. then slowly, as though by some unseen hand, the platform lowered to the level of the courtyard and they glided into the drunken crowd, thrusting breasts, thighs, against the ecstatic onlookers. the cheers had grown deafening. hawksworth finally turned away and walked slowly down the embankment to the river. there, in the first hint of dawn, bathers had begun to assemble for hindu prayers and a ritual morning bath. among them were young village girls, swathed head to foot in bright-colored wraps, who descended one by one into the chilled water and began to modestly change garments while they bathed, chastely coiling a fresh cloth around themselves even as the other was removed. they had never seemed more beautiful. hawksworth was standing on the steps of the maidan when the sail of the english longboat showed at the turn of the river. news of the shipwreck had reached surat by village runner an hour after sunup, and barks had already been sent to try to recover the remaining silver before the ship broke apart. the frigate was reportedly no more than a thousand yards off the coast, and all the men, even kerridge, the bosun, and the pilot, had been safely carried ashore by the current. hawksworth watched the longboat's sail being lowered in preparation for landing and tried to think over his next step, how to minimize the delay and loss. we can't risk staying on past another day or two, not with only one vessel. if we're caught at anchor in the cove, there's nothing one ship can do. the portugals can send in fireships and there'll be no way to sink them with crossfire. the _discovery _has to sail immediately. we've enough cotton laded now to fill the hold with pepper in java. damn kerridge. why was he steering so close to shore? didn't he realize there'd be a current? or was it the pilot? were we steered into this disaster on the orders of our new friend mirza nuruddin? has he been playing false with us all along, only claiming to help us stay clear of the portugals? by the looks of the traders on the _maidan_ this morning i can tell they all think we were played for fools. he tried to remember all the shahbandar had said the night before, particularly the remarks he had not understood, but now the evening seemed swallowed in a fog of brandy. but the game, he finally realized, had been more than a game. "the voyage will be lucky to break even now." george elkington slid from the back of the sweating porter and collapsed heavily on the stone steps. "the _resolve _was old, but 'twill take forty thousand pound to replace her." "what do you plan to do?" hawksworth eyed kerridge as he mounted the steps, his doublet unrecognizable under the smeared mud, and decided to ignore him. "not a damn'd thing we can do now, save lade the last of the cotton and some indigo on the _discovery_ and weigh anchor. and day after tomorrow's not too soon, by my thinkin'." elkington examined hawksworth and silently cursed him. he still had not swallowed his disbelief when hawksworth had announced, only three days before, that he planned to leave the ships and travel to agra with a letter from king james. "the shahbandar has asked to meet with you." hawksworth motioned to elkington as the last seaman climbed over the side of the longboat and onto the back of a waiting porter. "we may as well go in." a crowd of the curious swarmed about them as they made their way across the _maidan_ and through the customs house. mirza nuruddin was waiting on his bolster. "captain, my sincere condolences to you and to mr. elkington. please be sure that worthless pilot will never work out of this port again. i cannot believe he was at fault, but he'll be dealt with nonetheless." which is partially true, mirza nuruddin told himself, since my cousin muhammad haidar, _nakuda _of the rahimi, will take him on the pilgrim ship for the next aden run, and allow him to work there until his reputation is repaired. "you were fortunate, at least, that the largest part of her cargo had already been unladed." elkington listened to hawksworth's translation, his face growing ever more florid. "'twas the damned pilot's knavery. tell him i'd see him hanged if this was england." mirza nuruddin listened, then sighed. "perhaps the pilot was at fault, perhaps not. i don't quite know whose story to believe. but you should know that in india only the moghul can impose the death penalty. this matter of the pilot is past saving, however. it's best we move on. so tell me, what do you propose to do now?" "settle our accounts, weigh anchor, and be gone." elkington bristled. "but you've not heard the last o' the east india company, i'll warrant you. we'll be back with a fleet soon enough, and next time we'll do our own hirin' of a pilot." "as you wish. i'll have our accountants total your invoices." mirza nuruddin face did not change as he heard the translation, but his spirit exulted. it worked! they'll be well at sea within the week, days before the portuguese warships arrive. not even that genius of intrigue mukarrab khan will know i planned it all. and by saving these greedy english from certain disaster, i've lured to our seas the only europeans with the spirit to drive out the portuguese forever, after a century of humiliation. india's historic tradition of free trade, the shahbandar had often thought, had also brought her undoing. open-handed to all who came to buy and sell, india had thrived since the beginning of time. until the portuguese came. in those forgotten days huge single-masted arks, vast as eight hundred tons, freely plied the length of the arabian sea. from mecca's jidda they came, groaning with the gold, silver, copper, wool, and brocades of italy, greece, damascus, or with the pearls, horses, silks of persia and afghanistan. they put in at india's northern port of cambay, where they laded india's prized cotton, or sailed farther south, to india's port of calicut, where they bargained for the hard black pepper of india's malabar coast, for ginger and cinnamon from ceylon. india's own merchants sailed eastward, to the moluccas, where they bought silks and porcelains from chinese traders, or cloves, nutmeg, and mace from the islanders. india's ports linked china on the east with europe on the west, and touched all that moved between. the arabian sea was free as the air, and the richest traders who sailed it prayed to allah, the one true god. then, a hundred years ago, the portuguese came. they seized strategic ocean outlooks from the mouth of the persian gulf to the coast of china. on these they built strongholds, forts to control not the lands of asia, but its seas. and if no man could remember the centuries of freedom, today all knew well the simple device that held the arabian sea in bondage. it was a small slip of paper, on which was the signature of a portuguese governor or the captain of a portuguese fort. today no vessel, not even the smallest bark, dared venture the arabian sea without a portuguese _cartaz_. this hated license must name the captain of a vessel and verify its tonnage, its cargo, its crew, its destination, and its armament. vessels could trade only at ports controlled or approved by the portuguese, where they must pay a duty of percent on all cargo in and out. indian and arab vessels no longer could carry spices, pepper, copper, or iron--the richest cargo and now the monopoly of portuguese shippers. an indian vessel caught at sea without a _cartaz_, or steering south when its stated destination was north, was confiscated; its captain and crew were executed immediately, if they were lucky, or sent to the galleys if they were not. fleets of armed galleons cruised the coastlines in patrol. if a vessel gave cause for suspicion, portuguese soldiers boarded her in full battle dress, with naked swords and battle cries of "santiago." and while their commander inspected the ship's _cartaz_, portuguese soldiers relieved passengers of any jewelry salable in the streets of goa. _cartaz_ enforcement was strict, and-- since a percentage of all seized cargo went to captains and crews of patrol galleons--enthusiastic. the seas off india were theirs by right, the portuguese liked to explain, because they were the first ever to have the ingenuity to make claim to them. the revenues the _cartaz _brought portugal were immense--not because it was expensive to obtain, it cost only a few rupees, but because it funneled every ounce of commodity traded in the arabian sea through a portuguese tax port. and it is the portuguese taxes, mirza nuruddin told himself, not just their galleons, that the english will one day drive from our ports. and on that day, our merchant ships will again lade the best cargo, sail the richest routes, return with the boldest profits. "there seems nothing further then, mr. elkington, i can do for you." the shahbandar smiled and bowed his small, ceremonial salaam. "save wish you a fair wind and allah's blessing." so it's over, hawksworth thought as they turned to leave, the last time i'll ever see you, and thank you very much, you unscrupulous deceiving son of a whore. "captain hawksworth, perhaps you and i can share a further word. you are not, as i understand, planning to depart india. at least not immediately. i'd like you always to know my modest offices remain at your behest." elkington paused, as did hawksworth, but one of the shahbandar's officials took the merchant's arm and urged him firmly toward the door of the chamber. too firmly, hawksworth thought. "i think you've done about all for us you can." hawksworth made no attempt to strain the irony from his voice. "be that as it may, i've heard rumors that your trip to agra may be approved. should that happen, you must know you cannot travel alone, captain. no man in india is that foolhardy. the roads here are no more safe than those, so i hear, in europe. all travelers inland need a guide, and an armed escort." "are you proposing to help me secure a guide? equal in competence, may i presume, to the pilot you hired for the _resolve_?" "captain hawksworth, please. god's will is mysterious." he sighed. "no man can thwart mischance if it is his destiny. hear me out. i have just learned there's currently a man in surat who knows the road to burhanpur like his own sword handle. in fact, he only just arrived from the east, and i understand he expects to return when his affairs here, apparently brief, are _resolve_d. by a fortuitous coincidence he happens to have an armed escort of guards with him. i suggest it might be wise to attempt to engage him while you still have a chance." "and who is this man?" "a rajput captain with the army. a soldier of no small reputation, i can assure you. his name is vasant rao." mukarrab khan reread the order carefully, scrutinized the black ink seal at the top of the page to assure himself it was indeed the moghul's, and then placed it aside. so at last it had come. the prospect of english presents was too great a temptation for the acquisitive arangbar, ever anxious for new baubles. the englishman would be going to agra. no one at court could have prevented it. but that road--east through bandit-infested chopda to now-threatened burhanpur, then north, the long road through mandu, ujjain, and gwalior to agra--was a journey of two hard months. the moghul's seal meant less than nothing to highwaymen, or to servants and drivers whose loyalties were always for sale. it's a long road, englishman, and mishaps on that road are common as summer mildew. he smiled to himself and took up the other silver-trimmed bamboo tube. it had arrived by the same runner. the date on the outside was one week old. it always amazed mukarrab khan that india's runners, the mewras, were actually swifter than post horses. this message had traveled the three hundred _kos _south from agra to burhanpur and then the remaining hundred and fifty _kos _west to surat--a combined distance of almost seven hundred english miles--in only seven days. runners were stationed at posts spaced five _kos _apart along the great road that akman had built to link agra to the seaport of surat. they wore an identifying plume at their head and two bells at their belt, and they gained energy by eating _postibangh_, a mixture of opium and hemp extract. akman even conceived of lining the sides of the road with white stones so his mewras could run in darkest midnight without lanterns. there were now some four thousand runners stationed along india's five main arteries. the only things swifter, mukarrab khan had often told himself, are lightning . . . and a blue, white-throated rath pigeon. a distance requiring a full day for a runner could be covered by a pigeon in one _pahar_, three hours, given good weather. arangbar kept pigeons all over india, even in surat--but then so did everyone else at court. recently, it seemed, everyone was training pigeons. next to the date was the seal of nadir sharif, prime minister and brother of the queen. mukarrab khan knew nadir sharif well. a dispatch from nadir sharif, though it always reflected the wishes of the moghul or the queen, could be relied upon to be reasonable. if the moghul in fury condemned a man over some trivial transgression, nadir sharif always forgot to deliver the sentence until the next day, having found that arangbar often tended to reverse sentences of death when musing in his evening wine cups. this order will be reasonable, mukarrab khan told himself, but it will have to be obeyed, eventually. as always, mukarrab khan tried to guess the message before unsealing the two-inch-long silver cap attached to the end of the tube. probably taxes, late delivery. or perhaps there's been a discrepancy between the open report filed from my chamber by the wakianavis, the public reportefs, and the private report, which i supposedly do not see, sent directly to the moghul by the harkaras, the confidential reporters. and if that's the complaint, it will disprove my suspicion that no one in the imperial chancery ever actually reads the reports. i deliberately inserted a difference of one-half lakh of rupees as reported logged at the mint last month, just to see if they would catch it. mukarrab khan unrolled the dispatch. and his heart stopped. clasping the paper he wandered distractedly out of the now-empty audience hall and down the stairs toward the courtyard. when he reached the veranda he only half-noted the heavy clouds threatening in the west, toward the sea, and the moist air promising one last spatter of the monsoon. servants were removing the tapestried canopy that shaded his cushioned bench, and when they saw him they discreetly melted out of sight, leaving one side of the cloth still dangling from the poles. he dropped heavily onto the bench and reread the order carefully, his disbelief growing. on the recommendation of queen janahara, mukarrab khan had just been appointed india's first ambassador to portuguese goa. he would leave in two weeks. chapter twelve the moon was high, bathing the sleeping veranda in a wash of glistening silver, and the air was deliciously moist, heavy with perfume from the garden below. from somewhere among the distant rooftops came the thread of a man's voice, intoning a high-pitched melody, trilling out wordless syllables like some intense poetry of sound. hawksworth leaned back against one of the carved juniper-wood posts supporting the canopy above his sleeping couch and explored kali's body with his gaze, as a mariner might search a map for unknown islands and inlets. she lounged opposite him, resting against an oblong velvet bolster, examining him with half-shut eyes while she drew contentedly on a hookah fired with black tobacco and a concentrated _bhang _the arabs called _hashish_. her hair hung loose, in gleaming black strands reaching almost to her waist, and her head was circled by a thin tiara of gold and pearls, supporting the large green emerald that always hung suspended in the center of her forehead--even when she made love. the gold she wore--long bracelets at her wrists and upper arms, swinging earrings, even tiny bells at her ankles--seemed to excite her in a way hawksworth could never understand. her eyes and eyebrows were kohl-darkened and her lips carefully painted a deep red, matching the color of her fingernails and toenails. and as always she had dyed her palms and the soles of her feet red with henna. four different strands of pearls hung in perfect array beneath her transparent blouse, glistening white against her delicate, amber-tinted skin. he noticed, too, that her nipples had been rouged, and told himself this was the only thing about her that recalled the women in london. "tonight your thoughts were far away, my love. do you weary of me so soon?" she laid aside the _rome-chauri_, the rubber ring impregnated with powdered hair that she often asked him to wear for her, then took a vial of rose attar from beside the couch and dabbed herself absently along the arms. "tell me the truth. are you now beginning to recoil from women, like so many bragging and posturing men i've known, and to long for a boy who fears to seek his own pleasure? or a subservient _feringhi _woman whose parts are dry from lack of desire?" hawksworth studied her for a moment without replying. in truth he did not know what to say. your nightly visits to this couch have been the most astonishing experience of my life. to imagine i once thought being with the same woman night after night would eventually grow monotonous. but you always come here as someone different, always with something new. you play on my senses like an instrument--with touch, with scent, with tongue. until they seem to merge with my mind. or is it the reverse? but you're right when you say the mind must surrender itself first. when that's done, when the mind is given up to the body, then you somehow forget your own self and think only of the other. and eventually there grows a union of pleasure, a bond that's intense, overwhelming. but tonight he could not repress his vagrant mind. his feeling of failure churned too deep. it had stolen his spirit. day after tomorrow the _discovery_ weighs anchor, he told himself, with half the cargo we'd planned and twice the men she needs, while the _resolve_ slowly breaks apart on a sandbar. i've failed the company . . . and myself. and there's nothing that can be done. kali, dear kali. the woman i really want to be with tonight is shirin. why can't i drive her from my mind? half the time when you're in my arms, i pretend you're her. do you sense that too? "i'm sorry. i'm not myself tonight." you're right as always, he marveled, the mind and the body are one. as he paused, the singer's voice cut the stillness between them. "how did you know?" "it's my duty as your courtesan to feel your moods. and to try to lift the weight of the world from your heart." "you do it very well. it's just that sometimes there's too much to lift." he studied her, wondering what she was really thinking, then leaned back and looked at the stars. "tell me, what do you do when the world weighs on you!" "that's never your worry, my love. i'm here to think of you, not you of me." "tell me anyway. say it's a _feringhi's_ curiosity." "what do i do?" she smiled wistfully and drew again on the hookah, sending a tiny gurgle into the quiet. "i escape with _bhang_. and i remember when i was in agra, in the _zenana_." she lay aside the mouthpiece of the hookah and began to roll betel leaves for them both, carefully measuring in a portion of nutmeg, her favorite aphrodisiac. "tell me how you came to be here, away from agra." "is it really me you wish to hear about?" she looked at him squarely, her voice quiet. "or is it shirin?" "you," hawksworth lied, and absently stroked the edge of her foot, where the henna line began. then he looked into her dark eyes and he knew she knew. "will we make love again if i tell you?" "possibly." "i know how to make you keep your promise." she took his toe in her mouth and brushed it playfully with her tongue before biting it, ever so lightly. "so i will tell you anything you want to know." he scarcely knew where to start. "what was it about the harem, the _zenana_, that you liked so much?" she sighed. "we had everything there. wine and sweet _bhang_. and we bribed the eunuchs to bring us opium and nutmeg and tobacco. we could wear tight trousers, which none of the women here in surat dare for fear the mullahs will condemn them." as she spoke, her eyes grew distant. "we wore jewels the way women in surat wear scarves. and silks from china the way they wear their dreary cotton here. there was always music, dance, pigeon-flying. and we had all the perfumes-- musk, scented oil, attar of rose--we could want. the moghul had melons brought by runner from kabul, pomegranates and pears from samarkand, apples from kashmir, pineapples from goa." she remembered herself and reached to place a rolled betel leaf in his mouth. "about the only thing we weren't supposed to have was cucumbers . . ." she giggled and took a betel leaf for herself. "i think his majesty was afraid he might suffer in comparison. but we bribed the eunuchs and got them anyway. and we also pleasured each other." hawksworth studied her, not quite sure whether to believe it all. "i've heard the harems of the turks in the levant are said to be like some sort of prison. was it like that?" "not at all." she smiled easily. a bit too easily, he thought. "we used to take trips to the countryside, or even go with his majesty when he went to kashmir in the hot summer. in a way we were freer than the poor third wife of some stingy merchant." "but weren't you always under guard?" "of course. you know the word 'harem' is actually arabic for 'forbidden sanctuary.' here we call it by the persian name _zenana_, but it's still the same. it's really a city of women. all cities must have guards. but we each received a salary and were like government officials, with our own servants. we each had our own apartment, immense and decorated with paintings and bubbling fountains at the door. except there were no doors, since we were always supposed to be open to receive his majesty." "wasn't there anything about it you didn't like?" he examined her skeptically. "it seems to me i could list a few drawbacks." "a few things. i didn't like the intrigues. all the women scheming how to lure his majesty to their apartment, and giving him aphrodisiacs to try to prolong his time there. the beautiful ones were constantly afraid of being poisoned, or spied on by the older women and the female slaves. and some of the women were always trying to bribe eunuchs to bring in young men disguised as serving-women." she took the stem of a flower and began to weave it between his toes. "but there are always intrigues anywhere. it's the price we pay for life." "you've never told me how you came to be in the _zenana _in the first place. were you bought, the way women are in the levant?" kali burst into laughter. "_feringhis_ can be such simpletons sometimes. what wonderful legends must be told in this place called europe." then she sobered. "i was there because my mother was very clever. the _zenana_ is powerful, and she did everything she could to get me there. she knew if his majesty liked me, there could be a good post for my father. she planned it for years. and when i finally reached fifteen she took me to the annual mina bazaar that arangbar always holds on the persian new year, just like his father akman did." "what's that?" "it's a mock 'bazaar' held on the grounds of the palace, and only women can go. anyone who wants to be seen by his majesty sets up a stall, made of silk and gauze, and pretends to sell handiwork, things like lace and perfume. but no woman can get in who isn't beautiful." "was that where the moghul first saw you?" "of course. arangbar came to visit all the stalls, riding around on a litter that some tartar women from the _zenana _carried, surrounded by his eunuchs. he would pretend to bargain for the handiwork, calling the women pretty thieves, but he was really inspecting them, and the daughters they'd brought. i was there with my mother, and i wore a thin silk blouse because my breasts were lovely." she paused and looked at him hopefully, brushing a red-tipped finger across one nipple. "don't you think they still are? a little?" "everything about you is beautiful." it was all too true. as he looked at her, he told himself he much preferred her now to how she must have looked at fifteen. "well, i suppose arangbar must have thought so too, because the next day he sent a broker to pay my mother to let me come to the _zenana_." hawksworth paused, then forced nonchalance into his voice. "did shirin, or her mother, do the same?" "of course not." kali seemed appalled at the absurdity of the idea. "she's persian. her father was already some kind of official. he was far too dignified to allow his women to go to the mina bazaar. the moghul must have seen her somewhere else. but if he wanted her, her father could not refuse." "what eventually happened to you . . . and to her?" "she became his favorite." kali took out her betel leaf and tossed it aside. "that's always very dangerous. she was in great trouble after the queen came to agra." "i've heard something about that." he found himself wanting to hear a lot more about it, but he held back. "and what happened to you after you entered the _zenana_?" "his majesty only came to me once, as was his duty." she laughed but there was no mirth in her voice. "remember i was only fifteen then. i knew nothing about lovemaking, though i tried very hard to please him. but by that time he was already entranced with shirin. he began to call for her almost every afternoon." "so what did you do after that?" "i began to make love to the other women there. i suppose it sounds strange to you, but i found i actually enjoyed other women's bodies very much." "weren't you ever lonely?" "a little. but i'm lonely here sometimes too." she paused and looked away. "a courtesan is always lonely. no man will ever truly love her. he'll listen to her sing to him and joke with him, but his heart will never be hers, regardless of all the sweet promises he'll think to make her." hawksworth watched her quickly mask the sadness in her eyes as she reached for the hookah. at that moment he wanted more than anything in the world to tell her it wasn't always true, but he knew she would hate the lie. instead he took out his own betel leaf and cleared his throat awkwardly. "you've never told me how you came to be called kali. mukarrab khan said that's not your real name." she looked at him and her eyes became ice. "he's a truly vicious man. what did he say?" "that you would tell me." he paused, bewildered. "don't you want to?" she wiped her eyes with a quick motion. "why not? you may as well know. before someone else tells you. but please try to understand i was very lonely. you can't know how lonely it becomes in the _zenana_. how you long for a man to touch you, just once. you can't imagine. after a while you become . . . sort of mad. it becomes your obsession. can you understand? even a little?" "i've seen men at sea for months at a time. i could tell you a few stories about that that might shock you." she laughed. "nothing, absolutely nothing, shocks me any more. but now i'll shock you. there was this beautiful eunuch who guarded the _zenana_ at night. he was abyssinian, very tall and striking, and he was named abnus because he was the color of ebony. he was truly exquisite." "a eunuch?" hawksworth stared at her, disbelieving. "i always thought . . ." she stopped him. "i probably know what you always thought. but eunuchs are not all the same. the bengali eunuchs like mukarrab khan has were sold by their parents when they were very young, and they've had everything cut away with a razor. muslim merchants buy boys in bengal and take them to egypt, where coptic monks specialize in the operation. that's the type called _sandali_. they even have to pass water through a straw. but the operation is so dangerous few of the boys live, so they're very expensive. abnus had been sent to his majesty as a gift from some arab merchant, who was so stingy he simply crushed the testicles of one of his grown slaves instead of buying a bengali boy. no one realized abnus could still do almost everything any man can do. it was our secret." "so you made love to a eunuch?" hawksworth found himself incredulous. kali smiled and nodded. "then one day our kashmiri ward servant entered my apartment unannounced. she had suspected us. i didn't know until that moment she was a spy for the palace." she stopped and a small shiver seemed to pass through her. "we were both condemned to death. i didn't care. i didn't want to live anyway. he was killed the next day, left on a pike to die in the sun." kali paused and her lips quivered slightly. then she continued. "i was buried up to the neck in the courtyard. to watch him die. then, in late afternoon some imperial guards came and uncovered me. and they took me back into the palace. i was delirious. they took me into this room, and there she was." "who?" "queen janahara. she offered me a chance to live. i didn't know what i was doing, where i was, anything. before i thought i'd already agreed." at last a tear came. "and i've never told anyone. i'm so ashamed." she wiped her eyes and stiffened. "but i've never done what i told her i would do. not once." "what was that?" kali looked at him and laughed. "to come here with mukarrab khan. and spy on shirin. so now and then i just send some silly nonsense to her majesty. i know what shirin is doing . . . and i admire her for it." hawksworth tried to keep his voice even. "what exactly is it she's doing?" kali stopped abruptly and stared at him. "that's the one thing i can't tell you. but i will tell you that i'm now also supposed to be spying on you too, for khan sahib." she laughed again. "but you never say anything for me to report." hawksworth found himself stunned. before he could speak, she continued. "but you asked about my name. it's probably the real reason i despise janahara so much. before, i was named mira. my father was hakim ali, and he came to india from arabia back when akman was moghul. but the queen said i could never use those names again. she said that because i'd caused abnus' death, she was renaming me kali, the name the hindus have for their bloodthirsty goddess of death and destruction. she said it would remind me always of what i'd done. i hate the name." "then i'll call you mira." she took his hand and brushed it against her cheek. "it doesn't matter now. besides, i'll probably never see you again after tonight. tomorrow you'll be getting ready to leave for agra. khan sahib told me i'm not to come to you any more after this. i think he's very upset about something that happened with your ships." "i'm very upset about it too." hawksworth studied her. "what exactly did he say?" "no, i've told you enough already. too much." she pinched his toe. "now. you will keep your promise, my love. and then after tonight you can forget me." hawksworth was watching her, entranced. "i'll never forget you." she tried to smile. "oh yes you will. i know men better than that. but i'll always remember you. when a man and a woman share their bodies with each other, a bond is made between them. it's never entirely forgotten, at least by me. so tonight, our last night, i want you to let me give you something of mine to keep." she reached under the couch and withdrew a box, teakwood and trimmed in gold. she placed it on the velvet tapestry between them. "i've never shown this to a _feringhi_ before, but i want you to have it. to make you remember me, at least for a while." "i've never had a present from an indian woman before." hawksworth carefully opened the box's gold latch. inside was a book, bound in leather and gilded, with exquisite calligraphy on its cover. "it's called the ananga-ranga, the pleasures of women. it was written over a hundred years ago by a brahmin poet who called himself kalyana mai. he wrote it in sanskrit for his patron, the viceroy of gujarat, the same province where you are now." "but why are you giving it to me?" hawksworth looked into her eyes. "i'll remember you without a book. i promise." "and i'll remember you. you've given me much pleasure. but there are those in india who believe the union of man and woman should be more than pleasure. the hindus believe this union is an expression of all the sacred forces of life. you know i'm not a hindu. i'm a muslim courtesan. so for me lovemaking is only to give you pleasure. but i want you to know there's still more, beyond what we've had together, beyond my skills and knowledge. according to the hindu teachings, the union of male and female is a way to reach the divine nature. that's why i want you to have this book. it describes the many different orders of women, and tells how to share pleasure with each. it tells of many things beyond what i know." she took the leatherbound copy of the ananga-ranga and opened it to the first page. the calligraphy was bold and sensuous. "in this book kalyana mai explains that there are four orders of women. the three highest orders he calls the lotus woman, the art woman, and the conch woman. the rest he dismisses as elephant women." hawksworth took the book and examined its pages for a time. there were many paintings, small colored miniatures of couples pleasuring one another in postures that seemed astounding. finally he mounted his courage. "which 'order' of woman are you?" "i think i must be the third order, the conch woman. the book says that the conch woman delights in clothes, flowers, red ornaments. that she is given to fits of amorous passion, which make her head and mind confused, and at the moment of exquisite pleasure, she thrusts her nails into the man's flesh. have you ever noticed me do that?" hawksworth felt the scratches along his chest and smiled. only in india, he thought, could you make love so many ways, all kneeling before a woman rather than lying with her. so she scratches you on the chest. "so far it sounds a bit like you." "and it says the conch woman's love cleft, what the hindus call her yoni, is always moist with _kama salila_, the woman's love seed. and its taste is salt. does that also remind you of me?" hawksworth was startled with wry delight when he realized he actually knew the answer. something he'd never had the slightest desire to know about a woman in england. in england. where baths were limited to the face, neck, hands, and feet--and those only once every few weeks. where women wore unwashed petticoats and stays until they literally fell off. where a member of the peerage was recently quoted as complaining "the nobler parts are never in this island washed by the women; they are left to be lathered by the men." but kali was scrubbed and perfumed each day like a flower. and she had taught him the pleasure in the taste of all her body. "i guess that makes you a conch woman. but what are the others supposed to be like?" "let me tell you what it says." she reached and took back the book. "the next one, the art woman, has a voice like a peacock, and she delights in singing and poetry. her carnal desire may be less strong than the conch woman, at least until she's properly aroused, but then her _kama salila _is hot, with a perfume like honey. and it's abundant, producing a sound with the act of union. she is sensuous, but for her lovemaking is always a kind of art." "who would be an art woman?" she looked at him and smiled wryly. "i think shirin, the one who fascinates you so much, may well be an art woman. but i don't know her body well." but i will, hawksworth told himself. i'll know all of her. somehow. i swear it. "and what about the lotus woman?" "according to kalyana mai she's actually the highest order of woman. she's a spiritual being, who loves to converse with teachers and hindu priests. she's always very beautiful, never dark, and her breasts are full and high. her _yoni _is like an opening lotus bud and her _kama salila _is perfumed like a lily newly burst." "and who would be a lotus woman?" "the only one i've ever known for sure is in agra now. she's a classical dancer, a hindu temple dancer. her name is kamala." "i saw a few dancers recently. at the shahbandar's estate house. in my _feringhi_ opinion they weren't of a very high order." "those were _nautch_ girls, common whores. they degrade and debase the classical dance of india for the purpose of enticing customers. kamala is nothing like them. she's a great artist. for her the dance, and lovemaking, are a kind of worship of the hindu gods. i don't entirely understand it, but i could sense her power the one time i saw her dance. when i saw her i began to believe what people say, that she embodies the female principle, the divine female principle that defines india for the hindu people. believe me when i tell you she's very different from anyone here in surat. she knows things that no one else knows. people say they're explained in a very old book she has." "how can there possibly be any more to know?" hawksworth thought of the hundreds of pleasure tricks kali had taught him, delights unknown in europe. "what's left to put in this other book?" "her book is one i've never actually seen. i've only heard about it. it's a sacred text of the hindus', an ancient sutra, in which the union of man and woman are shown to be a way of finding your own divine natures, the god within you both. i'm told it's called the kama sutra, the scripture of love and pleasure." hawksworth found himself beginning to be overwhelmed. "maybe we'd better start with this book. what exactly does it say?" "the ananga-ranga explains that each order of woman must be aroused, must be awakened to her pleasure, in a different way. at different times of day, with different caresses, different kinds of kisses and scratches and bites, different words, different embraces during union. it says if you learn to know women well, you will understand how to give and receive the greatest enjoyment with each." "is it really so complicated?" "now you're starting to sound like some muslim men i know, who lock their women away and make love to boys, claiming women are insatiable. with desires ten times stronger than those of a man. but they're actually afraid of a woman, so they believe she's to be enjoyed quickly and as little as possible. they care nothing for her own pleasure. but a woman must be aroused to enjoy union to its fullest. that's why this book is so important. i happen to think you are one who cares about a woman's pleasure." hawksworth stroked her smooth leg mischievously, then took the book and gently laid it aside. "tell me what it says about a conch woman. what have i been doing that's right and wrong?" "the book says that the conch woman prefers union with a man in the third _pahar_ of the night." "when is that?" "time is counted in india by _pahar_. the day and the night are each divided into four _pahars_. the first _pahar _of the night would be between six and nine in the evening by _feringhi _time. the third _pahar _would be your hours between midnight and three in the morning. is that not the very time i come to your couch?" "that's convenient." "it also says that on certain days of the moon, which it tells, the conch woman particularly enjoys having her body pressed with the nails of the man. some days roughly, some days gently. and on certain days the embrace must be forceful, on certain days gentle. there are many special ways to touch and embrace a conch woman, and they are explained here. also there are certain ways of kissing her, of biting her, of scratching her. for example, you may kiss her upper lip, or her lower lip, or you may kiss her with your tongue only." "and how am i supposed to be able to kiss you with my tongue only?" hawksworth cast a skeptical glance at the book. "it's very easy." she smiled at him slyly. "perhaps it's easier if i show you." she took his lower lip gently with the tips of her fingers, passed her tongue over it slowly and languorously, and then suddenly nipped it playfully. he started in surprise. "there. you see there are many ways to please a woman, to kiss her, to bite her, to scratch her. when you have become a true lover of women, my strong _feringhi_, you will know them all." hawksworth shifted uncomfortably. "what next?" "the book also tells of the bodies of women. foolish men often do not know these things, my love, but i think you are beginning to learn. it tells that in the upper cleft of the _yoni _there's a small organ it likens to a plantain-shoot sprouting from the ground. this is the seat of pleasure in a woman, and when it is excited, her_ kama salila _flows in profusion." "and then?" "when the woman is ready, you may both enjoy the act of union to its fullest. and there are many, many ways this may be done. the book tells of thirty-two. it is the great wisdom of kalyana mai that a woman must have variety in her love couch. if she does not find this with one man, she will seek others. it is the same with men, i think." hawksworth nodded noncommittally, not wishing to appear overly enthusiastic. "finally, he tells the importance of a woman reaching her moment of enjoyment. if she does not, she will be unsatisfied and may seek pleasure elsewhere. in india, a woman is taught to signify this moment by the _sitkrita_, the drawing in of breath between the closed teeth. there are many different ways a woman may do this, but you will know, my love." "enough of the book." he took it and replaced it in the box. "somehow i think i've already had a lot of its lessons." "that was merely my duty to you. to be a new woman for you each night. and i think you've learned well." she took the box and settled it beside the couch. then she laughed lightly. "but you still have a few things to learn. tonight, for our last time together, i will show you the most erotic embrace i know." she examined him with her half-closed eyes, and drew one last burst of smoke from the hookah. then she carefully positioned the large velvet bolster in the center of the couch. "are you capable of it?" "try me." "very well. but i must be deeply aroused to enjoy this fully. come and let me show you all the places you must bite." the sun was directly overhead when vasant rao reined his iron-gray stallion to a halt at the abidjan gate. behind him, beyond the grove of mango and tamarind trees, lay the stone reservoir of surat. it was almost a mile in circumference, and he had chosen its far bank as campground for his rajput guard. accommodations in surat were nonexistent during the season, and although he could have cleared a guest house with a single name, prince jadar, he had chosen to remain inconspicuous. through the dark bamboo slats of the gate he could now see the englishman riding toward him, holding his arabian mare at an easy pace. vasant rao studied the gait carefully. he had learned he could always judge the character of a man by observing that man's handling of a mount. he casually stroked his moustache and judged brian hawksworth. the englishman is unpracticed, yet there's an unmistakable sense of command about him. not unlike the control the prince holds over a horse. he handles the mare almost without her knowing it, forcing discipline onto her natural gait. perhaps our treacherous friend mirza nuruddin was right. perhaps the englishman will suit our requirements. vasant rao remembered that jadar had been insistent on the point. "the english captain must be a man of character and nerve, or he must never reach burhanpur. you need only be seen providing his guard as you depart surat. if he's weak, like a christian, he will not serve our needs." the times ahead will be difficult enough, vasant rao told himself, without having to worry about the englishman. the prince has been trapped in the south, and now there's news inayat latif and his troops are being recalled to agra from bengal. the queen will soon have at her right hand the most able general in the moghul's army. vasant rao turned his eyes from the englishman to look again at his own rajput guard, and his pride in them restored his spirit. only rajputs would have the courage to one day face the numerically superior troops of inayat latif. the origin of the warrior clans who called themselves rajputs, "sons of kings," was lost in legend. they had appeared mysteriously in western india over half a millennium before the arrival of the moghuls, and they had royalty, and honor, in their blood. they had always demanded to be known as kshatriya, the ancient hindu warrior caste. the men, and women, of the warrior kshatriya clans lived and died by the sword, and maintained a timeless tradition of personal honor. theirs was a profession of arms, and they lived by rules of conduct unvaried since india's epic age. a member of the warrior caste must never turn his back in battle, must never strike with concealed weapons. no warrior could strike a foe who was fleeing, who asked for mercy, whose own sword was broken, who slept, who had lost his armor, who was merely an onlooker, who was facing another foe. surrender was unthinkable. a rajput defeated in battle need not return home, since his wife would turn him out in dishonor for not having given his life. but if a rajput perished with a sword in his hand, the highest honor, his wife would proudly follow him in death, joining his body on the funeral pyre. and many times, in centuries past, rajput women themselves had taken up swords to defend the honor of their clain. when they had no external foes, the rajput clans warred among themselves, since they knew no other life. for convenience, each clan decreed its immediate neighboring clans its enemies, and an elaborate code was devised to justify war over even the smallest slight. their martial skills were never allowed to gather rust, even if the cost was perpetual slaughter of each other. though they were divided among themselves, the rajput clans had for centuries defended their lands from the muslim invaders of india. only with the coming of the great moghul genius akman was there a muslim ruler with the wisdom to understand the rajputs could be more valuable as allies than as foes. he abandoned attempts to subdue them, instead making them partners in his empire. he married rajput princesses; and he used rajput fighting prowess to extend moghul control south and west in india. the men with vasant rao were the elite of the dominant chauhan clan, and all claimed descent from royal blood. they held strong loyalties, powerful beliefs, and absolutely no fear of what lay beyond death. they also were men from the northwest mountains of india, who had never before seen surat, never before seen the sea, never before seen a _feringhi_. but vasant rao had seen _feringhi_, when he had stood by the side of prince jadar in agra, when jesuit fathers had been called to dispute with muslim mullahs before arangbar. he had seen their tight, assured faces, and heard their narrow, intolerant views. could this _feringhi _be any different? already he had witnessed the englishman's nerve, and it had reminded him, curiously, of jadar. the englishman had refused to come to their camp, claiming this demeaned his office of ambassador. and vasant rao, representative of prince jadar, had refused to meet the englishman inside surat. finally it was agreed that they would meet at the wall of the city, at the abidjan gate. "nimaste, ambassador hawksworth. his highness, prince jadar, conveys his most respectful greetings to you and to the english king." vasant rao's turki had been excellent since his boyhood, and he tried to remember the phrases mirza nuruddin had coached. then he watched through the bamboo poles of the gate as hawksworth performed a lordly salaam from horseback. the gate opened. "i am pleased to offer my good offices to you and your king," vasant rao continued, "in the name of his highness, the prince. it is his pleasure, and my honor, to provide you escort for your journey east to burhanpur. from there his highness will arrange a further escort for the trip north to agra." "his majesty, king james, is honored by his highness' concern." hawksworth examined the waiting rajputs, his apprehension mounting. their eyes were expressionless beneath their leather helmets, but their horses pawed impatiently. he found himself wondering if mirza nuruddin had contrived to provide more "help," and yet another surprise. "but my route is not yet decided. although i'm grateful for his highness' offer, i'm not certain traveling east on the burhanpur road is best. his excellency, mukarrab khan, has offered to provide an escort if i take the udaipur road, north past cambay and then east." vasant rao examined hawksworth, choosing his words carefully. "we have orders to remain here for three days, captain, and then to return to burhanpur. it would be considered appropriate by the prince, who has full authority to administer this province, if we rode escort for you." hawksworth shifted in the saddle. this isn't an offer. it's an ultimatum. "is his highness aware i have with me a large sea chest? it will require a cart, which i plan to hire. perhaps the delay this will impose would inconvenience you and your men, since you surely prefer to ride swiftly." "on the contrary, captain. we will have with us a small convoy of supplies, lead for molding shot. we will travel at a pace that best suits us all. your chest presents no difficulty." but there will be many difficulties, he told himself. and he thought again about mirza nuruddin and the terms he had demanded. twenty percent interest on the loan, and only a hundred and eighty days to repay both the new silver coin and the interest. but why, vasant rao asked himself again, did the shahbandar agree to the plan at all? is this mirza nuruddin's final wager? that jadar will win? "will three days be sufficient for your preparations, captain hawksworth?" "it will. if i decide to use the burhanpur road." hawksworth wondered how long he could taunt the raput. "perhaps i should tell you something about travel in india, ambassador. there are, as you say, two possible routes between surat and agra. both present certain risks. the northern route, through udaipur and rajputana, is at first appearance faster, since the roads are drier and the rivers there have already subsided from the monsoon. but it is not a part of india where travelers are always welcomed by the local rajput clans. you may well find yourself in the middle of a local war, or the reluctant guest of a petty raja who judges you worth a ransom. "on the other hand, if you travel east, through burhanpur, you may find that some rivers are still heavy from the monsoon, at least for another month. but the clans there are loyal to prince jadar, and only near chopda, halfway to burhanpur, will you encounter any local brigands. theirs, however, is an honorable profession, and they are always willing to accept bribes in return for safe passage. we ordinarily do not kill them, though we easily could, since petty robbery--they view it as a toll--is their livelihood and their tradition. they are weak and they make weak demands. such is not true of the rajas in rajputana. the choice is yours, but if you value your goods, and your life, you will join us as we make our way east to burhanpur." hawksworth studied the bearded rajput guards as vasant rao spoke. i'm either a captive of the prince or of mukarrab khan, regardless of what i do. which one wants me dead more? "my frigate sails tomorrow. i can leave the following day." "good, it's agreed then. our convoy will leave in three days. it will be my pleasure to travel with you, captain hawksworth. your reputation has already reached his highness. we will meet you here at the beginning of the second _pahar_. i believe that's your hour of nine in the morning." he smiled with a warmth that was almost genuine. "you should consider yourself fortunate. few _feringhi_ have ever traveled inland. you will find the interior far different from surat. until then." he bowed lightly and snapped a command to the waiting horsemen. in moments they were lost among the trees. "this evening must be a time of farewell for us both, captain hawksworth. you know, the hindus believe life and death are an endless cycle that dooms them to repeat their miserable existence over and over again. i myself prefer to think that this one life is itself cyclical, ever renewing. what was new, exciting, yesterday is today tedious and tiresome. so tomorrow brings us both rebirth. for you it is agra, for me goa. but i expect to see surat again, as no doubt do you. who knows when our paths will cross once more?" mukarrab khan watched as a eunuch shoved wide the door leading onto the torchlit garden. "you have been a most gracious visitor, tolerating with exemplary forbearance my unworthy hospitality. tonight perhaps you will endure one last evening of my company, even if i have little else left to offer." the courtyard was a confused jumble of packing cases and household goods. servants were everywhere, wrapping and crating rolled carpets, bolsters, furniture, vases, and women's clothing. elephants stood near the back of the courtyard, howdahs on their backs, waiting to be loaded. goods would be transferred to barks for the trip downriver to the bar, where they would be loaded aboard a waiting portuguese frigate. "my dining hall has been dismantled, its carpet rolled. we have no choice but to dine this evening in the open air, like soldiers on the march." hawksworth was no longer hearing mukarrab khan. he was staring past him, through the smoke, not quite believing what he saw. but it was all too real. standing in the corner of the courtyard were two europeans in black cassocks. portuguese jesuits. mukarrab khan noticed hawksworth's diplomatic smile suddenly freeze on his face, and turned to follow his gaze. "ah, i must introduce you. you do understand the portuguese language, captain?" "enough." "i should have thought so. i personally find it abominable and refuse to study it. but both the fathers here have studied persian in goa, and i think one of them knows a bit of turki, from his time in agra." "what are they doing here?" hawksworth tried to maintain his composure. "they returned to surat just today from goa, where they've been these past few weeks. i understand they're en route to the jesuit mission in lahore, a city in the punjab, well to the north of agra. they specifically asked to meet you." he laughed. "they're carrying no cannon, captain, and i assumed you had no objection." "you assumed wrong. i have nothing to say to a jesuit." "you'll meet jesuits enough in agra, captain, at the moghul's court. consider this evening a foretaste." mukarrab khan tried to smile politely, but there was a strained look in his eyes and he fingered his jeweled ring uncomfortably. "you would favor me by speaking to them." the two europeans were now moving toward them, working their way through the swarm of servants and crates in the courtyard. the ruby- studded crucifixes they wore against their black cassocks seemed to shoot red sparks into the evening air. mukarrab khan urged hawksworth forward apprehensively. "may i have the pleasure to present ambassador brian hawksworth, who represents his majesty, king james of england, and is also, i believe, an official of england's east india company. "and to you, ambassador, i have the honor to introduce father alvarez sarmento, superior for the society of jesus' mission in lahore, and father francisco da silva." hawksworth nodded lightly and examined them. although sarmento was aged, his face remained strong and purposeful, with hard cheeks and eyes that might burn through marble. the younger priest could not have been more different. his ruddy neck bulged from the tight collar of his cassock, and his eyes shifted uncomfortably behind his puffed cheeks. hawksworth wondered absently how long his bloat--too much capon and port wine--would last if mackintosh had him on the third watch for a month. "you are a celebrated man, captain hawksworth." father sarmento spoke in flawless turki, but his voice was like ice. "there is much talk of you in goa. the new viceroy himself requested that we meet you, and convey a message." "his last message was to order an unlawful attack on my merchantmen. i think he still remembers my reply. is he now offering to abide by the treaty your spanish king signed with king james?" "that treaty has no force in asia, captain. his excellency has asked us to inform you that your mission to agra will not succeed. our fathers have already informed the moghul that england is a lawless nation living outside the grace of the church. perhaps you are unaware of the esteem he now holds for our agra mission. we have a church there now, and through it we have led many carnal-minded moors to god. we have refuted the islamic mullahs in his majesty's very presence, and shown him the falsity of their prophet and his laws. indeed, it is only because of the esteem we have earned that he now sends an ambassador to the portuguese viceroy." before hawksworth could respond, father sarmento suddenly reached out and touched his arm imploringly. "captain, let me speak now not for the viceroy, but for the holy church." hawksworth realized with a shock that he was speaking english. "do you understand the importance of god's work in this sea of damned souls? for decades we have toiled in this vineyard, teaching the grace of god and his holy church, and now at last our prayers are near to answer. when arangbar became moghul, our third mission had already been here for ten long, fruitless years. we strove to teach the grace of god to his father, akman, but his damnation was he could never accept a single true church. he would harken to a heathen fakir as readily as to a disciple of god. at first arangbar seemed like him, save his failing was not ecumenicity. it was indifference, and suspicion. now, after years of ignominy, we have secured his trust. and with that trust will soon come his soul." sarmento paused to cross himself. "when at last a christian holds the throne of india, there will be rejoicing at the throne of heaven. you may choose to live outside the mystery of the most holy sacrament, my son, but surely you would not wish to undo god's great work. i implore you not to go before the moghul now, not to sow unrest in his believing mind with stories of the quarrels and hatreds of europe. england was once in the bosom of the holy church, until your heretic king henry; and england had returned again, before your last, heretic queen led you once more to damnation. know the church always stands with open heart to receive you, or any apostate lutheran, who wishes to repent and save his immortal soul." "i see now why jesuits are made diplomats. is your concern the loss of the moghul's soul, or the loss of his trade revenues in goa?" hawksworth deliberately answered in turki. "tell your pope to stop trying to meddle in england's politics, and tell your viceroy to honor our treaty and there'll be no 'quarrels' between us here." "will you believe my word, sworn before god, that i have told his excellency that very thing? that this new war could destroy our years of work and prayer." sarmento still spoke in english. "but he is a man with a personal vendetta toward the english. it is our great tragedy. the viceroy of goa, his excellency, miguel vaijantes, is a man nourished by hatred. may god forgive him." hawksworth stood speechless as father sarmento crossed himself. "what did you say his name was?" "miguel vaijantes. he was in goa as a young captain, and now he has returned as viceroy. we must endure him for three more years. the antichrist himself could not have made our cup more bitter, could not have given us a greater test of our christian love. do you understand now why i beg you in god's name to halt this war between us?" hawksworth felt suddenly numb. he stumbled past the aged priest and blindly stared into the torchlit courtyard, trying to remember precisely what roger symmes had said that day so many years ago in the offices of the levant company. one of the few things he had never forgotten from symmes's monologue of hallucinations and dreams was the name miguel vaijantes. hawksworth slowly turned to face father sarmento and switched to english. "i will promise you this, father. if i reach agra, i will never speak of popery unless asked. it honestly doesn't interest me. i'm here on a mission, not a crusade. and in return i would ask one favor of you. i would like you to send a message to miguel vaijantes. tell him that twenty years ago in goa he once ordered the death of an english captain named hawksworth on the _strappado_. tell him . . ." the crash of shattering glass from the hallway of the palace severed the air between them. then the heavy bronze door swung wide and shirin emerged, grasping the broken base of a chinese vase. her eyes blazed and her disheveled hair streamed out behind her. hawksworth thought he saw a stain on one cheek where a tear had trailed, but now that trail was dry. she strode directly to mukarrab khan and dashed the remainder of the vase at his feet, where it shattered to powder on the marble tiles of the veranda. "that is my gift to the queen. you may send it with a message in your next dispatch. tell her that i too am persian, that i too know the name of my father's father, of his father's father, of his father's father, for ten generations. but unlike her, i was born in india. and it is in india that i will stay. she can banish me to the remotest village of the punjab, but she will never send me to goa. to live among unwashed portuguese. never. she does not have the power. and if you were a man, you would divorce me. here. tonight. for all to see. and i will return to my father, or go where i wish. or you may kill me, as you have already tried to do. but you must decide." mukarrab khan's face was lost in shock. the courtyard stood lifeless, caught in a silence more powerful than any hawksworth had ever known. he looked in confusion at father sarmento, and the old jesuit quietly whispered a translation of the persian, his own eyes wide in disbelief. never before had he seen a muslim woman defy her husband publicly. the humiliation was unthinkable. mukarrab khan had no power to order her death. he had no choice but to divorce her as she demanded. but everyone knew why she was his wife. what would a divorce mean? "you will proceed to goa as my wife, or you will spend the rest of your days, and what little remains of your fading beauty, as a _nautch_ girl at the port. your price will be one copper _pice_. i will order it in the morning." "his majesty will know of it within a week. i have friends enough in agra." "as do i. and mine have the power to act." "then divorce me." mukarrab khan paused painfully, then glanced down and absently whisked a fleck of lint from his brocade sleeve. "which form do you wish?" an audible gasp passed through the servants, and not one breathed as they waited for the answer. there were three forms of divorce for muslims. the first, called a revocable divorce, was performed when a man said "i have divorced you" only once. he had three months to reconsider and reconcile before it became final. the second form, called irrevocable, required the phrase be repeated twice, after which she could only become his wife again through a second marriage ceremony. the third, absolute, required three repetitions of the phrase and became effective the day her next reproductive cycle ended. there could be no remarriage unless she had, in the interim, been married to another. "absolute." "do you 'insist'?" "i do." "then by law you must return the entire marriage settlement." "you took it from me and squandered it long ago on _affion_ and pretty boys. what is left to return?" "then it is done." hawksworth watched in disbelief as mukarrab khan repeated three times the arabic phrase from the quran that cast her out. the two jesuits also stood silently, their faces horrified. shirin listened impassively as his voice echoed across the stunned courtyard. then without a word she ripped the strands of pearls from her neck and threw them at his feet. before mukarrab khan could speak again, she had turned and disappeared through the doorway of the palace. "in the eyes of god, excellency, you will always be man and wife," father sarmento broke the silence. "what he has joined, man cannot rend." a look of great weariness seemed to flood mukarrab khan's face as he groped to find the facade of calm that protected him. then, with an almost visible act of will, it came again. "perhaps you understand now, father, why the prophet's laws grant us more than one wife. allah allows for certain . . . mistakes." he forced a smile, then whirled on a wide-eyed eunuch. "will the packing be finished by morning?" "as ordered, khan sahib." the eunuch snapped to formality. "then see dinner is served my guests, or put my kitchen _wallahs_ to the lash." he turned back to hawksworth. "i'm told you met her once, ambassador. i trust she was more pleasant then." "merely by accident, excellency. while i was at the . . . in the garden." "she does very little by accident. you should mark her well." "your counsel is always welcome, excellency." hawksworth felt his pulse surge. "what will she do now?" "i think she will have all her wishes granted." he turned wearily toward the marble columns of the veranda. "you will forgive me if i must leave you now for a while. you understand i have further dispatches to prepare." he turned and was gone. after a moment's pause, the despairing jesuits trailed after. and suddenly the courtyard seemed empty. the waves curled gently against the shore, breaking iridescent over the staves of a half-buried keg. before him the sea spread wide and empty. only a single sail broke the horizon. his mare pawed impatiently, but hawksworth could not bring himself to turn her back toward the road. not yet. only when the sail's white had blended with the sea did he rein her around and, with one last glance at the empty blue, give her the spur. he rode briskly past the nodding palms along the shore, then turned inland toward surat, through villages of thatch- roofed houses on low stilts. women watched from the wide porches, sewing, nursing infants. after a time he no longer saw them, no longer urged the mare. his thoughts were filled with images from the tumultuous evening past. he had paced the vacant rooms of the palace till the early hours of morning, his mind in turmoil. sleep was never a possibility. when the courtyard at last grew still, he had slipped back into the garden, wanting its openness, the feel of its order. in the moonlight it lay deserted, and as he strolled alongside the bubbling fountain, he felt himself even more lost in this alien place, this alien land. the pilot karim had been right. india had already unsettled him more than he thought he could bear. in time he found himself wandering once more through the orchard, amid the wistful calls of night birds. the trees formed a roof of leafy shadows, cold and joyless as the moon above. even then, all he could see was shirin, poised defiant in the stark torchlight, taunting the queen. she had offered herself up to almost certain death, for reasons he scarcely comprehended. before he fully realized where he was, he looked up and saw the observatory. a tiny blinking owl perched atop the staircase, studying him critically as he approached. around him the marble instruments glistened like silver, while ahead stood the stone hut, forlorn now, more ramshackle than he had ever remembered, more abandoned. he reflected sadly that it probably would soon be forgotten entirely. who would ever come here again? the door of the hut was sealed tightly and for a time he stood simply looking at it, trying to recall all that had passed inside. finally he reached with a determined hand and pulled it wide. shirin stared up from the table in shock, grabbing the lamp as though to extinguish it. then she recognized him in the flickering light. "why . . . why are you here?" before he could answer, she moved in front of the table, masking it from his view. "you should not have come. if you're seen . . ." as his own surprise passed, he felt himself suddenly wanting to take her in his arms. "what does it matter now? you're divorced." the words filled him with momentary exhilaration, till he remembered the rest. "you're also in danger, whether i'm seen or not." "that's my concern." "what are you planning to do?" "leave. but i still have friends." he reached out and took the lamp from her, to feel the touch of her hand. it was soft and warm. "will i ever see you again?" "who knows what will happen now?" the wildness in her eyes was beginning to gentle. she moved back from the table and dropped into a chair. he realized it was the same chair she had sat in when telling him about the queen. on the table before her were piles of papers, tied into small, neat bundles. she examined him for a few moments in silence, then reached to brush the hair back from her eyes. "did you come here just to see me?" "not really . . ." he stopped, then laughed. "i think maybe i did. i think i somehow knew you would be here, without realizing i knew. i've been thinking about you all night." "why?" her voice quickened just enough for him to notice. "i'm not sure. i do know i'm very worried about what may happen to you." "no one else seems to be. no one will talk to me now, not even the servants. suddenly i don't exist." her eyes softened. "thank you. thank you for coming. it means you're not afraid. i'm glad." "why do you care whether i came or not?" he asked almost before realizing what he was saying. she hesitated, and unconsciously ran her glance down his frame. "to see you one more time." he thought he saw something enter her eyes, rising up unbidden. "don't you realize you've become very special for me?" "tell me." he studied her eyes in the lamplight, watching them soften even more. "you're not like anyone i've ever known. you're part of something that's very strange to me. i sometimes find myself dreaming of you. you're . . . you're very powerful. something about you." she caught herself, then laughed. "but maybe it's not really you i dream about at all. maybe it's what you are." "what do you mean?" "you're a man, from the west. there's a strength about you i can't fully understand." he watched her holding herself in check. "go on." "maybe it's partly the way you touch and master the things around you." she looked at him directly. "let me try to explain what i mean. for most people in india, the world that matters most is the world within. we explore the seas inside our own mind. and so we wait, we wait for the world outside to be brought to us. but for you the inner world seems secondary." she laughed again, and now her voice was controlled and even. "perhaps i'm not explaining it well. let me try again. do you remember the first thing you did on your very first morning in the palace?" "i walked out here, to the observatory." "but why did you?" "because i'm a seaman, and i thought . . ." "no, that's only partly the reason." she smiled. "i think you came to see it because it belongs to the world of things. like a good european, you felt you must first and always be the master of things. of ships, of guns, even of the stars. maybe that's why i find you so strong." she paused, then reached out and touched his hand. the gesture had been impulsive, and when she realized what she'd done, she moved to pull it back, then stopped herself. he looked at her in the lamplight, then gently placed his other hand over hers and held it firm. "then let me tell you something. i find you just as hard to understand. i find myself drawn to something about you, and it troubles me." "why should it trouble you?" "because i don't know who you are. what you are. even what you're doing, or why. you've risked everything for principles that are completely outside me." he looked into her eyes, trying to find words. "and regardless of what you say, i think you somehow know everything there is to know about me. i don't even have to tell you." "things pass between a man and woman that go beyond words. not everything has to be said." she shifted her gaze away. "you've had great sadness in your life. and i think it's killed some part of you. you no longer allow yourself to trust or to love." "i've had some bad experiences with trust." "but don't let it die." her eyes met his. "it's the thing most worthwhile." he looked at her a long moment, feeling the tenderness beneath her strength, and he knew he wanted her more than anything. before he thought, he had slipped his arm around her waist and drawn her up to him. he later remembered his amazement at her softness, her warmth as he pulled her body against his own. before she could speak, he had kissed her, bringing her mouth full to his lips. he had thought for an instant she would resist, and he meant to draw her closer. only then did he realize it was she who had come to him, pressing her body against his. they clung together in the lamplight, neither wanting the moment to end. at last, with an act of will, she pulled herself away. "no." her breath was coming almost faster than his own. "it's impossible." "nothing's impossible." he suddenly knew, with an absolute certainty, that he had to make her his own. "come with me to agra. together . . ." "don't say it." she stopped his lips with her finger. "not yet." she glanced at the papers on the table, then reached for his hand, bringing it to her moist cheek. "not yet." "you're leaving. so am i. we'll leave together." "i can't." she was slipping from him. he felt it. "i'll think of you when you're in agra. and when we're ready, we'll find each other, i promise it." before he knew, she had turned and gathered the bundles. when she reached for the lamp, suddenly her hand stopped. "let's leave it." she looked toward him. "still burning." then she reached out and brushed his lips with her fingertips one last time. he watched in dismay as she passed on through the doorway. in moments she was lost among the shadows of the orchard. book three the road chapter thirteen east along the tapti river valley the land was a verdant paradise, a patchwork of mango and pipal groves and freshly turned dark earth. by mid-october the fields of cotton, corn, and sugarcane were in harvest; and in the lowlands paired buffalo strained to turn the crusted mud to readiness for broadcast sowing the grain crops of autumn: millet, wheat, and barley. the monsoon-washed roads had again grown passable, and now they were a continual procession, as mile-long caravans of corn-laden bullock carts inched ponderously west toward the shipping port of surat. the distance from surat to burhanpur was one hundred and fifty _kos_, and in dry weather it could be traversed in just over a fortnight. vasant rao had hired fifty carts to transport the sealed bundles--which he said were lead--to burhanpur, swelling his entourage of forty raput horsemen by fifty low-caste drivers and bullock teams. he had also hired five additional carts to carry provisions. brian hawksworth had contracted for his own cart and driver, negotiating a price of twenty rupees for cartage of his belongings all the way from surat to agra. he was amused to reflect that the chest containing king james's gifts for the moghul of india traveled lashed to the bed of a ramshackle, wooden-wheeled cart originally intended for hay. the caravan had been scheduled to depart early on a saturday morning, but the drivers had suddenly refused to budge until the following day. hawksworth had confronted his driver, nayka, a dark-skinned low-caste man with the spindly limbs of the underfed, and demanded to know why. nayka had twisted his head deferentially, riveting his eyes on the ground, and explained in halting turki. "today is saturday, captain sahib. saturdays and tuesdays are sacred to the goddess devi, the divine mother. journeys begun on those days always meet disaster. bandits, tigers, washed-out roads. a mussalman once made my cousin bring a cart of indigo to surat from a village down the river on a tuesday, and a bridge broke under his load. both of his bullocks were drowned." it was mid-afternoon on sunday when the caravan finally pulled out from the water tank at surat's abidjan gate. by nightfall they had traveled three _kos_, reaching the outskirts of the village of cossaria. the next day they made twelve _kos_ east-northeast to reach the town of karod, a strategic fort on the tapti, dominated by a hilltop castle that garrisoned two hundred rajput soldiers. the next three days their camp stages had been the towns of viara, corka, and the large garrison city of narayanpur. on the insistence of mirza nuruddin, hawksworth had carried only a minimal amount of money with him. instead he had adopted the practice of indian merchants, leaving a chest of silver in surat and receiving a letter of credit, which could be debited for cash at major stops along the road to agra. moneylenders received negotiable notes against the silver deposit, which would be paid in surat at percent surcharge, thereby allowing travelers along the bandit-infested roads to carry cheques instead of cash. hawksworth found himself annoyed that vasant rao never allowed the caravan to stop inside the towns, where traditional indian guest houses--a stone floor and a roof-- were available free for travelers. instead they camped each evening on the outskirts, while a few rajputs rode in to the town bazaar to buy fresh vegetables, bricks of cow dung for cooking, and betel leaves for the drivers. the evening they reached narayanpur, the governor of the garrison, partab shah, had paid a surprise visit to their camp, bringing his own troup of _nautch_ women. while the women entertained the rajputs with an evening of dance and low-priced intimacy, partab shah whispered warnings to hawksworth that the road farther east was no longer safe now that civil rule in the deccan was teetering. the governor had offered to provide additional troops to escort the english ambassador and his gifts for the moghul safely through the district. to the governor's--and hawksworth's--dismay, vasant rao had politely declined. it had been well after midnight when the governor and his aides rose to return to narayanpur. vasant rao had insisted that the women be sent with him. then he convened the rajputs and drivers and announced that they would assemble the caravan two hours before sunup the following morning, an hour earlier than usual. they would try to reach and ford the tapti before nightfall, then veer northeast for burhanpur. hawksworth thought he detected a trace of worry in vasant rao's voice for the first time. they were well underway by sunup the next day, and as he fought off sleep in the rising heat, hawksworth reflected on what he had seen along the road. it was clear the larger towns were collection depots for the surat region, centers where grain, cotton, indigo, and hemp were assembled for delivery to the port. as their caravan rumbled through town after town, hawksworth began to find them merely a provincial version of surat, equally frenetic and self-absorbed. their bazaars bustled with haggling brokers and an air of commerce triumphant. after a time he began to find them more wearisome than exotic. but between these towns lived the other india, one of villages unchanged for centuries. to a londoner and seaman they were another world, and hawksworth understood almost nothing of what he saw. several times he had started to ask vasant rao some question about a village, but the time never seemed right. the rajput was constantly occupied with the progress of the caravan and never spoke unless he was giving an order. the long silence of the road had gathered between them until it was almost an invisible wall. for no apparent reason this changed suddenly on the afternoon after narayanpur, as the caravan rumbled into the small village of nimgul and began working its way along the single road through the town. vasant rao drew his mount alongside hawksworth's and pointed to a white plaster building up ahead that dominated the center of the village. "i grew to manhood in a village such as this, captain, in a house much like that one there." hawksworth examined the well-kept house, and then the village around it. spreading away on all sides were tumbledown thatch-roofed homes of sticks and clay, many raised on foot-high stilts to keep them above the seasonal mud. gaunt, naked children swarmed about the few remaining trees, their voices piping shrilly at play, while elderly men lounged on the porches smoking hookahs. most of the able-bodied men seemed to be in the fields, leaving their women--unsmiling laborers in drab body- length wraps, a large marriage ring dangling from one nostril--to toil in the midday sun combing seeds from large stacks of cotton, shelling piles of small-eared corn, and boiling a dense brown liquid in wide iron pans. vasant rao drew up his horse in front of the pans and spoke rapidly with one of the sad-eyed women. there was a tinkle of her heavy silver bracelets as she bowed to him, then turned to ask a turbaned overseer to offer them two clay cups of the liquid. vasant rao threw the man a small coin, a copper _pice_, and passed one of the cups to hawksworth. it was viscous and sweeter than anything he had ever tasted. vasant rao savored a mouthful, then discarded the cup into the road. "they're boiling cane juice to make _gur_, those brown blocks of sugar you see in the bazaars, for the brahmin landholders to sell. she's a camar, a low caste, and she works from sunup to dusk for a day's supply of _chapattis_, fried wheat cakes, for her household. wages haven't risen in the villages since i was a boy." "why did she ask the overseer to bring you the cup?" "because i'm a rajput." vasant rao seemed startled by the question. "i would pollute my caste if i took a cup from the hand of a camar. if a rajput or a brahmin eats food that's been handled by a member of the low castes, he may be obligated to undergo ritual purification. if you are born to a high caste, captain, you must honor its obligations." hawksworth studied him, wondering why he had finally decided to talk. security had been unaccountably tight for a shipment of lead. vasant rao had insisted that all carts be kept within the perimeter of the camp, inside the circle of guards. no one, neither drivers nor guards, had been allowed to touch the contents of the carts: sealed packages individually wrapped and lashed in bricks. "did you grow up around here?" hawksworth tried to widen the opening. "no, of course not." he laughed sharply. "only a _feringhi_ would ask that. i was born in the foothills of the himalayas, hundreds of _kos_ north of agra. in a rajput village. the villages in the surat district are ruled by brahmins." "are rajput villages like this?" "all villages are more or less the same, captain. how could it be otherwise? they're all hindu. this is the real india, my friend. muslims and moghuls, and now christians, come and go. this stays the same. these villages will endure long after the marble cities of the moghuls are dust. that's why i feel peace here. knowing this cannot be destroyed, no matter who rules in agra." hawksworth looked about the village. it seemed to be ruled by cattle. they roamed freely, arrogantly, secure in the centuries-old instinct that they were sacred and inviolable. naked children had begun to swarm after the carts, and a few young women paused to cast discreet glances at the handsome rajput horsemen. but the main work pressed monotonously forward. it was a place untouched by the world beyond its horizons. "you said this was a brahmin village. are all the men here priests?" "of course not." vasant rao grunted a laugh and gestured toward the fields beyond. "who would do the work? there must be the other castes, or the brahmins would starve. brahmins and rajputs are forbidden by the laws of caste from working the land. i meant this village is ruled by brahmins, although i'd guess no more than one family in ten is high caste. the brick and plaster homes there in the center of the village probably belong to brahmins. the villages of india, captain hawksworth, are not ruled by the moghuls.they're ruled by the high castes. here, the brahmins, in other villages, the rajputs. these, together with some merchants called banias, make up the high-caste hindus, the wearers of the sacred thread of the twice born, the real owners and rules of india. all the other castes exist to serve them." "i thought there were only four castes." hawksworth remembered that mukarrab khan had once described the caste system of the hindus with obvious muslim disgust. there are four castes, he had explained, each striving to exploit those below. the greatest exploiters called themselves brahmin, probably aryan invaders who had arrived thousands of years past and now proclaimed themselves "preservers of tradition." that tradition, which they invented, was mainly subjugation of all the others. next came the kshatriya, the warrior caste, which had been claimed by rajput tribes who also had invaded india, probably well after the brahmins. the third caste, also "high," was called vaisya, and was supposed to be made up of society's producers of foods and goods. now it was the caste claimed by rich, grasping hindu merchants. below all these were the sudra, who were in effect the servants and laborers for the powerful "high" castes. but even the sudra had someone to exploit, for beneath them were the untouchables, those unfortunates in whose veins probably ran the blood of the original inhabitants of india. the untouchables had no caste. the part that annoyed mukarrab khan the most was that high-caste hindus regarded all muslims as part of the mass of untouchables. "the four main castes are those prescribed in the order of the _varna_, the ancient aryan scriptures. but the world of the village has little to do with the _varna_. today there are many castes," vasant rao continued, reflecting to himself how he loathed most brahmins, who took every opportunity to claim caste superiority over rajputs. "for example, the brahmins here probably have two subcastes--one for the priests, who think up ceremonies as an excuse to collect money, and the other for the landowners, most of whom are also moneylenders. "there"-- he pointed--"that man is a brahmin." hawksworth saw a shirtless man standing by one of the white plaster homes. he wore a dingy loincloth beneath his enormous belly, and as hawksworth examined him he noticed a strand of thread that circled around his neck and under his left arm. "why is he wearing a cord around his shoulder?" "that's the sacred thread of the high castes. i wear one myself." vasant rao opened his shirt to reveal a strand of three colored threads, woven together. "it's consecrated and given to boys around age ten at a very important ceremony. before the thread ceremony a boy has no caste. an orthodox brahmin won't even eat with his son until after the boy's thread ceremony." hawksworth examined the thread. it was the first time he'd noticed it. "what about the men who don't wear a thread?" "they're the middle castes, the ones who do the work in a village. carpenters, potters, weavers, barbers. they serve the high castes and each other. the barber shaves the potter; the potter makes his vessels. the brahmins here probably won't sell them any land, so they'll always be poor. that's why the middle castes live in houses of mud and thatch instead of brick. and below them are the unclean castes. sweepers, servants, shoemakers." and below them are the non-hindus, hawksworth thought. me. "what the hell's the reason for all this? it's worse than the class system in england. i'll drink with any man, high or low. i have. and i usually prefer to drink with the low." "that may explain why most _feringhis_ seem so confused and unhappy. caste is the most important thing in life." vasant rao glanced over his shoulder at the receding village. "it's the reason india's civilization has lasted for thousands of years. i pity your misfortune, captain hawksworth, not to have been born a hindu. perhaps you were once, and will be again in some future life. i think you'll someday be reborn a kshatriya, a member of the warrior caste. then you'll know who you are, what you must do. unlike the moghuls and the other muslims, who have no caste and never know their purpose in life, a rajput always knows." as they rode on through the countryside hawksworth tried to understand the purpose of castes. its absurdity annoyed him. mukarrab khan was right for once. it's just a class system, devised by the highborn to keep the others in submission. but why do they all seem to believe in it? why don't the so-called lower castes just tell the others to go to hell? as they neared the next village, he decided to try to guess who was in which caste. but the central road in the village was deserted. instead all the villagers, men and women, were clustered around a tall, brightly painted pole that had been erected near one of the dingy thatch homes. vasant rao's face brightened when he saw the pole. "there must be a wedding here today. have you ever seen one?" "no. not in india." "this is a powerful moment, captain, when you feel the force of _prahna_, the life spirit." vasant rao pointed toward a pavilion that had been erected next to the marriage pole. from horseback hawksworth could just make out the bride and groom, both dressed in red wraps trimmed in silver. the groom wore a high turban, on top of which were ceremonial decorations, and the bride was so encrusted with precious metals she might have been a life- size ornament: her hands, wrists, feet, ankles, and her head were all adorned with elaborately worked silver rings, bracelets, medallions. her necklace was a string of large gold coins. "where'd she get all the silver and gold?" "her father is probably a big landowner. those ornaments are her savings and part of her dowry. look, all the women wear thick bracelets of silver on their ankles. there's much gold and silver in india, captain." as hawksworth watched, a brahmin priest, his forehead streaked with white clay, finished lighting a fire in a central brazier and then began to recite. "the priest is reciting from the vedas, sanskrit scriptures thousands of years old," vasant rao continued as they watched. "this is a ritual going back to the dawn of time." the couple began repeating the priest's verses, their faces intent and solemn. "they're taking the marriage vows now. there are seven. the most important is the wife's vow of complete obedience to her husband. see the silver knife he carries? that's to symbolize his dominion over her. but really, she will belong to his entire family when she finally comes to live at his house." "what do you mean by 'finally'?" "these things take time. to begin with, a marriage proposal must come from the family of the girl. as she approaches womenhood, her father will hire a marriage broker, probably the village barber, to go to surrounding villages to look for a suitable match. i remember when i was young and they used to come to my village." vasant rao's face assumed a faraway expression. "i didn't want to marry and i dreaded seeing them, but unfortunately i was a good catch. my subcaste is high, and i had many sisters, which meant more women to share the work in our house. then one day my father ordered the priest to cast my horoscope and i knew i was lost. a broker had brought an inquiry from a girl who had a compatible horoscope. soon after, the engagement ceremony was held in our house. the girl was not there, of course; i didn't see her until three years later. when we finally had the ceremony you see here." the bride and groom were standing together now, and they began to circle the fire while the women standing nearby sang a monotonous, repetitive song. hawksworth counted seven turns of the fire. then they seated themselves and the priest placed a red dot on the forehead of man and wife. "they'll feast tonight, and then the groom will return to his village." vasant rao spurred his mount to catch up with the caravan. "later she and her family will go there for more ceremonies. after that the groom may not see her again for several years, until the day her father decides she's ready for the _gauna_, the consummation of the marriage. i didn't see my bride again for two years." "what happened then?" "she came to my village for a few days and stayed in the women's quarters--the men and women sleep apart in these villages--and i had to go there and try to find her cot. after that she went back home and it was several months later before i saw her again. then she came back, for a longer time. finally she moved to my village, but by then i was nineteen and soon after i left on a campaign. she stayed with my younger brother while i was gone, and when i returned, she was with child. who can say whether it was mine or his? but none of it matters, for she died in childbirth." he spurred his horse past the line of carts. "let's try to make the river before sundown." hawksworth couldn't believe what he had heard, and he whipped his mount to catch up. "your brother kept your wife while you were away?" "of course. i don't know how it is here, but in the part of india where i was born, brothers normally share each other's wives. i used to go to my older brother's house when he was gone and visit his wife. she expected it and would have been upset if i hadn't come to her." vasant rao was puzzled by hawksworth's surprise. "don't brothers share one another's wives in england?" "well, not. . . usually. i mean . . . no. hell no. it's damned close to incest. the truth is a husband would have grounds to call out a man he caught with his wife. and especially a brother." "'call him out,' captain? what does that mean?" "a duel. with swords. or maybe pistols." vasant rao was incredulous. "but what if a man goes away on a campaign? his wife will grow frustrated. hindus believe a woman has seven times the sexual energy of a man. she would start meeting other men in the village if a man didn't have a brother to keep her satisfied. in the village where i grew up, if a man and woman met together by chance in the forest, and they had the same caste, we all assumed they would make the most of the opportunity. so it's better for the honor of the family if your brothers care for your wife. it's an important duty for brothers. and besides, as long as a woman attends to her own husband's needs, what does it matter if his brother enjoys her also?" hawksworth found himself astonished. "how does . . . i mean, what about this brother's own wife? what does she think about all this?" "if her husband wants to visit his brothers' wives, what should she care? it's normal. she'll also find ways to meet her husband's brothers for the same purpose. women married to brothers often try to send each other away on errands, in order to enjoy the other's husband. so wives have no reason to complain. in fact, if a woman returns to her own village for a visit, she will probably seek out some of the men she knew when she was young and enjoy them, since her husband is not around and no one in her own village would tell him. hindus in the villages don't lock away their women the way the muslims do, captain hawksworth. and because they're free to enjoy whoever they wish, they aren't frustrated and unhappy the way muslim women are. surely your england is an advanced country where women have the same freedom." hawksworth puzzled for a minute before trying to answer. the truth is there's a big difference between what's said and what's done. with chastity praised from the pulpits and whores the length of london. and highborn ladies thronging the playhouses, ready to cuckold their husbands with any cavalier who'll give them a look. how can i explain it? "i guess you'd say upper-class women have the most freedom to take lovers. usually young gallants or soldiers. and no one is surprised if her husband makes full use of his serving wench." "are these soldiers and serving women from a lower caste?" "well, we don't exactly have . . ." hawksworth paused for a moment. "actually i guess you could say they're a lower 'caste,' in a way." vasant reined in his mount and inspected hawksworth for a moment in disgust. "please excuse me if i say yours must be a very immoral country. captain. such a thing would never happen in india. no rajput would touch the body of a low caste. it would be pollution." "you don't care what your women do? all that matters is who they do it with?" hawksworth suddenly realized he found it all too absurd to believe. it sounds like another tale of the indies. concocted to entertain credulous seamen. "all right, then, what about your own wife? did she have other men besides your brothers?" "how would i know?" vasant rao waved his hand, dismissing the question as insignificant. "i suppose it's possible. but after she died i decided i'd had enough of wives and women. i took a vow of chastity. there's the legend of a god named hanumanji, who took on the flesh of a monkey and who gained insuperable strength by retaining his semen. it made him invulnerable." vasant rao smiled. "so far it's worked for me as well. but to protect the charm, i eat no meat and drink a glass of opium each day." the rajput suddenly spurred his mount toward the head of the caravan. the sun had disappeared behind a heavy bank of storm clouds in the west, and the road had already begun to darken. the river was probably still another hour away, perhaps two hours. hawksworth studied vasant rao's tall, commanding form, sitting erect and easy in the saddle. sweet jesus, he thinks he's invulnerable because he avoids women and drinks opium. rajputs are even madder than the damned turks. and he thinks the high castes rule by the will of god. i wonder what the low castes think? hawksworth puzzled through the rajput's words and half-dozed in the saddle until he realized they were finally approaching the river. ahead, past groves of mango trees, lay a sandy expanse leading down toward the water's edge. as they approached, vasant rao sent some of his horsemen to scout along the riverbank in both directions to find a shallow spot for crossing. the caravan followed the stream for half a _kos_, then halted on a sandy plain that sloped gradually down toward the wide stream. the water rippled slightly all the way across, signifying there were no lurking depths to swallow a cart. the sun was dying, washing a veneer of gold over the high dark clouds threatening in the east. the smell of rain hinted in the evening air. vasant rao peered across the water's darkening surface for a time, while the drivers waited patiently for orders to begin crossing, then he turned to the waiting rajputs. "the light is too far gone." he stroked the mane of his gray stallion and again studied the clouds building where the sun had been. "it's safer to camp here and cross in the morning." he signaled the head driver and pointed the rajputs toward a sandy expanse close to the water's edge. in moments the drivers were urging their teams toward the spot, circling them in preparation for the night. "the carts will go on the riverside, and we'll camp here." he specified areas for the rajputs and the drivers, and then he turned to hawksworth and pointed out a large mango tree. "your tent can go there." hawksworth had been required by the rajputs to keep a separate area for his campfire and cooking. vasant rao had explained the reasons the first evening of the journey. "food is merely an external part of the body, captain, so naturally it must be kept from pollution. food is transformed into blood, and the blood eventually turns to flesh, the flesh to fat, and the fat to marrow. the marrow turns to semen, the life-force. since you have no caste, a rajput would become polluted if he allowed you to touch his food, or even the pots in which he cooked." hawksworth's driver, being a low caste, had no objection to cooking and eating with the english ambassador. their diet on the trip had been simple. the rajputs lived mainly on game they killed as they rode, though some occasionally ate fish. a few seemed to subsist on rice, wheat cakes, and boiled lentils. that night, as an experiment, hawksworth ordered his driver, nayka, to prepare a dinner of whatever he himself was having. then he reclined against his saddle, poured himself a tankard of brandy, and watched the preparations. nayka struck up a fire of twigs, to ignite the chips of dried cow dung used for the real cooking, and then he began to heat a curved pan containing _ghee_, butter that had been boiled and strained to prevent rancidity. although the rajputs cooked in vegetable oil, nayka had insisted from the first that a personage as important as the english _feringhi_ should eat only clarified butter. the smoldering chips of dung took a long time to heat, but finally the ghee seemed ready. nayka had ground spices as he waited, and he began to throw them into the hot fat to sputter. then he chopped vegetables and dropped them in to fry. in a separate pot he was already boiling lentils, together with a yellow spice he called turmeric. as the meal neared readiness, he began to fry _chappatis_, thin patties of unleavened wheat flour mixed with water and ghee. then hawksworth watched in shock as nayka discreetly dropped a coal of burning cow dung into the pot of cooking lentils. "what the hell was that?" "flavoring, captain sahib." nayka's turkish had been learned through procuring women for turkish seamen, and it was heavily accented and abrupt. "it's the secret of the flavor of our lentils." "is that 'high-caste' practice?" "i think it is the same for all." nayka examined him for a moment, twisting his head deferentially. "does the sahib know about caste?" "i know it's a damnable practice." "the sahib says what the sahib says, but caste is a very good thing." "how do you figure that?" "because i will be reborn a brahmin. i went to a soothsayer who told me. my next life will be marvelous." "but what about this life?" "my present birth was due to a very grave mistake. the soothsayer explained it. he said that in my last life i was a rajput. once i ordered my cook to prepare a gift for some brahmins, to bake bread for them, and inside the bread i had put gold. it was an act of great merit. but the faithless cook betrayed me. he stole the gold and put stones in its place. the brahmins were very insulted, but no one ever told me why. because i had insulted brahmins, i was reborn as i am. but my next life will be different. i will be rich and have many women. like a brahmin or a rajput." nayka's eyes gleamed in anticipation. "the improvement in money i can understand." hawksworth examined nayka's ragged dhoti. "but what does it matter when it comes to women? there seems to be plenty of randy women to go around, in all castes." "that's true if you are a rajput or a brahmin. then no woman of any caste can refuse you. but if you are a low caste, and you are caught with a high-caste woman, you'll probably be beaten to death by the rajputs. they would say you were polluting her caste." "wait a minute. i thought rajputs would have nothing to do with a low- caste woman." hawksworth remembered vasant rao's stern denial. "who told you that?" nayka smiled at hawksworth's naivete. "i would guess a rajput. they always deny it to strangers, so you won't form unfavorable ideas about the high castes. let me tell you that it is a lie, captain sahib. they take our women all the time, and there is nothing we can say. but a low-caste man with a high-caste woman is another matter." "but what about their 'ritual pollution'? they're not supposed to touch the low castes." "it's very simple. a rajput can take one of our women if he chooses, and then just take a bath afterward and he is clean again." "but can't a high-caste woman do the same, if she's been with a low- caste man?" "no, captain sahib. because they say her pollution is internal. she has the polluting emissions of the low-caste man within her. so there is no way she can be purified. it's the way the high castes control their women. but if you're a man, you can have any woman you please, and there's nothing anyone can say." again nayka's eyes brightened. "it will be wonderful the day i am reborn. caste is a wonderful thing." hawksworth studied the half-starved, almost toothless man who stood before him barefoot, grinning happily. well, enjoy your dreams, you poor miserable son-of-a- bitch. i'll not be the one to tell you this life is all you get. he took a slug of brandy and returned to his dung-flavored lentils. taken with some of the charcoal-flavored bread they were actually better than he'd expected. vasant rao had already summoned the rajputs and made assignments for the evening guard duty. guards were to be doubled. hawksworth remained astounded by the rajput concept of security. a large kettledrum was set up at the head of the camp and continually beaten from dusk to dawn. a detail of rajputs would march around the perimeter of the camp throughout the night, and on the quarter hour a shout of "khabardar," meaning "take heed," would circle the camp. the first night hawksworth had found it impossible to sleep for the noise, but the second night and thereafter his weariness overtook him. he poured himself another brandy and watched as nayka scrubbed out the cooking pans with ashes and sand. then the driver rolled a betel leaf for hawksworth and another for himself and set to work erecting the tent, which was nothing more than four poles with a canopy. after this he unloaded hawksworth's cot, a foot-high wooden frame strung with hemp. none of the rajputs used cots; they preferred a thin pallet on the ground. nayka seemed to work more slowly as he started unrolling the bedding onto the hemp strings of the cot, and he began to glance nervously at the sky. suddenly he stopped and slipped quietly to where the other drivers were encamped, seated on their haunches around a fire, passing the mouthpiece of a hookah. a long discussion followed, with much pointing at the sky. then nayka returned and approached hawksworth, twisting his head in the deferential bow all indians seemed to use to superiors. he stood for a moment in hesitation, and then summoned the courage to speak. "it is not well tonight. sahib. we have traveled this road many times." he pointed east into the dark, where new lightning played across the hovering bank of clouds. "there has been rain near chopda, farther east where the river forks. in two _pahars_ time, six of your hours, the river will begin to rise here." "how much will it rise?" "only the gods can tell. but the river will spread beyond its banks and reach this camp. i have seen it. and it will remain impassable for three days." "how can you be sure?" "i have seen it before, sahib. the drivers all know and they are becoming afraid. we know the treachery of this river very well. but the other bank is near high ground. if we crossed tonight we would be safe." again he shifted his head deferentially. "will you please tell the raja?" to the drivers, vasant rao could only be a raja, a hereditary prince. all important rajputs were automatically called rajas. "tell him yourself." "we would rather you tell him, captain sahib. he is a high caste. it would not be right for us to tell a raja what to do." hawksworth watched for a moment as the rajput guards began taking their place around the perimeter of the camp, and then he looked sadly at his waiting cot. damn. crossing in the dark could be a needless risk. why didn't the drivers say something while we still had light? god curse them and their castes. then with a shrug of resignation he rose and made his way to vasant rao's tent. the rajput leader had already removed his helmet, but after listening to hawksworth he reluctantly strapped it back on and called for his second in command. together they examined the clouds and then walked down to the river. in the dark no one could tell if it had begun to rise. vasant rao ordered three rajputs to ride across carrying torches, to test the depth and mark out a path. the river was wide, but it still was no more than a foot or two deep. when the third rajput finally reached the far shore, over a hundred yards away, vasant rao issued orders to assemble the convoy. the drivers moved quickly to harness their bullocks, which had been tethered to stakes near bundles of hay. the weary cattle tossed their heads and sniffed suspiciously at the moist air as they were whipped into harness. meanwhile the rajput guards began saddling their horses. hawksworth saddled his own mare and watched as his cot and tent were rolled and strapped into the cart alongside his chest. he stared again into the darkness that enveloped the river. nothing could be seen except the three torches on the distant shore. suddenly he seemed to hear a warning bell in the back of his mind. we're too exposed. half the guard will be in the river while we cross. and there'll be no way to group the carts if we need to. he paused a moment, then retrieved his sword from the cart and buckled it on. next he checked the prime on the two matchlock pocket pistols he carried, one in each boot. five mounted rajputs holding torches led as the convoy started across the sandy alluvium toward the river. hawksworth's cart was the first to move, and as he drew his mare alongside, nayka threw him a grateful smile through the flickering light of the torch strapped against one of the cart's poles. "you've saved us all. captain sahib. when the river grows angry, nothing can appease her." the bullocks nosed warily at the water, but nayka gave them the lash and they waded in without protest. the bed was gravel, smoothed by the long action of the stream, and the water was still shallow, allowing the large wheels of the carts to roll easily. hawksworth pulled his mount close to the cart and let its enormous wheel splash coolness against his horse's flank. the current grew swifter as they reached the center of the stream, but the bullocks plodded along evenly, almost as though they were on dry ground. then the current eased again, and hawksworth noticed that the rajputs riding ahead had already reined in their mounts, signifying they had gained the far shore. their five torches merged with the three of the rajputs already waiting, and together they lined the water's edge. hawksworth twisted in the saddle and looked back at the line of carts. they traveled abreast in pairs, a torchman riding between, and the caravan had become an eerie procession of waving lights and shadows against the dark water. the last carts were in the river now, and vasant rao was riding rapidly toward him, carrying a torch. looks like i was wrong again, hawksworth thought, and he turned to rein his horse as it stumbled against a submerged rock. the torches along the shore were gone. he stared in disbelief for a moment, and then he saw them sputtering in the water's edge. lightning flashed in the east, revealing the silhouettes of the rajputs' mounts, stumbling along the shore, their saddles empty. he whirled to check the caravan behind him, and at that moment an arrow ricocheted off the pole of the cart and ripped cleanly through the side of his jerkin. he suddenly realized the torch lashed to the side of the cart illuminated him brilliantly, and he drew his sword and swung at its base, slicing it in half. as it fell, sputtering, he saw a second arrow catch nayka squarely in the throat and he watched the driver spin and slump wordlessly into the water. godforsaken luckless hindu. now you can be reborn a brahmin. only sooner than you thought. a shout of alarm erupted from behind, and he looked to see the remaining rajputs charging in formation, bows already drawn. the water churned around him as they dashed by, advancing on the shore. the rajputs' horn bows hissed in rapid succession as they sent volleys of bamboo arrows into the darkness. but the returning rain of arrows was dense and deadly. he saw the rajput nearest him suddenly pivot backward in the saddle, an arrow lodged in his groin, below his leather chest guard. hawksworth watched incredulously as the man clung to his saddle horn for a long last moment, pulling himself erect and releasing a final arrow before tumbling into the water. again lightning flared across the sky, and in the sudden illumination hawksworth could see shapes along the shore, an army of mounted horsemen, well over a hundred. they were drawn in tight formation, calmly firing into the approaching rajputs. the lightning flashed once more, a broad sheet of fire across the sky, and at that moment hawksworth saw vasant rao gain the shore, where he was instantly surrounded by a menacing wall of shields and pikes. then more of the rajputs gained the shore, and he could hear their chant of "ram ram," their famous battle cry. the horsemen were moving on the caravan now, and when the lightning blazed again hawksworth realized he had been surrounded. the dark figure in the lead seized hawksworth's right arm from behind and began to grapple for his sword. as he struggled to draw it away, the butt end of a pike came down hard on his forearm. a shot of pain pierced through to his mind, clearing away the last haze of the brandy. "you bastard." hawksworth realized he was shouting in english. "get ready to die." he twisted forward and with his free hand stretched for the pistol in his boot. slowly his grip closed about the cool horn of the handle, and with a single motion he drew it upward, still grasping the sword. as he raised himself erect he caught the outline of a dark object swinging above him in the air. then the lightning flashed again, glinting off the three large silver knobs. they were being swung by the man who held his sword arm. my god, it's a _gurz_, the three-headed club some of the rajputs carry on their saddle. it's a killer. he heard it arc above him, singing through the dark. unlike the rajputs, he had no leather helmet, no padded armor. there was no time to avoid the blow, but he had the pistol now, and he shoved it into the man's gut and squeezed. there was a sudden blinding flash of light. it started at his hand, but then it seemed to explode inside his skull. the world had grown white, like the marble walls of mukarrab khan's music room, and for a moment he thought he heard again the echo of drumbeats. the cycle swelled sensuously, then suddenly reached its culmination, when all pent-up emotion dissolved. in the silence that followed, there was only the face of mukarrab khan, surrounded by his eunuchs, his smile slowly fading into black. chapter fourteen the light of a single flame tip burned through the haze of his vision, and then he heard words around him, in a terse language as ancient as time. he tried to move, and an aching soreness shot through his shoulders and into his groin. his head seemed afire. i must be dead. why is there still pain? he forced his swollen eyelids wider, and a room slowly began to take form. it was a cell, with heavy bamboo slats over the windows and an ancient wooden latch on the door. the floor was earth and the walls gray mud with occasional inscriptions in red. next to him was a silhouette, the outline of a man squatting before an oil lamp and slowly repeating a sharp, toneless verse. he puzzled at the words as he studied the figure. it's the language of the priest at the wedding. it must be sanskrit. but who . . . ? he pulled himself upward on an elbow and turned toward the figure, which seemed to flicker in the undulating shadows. then he recognized the profile of vasant rao. the verses stopped abruptly and the rajput turned to examine him. "so you're not dead? that could be a mistake you'll regret." vasant rao's face sagged and his once-haughty moustache was an unkempt tangle. he stared at hawksworth a moment more, then turned back to the lamp. the sanskrit verses resumed. "where the hell are we?" vasant rao paused, and then slowly revolved toward hawksworth. "in the fortress village of bhandu, ten _kos_ northwest of the town of chopda. it's the mountain stronghold of the chandella dynasty of rajputs." "and who the hell are they?" "they claim direct descent from the ancient solar race of rajputs described in the puranas. who knows, but that's what they believe. what we all do know is they've defended these hills for all of time." "did they take the caravan?" a bolt of humiliation and pain swept through vasant rao's eyes for a moment and then his reserve returned. "yes, it was taken." "so your mighty 'solar race' is really a breed of god- cursed common bandits." "bandits, they are. they always have been. common, no. they're professionals, honorable men of high caste." "high-caste thieves. like some of the merchants i've met." hawksworth paused and tried to find his tongue. his mouth was like cotton. "how long've we been here?" "this is the morning of our second day. we arrived yesterday, after traveling all night." "i feel like i've been keelhauled for a week." hawksworth gingerly touched his forehead and there was a pulse of pain. vasant rao listened with a puzzled expression. "you were tied over your horse. some of the clan wanted to kill you and leave you there, but then they decided that would give you too much honor." "what the hell are you talking about? i remember i gave them a fight." "you used a pistol. you killed a man, the head of this dynasty, with a pistol." the words seemed to cut through the shadows of the room. the pain returned and ached through hawksworth's body. more deaths. the two men who died on the _discovery_. i saw nayka die with an arrow in his throat. and how many of the rajput guards died? why am i always in the middle of fighting and death? "the bastards killed my driver." "the driver was nothing. a low caste." he shrugged it away. "you are an important _feringhi_. you would not have been harmed. you should never have drawn a pistol. and then you allowed yourself to be captured. it was an act beneath honor. the women spat on you and your horse when you were brought through the streets. i have no doubt they'll kill us both now." "who's left alive?" "no one. my men died like rajputs." a trace of pride flashed through his eyes before they dimmed again with sadness. "when they knew they could not win, that they had failed the prince, they vowed to die fighting. and all did." "but you're still alive." the words seemed almost like a knife in the rajput's heart. "they would not kill me. or let me die honorably." he paused and stared at hawksworth. "there was a reason, but it doesn't concern you." "so all the men died? but why did they kill the drivers?" "the drivers weren't killed." vasant rao looked surprised. "i never said that." i keep forgetting, hawksworth told himself, that only high castes count as men in this god-forsaken land. "this whole damned country is mad." the absurdity overwhelmed him. "low castes, your own people, handled like slaves, and high castes who kill each other in the name of honor. a pox on rajputs and their fornicating honor." "honor is very important. without honor what is left? we may as well be without caste. the warrior caste lives by a code set down in the laws of manu many thousands of years ago." he saw hawksworth's impatience and smiled sadly. "do you understand what's meant by _dharma_?" "it sounds like another damned hindu invention. another excuse to take life." "_dharma_ is something, captain hawksworth, without which life no longer matters. no christian, or muslim, has ever been able to understand _dharma_, since it is the order that defines our castes--and those born outside india are doomed to live forever without a caste. _dharma_ defines who we are and what we must do if we are to maintain our caste. warfare is the _dharma_ of the kshatriya, the warrior caste." "and i say a pox on caste. what's so honorable about rajputs slaughtering each other?" "warriors are bound by their _dharma_ to join in battle against other warriors. a warrior who fails in his duty sins against the _dharma_ of his caste." vasant rao paused. "but why am i bothering to tell you this? i sound like krishna, lecturing arjuna on his duty as a warrior." "who's krishna? another rajput?" "he's a god, captain hawksworth, sacred to all rajputs. he teaches us that a warrior must always honor his _dharma_." vasant rao's eyes seemed to burn through the shadows of the cell. from outside hawksworth heard the distant chantings of some village ceremony. "if you'll listen, _feringhi_ captain, i'll tell you something about a warrior's _dharma_. there's a legend, many thousands of years old, of a great battle joined between two branches of a powerful dynasty in ancient india. two kings were brothers, and they shared a kingdom, but their sons could not live in peace. one branch wished to destroy the other. eventually a battle was joined, a battle to the death. as they waited on the field for the sound of the conch shell, to summon the forces, the leader of those sons who had been wronged suddenly declared that he could not bring himself to kill his own kinsmen. but the god krishna, who was charioteer for this son, reminded him he must follow his _dharma_. that there is no greater good for a warrior than to join battle for what is right. it's wrong only if he is attached to the fruits of battle, if he does it for gain. it's told in the bhagavad- gita, a sanskrit scripture sacred to all warriors. i was reciting a verse from chapter twelve when you woke." "what did this god krishna say?" "he declared that all who live must die, and all who die will be reborn. the spirit within us all, the _atman_, cannot be destroyed. it travels through us on its journey from birth to rebirth. but it's not correct to say merely that it exists. it is existence. it is the only reality. it is present in everything because it is everything. therefore there's no need to mourn for death. there is no death. the body is merely an appearance, by which the _atman_ reveals itself. the body is only its guardian. but a warrior who turns away from the duty of his caste sins against his honor and his _dharma_. krishna warned that this loss of honor could one day lead to the mixture of castes, and then the dharma of the universe, its necessary order, would be destroyed. it's not wrong for a rajput to kill a worthy foe, captain hawksworth, it's his duty. just as it's also his duty to die a worthy death." "why all this killing in the name of 'honor' and 'duty"?" "non-hindus always want to know 'why.' to 'understand.' you always seem to believe that words somehow contain all truth. but dharma simply is. it is the air we breathe, the changeless order around us. we're part of it. does the earth ask why the monsoons come? does the seed ask why the sun shines each day? no. it's _dharma_. the dharma of the seed is to bear fruit. the dharma of the warrior caste is to do battle. only _feringhi_, who live outside our dharma, ask 'why.' truth is not something you 'understand.' it's something you're part of. it's something you feel with your being. and when you try to catch it with words, it's gone. can the eagle tell you how he flies, captain hawksworth, or 'why"? if he could, he would no longer be an eagle. this is the great wisdom of india. we've learned it's wasted on _feringhi_, captain, as i fear it's now wasted on you." the talk left hawksworth feeling strangely insecure, his mind wrestling with ideas that defied rationality. "i know there are things you understand with your gut, not with your head." "then there may be hope for you, captain hawksworth. now we will see if you can die like a rajput. if you can, perhaps you will be reborn one of us." "then i might even learn to be a bandit." "all rajputs are not the same, captain. there are many tribes, descended from different dynasties. each has its own tradition and genealogy. i'm from the north. from the races descended from the moon. this tribe claims descent from the solar dynasty, which also began in the north. i think their genealogy goes back to the god indra, who they claim brought them into being with the aid of the sun." vasant rao turned and continued reciting in sanskrit. his face again became a mask. hawksworth rubbed his head in confusion and suddenly felt a hard lump where the club had dropped. the fear began to well up in his stomach as he remembered the stony-faced riders who had surrounded him in the river. but he pushed aside thoughts of death. _dharma_ be damned. what did he mean, they're members of a clan descended from the "solar dynasty"? they're killers, looking for an excuse to plunder. i'm not planning to die like a rajput just yet. or be reborn as one. life is too sweet just as it is. i'm beginning to feel alive here, for the first time ever. shirin is free. i've got a feeling i'll be seeing her again. whatever happens, i don't care to die in this piss hole, with empty talk about honor. think. he remembered the river again, and quickly felt in his boot. the other pistol was still there. we'll find a way to get out. somehow. we may just lose a few days' time, that's all. we made good time so far. six days. we left on sunday, and we've been here two days. so today is probably monday. he suddenly froze. "where are the carts?" "at the south end of the village. where they have the _chans_, the cattle sheds. the drivers are there too." "is my chest there?" "no. it's right there. behind you." vasant rao pointed into the dark. "i told them it belonged to the moghul, and they brought it here. i guess the moghul still counts for something here. maybe they're superstitious about him." hawksworth pulled himself up and reached behind him. the chest was there. he fingered the cool metal of the lock and his mind began to clear even more. quickly he began to search his jerkin for the key. its pockets were empty. of course. if i was tied over a horse it.. . then he remembered. for safety he had transferred it to the pocket of his breeches the second day out. he felt down his leg, fighting the ache in his arm. miraculously the key was still there. he tried to hold his excitement as he twisted it into the lock on the chest. once, twice, and it clicked. he quickly checked the contents. lute on top. letter, still wrapped. clothes. then he felt deeper and touched the metal. slowly he drew it out, holding his breath. it was still intact. the light from the lamp glanced off the burnished brass of the persian astrolabe from the observatory. it had been mukarrab khan's parting gift. he carried it to the slatted window and carefully twisted each slat until the sun began to stream through. thank god it's late in the year, when the sun's already lower at midday. he took a quick reading of the sun's elevation. it had not yet reached its zenith. he made a mental note of the reading and began to wait. five minutes passed--they seemed hours--and he checked the elevation again. the sun was still climbing, but he knew it would soon reach its highest point. vasant rao continued to chant verses from the bhagavad- gita in terse, toneless sanskrit. he probably thinks i'm praying too, hawksworth smiled to himself. the reading increased, then stayed the same, then began to decrease. the sun had passed its zenith, and he had the exact reading of its elevation. he mentally recorded the reading, then began to rummage in the bottom of the chest for the seaman's book he always carried with him. we left surat on october twenty-fourth. so october twenty-fifth was karod, the twenty-sixth was viara, the twenty-seventh was corka, the twenty-eighth was narayanpur, the twenty-ninth was the river. today has to be october thirty-first. the book was there, its pages still musty from the moist air at sea. he reached the page he wanted and ran his finger down a column of figures until he reached the one he had read off the astrolabe. from the reading the latitude here is degrees and minutes north. then he began to search the chest for a sheaf of papers and finally his fingers closed around them, buried beneath his spare jerkin. he squinted in the half light as he went through the pages, the handwriting hurried from hasty work in the observatory. finally he found what he wanted. he had copied it directly from the old samarkand astronomer's calculations. the numerals were as bold as the day he had written them. the latitude was there, and the date. with a tight smile that pained his aching face he carefully wrapped the astrolabe and returned it to the bottom of the chest, together with the books. he snapped the lock in place just as the door of the cell swung open. he looked up to see the face of the man who had swung the club. good jesus, i thought he was dead. and he looks even younger. . . . then hawksworth realized it had to be his son. but the heavy brow, the dark beard, the narrow eyes, were all the same, almost as though his father's blood had flowed directly into his veins. he wore no helmet or breastplate now, only a simple robe, entirely white. the man spoke curtly to vasant rao in a language hawksworth did not understand. "he has ordered us to come with him. it's time for the ceremony. he says you must watch how the man you killed is honored." vasant rao rose easily and pinched out the oil lamp. in the darkened silence hawksworth heard the lowing of cattle, as well as the distant drone of a chant. outside the guards were waiting. he noted they carried sheathed swords. and they too were dressed in white. in the midday sunshine he quickly tried to survey the terrain. jagged rock outcrops seemed to ring the village, with a gorge providing an easily protected entrance. he was right. it's a fortress. and probably impregnable. the road was wide, with rows of mud-brick homes on either side, and ahead was an open square, where a crowd had gathered. facing the square, at the far end, was an immense house of baked brick, the largest in the fortress village, with a wide front and a high porch. as they approached the square, hawksworth realized a deep pit had been newly excavated directly in the center. mourners clustered nearby, silently waiting, while a group of women--five in all--held hands and moved slowly around the pit intoning a dirge. as they reached the side of the opening he saw the rajput's body, lying face up on a fragrant bier of sandalwood and _neem_ branches. his head and beard had been shaved and his body bound in a silk winding sheet. he was surrounded by garlands of flowers. the wood in the pit smelled of _ghee_ and rose-scented coconut oil. nearby, brahmin priests recited in sanskrit. "his body will be cremated with the full honor of a rajput warrior." vasant rao stood alongside. "it's clear the brahmins have been paid enough." hawksworth looked around at the square and the nearby houses, their shutters all sealed in mourning. chanting priests in ceremonial robes had stationed themselves near the large house, and an arabian mare, all white and bedecked with flowers, was tied at the entrance. suddenly the tones of mournful, discordant music sounded around him. as hawksworth watched, the heavy wooden doors of the great house opened slowly and a woman stepped into the midday sunshine. even from their distance he could see that she was resplendent--in an immaculate white wrap that sparkled with gold ornaments--and her movements regal as she descended the steps and was helped onto the horse. as she rode slowly in the direction of the pit, she was supported on each side by brahmin priests, long-haired men with stripes of white clay painted down their forehead. "she is his wife." vasant rao had also turned to watch. "now you'll see a woman of the warrior caste follow her _dharma_." as the woman rode slowly by, hawksworth sensed she was only barely conscious of her surroundings, as though she had been drugged. she circled the pit three times, then stopped near where hawksworth and vasant rao were standing. as the priests helped her down from the mare, one urged her to drink again from a cup of dense liquid he carried. her silk robe was fragrant with scented oil, and hawksworth saw that decorations of saffron and sandalwood had been applied to her arms and forehead. it's a curious form of mourning. she's dressed and perfumed as though for a banquet, not a funeral. and what's she drinking? from the way she moves i'd guess it's some opium concoction. she paused at the edge of the pit and seemed to glare for an instant at the five women who moved around her. then she drank again from the cup, and calmly began removing her jewels, handing them to the priest, until her only ornament was a necklace of dark seeds. next the brahmins sprinkled her head with water from a pot and, as a bell began to toll, started helping her into the pit. hawksworth watched in disbelief as she knelt next to her husband's body and lovingly cradled his head against her lap. her eyes were lifeless but serene. the realization of what was happening struck hawksworth like a blow in the chest. but how could it be true? it was unthinkable. then the man who had brought them, the son, held out his hand and one of the brahmins bowed and handed him a burning torch. it flared brilliantly against the dark pile of earth at the front of the pit. god almighty! no! hawksworth instinctively started to reach for his pistol. a deafening chorus of wails burst from the waiting women as the young man flung the torch directly by the head of the bier. next the priests threw more lighted torches alongside the corpse, followed by more oil. the flames licked tentatively around the edges of the wood, then burst across the top of the pyre. the fire swirled around the woman, and in an instant her oil-soaked robes flared, enveloping her body and igniting her hair. hawksworth saw her open her mouth and say something, words he did not understand, and then the pain overcame her and she screamed and tried frantically to move toward the edge of the pit. as she reached the edge she saw the hovering priests, waiting with long poles to push her away, and she stumbled backward. her last screams were drowned by the chorus of wailing women as she collapsed across the body of her husband, a human torch. hawksworth stepped back in horror and whirled on vasant rao, who stood watching impassively. "this is murder! is this more of your rajput 'tradition"?" "it is what we call _sati_, when a brave woman joins her husband in death. did you hear what she said? she pronounced the words 'five, two' as the life-spirit left her. at the moment of death we sometimes have the gift of prophecy. she was saying this is the fifth time she has burned herself with the same husband, and that only two times more are required to release her from the cycle of birth and death, to render her a perfect being." "i can't believe she burned herself willingly." "of course she did. rajput women are noble. it was the way she honored her husband, and her caste. it was her _dharma_." hawksworth stared again at the pit. priests were throwing more oil on the raging flames, which already had enveloped the two bodies and now licked around the edges, almost at hawksworth's feet. the five women seemed crazed with grief, as they held hands and moved along the edge in a delirious dance. the heat had become intense, and hawksworth instinctively stepped back as tongues of fire licked over the edge of the pit. the mourning women appeared heedless of their own danger as they continued to circle, their light cloth robes now only inches from the flame. the air was filled with the smell of death and burning flesh. they must be mad with grief. they'll catch their clothes . . . at that instant the hem of one of the women's robes ignited. she examined the whipping flame with a wild, empty gaze, almost as though not seeing it. then she turned on the other women, terror and confusion in her eyes. hawksworth was already peeling off his jerkin. he'd seen enough fires on the gun deck to know the man whose clothes caught always panicked. if i can reach her in time i can smother the robe before she's burned and maimed. her legs . . . before he could move, the woman suddenly turned and poised herself at the edge of the roaring pit. she emitted one long intense wail, then threw herself directly into the fire. at that moment the robes of a second woman caught, and she too turned and plunged head-first into the flames. merciful god! what are they doing! the three remaining women paused for a moment. then they clasped hands, and, as though on a private signal, plunged over the edge into the inferno, their hair and robes igniting like dry tinder in a furnace. the women all clung together as the flames enveloped them. hawksworth tried to look again into the pit, but turned away in revulsion. "what in hell is happening?" vasant rao's eyes were flooded with disbelief. "they must have been his concubines. or his other wives. only his first wife was allowed to have the place of honor beside his body. i've. . ." the rajput struggled for composure. "i've never seen so many women die in a _sati_. it's . . ." he seemed unable to find words. "it's almost too much." "how did such a murderous custom begin?" hawksworth's eyes were seared now from the smoke and the smell of burning flesh. "it's unworthy of humanity." "we believe aristocratic rajput women have always wished to do it. to honor their brave warriors. the moghul has tried to stop it, however. he claims it began only a few centuries ago, when a rajput raja suspected the women in his palace were trying to poison him and his ministers. some believe the raja decreed that custom as protection for his own life, and then others followed. but i don't think that's true. i believe women in india have always done it, from ancient times. but what does it matter when it began. now all rani, the wives of rajas, follow their husbands in death, and consider it a great honor. today it seems his other women also insisted on joining her. i think it was against her wishes. she did not want to share her moment of glory. _sati_ is a noble custom, captain hawksworth, part of that rajput strength of character wanting in other races." a hand seized hawksworth's arm roughly and jerked him back through the crowd, a sea of eyes burning with contempt. amid the drifting smoke he caught a glimpse of the bullock carts of the caravan, lined along the far end of the road leading into the fortress. the drivers were nowhere to be seen, but near the carts were cattle sheds for the bullocks. if they can send innocent women to their death, life means nothing here. they'll kill us for sure. he turned to vasant rao, whose face showed no trace of fear. the rajput seemed oblivious to the smell of death as smoke from the fire engulfed the palms that lined the village roads. they were approaching the porch of the great house where the head of the dynasty had lived. two guards shoved hawksworth roughly to his knees. he looked up to see, standing on the porch of the house, the young man who had tossed the torch into the pit. he began speaking to them, in the tones of an announcement. "he's the son of the man you killed. he has claimed leadership of the dynasty, and calls himself raj singh." vasant rao translated rapidly, as the man continued speaking. "he says that tomorrow there will be an eclipse of the sun here. it is predicted in the panjika, the hindu manual of astrology. his father, the leader of this dynasty of the sun, has died, and tomorrow the sun will die also for a time. the brahmins have said it is fitting that you die with it. for high castes in india the death of the sun is an evil time, a time when the two great powers of the sky are in conflict. on the day of an eclipse no fires are lit in our homes. food is discarded and all open earthenware pots are smashed. no one who wears the sacred thread of the twice-born can be out of doors during an eclipse. the brahmin astrologers have judged it is the proper time for you to pay for your cowardly act. you will be left on a pike to die in the center of the square." hawksworth drew himself up, his eyes still smarting from the smoke, and tried to fix the man's eyes. then he spoke, in a voice he hoped would carry to all the waiting crowd. "tell him his brahmin astrologers know not the truth, neither past nor future." hawksworth forced himself to still the tremble in his voice. "there will be no eclipse tomorrow. his brahmins, who cannot foretell the great events in the heavens, should have no right to work their will on earth." "have you gone mad?" vasant rao turned and glared at him as he spat the words in disgust. "why not try to die with dignity." "tell him." vasant rao stared at hawksworth in dumb amazement. "do you think we're all fools. the eclipse is foretold in the panjika. it is the sacred book of the brahmins. it's used to pick auspicious days for ceremonies, for weddings, for planting crops. eclipses are predicted many years ahead in the panjika. they have been forecast in india for centuries. don't europeans know an eclipse is a meeting of the sun and moon? nothing can change that." "tell him what i said. exactly." vasant rao hesitated for a few moments and then reluctantly translated. the rajput chieftain's face did not change and his reply was curt. vasant rao turned to hawksworth. "he says you are a fool as well as an untouchable." "tell him that if i am to die with the sun, he must kill me now. i spit on his brahmins and their panjika. i say the eclipse will be this very day. in less than three hours." "in one _pahar_? "yes." "no god, and certainly no man, can control such things. why tell him this invention?" vasant rao's voice rose with his anger. "when this thing does not happen, you will die in even greater dishonor." "tell him." vasant rao again translated, his voice hesitant. raj singh examined hawksworth skeptically. then he turned and spoke to one of the tall rajputs standing nearby, who walked to the end of the porch and summoned several brahmin priests. after a conference marked by much angry shouting and gesturing, one of the brahmins turned and left. moments later he reappeared carrying a book. "they have consulted the panjika again." vasant rao pointed toward the book as one of the brahmins directed a stream of language at raj singh. "he says there is no mistaking the date of the eclipse, and the time. it is in the lunar month of asvina, which is your september-october. here in the deccan the month begins and ends with the full moon. the _tithi_ or lunar day of the eclipse begins tomorrow." as hawksworth listened, he felt his heart begin to race. the calculations at the observatory had a lot to say about your panjika's lunar calendar. and they showed how unwieldy it is compared to the solar calendar the arabs and europeans use. a cycle of the moon doesn't divide evenly into the days in a year. so your astrologers have to keep adding and subtracting days and months to keep years the same length. it's almost impossible to relate a lunar calendar accurately to a solar year. jamshid beg, the astronomer from samarkand, loved to check out the predictions in the hindu panjika. if i deciphered his calculations right, this is one eclipse the panjika called wrong. the astrologer must have miscopied his calculations. or maybe he just bungled one of the main rules of lunar bookkeeping. solar days begin at sunrise, but lunar days are different. the moon can rise at any time of day. according to the system, the lunar day current at sunrise is supposed to be the day that's counted. but if the moon rises just after sunrise, and sets before sunrise the next day, then that whole lunar "day" has to be dropped from the count. today was one of those days. it should have been dropped from the lunar calendar, but it wasn't. so the prediction in the panjika is a day off. according to jamshid beg's calculations, at least. god help me if he was wrong. "tell him his panjika is false. if i'm to be killed the day of the eclipse, he must kill me now, today." raj singh listened with increasing disquiet as vasant rao translated. he glanced nervously at the brahmins and then replied in a low voice. vasant rao turned to hawksworth. "he asks what proof you have of your forecast?" hawksworth looked around. what proof could there be of an impending eclipse? "my word is my word." another exchange followed. "he is most doubtful you are wiser than the panjika." vasant rao paused for a moment, then continued. "i am doubtful as well. he says that if you have invented a lie you are very foolish. and we will all soon know." "tell him he can believe as he chooses. the eclipse will be today." again there was an exchange. then vasant rao turned to hawksworth, a mystified expression on his face. "he says if what you say is true, then you are an _avatar_, the incarnation of a god. if the eclipse is today, as you say, then the village must begin to prepare immediately. people must all move indoors. once more, is what you say true?" "it's true." hawksworth strained to keep his voice confident, and his eyes on the rajput chieftain as he spoke. "it doesn't matter whether he believes or not." raj singh consulted again with the brahmin priests, who had now gathered around. they shifted nervously, and several spat to emphasize their skepticism. then the rajput leader returned and spoke again to vasant rao. "he says that he will take the precaution of ordering the high castes indoors. if what you say comes to pass, then you have saved the village from a great harm." hawksworth started to speak but vasant rao silenced him with a gesture. "he also says that if what you say is a lie, he will not wait until tomorrow to kill you. you will be buried alive at sunset today, up to the throat. then you will be stoned to death by the women and children of the village. it is the death of criminal untouchables." as the smoke from the funeral pyre continued to drift through the village, the high-caste men and women entered their homes and sealed their doors. women took their babies in their laps and began their prayers. only low castes and children too young to wear the sacred thread remained outside. even vasant rao was allowed to return to the room where they had been held prisoner. hawksworth suddenly found himself without guards, and he wandered back to the square to look once more at the pit where the funeral pyre had been. all that remained of the bodies were charred skeletons. an hour ago there was life. now there's death. the difference is the will to live. and luck. the turn of chance. was jamshid beg right? if not, god help me . . . he knelt down beside the pit. to look at death and to wait. chapter fifteen prince jadar passed the signal to the waiting guards as he strode briskly down the stone-floored hallway and they nodded imperceptibly in acknowledgment. there was no sound in the torch-lit corridor save the pad of his leather-soled riding slippers. it was the beginning of the third _pahar_, midday, and he had come directly from the hunt when the runner brought word that mumtaz had entered labor. it would have been unseemly to have gone to her side, so he had spoken briefly with the _dai_, midwife. he had overruled the hindu woman's suggestion that mumtaz be made to give birth squatting by a bed, so that a broom could be pressed against her abdomen as the midwife rubbed her back. it was, he knew, the barbarous practice of unbelievers, and he cursed himself for taking on the woman in the first place. it had been a symbolic gesture for the hindu troops, to quell concern that all the important details attending the birth would be muslim. jadar had insisted that mumtaz be moved to a velvet mat on the floor of her room and carefully positioned with her head north and her feet south. in case she should die in childbirth--and he fervently prayed she would not--this was the position in which she would be buried, her face directed toward mecca. he had ordered all cannon of the fort primed with powder, to be fired in the traditional muslim salute if a male child was the issue. preparations also were underway for the naming ceremony. he had prayed for many days that this time a son would be named. there were two daughters already, and yet another would merely mean one more intriguing woman to be locked away forever, for he knew he could never allow a daughter to marry. the complications of yet another aspiring family in the palace circle were inconceivable. the scheming persian shi'ites, like the queen and her family, who had descended on agra would like nothing better than another opportunity to use marriage to dilute the influence of sunni muslims at court. allah, this time it has to be a son. hasn't everything possible been done? and if akman was right, that a change of residence during the term ensures a male heir, then i'll have a son twelve times over from this birthing. she's been in a dozen cities. and camps. i even tested the augury of the hindus and had a household snake killed and tossed in the air by one of their brahmin unbelievers, to see how it would land. and it landed on its back, which they say augurs a boy. also, the milk squeezed from her breasts three days ago was thin, which the hindus believe foretells a son. still, the omens have been mixed. _the eclipse_. why did it come a day earlier than the hindu astrologers had predicted? now i realize it was exactly seven days before the birth. no one can recall when they failed to compute an eclipse correctly. what did it mean? that my line will die out? or that a son will be born here who will one day overshadow me? who can know the future? what allah wills must be. and, he told himself, the meeting set for the third _pahar_ must still take place, regardless of the birth. unless he did what he had planned, the birth would be meaningless. all the years of planning now could be forfeited in this single campaign. if i fail now, what will happen to the legacy of akman, his great work to unify india? will india return to warring fiefdoms, neighbor pitted against neighbor, or fall to the shi'ites? the very air around me hints of treachery. with that thought he momentarily inspected the placement of his personal crest on the thick wooden door of the fortress reception hall and pushed it wide. a phalanx of guards trailed behind him into the room, which he had claimed as his command post for the duration of his stay in burhanpur. the immense central carpet had been freshly garlanded around the edges with flowers. the fortress, the only secure post remaining in the city, had been commandeered by jadar and his hand-picked guard. his officers had taken accommodations in the town, and the troops had erected an enormous tent complex along the road leading into the city from the north. their women now swarmed over the bazaar, accumulating stores for the march south. bullock carts of fresh produce glutted the roads leading into the city, for word had reached the surrounding villages that burhanpur was host to the retinue of the prince and his soldiers from the north-- buyers accustomed to high northern prices. the villagers also knew from long experience that a wise man would strip his fields and gardens and orchards now and sell, before an army on the march simply took what it wanted. rumors had already reached the city that the army of malik ambar, abyssinian leader of the deccanis, was marching north toward burhanpur with eighty thousand infantry and horsemen. an advance contingent was already encamped no more than ten _kos_ south of the city. jadar inspected the reception room until he was certain it was secure, with every doorway under command of his men. then he signaled the leader of the rajput guard, who relayed a message to a courier waiting outside. finally he settled himself against an immense velvet bolster, relishing this moment of quiet to clear his mind. the deccan, the central plains of india. will they ever be ours? how many more campaigns must there be? he recalled with chagrin all the humiliations dealt arangbar by the deccanis. when arangbar took the throne at akman's death, he had announced he would continue his father's policy of military control of the deccan. a general named ghulam adl had requested, and received, confirmation of his existing post of khan khanan, "khan of khans," the supreme commander of the moghul armies in the south. to subdue the deccan once and for all, arangbar had sent an additional twelve thousand cavalry south and had given ghulam adl a million rupees to refurbish his army. but in spite of these forces, the abyssinian malik ambar soon had set up a rebel capital at ahmadnagar and declared himself prime minister. in disgust arangbar had taken the command from ghulam adl and given it to his own son, the second oldest, parwaz. this dissolute prince marched south with great pomp. once there he set up an extravagant military headquarters, a royal court in miniature, and spent several years drinking and bragging of his inevitable victory. ghulam adl had watched this with growing resentment, and finally he succumbed to bribes by malik ambar and retreated with his own army. in anger arangbar then appointed two other generals to march on the deccan, one from the north and one from the west, hoping to trap malik ambar in a pincer. but the abyssinian deftly kept them apart, and badly defeated each in turn. eventually both were driven back to the north, with heavy losses. this time, on the advice of queen janahara, arangbar transferred his son parwaz out of the deccan, to allahbad, and in his place sent prince jadar. the younger prince had marched on the deccan with forty thousand additional troops to supplement the existing forces. when jadar and his massive army reached burhanpur, malik ambar wisely proposed a truce and negotiations. he returned the fort at ahmadnagar to the moghul and withdrew his troops. arangbar was jubilant and rewarded jadar with sixteen _lakhs_ of rupees and a prize diamond. triumphant, jadar had returned to agra and begun to think of becoming the next moghul. that had been three long years ago. but malik ambar had the cunning of a jackal, and his "surrender" had been merely a ruse to remove the moghul troops again to the north. this year he had waited for the monsoon, when conventional armies could not move rapidly, and again risen in rebellion, easily driving ghulam adl's army north from ahmadnagar, reclaiming the city, and laying siege to its moghul garrison. the despairing arangbar again appealed to jadar to lead troops south to relieve the permanent forces of ghulam adl. after demanding and receiving a substantial increase in _mansab _rank and personal cavalry, jadar had agreed. the wide wooden door of the reception hall opened and ghulam adl strode regally into the room, wearing a gold- braided turban with a feather and a great sword at his belt. his beard was longer than jadar had remembered, and now it had been reddened with henna--perhaps, jadar thought, to hide the gray. but his deep-set eyes were still haughty and self-assured, and his swagger seemed to belie reports he had barely escaped with his life from the besieged fortress at ahmadnagar only five weeks before. ghulam adl's gaze quickly swept the room, but his eyes betrayed no notice of the exceptional size of jadar's guard. with an immense show of dignity he nodded a perfunctory bow, hands clasped at the sparkling jewel of his turban. "salaam, highness. may allah lay his hand on both our swords and temper them once more with fire." he seated himself easily, as he might with an equal, and when no servant came forward, he poured himself a glass of wine from the decanter that waited on the carpet beside his bolster. is there anything, he wondered, i despise more than these presumptuous young princes from agra? "i rejoice your journey was swift. you've arrived in time to witness my army savage the abyssinian unbeliever and his rabble." "how many troops are left?" jadar seemed not to hear the boast. "waiting are fifty thousand men, highness, and twenty thousand horse, ready to tender their lives at my command." ghulam adl delicately shielded his beard as he drank off the glass of wine and--when again no servant appeared-- poured himself another. jadar remained expressionless. "my reports give you only five thousand men left, most _chelas_. chelas, from the hindu slang for "slave," was a reference to the mercenary troops, taken in childhood and raised in the camp, that commanders maintained as a kernel of their forces. unlike soldiers from the villages, they were loyal even in misfortune, because they literally had no place to return to. "what troops do you have from the _mansabdars_, who've been granted stipends from their _jagir_ estate revenue to maintain men and horse?" "those were the ones i mean, highness." ghulam adl's hand trembled slightly as he again lifted the wineglass. "the _mansabdars_ have assured me we have only to sound the call, and their men will muster. in due time." "then pay is not in arrears for their men and cavalry." "highness, it's well known pay must always be in arrears. how else are men's loyalties to be guaranteed? a commander foolish enough to pay his troops on time will lose them at the slightest setback, since they have no reason to remain with him in adversity." ghulam adl eased his wineglass on the carpet and bent forward. "i concede some of the _mansabdars_ may have allowed matters of pay to slip longer than is wise. but they assure me that when the time is right their men will muster nonetheless." "then why not call the muster? in another twenty days ambar's troops will be encamped at our doorstep. he could well control all lands south of the narbada river." and that, ghulam adl smiled to himself, is precisely the plan. he thought of the arrangement that had been worked out. jadar was to be kept in burhanpur for another three weeks, delayed by any means possible. by then malik ambar would have the city surrounded, all access cut off. the imperial troops would be isolated and demoralized. no troops would be forthcoming from the _mansabdars_. only promises of troops. cut off from agra and provisions, jadar would have no choice but to sign a treaty. the paper had already been prepared. malik ambar would rule the deccan from his new capital at ahmadnagar, and ghulam adl would be appointed governor of all provinces north from ahmadnagar to the narbada river. with their combined troops holding the borders, no moghul army could ever again challenge the deccan. ghulam adl knew the _mansabdars_ would support him, because he had offered to cut their taxes in half. he had neglected to specify for how long. "i respectfully submit the time for muster is premature, highness. crops are not yet in. the revenues of the _mansabdars'_ _jagir_ estates will suffer if men are called now." ghulam adl shifted uncomfortably. "they'll have no revenues at all if they don't muster immediately. i'll confiscate the _jagir_ of any _mansabdar_ who has not mustered his men and cavalry within seven days." jadar watched ghulam adl's throat muscles tense, and he asked himself if a _jagir_ granted by the moghul could be legally confiscated. probably not. but the threat would serve to reveal loyalties, and reveal them quickly. "but there's no possible way to pay the men now, highness." ghulam adl easily retained his poise. hold firm and this aspiring young upstart will waver and then agree. give him numbers. first make it sound hopeless, then show him a way he can still win. "there's not enough silver in all the deccan. let me give you some idea of the problem. assume it would require a year's back pay to muster the troops, not unreasonable since most of the _mansabdars_ are at least two years behind now. the usual yearly allowance for cavalry here is three hundred rupees for a muslim and two hundred and forty for a hindu. you will certainly need to raise a minimum of thirty thousand men from the _mansabdars_. assuming some loyal troops might possibly muster on notes of promise, you'd still need almost fifty _lakhs_ of rupees. an impossible sum. it's clear the _mansabdars_ won't have the revenues to pay their men until the fall crops are harvested." "then i'll confiscate their _jagirs_ now and pay the troops myself. and deduct the sum from their next revenues." "that's impossible. the money is nowhere to be found." ghulam adl realized with relief that jadar was bluffing; the prince could not possibly raise the money needed. he shifted closer and smiled warmly. "but listen carefully. if we wait but two months, everything will be changed. then it'll be simple to squeeze the revenue from the _mansabdars_, and we can pay the men ourselves if we need. until then we can easily contain the abyssinian and his rabble. perhaps we could raise a few men and horse from the _mansabdars_ now, but frankly i advise against it. why trouble them yet? with the troops we have we can keep malik ambar diverted for weeks, months even. then when the time is right we sound the call, march south with our combined forces, and drive him into the southern jungles forever." but that call will raise no men, ghulam adl told himself, not a single wagon driver. it has been agreed. "we'll wait a few weeks until ambar has his supply lines extended. then we'll begin to harass him. in no time he'll begin to fall back to ahmadnagar to wait for winter. and by that time we'll have our full strength. we'll march in force and crush him. i'll lead the men personally. you need never leave burhanpur, highness." he took another sip of wine. "though i daresay its pleasures must seem rustic for one accustomed to the more luxurious diversions of agra." jadar examined the commander and a slight, knowing smile played across his lips. "let me propose a slight alternative." he began evenly. "i will lead the army this time, and you will remain here at the fortress. i called you here today to notify you that as of this moment you are relieved of your command and confined to the fort." jadar watched ghulam adl stiffen and his sly grin freeze on his face. "i will assemble the army myself and march south in ten days." "this is a weak jest, highness." ghulam adl tried to laugh. "no one knows the deccan the way i and my commanders know it. the terrain is treacherous." "your knowledge of the terrain admittedly is excellent. you and your commanders have retreated the length of the deccan year after year. this time i will use my own generals. abdullah khan will command the advance guard, with three thousand horse from our own troops. abul hasan will take the left flank, and raja vikramajit the right. i will personally command the center." jadar fixed ghulam adl squarely. "you will be confined to the fort, where you'll send no ciphers to ambar. your remaining troops will be divided and put under our command. you will order it in writing today and i will send the dispatches." "for your sake i trust this is a jest, highness. you dare not carry it out." ghulam adl slammed his glass onto the carpet, spilling his wine. the rajputs around jadar stiffened but made no move. "i have the full support of the moghul himself. your current position in agra is already talked about here in the south. do you think we're so far away we hear nothing? your return this time, if you are allowed to return, will be nothing like the grand celebrations three years ago. if i were you, i'd be marching back now. leave the deccan to those who know it." "you're right about agra on one point. it is far away. and this campaign is mine, not the moghul's." "you'll never raise the troops, young prince: only i can induce the _mansabdars_ to muster." "i'll muster the men. with full pay." "you'll muster nothing, highness. you'll be ambar's prisoner inside a month. i can swear it. if you are still alive." ghulam adl bowed low and his hand shot for his sword. by the time it touched the handle the rajputs were there. he was circled by drawn blades. jadar watched impassively for a moment, and then signaled the guards to escort ghulam adl from the audience room. "i'll see you dead." he shouted over his shoulder as the men dragged him toward the door. "within the month." jadar watched ghulam adl's turban disappear through the torchlit opening and down the corridor. his sword remained on the carpet, where it had been removed by the rajput guards. jadar stared at it for a moment, admiring the silver trim along the handle, and it reminded him of the silver shipment. and the englishman. vasant rao blundered badly with the english captain. he should have found a way to disarm him in advance. always disarm a _feringhi_. their instincts are too erratic. the whole scenario fell apart after he killed the headman of the dynasty. my rajput games almost became a war. but what happened in the village? did the _feringhi_ work sorcery? why was the caravan released so suddenly? the horsemen i had massed in the valley, in case of an emergency, panicked after the eclipse began. they became just so many terrified hindus. then suddenly the caravan assembled and left, with rajputs from the village riding guard, escorting them all the way back to the river. and even now vasant rao refuses to talk about what really happened. it seems his honor is too besmirched. he refuses even to eat with the other men. allah the merciful. rajputs and their cursed honor. but i've learned what i need to know about the english _feringhi_. his nerve is astonishing. how could he dare refuse to attend my morning durbar audience in the reception room? should i accept his claim that he's an ambassador and therefore i should come to him. should i simply have him brought before me? no. i have a better idea. but tomorrow. after the child is born and i've sent runners to the _mansabdars_ . . . a member of mumtaz's guard burst through the doorway, then remembered himself and salaamed deeply to the prince. guards around jadar already had their swords half drawn. "forgive a fool, highness." he fell to his knees, just in case. "i'm ordered to report that your son is born. the _dai_ says he's perfectly formed and has the lungs of a cavalry commander." cheers swept the room, and the air blossomed with flying turbans. jadar motioned the terrified man closer and he nervously knelt again, this time directly before jadar. "the _dai_ respectfully asks if it would please your highness to witness the cord-cutting ceremony. she suggests a gold knife, instead of the usual silver." jadar barely heard the words, but he did recall that tradition allowed the midwife to keep the knife. "she can have her knife of gold, and you are granted a thousand gold _mohurs_. but the cord will be cut with a string." this ceremony must be a signal to all india, jadar told himself, and he tried to recall exactly the tradition started by akman for newborn moghul princes. the birth cord of all akman's three sons was cut with a silken string, then placed in a velvet bag with writings from the quran, and kept under the new child's pillow for forty days. the guard salaamed once more, his face in the carpet, and then scurried toward the door, praising allah. as jadar rose and made his way toward the corridor, a chant of "jadar-o-akbar," "jadar is great," rose from the cheering rajputs. every man knew that with an heir, the prince was at last ready to claim his birthright. and they would fight beside him for it. mumtaz lay against a bolster, a fresh scarf tied around her head and a roller bound about her abdomen, taking a draft of strong, garlic- scented asafetida gum as jadar came into the room. he immediately knew she was well, for this anti-cold precaution was taken only after the placenta was expelled and the mother's well-being assured. next to her side was a box of betel leaves, rolled especially with myrrh to purge the taste of the asafetida. "my congratulations, highness." the _dai_ salaamed awkwardly from the bedside. "may it please you to know the child is blind of an eye." jadar stared at her dumbfounded, then remembered she was a local hindu midwife, from gujarat province, where the birth of a boy is never spoken of, lest the gods grow jealous of the parents' good fortune and loose the evil eye. instead, boys were announced by declaring the child blind in one eye. no precautions against divine jealousy were thought necessary for a girl child, a financial liability no plausible god would covet. the _dai_ returned to washing mumtaz's breasts, stroking them carefully with wet blades of grass. jadar knew this local ritual was believed to ensure fortune for the child and he did not interrupt. he merely returned mumtaz's weak smile and strode to the silver basin resting by the bedside, where another midwife was washing his new son in a murky mixture of gram flour and water. the frightened woman dried off the child, brushed his head with perfumed oil, and placed him on a thin pillow of quilted calico for jadar to see. he was red and wrinkled and his dark eyes were startled. but he was a prince. jadar touched the infant's warm hand as he examined him for imperfections. there were none. someday, my first son, you may rule india as moghul. if we both live that long. "is he well?" mumtaz spoke at last, her normally shrill voice now scarcely above a whisper. "are you pleased?" "he'll do for now." jadar smiled as he examined her tired face. she had never seemed as beautiful as she did at this moment. he knew there was no way he could ever show his great love for her, but he knew she understood. and returned it. "do these unbelievers know enough to follow muslim tradition?" "yes. a mullah has been summoned to sound the _azan_, the call to prayer, in his ear." "but a male child must first be announced with artillery. so he'll never be afraid to fight." jadar wasn't sure how much belief he put in all these muslim traditions, but the troops expected it and every ceremony for this prince had to be observed. lest superstitions begin that he was somehow ill-fated. superstitions are impossible to bury. "this one is a prince. he will be greeted with cannon. then i'll immediately have his horoscope cast--for the hindu troops--and schedule his naming ceremony--for the believers." "what will you name him?" "his first name will be nushirvan. you can pick the others." "nushirvan was a haughty persian king. and it's an ugly name." "it's the name i've chosen." jadar smiled wickedly, still mulling over what name he would eventually pick. mumtaz did not argue. she had already selected the name salaman, the handsome young man persian legends said was once created by a wise magician. salaman was an ideal lover. whatever name jadar chose, salaman would be his second name. and the one she would call him all the coming years in the _zenana_, when he would creep into her bed after jadar had departed for his own quarters. and we'll see what name he answers to seven years hence, on his circumcision day. the _dai _was busy spooning a mixture of honey, ghee, and opium into the child's mouth. then a drop of milk was pressed from mumtaz's breast and rubbed on the breast of the wet nurse. jadar watched the ritual with approval. now for the most important tradition, the one begun by akman. "is the wrap ready?" akman had believed that the first clothes a moghul prince wore should be fashioned from an old garment of a muslim holy man, and he had requested a garment from the revered sayyid ali shjirazi for his first son. the custom had become fixed for the royal family. "it's here. the woman in surat heard a child was due and had this sent to me in agra before we left." she pointed to a folded loincloth, which had been washed to a perfect white. "it was once worn by that sufi you adore, samad." "good. i'm glad it's from samad. but what woman in surat do you mean?" "you know who she is." mumtaz looked around the crowded room, and switched from turki to persian. "she sent the weekly reports of mukarrab khan's affairs, and handled all the payments to those who collected information in surat." jadar nodded almost imperceptibly. "that one. of course i remember her. her reports were always more reliable than the shahbandar's. i find i can never trust any number that thief gives me. i always have to ask myself what he would wish it to be, and then adjust. but what happened to her? i learned a month ago that mukarrab khan was being sent to goa. i think a certain woman of power in agra finally realized i was learning everything that went on at the port before she was, and thought mukarrab khan had betrayed her." "the surat woman didn't go to goa with mukarrab khan. she made him divorce her. it was a scandal." mumtaz smiled mysteriously. "you should come to the women's quarters more often, and learn the news." "but what happened to her?" "there's a rumor in surat that the shahbandar, mirza nuruddin, is hiding her in the women's quarters of his estate house. but actually she left for agra the next day, by the northern road. i'm very worried what may happen to her there." "how do you know all this? it sounds like bazaar gossip." "it's all true enough. she sent a pigeon, to the fortress here. the message was waiting when we arrived." "it's good she's out of surat. with mukarrab khan gone, she's no longer any help there. but i've always wanted to thank her somehow. she's one of the best. and our only woman. i don't think anyone ever guessed what she really did." "i will thank her for you. her message was a request. something only i could arrange. a favor for a favor." "and what was that?" "just something between women, my love. nothing to do with armies and wars." mumtaz shifted on the bolster and took a perfumed pan. "allah, i'm tired." jadar studied her face again, marveling as always how it seemed to attest to her spirit. "then rest. i hope the cannon won't disturb you." "it should have been another girl. then there'd be no cannon." "and no heir." jadar turned to leave and mumtaz eased herself back on the bolster. then she lifted herself again and called jadar. "who is escorting the english _feringhi_ to agra?" "unfortunately it's vasant rao. and just when i need him. but he demanded to do it personally." "i'm glad." mumtaz smiled weakly. "have him see one of my servants before they leave." "why should i bother him with that?" "to humor me." she paused. "is this _feringhi_ handsome?" "why do you ask?" "a woman's curiosity." "i haven't seen him yet. i do suspect he's quick. perhaps too quick. but i'll find out more tomorrow. and then i'll decide what i have to do." jadar paused at the doorway, while the dai pulled aside the curtains that had been newly hung. "sleep. and watch over my new prince. he's our first victory in the deccan. i pray to allah he's not our last." he turned and was gone. minutes later the cannon salutes began. hawksworth began to count the stone stairs after the third twisting turn of the descending corridor, and his eyes searched through the smoke and flickering torchlight for some order in the arched doorways that opened out on each level as they went farther and farther down. ail object struck him across the face and his hand plunged for his sword, before he remembered he had left it in his quarters, on jadar's command. then he heard the high-pitched shriek of a bat and saw it flutter into the shadows. the torchbearers were ten rajputs of jadar's personal guard, armed with the usual swords and half-pikes. none spoke as their footsteps clattered through the musty subterranean air. hawksworth felt the dankness against the beads of sweat forming on his skin. as the old memory of a dark prison welled up, he suddenly realized he was terrified. why did i agree to meet him here? this is not "the lower level of the fortress." this is a dungeon. but he can't detain me, not with a safe conduct pass from the moghul. still, he might try. if he wants to keep me out of agra while he's away on campaign. and he may. i already smell this campaign is doomed. it was the evening of hawksworth's third day in the burhanpur fortress. when the convoy arrived at the village of bahadurpur, three _kos_ west of burhanpur, they had been met by jadar's personal guards and escorted through the city and into the walled compound of the fortress. he had been given spacious, carpeted quarters, always guarded, and had seen no one, not even vasant rao. communications with jadar had been by courier, and finally they had agreed on a neutral meeting place. jadar had suggested a location in the palace where they would have privacy, yet be outside his official quarters. since they would meet as officials of state, jadar had insisted on no weapons. no visible weapons, hawksworth told himself, glad he wore boots. the corridor narrowed slightly, then ended abruptly at a heavy wooden door. iron braces were patterned over the face of the door and in its center was a small window, secured with heavy bars. armed rajputs stood on either side and as hawksworth's party approached they snapped about, hands at their swords. then the leader of hawksworth's guards spoke through the smoke-filled air, his voice echoing off the stone walls. "krishna plays his flute." a voice came from the sentries at the door. "and longing _gopis_ burn." again hawksworth's guard. "with a maid's desire." immediately the sentries slid back the ancient iron bolt that spanned the face of the door. then came the rasping scrape of another bolt on the inside being released. when he heard the sound, hawksworth felt a surge of fear and stared around wildly at the faces of the guards. they all stood menacingly, with a regal bearing and expressionless faces. each man had his hand loosely on his sword. the door creaked slowly inward, and hawksworth realized it was almost a foot thick and probably weighed tons. the guards motioned him forward and stood stiffly waiting for him to move. he calculated his chances one more time, and with a shrug, walked through. the room was enormous, with a high vaulted stone ceiling and a back wall lost in its smoky recesses. rows of oil lamps trailed down the walls on either side of the door. the walls themselves were heavy gray blocks of cut stone, carefully smoothed until they fit seamlessly together without mortar. he asked himself how air reached the room, then he traced the lamp smoke upward and noticed it disappeared through ornate carvings that decorated the high roof of the chamber. a heavy slam echoed off the walls and he turned to see the door had been sealed. as his eyes adjusted to the lamplight he searched the chamber. all he could see were long, neat rows of bundles, lining the length of the stone floor. with a shock he realized they were the bundles from the caravan. otherwise the room seemed empty. at that moment he caught a flicker of movement, a tall figure at the far end of the chamber, passing shadowlike among the bundles, an apparition. then a voice sounded through the dense air. "at last we meet." the stone walls threw back an eerie echo. "is the place to your liking?" "i prefer sunlight." hawksworth felt the cool of the room envelop his skin. "where i can see who i'm talking to." "you are speaking to prince shapur firdawsi jadar, third son of the moghul. it's customary to salaam, captain- general hawksworth." "i speak for his majesty, king james the first of england. the sons of kings normally bow before him." "when i meet him, perhaps i will bow." jadar emerged from among the bundles. he had an elegant short beard and seemed much younger, somehow, than hawksworth had expected. "i'm surprised to see you alive, captain. how is it you still live while so many of my rajputs died?" "i live by my wits, not by my caste." jadar roared with genuine delight. "spoken like a moghul." then he sobered. "you'd be wise never to say that to a rajput, however. i often wonder how an army of moghul troops would fare against a division of hindu unbelievers. i pray to allah i never find out." jadar suddenly slipped a dagger from his waist and held it loosely, fingering the blade. "_feringhi_ christians would be another matter entirely, however. did you come unarmed, captain, as we agreed?" "i did." hawksworth stared at the knife in dismay. "come, captain, please don't ask me to believe you'd be such a fool." jadar slipped the dagger into his other hand with a quick twist and tossed it atop one of the bundles. "but this meeting must be held in trust. i ask that you leave your weapon beside mine." hawksworth hesitated, then slowly reached into his boot and withdrew a small stiletto, the portuguese knife left at the observatory. as he dropped it beside jadar's weapon, he noticed the prince's knife was missing half its handle. jadar smiled. "you know, captain, if i killed you here, now, there would be no witness to the deed, save your christian god." "do you plan to try?" "i do not 'try' to do anything, captain." jadar opened his hand to reveal that a dagger remained. it was the other side of his original knife, which had been two blades fitted to appear as one. "what i do, captain, is merely a matter of what i decide to do. right now i have serious misgivings about your intentions in india." jadar's blade glinted in the lamplight as he moved toward hawksworth. "is this your greeting for any who refuse to salaam?" hawksworth took a step backward toward the door, feinted toward his boot, and rose with a cocked pistol leveled directly at jadar. "what game is this?" the prince exploded with laughter, and before hawksworth caught the quick motion of his arm, the knife thudded deeply into the wooden door behind him. "well done, captain. very well done." jadar beamed in appreciation. "you are, as i suspected, truly without the smallest shred of rajput honor. put away your pistol. i think we can talk. and by the way, there are twenty matchlocks trained on you right now." he waved toward the vaulted ceiling of the crypt, where dark musket barrels were visible through slits in the carved decoration. he barked a command in urdu and the barrels slowly withdrew. "why don't we talk about releasing me and my chest to travel on to agra." hawksworth lowered the pistol, but kept it still cocked, in his hand. "agra, you say? captain, there are already europeans in agra." jadar leaned against one of the bundles. "portuguese. they've been there many years. how many more christians can india endure? you infidel europeans are beginning to annoy me more than i can tell you." "what do you mean?" hawksworth tried to read jadar's eyes, remembering shirin's story of the persians and portuguese both hating the prince. "tell me about your english ships, captain." jadar seemed not to hear hawksworth's question. "tell me how you defeated the portuguese so easily." "english frigates are better designed than the portugals' galleons. and english seamen are better gunners and sailors." "words, captain. easy words. perhaps the portuguese allowed themselves to be defeated. this one time. waiting for a bigger prize. how can you know?" "is that what the portugals say happened?" "i asked you." "a well-manned english frigate is the match of any two galleons." "then how many of your 'frigates' would it take to blockade the port at goa?" hawksworth saw a small flicker in jadar's eyes as the prince waited for the answer. "i think a dozen could do it. if we caught their fleet in the harbor, before they could put out to sea." "christians typically exaggerate their strength. how many would it really take? five times what you've said? ten times?" "i said it depends on seamanship. and surprise." "christians always seem to have answers. particularly when there is no answer." jadar turned and pointed to the stacks of bundles. "by the way, do you know what the caravan carried, captain?" "i doubt very much it was lead. so it's probably silver." hawksworth marveled at the way jadar seemed to lead the conversation, always getting what he wanted before what he wanted had become obvious. and then quickly moving on. "your 'probably' is exactly right. and do you know why it carried silver?" "you have a long supply line. you needed to buy supplies and arms." "i see you don't think like a moghul after all." jadar moved closer, studying hawksworth's eyes. "why bother to buy what i could easily take? no, my christian captain, or ambassador, or spy, i needed men. what is it about human character that allows men to be bought like so many _nautch_ girls?" "not every man is born to wealth." hawksworth glared directly at jadar, beginning to find the conversation growing sinister. "and few men are without a price, captain. i think i could even find yours if i looked enough for it." jadar paused reflectively for a moment, then continued. "tell me, should i be pleased with your presence here?" "you have no reason not to be. my only mission here is to open trade between our kings." "you know your 'mission' has brought about many deaths since you landed in india. the most recent were the deaths of forty of my best men." "i didn't order the attack on the caravan. those men's lives are on the head of whoever did." hawksworth stopped, and as he looked at jadar something clicked in his mind. something about the attack that had bothered him ever since. "your caravan was attacked by bandits, captain. who could order them to do anything? but the men i provided as escort gave their lives protecting you." "those men were murdered. they never had a chance." hawksworth's mind was racing. suddenly the pieces of the puzzle began to fall together. everything fit. vasant rao had been too nervous. he must have known the attack was coming, but not when. it was all a game. some deadly serious war game. and none of the other men knew. "but i think i have an idea who did order the attack." hawksworth continued, glaring at jadar. "and you do too." "your rajputs guards were growing careless, captain. they made a foolish mistake. what commander can afford men who make mistakes? even if they are rajputs. all men grow complacent if they are never tested." "it was vicious." "it was discipline. security has improved considerably here since that incident." jadar continued evenly, ignoring the look on hawksworth's face. "the only real difficulties that night were caused by you. it was very imprudent of you to kill one of the bandits with a pistol. they were instructed merely to disarm you. you were completely safe. but after your rash killing it became much more difficult for me to try to rescue you. and after the eclipse, it actually become impossible." jadar wanted to ask hawksworth what had really happened, but he suppressed the impulse. "still, after your first mistake, you appear to have handled yourself reasonably well. that's why we're having this talk." "in a dungeon? surrounded by muskets?" "in a room surrounded by silver. more, i suspect, than you have ever known. how many sailing ships, your 'frigates,' could be bought with this much silver?" "i don't know exactly. i do know english frigates are not for sale." "come, captain. would you have me believe your king never has allies who share a common cause? that he never aids those who war against his enemies?" "allies have been known to become enemies. if they grow too ambitious. just who would your frigates, assuming you had them and the trained seamen to man them, be used against? the portugals? or against the english eventually?" "sometimes, unfortunately, an ally becomes a tyrant, forcing you to act in your own interest. i know it all too well." jadar was silent for a moment, then he smiled smoothly. "but tell me about your plans when you reach agra. you'll have no frigates there. what do you hope to gain?" "open trade. that and nothing more. england wants no war with the portugals." "truly? i believe they may think otherwise. time will tell. there may be changes in agra soon. the christian portuguese may find their time has run out. if that happens, what will you do?" "i'll wait and see." "there may be no time to 'wait,' english captain hawksworth. the times may require you to choose. if the portuguese decide to act in the interest of one party here, will england act in the interest of the other? i want to know." "the king of england acts in his own interest." "but your king will not be here. you will be here." "then i will act in his interest." hawksworth fixed jadar squarely. "and the king of england is not interested in who rules india. only in free trade between us." "but the one who rules india will have the power to permit or deny that trade. you know, there's an indian folk tale of a brahmin who once discovered a tiger in a well. he gave aid to the tiger, helped him escape from the well, and years later when the brahmin was starving the tiger brought him a necklace of gold and jewels won from a rich man in a battle to the death. do you understand?" "i understand. but i still serve my king first." jadar listened silently, but his eyes were intent. "and that king is english. for now." jadar filled the last words with a tone of presumption that left hawksworth uncomfortable. "but enough. let's talk of other matters. i assume you are aware the portuguese will probably try to have you assassinated when you reach agra. already there are many rumors about you there. perhaps you should remember your own personal interests too. as well as your king's. one day, i think, we will meet again. if you are still alive." "and if you are still alive." jadar smiled lightly. "we're both difficult to kill. so we both must think of the future. now i have a last question for you." jadar retrieved his knife from atop the bundles and deftly ripped open the side of one. rolls of new silver coin glistened in the light. "what do you see in this package, ambassador hawksworth?" "a king's ransom in silver." "i'm surprised at you, captain. for a seaman you have remarkably bad eyesight. what you see here, what came with you from surat, is lead, captain. ingots of lead." "that forty men died to protect." "those men died protecting you, captain. don't you remember? your safety is very important to me. so important that it may be necessary to keep you under guard here in the fortress until this campaign is over. look again at the bundle and tell me once more what you see." "you can't hold me here. i have a safe conduct pass from the moghul himself." "do you? good. in that case there shouldn't be any difficulty. i'll only need to examine it to make sure it's not a forgery. there should be an opportunity sometime after i return from this campaign." hawksworth examined jadar and realized the threat was not empty. "there's no reason for me to stay. you have your lead." jadar smiled an empty grin, but with a trace of bizarre warmth. "at last we're beginning to understand each other. neither of us has a rajput's honor." he tossed hawksworth the portuguese stiletto. "an interesting knife. did you know it took me almost two weeks to find out for sure who really hired the assassin? and for all that trouble it was exactly who you'd expect." hawksworth examined him in amazement, and decided to gamble another guess. "i suppose i haven't thanked you yet for saving us from the portugals' ambush on the river, the day we made landfall." jadar waved his hand in dismissal. "mere curiosity, nothing more. if i had allowed them to kill you, we could never have had this interesting talk. but you still have many troubles ahead." "we both do." "but i know who my enemies are, captain. that's the difference." the door had begun to swing slowly inward. "yes, these are interesting times, captain. you may find it difficult to stay alive, but somehow i think you'll manage for a while longer." hawksworth watched nervously as the rajput guards filed into the room and stationed themselves by the door. "i plan to march south in ten days. you would be wise to leave tomorrow for the north, while the roads are still secure. vasant rao has asked to accompany you, and i'm afraid i have no choice but to humor him. i need him here, but he is a man of temperament. i will provide guards for you as far north as the narbada river. after that he will hire his own horsemen. i'll give him a letter for a raja in mandu, who can supply whatever he needs." jadar studied hawksworth one last time, his eyes calculating. "we both have difficult times ahead, but i think we'll meet again. time may change a few things for both of us." as hawksworth passed through the open doorway, he looked back to see the prince leaning easily aginst a stack of bundles, flipping a large silver coin. and suddenly he wanted to leave the fortress of burhanpur more than he had ever wanted anything in his life. the next morning vasant rao and forty horsemen were waiting with hawksworth's cart. by midday they had left burhanpur far behind, and were well on the way north. the journey north through mandu, ujjain, and gwalior to agra normally took six weeks, but when roads were dry it was an easy trip. two days later five prominent _mansabdars_ in the northern deccan died painfully in separate ambushes by bandits. their _jagirs_ were confiscated immediately by prince jadar. ten days from that time he moved south with eighty thousand men and thirty thousand horse. book four agra chapter sixteen nadir sharif leaned uneasily against the rooftop railing of his sprawling riverside palace, above the second-floor _zenana_, and absently watched his kabuli pigeons wing past the curve of the jamuna river, headed toward the red fort. they swept over the heavy battlements at the river gate and then veered precisely upward, along the sheer eastern wall of the fort, until they reached the gold minaret atop the jasmine tower, the private quarters of queen janahara. they circled her tower once, then coalesced into a plumed spear driving directly upward toward the dawn-tinged cloud bank that hovered over agra from the east. imported kabuli pigeons, with their flawless white eyes and blue-tipped wings, were nadir sharifs secret joy. unlike the inferior local breeds of the other devoted pigeon-fliers along the west bank of the jamuna, agra's palace-lined showplace, his kabulis did not flit aimlessly from rooftop to rooftop on their daily morning flight. after he opened the shutters on their rooftop grillwork cage, they would trace a single circle of his palace, next wing past the red fort in a salute to the queen, then simply disappear into the infinite for fully half a day, returning as regally as they had first taken wing. nadir sharif was the prime minister of the moghul empire, the brother of queen janahara, and the father of prince jadar's favorite wife, mumtaz. even in the first light of dawn there was no mistaking he was persian and proud. the early sun glanced off his finely woven gauze cape and quickened a warm glow in the gold thread laced through his yellow cloak and his pastel morning turban. his quick eyes, plump face, and graying moustache testified to his almost sixty years of life, thirty spent at the moghul court as close adviser to arangbar and, before that, to arangbar's father, the great empire-builder akman. in power and authority he was exceeded only by the moghul himself. nadir sharifs palace was deliberately situated next to the red fort, just around the broad curve of the jamuna. the red fort, home of the moghul, was a vast, rambling fortress whose river side towered over a hundred feet above the western curve of the jamuna. from nadir sharifs rooftop the view of the river side of the fort and arangbar's _darshan_ window was unobstructed. darshan was the dawn appearance arangbar made daily at a special balcony in the east wall of the red fort, next to the river gate. it was strict custom that the chief officials of arangbar's court also appear daily, on a high platform just beneath the _darshan_ balcony, where along with the moghul they greeted the well-wishers who streamed in through the river gate and provided visual confirmation that india's rule was intact. the square below the balcony--a grassy expanse between the side of the fort and the river wall, where arangbar held noontime elephant fights and, on tuesdays, executions by specially trained elephants--had already filled almost to capacity. agra's most prominent noblemen were there, as prudence required, and today there also were clusters of important visitors. several rajput chieftains from the northwest, astride prancing arabian horses, passed regally through the river gate and assumed prominent positions. then a path was cleared for a large embassy of safavid persian diplomats, each of whose palanquins was borne by four slaves in gleaming velvet liveries; next several desert uzbek khans in leather headdress rode into the square; and finally three portuguese jesuits in black cassocks trooped through the river gate and moved imperiously to the front of the crowd. nadir sharif watched as his pigeons were swallowed by the morning haze and then settled himself onto a canopied couch to observe _darshan_. the eunuchs of the _zenana_ had whispered that this morning would be different, that there would be a precedent-shattering occurrence. for once a _zenana_ rumor seemed all too plausible, and late the previous evening he had sent a dispatch through a _qazi_, a high judge, pleading illness and excusing himself from _darshan_. and now he had stationed himself to watch. how would the court officials react? had they too heard the rumors? and what of those who had gathered below to salute arangbar with the traditional _teslim_. most importantly, what of nadir sharif? this day could well be a turning point in the course of india's history . . . and in the three decades of his preeminence at court. if the rumors were true. nadir sharif was easily the most accomplished courtier in india, a skill that had earned him the most splendid palace in agra after the moghul himself. his position brought with it not merely a palace, but also the _mansab_ rank and _jagir_ wealth required to maintain it. only enormous wealth could sustain the hungry host of slaves, eunuchs, concubines, musicians, dancers, and wives who thronged his agra palace. success for nadir sharif had always seemed so effortless, so inevitable, he often marveled that so few others had ever grasped the elementary secret. his simple formula for longevity, in a court where favorites daily rose and fell, was first to establish with certainty which side of a difference would inevitably triumph, and then to unveil his own supporting views. he had made a lifelong habit of seeing everything. and saying almost nothing. he understood well that thoughts unsaid often served better than those voiced too hastly. whereas the way of others might be flawed by a penchant for the _zenana_, or jewels, or those intoxicants the prophet ha so futilely prohibited, nadir sharifs sole worldly obsession was power--from which nothing, absolutely nothing, had ever turned his head. for a decade he had ruled the moghul empire in all but name, forwarding to arangbar only those petitions he favored, holding in advisement any he opposed, counseling the moghul at every turn--but always through other, unsuspecting voices if the advice was anything save disguised flattery. his meticulous attention to affairs at court did not exclude foreign trade. for years his voice had been raised against any who counseled arangbar in directions adverse to portuguese interests. this attention did not pass unnoticed in goa, and when a kingly jewel was sent to arangbar, another of only slightly inferior dimensions always found its way into the hands of nadir sharif. the first rays of sun struck the hard ocher sandstone of the red fort's east wall and suddenly it glowed like an inflamed ruby, throwing its warmth across the face of the jamuna river. moments later the heightening sun illuminated the rooftops of agra, a sea of red tile and thatch that spread out in a wide arc west of the fort. agra, the capital of moghul india, was one of the great cities of the east. it was home to over half a million, more than lived in any capital of europe, and some said a man on horseback could scarcely circle it in a day. yet most of the city was far from grand. it was a jumble of two-story brick and tile merchant houses, clay-faced homes of hindu tradesmen, and a spreading sea of mud and thatch one-room hovels that sheltered the rest. but along the river on either side of the red fort had been created a different world. there glistened the mansions of moghul grandees like nadir sharif, magical and remote, behind whose walls lay spacious gardens cooled by marble fountains and gilded rooms filled with carpets from persia, porcelains from china, imported crystal from venice. their _zenanas_ thronging with exquisite, dark-eyed women, and their tapestried halls with hosts of slaves and eunuchs. nadir sharif inhaled the clean air of morning and surveyed the palaces on either side along the riverbank. they were all sumptuous, but none more than his own. a vainer man might have swelled with pride at such a moment, but nadir sharif knew from years of court experience that vanity always led, inevitably, to excess, and finally to debt and ruin. to keep one's place, he often told himself, one must know it. he also knew that to hold one's ground, one must know when to shift. his reverie was abruptly dispelled by the noise of shuffling feet, and then a hesitant voice. "a man is at the outer gate, sharif sahib, asking to see you." nadir sharif turned to see the eunuch's spotless white turban bowing toward him. he flared inwardly that his orders for absolute privacy had been ignored, and then, as always, he waited a few seconds for composure before speaking. "i'm too ill to receive. have you already forgotten my orders?" "forgive me, sharif sahib." the eunuch bowed ever lower and raised his clasped palms in involuntary supplication. "he has demanded an audience. he claimed he has arrived last night from the deccan. he was with the prince . . ." nadir sharifs body tensed perceptibly. "what name did he give?" "a rajput name, sharif sahib. he said he was requested by her highness, the princess, to report to you immediately on arriving." nadir sharifs heart skipped a beat. does this mean the english _feringhi_ has arrived? allah! on this of all days. "tell him i am at home." the voice was coolly matter-of-fact. the eunuch bowed again and disappeared without a word. as nadir sharif watched his skirt vanish past the doorway tapestry, he tried to clear his mind and decide quickly what now must be done. instinctively he turned once more to monitor the _darshan_ balcony. still nothing. then he smiled fleetingly, realizing that the fate of the englishman would depend very much on what happened at _darshan_ this very morning. the visitor appeared, in freshly brushed red turban and jeweled earrings, and wordlessly strode past the eunuch at the doorway, pushing the partially opened tapestry aside as though a foe in battle. there was about the man the haughty carriage and contemptuous eyes always encountered among rajputs in high places, and nadir sharif recognized him immediately. the prime minister also knew this particular rajput had never trusted him, and never would. "nimaste, sharif sahib." vasant rao's salaam was correct but cold. "it's always a pleasure to see you." "when did you arrive?" "last evening." "have you arranged lodgings for the english _feringhi_? even before informing me you were here?" "he has no lodgings yet, sharif sahib, only rooms at a guest house. the _feringhi_ insisted no one be informed of his arrival. he did not say why." vasant rao returned nadir sharifs expressionless stare. "the prince's orders were to honor the _feringhi's_ requests whenever possible." nadir sharifs face betrayed none of his anger as he turned again toward the _darshan_ balcony. a flock of vagrant pigeons darted overhead, following the line of palaces along the river. "how is the child?" "he is well formed, sharif sahib. your daughter, her highness, was also well when i left burhanpur. she gave me this dispatch for you." nadir sharif accepted the bamboo tube and, controlling his expression, tossed it aside as though it were of no more consequence than a gardener's report brought by a eunuch. "i've received no pigeons from her for four weeks. only official dispatches from ghulam adl's secretary in burhanpur, which tell nothing. why isn't he in the field with jadar? what is happening?" "i'm not with the army now, sharif sahib." vasant rao casually stroked his moustache. "perhaps the prince has ordered secrecy to protect his movements toward the south." nadir sharif started to reply, but immediately thought better of it. instead he traced his finger along the railing of the balcony in silence and seemed to listen to the distant pigeons as he rotated the answer in his mind, knowing it was a lie and quickly evaluating the possible reasons why. in the north, dispatching pigeons in the field might be a risk, but never in the south, where the infidel deccanis always know the deployment of our army better than its own commanders. no. there's something planned that jadar does not want me to know. which can only mean his impulsive highness, prince jadar has undertaken something foolish. i know him too well. after a moment nadir sharif broke the silence, without turning his face from the _darshan_ balcony. "tell me about the _feringhi_." "do you mean what he says? or what i think about him?" "both." "he claims to be an ambassador for the english king, but his only credentials are a letter he brings, said to request a trading _firman_ from his majesty." "what are the intentions of this _feringhi_ king? trade, or eventual meddling?" "no one has seen the letter, sharif sahib, but the englishman says his king merely asks to trade yearly at surat." "which means the english must again contest with the portuguese. until one of them eventually abandons our ports. they cannot both trade. the portuguese viceroy would never allow it." "what you say seems true. it's said the christians in europe are having a holy war. i don't understand the cause, but the english and the portuguese seem to be historic enemies because of it. however, the englishman claims their disputes in europe are now over, and that the portuguese attack on his ships was in violation of a treaty of peace recently signed. whether this is actually true no one knows. the english ships are gone now, but if they come again, who can say what will happen." "will they come again?" nadir sharifs eyes told nothing of his thoughts, but his voice sharpened. "soon?" "the englishman has not said. perhaps next year. perhaps before that." vasant rao caught the inflection in nadir sharif's voice, and it triggered a chain of improbable possibilities. "goa will never allow them open access to surat. there must be war on our seas if the english return." nadir sharif paused for a moment and then continued. "who do you think will triumph?" "ask those who claim the gift of prophecy, sharif sahib. i'm only a soldier." "that's why i asked you." "i can only say that if other english are like this man, then they are a determined race. he seems to seek the new because it is there, yet perhaps not knowing what he will do with it once it is his." "what do you mean?" "the englishman, hawksworth. he claims to be here for his king and his king only. but i sense this is only partly true. he is a man of complex desires." "then why is he here?" "i think he is here also for himself. he wants something." "perhaps it's to make war on the portuguese?" "he will not shrink from it. but i think his own coming to india is to find something. he is searching, for what i cannot say. he is a man of curious parts. he spoke once of spending time in prison. and he is devoted to playing a small stringed instrument. he understands the tongue of the moghuls, and he questions all he sees. he is beginning to know india, because he has made it his purpose to know india. if he stays, he could become very troubling for the portuguese." "and will that bring no good to affairs here?" nadir sharif paused. "will it?" "i do not follow matters of state, sharif sahib." nadir sharif let the silence swell, then in a voice brittle as ice he spoke. "why did the prince meet with him?" vasant rao tried without success to mask his surprise. lord krishna, they know everything in agra. "there was a meeting." vasant rao hesitated, then decided to maintain discretion. "but neither spoke of it afterwards." nadir sharif studied him, pondering if it were true. then he turned to glance at the _darshan_ balcony as he spoke. "the moghul has demanded that the english _feringhi_ be brought to _durbar_ immediately after he arrives." "does that mean today?" vasant rao shifted with surprise. "his majesty will hear soon enough he has arrived. there is no choice." "then the _feringhi_ must be told to prepare, sharif sahib. he has a chest containing gifts, and the letter." "i know what he has. tell him he must bring the gifts to _durbar_. for his sake i hope they're not trifles. his majesty is most anxious to see them." and the queen is even more anxious to see the letter, nadir sharif told himself. then he smiled as he realized he would see it first. it will be an interesting afternoon. a fanfare of drums sounded faintly from the ramparts of the red fort, and for a moment the morning sun seemed to glow even brighter against the gleaming panels of the jasmine tower. nadir sharif turned toward the _darshan_ balcony. from the shadow of its embroidered satin awning a figure had suddenly emerged. it was just possible to make out the man's glistening robe and his elaborate, patterned turban. then the heavy jewels of his earrings momentarily caught the morning sunshine and sent streams of light flashing outward. all the waiting crowd bowed low, each man touching the back of his right hand to the ground and then bringing the palm to his forehead as he drew erect. it was the formal _teslim_ given the moghul, signifying each man's readiness to give himself as an offering. nadir sharif scrutinized the scene carefully and drew an almost audible sigh of relief. then he turned to vasant rao. "have you ever seen the moghul at morning _darshan_? he continued on distractedly, neglecting to pause for an answer. "you know, it's actually a custom began by akman, who worshiped the sun as one of the gods. but arangbar appears in order to maintain his own authority. if he missed _darshan_ for a day, rumors would begin he was dead. three days and there would be anarchy." suddenly the cheers from the courtyard died abruptly. in the silence that followed, a single pigeon's cry could be heard from overhead. nadir sharif whirled to see a second figure now standing on the balcony beside arangbar. it was a dark-haired woman. he could not tell if she wore a veil, but her tiara of jewels glistened in the early sun. the color drained from nadir sharif's face as he watched. so the rumor was true. for the first time in history, she has appeared beside him at _darshan_, to be worshiped equally. vasant rao found himself staring in astonishment. queen janahara. this is truly the beginning of the end for the prince. he will never see agra again. unless he's at the head of an army, or in chains. "what does it mean?" vasant rao could think of nothing else to say. "times and fashions change. perhaps it's a whim of his majesty." nadir sharif did not turn his gaze from the balcony. he did not want vasant rao to see his eyes. "escort the _feringhi_ to _durbar_ today. he's not safe here alone." "as you wish, sharif sahib." vasant rao paused and studied the back of nadir sharifs turban. "do you have a message for the prince when i return?" "official channels will serve for any message i have to give the prince." the prime minister whirled with uncharacteristic abruptness. "that will be all. you would be wise to be out of agra when the sun rises tomorrow." as vasant rao made his way past the waiting eunuchs, nadir sharif turned once more to examine the _darshan_ balcony. he watched in growing dismay as the courtiers on the platform began salaams to queen janahara, who now stood boldly at the forefront of the canopied marble portico. then he recalled the dispatch from mumtaz. a line of mounted imperial guards cleared a pathway through the narrow street, now a midday throng of bullock carts, dark-skinned porters, ambling cattle, and black-veiled women balancing heavy brass pots atop their heads. along both sides of the street tan awnings shielded lines of quick- eyed, bearded merchants, who squatted on their porches beckoning all to inspect their unprecedented bargains in cloth, reeds, betel leaves. vendors sizzled flat bread in charcoal-fired round pans and dropped balls of brown dough into dark pots of smoking oil, seasoning the dusty air with piquant spice. above the clatter of their horses' hooves came a cacophony of street hindi, squeaking cart wheels, children's discordant piping. between the open shops were ornate doorways, framed in delicate plasterwork scallops, leading upward to overhead balconies supported by red sandstone brackets. behind the latticework screens that fronted these balconies--some carved rosewood, some filigreed marble--hawksworth could see clusters of idle women chewing betel and fanning themselves as they leaned forward to inspect the procession below. hawksworth studied the helmeted guards around him, whose ornate shields bore the moghurs personal seal, and reflected on his introduction to agra. his caravan from the south had arrived at the city's outskirts the evening before, after the sun's light had died away, and as he requested, vasant rao had found a traditional guest house for them. it was near the center of town, inconspicuous, and its primary amenities were a rainproof thatch roof and a stone floor. tomorrow, the rajput had told him, he must find a house befitting an ambassador. the guards accompanying them into agra had not even dismounted, had turned back immediately for the south, and only vasant rao stayed to share the evening meal. they had dined quickly on fried bread and lentils and afterward the rajput had retrieved his saddle from the stable and, pillowing it under his helmet, immediately fallen asleep, curved sword in hand. hawksworth had lain awake listening to the night sounds of agra, wondering what his next move should be. sleep finally overtook him just before dawn broke. he awoke to discover vasant rao already gone. but the rajput had mysteriously returned in time to share a breakfast of more fried bread and spiced curds. after eating, vasant rao had announced that arangbar expected him in _durbar_ that afternoon. the rest of the morning had been spent hastily procuring bearers for his chest of gifts and cleaning the mildewed doublet and hose he had been instructed by the company to wear. just after noon, a contingent of the moghul's personal guard had arrived unexpectedly with orders to escort them through the center of agra, directly to the moghul's private entrance to the red fort. their horses emerged abruptly from the narrow, jostling street and hawksworth realized they had entered a wide, sunlit plaza opening outward from the fort's south gate. the close, acrid smells of the town were immediately scourged by the searing midday heat. hawksworth reined in his horse and stared at the fort, incredulous at its immensity. they were facing two concentric walls of polished red sandstone, the outer easily forty feet high and the inner at least seventy. both were obviously thick, with battlements loop-holed for musketry and crowned by rampart-ways. a wide wooden drawbridge leading to the entrance spanned a thirty-foot, water-filled moat that followed the outer wall in both directions as far as the eye could see. it had to be the largest, most powerfully built fortress hawksworth had ever seen. no story he had heard, no imagined grandeur, had prepared him for this first view. the sight was at once awesome and chilling. no wonder the moghul frightens all of india. it's impregnable. the outer blocks of the walls seem to be linked by massive iron rings and the round towers spaced along them have slots designed for heavy ordnance. with two thick walls, which probably also have a moat between, it would be impossible to storm. and cannon would be almost useless. vasant rao monitored hawksworth's reaction, and his dark eyes betrayed his pride. "do you understand now why the moghul is held in such regard? no king in the world could have a palace as grand as this. did you know that the distance around the walls is over one _kos_. what would that be? around two of your english miles?" hawksworth nodded assent as their guards led them directly across the wide drawbridge and through a passageway. the outer edge of the drawbridge was connected by heavy chains to rollers at the top of the entryway. the two rollers worked in a stone channel cut upward into the steep walls of the passage and were held in place by iron bars inserted into the channel. the bridge would lift automatically by simple removal of the iron bars. around them now was a small, heavily defended barbican and ahead, between the outer and inner wall, was a gateway set in a towering portal almost eighty feet high that was faced with gleaming blue enamel tiles. "how many gates like this are there?" "the red fort actually has four gates, one on the river and one on each of the other sides. this is the southern gate, which the moghul recently renamed the amar singh gate"--vasant rao lowered his voice-- "after a defiant rajput who he murdered. i have never seen it before, but it is even more beautiful than the public delhi gate, on the north, which is inlaid marble. the red fort is truly astonishing. tell me, captain, is there anything in your england to compare?" "nothing." hawksworth seached for his voice. "why is it so large?" "this is the place where india is governed. and the moghul does not live alone. he has to house over a thousand women, an army to protect him and his treasury, and more servants than man can count." the rajput seemed momentarily puzzled by the question. then he continued with a sly smile. "the fort was built by the moghul's father, the great akman. people say it required over eight years to complete. he also built another complete city in the desert a few _kos_ west of here, but later he abandoned it and moved back to agra. surely your english king governs from a palace." "his majesty, king james, has a palace at hampton court." hawksworth paused. "but england is governed by laws made in parliament, which has its own place to meet." "it sounds like you have a very weak king. captain hawksworth, if he cannot rule." vasant rao glanced nervously at the guards. "you would do well not to tell that to arangbar. in india there is only one law, the word of the moghul." as they entered the portico of the amar singh gate, hawksworth glanced behind him, relieved to see that their porters still followed, one at each side of his sea chest. vasant rao had cautioned him not to deliver all the gifts at once, since arangbar would expect a new gift each time they met. king james's letter he carried personally, carefully secreted inside his doublet. inside the archway of the gate were sets of thick wooden doors, opened back against the sides. these inner doors bristled with long iron spikes, and as hawksworth puzzled over them, vasant rao caught his questioning look. "those spikes embedded in the doors are to prevent war elephants from battering them in with their foreheads. it's common in a fortress." he smiled. "but then i keep forgetting your england probably has no elephants." ahead, at the terminus of the archway, the path was blocked by a heavy chain and armed sentries. the guards reined in their horses and began to dismount, while their leader passed brusque orders to vasant rao. "we ride no farther," vasant rao translated as he swung from the saddle. "he says no one except the moghul himself, his sons, or his women is allowed to ride through the amar singh gate. it's strictly enforced." hawksworth paused one last time, feeling about him the weight of the thick walls and the ornate tower rising above them, a great blue jewel in the afternoon sun. for a moment he had the curious sensation of entering a giant tomb. he took a deep breath and slowly dismounted, feeling suddenly conspicuous in his formal silk hose and ruffled doubtlet. vasant rao passed the reins of his horse to a waiting servant and drew alongside, his eyes intent. "does it seem strange to you that the moghul would name one of the four gates to the red fort after a rajput?" he stroked the curl of his moustache, and lowered his voice. "it's a story you should hear. it's not meant as an honor." "what do you mean?" "it's intended to be a warning to all rajputs of what happens when he is defied. there was, several years ago, a rajput adventurer named amar singh. he sought to rise to position in arangbar's court--he eventually did rise to the rank of a thousand horse--and along the way he asked and received the help of an old courtier who had influence. only later did the rajput find out that this man expected his younger daughter in payment." vasant rao smile wryly. "they say she was incredibly beautiful. well, amar singh was a true rajput, and he was outraged. naturally he refused. so the courtier who had helped him decided to have revenge, and he went to arangbar and told him about a certain beautiful rajput girl who would make an excellent addition to the _zenana_. the moghul immediately sent some of his personal guards to amar singh's house to take the girl. when amar singh realized why the guards had come, he called for the girl and stabbed her to death before their eyes. then he took horse and rode to the red fort, even riding through this gate. he rode into the audience hall and demanded that arangbar appear and explain. such things, captain, are simply not done in agra. the moment he dismounted he was cut to pieces by a dozen of arangbar's guards. then the moghul decided to name this gate after him, to remind all rajputs of his fate. but he need not have bothered. no rajput will ever forget." leaving the servants with their horses, they proceeded on foot up a wide, inclined path that led through an enclosed square. around the sides of the square were porticoes and galleries, where horsemen with swords and pikes waited. "those men are on their _chauki_, their seventh-day watch." vasant rao pointed to the porticoes. "every soldier in agra must stand watch once every seven days. either here or in the large square inside, where we're going. it's the moghul's law." they passed through another large gate and suddenly a half dozen turbaned guards, in leather armor and wearing long curved swords, drew alongside, as though expecting them. now with a double escort they began the ascent of a long walkway, perhaps twenty paces wide, situated between two high brick walls. hawksworth's leather shoes padded against the square paving stones, which had been striated to permit easy footing for the moghurs horses and elephants. as they reached the end, they emerged into another large court, comprising the southeast corner of the fort. ahead was yet a fourth gate. as they passed through, hawksworth realized it was protected by more mounted horsemen in the recessed lower porticoes, and archers in elevated galleries. they walked past the wide wooden doors and into a vast milling square. it was several hundred feet on the side and ringed with arcades where still more mounted horsemen waited. a wide roadway divided the square. "this is the quadrangle. i only saw it once before, but then i entered from the public side." vasant rao indicated an identical gate, directly opposite. "over there." the guards directed them toward a large multicolored silk canopy fanning out from the tall buildings on their right. the area beneath the canopy was cordoned off from the square by a red velvet railing, and porters with cudgels stood around the perimeter. vasant rao seemed increasingly nervous as their escorts led them forward, past the guards at the entry to the canopy. hawksworth noticed that the air beneath the canopy was heavy with incense--ambergris and aloe--burning in gold and silver censers hanging from poles. "the arcade ahead is the _diwan-i-am_, the hall of public audience, where the moghul holds his daily _durbar_." vasant rao pointed toward the steps that led upward to a large open pavilion at the far end of the canopy. it was several stories high and over a hundred feet on each side. the roof was borne by marble arches supported by rows of white columns. "no man with rank under five hundred horse is allowed to enter inside the railing. i think that's why we have a special escort." above the crowd, at the far end of the hall, was a raised platform of white marble, standing about three feet from the floor and covered by its own tapestried canopy. the platform was surrounded by a silver railing, and several turbaned men holding rolls of documents were now struggling to gain a position at the rail. all around them the crowd buzzed with anticipation. behind and above the platform, in a marble gallery set in the wall, rested an immense throne carved from black marble. at its four corners were life-sized statues of rearing lions, each spangled with jewels, which supported in their silver paws a canopy of pure gold. the walls on either side of the throne were latticework marble screens, through which the _zenana_ women could watch. "i've never seen the throne this close before. it's famous." vasant rao paused. "and there are some in agra who would sell their brother to have it." the imperial guards suddenly saluted, fists against their leather shields, turned and marched down the steps of the _diwan-i-am_ and back into the square. vasant rao watched them disappear into the crowd and then he shook the left sleeve of his riding cloak and a naked _katar_, the deadly "tiger knife" all rajputs carried, dropped into his hand. its handle was a gold-plated grip between two prongs, designed to be held in the fist and thrust directly forward. without a word he slipped it into a sheath secured in the sash of his belt. hawksworth pretended not to notice and instead turned to examine the crowd. next to them an assembly of persian diplomats, wearing heavy robes and jewel-encrusted turbans, eyed hawksworth's plain doublet and hose with open contempt. the air was thick was sweat and incense and the sparkle of gold and jewels. uniformed servants sounded a drum roll on two large brass kettles at the back of the throne and the velvet curtains behind the throne parted. two guards with gold-handled swords entered briskly and stood at attention, one on either side of the parted curtains. hawksworth felt his pulse surge as the next figure entered through the curtains. he was of middle height, with a small moustache and glistening diamond earrings. he wore a tight patterned turban, a blue robe secured by a gold brocade sash, jeweled rings on both hands, and a massive string of pearls. a golden-handled sword and dagger were at his waist, and two feline cubs frisked by his side. hawksworth studied them in confusion, and after a moment realized they must be baby lions, an animal famous in english folklore but never actually seen firsthand by anyone in england. at that instant a din of kettledrums erupted from galleries at the sides of the square. almost as one those waiting called out a salaam, bent forward, and touched the back of their right hand to the ground and then to their forehead as they drew erect. the _durbar_ of the moghul had begun. "you did not perform the _teslim_." vasant rao turned to hawksworth with dismay in his voice. "he may have taken note of it. that was unwise, my friend." "an ambassador for a king doesn't prostrate himself." "you're new to india. that may be taken as an excuse. the other ambassadors here know better." as they watched, three other men slowly emerged from behind the throne and took their places on the marble platform, standing beside the moghul. they all wore jeweled turbans and each had a sash of gold cloth about the waist. hawksworth turned to vasant rao in time to see a look of hatred flash through his eyes. "who are they?" "the two younger men are his sons. i saw them once before in agra. it's traditional that his sons join him at the _durbar_ when they are here. the younger one is allaudin. he will be married next month to queen janahara's daughter. the other one is his drunken brother parwaz. the older man is zainul beg, the moghurs _wazir_, his chief counsel. he's the father of nadir sharif, the prime minister, and he's also the father of queen janahara." hawksworth watched as yet another man emerged through the curtain, walked casually past the throne, and was helped onto the marble platform directly in front. he turned to the silver rail, where a dozen petitions were immediately thrust up to him. vasant rao nudged hawksworth and pointed. "and that's nadir sharif, the prime minister. remember him well. no one reaches the moghul without his consent." the prime minister paused to study the faces below, and then reached out for a petition. he unrolled it, scanned it quickly, and turned to arangbar, passing it upward with a comment only those by the throne could hear. the business of the day was underway. arangbar listened with obvious boredom as one petition after another was set before him. he held counsel with his sons and with the _wazir_, and frequently he would turn to the marble screen off the right side of the throne and discuss a petition with someone waiting behind it. below the platform several ambassadors shuffled, trying to mask their impatience. hawksworth suddenly realized that the jewel-encrusted boxes they held, many of beaten gold, contained presents for the moghul. he looked at his own leatherbound wooden chest, shabby by comparison, and his heart began to sink. after a short while, the moghul seemed to lose patience with the petitions and, ignoring the waiting nobles, abruptly signaled for a review of the day's elephant troops. moments later, a line of war elephants entered through the public gate and began to march single- file across the back of the square. their tusks were wreathed with gold bands and they wore coverings of embroidered cloth which were strung with tinkling bells and tassels of tibetan yak hair. as each reached a spot directly in front of the _diwan-i-am_ it stopped, kneeled, and trumpeted to arangbar. when the last elephant had passed, drums were sounded again and a group of eight men came into the square leading a snarling beast by heavy chains attached to its iron collar. it was tawny, with a heavy mane and powerful paws, and it roared out its displeasure as it writhed and clawed at the chains. hawksworth took one look and realized it was a fully-grown male lion. "that seems to be his majesty's new toy." vasant rao pointed nervously. "he collects lions as pets. that one must have just been captured." arangbar studied the lion with obvious delight. then he bent down and stroked one of the cubs by his side, lifting it to better view the new prize. the assembly watched spellbound for a moment, then burst into cheers. as hawksworth watched, arangbar set down the lion cub and spoke with his _wazir_. zainul beg stared into the crowd and then pointed. moments later the black cassock of a jesuit appeared at the railing. with a start hawksworth recognized father alvarez sarmento, last seen in the courtyard of mukarrab khan's palace in surat. the jesuit listened to the _wazir's_ instructions and then turned to the crowd. his announcement was in english. "his majesty orders the ambassador from england to come forward." vasant rao touched hawksworth's arm and reached out to clasp his hand. "this is your moment, my friend. by the time _durbar_ is through i will be far from here." "why are you leaving?" hawksworth turned and looked into his eyes, suddenly realizing that vasant rao was the closest thing he had to a friend in india. "it's impossible for me to stay longer." vasant rao paused, and hawksworth sensed his warmth was genuine. suddenly the rajput reached into the sash at his belt and drew out his sheathed _katar_. "you saved my life once, in the village, and i've never found the words to thank you. perhaps this can say it for me. take it as a token of friendship from a rajput. it was given to me by my father, and it has tasted blood more times than i can count. you're a brave and honest man, and i think we'll meet again." before hawksworth could speak, vasant rao embraced him warmly and melted into the crowd. a pathway was clearing through the glaring nobles, and hawksworth quickly slipped the katar into his doublet as he leaned over to secure the chest. when he reached the silver railing, sarmento was waiting. "let me welcome you to agra, captain." the jesuit spoke quietly in english, his face a hard mask. "i pray god gave you a pleasant journey." "i thought you were bound for lahore." "in time, captain, in time. but we have an agra mission as well. our flock here grows. it must be tended. and do you remember what we agreed that night in surat?" "translate for the inglish ambassador." arangbar's voice interrupted, speaking in persian. "i would know his name." "he asks your name." sarmento spoke quietly to hawksworth in english. "you must bow when you give it." "i am captain-general brian hawksworth, ambassador of his majesty, king james the first of england." hawksworth replied in turkish, trying to remember the speech he had been told to deliver. a look of delighted surprise flashed through arangbar's eyes. hawksworth bowed and then continued. "his majesty, king james, has asked me to convey his friendship to his most noble majesty, arangbar, moghul of india, together with certain unworthy tokens of his regard." hawksworth tried to think quickly of a way to explain the unimpressive gifts king james had sent. "those trifles he sends are not intended as gifts deserving of your majesty, for that would be a bounty no single man could deliver. instead he has asked me to bring certain common products of our country, not as gifts, for they are too unworthy, but as samples of english workmanship that your majesty may examine personally the goods he offers your merchants in trade. these are the first of many, more- worthy gifts he is now assembling for your majesty, to be sent on future voyages to your land." "you speak the tongue of the moghuls, ambassador. already your king does me honor. i welcome you in his name." arangbar leaned forward to watch as hawksworth opened the clasp on the chest. the first items were samples of english woolens, lace, and brocade, crafted into doublets. hawksworth laid these aside and took out a silver-trimmed brace of pistols, a gold- handled sword, an hourglass in carved ivory, and finally a gold whistle studded with small diamonds. the moghul peered down from his marble throne impassively, and then called for them to be brought to him. while he examined each gift briefly, assessing it with a quick glance and calling for the next, hawksworth reached into the corner of the box and withdrew the next present, a three-cornered english hat topped with a feather. when arangbar saw the hat his eyes brightened. "at last i can look like a _topiwallah_." he pushed aside the other gifts and called for the hat. he turned it in his hand for a moment, then removed his jeweled turban and clapped it on his head with delight. "the _feringhi_ hat is a puzzling invention, ambassador khawksworth." arangbar stumbled over the pronunciation of the name as he signaled for a mirror. "what purpose it serves i have never understood. you, i observe, do not wear one yourself." "hats are not to my taste, may it please your majesty." hawksworth bowed again and then continued. "his majesty, king james of england, also has asked me to deliver a portrait of himself to your majesty, together with letter expressing his desire for friendship between your land and his." hawksworth produced a small framed watercolor from the wooden chest. it was a miniature on vellum, scarcely more than an inch square, by isaac oliver, a celebrated artist from the school of nicholas hilliard, who had been fashionable under queen elizabeth. while arangbar examined the painting, scrutinizing the workmanship as might a connoisseur, hawksworth reached into his doublet and withdrew the letter. it was passed to nadir sharif, who presented it to arangbar. the moghul reluctantly handed the portrait to allaudin, then inspected the leather binding of the letter. finally he broke the red wax seal and began to study the writing, a quizzical expression spreading over his face. "the seal and script are worthy of a king. but it is in a language of europe." "there are two copies, your majesty. one in english, the language of my king, and one in spanish, a language something like the portugals speak." "then we will have father sarmento translate." sarmento moved to the silver railing and took the leatherbound letter with a distasteful expression. he examined it for a moment and then began to read it silently, the color slowly draining from his face. "what message does your king send, ambassador?" "his admiration for your majesty, whose reputation has reached even europe. and his offer of full and open trade between your nation and his." "the letter is basely penned, your majesty." sarmento's face was red with dismay as he turned to arangbar. "its style is unworthy of a great prince." arangbar examined the jesuit with a troubled gaze and shifted on his throne. "may it please your majesty, this man is the enemy of england." hawksworth pointed at sarmento. "how can my king's letter be ill- penned, when he entreats your majesty's friendship?" arangbar paused a moment and then he smiled broadly. "a reasonable reply. the inglish, i see, are a blunt-spoken race." he glanced at sarmento. "and we have already seen their seamanship." "your words honor my king, your majesty." hawksworth found himself bowing again and wondering how to respond. "we would hear more of england. is it large?" "not nearly as large as india, your majesty. it is an island, but the queen of all the islands of the west." "it is a rocky, barren speck in the great seas of europe, your majesty," sarmento interjected himself, straining to hold his composure. "a breeder of drunken fishermen and pirates. its king is a heretic, a sovereign of lawless privateers and an enemy of the holy church." "it is a noble land, your majesty, ruled by a free king, not by a spanish tyrant or an italian pope, like the land of the portugals. our cannon are the best in the world, our ships the swiftest, our men the bravest. no flag but our own has ever flown above our soil. our ships have sailed all the seas of the world, from the east to the west. my king's seamen have explored the seas north of england, searching for a northeast passage to the indies, and the americas, searching for a northwest passage. off your own shores we have met the galleons of portugal, as your majesty must know, and in the west indies we have challenged and overcome the carracks of papist spain. there brave english captains named hawkins and drake stood off spaniards ten times their number. the very name of england strikes fear in the heart of a portugal or a spaniard." arangbar toyed with the jeweled whistle as he listened. "your england interests us, ambassador khawksworth." he paused for a moment and reviewed the small, dispiriting assemblage of gifts. "we would know when your king's next voyage will be." "very soon, may it please your majesty." hawksworth squirmed, and noticed nadir sharif suddenly edge closer to listen. "but your king must send out voyages regularly? we have heard of the english traders in our southern seas. do you not know when the next voyage will be, or what gifts your king is preparing? surely he will send them this year?" "may it please your majesty"--hawksworth fumbled with the railing, trying to gain time--"i . . ." prince parwaz suddenly plucked at arangbar's arm and pointed into the crowd. a tall bearded man with a vast turban and two ornate swords at his side had moved next to the silver railing, near hawksworth, holding a petition in his hand. "he is the man i spoke of yesterday." parwaz spoke in turki, and his words seemed slurred. hawksworth realized he was tipsy. "i told him to bring his petition today personally. he's a commander with the rank of a thousand horse. his stipend is eight thousand rupees a month. he claims he has served honorably, most recently in the siege of qandahar, but that he must resign his _mansab_ and dismiss his men and horse unless his stipend is increased." arangbar examined the man for a moment, then addressed him in turki. "what is your name and rank?" "i am amanat mubarik, your majesty. i maintain a thousand horse, the finest arabian blood in india." the man stood straight and spoke with a loud, clear voice. "is not your stipend the amount prescribed any man who maintains that number?" "it is, your highness. but i am not any man. i am a pathan, and my father was fath shah. no enemy of your majesty has ever seen the back of my shield. his highness, prince parwaz, saw me defend the royal encampment five years ago when he moved south of the narbada. with my cavalry i held position when all others called for retreat. i challenge any man here today to do me battle in your presence. with any weapon. on horseback or on foot. then you may decide if i am as other men." the moghul examined him carefully for a long moment. "if you are not like other men, then i will let you prove it." arangbar pointed beyond the marble porticoes. "will you fight with the lion?" the pathan commander turned and stared blankly into the sunlit square, where the captured lion was snarling and pawing at its chains. "a lion is a wild beast, your majesty. what trial is it for a man to contest with a lion?" "i think it would be the best trial of all." arangbar's eyes began to glow. "a beast has no understanding, majesty." he shifted nervously as he realized arangbar was not jesting. "it's not a fit thing for a man to fight." "you will joust with him." the fancy seemed to flood arangbar with pleasure, and he turned abruptly to one of the guards. "give him a glove and a truncheon. that should suffice for a man who claims bravery above all others." hawksworth watched in disbelief as the dazed commander was led from the _diwan-i-am_ and into the quadrangle. a murmur of amazement passed through the crowd. the square cleared quickly as the lion was brought forward by its keepers. still incredulous, the pathan slowly pulled the heavy glove onto his left hand, then he took the truncheon, no more than a foot and a half long, in his right. guards took his swords and turban and in moments he and the lion were faced off in the afternoon sunshine. hawksworth forced himself to watch as the commander began to spar with the lion, a young male with powerful claws. he managed to cudgel the lion several times, with the effect that it became more enraged than harmed. then with a roar it sprang, pulling free of its keepers, and they went down together, rolling in the dust of the square. the pathan continued to bravely cudgel the lion, even while its claws ripped across his face and arms. hawksworth watched the lion's hard tail whip for balance as it pawed again and again at the truncheon. suddenly the man pulled free of its grasp and, with a wide arcing swing, brought the truncheon directly across the crown of the lion's head. its rear haunches clawed upward spastically and then it pitched unconscious into the bloody dust, its body still twitching. a cheer rose from the crowd of onlookers as the pathan slowly drew himself erect. hawksworth realized that the right side of his face had been completely ripped away by the lion's sharp claws. he made a few halting steps toward the _diwan-i-am_, wheeled dizzily, and collapsed in a pool of blood. he was dead by the time the guards reached him. arangbar had watched in spellbound delight. he clapped his hands and turned to parwaz, whose glazed eyes seemed not to have fully comprehended the spectacle. "astounding. i never knew a man could kill a lion with a mere club. he was braver than he knew. if he has sons, i will allow them to keep half his estate." arangbar turned to the guard captain standing by the curtained entrance. "tomorrow select ten of your best men and we will bring more lions. what better test of bravery?" the uniformed men standing at attention around the perimeter of the _diwan-i-am_ all blanched but their eyes remained fixed straight ahead. then arangbar suddenly remembered hawksworth. "does england have men as brave as ours, ambassador?" hawksworth felt a cold sweat in his palms. "no man in england would dare challenge one of your majesty's lions." arangbar laughed loudly. before he could respond, the _wazir_ was whispering in his ear. he glanced at the marble screen directly behind his throne and nodded. then he turned to hawksworth. "we are called away, ambassador. i'm told i must take my afternoon rest. this is the time of day i retire to the _zenana_ for one _pahar_." he winked and gestured toward the marble screen. "her majesty rules our time. but i want to speak more with you today about this island of england. and about your king's schedule for trade. you will attend me in the diwan-i-khas this evening." "as your majesty pleases." as arangbar rose his eye caught the painting. he picked it up and scrutinized it, then turned to hawksworth. "is this a fair example of inglish painting?" "it came from the school of a celebrated artist, your majesty. his majesty, king james, sat to have it painted especially for you." hawksworth sensed that arangbar had taken more interest in the painting than in any of the other gifts, except perhaps the hat. "the painters of england are the finest in the world." the moghul stirred slightly and then summoned a small, wiry man with heavy brows from the first row of courtiers. he briskly moved to the front and salaamed to arangbar. the moghul passed the painting to him and together they studied it, conversing quietly in persian. then arangbar turned to hawksworth. "we have a school of artists here in the palace, ambassador khawksworth. this man, who directs the school, says this portrait's background is too dark, the eyes lifeless. and it is neither three- quarter nor full face, as is our proven convention. consequently it gives no sense of your king's depth of character." arangbar smiled. "he also says the portraits he and his men execute are far more difficult. they catch the soul of the man, not merely his physical likeness." "may it please your majesty, i cannot accept what he says." arangbar translated to the artist, who replied quickly in persian, casting a quick, contemptuous glance at hawksworth. "he declares he could easily duplicate this simple portrait of your king, in a likeness so exact you could not tell his copy from the original." "such a thing is not possible, your majesty. no man in the world could execute this exact painting, save the man who first put in on paper." arangbar again translated for his painter, who replied animatedly. "my chief painter says he and his workshop could easily produce four copies of this, any one of which would pass for the original." "may it please your majesty, i say it is impossible. european painting is a centuries' old tradition, requiring years of apprenticeship and study." the men around hawksworth had begun to shift uncomfortably. the moghul was never contradicted. yet he seemed to relish the dispute. "then we'll set a wager. what will you wager me, ambassador, that i can make this one painting of your king into five?" "i know not what to lay with so great a prince, nor does it befit me to name a sum to your majesty." hawksworth shifted uneasily, unsure of the protocol of betting with kings. "then if you'll not wager with me, wager with my painter." "begging your majesty's pardon, your painter is no more suited to wager with an ambassador than i am to wager with your majesty." "then wager with my prime minister." he turned to nadir sharif. "what will you lay?" "five thousand gold mohurs, majesty." hawksworth swallowed hard, realizing the amount was almost ten thousand pounds english sterling, more money than he had ever seen. "money is not an honorable bet among those who speak for great princes, your majesty." hawksworth glanced about wildly, then an idea came. "but perhaps i could wager your prime minister a horse, a fine arabian stallion." "done." arangbar beamed. "i'll have the paintings tonight." the painter stared at arangbar in dismay. "it's not possible, majesty. there's not time." "you'll find a way. or you'll owe nadir sharif a horse." arangbar passed the painting back to the painter and whirled with a flourish to leave. around hawksworth the nobles all bowed to the ground. hawksworth turned quickly to scan the back of the crowd, but vasant rao had disappeared. then guards surrounded him and before he knew what was happening he was swept past sarmento, whose eyes still glowed with hatred, toward a marble doorway at the corner of the _diwan-i-am_. chapter seventeen "ambassador hawksworth, his majesty has asked me to ensure you are wanting in nothing while you wait." nadir sharif was standing on the wide marble balcony when hawksworth emerged from the stairs that led upward from the _diwan-i-am_ to the interior courtyard of the palace. he salaamed with practiced dignity even as his darting eyes assessed hawksworth in a quick sweep. "as prime minister for his majesty it is my duty, indeed my pleasure, to attend your comfort and acquaint you with our protocol." "i thank you on behalf of his majesty, king james." hawksworth awkwardly tried to salaam in return, careful not to bend as low as the prime minister. "perhaps i can begin by acquainting you with the palace." he gestured toward the open courtyard, where workmen thronged installing marble fountains, and the rest of the encircling second-story balcony. "the stalls below us are where the wives of merchants sometimes come to offer finery to the women of the _zenana_. now they are being readied for his majesty's birthday celebration. and there, across the way"--he pointed to a massive silk canopy covering a pavilion opposite the square, on the riverside of the palace-- "is the _diwan-i-khas_, where his majesty holds his evening gatherings. to the left are his majesty's baths and on the right, projecting out over the river, is the jasmine tower of queen janahara. now please follow me. his majesty has honored you by inviting you to wait for him in the _diwan-i- khas_. the only other _feringhis _ever to see it are the jesuits he sometimes invites here to debate with the mullahs." around them the marble porticoes had been carved in relief, a profusion of flowers and vines, creating a monochromatic garden in stone. the floors were patterned marble and the walls decorated with hanging tapestries. as they entered the _diwan-i-khas, _hawksworth noticed its floor was covered with a vast persian carpet, over which had been scattered bolsters and pillows for lounging. on the side nearest the interior square was a foot-high platform in white marble and on the opposite side, facing a gallery overlooking the arena below and the jamuna river beyond, was a similar platform in black marble. both were padded with rich carpets. "his majesty uses the white throne in evenings, and the black in the afternoons, when he sometimes comes here to watch elephant fights in the square below. the doorway there leads to her majesty's apartments." "where is his majesty now?" "he has retired to the _zenana _for one _pahar_, three hours, where he dines on roasted meats, some wine, and passes the time agreeably. each afternoon her majesty selects a woman for him." moghul smiled. "naturally it's never the same one. her majesty is always first in his heart, but she never allows his wanton affections to wander. afterward he comes here for his evening gathering." nadir sharif walked to the gallery and looked down on the river. far below, on the opposite bank, a caravan of heavily loaded camels passed silently. "by the way, his majesty has asked me to inquire if you have a lodging yet, ambassador." "i have references for brokers, and tomorrow i'll begin to look." "and personal servants?" "i'd hoped they'd be provided with the house." "his majesty may wish to arrange lodgings for you." nadir sharif turned back toward hawksworth and paused for a moment before continuing. "in agra ambassadors must acquire their lodgings and servants with care. there is, regrettably, a certain amount of intrigue in our city. trustworthy and efficient servants are not always the easiest thing to find. perhaps i should raise the matter of your lodging and servants with his majesty." "there's no reason to trouble his majesty. i'll contact the brokers tomorrow." hawksworth's tone was level but firm, suspecting that any servants picked for him would be spies. and if they turned out to be "trustworthy and efficient" rather than lazy and begrudging, there would be no doubt. "the matter rests with his majesty." nadir sharif watched as a eunuch entered bearing a tray with glasses of _sharbat_. a _sarangi _player followed him and settled in the corner, striking up a mournful-sounding tune on an instrument that looked like a bloated violin and sounded, to hawksworth, like a distressed cat. "have you engaged an agent yet, ambassador?" nadir sharif directed the tray toward hawksworth. "what do you mean?" "if your king wishes to trade large quantities of commodity, he will certainly require an agent here in agra. to ensure that documents and approvals are handled efficiently." nadir sharif sighed. "officials here naturally prefer to work with someone who understands their . . . requirements. an agent will be essential, if your king expects to trade heavily." nadir sharif paused. "i presume that is his intention, assuming his majesty approves the _firman_?" hawksworth examined nadir sharif for a moment, assuming he was offering to be the agent for king james. or was he merely hoping to elicit trade information to pass on to the portuguese. "i'll engage an agent when the time seems proper. for now i have no _firman_." then a light suddenly dawned somewhere in hawksworth's brain. "but i suppose i'll need an 'agent' for that as well?" "it could prove useful. his majesty can be distressingly absentminded." "and what would be this agent's fee?" "it depends on the difficulty involved." nadir sharif's face remained impassive. "i would say it also depends on whether he's successful." "so it would. but he would need more information on english trading intentions than you have divulged so far." "that will come in time, when i know more about the 'agent.'" "naturally." nadir sharif cleared his throat. "but enough of affairs. permit me to toast your arrival. when your request for a safe-conduct pass arrived from surat, we all wondered if a _feringhi _new to india could successfully travel our bandit-infested roads, even with the moghul's pass." he took a delicate sip of the beverage. "i trust your journey was without mishap." "for the most part." "a diplomatic answer. but you seem to have survived all parts well enough. did you take the burhanpur road?" "i did." "ah, then perhaps you passed prince jadar. i understand he was there recently." nadir sharif smiled disarmingly. "i always welcome news of him. you may know he's married to my first daughter, mumtaz. i hear she just presented him with his first son." "he was in burhanpur when i arrived. but i was only there for three days." "not a very interesting city, i'm told. but they say the deccan itself is quite beautiful in harvest. i envy you your trip. i, alas, rarely can escape agra, except when his majesty goes to kashmir in the heat of summer." nadir sharif signaled the eunuch to refill hawksworth's cup. the _sarangi _player had been joined by a drummer, who took up a slow, even rhythm. "did i understand you to say you met the prince while you were there?" hawksworth hesitated and studied nadir sharif, not remembering he had mentioned meeting jadar. "actually i did see him briefly once. he was in the fortress, where i stayed." "ah yes, the fortress. that was wise of you, considering the situation now. i'm pleased he invited you to join him." "as it happened, i traveled from surat with men from his guard. their destination was the fortress." "his guards? then you were most fortunate indeed." nadir sharif seemed to listen absently to the melody for a moment. "i'm always a bit stupid about military campaigns. what would men from his guards be doing in surat?" hawksworth heard an inner alarm suddenly sound. "i think they were there to accompany a convoy." "a convoy? from surat? odd. but then i rarely understand these things. what was it bringing?" nadir sharif chuckled congenially. "barrels of persian wine for the prince, i would venture to guess?" "i understand it was lead for shot." nadir sharif gave hawksworth a quick, troubled glance. "i see. yes, lead would require a guard. but prince jadar's rajputs virtually scorn to use muskets, so i assume it was rather a small number of carts." hawksworth straightened his doublet, shifting the location of vasant rao's katar. "i don't recall the precise number." "naturally. i'm confused by numbers myself. probably something like twenty, i suppose. certainly, i would presume, no more than fifty?" "i didn't count the exact number." "too many to count? i see." nadir sharif seemed to be only half attentive to the conversation, as he swung his head from side to side in appreciation of the accelerating tempo of the drummer. "doubtless it was some of the very lead i'm told you brought for trade." "it wasn't english." "ah, then i suppose it was portuguese. i assume you must have noticed." "not actually." hawksworth paused. "it wasn't really my concern." "yes, quite so." nadir sharif walked again to the gallery and stood silent, still swinging his head absently to the time of the music. the pieces of the puzzle had already dropped into place. so that's how jadar did it. and only one man in surat could have provided the prince the silver he needed, that contemptible son of a moneylender mirza nuruddin. he's uncontrollable. but even if the prince survives the deccan, what can he do? the imperial army . . . allah, it's obvious! there's only one way he can ever march north with enough men to meet janahara's army. by the merciful prophet, he's mad! nadir sharif coughed lightly and turned back toward the room. "ambassador hawksworth, would you care for some wine? you need not be squeamish, his majesty has always admired men who drink. i would join you, but regrettably i cannot. while his majesty retires, the rest of us must labor on." "a glass would be welcome." "a glass, ambassador? did you say 'a glass'?" nadir sharif laughed. "you'll need more than a glass if you drink with his majesty. i'll send the servants." he bowed again at the doorway of the vestibule. "i'll rejoin you when i can. in the meantime, summon the eunuchs if you require anything." he turned and was gone. in what seemed only moments, two turbaned servants appeared, smiling as they placed a large chalice of wine on the carpet next to hawksworth's bolster. "it's all too incredible." queen janahara slumped onto a velvet divan and distractedly took a rolled betel leaf from the silver tray offered by a hovering eunuch. behind her a female _zenana _slave fanned a plume of peacock feathers against the afternoon heat. as she spoke she brushed back her gold-threaded scarf, revealing gleaming dark hair--the few gray strands had been perfectly dyed--pulled back tightly against her head and secured with a golden band. her only jewels were in a necklace, diamonds with a massive blue sapphire that complemented her dark eyes. she was nearing fifty, but still possessed of a beauty that had, with the years, evolved to magnificent dignity. her face was statuesque and her persian was both elegant and mellifluous. "he's still marching south. i think he actually enjoys living in the field, surrounded by mud and rajputs. how much longer can he continue?" "be assured this time the prince will bring his own undoing." nadir sharif accepted a betel leaf from the tray, a gesture, and absently rolled it between his thumb and finger. he wondered nervously why she had summoned him to the jasmine tower the minute he left the english _feringhi_. he normally enjoyed meeting her there, amid the marble screens, where they could recline on the carpeted terrace and admire the broad jamuna. as her brother and prime minister, it was not unseemly for him to visit her in her quarters. "the campaign in the deccan will change everything, your majesty. it cannot end as did the last one, with malik ambar surrendering out of fright. the abyssinian surely suspects by now that jadar is isolated." queen janahara was no longer listening. her thoughts were seething over the two surprises of the day. the first was nadir sharif's absence from her historic appearance at the _darshan _balcony. she had already been informed of his absence by four separate eunuchs. all assumed it was deliberate. nadir sharif. my own brother. can he be wavering? or merely bargaining? why? has something happened with jadar? the march south should have been the end of him. the _mansabdars _and their troops south of the narbada were in shambles. but somehow jadar has managed to recall enough cavalry to continue his campaign. what is he planning? that question called to mind the second problem of the day. the englishman. she knew, as arangbar did not, that the englishman had already met with jadar. why had jadar contrived such a meeting? the prince must know that both she and nadir sharif had full support of the viceroy of goa. did he also know that the viceroy had even offered secretly to help arm the deccanis against him, an arrangement she was now negotiating? what of the english _feringhi_, his letter, his meeting with jadar? she had studied him carefully through her screen when he appeared at the afternoon _durbar _and she had ordered a persian translation of his letter prepared immediately. and what she read was disturbing. the english king had, it was true, asked merely for a trading _firman_. but who knew what sea power waited behind the english appearance at surat? she knew jadar despised christians, but he would not scruple to use them one against the other. where would it lead, if jadar could enlist english sea power in the struggle that loomed ahead, and somehow neutralize the influence of the portuguese? maddeningly, the moghul seemed amused by the englishman, by his rude manner. "why did his majesty invite the _feringhi _to the _diwan-i- khas _tonight?" "my esteemed sister, you were at today's durbar. you know his majesty's whims far better than i. perhaps he was fascinated by finding a _feringhi _who speaks his barbarous turki. for his majesty the new _feringhi _cannot be anything more than merely a new toy, like a new dog or horse. he will amuse himself with the _feringhi_, dangle promises before him, and wait to see if more gifts are forthcoming. you know he is the same with all ambassadors." "this one i think is different. did you see him refuse to _teslim_? i think his majesty is already awed by him. i fear for india if the english ever gain influence here. do you really believe the english king wants nothing more than trade?" janahara found herself searching for the key to nadir sharifs thoughts. "what do you suppose would happen if these english defy the portuguese and one day decide to blockade surat? to allow trade only to those who have supported them at court." she paused as she studied him. "could there be some here already who are fearful enough to pretend friendship to the englishman?" "who could know these things?" nadir sharif walked to the white marble railing and gazed along the side of the fort, where the jamuna lapped gently against the thick red walls. he remembered his pigeons, and then he remembered the morning _darshan_ and janahara's unprecedented appearance. the englishman is hardly a problem, my dear sister. he is already tamed. you are the problem now. you and your newfound power. but if you fear this harmless _feringhi_ more than you fear me, then i have at last found a way to manage you as well. at long last. "tonight i will drink with the english _feringhi_, and then we may learn something useful. a man lounging with a wine cup in his hands says things he would never utter standing at _durbar_. i think his majesty may also be wondering about the intentions of his king." janahara chewed silently on the betel leaf and eyed him, knowing he had met that morning with the rajput who brought the english _feringhi _to agra and wondering why. whatever the reason, she told herself, nadir sharif would never be so foolish as to side with jadar. not so long as the prince was isolated and weak. nadir sharif did not gamble. "the _feringhi _must be watched closely. find a way. we need to know what he is doing, what he is thinking. do you understand?" "to hear is to obey." nadir sharif bowed lightly. "and you will be at _darshan _tomorrow morning. even if you were not there today." "naturally had i but known, majesty . . ." "father made you prime minister. you can be just as easily removed." "your majesty." nadir sharif bowed, and with an unseen flick sent the rolled betel leaf spinning past the railing, toward the dark waters of the jamuna below. hawksworth sipped from the new cup of wine, his third, and watched the musicians begin to retune. around him the members of arangbar's inner circle were assembling in the _diwan-i-khas_. this must be evening dress in agra, he marveled: silk turbans studded with rubies and sapphires, diamond earrings, swords trimmed in gold and silver, pearl necklaces, cloaks of rich brocade, velvet slippers. the faces around him all betrayed the indolent eyes and pasty cheeks of men long indulged in rich food, hard spirits, sensuality. it was, he now realized, the fairyland that symmes had described that freezing day so long ago in the offices of the levant company. what man not a papist monk could resist the worldly seductions of the moghul's court? then he remembered the brave pathan who had been torn apart by a lion that very afternoon, while all arangbar's nobles watched unprotesting. on the signal of a eunuch standing by the doorway the drummer suddenly pounded out a loud, rhythmic fanfare, and then the sitarist took up a martial motif. the brocade drapery hanging inside a marble archway at the back of the room was drawn aside by a guard and a moment later arangbar swept into the room. the courtiers all bowed in the _teslim_, rising with their hands on their forehead. arangbar had changed to evening dress. he wore a dark velvet turban encrusted with jewels, tight-fitting patterned trousers beneath a transparent muslin skirt, and a gold brocade cinch at his waist. he clapped his hands in delight when he saw hawksworth holding a wine cup. "the ambassador has already tasted our persian wine. how do you find it, ambassador . . . khaw . . . ?" he stumbled over the name. "wait. the first thing we must do is rename you. henceforth we will call you 'inglish.' now, have we pronounced that properly?" "perfectly, your majesty. and, so please your majesty, the wine is excellent, though perhaps not as sweet as the wines of europe." "every _feringhi _says the same, inglish. but we will civilize you. and also teach you something about painting." he seized a glass of wine from a waiting eunuch and then shouted to nadir sharif, who had entered moments before from the back. "where are my five paintings?" "i'm told they will be ready before your majesty retires. the painters are still hard at work, so please your majesty." "it does not please me, but then i have no wager." he roared with amusement. "your stables will be reduced by a prize stallion come morning if the paintings are not ready soon. look to it." as nadir sharif bowed in acknowledgment, arangbar whirled to hawksworth. "tell me something about your king, inglish? how many wives does he have? we have hundreds." "he has but one, your majesty, and i believe she is mostly for show. king james prefers the company of young men." "very like most christians i've met. and you, inglish. have you any wives?" arangbar had already finished his first glass of wine and taken a second. "i have none, your majesty." "but you, i suspect, are not a jesuit, or a eunuch." "no, your majesty." "then we shall find you a wife, inglish." he took a ball of opium and washed it down with wine. "no, we will find you two. yes, you shall be well wived." "may it please your majesty, i have no means to care for a wife. i am here for only a season." hawksworth shifted uncomfortably. "you will only leave agra, inglish, when it is our pleasure. but if you will not have a wife, you must at least have a house." "i am arranging it now, your majesty." arangbar looked at hawksworth sharply, then continued as though he had not heard. "now tell us more about your king. we would know what he's like." hawksworth bowed as he tried to collect his thoughts. the wine was already toying with his brain. although most of what he knew about king james was hearsay, he knew he did not care for england's new king overly much. no english subject did. and idle seamen had reason to dislike him the most of all. he was not the sovereign elizabeth had been. "he's of middle stature, your majesty, not overly fat though he seems so since he always wears quilted, stiletto-proof doublets." arangbar seemed surprised. "is he not safe? has he no guards?" "he's a prudent man, your majesty, as befits a sovereign." and, hawksworth thought, also a coward, if you believe the talk in london. what all men know for fact, though, is that he's a weakling, whose legs are so spindly he has to be helped to walk, leaning on other men's shoulders while he fiddles spastically with his codpiece. "does your king wear many jewels, ambassador inglish?" "of course, your majesty." hawksworth drank calmly from his wine cup, hoping the lie would pass unnoticed. what would the moghul think if he knew the truth, hawksworth asked himself? that king james of england only changes his clothes when they are rags, and his fashion never. he was once, they say, given a spanish-style hat, and he cast it away, swearing he loved neither them nor their fashions. another time he was given shoes with brocade roses on them, and he railed at the giver, asking if he was to be made a ruff-footed dove. "is your king generous of nature, ambassador? we are loved by our people because we give of our bounty on every holy day. baskets of silver rupees are flung down the streets of agra." "king james is giving also, your majesty." with the moneys of others. he'd part willingly with a hundred pounds not in his own keeping before he'd release ten shillings from his private purse. and it's said he'd rather spend a hundred thousand pounds on embassies abroad, buying peace with bribes, than ten thousand on an army that would enforce peace with honor. "he is a man among men, your majesty, admired and loved by all his subjects." "as are we, ambassador." arangbar took another ball of opium and washed it down with a third glass of wine. "tell me, does your king drink spirits?" "it is said he drinks often, your majesty, though many declare it is more out of custom than delight. he drinks strong liquors--frontiniack, canary, high canary wine, tent wine, scottish ale--but never, it's said, more than a few spoonfuls." "then he could never drink with the moghul of india, ambassador. we have twenty cups of wine a night. and twelve grains of opium." arangbar paused as he accepted yet another glass. his voice had begun to slur slightly. "but perhaps your king can trade with me. when will the ships from your king's next voyage arrive? and how many of your king's frigates will we see yearly if we grant him the trading _firman _he requests?" hawksworth noticed out of the corner of his eye that nadir sharif had now moved directly beside him. the prime minister held a glass of wine from which he sipped delicately. around him the other courtiers were already drinking heavily, to the obvious approval of arangbar. he'll not finish a single glass of wine, if my guess is right. nadir sharif'll find a way to stay stone sober while the rest of the room sinks into its cups. and they'll all be too drunk to notice. "king james will one day send an armada of frigates, your majesty." keep arangbar's mind off the next voyage. he just may try to hold you here until it comes, or refuse to grant a _firman _until he sees the next batch of presents. "his majesty, king james, is always eager to trade the seas where his ships are welcome." "even if other nations of europe would quarrel with his rights to those seas?" "england has no quarrels in europe, your majesty. if you refer to the engagement off surat, you should know that was caused by a misunderstanding of the treaties that now exist in europe. england is at peace with all her neighbors." a skeptical silence seemed to envelop the room. arangbar took another cup of wine and drank it off. then he turned to hawksworth. "the matter, ambassador inglish, does not seem to us to be that simple. but we will examine it more later. nights are made for beauty, days for affairs of state." arangbar's voice had begun to slur even more noticeably. "you may have heard there will be a wedding here soon. my youngest prince is betrothed to the daughter of my queen. the wedding will be held one month after my own birthday celebration, and it will be an event to remember. tonight i begin the always-pleasant task of selecting the women who will dance. do you know anything of indian dance?" "very little, your majesty. i have only seen it once. in surat. at a gathering one evening at the palace of the shahbandar." arangbar roared and seized another glass of wine. "i can well imagine the kind of entertainment the shahbandar of surat provides for his guests. no, ambassador, i mean the real dance of india. the dance of great artists? perhaps you have classical dance in england?" "no, your majesty. we have nothing similar. at least similar to the dance i saw." "then a pleasant surprise awaits you." arangbar examined hawksworth's cup and motioned for a servant to refill it. "drink up, inglish. the evening is only beginning." arangbar clapped drunkenly and the guests began to settle themselves around the bolsters that had been strewn about the carpet. an ornate silk pillow was provided for each man to rest against, and a number of large hookahs, each with several mouthpieces, were lighted and stationed about the room. the servants also distributed garlands of yellow flowers, and as nadir sharif took his place next to hawksworth, he wrapped one of the garlands about his left wrist. with the other hand he set down his wineglass, still full, and signaled a servant to replenish hawksworth's. arangbar was reclining now on the throne, against his own bolster, and the oil lamps around the side of the room were lowered, leaving illumination only on the musicians and on a bare spot in the center of the carpet. the air was rich with the aroma of roses as servants passed shaking rosewater on the guests from long- necked silver decanters. the musicians were completing their tuning, and hawksworth noticed that now there were two drummers, a sitar player, and a new musician holding a _sarangi_. in the background another man sat methodically strumming a simple upright instrument, shaped like the sitar save it provided nothing more than a low-pitched droning, against which the other instruments had been tuned. next a man entered, wearing a simple white shirt, and settled himself on the carpet in front of the musicians. as silence gripped the room, arangbar signaled to the seated man with his wineglass and the man began to sing a low, soulful melody that seemed to consist of only a few syllables. "ga, ma, pa." the voice soared upward. "da, ni, sa." after a few moments hawksworth guessed he must be singing the names of the notes in the indian scale. they were virtually identical to the western scale, except certain notes seemed to be a few microtones higher or lower, depending whether approached from ascent or descent. the singer's voice soared slowly upward in pitch and volume, growing more intense as it quavered around certain of the high notes, while the sarangi player listened attentively and bowed the exact notes he sang, always seeming to guess which note he would find next. the song was melodic, and gradually what had at first seemed almost a dirge grew to be a poignant line of beauty. suddenly the singer's voice cut the air with a fast-tempo phrase, which was brief and immediately repeated, the second time to the accompaniment of the drum, as both players picked up the notes. on the third repetition of the phrase, the curtains on arangbar's right were swept aside and a young woman seemed to fairly burst across the room, her every skipping step announced by a band of tiny bells bound around her ankles and across the tops of her bare feet. as she spun into the light, she whirled a fast pirouette that sent her long braided pigtail--so long the end was attached to her waist-- whistling in an arc behind her. her flowered silk tunic flew outward from her spinning body, revealing all of her tight-fitting white trousers. she wore a crown of jewels, straight pendant earrings of emerald, and an inch- long string of diamonds dangled from the center of her nose. she paused for an instant, whirled toward arangbar, and performed a _salaam _with her right hand, fingers slightly bent, thumb across her palm as she raised her hand to her forehead. the movement was possessed of so much grace it seemed a perfect dance figure. "may i take the liberty of interpreting for you, ambassador?" nadir sharif ignored the hookah mouthpiece that another, slightly tipsy, guest was urging on him and slid closer to hawksworth. "kathak is an art, like painting or pigeon-flying, best appreciated when you know the rules." he pointed toward the dancer. "her name is sangeeta, and she has just performed the invocation. for the hindus it is a salute to their elephant-headed god ganesh. for muslims, it is a _salaam_." next she turned slowly toward the guests and struck a pose, one foot crossed behind the other, arms bent as though holding a drawn bow. as the _sarangi _played a slow, tuneful melody, she seemed to control the rhythm of the drums by quietly stroking together again and again the thumb and forefinger of each hand. the explosive tension in her body seemed focused entirely in this single, virtually imperceptible motion, almost as a glass marshals the power of the sun to a tiny point. then her eyes began to dart from side to side, and first one eyebrow and then the other lifted seductively. gradually the rhythm was taken up by her head, as it began to glide from side to side in a subtle, elegant expression that seemed an extension of the music. she had possessed the room almost as a spirit of pure dance, chaste, powerful, disciplined, and there was nothing of the overt suggestiveness of the nautch dancers of the shahbandar's courtyard. she wore a low-cut, tight vest of brocade over a long-sleeved silk shirt, and of her body only her hands, feet, and face were visible. it was these, hawksworth realized, not her body, that were the elements of kathak dance. "now she'll begin the second section of the dance. it's the introduction and corresponds to the opening of a raga. it sets the atmosphere and makes you long for more. i know of no _feringhi _who has ever seen kathak, but perhaps you can understand. do you feel it?" hawksworth sipped his wine slowly and tried to clear his head. in truth he felt very little, save the intensity that seemed to be held in check. "it appears to be rather subtle. very little seems to be happening." hawksworth drank again and found himself longing for a lively hornpipe. "a great deal will happen, ambassador, and very soon. in india you must learn patience." almost at that moment the drummers erupted with a dense rhythmic cycle and the _sarangi _took up a single repetitive phrase. sangeeta looked directly at hawksworth and called out a complex series of rhythmic syllables, in a melodic if slightly strident voice, all the while duplicating the exact pattern of sounds by slapping the henna-reddened soles of her feet against the carpet. then she glided across the carpet in a series of syncopated foot movements, saluting each of the guests in turn and calling out strings of syllables, after which she would dance a sequence that replicated the rhythm exactly, her feet a precise percussion instrument. "the syllables she recites are called _bols_, ambassador, which are the names of the many different strokes on the tabla drums. drummers sometimes call out a sequence before they play it. she does the same, except she uses her feet almost as a drummer uses his hands." as hawksworth watched, sangeeta called strings of syllables that were increasingly longer and more complex. he could not understand the _bols_, or perceive the rhythms as she danced them, but the drunken men around him were smiling and swinging their heads from side to side in what he took to be appreciative approval. suddenly arangbar shouted something to her and pointed toward the first drummer. the drummer beamed, nodded, and as sangeeta watched, called out a dense series of _bols_. then she proceeded to dance the sequence with her feet. the room exploded with cries of appreciation when she finished the sequence, and hawksworth assumed she had managed to capture the instructions the musician had called. then arangbar pointed to the other drummer and he also called out a string of _bols_, which again sangeeta repeated. finally the singer called a rhythm sequence, the most complex yet, and both dancer and drummer repeated them precisely together. as the tempo became wilder, sangeeta began a series of lightning spins, still pounding the carpet with her reddened soles, and in time she seemed to transform into a whirling top, her pigtail loose now and singing through the air like a deadly whip. she had become a blur, and for a brief moment she appeared to have two heads. hawksworth watched in wonder and sipped from his wine cup. "now she'll begin the last part, ambassador, the most demanding of all." the rhythm became almost a frenzy now. then as suddenly as they had begun the whirls ended. sangeeta struck a statuesque pose, arms extended in rigid curves, and began a display of intensely rhythmic footwork. her body seemed frozen in space as nothing moved save her feet. the bells on her ankles became a continuous chime, increasing in tempo with the drum and the _sarangi _until the rhythmic phrase itself was nothing more than a dense blur of notes, suddenly the drummer and instrumentalist fell silent, conceding the room to sangeeta's whirring bells. she seemed, at the last, to be treading on pure air, her feet almost invisible. when the intensity of her rhythm became almost unbearable, the drummers and _sarangi _player reentered, urging the excitement to a crescendo. a final phrase was introduced, repeated with greater intensity, and then a third and final time, ending with a powerful crash on the large drum that seemed to explode the tension in the room. several of the musicians cried out involuntarily, almost orgasmically, in exultation. in the spellbound silence that followed, the nobles around hawksworth burst into cheers. sangeeta seemed near collapse as she bowed to arangbar. the moghul smiled broadly, withdrew a velvet purse of coins from his cloak, and threw it at her feet. moments later several others in the room followed suit. with a second bow she scooped the purses from the carpet and vanished through the curtains. the cheers followed her long after she was gone. "what do you think, ambassador? you know half the men here would give a thousand gold _mohurs _to have her tonight." nadir sharif beamed mischievously. "the other half two thousand." "come forward." arangbar motioned to the singer sitting on the carpet. he was, hawksworth now realized, an aging, portly man with short white hair and a painful limp. as he approached arangbar's dais, he began removing the tiny cymbals attached to the fingers of one hand that he had used to keep time for the dancer. "he's her guru, her teacher." nadir sharif pointed to the man as he bowed obsequiously before the moghul. "if his majesty decides to select sangeeta to dance at the wedding, his fortune will be made. frankly i thought she was good, though there is still a trifle too much flair in her style, too many tricks. but then she's young, and perhaps it's too soon to expect genuine maturity. still, i noticed his majesty was taken with her. she could well find herself in the _zenana_ soon." arangbar flipped another purse of coins to the man, and then spoke to him curtly in persian. "his majesty has expressed his admiration, and says he may call him again after he has seen the other dancers." nadir sharif winked. "choosing the dancers is a weighty responsibility. naturally his majesty will want to carefully review all the women." the lamps brightened again and servants bustled about the carpet filling glasses and exchanging the burned-out tobacco chillum, clay bowls at the top of each hookah. when they had finished, arangbar took another glass of wine and signaled for the lamps to be lowered once more. a new group of musicians began filing into the room, carrying instruments hawksworth had never before seen. first came the drummer, who carried not the two short tabla drums but rather a single long instrument, designed to be played at both ends simultaneously. a singer entered next, already wearing small gold cymbals on each hand. finally a third man entered, carrying nothing but a piece of inch-thick bamboo, less than two feet in length and perforated with a line of holes. arangbar looked quizzically at nadir sharif. as though reading the question, the prime minister rose and spoke in turki. "this one's name is kamala, your majesty. she is originally from the south, but now she is famous among the hindus in agra. although i have never seen her dance, i assumed your majesty would want to humor the hindus by auditioning her." "we are a sovereign of all our subjects. i have never seen this hindu dance. nor these instruments of the south. what are they called?" "the drum is called a mirdanga, majesty. they use it in the south with a type of sitar they call the veena. the other instrument is a bamboo flute." arangbar shifted impatiently. "tell them this should be brief." nadir sharif spoke quickly to the musicians in a language few in the room seemed to understand. they nodded and immediately the flautist began a haunting lyric line that bathed the room in a soft, echoing melody. hawksworth was startled that so simple an instrument could produce such rich, warm tones. the curtains parted and a tall, elaborately jeweled woman swept across the carpet. she took command of the space around her, possessed it, almost as though it were part of her being. her long silk _sari _had been gathered about each leg so that it seemed like trousers, and her every step was announced by dense bracelets of bells at her ankles. most striking, however, was her carriage. hawksworth had never before seen such dignity of motion. as he stared at her, he realized she was wearing an immense, diamond- encrusted nose ring and long pendant earrings, also of diamonds. not even the moghul wore stones to equal hers. her face was heavily painted, but still he suspected she might no longer be in the first bloom of youth. her self-assurance was too secure. she knew exactly who she was. she turned her back to arangbar as she reverently gave an invocation, both hands together and raised above her head, to some absent god. the only sound was the slow, measured cadence of the drum. suddenly it seemed as though her body had captured some perfect moment of balance, a feeling of timelessness within time. hawksworth glanced toward arangbar, whose irritation was obvious. how can she be so imprudent as to ignore him? aren't hindus afraid of him? what was her name? kamala? his eyes shot back to the woman. kamala. can she be the woman kali spoke of that last night in surat? the lotus woman? nadir sharif said she was famous. "just who are you?" arangbar's voice cut through the carpeted room, toward the woman's back. he was speaking turki, and he was outraged. kamala whirled on him. "one who dances for shiva, in his aspect as nataraj, the god of the dance. for him and for him alone." "what do you call this dance for your infidel god?" "bharata natyam. the dance of the temple. the sacred tradition as old as india itself. the god shiva set the world in motion by the rhythms of his dance. my dance is a prayer to shiva." kamala's eyes snapped with hatred. "i dance for no one else." "you were summoned here to dance for me." arangbar pulled himself drunkenly erect. around the room the nobles began to shift uneasily, their bleary eyes filling with alarm. "then i will not dance. you have the world in your hands. but you cannot possess the dance of shiva. our dance is prescribed in the natya shastra of the ancient sage bharata. over a thousand years ago he declared that dance is not merely for pleasure; dance is the blending of all art, religion, philosophy. it gives mankind wisdom, discipline, endurance. through dance we are allowed to know the totality of all that is. my dance is not for your sport." arangbar's anger increased, but now it was leavened with puzzlement. "if you will not dance your shiva dance, then dance kathak." "the dance muslims call kathak is the perversion of yet another of our sacred traditions. perhaps there are some hindu dancers who will, for muslim gold, debase the ancient kathak dance of india, will make it a display of empty technique for the amusement of india's oppressors. muslims and"--she turned and glared at hawksworth--"now _feringhi_. but i will not do it. the kathak you want to see is no longer true kathak. it has been made empty, without meaning. i will never debase our true kathak dance for you, as others have done, any more than i will dedicate a performance of bharata natyam to a mortal man." the guards near the entrance of the _diwan-i-khas _had all tensed, their hands dropping uneasily to their swords. "i have heard enough. a man who dared speak to me as you have would be sent to the elephants. you, i think, deserve more. since you speak to your god through dance, you do not need a tongue." arangbar turned to summon the waiting guards when, at the rear of the _diwan-i-khas_, the figure of the chief painter emerged, his assistants trailing behind. they carried a long, thin board. nadir sharif spotted them and immediately leaped to his feet, almost as though he had been expecting their entrance. "your majesty." he quickly moved between arangbar and kamala, who stood motionless. "the paintings have arrived. i'm ready for my horse. let the english ambassador see them now." arangbar looked up in confusion, his eyes half closed from the opium. then he saw the painters and remembered. "bring them in." suddenly his alertness seemed to return. "i want to see five inglish kings." the paintings were brought to the foot of arangbar's dais, and he inspected them drunkenly, but with obvious satisfaction. "ambassador inglish. have a look." arangbar called toward the hushed shadows of the seated guests. a path immediately cleared among the bolsters, as hookahs were pushed aside, wineglasses seized. hawksworth walked unsteadily forward, his mind still stunned by the imminent death sentence waiting for the woman. as he passed her, he sensed her powerful presence and inhaled her musky perfume. there was no hint of fear in her eyes as she stood waiting, statuesque and defiant. by the time he reached the throne, eunuchs were waiting with candles, one on each side of the board, bathing it in flickering light. on it was a line of five english miniatures of king james, each approximately an inch square. good jesus, they're identical. am i so drunk i can't tell a painting of king james? he looked up shakily at arangbar, whose smile was a gloat. "well, ambassador inglish. what say you? are the painters of my school equal to any your king has?" "one moment, majesty. until my eyes adjust." hawksworth grasped one edge of the board to steady himself. behind him there were murmurs of delight and he caught the word "_feringhi_." as he walked along the board, studying each painting in turn, he suddenly noticed that the reflection of the candlelight was different for one. the paint is still wet on the new portraits. that's the difference. or is it? are my eyes playing tricks? damn me for letting nadir sharif fill my wineglass every chance he had. "come, ambassador inglish. we do not have all night." arangbar's voice was brimming with triumph. hawksworth studied the paintings more closely. yes, there's a slight difference. the colors on the one painting are slightly different. duller. they didn't use varnish. and there are fewer shadows. theirs are more two-dimensional. "i'm astounded, your majesty. but i believe this is the one by isaac oliver." hawksworth pointed to the painting second from the right end. "let me see them again." arangbar's voice was a husky slur. "i will tell if you have guessed correctly." the board was handed up. arangbar glanced at the paintings for only an instant. "you have guessed right, ambassador inglish. and i realize how you did it. the light from the candles." "the portraits are identical, your majesty. i confess it." "so we have won our point. and you won the wager, inglish. still, you won only because of my haste. tomorrow you would not have known. do you admit it?" "i do, your majesty." hawksworth bowed slightly. "so, you did not really win the wager after all. we lost it. but i am a man of honor. we will release nadir sharif from his pledge. i am the one who must pay. what would you have? perhaps a diamond?" "the wager was only for a horse, your majesty." hawksworth was stunned. "no. that was the wager of nadir sharif. you have won a wager from a king. yours must be the payment of a king. if not a jewel, then what would you have?" before hawksworth could reply, nadir sharif stepped forward and bent toward arangbar. "if i may be allowed to suggest, your majesty, the _feringhi _needs a woman. give him this dancer. let him amuse himself with her until you can find a suitable wife for him." arangbar looked toward hawksworth with glazed eyes. it was obvious he had already forgotten about kamala. "the kathak dancer who was here? she was excellent. yes, that would be perfect." "your majesty of course means the woman standing here now." nadir sharif directed arangbar's groggy gaze toward kamala, who stood mutely, eyes flashing. "there she is. of course. what do you say to her, inglish?" hawksworth was astounded by nadir sharifs quickness of wit. he's saved the woman. he's a genius. of course i'll take her. good jesus, there's been enough bloodshed today. "the woman would be the gift of a great prince, your majesty." "so there's manhood about you after all, inglish. i had begun to think you were like your king." arangbar laughed in delight. "so it's a woman you would have, ambassador? merciful allah, i have too many now. perhaps you would like two. i recall there's an armenian christian somewhere in the _zenana_. perhaps several. they're said to be as lusty as the portuguese harlots in goa." he choked for a moment on laughter. "let me summon the eunuchs." "this one will do for now, your majesty." think how to phrase this. "merely to serve me." "yes, she will 'serve' you, ambassador. or we will have her head. if she would amuse you, she's yours." kamala's look met hawksworth's. it was strangely without emotion. then arangbar suddenly remembered kamala's defiance and turned to study her again with half-closed eyes. "but not this one. it must be the other one you want. this one will be hanged tonight, in a room far beneath the _zenana_. after she has answered for her words. tomorrow her carcass will pollute the jamuna. a man in her place would already be dead." "may it please your majesty, it would satisfy me even more to have this one." hawksworth paused. "perhaps it's what the english call honor. we both know i did not win our wager fairly. only by taking something of no value, like this woman, could i maintain my honor, and my king's." "you are persuasive, inglish, and i am drunk. but not too drunk to suspect you've taken a fancy to this infidel. but if you prefer her to the other, then so be it. we offered you whatever you wished. she's yours. but never let her be seen on the streets of agra again. we will have her cut down." "as please your majesty." "it's done." arangbar turned to nadir sharif. "is it true you've found a house for the inglish?" "i have, your majesty." "then send her there." he turned to hawksworth. "allah protect you from these infidel hindus, inglish. they have none of your inglish honor." "i humbly thank your majesty." jesus christ, i've just been imprisoned in a house staffed by nadir sharifs hand-picked spies. "enough. we've been told to retire early tonight. her majesty thinks we drink to excess." he laughed a slurred chortle. "but we will see you tomorrow, inglish. to talk more. we have much to discuss. we want to hear what gifts your king is preparing for us. we would very much like a large mastiff from europe. we hear they hunt game like a _chitah._" arangbar drew himself up shakily and two eunuchs immediately were at his side, helping him from the white marble throne. none of the guests moved until he had passed through the curtains. immediately the eunuchs began moving about the room, extinguishing the lamps. by the time the guests assembled to leave, the room was virtually dark. kamala and the musicians had been escorted from the room by arangbar's guards. suddenly hawksworth felt nadir sharifs hand on his arm. "that was a noble thing you did, ambassador. we all owe you a debt of thanks. i have rarely seen his majesty so out of temper. the repercussions could have been distressing for many of us." "it was your idea." "merely a quick fancy, an act of desperation. but without your cooperation it would have been impossible. i do thank you." "there's nothing to thank me for." hawksworth drew his arm away. "where's this house you've found for me?" nadir sharif sighed. "finding a secure lodging these days is more difficult than you might first imagine, ambassador. but you were in luck. i remembered there's a small lodge in my palace grounds that is unoccupied. i did not reckon on quarters for two, but of course the woman will be living with your servants. the house should serve until something more fitting can be found." "my thanks." damn you. "when do i move there?" "your effects have already been moved, on his majesty's authority. you can come tonight. my men will show you there. your dinner is probably waiting." at that moment the last lamp was extinguished. along with the other guests they groped their way out of the _diwan-i-khas _in total darkness. chapter eighteen "many years ago i was a _devadasi_." kamala sat, pillowless, on the carpet, watching as hawksworth ate. her musicians, the flautist and the drummer, knelt silently behind her. nadir sharif's servants stood by, nervously attentive, pretending to ignore everyone but hawksworth. the white plaster walls of the lamp-lit room fairly flashed with kamala's diamonds. "do you know what that is?" hawksworth shook his head, his mouth gorged with roast lamb. the room was filled with its aroma. it was his first lamb since burhanpur, and he was ravenous. "does that mean yes?" kamala's turki was surprisingly good. hawksworth suddenly remembered the curious indian convention of swinging the head from side to side to signify concurrence. he had meant to say no, which in indian body language was an almost un-reproducible twist of the neck. he swallowed the lamb and reached for another shank. "no. i meant no. is that a kind of dancer?" "it means 'a servant of the gods.' in south india there's a special caste of women who serve in the great stone temples, who are married to the god of the temple. when we are very young we have a marriage ceremony, like any wedding. except we are a bride of the temple. and then we serve its god with music and with our dance." hawksworth examined her quizzically. "you mean you were like a nun?" "what is that?" "they're something like papist priests. women who give themselves to god, or at least to the pope's church." hawksworth paused awkwardly. "and claim to be married to christ, so they never lie with a man." kamala looked at him with surprise. "not even the high-caste men who come to the temple? but how, then, do they serve this christian god? by dance only?" "nuns aren't known to do much dancing. they mainly . . . well, i don't really know what they do, except claim to be virgins." "virgins!" kamala exploded in laughter. "this christian god must be a eunuch. we _devadasis _serve the temple with our bodies, not with empty words." "then what exactly did you do?" hawksworth looked up and examined her. "i was at the famous shiva temple of brihadishwari in tanjore, the great fountainhead of bharata natyam dance in india. there we danced for the god of the temple, and we danced too at the courts of the dravidian kings of the south." she hesitated, then continued. "devadasis there also honor the temple god by lying with men of high caste who come to worship, and by wearing the jewels they give us. it's all part of our sacred tradition." she laughed as she watched the disbelief flood hawks- worth's face. "i gather we must be quite different from your christian 'nuns.' but you know _devadasis _are honored in the south. many are granted lands by the men they know, and though they can never marry, _devadasis _sometimes become attached to a man and bear his children. but our children always take our name and are dedicated to the temple. our daughters become _devadasis _also, and our sons temple musicians. our dance gurus are part of a hereditary guild, and they are esteemed above all men. they are the ones who preserve and pass down the sacred bharata natyam dance. you may not believe me when i tell you we are highly revered by the kings who reign in the south, lands where the moghuls fear to tread. they know we are special among women. we are cultivated artists, and among the few hindu women in india who teach our daughters to read and write." "i'll believe you." hawksworth studied her, not quite sure it was true. "but if you're dedicated to a temple in the south, why are you here in agra?" kamala's dark eyes grew lifeless, and then she turned away. "i'm no longer a true _devadasi_. in truth, i have not danced at my temple for many years. the first time the moghul's army invaded the south, a rajput officer who had deserted came to our temple to hide. he fell in love with me and forced me to come with him when he returned to agra, telling me i must dance for him only." her voice hardened. "but i never danced for him, not once. and three years later he was killed in a campaign in bengal. since that time i have had to live by my own hand. for many years now i've lived by teaching dance to the _tavaifs _in agra." "who?" "_tavaifs_. muslim dancing girls. courtesans who live in beautiful houses here and entertain men. there are many in agra and in the city of lucknow to the east." kamala's tone grew vague. "and i teach them other things as well." "but why did you insult the moghul tonight? do you really believe all the things you said?" "what i said was not a 'belief.' i don't understand what you mean by that. things either are or they are not. what does it matter whether we 'believe' them? but what i did was foolish, i agree. impulsive. i so despise the moghuls. you know, i told the moghul's prime minister this afternoon i would never dance for arangbar, that nothing could make me, but he forced me to come anyway." hawksworth's eyes narrowed, and he dropped the shank of lamb he was holding. "what did you say! nadir sharif knew all along you would refuse to dance for arangbar?" "of course he knew. and i knew arangbar would order me killed. that's why i wore all my diamonds. i thought if i was to die, it must be my dharma."' she paused. "and you know, it's strange but i felt nothing. except perhaps pity for my pretty little courtesans. some of them are only girls, and i wondered who would teach them after i was gone." hawksworth was no longer listening. he was trying to remember the exact sequence of what had happened in the _diwan-i-khas_. he arranged it, the bastard. even the paintings. nadir sharif played with me like a puppet. just so he could send her here. he knew i'd try to save her. but why would he do it, and in such a way i was never supposed to know? is this so--called dancer supposed to be another of his spies? "you said you worshipped a god named shiva. i thought hindus worshiped krishna." kamala looked at him with surprise. "you know of krishna? yes, he is the god worshiped by the rajputs of the north. but he is a young god. lord shiva is the ancient god of south india. he presides over the generation of life. his lingam symbolizes the male half of the force that created the universe." "and i suppose you're about to tell me that's the part of him you worship." hawksworth kept a straight face. "he is revered in many aspects, including nataraj, the god of the dance. but yes, his lingam is worshiped. have you seen the round stone pillars wreathed in garlands of flowers?" "as a matter of fact . . ." hawksworth paused, then looked at her sharply. "there was something of that sort in the porters' lodge of the customs house at surat, where my men and i were kept the morning we arrived." "those pillars symbolize shiva's lingam. let me tell you about it. once, back in the time of the gods, lord shiva was burdened with unhappiness. he was bereaved of his consort and weary with his being. and he wandered into a forest, where there were sages and their wives. but the sages scorned lord shiva, because he was haggard, and they forsook him in his time of sadness. so he had to make his way through the forest begging alms. however, the women of these sages felt love for him, and they left the beds of their men and followed him. when the sages saw their wives leaving to follow shiva, they set a curse on him. their curse was that his lingam would fall to the ground. then one day shiva did shed his lingam. and he was gone. only his lingam remained, emerging upright from the earth. it had become stone, and it was of infinite length. all the other gods came to worship it, and told mankind to do likewise. they said that if it was worshiped, shiva's consort, the goddess parvati, would come to receive the lingam in her _yoni_, and the earth would be made fertile. and even now we worship the stone lingam, set erect with a stone _yoni _as its base. we honor them with flowers and fire and incense. shiva and parvati are a symbol of the creation of life." she looked at him, puzzling. "don't christians have such a symbol?" "not quite like that one." hawksworth suppressed a grin. "i guess the main symbol for christians is the cross." "what do you mean?" "christians believe the son of the christian god came down to earth and sacrificed himself on a cross. so the cross became a symbol for that act." "yes, i've seen that symbol. jesuits wear them, covered with jewels. but i never knew its meaning." kamala paused, seeming to ponder the idea. "somehow though it seems very static. surely there are other symbols the christians have, symbols more dynamic and powerful." "i suppose christians think it's pretty powerful." "but don't christians have any symbols like our bronze statues of the dancing shiva? lord shiva, in his aspect as nataraj, the god of the dance, embodies everything in the world." "that's what you said to arangbar." hawksworth examined her and tried to clear his mind of the wine. "but i don't understand why you think symbols are so important, whatever their meaning." "symbols are a visible sign of things we know but can't actually see, like an idea." kamala's voice was soft and warm. "all right. but it's hard to imagine how one symbol could contain everything, no matter what it is." "but the dancing shiva does, my handsome _feringhi_. perhaps you have not seen it. it came out of the great civilization of the south. let me explain it for you, and then perhaps you will understand why dance is the deepest form of worship." kamala rose, bells tinkling, and assumed a dance posture, arms outstretched, one foot raised across the other. nadir sharifs muslim servants paused to stare in amazement. "the bronze statues of dancing shiva have four arms, so you will have to imagine the other two. one leg is crossed over the other and raised, as you see now. and the figure stands inside a great circle of bronze." she made a momentary sweep around her body with her hands. "on this circle are flame tips everywhere pointing outward. the circle signifies the world as we know it, the world of time and of things, and the flame tips are the limitless energy of the universe. lord shiva dances within this great circle, because he is everywhere. in fact, the universe itself was created through his dance. and our world here is merely his _lila_, his sport" "you mean he created both good and bad? christians believe there's evil only because woman tempted man into sin somewhere along the way." "sin? what do you mean by that?" kamala stared at him blankly for a moment. "whatever it is, shiva created it. his dance created everything in nature." "what does he look like, besides having four arms?" "first, he has long hair, which represents the hair of the yogi, the contemplative one, and this long hair streams out from his head, to the very ends of the universe, since he has all knowledge. and each of his four arms has a different meaning. in this one, the upper right arm, he holds a small drum, signifying sound, music and words, the first thing that appeared in the universe. and in his left hand he holds a burning fire, his symbol of destruction. he creates and he also destroys. his lower right hand is held up in a sign." she held up her hand, palm out as though in a blessing. "this is a _mudra_, part of the hand language we use in the dance, and it means 'fear not'; it is his benediction of peace. the fourth hand points down toward his feet. one foot is crushing a repugnant, powerful dwarf, who represents man's willfulness, and the other is held up against the forces of the earth, signifying man's spiritual freedom." kamala paused and looked at hawksworth hopefully. "do you understand? do you see how the dancing shiva symbolizes everything--space, time, creation, destruction? and also hope." hawksworth scratched his head in silent confoundment. kamala watched him, then sighed and resumed her seat on the floor. "then just try to feel what i am saying. words really cannot express these ideas as well as dance. when we dance we invoke the energy, and the life force, that moves through the world, outside its great cycles of time." hawksworth picked up his wineglass and drew on it. "to tell the truth, i find your hindu symbols a trifle abstract." "but they're not, really. they merely embody truths already within us. like the life force. we do not have to think about it. it's simply there. and we can reach out and experience this force when woman and man join together in union. that is our _lila_, our play. that's why we worship lord shiva with dance, and with _kama_." as hawksworth watched, sipping his wine and scarcely understanding her words, he realized he had begun to desire this bizarre woman intensely. "you haven't told me what _kama _is." "that's because i'm not sure you can understand." she scrutinized him professionally. "how old are you?" "i'm closer to forty than thirty." "time, i think, has treated you harshly. or is it the spirits you drink?" "what's wrong with a bit of grog now and then?" "i think you should not drink so much. i drink nothing. look at me." she pushed back the hair from both sides of her forehead. her face was flawless. "you know most muslims despise their women after thirty, usually before, but many young officers still ask to visit me. can you guess how old i am?" "a woman only asks that if she thinks she looks younger than she is." "i'm over fifty." she examined him directly, invitingly. "how much over you must only speculate." "i don't want to. i'm still trying to figure out what exactly happened tonight." he studied her. "but whatever it was, i'm not sure i care anymore." hawksworth shoved aside his plates of lamb and rice pilaf and watched as the servants began hastily clearing the carpet. in the quiet that followed he reached behind him to his chest, opened the latch, and took out his lute. kamala watched with curiosity. "what instrument is that?" "someone in surat once called it an english sitar." kamala laughed. "it's far too plain for that. but it does have a simple beauty. will you play it for me?" "for you, and for me." hawksworth strummed a chord. the white plaster walls echoed back the wave of notes, a choir of thin voices. "it brings back my sea legs when i'm ashore." "now i do not understand you. but i will listen." he began a short, plaintive galliard. suddenly his heart was in london, with honest english faces, clear english air. and he felt an overwhelming ache of separation. he played through to the end, then wistfully laid the lute aside. after a moment kamala reached for his wineglass and held it for him, waiting. "the music of your english sitar is simple, young ambassador. like the instrument itself. but i think it moves you. perhaps i felt something of your loneliness in the notes." she paused and studied him quietly. "but you yourself are not simple. nothing about you comes easily. i sense you are filled with something you cannot express." she looked at him a moment longer, and then her voice came again, soft as the wine. "why did you say what you did to arangbar tonight? i was nothing to you. you violated my _dharma_. perhaps it is true, as many tell me, that i have mastered the arts of _kama _more fully than any woman in agra, but still there is less and less pleasure in my life. what will you do now? perhaps you think i belong to you, like some courtesan you have bought. but you are wrong. i belong to no man." "you're here because someone wanted you here." hawksworth glanced around them. the room was empty now save for kamala's two musicians. "i don't know why, but i do know you're the first person i've met in a long time who was not afraid of arangbar. the last one was a woman in surat." hawksworth paused suddenly. "i'm starting to wonder if you know her." "i don't know anyone in surat." she swept him with her eyes. "but what does some woman in surat have to do with me?' "perhaps someone thought i should meet you." "who? someone in surat? but why?" "perhaps she thought i needed . . . i don't know exactly." "then tell me what you mean by 'need'? that's an odd phrase, a _feringhi _expression. perhaps you mean our meeting is part of your _dharma_?" "you mean like it's a rajput's _dharma _to be a warrior and kill?" "_dharma_ can be many things. it's what each of us must do, our purpose." "that's something i've heard before." "but do you know what your _dharma_ is?" "i'm still trying to find it. maybe it's to be here . . ." "and then what?" "i'm . . . i guess i'm still working out the rest." "well, for hindus there's a second aim in life besides our honoring our dharma. we call it _artha_. that aim is to have things. knowledge, wealth, friends. is that part of why you're here?" kamala smiled scornfully. "some merchants seem to believe _artha _is their primary aim." "it can't be for me. i somehow always manage to lose whatever i have." "hindus also believe there's a third aim in life, my handsome _feringhi_. and that's _kama_. it's to take pleasure in the senses." "i think i like the sound of that better than the other two." "do not speak of it lightly. for hindus it is just as essential as the other two aims. _kama _is taught by lord shiva and his consort parvati. it means love, pleasure, the primal force of desire." she stared at hawksworth for a long moment, and then at the lute standing in the corner. "music is part of _kama_. it's one way we experience beauty and pleasure. that's the _kama _of the heart. but there's also _kama _of the body, and i do not think you yet know it. your music betrays you. you are a man of sensuality." kamala looked at him regretfully. "but not of the sensuous. do you even understand the difference?" "how do you know what i am?" "remember i was once a _devadasi_. it's my _dharma _to know the hearts of men. who they are and what gives them pleasure." she fell silent for a moment, then continued. "the sensualist is one who only knows his own feelings; the one who is sensuous knows also how to give." hawksworth shifted uncomfortably, uncertain how to reply. "do you, ambassador _feringhi_, touch a woman with the same feeling you touch the strings of your english sitar?" "i don't see any connection." "the arts of _kama _are not unlike the mastery of your sitar. you can spend a lifetime learning to sound its notes, but you do not create music unless your hand is in touch with your heart, with _prahna_, the breath of life. it's the same with _kama_." she paused discreetly. "have you ever known it with a woman in india?" "well . . . i knew a courtesan in surat who . . ." kamala's eyes hardened, but her voice remained dulcet. "is this the woman you spoke of?" "no, this was a different woman. her name was kali and she was thrown out of arangbar's _zenana_." "ah, she was probably badly trained. but still. did you feel the force of _kama_ with this surat courtesan?" hawksworth shifted again, uneasily. "that's not the type of thing we normally talk about in england." "don't be foolish. you judge the skill of a musician. why not of a courtesan?" she turned and said something hawksworth did not understand. both musicians immediately rose and moved a screen across the corner of the room where they were sitting. then, from behind the screen came the first notes of a simple, poignant melody, the soft tones of the bamboo swelling slowly to envelop the room in their gentleness. "i have asked him to play the _alap_, the opening section, of a south indian raga for you. to help you understand. his music has the life breath of _prahna_. he speaks to lord shiva with his music. _kama_ too must come from the heart. if we are worthy, we evoke the life-giving power within us." her eyes snapped back to hawksworth. "but tell me more about this surat courtesan." "perhaps i'm not entirely qualified to judge. she certainly knew more tricks than most women in england." "that's not surprising. it's well known _feringhi _women know nothing of pleasure." kamala paused and studied hawksworth carefully with her dark eyes. "but i've never known a _feringhi _who could move my senses with music. you did that just now, even though i don't understand how. i cannot dance for you; that is for shiva. but i want to touch you." she shifted on the carpet until she was at hawksworth's feet. with a gentle motion she removed a boot and quickly ran a finger across one toe. nerves throughout his body tingled unexpectedly. "what did you do just then?" "the secret of _kama _is touch. to touch and be touched by one we desire always gives pleasure. do you understand what i mean?" "is that _kama_?" "a very small part." "you know, the courtesan in surat actually told me about you. she said you had a book . . . an ancient text." kamala laughed and began to remove the other boot. "and i've always heard that _feringhi _think everything can be put in books. you probably mean the _kama sutra_. whoever told you about it has probably never seen it. of course i have it, and i can tell you it is one of the great frauds of india. it was compiled by a musty scholar named vatsyayana, who obviously knew nothing about giving pleasure, and simply copied things here and there from much older books. it's amusing, perhaps, but it's also pedantic and ignorant. it's certainly not sensuous, and the reason is he knew nothing about desire. he probably had none. he only knew how to make lists of things, like ways of biting and scratching during love play, but he had no idea why these are exciting." she stroked the other foot very lightly along the arch with her long red fingernail, and again a bolt of sensation shot through him. "i'm beginning to see your point." "i don't think you understand anything yet. did you know the pleasure, the power, the beauty possible in your music on the very first day you touched a string of this instrument?" "i knew there was something in music that moved me, but i wasn't sure what it was." "and now, many years later, you know." she shifted next to him and began unfastening the bells on her ankles. they chimed gently as she carefully laid them aside. then she opened a small silver box she had brought and placed a red dot in the middle of her forehead, just below the pendant jewel. "i sense the first stirrings of _kama _inside me now. the awakening of desire. and because i feel it, i know you must feel it too." she loosened his doublet and pushed him gently against the bolster. the notes of the flute wound through the dark air around them. kamala listened a moment in silence, then slowly rose off the bolster. she stood before him, holding his gaze with her eyes, and pulled away the heavy, jeweled belt at the waist of her dance sari. she dropped it at his feet, never averting her eyes. then she made a half turn and twisted her hip gracefully into a voluptuous bulge. the silk clung even tighter to the statuesque curve of her legs as she crossed her feet with an almost ceremonial deliberation. wordlessly she slowly drew the silk end of the _sari _from across her shoulder and let it drop before her, revealing the curve of a perfectly spherical breast. seen from behind her body was fixed in a perfect double curve, a sensuous "s" whose top was the full line of her half-revealed breast and whose bottom was the rounded edge of her hip. in those few simple motions she had transmuted her body, as though through some deep cultural memory, into an ancient fertility totem, a prayer for the bounty of the human loins. it was, hawksworth suddenly realized, a pose identical to that of a statue he'd seen in a mossy temple in mandu, on the way north from burhanpur. it was the essence of the female principle, sharing with the earth itself the power of life. that stone goddess had automatically stirred his desire, as it had the desire of man thousands of years before, as it was meant to do. now it stood before him. before he could move, she turned again and swept up the pleats of silk that comprised the front of her _sari_. she whipped the loose ends of silk about her head once, twice, and magically it seemed to evaporate from her body. all that remained was a small drape of silk about her waist, held in place by a thin band of jade. her body was like ivory, perfect from the band at her neck to the small rings on her toes, and her breasts billowed full and geometrically round, a long necklace of pearls nestled between them. as hawksworth stared at her dumbfounded, the drummer commenced a finely metered rhythm timed exactly with his heartbeat. she moved to hawksworth's side and slid her left hand beneath his open doublet. "the very first note of a raga can contain everything if it is sounded with _prahna_. and the first touch between a man and a woman can become the om, the syllable that carries the totality of creation." her hand glided over his body with the gentleness of a feather, and in moments his ambassador's ensemble slipped away like some superfluous ancient skin. he looked at her again, still overwhelmed by her physical perfection, and reached to touch the curve of her breast. her hand stopped his in midair. "shiva, in his dance, had four hands. but he did not use them for touch. do you want to feel the touch of my breasts? then feel them with your body." she guided him over, across the round bolster, then rose above him. "your body is hard and firm, like the stone lingam of shiva. but your skin still has a hidden softness, like a covering of raw silk." he felt the hard touch of her nipple as it began to trace the crease of his back. it moved slowly, tantalizingly, trailing just at the skin. now the musk of her perfume had begun to hover about his head, fogging his mind even more. but the sensation of her touch, and the knowledge it was the breast he wanted exquisitely to hold, attuned his starved senses to everything around him, even the quiet rhythm of her breath. suddenly, without warning, she slid the tip of her long red fingernail sharply down the same crease in his back, where his nerves strained for sensation. he felt a delicious burst of pain, and whirled to meet her smiling eyes. "what . . .?" "do you see now how your sense of touch can be awakened? now you may touch my breasts, but only with the nails of your fingers. here." she drew him to his feet and twined one leg about his body, her heel in the small of his back, enveloping him with her warmth as though it were a cloak. then she embraced him with her thighs and took his hands in her own, forcing a pattern of scratches on each of her breasts with his nails. each was different, and each time she pressed his hand, she named the shape of, the mark. her breathing grew increasingly rapid from the pain, and soon both her breasts were decorated with a garland of hard red lines. at last hawksworth tried to speak, but she seized his lower lip between her teeth while her nails quickly imprinted a pattern of identical scratches across his own chest. he found the pain oddly exhilarating. it seemed to flow between their bodies, attuning them deeply one to the other. instinctively he moved to take her, but she twined herself even tighter about him, unattainable. then, when he thought he could endure it no longer, she lowered herself easily against the bolster. he scarcely noticed as the pace of the drum intensified. "remember, you cannot touch with your hands. anything else is allowed." the wine had saturated his mind, but now he found the pleasure of desiring of her body overwhelming. he moved across her lightly with the tip of his tongue, first tasting her lips, then her dark nipples, then the ivory-smooth arch beneath her arms. there her skin was soft as a child's and so sensitive he caused her to shudder involuntarily. he teased her slowly, languorously, until she erupted with cries of pleasure. then he moved his tongue slowly down her body, trailing the circle of the navel lightly to find the few light wisps of down she had failed to banish. these he teased lightly with his breath until he sensed she could endure it no longer. then he traced his sex along the inside of her thighs, upward to the fringe of her silk wrap, until at last they were both lost in desire. with a quick motion she rose and drew astride his body, still scarcely touching him. the silk at her waist came away in her hands and without a sound she twined it into a moist rope. kneeling above him now she drew it slowly across the tips of her own nipples, then across his. then she pulled the binding of jewels from her hair and with a toss of her head spread the dark strands across his chest. as he watched, she seized the ends of her hair and began to draw them slowly, expertly, against the sensitive underside of the phallus that stood beneath her. her breath came in short bursts as she drew close enough to tease her own sex as well. he knew he had lost when he felt his last attempts at restraint dissolve. then her breath told him she had lost as well. with their eyes joined, each exquisitely aware of the other's imminent resolution, she quickly slipped her left hand beneath her and caught the uppermost tip of the phallus with her nails, holding it taut, the pain intensifying his pleasure. she had directed the pulse at the point of her own ecstasy, guiding the warm seed exactly as she wanted, against her own hard bud. as it struck her, she gave the _sitkrita _cry of release and with a hard shudder fell across him, loin against loin, exquisitely replete. as the drummer pounded the final _sum _of the raga, hawksworth realized she used his resolution to bring her own. without their bodies touching. the room lay silent about them, as though enfolded in their content. only their hard breath remained. "i never knew lovemaking could be so intense." he startled himself by his own admission. "because i loved you with more than just with my body." she smiled at him carefully and reached out to touch the marks on his chest. "but that was merely the first stage of _kama_. are you ready now for the second?" chapter nineteen nadir sharif studied the pigeon as it glided onto the red sandstone ledge and rustled its feathers in exhausted satisfaction. it cocked its white-spotted head for a moment as it examined the prime minister, then waddled contentedly toward the water cup waiting just inside the carved stone pigeon house. he immediately recognized it as one of the birds he kept stationed in gwalior, his last pigeon stage en route to agra from the south. the cylinder bound to its leg, however, was not one of his own. imprinted on its silver cap was the seal of the new portuguese viceroy of goa, miguel vaijantes. nadir sharif waited patiently for the pigeon to drink. he knew well the rewards of patience. he had waited patiently, studying the _feringhi_, for a full week. and he had learned almost all he needed to know. the englishman had been invited to durbar every day since his arrival. arangbar was diverted by his stories and bemused by his rustic gifts. (the only gift that had not entertained arangbar was the book of maps he had wheedled out of the englishman, which upon inspection showed india as something far less than the greatest continent on the globe. but arangbar found the map's rendering of india's coastline to be sufficiently naive to cast the accuracy of the entire book into question.) this was the first _feringhi _arangbar had ever met who could speak turkish and understand his native turki, and the moghul rejoiced in being able to snub the jesuits and dispense with their services as translators. but most of all, arangbar loved to challenge the englishman to drinking bouts, as night after night they matched cups in the _diwan-i-khas _until near midnight. as arangbar and the englishman drew closer, the jesuits had grown distraught to near madness. the hard-drinking englishman bragged of the east india company and its bold plans for trade, of the old levant company and its disputes with spain over mediterranean routes, of english privateering in the west indies. of everything . . . except when the next voyage would come. nadir sharif had listened closely to their expansive talk all those nights, and he had finally deciphered to his own satisfaction the answer to the question uppermost in arangbar's mind. the englishman is bluffing. england has no fleet. at least no fleet that can ever hope to threaten portuguese control of the indian ocean. there'll be no more voyages, and no more presents, for at least a year. the englishman is living a fool's dream. when his european presents are gone, and he's spent what's left of his money buying jewels and gifts for the moghul, he'll be dropped from court. arangbar plays him like a puppet, always hinting the _firman _will be ready tomorrow. but there'll be no _firman _unless arangbar can be convinced the english king is powerful enough to protect indian shipping from portuguese reprisals at sea. and this the english clearly cannot do. at least not now, not without a fleet. the englishman is living on borrowed time. and i'm beginning to think he suspects it himself. he drinks more than a man in his place should. he's always able to stay in control, but just barely. if arangbar were not always drunk himself, he would have noticed it also. nadir sharif glanced at the silver cylinder and smiled to himself. so his excellency, miguel vaijantes, is worried. undoubtedly he's demanding i contain the englishman, isolate him from arangbar. it will hardly be necessary. the englishman is destined to be forgotten soon. how much longer can he hold the moghul's attention? a month? two months? i know his supply of trifles for arangbar is already half depleted. but why burden the viceroy with this insight? bargain with him. let him pay enough and i will guarantee with my life that the sun will rise tomorrow morning. the end of the englishman is no less sure. nadir sharif stroked the pigeon lovingly as he began to unwind the silk binding holding the cylinder, and it reminded him again of the deccan. still no pigeons from mumtaz. how curious that her one dispatch in the last month, the one brought by the rajput, was merely to request that small accommodation for the englishman. who knows why she asked it? perhaps it was a joke of the prince's. nadir sharif congratulated himself on how easy it had been. the englishman had never known. and it was obvious the woman kamala _had _changed him, smoothed him. was the prince grooming him for something? if so, why send the request through mumtaz? whatever the reason, it had been a pleasure to grant this one favor for the daughter he doted on. he also realized it might well be the last favor he could ever do for her. it was clear now that prince jadar would be banished from agra forever. the events of the next four weeks were inexorable. today arangbar's birthday celebrations begin. next week allaudin will be guest of honor at a _shikar_, a royal hunt. two weeks after that, the wedding formalities begin, and the following week is the wedding itself. four weeks and jadar will be finished. even if he returned to agra today, he could not forestall the inevitable. nadir sharif took the pigeon on his wrist and offered it a few grains of soaked _dal_ from his own hand as he gently slipped off the silver cylinder. when the bird was pecking contentedly he eased it onto the ledge, twisted away the silver cap of the cylinder, and settled against the rooftop divan to translate the cipher. the morning wind from the jamuna grew suddenly chill against his skin. then, as the message slowly emerged, the wind from the jamuna became ice. nadir sharif translated the cipher again, to be sure. but there could be no mistaking what it said. or what it meant. he would have declared its contents an absurd hoax, perhaps even a hoax inspired by the englishman, had not the message been intercepted by the portuguese, by capture of one of jadar's own pigeons. the cipher did not say so, but doubtless a copy had also been sent to arangbar. even had it not, the moghul still would hear the news within the day. his own intelligence network was the best in india, after that of the queen. he closed the door of the pigeon house, picked up a small silver bell beside the divan, and rang lightly. almost before he had replaced the bell, a eunuch was waiting. "your pleasure, sharif sahib." "the englishman. where is he now?" "in the garden, sharif sahib. he's always there at this time of day, with the hindu woman." "what's he doing there?" "who can say, sharif sahib? all we know is he goes into the garden every day around noon--i think the hindu woman may be teaching him to play the sitar there--before going to _durbar _in the red fort. but he will be leaving soon now, as you must, to be present for his majesty's birthday weighings." "the english _feringhi _was invited?" nadir sharif was momentarily startled. "he received an invitation, sharif sahib." "bring him to the reception room. i will see him now, before he leaves." the eunuch snapped around and was gone. nadir sharif paused to translate the cipher one last time before ringing for his turban. "ambassador hawksworth, please forgive my preoccupation these past few days." nadir sharif was bowing, it seemed, unusually low. "we're not always privileged to entertain our guests as we might wish. preparations for today's birthday ceremonies have kept me rushing about the palace. but please, be seated." hawksworth's gaze swept the room. it was cavernous, hung with thick tapestries on every wall, and lightly perfumed with rose incense. before he could reply a bowing servant was proffering a chalice of persian wine. as nadir sharif watched a glass being poured, his voice continued, silken. "have you found anything here to pass the time? they tell me you've developed an interest in the sitar. a marvelous instrument really. and in my garden. tell me, what do you think of it?" "i can't decide." hawksworth felt his caution rising automatically, as it did any time he found himself alone with nadir sharif. "it reminds me of some of the tudor gardens connected with english castles, but still it's different. i like the precise geometry of the walkways and hedges, and the running water. it's a soothing place to sit and practice." "so you find the persian garden soothing? it is persian, you know. the whole idea of a symmetrical garden comes from persia. not from this barbarous wasteland." nadir sharif motioned him to a bolster, and paused until he was seated. "yes, it's soothing. i agree with you. but of course, that's one of the purposes of a garden." nadir sharif eased himself against a bolster and accepted a glass of _sharbat_. "it pleases me that you enjoy my garden. you see, ambassador, to a man in the desert, an oasis, a spot of water and green, is like a paradise. so we sometimes believe we are creating a bit of allah's paradise when we create a garden. you know, the holy quran itself tells us that paradise will be something like a garden." "but whose idea was it to build persian gardens here?" "when the first moghul conqueror arrived in india, almost a century ago, he declared the land here around agra to be particularly barren and depressing. so he immediately built a persian garden. but we must all do our share, so today there are many gardens, all over india. the garden, you see, is our tribute to nature." "but why so geometrical? your garden uses water, stones, and plants to create designs that seem almost like the marble floors of your palace." "mathematics, ambassador, principles of law. islam is the rule of law. why do you think we have so many mathematicians? i deliberately designed this garden with calculated geometric divisions. it provides me great satisfaction to impose order on the willfulness of nature." "but why are the stone pathways all elevated above the level of the garden? in english gardens they're at ground level and lined with shrubs." "but surely that's obvious as well. our gardens are really concealed waterways, with water constantly flowing from one end to the other. we must put the walkways above the water." nadir sharif waved his hand. "but all of that is merely mechanics. the garden is where we find peace. it's where we wait to greet the spring, whose arrival we celebrate at the persian new year." nadir sharif strolled to a window and looked out on the garden. "spring in india seems to come up from the south. it's said that buds appear each day a few _kos _farther north, like a tender army on the march. but we persians believe that spring must have a haven if she is to stay. and that's another reason we build gardens." "i don't understand." "there's a famous poem in persian, by the poet farrukhi, about gardens and spring. he once wrote of a place where spring always arrived feeling lowly and despised, because there was no land for her save desert, a place of rocks and thistles. but then a rich man--actually the patron of farrukhi, whom he was writing to flatter--built a garden for her and the next year spring came forth from the south and found a home there." nadir sharif smiled. "in fact the poem begins by comparing spring's original arrivals to that of a bankrupt _feringhi's_, who appeared with no carpet, no livelihood. but after spring discovered the garden, she brought from the south turquoise for the willows, rubies for the rose." nadir sharif smiled. "what do you think of farrukhi's poem, ambassador?" "what do you mean?" "curiosity. i was wondering what are the chances that spring will come again from the south this year? did the 'bankrupt _feringhi_ merely come to see if the garden was ready? was the first arrival of spring false, with the real arrival yet to come?" hawksworth studied nadir sharifs face. "i don't understand what you're trying to say. but i would like to know if you've spoken to his majesty about the _firman_." "please believe i mention it daily. i think now he'll soon agree to terms." "then there's nothing yet?" hawksworth set down the glass of wine. "i assumed that was why you wanted to speak to me. but you just wanted to talk about persian gardens and persian poets." "ambassador, i'm not a man for idle talk. surely we know each other better than that." nadir sharif turned and banished the servants and eunuchs with a wave of his hand. "tell me. i know you met prince jadar once. give me your honest opinion. do you think he's a clever man?" hawksworth nodded noncommittally. "i can assure you, ambassador, that he's very clever indeed. even his staunchest detractors would agree on that. and he's also resourceful. not many here are aware he has a full intelligence network of his own. he does not, of course, have access to the dispatches of the official court reporters in the provinces, the _wakianavis_, or the dispatches of his majesty's confidential reporters, the _harkaras_." nadir sharif paused. "at least we do not think he has access to their reports. but in a way he doesn't really need them. you see, he has his own system of reporters, which we know he began creating over two years ago. spies whose identity is carefully guarded. we do not know any of their names, but we do know he calls them his _swanih-nigars_, and they prepare detailed information on anything in the provinces he asks them to. his network is extensive and, i understand, quite effective." hawksworth suddenly found himself remembering shirin, the papers in the observatory, and wondering . . . "naturally he has agents along the southern coast. but at times they can be a bit too careless about the information they gather. for example, a cipher intended for the prince-- sent by one of jadar's secret _swanih-nigars _stationed in cochin, on the far southern end of the malabar coast--was just intercepted by a portuguese shipping agent at the port of mangalore, down the coast south of goa. the message was of great interest to the portuguese, and they saw fit to forward it to me. what do you suppose the message contained?" hawksworth pulled himself alert. "i have no idea." "tell me, ambassador. the east india company does trade on java, am i correct?" "six years ago the company established a factory . . . a trading station . . . at bantam, the main port on the island." "was there a voyage to bantam this year?" "the _discovery_ was bound for bantam this year, with cargo from surat." "ambassador, the time for games is over. your charade has made things very difficult for those of us who would try to help you." nadir sharif studied hawksworth deliberately, almost sadly. "it would have been helpful if you had told me everything sooner. it's embarrassing that i must receive my information through captured intelligence, when i'm authorized to serve as your agent. i'm sure it will not surprise you that the portuguese viceroy, his excellency, miguel vaijantes, is most disturbed at the news. there will be consequences." "what are you talking about?" "the cipher for jadar. you could have told me sooner of your king's plans. it would have made all the difference." nadir sharif stared coldly at hawksworth. "there's no longer any need to pretend you don't know. the fleet was sighted off the malabar coast, by coastal fishing barks, only three days ago. four armed frigates, showing english colors, with a course north by northwest, which means they will stand to sea and avoid the portuguese patrols along the coast. it was only by the slightest chance that they were seen. and then another accident that the cipher intended for jadar was intercepted. otherwise no one would have known. it was very resourceful of your east india company, ambassador, to have a second fleet sail up our west coast from the english factory at java. unless the portuguese had intercepted and decoded jadar's cipher, they would have been taken completely by surprise. now they estimate the english fleet is scheduled to reach surat within the month. unless they are met and engaged . . . which they most assuredly will be." the perfumed air of midmorning still seemed to hover above the inner courtyard of arangbar's palace as hawksworth approached its towering wooden gates. the astonishing news of the english fleet had sent his spirits soaring, and he had donned his finest doublet and hose for the occasion. as scimitared eunuchs scrutinized his gilded invitation and bowed obsequiously for him to pass, he suddenly felt he was walking through the portals of a persian dreamland. for the past two months servants and slaves had toiled through the crisp autumn nights transforming the courtyard of the red fort's inner palace from an open-air marble arcade into a vast, magnificent reception room for arangbar's five-day lunar birthday fete. the surrounding galleries had been softened with rich carpets, their walls cloaked in new tapestries; and in the central square a flowering garden, freshened by interlocking marble fountains, had appeared out of nothing. in this new garden time had ceased to flow, night and day knew not their passage one into the other, for the sky itself was now a vast canopy of imperial red velvet, embroidered in gold and held aloft by silver-sheathed poles forty feet high and the size of ship's masts. the horizons of this velvet sky were secured to protruding stone eyelets along the second-story galleries by multicolored cotton cords the thickness of cable. the centerpiece of the upcoming celebration was an enormous balance, the scale on which arangbar's yearly weight would be taken. by that weight his physicians would foretell the future estate of his body, and if his weight had increased since the previous year, there was universal rejoicing. but, greater or less, his weight always seemed to augur well for india. his physicians inevitably found it reason to forecast another hundred years of his benevolent rule. nor was the balance itself suggestive of anything less than a portentous occasion. the measure of a king demanded kingly measures. its weighing pans were two cushioned platforms, gilded and inlaid with jewels, suspended from each end of a central beam by heavy gold chains interwoven with silken cords. the beam itself, and its supports, were carved from rosewood, inlaid with jewels, and plated with gold leaf. this event of universal joy was never witnessed by more than a few of arangbar's closest circle. the first tier of court officials were permitted in watch, family members, favored officers with rank over five thousand horse, and a minuscule list of select foreign ambassadors. hawksworth tried to look formal and attentive, but his mind was still reeling from the news. all the way to the red fort he had tried to sort out the implications. that crafty bastard spencer. he well deserves to be director of the east india company. it's perfect. he timed it perfectly. why did he decide to send a second voyage? did they accidentally rendezvous with the _discovery_ at bantam? or was it no accident? could elkington have ordered them north? or maybe it's some sort of scheme with the hollanders? who could the captain-general be? spencer, you deceiving whoremaster. you double-crossed elkington, never told him about the letter from king james, and now you, or somebody, has double-crossed me. or saved the mission. there's sure to be a bounty of gifts for arangbar. if they can make it around goa, and avoid the portugals. . . "ambassador, this way." nadir sharif was standing near the balance, motioning him to the front. "ambassador, his majesty is overjoyed at the news of the english fleet. he has asked that i seat you here, next to me, so i may translate the persian for you and allow you to prepare a full report to your king." the prime minister had changed to formal dress, with a tapestried turban and cloak, under which were skin-tight, pastel-striped pants. he wore a necklace of enormous pearls and in the sash at his waist was a gold-handled _katar _set with emeralds. he was barefoot. "this is an ancient yearly custom of all the great moghuls.'' hawksworth quickly unbuckled his shoes and tossed them by the edge of the vast carpet, near the arcade. "seat yourself here next to me and i will explain everything to you. his majesty thinks the news of your trading fleet is extremely auspicious, coming as it did on the first day of his birthday celebration. he wants to return the honor by allowing you to join him in the royal circle at the wedding of prince allaudin and princess layla." "that's very gracious of his majesty. and when do you think he's planning to sign the_ firman _approving english trade?" "your _firman _should be little more than a formality now, ambassador. he has already accepted in principle the terms you requested, but you must realize he is quite preoccupied. i think you will have what you want in a few more weeks. his majesty has assumed a natural fondness for you, but i still foresee various encumbrances from our friends in goa. much depends on the fleet, and what happens if the portuguese intercept it." nadir sharif moved closer and lowered his voice. "you know, ambassador, the appearance of your fleet bring nearer the time we should work more closely together. someday soon perhaps we can discuss the price of english wool. i have five _jagirs _in northern gujarat that produce superb indigo. they are convenient to the port of cambay, just a few _kos _north of surat. and, as it happens, i have a private understanding with the shahbandar of cambay. it may be possible to make arrangements that would help us both avoid some of the normal customs duties. i suggest we explore it." hawksworth looked at him and smiled. i'll trade with you the day after hell turns to ice, you unscrupulous son of a whore. kettledrums sounded at the back of the square and hawksworth turned to see arangbar making his entry followed by allaudin and a gray-bearded _wazir_. the men around hawksworth bounded to their feet as one, performed the _teslim_, and then settled again on the carpets. on nadir sharifs whispered urgings, hawksworth also rose and bowed, without the _teslim _. . . causing nadir sharif's eyes to flash momentary disapproval as they both resumed their seats. the moghul was outfitted in the most magnificent attire hawksworth had ever seen. he seemed to be clothed in a fabric of jewels: diamonds, rubies, pearls were woven into his cloak, and his sword handle appeared to consist entirely of emeralds. his fingers were covered with jeweled rings and chains from which dangled walnut-sized rubies. his chest was covered with sparkling necklaces, and even his turban was bejeweled. the crowd watched with anticipation as arangbar strode directly to the nearest platform of the balance and tested its cushions with a sparkling hand. he waited with a broad smile while it was lowered to the carpet, then without a word seated himself onto the cushions, in the hunched squat all indians performed. allaudin and the _wazir _stood on either side and steadied him as officials from the mint, all wearing bright red turbans, approached bearing dark brown bags. bag after bag was piled onto the opposite platform, until arangbar's side slowly began to levitate off the carpet. when a perfect balance had been achieved, his side was tipped gently back down by allaudin and the _wazir_, while the officials began to remove and count the bags on the opposite platform. when the bags were counted, the weighing commenced again, this time with bags of purple silk. "the first weighing is in silver rupees," nadir sharif whispered through the reverential silence. "afterwards they are taken back to the mint and distributed to the poor by his majesty. today is one of great rejoicing in agra." "how much does he weigh?" "his usual weight is about nine thousand silver rupees." "that's over a thousand pounds in english sterling." "is that a large amount in your king's coinage, ambassador?" "it's a substantial sum of money." "over the following year, during the evenings, his majesty will call the poor of agra to come before him and he will give them the money with his own hand." "how far will nine thousand rupees go to feed all the poor of agra?" "i don't understand your question, ambassador?" "nothing. i . . . i was just wondering if perhaps king james should do the same." "it is an old moghul tradition here." nadir sharif turned back to the scales, where arangbar was calling for the next weighing. "but watch. now he will be weighed against gold _mohurs_." the pile of bags was mounting, and again arangbar's platform slowly began to rise into the air. "there are twelve weighings in all. you will see. after the gold coins, he is weighed against gold cloth that has been given to him on his birthday by the women of the _zenana_. then bags of jewels that were contributed by the governors of india's provinces, carpets and brocades from agra nobles, and so forth. he is also weighed against silk, linen, spices, and even ghee and grains, which are distributed later to the hindu merchant caste." arangbar continued to smile serenely as the weighing proceeded. during the weighing of silk, he spotted hawksworth and winked, raising a hand to flash a diamond the size of a bullet. hawksworth noted wryly that he had not seen any of the wealth actually being distributed, that it was all in fact returned directly to the palace. when all the weighings were completed, arangbar drew himself erect and regally moved to a raised platform that had been constructed at the back of the arcade. he then signaled for the massive balance to be removed and in moments it had disappeared into the recesses of the palace. the crowd had begun to shuffle expectantly. as hawksworth watched, he suddenly realized why. large covered baskets were being brought before arangbar, and when their lids were removed, hawksworth caught the glisten of silver. arangbar took the first basket and stood to his full height on the dais. then with a swing he flung the contents over the top of the crowd. the air seemed to rain silver and the assembled nobles began scrambling over the carpet retrieving the silver objects. nadir sharif picked up one and handed it to hawksworth. it was a silver nutmeg, life-sized and topped with a tiny gold flower. hawksworth rolled it over . . . and it deflated to a thin piece of foil. arangbar flung another basket and the turmoil intensified. only hawksworth stood firm, as even nadir sharif could not resist scooping up several of the foil replicas of nuts, fruits, and spices that scattered on the carpet around them. the dignified assemblage had been reduced to bedlam. then the beaming arangbar spotted hawksworth and called out. "ambassador inglish. is there nothing you would have?" "may it please your majesty, an ambassador of the english king does not scramble for toys." "then come forward and you'll not have to." when hawksworth reached the dais he bowed lightly, and as he drew himself up, arangbar seized the front of his doublet and dumped a basket of gold foil flowers down the front of his shirt. before he could move, the nobles were there, pulling open his doublet and scooping up the worked foil. in moments his doublet was plucked clean. he looked about in disbelief, and saw that arangbar was already tossing more baskets to the turbaned crowd. when the silver and gold were gone, arangbar spoke quickly to the eunuchs, and trays appeared with chalices of hard spirits. the assembled nobles all toasted the moghul's health and he joined in as the drinking began. musicians appeared, followed by food on plates of silver worked in gold. finally hookahs were set about the carpet, together with more drinks, and a singer arrived to perform an afternoon raga. "this is an auspicious day for us both, inglish." arangbar beamed down from his throne as he motioned hawksworth forward. "the news just reached me. was this meant to be a surprise?" "the english fleet is my king's birthday gift to your majesty." "nothing could gratify me more." arangbar drank from a large cup of wine. "we think it might be time we considered sending an ambassador of our own to the court of your inglish king. we just sent our first ambassador to goa." "king james would be most honored, your majesty." "tell me, ambassador inglish. when will these ships reach the port at surat?" "it depends on whether the portugals want to honor the treaty between spain and england and allow our fleet to pass unchallenged. sailing up from the islands will mean tacking against the wind, but the fleet could possibly make landfall within a month." hawksworth paused. "your majesty must realize this adds urgency to the matter of the trading _firman_.'' "within the week or so, inglish. within a week or so." hawksworth caught a slight elevation of nadir sharif's eyebrows. "how long now do you intend to be staying with us, inglish?" arangbar popped a ball of opium into his mouth . . . a bit too early in the day, hawksworth thought. "until you've signed the _firman _for trade, your majesty. i'll return it to king james by the next shipping west." "we would prefer that you stayed with us awhile longer, inglish." "no one regrets more than i that it's not possible, your majesty. but my king awaits your majesty's pleasure regarding the terms of the _firman_." "we have conceived a new idea, inglish. we will send the ito your king by our own ambassador. then you can remain here with us until your king sends another ambassador to replace you." arangbar laughed. "but he must be a man who drinks as well as you, or we may send him back." hawksworth felt his stomach tighten. "who can say when another ambassador will be sent, your majesty? should your majesty approve the _firman_, my duties here will be _resolve_d." "but you must remain here to ensure we keep our word, inglish." arangbar winked broadly. "else our heart could grow fickle." "i am honored, your majesty." hawksworth shifted. "but my first duty is to my king." "we have been thinking perhaps you should have other duties . . ." arangbar's voice trailed off as he sipped on his wine and studied hawksworth. then he looked up and his glance fell on the portuguese jesuits lingering at the back of the courtyard. as he examined them, he recalled the many long evenings when he had allowed the jesuit pinheiro and his superior, father sarmento, to debate with him the merits of christianity. and again he found himself marveling how refreshingly different the englishman was. out of curiosity he had once inquired of the jesuits how exactly a king such as himself could become a christian, and the very first thing they had said was he must select only one of all his wives and dismiss the rest. he had tried to point out to them the absurdity of allowing a man only one wife, without even the option to rid oneself of her once she grew tiresome. and what, he had asked, was this king to do if his single remaining wife suddenly became blind one day? was he to keep her still? of course, they had replied, blindness in no way interferes with the act of marriage. and what if she becomes a leper? patience, they had counseled, aided by god's grace, which renders all things easy. such patience, he had pointed out, might be customary for a jesuit, who had abstained from women all his life, but what about one who had not? and they had replied that christians also were sometimes known to sin, but that the grace of christ provided the remedy of penitence, even for those who transgressed against the law of chastity. he had listened with mounting astonishment as they next proceeded to describe how jesuits scourged themselves to still the fires of the flesh. at this last, he had realized that christian doctrines were incomprehensible and unworthy of further inquiry. from that time forward he had never bothered to take the jesuits seriously. but this englishman is different, he told himself. a real man, who'll drink a cup of wine or eye a pretty woman with plenty of unchaste thoughts on his sleeve. "from this day forth you'll be serving us, inglish, as well as your king. we have decided to make you a _khan_." hawksworth stared at him uncomprehending. a murmur swept the crowd, but quickly died away to stunned silence. "a _khan_, your majesty?" "_khan_ is a title given to high-ranking officers in our service. it carries with it great honor. and a salary. no _feringhi _has ever before been made a _khan _by us. you will be the first." he laughed broadly. "so now you must stay in india and drink with us. you are in our hire." "i'm flattered by your majesty's generosity." hawksworth found himself stunned--by the honor and also by the disquieting implications for his planned return to england. "what are the duties of a _khan_?" "first, inglish, we must have a ceremony, to invest you properly." arangbar seemed to ignore the looks of disbelief on the faces around him. "you will be given a personal honorary rank, called _zat_, of four hundred. and a horse rank, called _suwar_, of fifty." "does it mean i have to maintain that many cavalry?" hawksworth blanched, realizing his money was already growing short. "if you do, you will be the first _khan _in india who ever did. no, inglish, you will be provided salary for that number, but you need not maintain more than twenty or thirty. we will personally select them for you after the wedding." arangbar turned and motioned to nadir sharif. the prime minister came forward and one of the eunuchs handed him a small box, of teakwood worked in gold. he motioned for hawksworth to kneel directly in front of arangbar. the nobles around them still could not disguise their astonished looks. nadir sharif moved directly above where hawksworth was kneeling and opened the box. "his majesty, by this symbol, initiates you into discipleship. it is bestowed only on the very few." he took out a small gold medal, attached to a chain, and slipped the chain over hawksworth's head. hawksworth noted that the medal had the likeness of arangbar imprinted on both sides. "now you must prostrate yourself before his majesty." "may it please his majesty, the ambassador of a king must show his gratitude after the custom of his own country," hawksworth replied to nadir sharif, then bowed lightly to arangbar. "i humbly thank your majesty in the name of king james." nadir sharif's face darkened. "you must _teslim _to his majesty." "no, not the inglish." arangbar waved nadir sharif aside. "he must follow his own custom. now, give him the pearl." nadir sharif took a large pearl from the box and stood before hawksworth. "this you must wear in your left ear, where your gold earring is now." hawksworth examined the pearl. it was immense, and perfect. "again i thank your majesty." hawksworth looked up to see arangbar beaming. "how shall i wear it?" "my jeweler will fit it for you, inglish." a wry, portly man stepped forward and quickly removed the small gold earring from hawksworth's ear. just as deftly, he attached the pearl where it had been. "and now, inglish, i will bestow on you the highest favor of my court." he turned and signaled another eunuch to come forward. the eunuch carried a cloak woven with gold. "this cloak i have myself worn, then kept aside to bestow on a worthy disciple. it is for you." arangbar took the cloak himself and laid it over hawksworth's shoulders. "i thank your majesty. the honor is more than i could ever merit." "that may well be true, inglish." arangbar roared. "but it's yours. you speak my tongue and you drink almost as well. few men here today can equal you. and you have the wits of ten portuguese. i think you deserve to be one of my _khans_." arangbar signaled for him to rise. "your salary will begin with the next lunar month. after that you will be known in this court as the inglish khan. day after tomorrow you will ride with us in _shikar_, the royal hunt. you may soon decide you like india better than england. have you ever seen a tiger?" "never, your majesty." "you will soon enough. day after tomorrow. so you had best do your drinking now, for tigers require a clear head." arangbar laughed again and clapped and the tension in the courtyard semed to evaporate. the singer immediately began a second raga. as hawksworth fingered the earring, the medal, and the cloak, he found himself remembering huyghen's burning eyes that day in the london alehouse. "you'll forget who you are," the old seaman had said. could this be what he meant? but maybe it's not so bad after all, he told himself. it's like a dream come true. and when the fleet makes landfall. . . . . . . "of course i've heard. it was my idea. although his majesty naturally assumes he thought of it all by himself. making the _feringhi _a _khan _will confuse the portuguese. and it will take everyone's mind off the _firman _for a while." queen janahara had received nadir sharif immediately after arangbar retired to the _zenana_ for his afternoon dalliance. the balcony of the jasmine tower was empty, the servants all ordered back to the _zenana_. i'm more interested in the english fleet. do you know what has happened?" "what do you mean, majesty?" nadir sharif noted that he had not been invited to sit. "there was another message today, a private message from his excellency, miguel vaijantes." janahara raised a silver, hourglass- shaped cuspidor to her lips and delicately discharged red betel juice. "can you guess what he has dared to do?" "what do you mean?" "miguel vaijantes is a man without courage. the understanding was very clear." "the understanding, your majesty?" "we have kept our side of the agreement. there has been no _firman _for the english _feringhi_. but now his excellency has declared that he must off-load the arms. he has begun assembling an armada to sail north and intercept the english." "the arms, your majesty?" nadir sharif moved closer. "miguel vaijantes was shipping arms?" "surely you knew. my dear brother, has anything ever escaped your rapacious eyes." she smiled, then spat again. "for ahmadnagar. small arms and cannon." "you were arming malik ambar? against jadar?" nadir sharif could not strain the surprise from his voice. "we were not arming him. the portuguese were. miguel vaijantes was to have armed a maratha division on the western coast, off-loading at a portuguese port called bom bahia, on the coast west of ahmadnagar. he had his own reasons, but now it seems he has lost his nerve. i had no idea how alarmed these portuguese were by the english." nadir sharifs mind was reeling. say something, anything. "if i may inject a word on his excellency's behalf, majesty, you must understand that matters between the portuguese and the english are extremely delicate at the moment." nadir sharif's voice grew more statesmanlike as he spoke. he scarcely heard his own words as his mind plowed through the consequences of it all. and the treachery. "the english could conceivably interrupt the entire trade of the portuguese. all the prince could ever possibly do would be to tighten restrictions on our ports at surat and cambay. the viceroy's decision is clearly strategic, nothing more. i'm sure the regard he holds for your majesty remains undiminished." "that is a touching consolation." janahara's voice was frigid, and she seemed suddenly much older. footsteps sounded through the marble corridor and allaudin appeared at the doorway. he had changed to a foppish green turban, set off by an effeminate necklace of rubies. his elaborate _katar _was secured by a sash of gold- threaded brocade, and an emerald was set at the top of each slipper. he wore heavy perfume. "your majesty." he salaamed to queen janahara and then stood attentively, somewhat sheepishly, until she gestured for him to sit. "you're late." "i was detained in my quarters, majesty." janahara seemed completely preoccupied, unable even to look at the prince. "the question now is what to do about the englishman." "what do you mean?" allaudin did not trouble to mask his sneer. "it's perfectly clear. his majesty adores the _feringhi_. he'll surely sign the _firman_ for english trade. then there'll be a war on the seas. it's really most exciting." "the _firman_ is not yet signed." janahara moved to the balcony and studied the river below. her walk was purposeful, yet still the perfection of elegance. "nor do i think it ever will be. his majesty will not have the time. the wedding will be moved forward. before his highness, prince jadar, has the leisure to trouble us more." janahara turned and examined the two men, one her brother and one her future son-in-law, finding herself astonished by their credulity. somehow, she told herself, the hand of jadar lies behind all this. the coincidence was just too great. first, he had succeeded in raising troops from the southern _mansabdars_. and now the deccanis could not be armed. could he possibly still forge a peace in the deccan. still, after the wedding he would be isolated. then what he did would no longer matter. but if the _firman _were signed, there would no longer be leverage with the portuguese. janahara looked directly at nadir sharif. "if his majesty signs the _firman _before the wedding, you will be held responsible." "i understand, majesty." nadir sharif shifted. "when will the wedding be?" "i think it would be auspicious to hold it the week following the birthday celebration. which means the preparations must begin now." "hold the wedding immediately after the hunt? there's scarcely time." "there will be time. for that and more." janahara turned to allaudin. "and you would do well to start spending more time with a sword and bow, and less with your pretty slave girls. i will know before long if you are a match for jadar. i pray to allah i don't already suspect the answer." chapter twenty "there, on that hill, inglish, is where i was born." arangbar pointed to the high sandstone walls of a distant hilltop fortress, outlined against the midday sky. "it's called fatehpur sekri. it was a great city during the time of my father akman, but now it's abandoned. it's romantic, but it's also forbidding. i've only been back once in my life, and that was enough." hawksworth's elephant was half a length behind those of arangbar and allaudin, even with that of nadir sharif. it was the second morning of their ride, and they were nearing the locale of the royal hunt. it seemed to him that half of agra had traveled along. the queen and her retinue were behind them, as were many of arangbar's favorite women, his guard, his eunuchs, the entire palace staff. the location of the hunt was a two-day ride from agra. "what's there now?" "it's abandoned, inglish. except for a few sufi muslims. they were there before, and i guess they'll be there forever." "what do you mean 'they were there before'? before what?" "ah, inglish. we had a very romantic birth. you seem to know nothing of it. you see, my father, the great akman, had tried for many years to have a son before i was born. many hundreds of women, inglish, but not one could give him a son. once twin boys were born to a rajput princess he had wived, but both died a few days later. gradually he became obsessed with fears of death, of dying without a lineage, and he began calling holy men to the _diwan-i-khas _every evening to question them about mortality. once a hindu holy man came who told akman the greatest duty of a king is to leave a male heir, who can carry his lineage forward. the great akman was plunged into even greater sadness by this, and he _resolve_d to renounce everything until he could have a son. "he walked all the way from agra to that mountain, inglish." arangbar pointed toward the fortress. "he came to see a holy sufi living there, among the rocks and wild beasts. it was a momentous meeting. akman fell at the feet of the holy man, and the sufi held out his arms in welcome to the great moghul of india. in later years many of akman's artists painted the scene. akman told him that he had come to find the peace of allah. to find his own destiny. as a seeker after truth. the sufi offered this great warrior berries to eat, and gave him his own simple hut for an abode. akman stayed for many days, meditating with the sufi, and finally, when he made ready to leave, the sufi told him he would have three sons. "and now," arangbar grinned, "we reach the interesting part. when next a wife announced she was with child, akman moved her out here, to stay in the same abode as the holy man. and, as the sufi predicted, a male child was born." "and the child was . . ." "you are riding beside him, inglish. that is the story of my birth. akman was so elated that he decided to build an entire city here, and move the capital from agra. he built the city, but it was an obvious act of excess. he never found time to live there, and soon it was abandoned. so now the mountain is like it was before my birth, home to wild birds and a few mad sufis. the only difference is they have a magnificent abandoned city to live in, instead of straw huts." he laughed again. "perhaps i owe my very life to a sufi. incidentally, descendants of that holy man still live there." "are they all sufis?" "who knows, inglish? i think holy men from all over india can be found there from time to time. it's become a kind of retreat." "i'd like permission to visit it sometime, majesty." "of course, inglish. you'll find it's magnificent." hawksworth squinted against the sun and studied the distant red walls of the city-fortress. something about its remote purity beckoned him. after the hunt, he told himself, when there's time. right after the hunt. arangbar fell silent, and hawksworth leaned back in his _howdah _as it rocked gently along. elephants made better mounts than he had first suspected. he thought again of the previous morning, and his first reaction when told he would be riding an elephant for the next two days. he had arrived at the red fort, to be greeted by nadir sharif, who directed him to the royal elephants being readied in the courtyard of the _diwan-i-am_. "his majesty has selected one of his favorites for you. her name is kumada." nadir sharif had pointed toward a large female elephant, her body dyed black and festooned with golden bells, yak-tail tassels, gold tusk rings. "what does the name mean?" "the infidel hindus believe the eight points of the earth are each guarded by a heavenly being in the shape of an elephant. your english fleet is coming to us out of our ocean from the southwest, and kumada is the name hindus give to the elephant who guards that point of the hindu compass. his majesty believes this elephant will be auspicious for you." "i'm most grateful to his majesty." hawksworth surveyed the assembled crowd in astonishment. around him nobles wearing jeweled turbans and silk trousers were selecting elephants. he had worn sea boots and a leather jerkin. nadir sharif signaled toward the mahout perched atop the neck of kumada, and the man tapped her flapping ear with a short barbed rod and gave her directions in hindi as he guided her toward hawksworth. she lumbered forward to where hawksworth stood, and then her mountainous flesh seemed to roll like a wave as she kneeled, front legs out, back legs bent at the knee, ready to be mounted. two keepers were there, opening the gate of the gold-trimmed _howdah _and then kneeling, ready to hoist the _feringhi_ aboard. "have you ever ridden an elephant before, ambassador?" nadir sharif monitored hawksworth's apprehensive expression with delight. "never. i've never actually been this close to one before." hawksworth eyed the elephant warily, mistrusting her seeming docility. elizabethans circulated fabulous tales about this mountainous beast, that it could pull down great trees with the power of its trunk, that it had two hearts--one it used when calm, the other when incensed--and that in ethiopia there were dragons who killed elephants merely to drink their blood, said to be ice cold at all times. "you will find an elephant has more wit than most men. his majesty keeps a thousand in his stables here in the red fort. the great akman used to trap them in the wild, using a female in heat, but then he learned to induce tame ones to couple. your elephant, i believe, is second-ranked. she's a fine-tempered animal." kumada examined hawksworth with her sad, dark eyes, and waved her fanlike ears skeptically. "i'm not entirely sure she's taken to me." "here, ambassador." nadir sharif slipped a paper-wrapped stick of sugarcane into hawksworth's hand and nodded his head toward the elephant. hawksworth gingerly approached her and began unwrapping the paper. no sooner was the cane in view than kumada nipped it deftly from his hand with a flourish of her trunk. she popped the cane into her mouth and flapped her ears with obvious pleasure as she cracked it with her immense teeth. for a second hawksworth thought he caught a flash of appreciation in her eyes. he paused a moment, then walked close enough to stroke the heavy skin at her neck. "she'll not forget you now, ambassador." nadir sharif was feeding his own elephant. "it's said these animals have a memory longer than a man's." hawksworth vaulted into the _howdah _and the entire world suddenly seemed to shudder as her mahout signaled kumada to rise. he seized the railing surrounding him and gasped as she rumbled to her feet. "you'll soon ride like a rajput, ambassador." the elephant rocked into motion. it was worse than heavy weather at sea. "i think it may take practice." "women from the _zenana _ride elephants all the way to kashmir in the summer. i'm sure you'll manage a two-day hunt." nadir sharif swung easily into his howdah. around them other elephants were kneeling for nobles to mount. "where will the hunt be?" "this time we're going west, out toward the old city of fatehpur sekri. but his majesty has hunting preserves all over. in the neighborhood of agra and near the small town of delhi north of here, along the course of the jamuna and reaching into the mountains, there is much uncultivated land. there are many places with grasses over six feet high and copse wood. this land is guarded with great care by the army, and no person, high or low, is allowed to hunt there except for partridge, quail, and hare--which are caught with nets. so the game-- nilgai, deer, antelope, _chitah_, tiger, even some lions--is plentiful. some of his majesty's hunting preserves may extend as far as ten _kos _in every direction--i believe that's around twenty of your miles." "you said preparations for the hunt had been underway for days?" "of course. when his majesty announces a _shikar_, a royal hunt, the grand master of the hunt in that particular location has to begin extensive preparations. the hunts now are usually a _qamargha_, which was invented by akman." "what's that?" "first, sentries are posted on all the roads leading into the preserve to keep villagers out, and then the entire preserve is surrounded by beaters, we call them _qarawals_, who begin to close the circle and drive in the game. for this week's hunt he used thirty thousand _qarawals_. the grand master of the hunt informs his majesty when the game has been brought together. the next day the court and officers from the army leave early, to be at the appointed place to meet his majesty when he arrives. his majesty usually hunts alone at first, if there are no tigers, and everyone else must wait at a distance of about one _kos_. only some members of the imperial army are allowed to accompany him, for protection. after his majesty wearies of the kill, then others of his choosing are allowed to kill the last of the game. but if tigers are to be hunted, it's customary that only his majesty and the royal family enter the circle. it's always been the tradition of moghul rulers that only they and their kinsmen are allowed to hunt tigers. but this hunt will be different. this time his majesty will merely watch." "who'll do the killing then?" "that my surprise you, ambassador. let me merely say that it is no man. you will see." hawksworth was still wondering what he meant. but the time was not far away when he would know. they were nearing the area that nadir sharif had said was designated for the hunt. "inglish," arangbar shouted back over his shoulder. "does your king hunt?" "rarely, your majesty. but he has no elephants." "perhaps we should send him some. but then i assume he has no tigers either. should we also send him some tigers to run free in ingland so he can hunt them?" "i'll remember to ask his majesty." "but first you must see our tigers for yourself, inglish. today you and nadir sharif will join us as we go into the _qur_, the hunting round. have your elephants fitted with leather armor." nadir sharif started with surprise. "i thank your majesty for the honor." allaudin stirred in his _howdah_, and hawksworth caught the disdain in his eyes. "majesty, why are you inviting the _feringhi _into the _qur_?" "her majesty suggested it. and it amuses me." arangbar seemed to dismiss allaudin's question. "he will not have a weapon. all he'll do is watch." as servants rushed forward to begin fitting the leather armor, hawksworth saw the queen's elephant approach. this was the closest he had ever been to her, and still he could not see her. her _howdah _was completely enclosed with curtains, which now flapped lightly in the midday breeze. "her majesty, queen janahara, will be going into the hunting circle." nadir sharifs voice was discreet as he spoke to hawksworth. "she rarely joins in _shikar_, but she is an excellent shot. this is a rare honor for you, ambassador." hawksworth studied the closed howdah and wondered why the "honor" seemed to leave him with such an uneasy feeling. the waiting nobles formed a line with their elephants as the imperial entourage moved past. armed guards followed on horseback at a distance. leather padding had been fitted over the face and shanks of hawksworth's and nadir sharif's elephants, and they joined the end of the procession. hawksworth held firmly to the side of the _howdah _as his elephant rocked along, with only occasional instructions from her mahout. now they followed a winding road, which was surrounded on either side by tall, brown grass. he warily studied every sway of the grass, imagining tigers waiting to spring. "why don't we have guns?" he turned to nadir sharif, who rode alongside, rocking placidly in his swaying howdah. "there's no need, ambassador. i told you the tiger will not be killed with guns today. of course, his majesty and prince allaudin have guns, but they're merely for protection, in case there's some minor difficulty." "minor difficulty? what are _we _supposed to do if there's a 'minor difficulty'?" "the army will be there, men with half-pikes." he smiled easily. "you're in no danger." ahead the woods seemed to open up, and the grass was shorter, perhaps only as high as a man's waist. deer darted wildly from side to side, contained by high nets that had been erected around the sides of the clearing. as they approached, hawksworth saw a long line of several hundred water buffalo waiting, heavy bovine animals with thick curved horns dipping back against their heads, each fitted with a leather saddle and reined by a rider on its back. the reins, which passed through the buffalo's nostrils, were held in one hand by a mounted soldier, whose other hand grasped a naked broadsword. "those men may well be the bravest soldiers in the army." nadir sharif pointed to the riders, who were all saluting arangbar's arrival. "theirs is a task i do not envy." "what do they do?" "you will see for yourself, ambassador, in just a few moments." from beyond the other side of the clearing, as though on an agreed signal, came the sound of beaters. as the imperial elephants drew near the gray line of buffalo, their riders began to urge them ahead. the buffalo snorted, knowing what waited in the grass, and then they lumbered forward, tossing their heads in disquiet. the line of buffalo was curved in the shape of a half-moon, and arangbar urged his elephant directly behind them. the grass ahead swarmed with frightened game, as deer and antelope dashed against the nets and were thrown back, and from the woods beyond, the clatter and shouts of the beaters increased. suddenly from out of the grass a tawny head appeared, with gold and black stripes and heavy whiskers. the animal dashed for the side of the enclosure, sprang for freedom, and was thrown back by the heavy net. hawksworth watched it speechless, unprepared for the size and ferocity of an indian tiger. it was enormous, with powerful haunches and a long striped tail. the tiger flipped to its feet and turned to face the line of buffalo with an angry growl. arangbar clapped his hands with delight and shouted in urdu to the line of riders, all--hawksworth now realized-- rajputs. the buffalo snorted and tried to turn back, but their riders whipped them forward. the tiger assumed a crouching stalk along the gray, horned wall, eyeing a large dark buffalo with a bearded rider. then it sprang. the buffalo's head went down, and when it came up a heavy curved horn had pierced the tiger's neck. there was a snort and a savage toss of the head that flung the wounded tiger upward. as it whirled in the air, hawksworth saw a deep gash across its throat. the rajput riders nearby slipped to the ground and formed a wall of swords between arangbar and the tiger as the line of buffalo closed in, bellowing for the kill. in what seemed only moments the tiger was horned and pawed to a lifeless pulp. "superb!" arangbar shouted something to the enclosed _howdah _that hawksworth did not understand. "a hundred gold _mohurs_ to every man on the line." the rajputs remounted their buffalo, retrieving the reins from the bloody grass, and the line again moved forward. "this is a variation on his majesty's usual tiger hunt," nadir sharif shouted through the dust, above the din of bellowing buffalo and trumpeting elephants. "often he shoots, but today his majesty elected merely to watch. actually, animal fights have long been a favorite pastime in india." at that moment a pair of tigers emerged from the grass and stared at the approaching line of buffalo. they did not seem frightened, as had the first, and they watched the line coolly, as though selecting a strategy. then they dropped into a crouching stalk, moving directly toward the center of the line. hawksworth noticed arangbar suddenly order his mahout to hold back his elephant. the other imperial elephants had also paused to wait. then arangbar turned and ordered the servant who rode behind him to pass forward a long-barreled, large-caliber sporting piece. allaudin, whose fright was transparent, also signaled for a gun. hawksworth's mahout pulled his elephant directly behind arangbar's, as though for protection. the tigers seemed in no hurry to engage the buffalo. they scrutinized the approaching line and waited for their moment. then, when the buffalo were no more than ten feet away, both sprang simultaneously. the female was speared on the horn of a buffalo, but she flipped in midair and sank her teeth into the leather shielding on its neck. as its rajput rider slipped to the ground, the male of the pair dashed past his mate and sprang for him. the rajput swung his broadsword, catching the tiger in the flank, but it swatted him aside with a powerful sweep of its paw and he crumpled, his neck shattered. other rajputs rushed the male tiger with their swords, as their buffalo closed in to kill the female, but it eluded their thrusts as it circled arangbar's elephant. soldiers with half-pikes had already rushed to form a barricade between arangbar's elephant and the tiger, but the moghul seemed unperturbed. while the panting male tiger stalked arangbar, the female tiger was forgotten. as hawksworth watched spellbound, his pulse pounding, he caught a yellow flicker out of the corner of his eye and turned to see the female tiger slip past the ring of buffalo and dash toward the rear of arangbar's elephant. it was on the opposite side from the armed soldiers, where the moghul's elephant was undefended. hawksworth opened his mouth to shout just as the female tiger sprang for arangbar, but at that moment a shot rang out from the enclosed howdah of queen janahara and the female tiger crumpled in midair, curving into a lifeless ball as it smashed against the side of the moghul's mount. the jolt caused arangbar's shot at the male tiger to go wide, merely grazing its foreleg. a dozen half-pikes pierced its side as it stumbled forward, and it whirled to slap at the rajputs. allaudin also fired his tiger gun, but his shot missed entirely, almost hitting one of the men trying to hold the tiger back. it whirled in a bloody circle for a moment, and then stopped. it was staring at hawksworth. he heard his mahout shout in terror as the tiger sprang for the head of their elephant. a wrap of yellow fur seemed to twist itself around the elephant's forehead as the tiger dug its claws into the protective leather padding. as kumada tossed her head in panic, the mahout screamed again and plunged for safety, rolling through a clump of brown grass and scrambling toward the soldiers. the tiger caught hawksworth's eyes with a hypnotic gaze as it began pulling itself over the forehead of the terrified elephant, directly toward his howdah. kumada had begun to whirl in a circle and shake her head, futilely trying to dislodge the wounded fury slashing at her leather armor. the tiger slipped momentarily, then caught its claws more firmly and began to climb again. almost without thinking, hawksworth reached forward and grabbed the _ankus_, the short pike and claw used for guiding an elephant, that the mahout had left lodged in a leather fold behind the elephant's head. he wrenched it free and began to tease the tiger back. kumada was running now, wildly it seemed, toward a large _pipal _tree at the edge of the clearing. but the tiger had pulled itself atop her head and, as hawksworth jabbed its whiskered face with the _ankus_, he heard a deep growl and saw a flash of yellow and claw as a sharp pain cut through his shoulder. he knew he was falling, dizzily, hands grasping against smooth leather as he slipped past the neck of the elephant, past its flapping ear, against a thundering foot that slammed the dust next to his face. kumada had suddenly stopped dead still, throwing him sprawling against the base of the _pipal _tree. he looked up to see the tiger suspended above him, glaring down, clawing at the face of the elephant and bellowing with pain. then he heard the snap of the tiger's spine, as kumada slammed it again and again against the massive trunk of the tree, only when the tiger was motionless did she let it drop, carefully tossing its body away from hawksworth as it tumbled lifeless onto the grass. hawksworth looked up through the dust to see arangbar pulling his elephant alongside. "that was most auspicious, inglish. it's an ominous and evil protent for the state if a tiger i have shot escapes the hunt. if that beast had succeeded in going free, we would have had to send the entire army into the countryside to find and kill it. your kumada saved me the trouble. the gods of the southwest have been auspicious for our reign today. i think you brought us luck." "i thank your majesty." hawksworth found himself gasping for breath. "no, it is you we must thank. you were quick-witted enough to keep the tiger where kumada could crush it." arangbar called for his own elephant to kneel, and he walked briskly to kumada, who was still quivering from fright. he stroked her face beneath the eye and she gentled perceptibly. it was obvious she loved arangbar. "she's magnificent. only once before have i ever seen an elephant do that. i hereby promote her immediately to first rank, even though a female." he turned to nadir sharif. "have it recorded." as hawksworth tried to rise, he felt a bolt of pain through the shoulder where the tiger had slapped him. he looked to see his leather jerkin shredded. arangbar seemed to notice it too and he turned and motioned to nadir sharif, who signaled to another man, who called yet another. moments later a physician was bending over hawksworth. he probed the skin for a painful moment and then slammed a knee against hawksworth's side, giving the pained arm a quick twist. hawksworth heard himself cry out from the pain and for a moment he thought he might lose consciousness. but then his mind began to clear and he realized he could move the arm again. the pain was already starting to abate. "i suggest the shoulder be treated with compresses for a few days, majesty." nadir sharif had dismounted from his elephant and was there, attentive as always. "then he must be sent back to agra." "of course, majesty." nadir sharif stepped closer to arangbar. "but perhaps it would be equally wise to let the _feringhi _rest somewhere near here. perhaps at the old city." he turned and pointed toward the west. "there at fatehpur. i think there may still be a few sufi hermits there who could attend the shoulder until _shikar _is over. then he could return with us." arangbar turned and shaded his eyes as he stared at the horizon. above the tree line could be seen the gate of the fortress at fatehpur sekri. "but my shoulder is fine now." hawksworth tried to move into the circle of conversation. "there's no need . . ." "very reasonable." arangbar seemed to ignore hawksworth as he turned back to nadir sharif. "you can escort the inglish to the fortress. call up a palanquin for him. leave your elephant here and take a horse." as the physician bound hawksworth's arm in readiness, a palanquin was brought from among the women's elephants. "a contingent of rajputs can go with him." arangbar shouted instructions to the captain of his guard and watched the men fall into formation. then he remounted his elephant and signaled for the buffalo to resume their sweep of the tall grass. as the party started forward, hawksworth saw nadir sharif shout orders to one of the servants attending him. and as four rajputs lifted hawksworth's palanquin off the ground, a servant rushed forward to shove a flask inside. it was brandy. hawksworth turned to see nadir sharif grinning, a gleam in his eye. she watched the palanquin ease up the weathered, winding path leading to the fortress gate. the procession had moved slowly through the gate at the northeast corner of the city's walls and now the rajputs were clustered around the palanquin and the lone rider. the night was still, awash in a wild desert fragrance, and the moon was curing slowly from white to a rarified gold. her vantage, in a corner turret of the wall, was shadow-less and perfect. she examined the rider and smiled when she recognized the face. nadir sharif. you have kept your part of the bargain. all of it. as she studied him through the half light, she wondered why they were coming a day earlier than planned. then the palanquin stopped and the other figure emerged. she hesitated before looking, at last forcing herself, willing her eyes to see. after a long moment she turned to the tall man standing next to her. his beard was white, as were his robes. his eyes saw what she saw, but he did not smile. he turned to her and nodded wordlessly. then he tightened his white robe and moved easily down the stone staircase toward the courtyard below. hawksworth had sensed the autumn light begin to fall rapidly as they approached the gates of the fortress-city. already there was a pale moon, promising fullness. in size and grandeur the portals of the gate reminded hawksworth of the red fort in agra, only the walls themselves were considerably less formidable. the palace itself sat atop a wooded hill, and already the stones of the abandoned roadway leading up the hill were becoming overgrown. there was a small village at the bottom of the hill, where smoke from evening cooking fires had begun to rise, but from the fortress itself there was no smoke, no hint of life or habitation. he alighted from the palanquin at the bottom of a steep stairway leading to the palace gate and together with nadir sharif passed slowly up the abandoned steps. the rajputs trailed behind them as they reached the top and passed under the shadow of a tulip-curved arch that framed the gateway. the dark surrounded them like an envelope, and the rajput guards pushed forward, toward the black outline of two massive wooden doors at the back of the recess. they pushed open the doors, and before them lay a vast open courtyard, empty in the moonlight. "is this place completely abandoned? i still don't understand why i'm here." nadir sharif smiled. "on the contrary, ambassador. it's far from abandoned. but it appears so, does it not?" then hawksworth saw a figure approaching them, gliding noiselessly across the red sandstone pavement of the court. the figure carried an oil lamp, which illuminated a bearded face framed in a white shawl. "you are welcome in the name of allah." the figure bowed a greeting. "what brings armed men to our door? it is too late now to pray. we long ago sounded the last _azan_." "his majesty has sent a _feringhi _here, to be cared for by you for two days." nadir sharif stepped forward. "he was injured today during _shikar_." "our hands are always open." the figure turned and moved across the plaza toward a building that looked, in the new moonlight, to be a mosque. when they reached the entrance, the man turned and spoke to the rajputs in a language hawksworth did not understand. "he says this is the house of god," nadir sharif translated. "he has commanded the rajputs to leave their shoes and their weapons here if they wish to follow. i think they will refuse. perhaps it would be best if we all left you now. you'll be well cared for. day after tomorrow i'll send a horse for you." "what's going on? you mean i'm going to be here alone?" hawksworth suddenly realized he was being abandoned, at an abandoned city. he whirled on nadir sharif. "you suggested this. you brought me here. what the hell is this for? i could have returned to agra, or even stayed with the hunt." "you're a perceptive man, ambassador." nadir sharif smiled and looked up at the moon. "but as far as i know, you're here entirely by coincidence. i cannot be responsible for anything that happens to you, or anyone you see. this is merely the hand of chance. please try to understand." "what do you mean?" "i will see you in two days, ambassador. enjoy your rest." nadir sharif bowed, and in moments he and the rajputs had melted into the moonlight. hawksworth watched them leave with a mounting sense of disquiet. then he turned and peered past the hooded figure, who stood waiting. the mosque looked empty, a cavern of flickering shadows against intricate plaster calligraphy. he unbuckled the sheath of his sword and passed it to the man as he kicked away his loose slippers. the man took the sword without a word, examined it for a moment as though evaluating its workmanship, then turned to lead the way. they moved silently across the polished stone floor, past enormous columns that disappeared into the darkness of the vaulted space above them. hawksworth relished the coolness of the stones against his bare feet, then ducked barely in time to avoid a hanging lamp, extinguished now, its polished metalwork almost invisible against the gloom. ahead a lamp flickered through the dark. they passed beneath it, then stopped at a closed door at the rear of the mosque. the man spoke a word hawksworth did not understand and the door was swung open from the inside, revealing an illuminated passageway. four men were waiting. as hawksworth and his guide passed through, the door closed behind them and the men silently drew around. the passageway was long, freshly plastered, and floored in marble mosaic. it was cool, as though immune from the heat of the day, and scented faintly with rose incense that had been blended with the oil in the hanging lamps. at the end of the corridor was another stairway, again of white marble, and as they moved up its steps the man who had greeted hawksworth extinguished his lamp with a brass cup he carried. beyond the stair was another corridor, then another door that opened as they approached. hawksworth realized they were in an upper story of a large building directly behind the mosque. they passed through the door and emerged into a room facing a balcony that overlooked the abandoned square below. in the center of the room was a raised dais, covered with a thick persian carpet. the man who had been hawksworth's guide moved to the dais, mounted it, and seated himself. with a flourish he dropped his white hood and the wrap that had been around him. hawksworth realized with a shock that his long white hair streamed to his waist. he was naked save for a loincloth. he gestured for hawksworth to sit, indicating a bolster. "welcome, english." he waited until the surprise had registered in hawksworth's face. "we've been expecting you, but not quite so soon." "who are you?" "i was once a persian." he smiled. "but i've almost forgotten my country's manners. first i should offer you some refreshment, and only then turn to affairs. normally i would offer _sharbat_, but i understand you prefer wine?" hawksworth stared at him speechless. no pious muslim would drink wine. that much he knew. "don't look so surprised. we persian poets often drink wine . . . for divine inspiration." he laughed broadly. "at least that's our excuse. perhaps allah will forgive us. 'a garden of flowers, a cup of wine, mark the repose of a joyous mind.'" he signaled one of the men, and a chalice of wine appeared, seemingly from nowhere. "i once learned a latin expression,'in vino veritas." as a christian you must know it. 'in wine there is truth.' have some wine and we will search for truth together." "let's start with some truth from you. how do you know so much about me? and you still haven't told me who you are." "who am i? you know, that's the most important question you can ask any man. let us say i am one who has forsworn everything the world would have . . . and thereby found the one thing most others have lost." he smiled easily. "can you guess what that is?" "tell me." "my own freedom. to make verse, to drink wine, to love. i have nothing now that can be taken away, so i live without fear. i am a muslim reviled by the mullahs, a poet denounced by the moghul's court versifiers, a teacher rejected by those who no longer care to learn. i live here because there is no other place i can be. perhaps i soon will be gone, but right here, right now, i am free. because i bear nothing but love for those who would harm me." he stared out over the balcony for a moment in silence. "show me the man who lives in fear of death, and i will show you one already dead in his soul. show me the man who knows hate, and i will show you one who can never truly know love." he paused again and once more the room grew heavy with silence. "love, english, love is the sweetness of desert honey. it is life itself. but you, i think, have yet to know its taste. because you are a slave to your own striving. but until you give all else over, as i have done, you can never truly know love." "how do you think you know so much about me? i know nothing about you. or about why i'm here." "but i think you've heard of me." hawksworth stared at him for a moment, and suddenly everything came together. he could have shouted his realization. "you're samad. the sufi. . . ." he stopped, his heart racing. "where is . . .?" "yes, i'm a poet, and i'm called a sufi because there is nothing else to call me." "you're not really a sufi?" "who knows what a sufi is, my english friend? not even a sufi knows. sufis do not teach beliefs. they merely ask that you know who you are." "i thought they're supposed to be mystics, like some of the spanish catholics." "mystics yearn to merge with god. to find that part within us all that is god. sufis teach methods for clearing away the clutter that obscures our knowledge of who we are so perhaps we're mystics. but we're not beloved by the mullahs." "why not? sufis are muslims." "because sufis ignore them. the mullahs say we must guide our lives by the laws of the prophet, but sufis know god can only be reached through love. a pure life counts for nothing if the heart is impure. prayers five times a day are empty words if there is no love." samad paused again, and then spoke slowly and quietly. "i am trying to decide if then is love about you, english." "you seem to think you know a lot about me. there's only one person who wanted me to meet you. and she was in surat. where is she now? is she here?" "she's no longer in surat. be sure of that. but at this moment you are here with me. why always seek after what you do not have? you see, i do know much about you. you're a pilgrim." he waved his hand absently. "but then we all are pilgrims. all searching for something. we call it different names--fulfillment, knowledge, beauty, god. but you still have not found what you seek, is that not true?' samad watched hawksworth in silence as he drank from his own wineglass. "yes, it is given many names, but it is in fact only one thing. we are all searching, my english, for our own self. but the self is not easy to find, so we travel afar, hoping it lies elsewhere. searching inward in a much more difficult journey." hawksworth started to speak, but samad silenced him with a wave of the hand. "know that you will find the thing you most want only when you cease to search. only then can you listen to the quiet of the heart, only then can you find true content." samad drank again from his wine. "this last week you have found, so you think, your fortune. you have received worldly honors from the moghul, you have news of imminent success for your english king. but these things will only bring you despair in the end." "i don't understand what you mean." samad laughed and finished off his glass. "then let me tell you a story about myself, english. i was born a persian jew, a merchant at my birth by historic family vocation. but my people have ignored the greatest prophet of all, the prophet mohammed. his voice invites all, and i heard that voice. i became muslim, but still i was a merchant. a persian merchant. and, perhaps not unlike you, i traveled to india search of . . . not the greater prophet, but the baser profit. and here, my english, i found the other thing i searched for. i found love. pure love, consuming love. the kind of love few men are privileged to know. the love of a boy whose beauty and purity could only have come from god. but this love was mistaken by the world, was called impure, and he was hidden from me. so the only one left for me to love was god. thus i cast away my garments, my worldliness, and gave myself to him. and once more i was misunderstood." samad paused and called for another glass of wine. then he turned back to hawksworth. "so i have told the world my story in verse. and now there are many who understand. not the mullahs, but the people. i have given them words that could only come from a pure heart, words of joy that all men can share." samad stopped and smiled. "you know we persians are born poets. it's said we changed sufism from mystic speculation to mystic art. all i know is the great poets of persia found in sufism a vehicle for their art that gave back to islam almost more than it took. but then a poet's vocation must always be to give. i have given the people of india my heart, and they have loved me in return. yet such love engenders envy in the minds of men who know it not. the shi'ite mullahs would have condemned me for heresy long ago were it not for one man, a man who has understood and protected me. the only man in india who is not afraid of he persian shi'ites at court. and now he too is gone. with him went my life." "and who was that?" "can you not guess? you have already met him." samad smiled. "prince jadar." hawksworth suddenly felt as though the world had closed about him. "why did you contrive to get me here tonight?" "because i wished to see you. and i can no longer walk abroad. it has been forbidden on pain of death. but death is something i am almost ready to welcome. one day soon i will walk the streets of agra once more, for the last time. hawksworth wondered if the claim was bravado, or truth. "but why did you want to see me?" hawksworth studied samad closely. suddenly he decided to ask the question directly. "to ask me to help jadar? you can tell him for me that i want no part of his politics. i'm here to get a trade agreement, a _firman_. that's my mission, why i was sent. samad settled his wineglass on the carpet with a sigh of resignation. "you've heard nothing i have said. i am telling you it would be best for you to forget about your 'mission.' your destiny is no longer in your hands. but if you will open your heart, you will find it has riches to compensate you manyfold. still, they can be yours only if you can know love. but now, i fear, the only love you know is self-love, ambition. you have not yet understood it is empty as mirror. _"the world is but a waking dream, the eye of heart sees clear. the garden of this tempting world, is wrought of sand and tear." _ hawksworth shifted and stared about the room. it was darker now but several men had entered. few of them seemed to understand samad's turki. "so what do i do now?" "stay with us for a while. learn to know yourself." samad rose and stepped off the dais. "perhaps then you will at last find what you want." he motioned for hawksworth to walk with him to the balcony. across the courtyard a single lamp burned in the turret of one of the buildings. "tonight must be remembered as a dream, my english. and like a dream, it is to be recalled on waking as mere light and shadow." he turned and led hawksworth to the door. the men stood aside for them. "and now i bid you farewell. others will attend you." hawksworth walked into the marble corridor. standing in the half-light, her face warm in the glow of a lamp, was . . . shirin. chapter twenty-one the night sky above the courtyard was afire, an overturned jewel box strewn about an ivory moon. they passed through a gateway of carved columns and ornate brackets, into a smaller plaza. the mosque was left behind: around them low were empty pavilions, several stories high, decorated with whimsical carvings, railings, cornices. now they were alone in the abandoned palace, surrounded by silence and moonlight. only then did she speak, her voice opening through the stillness. "i promised to think of you, and i have, more than you can know. tonight i want to share this with you. the private palace of the great akman. the most beautiful place in all india." she paused and pointed to a wide marble pond in the middle of the plaza. in its center was a platform, surrounded by a railing and joined to the banks by delicate bridges. "they say when akman's court musician, the revered tansen, sat there and sang a raga for the rainy season, the clouds themselves would come to listen, and bless the earth with their tears. once all this was covered by one magnificent canopy. tonight we have only the stars." "how did you arrange this?" he still was lost in astonishment. "don't ask me to tell you now. can we just share this moment?" she took his arm and motioned ahead. there, glistening in the moonlight, were the open arcades of a palace pavilion. i've prepared something especially for us." she guided him through a wide-open archway and into a large arcade, illuminated by a single oil lamp atop a stone table. in front of them, on the walls, were brilliantly colored renderings of elephants, horses, birds. she picked up the lamp and led him past the paintings and into the next room, a vast red chamber whose floor was a fragrant standing pool of water. in the flickering light he could see a marble stairway leading to a red sandstone platform projecting out over the water, supported by square stone columns topped by ornate brackets. "this is where akman spent the hot summer nights. up there, on the platform, above a cooling pool of rosewater. from there he would summon his women to come to him from the _zenana_." hawksworth dipped his fingers into the water and brought it to his lips. it was like perfume. he turned to he and she smiled. "yes, the sufis still keep rosewater here, in memory of akman." she urged him forward, up the stairs. "come and together we'll try to imagine how it must have felt to be the great moghul of india." as they emerged onto the platform, the vaulted ceiling above them glowed a ruby red from the lamp. under their feet was a thick carpet, strewn with small velvet bolsters. at the farthest edge was a large sleeping couch, fashioned from red marble, its dark velvet canopy held aloft by four finely worked stone columns. the covering of the couch was a patterned blue velvet, bordered in gold lace. "just for tonight i've made this room like it was when akman slept here, with his chosen from the _zenana_." she slipped the gauze wrap from her shoulders. he looked at her dark hair, secured with a transparent scarf and a strand of pearls, and realized it contrasted perfectly with the green emerald brooch that swung gently against her forehead. she wore a necklace of pearl strands and about each upper arm was a band ringed with pearl drops. her eyes and eyebrows were painted dark with kohl and her lips were a brilliant red without a word she took a garland of yellow flowers from the bed and gently slipped it over his head. next to the couch was a round rosewood table holding several small brass vials of perfume and incense. "tonight this room is like a bridal chamber. for us." a second garland of flowers lay on the bed next to the one she had taken. without thinking, he reached and took it and slipped it around her neck. then he drew his fingertips slowly down her arm, sending a small shiver through them both. seeing her in the lamplight, he realized again how he had ached for her. "a wedding? for us?" "not a wedding. can we just call it a new beginning? the end of one journey and the beginning of another." hawksworth heard a sudden rustling behind him and then a sound. he turned and searched the gloom, where two eyes peered out of the darkness, reflecting the lamplight. he was reaching for his pistol when she stopped his arm. "that's one of the little green parrots who live here. they've never been harmed, and they've never been caged. so they're unafraid." she turned and called to it. "if they're caught and imprisoned, their spirit dies and their beauty starts to fade." the bird ruffled its wings again and flew to the top of the bolster beside shirin. hawksworth watched her for a moment, still incredulous, then settled himself on the carpet next to a chalice of wine that sat waiting. she reached and touched his arm. "i never asked you what your lovers call you. you're so important, nobody in india knows your first name, just your titles." "my only other name is brian." he found her touch had already begun to stir him. "brian. will you tell me everything about you, what you like and what you don't?" she began to pour the wine for them. "did i ever tell you what i like most about you?" "in surat you said you liked the fact i was a european. who always had to be master of worldly things." "well, i've thought about you a lot since then." her expression grew pensive. "i've decided it's not so simple. there's a directness about you, and an openness, an honesty, that's very appealing." "that's european. we're not very good at intrigue. what we're thinking always shows on our face." she laughed. "and i think i know what you're thinking right now. but let me finish. i feel i must tell you this. there's something else about you that may also be european, but think it's just your special quality. you're always ready to watch and learn from what you see. looking for new things and new ideas. is that also european?" "i think it probably is." "it's rare here. most indians think everything they have and everything they do is absolutely perfect, exactly the way it is. they might take something foreign and use it, or copy it but they always have to appear disdainful of anything not indian." "you're right. i'm always being told everything here is better." he reached for her. "sometimes it's even true." "won't you let me tell you the rest?" she took his hand and held it. "i also think you have more concern for those around you than most indians do. you respect the dignity of others, regardless of their station, something you'll seldom see here, particularly among the high castes. and there's a kindness about you too. i feel it when you're with me." she laughed again. "you know, it's a tragic thing about muslim men. they claim to honor women; they write poems to their beauty; but i don't think they could ever truly love a woman. they believe she's a willful thing whom it's their duty to contain." she paused, then continued. "but you're so very different. it's hard to comprehend you sometimes. you love your european music, but now i think you're starting to understand and love the music of india. i even heard you're learning the sitar. you're sensitive to all beauty, almost the way samad is. it makes me feel very comfortable with you. but you're also a lot like prince jadar. you're not afraid of risks. you guide your own destiny. instead of just accepting whatever happens, the way most indians do." she smiled and traced her fingers down his chest. "that part makes you very exciting." she hesitated again. "and do you know what i like least about you? it's the _feringhi _clothes you wear." he burst into laughter. "tell me why." "they're so . . . undignified. when i first saw you, that night you came to mukarrab khan's palace, i couldn't believe you could be anyone of importance. then the next morning, at the observatory, you looked like a nobleman. tonight, you're dressed like a _feringhi _again." "i like boots and a leather jerkin. when i'm wearing a fancy doublet and hose, then i feel i have to be false, false as the clothes. and when i dress like a moghul, i always wonder if people think i'm trying to be something i'm not." "all right." she smiled resignedly. "but perhaps sometime tonight you'll at least take off your leather jerkin. i would enjoy seeing you." he looked at her in wonderment. "i still don't understand you at all. you once said you thought i was powerful. but you seem to be pretty powerful yourself. nobody i know could force mukarrab khan or nadir sharif to do anything. yet you made the governor divorce you, and then you made the prime minister deceive half of agra to arrange this. you're so many different things." "don't forget. sometimes i'm also a woman." she rose and began to slowly draw out the long cinch holding the waist of her wrap. her halter seemed to trouble her as she tried to loosen it. she laughed at her own awkwardness, and then it too came away. she was left with only her jewels and the long scarf over her hair, which she did not remove. then she turned to him. "do you still remember our last night in surat?" "do you?" he looked at her in the dim lamplight. the line of her body was flawless, with gently rounded breasts, perfect thighs, legs lithe yet strong. "i remember what i felt when i kissed you." he laughed and moved to take her in his arms. "but i thought i was the one who kissed you." "maybe we should try it once more and decide." with a mischievous look she caught his arms and wrapped herself around him. as he touched her lips, she turned abruptly and the world suddenly seemed to twist crazily around them, sending his head spinning. in shock he opened his mouth to speak and it was flooded with the essence of rose. the pool beneath the platform had broken their fall. he came up gasping and found her lips. she tasted of another world. sweet, fragrant. he enclosed her slowly in his arms, clasping her lean body gently at first; then feeling more and more of her warmth he pressed her to him, both of them still gasping. they seemed to float, weightless, serene in the darkness. awkwardly he began pulling away his wet jerkin. "you're just as i imagined." her hands traveled across his chest, lightly caressing his skin, while the lamp flickered against the paintings on the walls above them. "there's a strength about you, a roughness." she nuzzled his chest with her face. "tonight will you let me be your poet?" "tonight you can be anything you want." "i want to sing of you--a man i adore--of the desire i feel for you. after we know each other fully, the great longing will be gone. the most intense moment we can ever share will be past. the ache of wanting." "what you just said reminds me of something john donne once wrote." "who is he?" "one of our english poets and songwriters. but he had a slightly different idea." he hesitated, then smiled. "to tell the truth, i think i may like his better." she lifted herself up in the water, rose petals patterned across her body. "then tell me what he said." "it's the only poem of his i can still remember, but only the first verse. for some reason i'll never forget it. i sometimes think of it when i think of you. let me say it in english first and then try to translate. _"i wonder, by my troth, what thou and i did, till we lov'd? were we not wean'd till then? but suck'd on country pleasures, childishly? or snorted we in the seven sleepers' den? 'twas so; but this, all pleasures fancies be; if ever any beauty i did see, which i desir'd, and got, 'twas but a dream of thee." _ she listened to the hard english rhythm and then to his translation, awkward and halting. then she was silent for a moment, floating her hand across the surface of the pond. "you know, i also wonder now what i did before i met you. before i held you." she slipped her hands about his neck, and as she did he drew her up out of the water and cradled her against him. then he lifted her, her body still strewn with rose petals, and carried her slowly up the marble stairs to the couch of akman. he felt her cling to him like no woman ever had, and as he placed her on the bed, she took his face in her hands and kissed him for a long moment. then he heard her whisper. "tonight we will know just each other. and there will be nothing else." and they gave each to each until there was nothing more to give because each was the other. together, complete. he was on the quarterdeck, the whipstaff aching against his hand, the mainsail furled as storm winds lashed the waist of the ship with wave after powerful wave. the ship was the _queen's hope_, his vessel when he sailed for the levant company, and the rocks that towered off his starboard bow were gibraltar. he shouted into the dark for the quartermaster to reef the tops'ls, and he leaned on the whipstaff to bring her about, but neither responded. he had no crew. he was being swept, helpless, toward the empty darkness that lay ahead. another wave caught him across the face, and somewhere in the dark came a screech, as though the sea had given up some dying leviathan beast. his seaboots were losing their hold on the quarterdeck, and now the whipstaff had grown sharp talons that cut into his hand. then a woman's voice, a distant siren calling him. again the screech and then yet another wave cut across his face. the water tasted of roses. . . . he jerked violently awake. on his hand a green parrot was perched, preening itself and ruffling its feathers. and from the pool below shirin was flinging handfuls of water up over the side of the platform, laughing as she tried to splash his face. she was floating, naked, below him, her hair streaming out across the surface of the water, tangled among the drifting rose petals. he looked about and saw his own wet clothes, mingled among her silks and jewels. for a moment he felt again the terror of the dream, the rudderless ship impelled by something beyond control, and then he caught the edge of the platform and slipped over the side. the water was cool against his skin and involuntarily he caught his breath. then he reached out and wrapped her in his arms, pulling her against him. she turned her face to his, twined her hair around his head, and crushed his lips with her own. just as suddenly, she threw back her head and laughed with joy. he found himself laughing with her. "why don't we both just stay? i don't have to be back in agra until the wedding. we could have a week." he studied the perfect lines of her face, the dark eyes at once defiant and anxious, and wished he could hold her forever. the worshipful east india company be damned. "but we both have things we must do." she revolved in the flowered water and drew her face above his. she kissed him again, languorously. then she drew herself out of the water and twisted a wrap around her, covering her breasts. "both you and i." "and what's this thing you have to do?" her eyes shadowed. "one thing i must try to do is convince samad he cannot stay here any longer. he has to go south, where prince jadar can protect him. but he refuses to listen. and time is growing short now. i truly fear for what may happen to him after the wedding. the persian shi'ite mullahs will certainly be powerful enough then to demand he be tried and executed on charges of heresy. for violating some obscure precept of islamic law. it will be the end for him." she paused. "and for anyone who has helped him." "then if he won't leave, at least you should." he lifted himself out of the water and settled beside her on the marble paving. "why don't you come back to england with me? when the fleet from bantam makes landfall at surat, arangbar will surely have the courage to sign the _firman_, and then my mission will be finished. it should only be a matter of weeks, regardless of what the portugals try to do." she studied the water of the pool with sadness in her eyes and said nothing for a moment as she kicked the surface lightly. "neither of us is master of what will happen. things are going to soon be out of control. for both of us. things are going to happen that you will not understand." hawksworth squinted through the half-light. "what's going to happen?" "who can know? but i would not be surprised to see the prince betrayed totally, in one final act that will eventually destroy him. he is too isolated. too weak. and when that happens we're all doomed. even you, though i don't think you'll believe that now." "why should i? i'm not betting on prince jadar. i agree with you. i don't think he has a chance. i'm betting on a _firman _from arangbar, and soon." "you'll never get a _firman _from the moghul. and arangbar will be gone in half a year. the queen has already started appearing at morning _darshan _and directing his decisions at afternoon _durbar_. as soon as she has allaudin under her control, arangbar will be finished. mark it. he'll die from too much opium, or from some mysterious poison or accident. he will cease to exist, to matter." "i don't believe it. he seems pretty well in control." "if that's what you think, then you are very deceived. he can't live much longer. everyone knows it. perhaps even he knows it in his heart. soon he will give up even the appearance of rule. then the queen will take full command of the imperial army, and prince jadar will be hunted down like a wild boar." he studied her, not sure he could reasonable contradict her, and felt his stomach knot. "what will happen to you, if the queen takes over?" "i don't know. but i do know i love you. i truly do. how sad it makes me that i can't tell you everything." her eyes darkened and she took his hand. "please understand i did not know the prince would use you the way he has. but it is for good. try to believe that." "what do you mean?" she hesitated and looked away. "let me ask you this. what do you think the prince will do after the wedding?" "i don't know, but i think he'd be very wise to keep clear of agra. nobody at court will even talk about him now, at least not openly. still, i think he might be able to stay alive if he's careful. if he survives the campaign in the deccan, maybe he can bargain something out of the queen. but i agree with you about one thing. she can finish him any time she wants. i understand she already has de facto control of the imperial army, in arangbar's name of course. what can jadar do? he's outnumbered beyond any reasonable odds. maybe she'll make him a governor in the south if he doesn't challenge her." "do you really believe he'd accept that? can't you see that's impossible? you've met prince jadar. do you think he'll just give up? that's the one thing he'll never do. he has a son now. the people will support him." she pulled herself next to him. "i feel so isolated and hopeless just thinking about it all. i'm so glad nadir sharif brought you here." he slipped his arm around her. "so am i. will you tell me now how you managed to make him do it?" "i still have friends left in agra." she smiled. "and nadir sharif still has a few indiscretions he'd like kept buried. sometimes he can be persuaded . . ." "did he know samad was here?" "if he didn't before, he does now. but he won't say anything. anyway, it hardly matters any more. the queen probably already knows samad's here." she sighed. "the worst is still waiting. for him. and for both of us." he caught a handful of water and splashed it against her thigh. "then let's not talk about it. until tomorrow." the worry in her eyes seemed to dissolve and she laughed. "do you realize how much you've changed since i first met you? you were as stiff as a portuguese jesuit then, before kali and kamala got their painted fingernails into you. kali, the lover of the flesh, and kamala, the lover of the spirit." she glared momentarily. "now i must take care, lest you start comparing me with them. never forget. i'm different. i believe love should be both." he pulled her away and looked at her face. "i'm amazed by how different you are. i still have no idea what you're really like. what you really think." "about what?" "anything. everything." he shrugged. "about this even." "you mean being here with you? making love with you?" "that's a perfect place to start." she smiled and eased back in the water, silently toying for a moment with the rose petals drifting around her. "i think making love with someone is how we share our deepest feelings. things we can't express any other way. it's how i tell you my love for you." she paused. "the way music or poetry reveal the soul of the one who creates them." "are you saying you think lovemaking is like creating music?" he examined her, puzzling. "they both express what we feel inside." he lifted up a handful of water and watched it trickle back into the pool. "i've never thought of it quite like that before." "why not? it's true. before you can create music, you have to teach both your body and your heart. it's the same with making love." "what do you mean?" she reached and touched his thigh. "when we're very young, lovemaking is mostly just desire. we may think it's more, but it isn't really. then gradually we learn more of its ways, how to give and receive. but even then we still don't fully understand its deeper significance. we're like a novice who has learned the techniques of the sitar, the way to strike and pull a string to make one note blend into another, but who still doesn't comprehend the spiritual depth of a raga. its power to move our heart. we still don't understand that its meaning and feeling can only come from within. and love, like a raga, is an expression of reverence and of wonder. wonder at what we are and can be. so even after all the techniques are mastered, we still must learn to experience this wonder, this sense of our spirit becoming one with the other. otherwise it's somehow still empty. like perfect music that has no feeling, no life." he was silent for a moment, trying to comprehend what she was saying. "if you look at it like that, i suppose you could be right." "with music, we first have to learn its language, then learn to open our spirit. lovemaking is just the same." she nestled her head against his chest, sending her warmth through him. as he held her, he noticed lying alongside the pool the garland of flowers she had worn the night before. he reached and took it and slipped it over her head. then he kissed her gently, finding he was indeed filled with wonder at the feeling he had for her. he held her silently for a time, looking at the paintings on the walls of the palace around them. then he noticed a large straw basket at the entryway. "what is that?" he pointed. she rose and looked. "i think it's something samad had left for us." she lifted herself out of the water and, holding her wrap against her, brought the basket. it was filled with fruits and melons. "they're not from samarkand or kabul, like you've probably grown accustomed to at the palace in agra. but i think you'll like them anyway." she squinted across the square, in the direction of the mosque. "i love samad dearly. he did all of this for me. but he refuses to listen to anything i say." she handed him an apple, then reached and took some grapes. "you know, i think he secretly wants to die a martyr. like a lover eager to die for his or her beloved. he wants to die for his wild freedom, for what he thinks is beautiful. perhaps to be remembered as one who never bowed to anyone. i wish i had his strength." "where's he now?" "you won't see him any more. but he's still here. he'll have food sent to us. he loves me like a daughter, and he's happy when i am. and he knows now you make me happy. but you mustn't see him here again, even know that he's here. it would be too dangerous for you. perhaps someday, if we're all still alive." he took her face in his hands and held it up to him. "you have as much strength as anyone, including samad. and i want to get you away from here before your strength makes you do something foolish. i love you more than my own life." "and i love you. like i've never loved anyone." "not even the great moghul? when you were in his _zenana_?" she laughed. "you know that was very different. i was scarcely more than a girl then. i didn't know anything." "you learned a few things somewhere." he remembered the night past, still astonished. the way she had . . . "in the _zenana _you learn everything about lovemaking. but nothing about love." she rose and took his hand. together they walked to the open portico of the palace. around them the red pavilions were empty in the early sunshine. the morning was still, save for the cries of the green parrots who scurried across eaves and peered down impassively from weathered red railings and banisters. his gaze followed the wide arches, then turned to her dark shining hair. he reached out and stroked it. "tell me more about it. how did you learn turki?" "in the _zenana_. we had to learn it, even though arangbar speaks perfect persian." she turned to him. "and how did you learn to understand it?" "in a turkish prison." he laughed. "it seems about the same to me. i had to learn it too." "will you tell me about it? why were you in prison?" "like you, i had no choice. the turks took a ship i was commanding, in the mediterranean." "tell me what happened." he stopped and looked at her. "all right. we'll trade. you tell me all about you and i'll tell you everything about me. we'll leave out nothing. agreed?" she reached and kissed him. "will you begin first?" chapter twenty-two the imminent wedding of prince allaudin and princess layla was a momentous event in the history of the moghul empire. it represented the final merging of two dynasties. one, that of the moghul akman and his first son arangbar, was in direct assent from the mongols of the steppes who had conquered india by the sword less than a century before, melding under one rule a disorganized array of muslim and hindu states. the other dynasty, that of queen janahara, her persian father zainul beg, her brother nadir sharif, and now her daughter layla, represented a very different kind of conqueror. at court they were called, always in whispers, the "persian junta." whereas no combination of forces indigenous to india--even the recalcitrant rajput warrior chieftains of the northwest--had ever succeeded in wresting power from the invading moghuls, this extraordinary persian family had, in one generation, come to rule india virtually as equals with the dynasty of akman, assuming the power that the decadent arangbar had let slowly slip away. with the marriage of queen janahara's daughter to the weakling son of arangbar, a son she was carefully promoting to the role of heir-apparent, the last element in the persian strategy would be in place. when arangbar died, or was dethroned, the powerful line of akman, who had unified india by a blend of force and diplomatic marriages, would be supplanted by what was, in effect, a palace coup. the "persian junta" would have positioned itself to assume effective control of india: prince allaudin, for so long as he was allowed to maintain even the appearance of rule, would be nothing more than a titular sovereign. queen janahara, together with her father and her brother, would be the real ruler of india. the queen could, of course, have contented herself for a time longer merely to direct arangbar from beside the throne, but that could never be entirely satisfactory. arangbar still wielded power when he so chose, and that power could be enormous. india had no independent judiciary, no parliament, no constitution. there was, instead and only, the word of the moghul. criminals were brought before him to be tried and sentenced. offices of state were filled, or vacated, on his personal whim. the army marched at his word. and he owned, in effect, a large part of indian soil, since large estates went not to heirs but returned to the moghul when their current "owner" died. he granted lands and salaries as reward for loyalty and service. and he alone granted titles. seldom in history had a land so vast, and a people so diverse, been held so absolutely under the unquestioned rule of a single hand. queen janahara now looked confidently forward to the day that hand would be hers. the power arangbar now possessed was thought by many to have brought his own undoing. originally an introspective if sometimes whimsical sovereign--whose early memoirs were filled with scientific observations on india's fauna and flora, and statesman-like ruminations on the philosophy of governing--he had become slowly dissolute to the point of incapacity. a man who had forsworn both alcohol and drugs until well into his third decade of life, he was now hopelessly addicted to both. in consequence his judgment and instincts had grown ever more unreliable. and since all appointments of salary and place depended on his word alone, no career or fortune was truly secure. it was into this vacuum of sound leadership that the "persian junta" of janahara's family had moved. the persian junta was supported by all those at court who feared arangbar's growing caprice, by other influential persians, by the powerful mullahs of the shi'ite sect of islam, by hindus who still habored historic grievances against moghul rule . . . and by the portuguese. the "persian junta" was not loved. but it did not need to be loved; it enjoyed an even more compelling ingredient for success: it was feared. even those who might have preferred the succession of prince jadar wisely held silent. the tides of history were there for all to see. even brian hawksworth saw them. the private palace of zainul beg, father of janahara and nadir sharif and grandfather of princess layla, was more modest than that of nadir sharif, and its architecture more persian, almost consciously reminiscent of the land of his birth. it lay on the banks of the jamuna river, farther down from the palace of nadir sharif, and this evening it was brilliantly illuminated by bonfires along the riverside. even the river itself was lighted. a dozen barks filled with lamps had been towed upriver from the red fort, and now their camphor-oil flames cast a dazzling white sheen over the pink turrets of the palace. on the opposite bank of the jamuna, men were lighting candles and floating them in hollow clay pots across the surface of the water, where they drifted gently downstream toward the red fort, creating a line of illumination that would eventually stretch for miles. although hawksworth's money was starting to grow short, he had used a large portion of what was left to purchase a new pair of striped indian trousers, an expensive brocade turban, and ornate velvet slippers. he alighted from his palanquin at the palace gate looking like a moghul grandee, to be greeted almost immediately by zainul beg's eunuchs and ushered into the main hall. as he entered, the eunuchs directed him toward a large silver fish stationed by the door. it was ornamented with green lapis lazuli scales and fitted with seven spouts shooting thin streams of rosewater outward into a large basin. hawksworth was by now accustomed to this moghul ritual, and he quickly removed his new slippers and splashed his feet in the basin to the minimal extent acceptable. then he turned and made his way through the line of nobles reverently awaiting the arrival of arangbar. he had become such a familiar sight at royal gatherings that his presence excited no unusual notice. the marble walls of the hall were hung with new persian tapestries and the floors covered with silk carpets embroidered with silver and gold. at the corners were immense vases of solid gold studded with precious stones that sparkled in the lamp light. incense burners wrought from silver hung from the walls. servants circulated among the crowd bearing trays of rolled betel leaves, glasses of lemony _sharbat_, and cups of green milky _bhang_. in deference to the ceremonial significance of this holy muslim occasion, there would be no wine until after the shi'ite mullahs had left. hawksworth decided to take a glass of _sharbat _and wait for the wine. he strolled through the buzzing crowd of bejeweled men and anonymous, veiled women and reflected on the bizarre ceremonies of a moghul marriage. his first taste had come only the previous evening, when he had been invited to the red fort to witness and take part in the henna _bandi _ceremony. the square just below the _diwan-i-khas_, where arangbar's birthday weighing was held only two weeks before, had been cleared and made ready for the henna ceremony. hawksworth had arrived and been granted a place near nadir sharif and arangbar. the crowd was already being entertained by music and dancing women. allaudin was there, slightly nervous in anticipation of his upcoming ordeal. then the procession arrived: women of the _zenana _rode into the courtyard on palanquins, in a flower-bedecked line bearing henna--a red paste extracted from the plant of the same name--and gifts sent from layla to allaudin. the bride was not present; she had not yet been seen by allaudin or any of his family, including arangbar. the women of the _zenana_, all veiled, spread before the moghul the gifts that, on this night, the bride was expected to present to the bridegroom. the eunuchs bore trays which had been covered with basketwork raised in domes, over which were thrown draperies of gold cloth and brocade in a rainbow of colors. they were brought before allaudin and arangbar and uncovered one by one. the first tray was of beaten silver and it held a new suit for the bridegroom, a tailored cloak and trousers woven with strands of gold. others bore gold and silver vessels containing cosmetics and toiletries--collyrium, kohl, musky perfumes--and plates of sweets, betel leaves tied with strings of gold, and a confectionary of dried fruits and preserves. the eunuchs also brought in sprays of flowers containing disguised fireworks wheels, which were ignited as they entered to create a startling, fiery garden of color. next the women led allaudin to rooms behind the _diwan-i-khas_, where he was dressed in the new clothes provided for him by the bride. bamboo slats were placed across the doorway to enable the _zenana _women to watch the ceremony. while he was gone, an opening was prepared in the screen separating the _zenana _from the courtyard and a low stool was placed just outside. the screen was specially constructed to allow the hands and feet of the one sitting on the stool to be reached from behind it. when allaudin returned, he assumed his place again beside arangbar, shifting occasionally in mild discomfort from the stiff new clothes. it was obvious to hawksworth that he wished to appear bored by the ceremonies, but his eyes betrayed his apprehension. then a eunuch approached and announced to the male assembly--arangbar, allaudin, nadir sharif, zainul beg, and a retinue of other men with vague ties to royal blood who were waiting at the center of the courtyard--that "the bridegroom is wanted." "go quickly." arangbar pushed allaudin toward the stool waiting in front of the screen covering the entrance to the zenana. "it's always a man's fate to be made the fool by his women." allaudin marched across the courtyard with as much dignity as his stiff new clothes allowed, and seated himself with a flourish on the stool. the air was rich with incense and music from the upper balconies. as hawksworth and the other male guests watched, women from behind the screen ordered allaudin to insert his hands and feet through the new holes. he was then teased and fed small lumps of sugar candy while the women behind the screen began to tie dark red cloths, soaked in a paste of moist leaves of henna, onto his hands and feet. "this ceremony is very important, inglish." arangbar had beamed with satisfaction as he watched. "henna is a charm to promote their union. the women anoint the bride with it also, in private. it will make him virile and her fertile." as the women continued to dye allaudin's hands and feet with the paste, musicians and singers began to entertain him. some of the songs, all extemporary, lauded him as a prince among men, while others rhapsodized over the beauty of the bride. listening to their songs, hawksworth had to remind himself that none of the singers had actually seen the bride, whose beauty they now extolled as that of one woman in thousands. then the singers sang of the impending happiness of the pair, as inevitable, they declared, as that paradise awaiting believers after life on earth is past. after the women had finished their task, allaudin turned to face the assembled men wearing a vaguely sheepish expression. hawksworth had caught himself laughing out loud at the preposterous figure allaudin struck, standing before them with hands and feet dripping red with henna. then he noticed a group of veiled women filing out from behind the screen and approaching. they carried a silver chalice filled with red henna paste. the women stopped in front of arangbar, bowed with the _teslim_, and began to anoint his fingers with henna. then they tied each reddened finger with a small, goid-embroidered handkerchief. he smiled widely and signaled a eunuch to bring him a ball of opium. next the women proceeded to zainul beg and reddened his fingers also, then nadir sharif, then all the other family members. finally they stopped in front of hawksworth. a robust woman from the _zenana _seized his fingers and began to daub them with henna paste. it was thick and smelled of saffron. he watched helplessly as his fingers disappeared into the red, after which they too were swathed in the small kerchiefs of silk and gold. "it will make you virile too, inglish. this is a great omen for your good fortune," arangbar observed wryly, delighted by the confused look on hawksworth's face. the women disappeared back into the _zenana _and the music began again, now with more dancers. hawksworth recognized among them the young women sangeeta, who had danced kathak for arangbar that first night in the _diwan-i-khas_. she was resplendent, and her face announced her pride in being selected for the first night of the wedding celebrations. after she had finished her dance, the veiled women again emerged from the _zenana_, carrying a large silver vessel, and saluted allaudin. he was brought to the center of the square, where they began to remove the red bindings on his hands and feet. his hands, then his feet, were bathed in rosewater. after they were dried, he was taken back to the _diwan-i-khas _and attired in yet another of the new suits of clothes given to him by the bride. he returned to the general cheers of the assembled guests, whose hands had also been washed while he was gone. as the formal ceremonies drew to a close, arangbar produced heavy brocade waist sashes for all the male guests. hawksworth was last, and when he received his from arangbar's hand, he bowed in thanks and examined it quizzically. "it is a _kamar-band_, inglish, for you to wear tomorrow night at the wedding." arangbar took hawksworth's red-stained fingers and examined them for a moment. "if you can get the rest of the henna off your fingers by then." he roared with delight and signaled the musicians to start again. allaudin was escorted from the square by a number of young men in foppish cloaks--hawksworth assumed they were his friends--and then, as midnight approached, servants appeared with the evening's meal. while the men drank and dined, sangeeta entertained them with more kathak dance. when she was near exhaustion, other dancers were brought out, and the music and dance continued undiminished through the short hours remaining before dawn. only when the eastern sky began to lighten did arangbar rise and bid the guests farewell. the courtyard cleared in moments. as the crowd dispersed, hawksworth watched the moghul down another ball of opium and call for sangeeta to accompany him into the palace. she was escorted by the eunuchs, her smile brighter than the rising sun. hawksworth was momentarily startled as a fanfare of trumpets announced to the guests in zainul beg's hall that arangbar was approaching. the center of the hall cleared, leaving a pathway from the entrance to a low platform at the opposite end, on which were two large cushions fashioned from gold cloth. on some unseen command musicians in an adjacent room began to play, and then the doors of the hall opened wide. women from arangbar's _zenana _entered first, sweeping past the guests in a glitter of silks and jewels unlike anything hawksworth had ever seen. the women displayed heavy gold necklaces and multiple strands of pearls. their arms were scarcely visible beneath their wide gold bracelets. for this evening, all wore a headdress of silver cloth and a veil. more trumpets sounded as arangbar himself entered, queen janahara striding imperiously behind him. hawksworth examined her hard features with curiosity for a moment before the significance of the scene registered. she was not wearing a veil. he looked about him and realized that the other guests had noticed as well. nadir sharif trailed behind the royal couple, and after him came a few select officials of the court, including the _qazi _who would perform the ceremony and officially record the marriage. as arangbar and janahara seated themselves on the cushioned platform, the guests all performed the _teslim_. arangbar motioned for the crowd to be seated, and hawksworth was already halfway to the carpet before he noticed that no one else had moved. only after arangbar had demanded three times that the guests seat themselves did those around hawksworth accede to his request. more trays of rolled betel leaves and _sharbat _were circulated, and the guests settled to listen to a lively raga performed on sitar and tabla drums by musicians who were seated on a small dais at the opposite end of the hall. the time was approaching eight o'clock when the musicians brought the music to a rousing finish. hawksworth found himself beginning to wonder where the bride and groom were. they were nowhere to be seen. no sooner had the last notes of the raga melted into the tapestried walls than there came a knocking at the closed doors of the hall. there were sounds of a raucous, but not rancorous, argument. everyone around hawksworth fell silent to listen. there were more words, and he managed to grasp that the family of the bride was demanding a payment for entry, apparently a mock ritual. finally there was the jingle of coins dropping into a cup. the money seemed to settle the dispute, for the doors of the hall suddenly burst open, to the sounds of a trumpet fanfare. hawksworth looked through the doorway to see a horse and rider, surrounded by a milling crowd. in the lamplight he could see the horse was covered with a fine brocade tapestry, into which fresh flowers had been woven. its legs, tail, and mane had been dyed red with henna, and all its body outside the tapestry was covered with glistening spangles. the rider's cloak and turban were heavy with gold thread, and his face was hidden behind a thick veil of silver cloth attached to the top of this turban and hanging to his waist. on either side of the horse two young men stood, each carrying a large paper umbrella, which they held over the rider's head. behind them clustered singers, dancers, musicians, and a mob of tipsy young men in extravagant finery. the crowd cheered the veiled rider and he saluted them. from the chatter of the guests, hawksworth gathered that the horse had led a procession through the streets of agra for the past two hours in preparation for this grand entrance. the rider, whom hawksworth assumed to be prince allaudin, was helped onto the back of one of the young men. he was then carried to the dais where arangbar and janahara sat and gently lowered to the ground. the silver veil was removed and he performed the _teslim_, the fatigue in his face beginning to show. arangbar beckoned him to rise, and two eunuchs who had been part of the moghul's train stepped forward and placed two large silver boxes beside him on the dais. arangbar opened the first and drew out a string of large pearls. he admired them for a moment, showed them to janahara, then looped them around allaudin's neck. next he opened the other box and drew out a crown of silver trimmed in gold. he rose to his feet and held it aloft. "two months past i presented a _sachaq_, a marriage present, of two _lakhs _of silver rupees to honor the bride. and tonight i bestow on my son the same _sehra_, the same bridegroom's crown, that was placed on my head the night i wed her majesty, queen janahara." allaudin slipped off his turban and knelt before arangbar. after the crown was fitted, he stood erect to acknowledge the cheers of the crowd. without further ceremony, arangbar turned and spoke to zainul beg. the old _wazir _beckoned two eunuchs forward and passed an order. there were shouts, and torches were lighted in the upper balcony of the hall. then, as hawksworth watched in amazement, the tapestries at the far end of the hall were drawn away, opening the pavilion to the riverfront. arangbar and janahara revolved on their cushions to face the water, which was now a sea of floating candles and lamps. the guests surged forward toward the opening, and as hawksworth passed near the royal dais, arangbar's voice cut through the din. "inglish, come and join us. there will be no henna on your fingers tonight." he gestured toward the carpet near his feet. "sit here. i would have your opinion of this." "thank you, your majesty." hawksworth sensed that arangbar was already partly drunk. "what will happen now?" "just more tradition, inglish, but the part i always enjoy most." he pointed toward the river, where servants were carrying torches in the direction of three decorated wheels, each several feet across, mounted atop what appeared to be small-gauge cannon. "tell me if your king has anything to equal this." as he spoke the servants touched the torches to the center of each wheel. lines of burning sulfur traced their spokes, then ignited the squibs attached around their perimeter. at that instant, other servants stepped forward and thrust a burning taper to the touchhole of each cannon. the cannon spewed flame, lofting the wheels upward over the river. they suddenly began to rotate, creating a whirling circle of colored flame tips in the night sky. just as they reached the top of their trajectory, they began to explode one by one, showering sparks and fire across the face of the jamuna. the turbaned crowd scarcely had time to exclaim its delight before a blue flame suddenly appeared from behind where the wheels had been, illuminating the palace walls in a shimmering, ghostly light. as it grew, hawksworth realized it was an artificial tree whose branches were saturated with black powder and brimstone. next more flames spewed from the tops of five towers that had been erected near the riverfront. there were sharp reports, as though a musket had been fired, and dense streaks of red billowed into the sky. all around powder pots began to explode, hurtling lightning, dazzling white with camphor, and writhing serpents of flame into the smoky night air. "well, inglish, what do you think?' arangbar turned to hawksworth with a delighted smile. "have you ever seen anything to compare?" "we have fireworks in england too, your majesty, particularly on the eve of st. john's day, when we have barges of fireworks on the thames. and sometimes they're used in plays and pageants. and at the wedding of his majesty's daughter, four of king james's gunners gave a show with a fiery castle, a dragon, a damsel, and st. george. but english fireworks generally make more noise than these." hawksworth paused, wondering how much to tell. "and some countries in europe use fireworks in battle, majesty. helmets that throw fire, swords and lances with fiery points, and bucklers that give out flames when struck." arangbar gave him a puzzled glance. "but what good are those, inglish? in battle the most important use of flame is the fire lance. what use are sparking swords? watch and you will see what i mean." arangbar pointed to a line of rajput marksmen, carrying horn bows and heavy spears, who had assembled at one side of the clearing. while they fell into a formation perpendicular to the river, servants were placing clay pots on small stands at the opposite side, perhaps seventy yards away. the rajputs watched impassively as the arrows in their bows were lighted, and then on the shout of their commander they lifted their bows and fired in unison. ten streaks of flame shot across the riverfront, and the crowd fell expectantly silent. all the arrows seemed to reach their target at precisely the same instant. each had been aimed at a separate pot, and as they impacted, the silence was rent by what sounded like a single explosion. the pots, hawksworth realized, had been primed with powder, ready to detonate. the smoke was still drifting across the grounds when torch carriers with large flambeaux moved to the center, illuminating scaffolding that had been hastily erected. more clay pots, painted white, hung suspended from the scaffolds on long ropes. the servants set the pots swinging and then fell back, while the rajputs ignited the tips of their spears. again flame streaked across the clearing and again there was a simultaneous explosion as the spears caught the swinging pots. arangbar joined the cheers, then turned and slapped hawksworth on the shoulder. "that, inglish, is how you use fire in battle. you must put it where you want it. no soldier of india would be daunted by trick swords and bucklers." "my king agrees with you, majesty. he leaves such toys to the germans." the display continued for almost an hour, as one exotic device after another was carried next to the riverfront. the water became littered with burning paper and the air so dense with smoke that queen janahara finally started to cough. arangbar immediately ordered an end to the fireworks, and as the crowd filed back into the hall, the tapestries were lowered to again conceal the smoky view of the river. now the music began, and the dancing, as musicians and women moved to the center of the hall. servants circulated with more betel leaves and _sharbat_, and arangbar took his first ball of opium. hawksworth glanced guardedly at the queen. her manner was imperious, regal, everything a sovereign should be. everything allaudin was not. and, he thought, probably a lot arangbar himself is not. she'll soon have india by the _cojones_, not a doubt on it. and then it's farewell jadar. and probably farewell arangbar too. will i get a signed _firman _for trade before it's too late? as midnight neared, the music and dance were suddenly interrupted by trumpets and a drum roll and shouts of "the bride comes." the curtains covering a large doorway leading into the palace were drawn open, and a closed palanquin was brought in by four eunuchs. it was accompanied by veiled women singing something hawksworth did not understand. the palanquin was carried to the center of the room, where a low platform covered with gold brocade had been positioned, and then the eunuchs lowered it to the marble floor. the curtains were drawn aside and a veiled woman emerged, her small body almost smothered in a dress that seemed made of multiple layers of beaten gold. she was helped to the middle of the platform, still wearing a veil that covered her entire face. chants of "hail to the bride" arose on all sides. then allaudin was escorted forward, taking his place on the platform beside her. he stole a quick, distasteful glance at the veiled figure beside him, then an official smile illuminated his face and he sat patiently as the _qazi _was summoned in front of them. the official was bearded, stern- faced, and transparently arrogant. he stood before the veiled bride and motioned around him for silence. "is it by your own consent that this marriage take place with prince allaudin, son of his royal majesty?" from beneath the layers of the veil came a muffled, almost hesitant, "it is by my consent." the _qazi _seemed satisfied and began reading a passage from the quran, informing her that marriage depends on three circumstances: the assent of the bride and groom, the evidence of two witnesses, and the marriage settlement. he then turned to allaudin and asked him to name the sum he brought. allaudin mumbled a figure that hawksworth did not catch, but then the _qazi _repeated it for the guests. hawksworth caught his breath when he realized the amount named was fifty _lakhs _of rupees. then allaudin said something else, which the _qazi _did not repeat. later hawksworth learned that allaudin had added he was giving only ten lakhs of rupees then, and the balance at some indefinite future time. the _qazi _blessed the royal pair, praying that they would be blissful in this world and in eternity, and then wrote something quickly in a book he carried. finally the eunuchs appeared again and assisted the bride into the palanquin. the marriage ceremony seemed to be over. a glass of wine was placed in hawksworth's hand, and he looked up to see arangbar beaming with satisfaction. "now we drink, inglish. come, sit closer and help me toast the bridegroom." "it was truly a royal wedding, your majesty." "but it's not over, inglish." arangbar roared with laughter. "the hardest part is yet to come. does my son have the strength to complete the work he's offered to undertake? no one can leave until we're sure." hawksworth had begun his third glass of wine when princess layla reappeared, wearing a lighter dress, though still resplendent. behind her eunuchs carried several palanquins piled high with vessels and trays of silver. following them were servants bearing bundles on their heads. "those are the wares she brings to the marriage, inglish, and her servants. i think she will make him a good wife." the royal pair moved together, layla still veiled, and then queen janahara stepped down from the dais and took a large mirror handed her by a turbaned eunuch. she walked to the couple and stopped directly in front of them. as they stood facing her, she held the mirror before allaudin and reached to lift layla's veil, giving him his first glimpse of his bride. hawksworth studied her with curiosity. she was plain. and she looked very frightened. "it's auspicious, inglish, if his first sight of his bride is in a mirror. i have not seen her before either." arangbar examined her for a moment, then turned to nadir sharif. "what do you think? should i buy him another one for his bed?" "she's a goddess of beauty, majesty. inspiration for a poet." "is that what you think?" arangbar sipped pensively from his cup. "well, perhaps it's true. we'll discover soon enough if she inspires her groom." the guests watched as allaudin and layla were helped into a large palanquin. in moments their procession was winding out of the palace, followed by layla's household silver, to a great fanfare of drums and trumpets and the shouts of servants. "peace on the prophet!" "there is no nobility but the nobility of mohammed!" "allah be with him, the noblest, the purest, the highest!" hawksworth settled back against his bolster and realized groggily that it was already past two o'clock in the morning. when the wedding procession had disappeared from view, the jubilant servants immediately turned to preparations for the banquet. "sometimes life can be sweet, inglish." arangbar leaned back against a bolster and pinched janahara's hand. "i think he should have more wives. you know there's a saying in india: 'a man should have four wives: a persian to have someone to talk to; a khurasani to keep his house; a big-breasted hindu from the south to nurse his children; and a bengali to whip, as a warning to the other three.' so far he has only the persian." hawksworth noticed that janahara did not join in the general laughter. then arangbar took another drink and turned to hawksworth. "but you know i don't entirely agree with that wisdom, inglish. the holy prophet, on whom be peace, wisely realized a man needs more than one wife. he also demanded of us that we give each of them equal attention, never to turn away from any one of them. what man can do that, even with allah's help? it is never possible. so we all do the best we can. it is the will of allah." arangbar paused to swallow a ball of affion as he watched the trays of lamb being placed before them. "tell me, inglish, have you found a wife for yourself yet?" "not as yet, your majesty." he paused. "there are so many to choose." "then take more than one, inglish." arangbar washed down the opium. "it's not allowed for a christian, majesty." "then become a muslim." arangbar smiled and took another sip from his glass. "are you circumcised, inglish?" "majesty?" "never mind." arangbar laughed out loud. "neither am i. how are the mullahs to know? my father, akman, actually wanted to start his own religion, combining the wisdom of india, persia, and the west. he thought circumcision was an absurd practice. you know, there was once a _feringhi _here, i believe he was portuguese, who decided to become a muslim, a true believer. apparently he had found a muslim woman he wanted to marry, and her father declared she could never marry a christian. so he had himself circumcised." arangbar paused dramatically. "and immediately bled to death. but doubtless he was healed by the time he reached paradise. perhaps he made up there for what he missed here." arangbar chuckled and took a sip of wine. hawksworth noticed that queen janahara was trying with great difficulty to retain her pleased expression. "do you believe there is a paradise after death, inglish?" "what man can say. majesty? no one has returned from death to tell what he found. i think life is best lived in the present." "i've always believed the same, inglish. and i've lived as few men on allah's earth have lived." arangbar settled himself against his bolster and reached for another glass. he was starting to grow visibly tipsy. "i now enjoy all allah could possibly grant to a living man. there is nothing on earth i cannot have. and yet, do you know, i still have many griefs. show me the man whose heart is free of grief." he took a piece of lamb from a dish and washed it down. "so i find my greatest happiness with wine. like a low-caste camel driver. why must i still endure sorrow, inglish?" "we all are mortal. majesty." "that we are. inglish. but i will soon see this paradise, if it exists. i will find out the truth soon enough. and when i'm finally wise, who will then come after me? now my sons practically war among themselves. someday, inglish, i fear they may decide to war against me as well. and what of those i see around me? do they think i am blind to their deceit?" arangbar leaned farther back on the bolster. nadir sharif sat listening, rolling a ball of lamb between his fingers. "sometimes i think you may be the only honest man left in india, inglish. you are the only one who has ever dared refuse to _teslim_. it is only with the greatest forbearance that i do not order you hanged." "i thank your majesty." hawksworth took a decanter and poured more wine into arangbar's glass before replenishing his own. "no, inglish, instead you should thank your christian god. if he listens to you. but sometimes i wonder. i've heard you called a heretic more than once." "and i have names for the jesuits, your majesty. would you care to hear them?" "no, inglish. frankly, i have names for them too. but tell me, what am i to do to find peace?" arangbar lowered his voice, but only slightly. "i see around me an army of sycophants, _nautch _women dressed as men. whom dare i trust? you know, my own people were once warriors, mongols of the steppes. they knew that the only ties that last are blood. and that's why this wedding cheers me. it is blood to blood." arangbar turned and again touched janahara's hand. her face was expressionless as she accepted the gesture. "the only person in india i dare trust completely is my own queen. she is the only one who cannot, will not deceive me. never. i feel it is true, as i feel nothing else in life. nothing else." janahara's face remained a mask as arangbar drank again. nadir sharif was watching wordlessly, his face beginning to turn noticeably grim. hawksworth realized he had not been mentioned. "i have loved her since i was a youth, inglish," arangbar continued, his voice growing maudlin. "and she has never betrayed my trust. that's the reason i would do anything she asked me. anything, anytime. i always know it is right." hawksworth found himself marveling as he glanced at janahara's calculating eyes. i'd not trust her with two pence. he must be god's own fool. arangbar sat silent for a moment, savoring his own pronouncement, then he turned to janahara and spoke to her in a dull slur. "ask something of me. let me prove to the inglish that i can never deny you." janahara turned as though she had not been listening. hawksworth knew she had been straining for every word. "what could i ask, majesty? you have given me all i could ever want. tonight you even gave me a husband for my daughter. now i can die with the peace of allah." "but i must give you something." he settled his wine cup shakily on the carpet, jostling red splashes across the persian design. "you must name it." "but there is nothing i could ask that i do not already have." "sometimes you vex me with your good nature. the inglish will now suspect the moghul of india is a vain braggart." he fumbled with his turban, trying to detach the large blue sapphire attached to the front. "i will give you a jewel, even though you have not asked it." "i beg your majesty." she reached to stay his hand. "there is nothing more i could ever want." "but i must give you something." she smiled in defeat. "if you must bestow a present, why not give something to the bride and groom? this is their wedding, not mine." "then at least you must name it. it will be my gift to you through them." he turned to hawksworth. "whatever else you do. inglish, never marry a persian. they forever study to try your patience." hawksworth noticed nadir sharifs eyes harden as he listened. he slowly gripped the side of his bolster and absently pulled away a piece of gold fringe. "then give them a small token, to show your confidence in allaudin." "i asked you to name it." "very well. perhaps you could grant him the royal _jagirs _in dholpur, those closest to agra." arangbar's sleepy eyes widened slightly. "those _jagirs _always go to the prince nearest the throne. i granted them only last year to prince jadar, as part of his price to undertake the campaign in the deccan." "but prince allaudin can administer them more easily. he's here. and you can compensate jadar with others. perhaps some in the north, near the fortress of qandahar? you'll have to send him there after the campaign in the deccan." janahara's voice was silken now. hawksworth turned to see nadir sharifs face growing ashen. she's trying to drive jadar into oblivion. rob him of his best estates, then send him to defend a piece of mountain rock. surely arangbar will refuse. jadar will never agree. she must know that. nadir sharif certainly knows it. "what would prince jadar say to such a trade?" arangbar sipped from his wineglass and shifted slightly, his eyes again barely in focus. "why should he object? he's never here. and surely he'll be ready to obey your majesty and return to defend qandahar after he completes his campaign in the south. the threat from the persian safavis in the north is already growing." "i doubt very much he will agree so easily to march north again. not yet. though i pray to allah that he would." "then this will give him all the more reason." "he may not see it as a reason. he may see it as a betrayal. you know he's temperamental." hawksworth suddenly found himself wondering if the trade had been planned with allaudin. it was obvious nadir sharif had been taken completely by surprise. "then i suppose it's best dropped." janahara turned her face away. "you can just forget i ever asked." arangbar looked crushed. he sipped thoughtfully on his wine for a moment. "perhaps if i consulted prince jadar first." he paused to study his empty wine cup. "the _jagirs _ were granted . . ." "perhaps your majesty thinks prince allaudin should have no estates at all? perhaps you think he is not yet fit?" "he's fit, by allah. he's my son." arangbar impulsively seized another ball of opium and began to chew on it thoughtfully. "i'll find a way to compensate jadar. surely he'll be reasonable. after all, there must be a wedding gift." "then you'll agree to grant it?" janahara's tone was quiet and inquiring." "majesty." nadir sharifs voice seemed strangely unguarded. "prince jadar . . ." arangbar seemed not to hear him. "i grant it. in the morning i'll summon the _qazi_, and let this be recorded as my gift to my youngest son and his new bride." arangbar's tenseness seemed to dissolve as he leaned back on the bolster and took another ball of opium. "but only on the condition that he perform his duty tonight. let him plow the field he has before he's granted more." arangbar turned to hawksworth. "do you know what else will happen, inglish, if he fails in his duty the first night?" "no, majesty." "some of her women will send him a distaff, which they use with their spinning wheels. with a message that since he cannot do a man's work, it is fitting he should do a woman's. but i think he'll succeed." arangbar turned to janahara with a wink. "he's been practicing for months with the _nautch _girls in the palace." the queen did not smile as she took a rolled betel leaf from a tray. a messenger appeared at the foot of the dais and performed the _teslim_. his voice was quivering. "the sheet has not yet come out, may it please your majesty." arangbar laughed. "then perhaps the furrow is too narrow to receive his plow. have a mullah bless some water and send it in to him. and tell him i'm waiting to see if he's yet a man." "a shi'ite mullah, your majesty, or a sunni?" "from this night forward, he will have shi'ite mullahs perform all the duties for his household," janahara interrupted. the messenger performed the _teslim _to the queen and backed from the room. arangbar sat silent, drinking. "what does it matter?" he finally turned to her. "let him have whatever he pleases." "that is easy for you to say. but it does not please allah. tonight should be taken as an omen." "tonight is an omen of nothing. tonight my son is charged to make a woman out of a persian girl of fifteen, who knows nothing of her duties in bed. but he'll succeed. give him time." "i think tonight is an omen. allah is not pleased when you allow open heresies to flourish." arangbar was watching a dancer who had approached the dais to begin a suggestive _nautch _dance for him. it seemed to hawksworth that they were already well acquainted, for she smiled at him knowingly, avoiding the queen's glance. "i care nothing for heresies." arangbar turned back to janahara. "i only care for the honor of my reign." "but a faith divided does you no honor." "then unite it if you care so much. i have other duties." arangbar turned again to watch the dancer. she had a large ring in one side of her nose, and her eyes seemed to snap as she slapped her bare feet against the carpeted floor. "i never knew she was so good." he turned to nadir sharif. "send her a small ruby and find out for me tomorrow what her salary is. whatever it is, i think she should have more." "as you wish. majesty." nadir sharif bowed lightly and turned again to watch the dancer. hawksworth studied the prime minister's face. it was grim, leaden. it's everything shirin said would happen. prince jadar has been stripped of his lands, and the queen has been granted license to start an inquisition. you'd better get the _firman _signed, before the country starts coming apart. the doors of the hall burst open, and a crowd of women entered. they carried a silver plate, on which was a folded silken sheet. they moved quickly before the queen and performed the _teslim_. then one held out the plate. the queen took the sheet and inspected it. hawksworth watched her, puzzling, then remembered that in muslim society a bloodstained wedding sheet is considered evidence, vital to the honor of both the families, of the bride's virginity and the groom's virility. with a triumphant smile, janahara nodded and turned to exhibit the sheet to arangbar. there were light pink traces across the white silk. "he's a man after all." arangbar passed the sheet to zainul beg, who beamed and passed it to nadir sharif. the prime minister smiled with approval. "he has earned his _jagirs_." arangbar turned to janahara. "let it be recorded. and now we feast." more silver dishes of baked lamp appeared from inside the palace, brought by eunuchs who inspected them carefully before handing them to serving women. the music and dancing were exultant now and lasted until the light of dawn showed. the drunken guests waited reverently until arangbar, who had gone to sleep, was carried from the hall on a palanquin. then they began to disperse. hawksworth reached nadir sharif's side as the prime minister was moving out through the large, tapestry-adorned doorway. "what really happened tonight?" "what do you mean, ambassador?" "the transfer of _jagirs_. what will jadar do?" "ambassador, that's a matter for the rulers of india to decide. it's not your affair." nadir sharif did not look around. "instead let me ask you a question. when will your english fleet make landfall? they are overdue, but there have been no further sightings. i'm beginning to wonder if there really is a fleet." "perhaps the weather's been against them." hawksworth tried to steady himself on his feet. "after all, it was sighted by jadar's men." "was it? or did you and prince jadar deceive us all? if there's no fleet. ambassador, you're in very serious trouble. there will be no _firman_. his majesty is hardly a fool." "he promised to sign the _firman _long before the sighting." "you do not know him as i do. you have another week, perhaps two, and then . . . let me merely say you cannot drink the fleet into existence. we are both going to have difficulty explaining this deception to his majesty. you met with the prince. i'm beginning to wonder now if you both planned this. if you did, it was most unwise." "then wait two weeks and see." hawksworth felt his palms grow moist. "two weeks is not so long a time." "it is a very long time, ambassador. much is happening. you have made many of the wrong friends. good evening, ambassador. i must speak to her majesty." nadir sharif turned and was swallowed by the crowd. as hawksworth moved into the street, he saw that the front of the palace was already bathed in morning light. and agra was beginning to come to life. he strolled for a time along the side of the jamuna, where burned-out candles still floated, and studied the outline of the red fort against the morning sky. what if there really is no fleet? what if it really was a trick by jadar, for some reason of his own? to destroy my mission? has he cozened us all? midmorning was approaching when he finally reached his lodge at the rear of nadir sharifs estate. as he passed through the curtained doorway, he saw kamala waiting, her eyes dark. she was wearing none of her jewels. "have you heard?" she took his turban and knelt to remove his _kamar- band_. "heard what?" "do you know the sufi samad? and the persian woman who was with him?" hawksworth examined her, wondering who else knew of his stay in fatehpur sekri. "why do you ask?" "if you do know them, it is no longer wise to admit it." "why?" hawksworth felt his gut tighten. suddenly kamala's touch no longer stirred him. "the news is already spreading in agra." she began removing his cloak, pausing to smooth her hand across his chest. "they were arrested last night, while the wedding was underway, in the bazaar this morning they say he is sure to be condemned to death for heresy, and she for aiding him. people think they will both be executed within the week." chapter twenty-three father manoel pinheiro's clean-shaven face was grim and his lips set tightly against the brisk air as he pushed a path through the crowded alley, headed toward the riverside palace of nadir sharif. around him large black cauldrons of frying bread filled the dawn with the aroma of oil and spice. he had slipped from the mission house at first light and, clasping his peaked black hat tightly over his forehead, he had tried to melt inconspicuously among the rattling bullock carts and noisy street vendors. now he paused for breath and watched as a large white cow licked the few grains of rice from the begging bowl of a dozing leper. the image seemed to capture all the despair of india, and he suddenly felt himself overwhelmed by the enormity of the church's burden. before he could move on, a crowd of chanting hindus jostled him against a wall as they poured into a small, garishly decorated temple brimming with poly-colored heathen idols. on either side hindu fakirs sat listlessly, long white hair streaming down over their streaked faces, their limpid eyes devoid of god's understanding. he shook his head sadly as he made the sign of the cross over them, and found his heart near bursting. on every hand, he told himself, the fields are ripe unto harvest, the flocks wanting a keeper. for every soul in this forgotten land we bring to god and the church, a hundred, nay a thousand, are born into eternal darkness, damned forever. our task is overwhelming, even with god's help. he thought of the holy church, the society of jesus, and their long years of disappointment in india. but now, at last, it seemed their hopes and prayers might be nearing fulfillment. after all the years of humiliation and ignominy, there seemed a chance, a genuine chance, that arangbar, the great moghul himself, would at last consent to be baptized into the holy church. after him, all of india would surely soon follow. father pinheiro crossed himself again, and prayed silently that god would make him a worthy instrument of his will. the burden of india was by now a jesuit legend. it had been taken up when the first mission came to the court of akman over three decades before. and even now the pagan fields of india remained, in many ways, the greatest challenge of the society of jesus and the holy church. india had, it was true, been held in the grip of portuguese sea power for many years before the first mission arrived in agra. but portuguese arms and trade had not served the work of the church. they had served the greed of portuguese merchants and the coffers of portuguese royalty. the lost souls of india were denied the grace of the holy church. then, in , a priest named ignatius loyola, once a nobleman and a soldier, founded the society of jesus, whose dual purpose was to defend the holy church against the protestant reformation and begin preaching the true faith to the pagan lands of asia and the americas. in the society of jesus reached portuguese goa, on the very shores of india, in the person of francis xavier, a close friend of ignatius loyola's from student days at the university of paris. with goa as base of operations, the society had immediately pushed farther eastward, reaching japan and macao a few short years later. paradoxically, it was india itself that had initially eluded their influence. finally, in , the great akman journeyed south and encountered the members of the society of jesus for the first time. he was awed by their learning and moral integrity, and soon thereafter he posted an envoy to goa requesting that a jesuit mission be sent to his court. three jesuit fathers traveled to fatehpur sekri. the jesuits' hopes soared when they were immediately invited to debate the orthodox islamic mullahs at akman's court. the leader of the mission, a soft-spoken italian father with encyclopedic learning, knew the quran well in translation and easily refuted the mullahs' absolutist arguments--to the obvious delight of akman. it was only after several months at fatehpur sekri that the three learned fathers began to suspect that akman's real purpose in inviting them was to have on hand skilled debaters for entertainment. akman may have had scant patience with islam, but it had grown obvious he had no desire to become a christian either. he was an intellectual who amused himself by questioning the ideas and teachings of all faiths, with the inevitable result that he always found something in each to affront his own reason. he was, in fact, beginning to form the notion that he himself was as great a leader as any of the spiritual teachers he had heard about, and accordingly should simply declare himself an object of worship. after a decade the three jesuits finally conceded their first mission was a failure and abjectly returned to goa. almost a decade later, in , akman again requested that jesuit fathers be sent to his court. once more a mission was sent, and once more its members eventually concluded akman had no real intention of encouraging christianity in india. the second mission was also abandoned. there remained some, however, in goa and in rome, who believed the great moghul akman still could be converted. furthermore, as the protestant countries began to venture into the indies, the political usefulness of having portuguese priests near the ruler of india became increasingly obvious. thus, in , a third mission was sent to akman's court. father pinheiro remembered well their instructions upon departing goa. they would convert akman if they could; but equally important now, they would ensure that portuguese trading interests were protected. the jesuit fathers drew close to akman, became valued advisers, and found themselves being consulted on questions ranging from whether jesus was the son of god or merely a prophet, to the advisability of smoking tobacco. still, the only lasting achievement of the mission was to extract from akman a _firman _granting jesuits the right to free exercise of the catholic religion. they wanted his soul, and through it the soul of india, but the most they ever attained was his protection. he died a royal skeptic, but a sovereign whose religious tolerance shocked the dogmatic sixteenth-century world. father pinheiro paused to study the outline of the red fort against the morning sky and listened to the _azan _call to islamic prayer sounding from a nearby mosque. he smiled to think that the schism between the rule of arangbar and the rule of islam might soon be complete. like akman, arangbar had never bothered to hide his distaste for the mullahs who flooded his court. he collected italian paintings of the virgin for his palace, even scandalizing the mullahs by hanging one in the _diwan- i-am_, and whenever one of the jesuit fathers journeyed to goa, there was always a request for more christian art. true the moghul's understanding of blasphemy was erratic, as evidenced by a recent evening in the _diwan-i-khas _when, drunk and roaring with laughter, arangbar had set a wager with the jesuits on how long he could stand with his arms outstretched as a cross. but then he had built a church for the mission, and also provided them a house, which he now visited ever more frequently to secretly indulge his passion for forbidden pork. a scant two months before, arangbar had taken an action that sent the mission's hopes soaring. he had summoned the jesuit fathers to baptize two of his young nephews, ordering the boys to become christians. the mullahs had been outraged, immediately spreading the pernicious rumor he had done so merely to better remove them from the line of succession. in goa, however, the mission was roundly congratulated on nearing its goal. if arangbar became a christian, many in his court and perhaps eventually all of india would someday follow. this had all been before the arrival of the english heretic, hawksworth. at the very moment when arangbar's mind seemed within their grasp, there had now emerged the specter that all their work might be undone. arangbar had treated the englishman as though he were qualified to speak on theological matters and had even questioned him about the most holy sacrament, when the church's doctrine regarding this mystery had already been fully expounded to him by father sarmento himself. arangbar had listened with seeming interest while the englishman proceeded to tell him much that was contrary to the truth and to church teaching. when asked point blank, the englishman had even denied that his holiness, the pope, should be acknowledged head of the universal church, going on to characterize his holiness' political concerns in almost scatological terms. father sarmento, normally the most forbearing of priests, was nearing despair. most disturbing of all, arangbar had only last week asked the englishman by what means the portuguese fortress at the northern port of diu could be recaptured by india. the englishman had confided that he believed a blockade by a dozen english frigates, supported by an indian land army of no more than twenty thousand, could force the portuguese garrison to capitulate from hunger! clearly arangbar was growing eccentric. the english heretic had beguiled him and was near to becoming a serious detriment to portuguese interests. to make matters worse, there was the latest dispatch from goa, which had arrived only the previous evening. father pinheiro had studied it well into the night, and finally concluded that the time had come to stop the englishman. he also concluded it was time to make this unmistakably clear to nadir sharif. as the situation continued to deteriorate, only the influence of nadir sharif could still neutralize the englishman. father pinheiro moved on through the jostling street, occasionally swabbing his brow. and as he looked about him, he began to dream of the day there would be a christian india. it would be the society's greatest triumph. what would it be like? what would arangbar do to silence the heretical mullahs? would the time come when india, like europe, would require an inquisition to purify the sovereignty of the church? one thing was certain. with a catholic monarch in india, there would be no further english trade, no dutch trade, no protestant trade. the declining fortunes of portuguese commerce at goa, the protestant challenge to portuguese supremacy in the indies, would both be permanently reversed in a single stroke. the thought heartened him as he looked up to see the sandstone turrets of nadir sharif's palace gleaming in the morning sun. "father, it is always a pleasure to see you." nadir sharif bowed lightly and indicated a bolster. he did not order refreshments from the servants. "no matter what the hour." "i realize the time is early. i wanted to find you at home. and to come here when there were the fewest possible eyes on the street." pinheiro paused and then decided to sit. he was perspiring heavily from the walk, even though the real heat of the day lay hours ahead. nadir sharif flinched at the jesuit's school-book persian and examined him with ill-concealed disdain, knowing word of his visit surely had already found the ears of the queen. "then i should ask the occasion for this unexpected pleasure." nadir sharif seated himself and discreetly examined the jesuit's soiled black habit. "the english trading fleet, excellency. the news is most disturbing. i received a pigeon last evening from his excellency, miguel vaijantes. the armada he dispatched along the coast to sweep for the english fleet returned three days ago, finding nothing. the english may have eluded us. he has now ordered the armada to sail north from goa, into the bay, but by now the english fleet could be nearing surat, or perhaps they have veered north to the port of cambay. his excellency fears that they may possibly escape our patrols entirely and make landfall. he has asked me to inform you privately that the _firman _for english trade must be delayed at all costs, until the english fleet can be sighted and engaged." "i have made every effort. the viceroy knows that." nadir sharif casually adjusted the jewel on his turban. "it has been stopped so far." "but if the fleet lands? and if the heretic english king has sent new gifts for his majesty?" pinheiro tried to maintain his dignity as he nervously wiped his face with the black fold of a sleeve. "if the english do make landfall, and dispatch more gifts for his majesty, i fear no power in agra can stop him from signing the _firman_.'' nadir sharifs face assumed an expression of conciliatory resignation. "the english will undoubtedly make the trading _firman_ a condition of further presents." "you know that is unacceptable, excellency." pinheiro's eyes narrowed. "the mission cannot allow it. you know that as well as i." "forgive me, but i've always understood your mission here was not to concern itself with trade." "the holy church is not engaged in trade, excellency. but our position here is dependent, as you are well aware, on the fortunes of goa. the two are entwined, as are all secular and spiritual aspects of life. whatever disturbs one must inevitably affect the other. it cannot be otherwise." "obviously." nadir sharif stroked the tip of his moustache a moment in thought. "so what would you have me do? the english _feringhi _cannot be harmed. he drinks every evening with his majesty." "there are other ways to negate the heretic's influence. perhaps the englishman's . . . situation with his majesty can be rendered less intimate. perhaps he could be removed from favor. if only for a time." "so you have come to ask me to work miracles for you, when you do nothing for yourself." nadir sharif rose and strolled to a latticework window. he studied the garden for a moment, then spoke without turning. "have you advised his majesty in explicit terms of the viceroy's displeasure with the english intrusion into our . . . into portuguese waters?" "it has been made known. many times." "but have you suggested the consequences?" nadir sharif turned and gazed past pinheiro, his eyes playing on the scalloped marble arch of the entryway. "the consequences are obvious. the warships at goa are capable of terminating all trade in the indian ocean if his excellency so pleases." "then you should merely engage the english." nadir sharif consciously deleted the irony from his voice. "that is an entirely separate matter. the english frigates are of a new design, very swift. they may possibly have eluded us for a time." pinheiro's voice hardened. "but do not doubt our galleons are swifter than any of the trading vessels of his majesty's fleet. india's own red sea trade continues only at the viceroy's discretion." "that is true enough. but are you prepared to demonstrate your . . . displeasure." nadir sharif revolved back to the window. "i do not think his majesty actually believes the viceroy would ever take hostile action." "what are you suggesting?" pinheiro's voice betrayed momentary disbelief. "nothing that you have not already brought to his majesty's attention. but possibly he does not believe you have the conviction, or the strength, to carry it through. the english _feringhi _constantly brags to him of english superiority at sea, hinting that his king will soon drive portugal from the indian ocean. i've heard it so often myself i confess i'm near to believing him too." "i can assure you that the protection, and control, of india's ports will always remain in portuguese hands." "then you would still have me believe you have the power to impound indian shipping, even a vessel owned by his majesty, thereby exposing the english as helpless to prevent it?" nadir sharif seemed absorbed in the garden, his hands clasped easily behind him in perfect repose. "of course." pinheiro stood dazed at the implications of nadir sharifs words. he paused for a moment, digesting them. "do i understand you to be suggesting the viceroy take hostile action against one of his majesty's own trading ships?" "you have contested the englishman with words, and he seems to be winning." nadir sharif turned and examined pinheiro. "your viceroy is undoubtedly aware that her majesty, queen janahara, is equally disturbed by the englishman. she too is concerned with the possible effects on her . . . trading arrangements if the english gain undue influence." "would she be willing to speak to his majesty?" "again you talk merely of words. what have they gained you?" "father sarmento would never consent to an overt action. he would be too fearful of the possible consequences to the mission." "bold measures are for bold men. i think his excellency, miguel vaijantes, understands boldness. and his majesty understands boldness better than anyone." nadir sharif paused. "it may be of interest to his excellency to know that his majesty currently has a vessel en route from the red sea, with cargo owned by the mother of his majesty, the dowager maryam zamani. it is due to make landfall within the week, if it has managed to hold its schedule. the vessel's safety is, quite naturally, of utmost concern to his majesty . . ." "i think i understand." father pinheiro again swabbed the moisture from his brow. "but father sarmento . . ." "what possible concern could father sarmento have with decisions made by his excellency, miguel vaijantes? he is the viceroy." nadir sharif nodded toward a pudgy eunuch hovering at the doorway, who immediately entered with a tray of betel leaves, signaling that the meeting was adjourned. "his excellency will undoubtedly be most appreciative of your thoughts." pinheiro paused. "still, wouldn't it be prudent to advise her majesty, lest she mistake our viceroy's intentions?" "i will attend to it." nadir sharif smiled warmly. "you must be aware, however, that if his majesty chooses to respond irresponsibly, i will know nothing about any action that may be taken. the viceroy must weather his own seas." "naturally." pinheiro bowed. "you have always been a friend. i thank you, and bless you in god's name." "your thanks are sufficient." nadir sharif smiled again and watched as the jesuit was led through the scalloped doorway by the waiting eunuch. only when he turned back to the window did he realize his palms were drenched with perspiration. arangbar moved groggily through the arched corridor carrying a fresh silver cup of wine and quietly humming the motif of his favorite hindustani raga. his afternoon nap in the _zenana _had been fitful, unusually so, and when he finally admitted to himself why, he had dismissed the two young women who waited to pleasure him, retrieved his jeweled turban, and waved aside the attending eunuchs. he had announced he wanted to stroll among the fruit trees in the courtyard of the anguri bagh, which lay down the marble steps from the khas mahal, the breezy upper pavilion of the _zenana_. but when he reached the trees, he had turned and slipped through his private doorway leading to the women's apartments in the lower level of the fort. the _zenana _was quiet, even the eunuchs were dozing, and no one noticed when he passed along the shadowed afternoon corridor toward the circular staircase leading to the lower apartments. as he began to descend the curved stone steps, he felt his legs momentarily grow unsteady, and he paused to rest against the hard polished wall, tightening his light brocade cloak against the cooler air and taking a short sip of wine for warmth. then he continued on, carefully feeling for each step in the dim light of the overhead oil lamps. he emerged on the next level and stopped to catch his breath on the balcony that opened out over the jamuna. this was the level where he had built private apartments for his favorite women, and behind him was the large room, with a painted cupola ceiling high above a large rose- shaped marble fountain, which he had granted to one of his hindu wives. (now he could no longer recall precisely who she was; she had reached thirty some time past and he had not summoned her to his couch in many years.) since she was a devout hindu, he had ordered it decorated with brilliantly colored scenes from the ramayana. the room itself was cooled by a high waterfall in the rear that murmured down an inclined and striated marble slab. stairways on either side of the room curved around to an overhead balcony, directly above where he now stood, which was the post where eunuchs waited when the women came to cool themselves by the fountain. the balcony where he now stood jutted out from the fort, supported by thick sandstone columns, and from his position he could look along the side of the fort and see the jasmine tower of queen janahara. when he realized he also could be seen, he instinctively stepped back into the cool corridor. the women were inside their apartments, asleep, and the corridor empty as he began to descend the circular stairs leading to the next level below, the quarters for eunuchs and female servants. as he rounded the last curve of the stair and emerged into the light, three eunuchs stared up in shock from their game of cards. it vaguely registered that they probably were gambling, which he had strictly prohibited in the _zenana_, but he decided to ignore it this afternoon. the circular pasteboard cards of the eunuchs' scattered across the stone floor as they hurried to _teslim_. he paused to drink again from the cup and absently studied the painted faces on the cards dropped by the eunuch nearest him. it was not a bad hand. lying on the marble were four high cards from the _bishbar_, powerful, suits-- the lord of horses, the king of elephants, the king of infantry, and the throned _wazir _of the fort--and three from the _kambar_, weaker, suits--the king of snakes, the king of divinities, and the throned queen. he stared for a moment at the king of elephants, the suit he always preferred to play, and wondered at the happenstance that the king had fallen beneath the queen, whose face covered his golden crown. he shrugged it away as coincidence and turned toward the stairs leading to the next lower level. two more levels remained. the air was increasingly musty now, noticeably smoky from the lamps, and he hurried on, reaching the next landing without stopping. the windows on this level had shrunk to only a few hand spans, and now they were secured with heavy stone latticework. the eunuchs were arguing at the other end of the corridor and failed even to notice him. he told himself to try to remember this, and drank again as he paused to listen to the metrical splash of the jamuna lapping against the outer wall. then he stepped quietly down the last flight of stairs. the final level. as he emerged into the corridor, two guarding eunuchs who had been dozing leaped to their feet and drew swords before recognizing him. both fell on their face in _teslim_, their turbans tumbling across the stone floor. arangbar said nothing, merely pointed toward a doorway at the end of the corridor. the startled eunuchs strained against their fat as they lifted torches from the walls and then turned officiously to lead the way. as they walked, arangbar paused to stare through an arched doorway leading into a large domed room off the side of the hall. a dozen eunuchs were inside, some holding torches while others laced a white cotton rope through a wooden pulley attached to the lower side of a heavy wooden beam that spanned the room, approximately ten feet above the floor. the two eunuchs with arangbar also stopped, wondering if his majesty had come to supervise the hanging that afternoon of the two _zenana _women who had been discovered in a flagrant sexual act in the shish mahal, the mirrored _zenana _baths. arangbar studied the hanging room for a moment with glazed eyes, not remembering that he had sentenced the women that same morning, and then waved the guards on along the corridor, past the doors that secured dark cells. these were the cells used to confine women who had broken _zenana _regulations. at the end of the corridor was a door wider than the others, and behind it was a special cell, with a window overlooking the jamuna. he walked directly to the door and drank again from his cup as he ordered it opened. the guards were there at once, keys jangling. the door was massive and thick, and it creaked heavily on its hinges as they pushed it slowly inward. from the gloom came the unmistakable fragrance of musk and sandalwood. he inhaled it for a moment and it seemed to penetrate his memory, calling up long forgotten pleasures. grasping the door for support, he moved past the bowing guards and into the cell. there, standing by the small barred window, her face caught in a shaft of afternoon sun, was shirin. her eyes were carefully darkened with kohl and her mouth red and fresh. she wore a gossamer scarf decorated with gold thread, and a thin skirt that betrayed the curve of her thighs against the outline of her flowered trousers. the musty air of the room was immersed in her perfume, as though by her very being she would defy the walls of her prison. she looked just as he had remembered. she turned and stared at him for a moment, seeming not to believe what she saw. then her eyes hardened. "shall i _teslim _before my sentence?" arangbar said nothing as he examined her wordlessly, sipping slowly from his almost-empty cup. now more than ever he realized why she had once been his favorite. she could bring him to ecstasy, and then recite persian poetry to him for hours. she had been exquisite. "you're as beautiful as ever. too beautiful. what do you expect me to do with you?" "i expect that i will die, your majesty. that, i think, is the usual sentence for the women who disobey you." "you could have stayed in surat, where you were sent. or gone on to goa with the husband i gave you. but instead you returned here. why?" arangbar eased himself onto the stone bench beside the door. "i don't think you would understand, majesty." "did you come because of the inglish _feringhi?_ i learned yesterday that you conspired to meet with him. it displeased me very much." "he was not responsible, majesty. i met with him because i chose to. but i came to agra to be with samad again." her voice began to tremble slightly. "samad is guilty of nothing, except defiance of the shi'ite mullahs. you know that as well as i. if you want to hear me beg for him, i will." arangbar seemed not to notice the tear that stained the kohl beneath one eye. "it was a death sentence for you to disobey me and come back. perhaps you actually want to die." "is there nothing you would die for, majesty?" arangbar stared for a moment at the window, its hexagonal grillwork throwing a pattern across his glazed eyes. he seemed to be searching for words. "yes, perhaps i might die for india. perhaps someday soon i will. but i would never die for the glory of islam." his gaze came back to shirin. "and certainly not for some half-naked sufi mullah." "samad is not a mullah." by force of will she held any trace of shrillness from her voice. "he is a persian poet. one of the greatest ever. you know that. he defies the shi'ites because he will not bow to their dogma." "the shi'ites want his head." arangbar examined his empty cup and tossed it to the floor, listening as the silver rang hard against the stone. "it seems a small price for tranquility." "whose tranquility? theirs?" the tears were gone now, her eyes again defiant. "mine. every day i'm flooded with petitions about this or that heresy. it wearies and consumes me. samad ignored the laws of islam, and he has followers." " you ignore the laws of islam." arangbar laughed. "it's true. between us, i despise the mullahs. you know i once told them i had decided to become a christian, because i enjoyed eating pork and the prophet denied it to all men. the next day they brought the quran and declared although it was true pork was denied to men, the prophet said nothing specifically about what a king could eat. so there was no need for me to become a christian." he paused and sobered. "but samad is not a king. he is a well-known sufi. the mullahs claim that if he's dead, the inspiration for heresy will die with him. they say his death will serve as an example. i hear this everywhere, even from her majesty." "her majesty?" shirin searched for his eyes as she spoke, but they were shrouded in shadow. "does she make laws for you now?" "she disrupts my tranquility with all her talk about islam and shi'ites. perhaps it's age. she never used to talk about the shi'ites. but now she wants to bring the islam of persia to india. she forbade sunni mullahs even to attend the wedding. but if it pleases her, what does it matter? i despise them all." "but why samad? why sentence him to death?" "frankly i don't really care about this poet, either way. but he has not tried to help himself. when i allowed him to confront the mullahs who accused him, he refused to recite the kalima, 'there is no god but allah.'" "what did he say?" "perhaps just to spite them, he would only recite the first phrase, 'there is no god,' the negation. he refused to recite the rest, the affirmation. he said he was still searching for truth. that when he finally saw god he would recite the remainder; that to affirm his existence without proof would be giving false evidence. i thought the mullahs would strangle him on the spot." arangbar laughed to himself as he watched her turn again to the window. "you have to admit that qualifies as blasphemy, by any measure. so if the mullahs want him so badly, why not let them have him?" "but samad is a mystic, a pantheist." shirin returned her eyes to arangbar. "for him god is everywhere, not just where the mullahs choose to put him. do you remember those quatrains in his rubaiyat that say, _"here in the garden the sunshine glows, a presence moves in all that grows. he is the lover, the belov'd too. he is the bramble and the rose. we know him when our hearts are moved; he, our lover and our loved. open your eyes with joy and see the hundred ways his love is proved." _ "i've seen his poetry. it sings of the love of some god, although his god sounds a bit too benign to be allah. but i also know his rubaiyat will not save him. it may make him immortal someday, but he'll be long since dead by then." arangbar rose unsteadily and moved beside her, staring out onto the glinting surface of the jamuna. for a moment he watched a fleet of barges pass, piled high with dark bundles of indigo. "i believe i myself will die someday soon. i can almost feel my strength ebbing. but i hope i'll be remembered as my father akman is, a ruler who tolerated all faiths. i've protected hindus from the bigoted followers of mohammed's religion, who would convert them forcibly to islam, and i've allowed all religions to build places of worship. did you know i've even built a church for the portuguese jesuits, who have to buy most of their converts with bribes? i even gave them a stipend, since they would starve otherwise. they tell me they're astonished i allow so much religious freedom here, since it's unheard of in europe. but i can do all this only if i remain the nominal defender of islam. islam holds the power in india, and as india's ruler i must acknowledge that. i can defy the mullahs myself now and then. but i can't permit your sufi mystic to do it too. there's a limit." "you can do anything. if you wish. the orthodox mullahs have always hated mystics. the shi'ite mullahs are men who live on hate. you see it burning in their eyes. they even hate their own women, can't you see? they keep them prisoner, claiming that's the way they honor and respect them. the mullahs even resent that samad allows me to come into his presence without a veil." "they say he's a poison in islam." "yes, his example is poison. his poetry is filled with love. the mullahs cannot bear it, since their own lives are filled with hate. god help india if it ever becomes an 'islamic' state. there'll be mobs in the streets murdering hindus in the name of 'god.' is that the tranquility you want?" "i want to die in peace. just like your poet. and i want to be remembered, for the good i've done for india." arangbar paused, seeming to search on the stone ledge for his cup. "i think samad will be remembered too. tomorrow i'll make him famous. let him live on through his words. he knows, and i know, that he must die. we understand each other perfectly. i can't disappoint him now." arangbar suddenly recalled the high-ranking rajput raja who had asked for an early audience in the _diwan-i-khas_, and he turned and moved unsteadily toward the door. when he reached it, he revolved and looked back sadly at shirin. "i found myself dreaming about you this afternoon. i don't know why. so i decided to come and see you, alone. i didn't come to talk about samad. it's you i'm uncertain about. her majesty wants you hanged. but i cannot yet find the courage to sentence you." arangbar continued on wearily toward the door. "where will it all end?" he paused and, as though remembering something, turned again. "jadar is plotting something against me, i sense it. but i don't know what he can do. recently i've heard rumors you're part of it. have you turned against me?" "if you kill samad, i will defy you with every power i have." "then perhaps i should execute you." he stared at her, trying to focus. "but you have no powers left. unless you're plotting something with the inglish. if you are, then i will kill you both." he turned to leave, tightening his cloak against the chill. the guards saw him emerge and hurried from the far end of the corridor. arangbar watched them for a moment, then turned and looked one last time at shirin. "samad will die tomorrow. you will have to wait." brian hawksworth's lean frame towered above the crowd, conspicuous in jerkin and seaboots. he had heard the rumor and he had come to the plaza to watch, mingling among the turbaned assembly of nobles, shopkeepers, mullahs, and assorted street touts. his presence was immediately noted by all, especially the crippled beggars in dirty brown _dhotis_, who dragged themselves through the crowd, their leprosy-withered hands upturned, calling for a _pice_ in the name of allah. they knew from experience that, however ragged a _feringhi _might appear, he was always more likely to be moved by their plight than a wealthy indian merchant. the plaza was a confined area between the steep eastern side of the red fort and the outer wall of the fortress. beyond the fortress wall lay the wide jamuna river, while high above, and with a commanding view of the plaza, sat arangbar, watching from the black throne at the outer edge of the _diwan-i-khas_. next to him sat queen janahara and allaudin. the day was tuesday and the sun was approaching midday. as hawksworth pushed his way to the front of the crowd, the last elephant fight of the morning had just begun. two first-ranked bull elephants were locked head to head in the dusty square. their blunted tusks were wreathed with brass rings, and the back of each was covered with a brocaded canvas on which sat two riders. perched on each animal's neck and directing it was its mahout, and on its rump sat its second-ranked keeper, whose assignment was to urge the animal to greater frenzy. the dusty air was alive with a festive clanging from large bells attached to each elephant's harness. hawksworth noticed that a long chain, called the _lor langar_, was secured to the left foreleg of each elephant and circled over its back, where it was attached to a heavy log held by the second rider. both elephants also had other keepers who ran alongside holding long poles, at the end of which was crossed a foot- long piece of paper-covered bamboo. nearby another keeper stood holding a smoldering taper. hawksworth watched in awe as the elephants backed away and lunged together again and again, tusk resounding against tusk, often rearing on their hind legs as each strained for advantage. "do you have a favorite, _feringhi _sahib?" a brown-skinned man with a slightly soiled turban was tugging at hawksworth's sleeve. "there is still time to wager." "no thanks." hawksworth moved to brush him aside. "but it is our habit in india to wager on the elephants, sahib. perhaps the sahib does not yet know indian customs?" he pushed closer, directly in hawksworth's face. his few remaining teeth were stained red with betel. "i myself am a poor judge of elephants, l can never guess which will win. still i love to wager. may allah forgive me." "i'm not here to bet." "just this once, sahib. for my weakness." he turned and pointed through the dust. "although the dark elephant is smaller and already growing tired, i will even offer to bet on him to give you, a guest in india, a chance to win. so when you return to your _feringhistan _someday, you will say there is one honest man in india. i will wager you ten rupees the dark one will be declared the winner." the man backed away for an instant and discreetly assessed hawksworth's worn jerkin with a quick glance. "if ten rupees are too much, i will wager you five." hawksworth studied the two elephants again. the dark one was slightly smaller, and did seem to be growing tired. the other elephant, larger and brown, had a mahout less skilled but he also clearly was gaining the advantage. "all right. i'll take the brown." hawksworth reached for his purse, feeling slightly relieved that it was still there. "and i'll lay twenty rupees." "as pleases the sahib." the man smiled broadly. "the sahib must be a very rich man in his _feringhistan_." even as he spoke, the large brown elephant wheeled and slammed its black adversary in the side with its tusks, barely missing the leg of the mahout. the black elephant staggered backward, against the side of the fort. it was now clearly on the defensive, as the larger elephant began slamming it repeatedly in the side. hawksworth found himself caught up in the taste of imminent victory. "charkhi! charkhi!" a cry began to rise from the crowd. the man holding the burning taper looked up toward arangbar, who signaled lightly with his hand. then the men holding the long poles tipped them toward the taper, and the two ends of papered bamboo were quickly ignited. the bamboo sticks started to whirl like pinwheels, popping and throwing sparks from the gunpowder packed inside. the keepers turned and thrust the poles under the face of the brown elephant, sending him rearing backward in fright. although the black elephant now lay crushed against the wall, the brown was too distracted by the sudden noise to press his advantage. instead he wheeled away from the exploding bamboo and began to charge wildly toward the edge of the crowd. retreating bodies pummeled about hawksworth, and there were frightened calls of "_lor langar_." as the elephant neared the crowd, its second rider, with a look of infinite regret, threw down the log chained to its forefoot. the chain whipped against its leg, and in moments it was tangled and stumbling. by then the smaller black elephant had recovered its feet and came galloping in chase. in moments he was there, slamming his larger adversary with his tusks. the brown elephant stumbled awkwardly, tangled in the chain, and then collapsed into the dust. with a victory yell the mahout of the black elephant pulled a cord releasing a canvas cloth over its eyes. the heaving animal immediately began to gentle, and its jubilant keepers ran forward to lead it away. "your elephant lost, sahib. my regrettings. may i have the twenty rupees?" "but it was fixed!" hawksworth held tightly to his purse. "the brown was clearly winning before he was frightened by the damned fireworks." "did i neglect to tell the sahib that the black elephant is a _khasa_, from his majesty's private stable? his majesty does not like to see his elephants lose." "you conniving bastard." "his majesty makes the rules. sahib. it is permitted to use the _charkhi _fireworks once during a contest, if his majesty judges that the elephants need to be disciplined. may allah grant you better luck next week." the man stood waiting, hand outstretched. "you're a damned thief." "that is a harsh judgment. sahib. i am merely a poor man who must live. if you wait, you will see what happens to criminals here." with a sigh of resignation hawksworth began to count out the twenty silver rupees, trying to look as sporting as he could muster. he found himself in grudging admiration of the swindler's style. then he suddenly realized what the man had said. the rumors must have been right. "you mean there'll be an execution?" "this is the day. his majesty always has executions on tuesday, after the elephant fights." hawksworth looked up to see another bull elephant being ridden into the plaza. he had sharpened tusks, each decorated with a single heavy brass ring, and was guided by a single rider, a fierce-looking, unshaven mahout. the elephant was festooned with bells, but there were no chains about any of its legs. at the other end of the square a balding man, with a short black beard and a ragged green cloak, was being dragged forward by imperial guards. hawksworth noticed that his arms had been bound behind him, by a heavy cord circled just above the elbows. his eyes brimmed with fear. the guards shoved him struggling toward the middle of the plaza. when they reached the central clearing, the officer of the guard knocked him to his knees with the butt end of a lance. the stunned prisoner turned to watch in terror as the elephant lumbered toward him, flapping its ears in anticipation. "he was sentenced yesterday, sahib." "what did he do? steal some nobleman's sheep? in england that's a hanging offense." "oh no, sahib, islamic law does not give the death penalty for theft, unless a thief is notorious. and even then he must be caught in the act. if it is proved you have stolen something worth more than a certain amount, then the sentence is to have your right hand cut off. but for that to happen there must either be two witnesses or the thief must himself confess. islamic law is not cruel; it is just." "what's this man accused of then?" "he was tried and found guilty under islamic law of _qatlul-'amd_, a willful murder. his name is kaliyan, and he is a hindu and the son of bijai ganga ram. he is accused of having kept a common muslim woman as his concubine, and when the woman's father discovered this and went to reclaim her to restore his family's honor, this man murdered him and buried him behind his house. he confessed the act yesterday morning before his majesty." the elephant moved with calm deliberation toward the kneeling prisoner, guided by the mahout, until it towered directly over the quivering man. suddenly it whipped its trunk about the man's torso and lifted him squirming into the air, holding him firmly against its banded tusks. it swung the screaming man back and forth in delight for a long moment, seeming to relish the torment, then dashed him violently to the ground. the prisoner hit on his back, gasping, and weakly tried to roll to his feet. before he could gain his footing, the elephant was there again, seizing him once more with its leathery trunk and again slamming him to the ground. "the elephant will torment him for a time. sahib. before the moment of death." the small brown man's eyes shone in anticipation. again the prisoner was lifted and again dashed to the ground. now he no longer attempted to struggle; he merely lay moaning in a broken voice. then the mahout shouted something to the elephant and the animal suddenly reared above the man, crushing down on him with both front feet. there was a final, rending scream and then silence, as blood sprayed over the dust. the elephant reared again, and again mashed the lifeless body. then again. finally the animal placed one foot on the man's lower torso and seized his crushed chest with its trunk, wrenching upward and rending the body in two. maddened by the smell of blood, he whipped the torn half upward and slammed it once more against the hard earth. finally the mahout tapped the blood-spattered elephant with his _ankus_ and began guiding it toward the back of the square. the crowd, which had held a spellbound silence, erupted into cheers. "that's the most brutal death i've ever seen." hawksworth found his voice only after the initial shock had passed. "it's why so few men dare to commit murder, sahib. but his majesty is very just. all criminals are given a full islamic trial before they are executed." hawksworth looked up to see yet another man being led into the plaza. the cheers of the crowd died abruptly. he wore only a loincloth, which was pure white, and his hands were bound not behind him but in front, secured through a large wooden clamp that had been locked together like european stocks. hawksworth took one look and felt his own groin tighten. "all praise to allah the merciful. and to the holy prophet, on whom be peace," one of the white-bearded mullahs shouted through the silence. he wore a gray turban, a dingy collarless shirt that reached to his knees, and over that a long black vest. he carried a staff and was barefoot. other mullahs clustered around him immediately and joined his call. "murder! murder!" another voice began to chant, from a young man standing near hawksworth. then other young men with him took up the cry and began to surge forward. they were fresh-faced, with clean white shirts and trousers, and they awkwardly began to brandish short swords. imperial guards immediately threw a line across the crowd and held the young men back with short pikes. while the crowd watched, the prisoner continued to walk alone and unescorted toward the center of the square. hawksworth studied the face again, the deep sad eyes above a flowing white beard, and there was no doubt. he turned to the man standing beside him. "do you know who that is?" "of course, sahib. he's the heretic poet samad. did you hear that he denied the existence of allah in an islamic court? he has been sentenced to death." "who are those men with the swords?" "they're his disciples. i think they came today to try to save him." hawksworth turned to see the elephant again being urged forward. "what about. . . what about the persian woman i heard was arrested with him?" "i do not think she has been executed yet, sahib. they say she will be hanged, secretly, in the fort. women are not executed by elephant." "when . . ." hawksworth struggled to contain his voice. "when do they say she'll be hanged?" "perhaps in a week or two. perhaps she is already dead." he moved forward to watch. "what do poor believers know of justice inside the fort? but the heretic samad will die for all to see, so there will be no rumors that he still lives. already there are stories in agra that he had escaped to persia." samad had reached the center of the square. as the elephant approached, he turned to the crowd of young men, raising his bound hands toward them in a gesture of recognition. "do not grieve for this weak clay." his voice was sonorous, hypnotic, and the crowd fell curiously quiet. "grieve for yourselves, you who must travel on a short while, sorrowing still." the crowd erupted again, the mullahs and many others urging his death, the young followers decrying it. again he lifted his hands, and his voice seemed to bring silence around it. "i say to you do not grieve. you will all soon know far greater sorrow. soon death will lay his dark hand across the city of agra, upon muslim and hindu alike, upon woman and child. many will perish without cause. therefore grieve not for me. grieve for yourselves, when death will descend upon your doorsteps, there to take the innocent. sorrow for your own." the crowd had listened in hushed silence. then a bearded mullah shouted "death to the heretic" and others took up the cry. samad watched the elephant quietly as it continued to lumber forward. when it reached him, he bowed to it with an ironic smile. the mahout looked upward toward the black throne of the _diwan-i-khas_, where arangbar and janahara sat waiting. arangbar turned to the queen, with what seemed a question, and she replied without moving her stare from the court below. arangbar paused a moment, then signaled the mahout to proceed. the bearded mahout saluted the moghul, then urged the elephant forward with his sharp _ankus_. the elephant flapped its bloodstained ears in confusion but did not move. the mahout goaded it again and shouted something in its ear, but it merely waved its trunk and trumpeted. "merciful allah. the elephant does not smell his crime." the small man caught hawksworth's questioning look. "the great akman believed elephants would not kill an innocent man, that they can always smell a man's guilt. but i have never before seen one refuse to kill a prisoner. i think samad must be a wizard, who has entranced the animal." "innocent," a young man from the group of disciples yelled out above the silence. the mahout goaded the elephant once more, but still it stood unmoving. "innocent." more cries went up from samad's young followers, and again they pressed forward, swords in hand. in moments the plaza became a battleground, blood staining the earth as the imperial guards began turning their pikes against the line of disciples. then others in the crowd, mullahs leading them, broke through and joined the battle against the young men. sword rang against sword and calls to allah rent the air. samad stood quietly watching as the battle edged toward him. then suddenly a group of bearded mullahs broke from the crowd and surged toward him, swords drawn. hawksworth instinctively reached for his own weapon, but the man beside him caught his arm. he looked down to see a small, rust-handled _katar _pointed against his chest. "this is the will of allah. an infidel must not interfere." the mullahs had formed a ring around samad. he stood silently, waiting, as the leader stepped forward and thrust a long sword into the bare skin of his lower stomach. he jerked but did not fall, standing tall as another swung a sharp blade across his open neck. his head dropped to one side and he slumped forward, as two more men thrust swords into his belly. in seconds he disappeared beneath a crowd of black cloaks. from a low latticework window down the east side of the red fort, past the jasmine tower and many levels down the khas mahal, it was just possible to see the center of the plaza. a woman stood by the window watching as the crowd turned on the young men and, one by one, cut them down. then she saw a bloodstained body being hoisted above a black- cloaked assembly and carried triumphantly toward the river gate. there had been tears as shirin watched. but as she turned away, toward the darkness of the cell, her eyes were hard and dry. chapter twenty-four hawksworth waited anxiously by the rear entryway of the _diwan- i-khas _and watched the three jesuits file silently through the tapestried archway beside him. father alvarez sarmento, imperious in his freshly laundered black habit, moved directly to the silver railing that circled the throne. the old priest's eyes seemed to fairly glow in triumph. behind him trailed father pinheiro and the pudgy father francisco da silva, their attempts at poise marred by shifting, anxious glances of disquiet. hawksworth studied all three and puzzled even more what could be afoot. over a week had passed since the death of samad, and since that day he had no longer been invited to arangbar's evenings in the _diwan-i- khas_. even his requests for an audience had been ignored. before the poet's death, it had been possible for him to believe that the absurdity of samad and shirin's arrest would eventually _resolve_ itself, that the nightmare would fade into reality and bring their release. but the killing of samad had blotted out that illusion. when he saw arangbar, presiding high above the square, signal the sufi's death, he had realized finally the nightmare was all too real. since that time he had spent the sleepless nights alone, distraught, counting the passage of each hour as he awaited news shirin was also dead. in his mind he had conceived a dozen stratagems to try to save her, a dozen arguments, threats, bargains for her release, but nothing could be done if he was denied even an audience with the moghul. that they should have tasted so much, only to lose it all. he found himself aware, for the first time ever, how much he could want, could need, a woman like shirin beside him. with her, life itself seemed renewed. she was like no other he had ever known: strong, beautiful, self-willed. he had found himself admiring the last most of all, even though he still found it startling. but the love he had known with her in his arms now only made the despair deeper. nothing was left. now there was only abiding sorrow, loss beyond healing. she had given him something he had never known, something he realized--for the first time ever--he no longer wanted to live without. he would have taken her place a hundred times over, but even that seemed impossible. then, that morning, hope had appeared, almost a miracle., a sudden, urgent message had been delivered, instructing him to appear once more in the _diwan-i-khas_. it almost certainly meant arangbar had received word of the english fleet. if shirin were still alive, and there had been no news of her death, it must mean that the moghul was uncertain about her guilt: he was not a man who normally waited to act. and if she was alive, all things again became possible . . . he had asked himself again and again over the past week why he had suddenly been forgotten by arangbar. he finally concluded it was the distracting turmoil that had gripped agra and the court since samad's death. the sufi's last words had been repeated throughout the city, and already there were rumors of impending calamity: the bazaars were alive with talk of a persian safavid invasion from the northwest, a rebellion among the imperial guards, an impending holocaust that would burn all agra to ash, a universal plague. the streets had an apocalyptic air, with omens foreseen in every temple. another reason for arangbar's preoccupation could be the rumors from the south. word was sweeping agra that prince jadar and his army had been savaged by the deccani forces and were now retreating northward, with malik ambar in pursuit. if this story were true, then the abyssinian's defeat of jadar must have been overwhelming, since rebels did not normally pursue moghul forces. but this story was still merely rumor. there had been no actual reports of any engagements in the south. jadar's possible defeat, so the talk in agra went, had gone very heavily with arangbar, and accounted for his increasing dependence on opium and wine. those who had seen him reported the moghul was growing noticeably weaker. and as his strength waned, so too did his authority. ever since the night of the wedding, queen janahara had been moving to assume more and more of the prerogatives of power. arangbar already seemed to be becoming a figurehead. the only sanctuary she had not yet invaded was the _diwan-i-khas_. those evening gatherings arangbar still ruled like a god, and the unusual note he had sent to hawksworth was worded almost more like an order than an invitation. it confirmed vividly the reports that arangbar was growing more erratic by the day. around hawksworth sat the usual assembly of arangbar's closest advisers, men whose perpetually smiling faces he had come to know well over the past weeks. prominent among them as always was nadir sharif, who now seemed to be avoiding hawksworth's glance. also in attendance was a special contingent of rajput guards, in imperial turbans and tunics. hawksworth could never remember having seen these particular guards in the _diwan-i-khas _before. when the last official had arrived, the rajput guards moved across the doorway and the kettledrum was sounded. moments later the tapestry behind the throne was pushed aside by two eunuchs and arangbar emerged into the light. he stumbled momentarily on the edge of a carpet, then recovered his balance and took his seat on the white marble throne. his dull eyes glistened against the lamplight as the men in the room dropped to _teslim_. for the first time he seemed more annoyed than amused when hawksworth failed to bow to the carpet. he glared at him for a long moment and then spoke to nadir sharif, who stood waiting by his side. the prime minister turned to the room. "ambassador hawksworth, his majesty commands you to come forward." it was abrupt language rarely heard in the _diwan-i-khas_, and the room immediately fell silent. hawksworth rose and tightened his belt, feeling his apprehension rising. as he neared the throne, he found himself seeing not arangbar's expressionless gaze, but the face of shirin as she waited for help. "inglish, stand there." he pointed to the side of the throne opposite the jesuits. "tell me, any fresh news of your king's fleet?" hawksworth felt his heart explode, realizing there was no arrival--and no possibility of using king james's presents to bargain for shirin. "i expect it any day, your majesty. possibly the winds have been against them." "the winds." arangbar turned to father sarmento, his voice sarcastic. "do you think the winds have been against them, padre?" "undoubtedly, majesty." sarmento could not suppress a malicious smile. "the winds of truth. they have been arrested in a gale of deception." "i object, your majesty, to this papist's innuendos." hawksworth felt himself suddenly bristle. "an englishman does not accept insults from a portugal." "you will listen quietly to what you are about to hear, inglish, or you will be removed by my guards." arangbar again turned to father sarmento. "padre, repeat to the inglish conspirator what you told me this afternoon." "may it please your majesty, not only is the english a heretic before god and the holy church, he is also a liar." sarmento paused with the dramatic timing of a practiced orator. " there is no english fleet." hawksworth stared at the jesuit in speechless dismay. his entire being seemed to crash down about him as sarmento continued. "because of the foresight of his excellency, miguel vaijantes, viceroy of goa, we have now uncovered the truth, your majesty. after his patrols encountered no english merchantmen, either north or south, he began to grow suspicious. he ordered his personal guards to find and detain the man who claimed to have intercepted jadar's cipher reporting the fleet. the traitor was found, not surprisingly, in a goan brothel, where he had been for many days, spending more money than such a man could normally earn in a lifetime. he was brought to the palace and interrogated on the _strappado_." sarmento turned triumphantly to hawksworth. "where he readily admitted being paid to bring a false report." "and who do you believe paid him?" "on that his excellency is still uncertain, your majesty. he was paid by agents in the south." "but who does the viceroy believe paid the money?" "the coins were assayed and traced to the mint at surat, your majesty. they were part of a special minting that took place just before the english, hawksworth, left the city. the assay also revealed they were a debased alloy, slightly lower in silver content than is normal, although not enough to be readily detectable. similar coins have begun to be used throughout the deccan. reportedly they were given out recently by prince jadar as back pay to the troops of certain _mansabdars_.'" "who were the coins minted for?" "the shahbandar at surat, mirza nuruddin, claims to have misplaced the records for this particular minting. however, he maintains the lower silver content was probably due to a minter's oversight. the former governor of surat, mukarrab khan, is returning to the city to investigate. the minting run appears to have been approximately fifty lakhs of rupees. but the actual silver content was only forty-nine lakhs of rupees." he paused for breath. "the shahbandar says he has no idea what could have happened to the other lakh's worth of silver bullion authorized to be used in the minting." "that's not so difficult to explain, knowing mirza nuruddin." arangbar seemed to be talking to himself. then he glanced again at sarmento. "of course, the discrepancy would probably never have been detected if the coins given to the traitor had not been melted down and assayed. the question remains who ordered him paid?" arangbar turned to hawksworth, who stood with his mind churning, refusing to accept the consequences of what he was hearing. it meant the end of everything. "perhaps the inglish ambassador can help explain it." "i have no idea why there was a false report, majesty. i believed it too." "did you, inglish?" arangbar glared down drunkenly from his throne. "or did you plot this with prince jadar when you met with him in burhanpur? did you and he conspire together to deceive me, exchanging bribes in the pocket of the prince with some of this debased silver coin for his help in a ruse you thought would produce a _firman _when brought to my ears?" "i gave nothing to the prince, majesty. and i asked nothing from him. that is the truth." "the truth from you is not always easy to obtain, inglish. your deceptions have distressed me very much. and, curiously enough. her majesty even more. there is no fleet, inglish. instead there are lies, by you and, i'm beginning to suspect now, by my own son. i no longer have any idea what he is doing in the south. but i fear his arrogance has brought ruin to his army. i am recalling him to agra, immediately, for an inquiry, and i am hereby ordering you to leave india." hawksworth noticed nadir sharif shoot a troubled glance toward the jesuits. "may it please your majesty, neither i nor my king have had anything to do with the reports of the fleet, whether true or false. there will be other voyages and soon. my king has promised it, and he is a sovereign who honors his word." "your inglish king posts a conspirator and a traitor to my court. he will never have a _firman _from my hand, no matter how many voyages he may send." "if there is indeed no fleet now, then i agree your majesty has been deceived. but i have been also. we have both been used by those around us, for purposes unknown. but my king would not knowingly play false with your majesty. nor would i. those who would deceive you, whoever they may be, sit much closer to your majesty's throne." "it is not your place, inglish, to tell me mine is a court of liars. your forgeries in india are ended. you will be gone from agra within the week, or i will not answer for your life. after that you no longer may use the title of ambassador. you will be treated as the conspirator you are. and as of this moment you are stripped of your title of khan." he motioned to the rajput guards. "take him away." hawksworth turned to see father sarmento beaming. "alas it seems we soon must part, ambassador. may god in his mercy grant you a pleasant and speedy journey. should you wish to travel through goa, i can give you a letter to his excellency, miguel vaijantes, requesting safe passage on a westbound galleon." "damn your viceroy." as hawksworth turned back toward arangbar, he felt rough hands close about his arms. before he could speak, he was being guided through the rear doorway and into the long gallery leading to the public square. "majesty." nadir sharif watched the curtains close behind hawksworth, then rose and moved closer to the throne. "may it please you, the englishman unfortunately remains my guest. at least for a few more days. as his host i feel a trifling obligation to see he finds his way home safely. i ask leave to excuse myself for a few moments to ensure he finds a palanquin." "as you wish." arangbar was watching a eunuch bring in a box of opium. when nadir sharif moved toward the doorway, father pinheiro rose unobtrusively and slipped out behind him. as the jesuit moved into the hallway, he appeared not to hurry, but his brisk walk brought him alongside the prime minister midway down the corridor. "have you told her majesty, as we agreed?" "told her what?" nadir sharif did not break his pace or remove his eyes from hawksworth, still being led by the guards several yards ahead. "about the ship that would be seized." nadir sharif stopped as though hit by an arrow. "but surely you'll not take the vessel now! didn't you see that the englishman has been ordered out of agra? he's finished. there'll certainly be no trading _firman _for him now, or ever." "but the warships were dispatched from surat day before yesterday, just before the pigeons arrived from goa with the word of the hoax. his excellency, miguel vaijantes', message revoking their order to sail arrived a day too late. they were already at sea. the indian ship may have already been seized." nadir sharif inspected him with astonishment. "your viceroy must be mad. to take the vessel now? there's no purpose in it. his majesty will be most annoyed." "but you were the one who suggested it!" the jesuit's voice rose, quivering in dismay. "you said that bold measures were for bold men. those were your words. his excellency agreed it would be a decisive stroke of firmness." "and what does father sarmento think of this folly?" "father sarmento does not yet know. i thought it best not to inform him." pinheiro's eyes were despairing. "what did her majesty, queen janahara, say about the plan?" "what do you mean?" "we agreed you would tell her." "i've not forgotten our agreement. i've been watching carefully for the right moment." "she does not even know!" pinheiro seized his arm and stared at him incredulously. "but i told his excellency you would-" "i planned to tell her any day. the time was approaching. but now, given what has happened . . ." then he smiled and touched the jesuit's arm lightly. "but i think she can still bring reason to his majesty. it can all be readily explained as a misunderstanding." "but you must tell her immediately." pinheiro's shock was growing. "if she hears of it before you've explained, she'll think --" "of course. but there's no reason yet for concern." nadir sharif smiled again. "i assure you it all can be handled very routinely. but please tell his excellency, miguel vaijantes, not to do anything else this ill-advised for at least a week. i can only excuse so much at one time." as nadir sharif turned to continue down the corridor, pinheiro reached out and seized his arm again. "you must also do one other thing. you must make sure the englishman is removed from agra immediately. we both know his majesty may well forget by tomorrow that he has ordered him gone." "this time i doubt very much his majesty will forget. it will only be a matter of days, in any case." nadir sharif turned and smiled. "and remember what i told you, that as far as his majesty is concerned, i know nothing about your viceroy's impetuous act. but i do advise you to inform father sarmento, before he hears it in open _durbar_." "he'll be furious. he'll probably order me back to goa." "i doubt it. i'm sure he knows your value here." nadir sharif turned without another word and hurried on down the corridor. ahead of him hawksworth was being led by the guards through the marble archways. as they reached the end, facing the doorway leading to the courtyard stairs, he turned one last time and stared back, seeing nadir sharif for the first time. "what do you want now? my money or my life? or both?" "i merely came to see you safely home, ambassador." nadir sharif waved the guards back toward the _diwan-i-khas_, and they bowed with relief as they turned to retreat. "and to offer my condolences." "and no doubt to cozen me as well. i intend to find out who played me false. even if it's jadar. somebody has hell to pay." "that would be most unwise, ambassador. i'm afraid we were all a bit too credulous. i readily confess even i had begun to believe your story." "it wasn't 'my story'! i knew nothing about . . ." "but you never denied it, ambassador. surely you knew the truth all along. the truth is always wisest. that's my cardinal rule in life." "but it could have been true. it was entirely possible. why didn't you explain that to arangbar? you're still supposed to be my agent." "that would be rather difficult for his majesty to believe, given what really happened. but i do suppose it's possible." nadir sharif patted hawksworth's shoulder. "i'll see if there's anything i can do. but in the meantime, i suggest you begin preparations to leave. his majesty was unusually disturbed tonight." "he's disturbed over a lot of things, most of which have little to do with me." "if you mean the matter of the prince, i assure you it's alarming to us all. no one is certain what has happened in the south. in fact, you were one of the last men to see prince jadar. he seems almost to have disappeared. all sorts of rumors are working their way to the court. where it will end no one can any longer even guess." nadir sharif followed hawksworth out into the open square of the _diwan-i-am_. "incidentally, ambassador, did you yourself know anything about the fifty lakhs of silver coin spoken of tonight?" hawksworth examined him a moment. "maybe the shahbandar stole it all." "that's hardly an answer, ambassador. it wasn't, by any chance, traveling with you from surat to burhanpur? you know, his majesty has demanded a full investigation. i think he may just summon mirza nuruddin to agra for an explanation." "then let him ask mirza nuruddin what happened. i'm sure he'll get the truth." hawksworth turned toward the large gate at the far end of the square. "very well, ambassador." nadir sharif smiled warmly. "by the way, i understand mirza nuruddin has suggested you may have smuggled it out of surat yourself, leaving a worthless letter of credit, in order to swindle your merchants." "the bastard." "the truth will surely come out, ambassador, as you say. so i wish you good night and a restful sleep." nadir sharif turned and in moments had melted into the darkness. hawksworth slowly worked his way down the cobblestone roadway, past the guards at the amar singh gate, and into the agra night. he turned left and headed toward the banks of the jamuna, hoping the smells and sounds of water would soothe his mind. when he reached the riverbank, he found himself looking back at the massive walls of the red fort, wondering again where shirin was being kept, wanting to be with her. to hold her one last time. but the high stone walls stood dark and mute as his own despair. "you are home, sahib." the servants were waiting, beaming and immaculate in fresh muslin _dhotis_, as hawksworth pushed open the doors of his compound. it was nearing midnight. "your house is honored tonight with a special evening." "what are you planning? my farewell?" the servants examined him uncomprehending as he pushed past the portiere of the doorway. the room was heavy with sandalwood incense. in the lamplight he recognized kamala's musicians: the gray-haired flautist in a long _lungi _wrap and bare to the waist, the drummer smiling widely in a plain white shirt and brown _dhoti_. although he had not seen them for days, they paused only briefly to acknowledge him. the drummer was absorbed in tuning his instrument, using a small hammer to tap blocks of wood wedged beneath the leather thongs securing the drumhead. as he adjusted the tension on the thongs, he periodically tested the drum's pitch against a note from the flute. kamala was nowhere to be seen. hawksworth stared about the room quizzically, then turned to the musicians. they responded with a puzzled shrug and motioned toward a rear door. "she summoned them here tonight, sahib. she did not tell them why. no one has seen her all day. it is very worrying." the servant shuffled uneasily. "has the sahib heard the stories in the bazaar?" "what stories?" from behind the curtains came the sudden tinkling of tiny bells. the musicians smiled in recognition. as the servants edged toward the curtained doorway to look, hawksworth extracted a half-empty bottle of brandy from his chest and threw himself down against a bolster. what's this all about? why can't i be alone for once? tonight of all nights she does this. he puzzled a moment over kamala, her erratic and powerful moods, then his thoughts returned gloomily to the _diwan-i-khas _and to shirin. he could not give up hope. never. he never gave up hope. there was another tinkling of bells and the curtain at the doorway was swept aside. standing there, jewels afire in the lamplight, was kamala. he noticed the two musicians stare at her for an instant, then exchange quick, disturbed glances. she was, it seemed, more striking than he had ever seen her. her eyes were seductively lined with _kohl _and her lips were an inviting red, matching the large dot on her forehead. in one side of her nose she wore a small ring studded with diamonds. her hair was swept back and secured with rows of rubies and her throat and arms were circled with bands of gold imbedded with small green emeralds. she wore a silken wrap folded in pleats about each leg in a way that enhanced the full curve of her hips. her waist was circled by a belt of beaten gold, and her palms and the soles of her feet had been reddened with henna. as she came toward him, the bands of tiny bells at her ankles punctuated the sensuous sway of her breasts beneath her silk halter. "you've returned early. i'm glad." as she moved into the light, he thought he caught a glimpse of some profound melancholy in her eyes. he also noted her voice was strangely frail. "is there supposed to be a ceremony tonight i didn't know about?" as hawksworth studied her, he took another long swallow of brandy, its heat burning away at his anguish. "this is a special evening. i have decided to dance bharata natyam one last time, for lord shiva." "what do you mean, one last time?" she seemed to stare past him for a moment, then she slowly turned. "i'm truly glad you've come. to be here tonight. i would have waited for you, but there was no time. and i wondered if you would really understand. perhaps i was wrong. bharata natyam is never only for the dancer. so it is good you are here. perhaps it was meant to be. perhaps you can understand something of what i feel tonight." "i haven't understood much that's happened tonight so far." hawksworth settled his brandy bottle awkwardly onto the carpet and forced himself to bring her into focus. "you do not seem yourself, my _feringhi _sahib." she studied him for a moment. "did you hear sad news of your persian woman?" "nothing. but i'm afraid i've just lost my best chance to save her." "i don't understand." "it's not your trouble." he examined her wistfully. "it seems i'll be leaving agra sooner than i thought. so dance if you want, and then i'll wish you well." "your trouble is always my trouble." she frowned as she studied him. "but you are leaving? so soon?" she seemed not to wait for an answer as she went on. "never mind, i've never understood the affairs of ambassadors and kings. but our parting must not be sad. let my dance to shiva be my farewell to you." she turned and signaled to the flautist, who began a low- pitched, poignant melody. "have you ever seen the bharata natyam?" "never." hawksworth sipped more brandy from the bottle and found himself wishing he could send them all away and play a suite on his lute, the one he had played for shirin that day at the observatory. "then it may be difficult for you to comprehend at first. with my body and my song i will tell lord shiva of my longing for him. do you think you can understand it?" "i'll try." hawksworth looked up at her and again sensed some great sadness in her eyes. she examined him silently for a moment. "but i want you to understand. not the words i sing, they're in ancient sanskrit, but if you watch my hands, they will also speak. i will sing to lord shiva, but i give life to his song with my eyes, my hands, my body. i will re-create the poem with my dance. my eyes will speak the desire of my heart. the language of my hands will tell my longing for lord shiva. my feet will show the rhythms by which he brings order to the world. if you will try to feel what i feel, perhaps lord shiva will touch you and lighten your burden." "and this is called bharata natyam? what does that mean?" hawksworth slipped off his mud-smeared boots and wearily tossed them next to the carpet. "the ancient temple dance of india is bharata natyam: bhava means mood, raga means song, tala means rhythm. all these are brought together in the dance. natyam means the merging of dance and story. the true bharata natyam has seven movements: some are called pure dance and these are only rhythms, but some also tell a story. if i were to dance them all, as i would in the temple, i would have to dance all night." she tried wanly to smile. "but not now. tonight i am not so strong. tonight i will dance only the varnam, the most important movement. in it i will tell the story of how the goddess parvati, shiva's beloved consort, longs for her lord. if i dance well i will become parvati, and through the story of her love for shiva, i will tell my own." "so it's really just a love song?" "it is parvati's song of longing for her lord. the words are very simple. _"great with love for you this night. am i, oh lord. do not avert yourself from me. do not tease me, do not scorn me, oh great, oh beautiful god of the brihadishwari temple. great god who gives release from the sorrows of the world . . ." _ kamala paused to tighten the straps securing the bells around her ankles. "the song goes on to say that she cannot bear even to hear the voice of the nightingale now that she is separated from her lord shiva. she cannot endure the dark night now that he has taken himself from her." "it's a very touching love song." hawksworth found himself thinking again of shirin, and of the dark nights they had both endured. "it is really much more. you see, lord shiva is her beloved, but he is also her god. so her song also praises the beauty of the great shiva in all his many aspects: as her own consort, as one who has the third eye of knowledge, as the great god of the dance, nataraj. through my dance i will show all the many aspects of shiva--as creator, as destroyer, as lord of the cosmic rhythms of life." hawksworth watched in groggy fascination as she rose and, clasping her hands above her head, bowed toward a small bronze statue of the dancing shiva she had placed on a corner table. then, as the drummer took up a steady cadence and the flute began a searching, high-pitched lament, she struck a statuesque pose of her own, feet crossed, arms above her head. gradually her eyes began to dart seductively from side to side, growing in power until it seemed her entire body might explode. abruptly she assumed a second pose, reminiscent of the statue. as the drummer's rhythms slowly increased, she began to follow them with her body, next with her feet, slapping heel, then ball, fiercely against the carpet. the drummer began to call out his bols, the strokes he was sounding on the drum, and as he did she matched his rhythms with the rows of tiny bells around her ankles. hawksworth found himself being drawn into her dance. her rhythms were not flamboyant like those of the kathak style, but rather seemed to duplicate some deep natural cadence, as she returned again and again to the pose of the dancing shiva. it was pure dance, and he slowly began to feel the power of her controlled sensuality. without warning she began a brief song to shiva in a high- pitched, repetitive refrain. as she sang, her hands formed the signs for woman, for beauty, for desire, for dozens of other words and ideas hawksworth could not decipher. yet her expressive eyes exquisitely translated many of the hand signs, while her body left no mistaking the intensity of their emotion. when the song and its mime reached some climactic plateau, she suddenly resumed the pure dance, with the drummer once more reciting the bols as he sounded them. again she matched his rhythms perfectly. after a time she began another verse of the song. by her mime hawksworth concluded she was describing some aspect of lord shiva. when the song concluded, the drummer called out more _bols _and again she danced only his rhythms. then she began yet another verse of the song, followed by still more rhythmic dance. the aspects of shiva that she created all seemed different. some wise, some fierce, some clearly of a beauty surpassing words. as hawksworth watched, he began to sense some alien power growing around him, enveloping him and his despair, just as she had said. kamala seemed to be gradually merging with an energy far beyond herself, almost as though she had invoked some primal rhythm of life into existence. and as he watched the growing intensity of her dance he began to experience a deep, almost primitive sense of fear, a stark knowledge of life and death beyond words. he found himself fighting to resist the force of some malevolent evil settling about the room, beginning to possess it and all it contained. he felt its power begin to draw out his own life, hungry and insistent, terrifying. and still she danced on, now only rhythms, her body dipping and whirling, her arms everywhere at once, her smile frozen in an ecstatic trance. forcing himself at last to turn away, he looked toward the musicians. they seemed entranced by her as well, captured by the delirium of her dance. he finally caught the eye of the drummer and weakly signaled him to stop. but the man stared as though not comprehending, spellbound. her dance had now grown to a frenzy, surpassing human limits. summoning his last strength, he tried to pull himself up off the bolster, but he discovered his legs were no longer his own. the room had become a whirling pattern of color and sound, beyond all control. uncertainly he turned and began to feel about the carpet for his boots. his grip closed about a sheath of soft leather and he probed inside. there, strapped and still loaded, was his remaining pocket pistol. shakily he took it in his hand, checked the prime, and began trying to aim at the long drum resting between the musicians. now the drum seemed to drift back and forth in his vision, while the players smiled at him with glazed eyes. he heard a hiss and felt his hand fly upward, as though unconnected to his body. then the world around erupted in smoke and flying splinters of wood. the shot had been timed perfectly with the end of a rhythm cycle, as the drum exploded into fragments on the sum. the smoky room was suddenly gripped in silence. the musicians stared wildly for a moment, then threw themselves face down on the carpet, pleading in unknown words needing no translation. hawksworth looked in confusion at the smoking pistol in his hand, not recognizing it. then he threw it onto the carpet and turned toward kamala. she was gazing at him with open, vacant eyes, as though awakened suddenly from a powerful dream. her breath was coming in short bursts, and her skin seemed afire. she stood motionless for a moment, then tried to move toward him, holding out her arms. after two hesitant steps, she crumpled to the carpet. when he bolted upward to reach for her, the servants were there, holding him back. "you must not touch her, sahib." "but she's . . ." "no, sahib." they gripped his arms tighter. "can't you see? she has the sickness." "what are you talking about?" "it began late today, in the bazaar. perhaps they do not know of it yet in the fort. at first no one realized what it was. but tonight, while she was dancing, one of the slaves from sharif sahib's kitchen came to tell us. two of the eunuchs and five of his servants have become very sick." he paused to look at kamala. "i think she must have known. that is why she wanted to dance tonight." "knew what? what did she know?" "the plague, sahib. the slave who came said that the plague has struck all over agra. it has never happened in india before." the servant paused. "it is the will of allah. the prophet samad foretold it. now it has come." hawksworth turned again to kamala. she was still watching him with empty, expressionless eyes, as though her life had just poured out of her. he looked down at her for a moment, then reached for a pillow and carefully slipped it beneath her head. her lips moved as she tried to form words, but at first no sound came. then, as though again finding some strength beyond herself, her voice came in a whisper. "did you see?" "what . . . ?" "did you see him? the great god shiva. he came tonight. and danced beside me. did you see his beauty?" she paused to breathe, then her voice rose again, full and warm. "he was as i knew he would be. beautiful beyond telling. he danced in a ring of fire, with his hair streaming out in burning strands. he came as shiva the destroyer. but his dance was so beautiful. so very, very beautiful." chapter twenty-five _from the _tuzuk-i-arangbari, the court chronicles of his imperial majesty_: "on the day of mubarak-shamba, the twenty-eighth of the month of dai, there came first reports of the pestilence in the city of agra. on this day over five hundred people were stricken. the first signs are headache and fever and much bleeding at the nose. after this the _dana _of the plague, buboes, form under the armpits, or in the groin, or below the throat. the infected ones turn in color from yellow inclining to black. they vomit and endure much high fever and pain. and then they die. if one in a household contracts the pestilence and dies, others in the same house inevitably follow after, traveling the same road of annihilation. those in whom the buboes appeared, if they call another person for water to drink or wash, will also infect the latter with the sirayat, the infection. it has come to pass that, through excessive apprehension, none will minister unto those infected. it has become known from men of great age and from old histories that this disease has never before shown itself in this land of hindustan. many physicians and learned men have been questioned as to its cause. some say it has come because there has been drought for two years in succession; others say it is owing to the corruption of the air. some attribute it to other causes. the infection is now spreading to all towns and villages in the region of agra save one, the noble city of the great akman, fatehpur. wisdom is of allah, and all men must submit. written this last day of the muharram in the hijri year after the prophet of a.h., by mu'tamad khan, second wazir to his imperial majesty, arangbar." _ brian hawksworth walked slowly up worn stone steps leading from the riverside funeral ghats. the pathway was narrow, crowded, and lined with carved statues of hindu gods: a roly-poly god with human form and the head of an elephant, a god with a lion's body and a grotesquely grinning human face, an austere deity with a pointed head and a trident in his hand. all were ancient, weathered, ill-kept. tame monkeys, small, brown, malicious, chased among them screeching. the smoke from the _ghats _behind him still seared in his lungs. only when he reached the top of the steps could he force himself to look back. scavenger birds wheeled in the sky above and small barks with single oarsmen plied the muddy face of the jamuna. along the banks were toiling washermen, untouchables, who wore nothing save a brown loincloth and a kerchief over their heads. they stood in a long row, knee-deep at the water's edge, mechanically slapping folded lengths of cloth against stacks of flat stones. they seemed unconcerned by the nearness of the funeral ghats, stone platforms at the river's edge that were built out above the steps leading down into the water. as he silently surveyed the crowd around him, from somewhere on the street above a voice chanted a funeral litany: ram nam sach hai, the name of ram is truth itself. it had taken four days for kamala to die. the morning after she had danced, she had begun to show unmistakable symptoms of the plague. she had called for brahmin priests and, seating herself on a wooden plank in their presence, had removed her _todus_, the ear pendants that were the mark of her _devadasi _caste, and placed them together with twelve gold coins on the plank before her. it was her deconsecration. then with a look of infinite peace, she had announced she was ready to die. next she informed the priests that since she had no sons in agra, no family at all, she wanted brian hawksworth to officiate at her funeral. he had not understood what she wanted until the servants whispered it to him. the brahmins had been scandalized and at first had refused to agree, insisting he had no caste and consequently was a despicable untouchable. finally, after more payments, they had reluctantly consented. then she had turned to him and explained what she had done. when he tried to argue, she had appealed to him in the name of shiva. "i only ask you do this one last thing for me," she had said, going on to insist his responsibilities would not be difficult. "there are hindu servants in the palace. though they are low caste, they know enough turki to guide you." after the brahmins had departed, she called the servants and, as hawksworth watched, ordered them to remove all her jewels from the rosewood box where she kept them. then she asked him to accompany them as they took the jewels through the hindu section of agra, to a temple of the goddess mari, who presides over epidemics. they were to donate all her jewels to the goddess. smiling at hawksworth's astonishment, she had explained that hindus believe a person's reincarnation is directly influenced by the amount of alms given in his or her previous life. this last act of charity might even bring her back as a brahmin. two days later she lapsed into a delirium of fever. as death drew near, the hindu servants again summoned the priests to visit the palace. the plague was spreading now, and with it fear, and at first none had been willing to comply. only after it was agreed that they would be paid three times the usual price for the ceremonies did the brahmins come. they had laid kamala's body on a bed of _kusa _grass in the open air, sprinkled her head with water brought from the sacred ganges river, and smeared her brow with ganges clay. she had seemed only vaguely conscious of what they were doing. when at last she died, her body was immediately washed, perfumed, and bedecked with flowers. then she was wrapped in linen, lifted onto a bamboo bier, and carried toward the river ghats by the hindu servants, winding through the streets with her body held above their heads, intoning a funeral dirge. hawksworth had led the procession, carrying a firepot with sacred fire provided by nadir sharifs hindu servants. the riverside was already crowded with mourners, for there had been many deaths, and the air was acrid from the smoke of cremation pyres. on the steps above the ghats was a row of thatch umbrellas, and sitting on a reed mat beneath each was a brahmin priest. all were shirtless, potbellied, and wore three stripes of white clay down their forehead in honor of vishnu's trident. the servants approached one of the priests and began to bargain with him. after a time the man rose and signified agreement. the servants whispered to hawksworth that he was there to provide funeral rites for hire, adding with some satisfaction that brahmins who served at the ghats were despised as mercenaries by the rest of their caste. after the bargain had been struck, the priest retired beneath his umbrella to watch while they purchased logs from vendors and began construction of a pyre. when finished, it was small, no more than three feet high, and irregular; but no one seemed to care. satisfied, they proceeded to douse it with oil. then the brahmin priest was summoned from his umbrella and he rose and came down the steps, bowing to a stone shiva lingam as he passed. after he had performed a short ceremony, chanting from the vedas, the winding sheet was cut away and kamala's body was lifted atop the stack of wood. a mortal sadness had swept through hawksworth as he stood holding the torch, listening to the brahmin chant and studying the flow of the river. he thought again of kamala, of the times he had secretly admired her erotic bearing, the times she had sat patiently explaining how best to draw the long sensuous notes from his new sitar, the times he had held her in his arms. and he thought again of their last evening, when she had danced with the power of a god. when at last he moved toward the bier, the servants had touched his arm and pointed him toward her feet, explaining that only if the deceased were a man could the pyre be lighted at the head. the oil-soaked logs had kindled quickly, sending out the sweet smoke of _neem_. soon the pyre was nothing but yellow tongues of fire, and for a moment he thought he glimpsed her once more, in among the flames, dancing as the goddess parvati, the beloved consort of shiva. when he turned to walk away, the servants had caught his sleeve and indicated he must remain. as her "son" it was his duty to ensure that the heat burst her skull, releasing her soul. otherwise he would have to do it himself. he waited, the smoke drifting over him, astonished that a religion capable of the beauty of her dance could treat death with such barbarity. at last, to his infinite relief, the servants indicated they could leave. they gathered up the pot of sacred fire and took his arm to lead him away. it was then he had pulled away, wanting to be alone with her one last time. finally, no longer able to check his tears, he had turned and started blindly up the steps, alone. now he stared numbly back, as though awakened from a nightmare. almost without thinking, he searched the pocket of his jerkin until his fingers closed around a flask of brandy. he drew deeply on it twice before turning to make his way on through the streets of agra. * "you took an astonishing risk merely to honor the whims of your hindu dancer, ambassador." nadir sharif had summoned hawksworth to his reception room at sunset. "few men here would have done it." "i've lived through plagues twice before. in over ten thousand in london died of the plague, and in , in the summer after king james's coronation, over thirty thousand died, one person out of every five. if i were going to die, i would have by now." hawksworth listened to his own bravado and wondered if it sounded as hollow as it was. he remembered his own haunting fear during the height of the last plague, when rowdy, swearing bearers, rogues some declared more ill-bred than hangmen, plied the city with rented barrows, their cries of "cast out your dead" ringing through the deserted streets. they charged sixpence a corpse, and for their fee they carted the bodies to open pits at the city's edge for unconsecrated, anonymous burial, the cutpurse and the alderman piled side by side. as he remembered london again, suddenly the hindu rites seemed considerably less barbaric. "you're a brave man, nonetheless, or a foolish one." nadir sharif gestured him toward a bolster. "tell me, have your english physicians determined the cause of the infection?" "there are many theories. the puritans say it's god's vengeance; and astrologers point out that there was a conjunction of the planets jupiter and saturn when the last plague struck. but our physicians seem to have two main theories. some hold it's caused by an excess of corrupt humors in the body, whereas others claim it's spread by poisonous air, which has taken up vapors contrary to nature." nadir sharif sat pensive and silent for a moment, as though pondering the explanations. then he turned to hawksworth. "what you seem to have told me is that your physicians have absolutely no idea what causes the plague. so they have very ingeniously invented names for the main points of their ignorance." he smiled. "indian physicians have been known to do the same. tell me then, what do you think causes it?" "i don't know either. it seems to worsen in the years after crops have been bad, when there are hungry dogs and rats scavenging in the streets. during the last plague all the dogs in london were killed or sent out of the city, but it didn't seem to help." "and what about the rats?" "there've always been men in england who make a living as rat-catchers, but with the dogs gone during the plague, the rats naturally started to multiply." nadir smiled thoughtfully. "you know, the hindus have a book, the bhagavata parana, that warns men to quit their house if they see a sickly rat near it. indians have long assumed vermin bring disease. have you considered the possibility that the source of the plague might be the rats, rather than the dogs? perhaps by removing the dogs, you eliminated the best deterrent to the bearer of the plague, the rats?" "no one has thought of that." "well, the european plague has finally reached india, whatever its cause." nadir sharif looked away gloomily. "almost a hundred people died in agra this past week. our physicians are still searching for a cure. what remedies do you use in england? i think his majesty would be most interested to know." "i suppose the measures are more general than specific. englishmen try to ward it off by purging the pestilent air around them. they burn rosemary and juniper and bay leaves in their homes. during the last plague the price of rosemary went up from twelve pence an armful to six shillings a handful. but the only people helped seemed to be herb wives and gardeners. one physician claimed the plague could be avoided by wearing a bag of arsenic next to the skin. there's also a belief that if you bury half a dozen peeled onions near your home, they'll gather all the infection in the neighborhood. and some people fumigate the contagious vapors from their rooms by dropping a red-hot brick into a basin of vinegar." "do these curious nostrums work?" nadir sharif tried to mask his skepticism. "i suppose it's possible. who can say for sure? but the plague always diminishes after a time, usually with the onset of winter." "doesn't your king do anything?" "he usually leaves london if an infection starts to spread. in , the year of his coronation, he first went to richmond, then to southampton, then to wilton. he traveled all summer and only returned in the autumn." "is that all he did? travel?" "there were plague orders in all the infected towns. and any house where someone was infected had to have a red cross painted on the door and a plague bill attached. no one inside could leave. anyone caught outside was whipped and set in the stocks." "and did these measures help?" "englishmen resent being told they can't leave home. so people would tear the plague bills off their doors and go about their business. some towns hired warders at sixpence a day to watch the houses and make sure no one left. but when so many are infected, it's impossible to watch everyone. so there were also orders forbidding assemblies. king james banned the holding of fairs within fifty miles of london. and all gatherings in london were prohibited by a city order--playhouses, gaming houses, cockpits, bear-baiting, bowling, football. even ballad singers were told to stay off the streets." "his majesty may find that interesting." nadir sharif turned and signaled for _sharbat _from the servants. "perhaps he should issue laws forbidding assembly before he leaves agra." "is he leaving?" hawksworth felt his heart stop. "day after tomorrow." nadir sharif watched as the tray of _sharbat _cups arrived and immediately directed it toward hawksworth. "i have to see him one last time before he leaves. before i leave." "i really think that's impossible now. he's canceled the daily _durbar_. no one can see him. even i have difficulty meeting with him." nadir sharif accepted a cup from the tray and examined hawksworth sorrowfully as he sipped it. "in any case, i fear a meeting would do you little good, ambassador. he's busy arranging the departure for all the court, including the _zenana_. there are thousands of people to move, and on very short notice. in fact, i've been trying to see her majesty for several days, but she has received no one." he smiled evenly. "not even her own brother." "where's his majesty planning to go?" "not so very far, actually. ordinarily he probably would travel north, toward kashmir. but since winter is approaching, he's decided to go west, to fatehpur sekri. the area around the old palace has remained free of the infection." "but i have to see him." hawksworth hesitated. "do you know what's happened to shirin?" "nothing, so far as i hear. i believe she's still being held in the fort." nadir sharif studied hawksworth. "but i would advise you in the strongest possible terms to avoid meddling in the business of that persian adventuress and her departed sufi heretic." "what i do is my affair." hawksworth set down his cup harder than necessary. "i insist on seeing his majesty. i want you to arrange it." "but a formal meeting is really quite impossible, ambassador. haven't i made that clear?" nadir sharif paused to collect his poise. "but perhaps if you appeared when his entourage is departing agra, you might be able to speak with him. i have to insist, however, that a meeting now would be pointless and possibly even dangerous, considering his majesty's disposition at the moment." "i'll see him before he leaves, somehow. i'll find a way." "then i wish you godspeed, ambassador." nadir sharif put down his _sharbat _glass. "incidentally, there's a large caravan leaving for surat day after tomorrow. should i make arrangements for you to join it?" "i'm not going anywhere until i see the moghul." "you're a headstrong man, ambassador. please believe i wish you well. notwithstanding his majesty's current views, i've always regarded you highly." he signaled for a tray of betel leaves and rose, flashing one of his official smiles. "who knows? perhaps your luck is due for a change." queen janahara read the dispatch twice, the lines of her mouth growing tighter each time, before passing it back to arangbar. he studied it again, holding it with a trembling hand, seeming not to fully comprehend its meaning, then extended it to nadir sharif. the courtyard off arangbar's private library was deadly silent, all servants and eunuchs banished. the tapestries shading the inner compartment had been drawn back, permitting the hard light of morning to illuminate the flowered murals on the library's red sandstone walls. arangbar sipped wine from a gilded cup and studied nadir sharifs face while the prime minister read, as though hoping somehow to decipher the document's significance from his expression. "he has plainly refused. majesty." nadir sharifs voice was strangely calm. "when did this arrive?" "this morning. it's his reply to the pigeon i sent to burhanpur the day after the wedding, ordering him to return the command in the south to ghulam adl and march to the northwest, to relieve the fortress at qandahar." arangbar's eyes were bloodshot and grim. "at least we know now where he is." "we know nothing." janahara reached for the document and scrutinized it. "this dispatch was sent four days ago. he could be as far north as mandu by now, or well on his way to agra." "i doubt very much he will march anywhere." nadir sharif cut her off without seeming to do so. "until he receives a response to the terms he has demanded." "repeat them to me." arangbar was having difficulty focusing on the wine cup and he shifted his gaze into the courtyard. "they are very explicit. majesty." nadir sharif rolled the document and replaced it in the bamboo sleeve. "jadar has refused to march to defend qandahar unless his horse rank is raised to thirty thousand, and unless the _jagirs _in dholpur, those that were granted to prince allaudin, are returned. what will you do?" "there can be no bargaining with an imperial order," queen janahara interjected. "how many times will you be intimidated? remember he refused to undertake this campaign--which, i should add, he has apparently bungled--until his _suwar _rank was elevated, and his elder brother khusrav was sent out of agra. when will his demands end?" her voice rose. "even now we do not know what has happened. all we know for sure is that two months ago he marched south from burhanpur. and four days ago he was there again. was he driven back when he tried to recapture ahmadnagar from malik ambar? does the deccan still belong to the abyssinian? prince jadar has much to answer." "but the dispatch was sent from burhanpur. at least he hasn't abandoned the city entirely, as some of the rumors said," nadir sharif continued evenly. "and i don't believe he has abandoned the south, either. he would not permit it to remain in rebel hands. whatever else he is, he's a soldier first." "for all we know he is now isolated at the fortress in burhanpur." janahara studied the empty courtyard. "if he has not already lost the city." "so what do you propose be done?" arangbar's voice was slurred as he sipped from his cup. "there's only one choice remaining, if you ever hope to control jadar." she spoke directly to arangbar. "order inayat latif to mobilize the imperial army and march south, now. we have to know what's happening there. inayat latif is a far abler general than jadar. he, at least, can ensure the deccan is secure. then we can handle the matter of jadar's demands." "but that could also give the appearance the imperial army is marching against jadar." nadir sharif shifted uncomfortably. "he will see it as an ultimatum. do you really think he will respond to threats? you must know him better than that." "i know him all too well." janahara's voice was hard. "your majesty"--nadir sharif turned directly to the queen--"perhaps if he is given more time, he will come to better . . . appreciate his position. i suggest the first thing we do is request a clarification of the military situation throughout the deccan. then we can send the imperial army, as reinforcements, if it still seems advisable." "i'm growing weary of constantly trying to outguess jadar." arangbar examined his cup and noted gloomily that it was dry. "first the plague, and now the preparations for the move. i'm exhausted. when do we depart?" "i'm told the last of the elephants will be ready within one _pahar_, majesty." nadir sharif studied the queen casually, wondering how far she would push her influence with arangbar. "i agree with you it would be wisest to wait." "if you insist on doing nothing, at least the imperial army should be mobilized and made ready." janahara's dulcet voice was betrayed by the quick flash in her eyes. "then jadar will understand we are prepared to act quickly if he remains defiant." "how many men and horse does inayat latif have under his command now?" arangbar searched the darkened recesses behind them for a servant to summon with more wine. "there are over a hundred thousand men here. majesty, and probably fifty thousand cavalry. over three times the force jadar took with him to the south." nadir sharif paused. "they could always move out within, say, two to three weeks." "i insist the forces here at least be mobilized, and moved to fatehpur with the court . . . lest the army itself become contaminated by the plague." janahara hesitated for a moment and then continued evenly. "i'm prepared to order it in your name today. it would protect the army from infection; you would have them with you if you needed them; and it would also put jadar on notice." "then prepare the orders for my seal, if it pleases you." arangbar sighed and reached for his turban. "you're usually right." "you know i'm right." she smiled warmly. "and, regardless, no harm will be done." "then it's settled." arangbar tried unsuccessfully to rise, and nadir sharif stepped forward, assisting him to his feet. "i have to hold _durbar _one last time today, quickly before we leave. the persian safavid ambassador notified the _wazir _he has gifts and a petition that must be brought to me before the court leaves agra." he grinned. "the safavis are so worried i will form an alliance with the northwestern uzbeks that their emperor shah abbas sends gifts every month." "you've decided to hold _durbar _today, after all?" nadir sharifs eyes quickened. "if so, there's a portuguese official from surat who also wishes to present some gifts from the viceroy and speak with you on a matter he said was delicate." "what 'delicate' matter does his excellency have?" janahara stopped sharply on her way toward the corridor and turned back. "i've heard nothing about it." "i suppose we'll all discover that in _durbar_, majesty." nadir sharif bowed and was gone. brian hawksworth waited in the crowded square of the _diwan-i-am_, holding a large package and hoping the rumored appearance of arangbar was true. for the past four days the moghul had not held _durbar_, had remained in complete isolation. but only an hour before, talk had circulated in the square that arangbar would hold a brief reception before departing, probably in a tent pavilion that had been erected in the center of the square. as though to verify the speculation, slaves had unrolled several thick carpets beneath the tent, installed a dais, and were now positioning his throne onto the platform. hawksworth stared about the square and felt his palms sweat. is this the last time i ever see the moghul of india? and shirin never again? is this how it ends? he had spent the last several days in a private hell, thinking of shirin and waiting for the first fever, the first nodules that would signal the plague. so far there had been no signs of the disease. and he had heard that the consensus in the bazaar was the infection would subside within the month. clearly it would be nothing like london in . palace rumors said that shirin was still alive. all executions had ceased after the appearance of the plague. and stories were that the moghul was rarely seen sober. perhaps, hawksworth told himself, arangbar has stayed so drunk he has forgotten her. he had finally conceived one last plan to try to save her. then he had packed his chest, settled his accounts, and dismissed his servants. if nothing came of the meeting today . . . if there was a meeting . . . he would have to leave in any case. he moved closer to the royal pavilion, pushing his way through the melee of shirtless servants. the elephants for the _zenana _had been moved into the square and were now being readied. there were, by hawksworth's rough count, approximately a hundred elephants to carry arangbar's women. the _howdahs _for the main wives were fashioned from gold, with gratings of gold wire around the sides to provide a view and an umbrella canopy of silver cloth for shade. a special elephant was waiting for queen janahara and princess layla, decorated with a canvas of gold brocade and bearing a jewel-studded _howdah_. as hawksworth watched, another elephant, shining with black paint and the largest he had ever seen, lumbered regally into the square, ridden by a mahout with a gold-braided turban. its covering was even more lavish than that of the queen's mount, and its _howdah _was emblazoned with the imperial standard of arangbar, a long-tailed lion crouching menacingly in front of a golden sun face. beneath the verandas rows of saddled horses waited for the lesser members of the court, each with a slave stationed alongside bearing an umbrella of gold cloth, and in front of the horses were rows of crimson-colored palanquins, their pearl-embroidered velvet gleaming in the light, ready for high officials. the roadway leading from the square of the _diwan-i-am _had been lined with a guard of three hundred male war elephants, each with a cannon turret on its back. behind those, three hundred female elephants stood idling in the sunshine, their backs covered with gold cloth marked with the moghurs insignia, waiting to be loaded with household goods from the _zenana_. just beyond the gate a host of watermen were poised with waterskins slung from their backs, ready to run before the moghul's procession sprinkling the roadway to banish dust. near them a small party of men stood holding the harness of a camel bearing a roll of white cloth, used to cover and banish from sight any dead animals that might lie along the route of the moghuls party. the courtyard erupted with a sudden blare of trumpets and kettledrums, and hawksworth turned to see arangbar being carried in on an open palanquin, supported by uniformed eunuchs. a slave walked along one side, holding a satin umbrella over his head for shade, while on the other, two chubby eunuchs walked fanning him with sprays of peacock feathers attached to long poles. as the palanquin neared the tent, hawksworth pushed through the crowd to gain a better view. arangbar was dressed for a ceremonial occasion, wearing a velvet turban with a plume of white _heme _feathers almost two feet in length. a walnut-sized ruby dangled from one side of the turban, and on the other side was a massive diamond, paired with a heart-shaped emerald. around his turban was a sash wreathed with a chain of pearls. rings bearing flashing jewels decorated every finger, and his cloak was gold brocade, decorated with jeweled armlets. as he descended from the palanquin, at the entry of the pavilion, the nobles near him yelled "padshah salamat," long live the emperor, and performed the _teslim_. as he moved toward his throne two more eunuchs were waiting. one stepped forward and presented an enormous pink carp on a silver tray, while the other held out a dish of starchy white liquid. arangbar dipped his finger in the liquid, touched it to the fish, then rubbed his own forehead--a moghul ceremony presaging good omens for a march. next, another eunuch stepped forward, bowed, and presented him with a sword. he stared at it for a moment as though confused, then shakily ran his finger along the diamonds set in the scabbard and the braided gold belt. as the eunuch urged it toward him, he nodded and allowed it to be buckled at his waist. another eunuch then presented him with a golden quiver containing thin bamboo arrows and a gleaming lacquer bow. as he mounted the dais, two eunuchs moved to his side, each waving a gold-handled tail of white yak hair intended to drive away flies. another fanfare of trumpets and drums cut the air as the eunuchs helped him onto the throne. only when arangbar was seated did hawksworth notice that nadir sharif and zainul beg were already waiting at the foot of the dais. he also noted queen janahara was not present. and then he realized why. the servants had neglected to erect her screen, the one she normally sat behind to dictate his decisions. since the appearance of arangbar's solitary rule still had to be maintained, she could not be seen publicly issuing orders, at least not yet. hawksworth smiled to himself, wondering whose head would roll for the oversight. then, as he watched nadir sharif begin explaining petitions to arangbar, he thought he sensed a gleam of triumph in the prime minister's eye. could it be the failure to install a screen was deliberate? the persian safavid ambassador approached with the obligatory gift, this time an ornamental case containing a ruby on a gold chain, and then handed up a paper. arangbar listened to nadir sharif explain the document, then appeared to ponder it a moment. finally he waved his arms lightly and agreed to something hawksworth did not catch. the ambassador bowed his appreciation, revolved with enormous dignity, and retreated into the sunshine. arangbar was already beginning to grow restless, clearly anxious to dismiss everyone and begin loading the _zenana _women onto their elephants. he turned and spoke to nadir sharif, who replied quickly and motioned toward a portuguese emissary in a starched doublet who stood waiting, together with father sarmento. it was the first time hawksworth had noticed them, and he felt his gut knot in hatred as he shoved his own way forward toward the pavilion. arangbar listened with a glazed expression, nodding occasionally, as the portuguese emissary delivered an elaborate speech, translated by sarmento, and began laying out the contents of a chest he carried. with theatrical flair he drew out several large silver candlesticks, a brace of gold- handled knives with jewel-embossed sheaths, a dozen wine cups of venetian crystal. then he produced a leather packet with a red wax seal. he spoke a few more words and passed it to nadir sharif. the prime minister examined it, broke the seal to extract the parchment, then gestured for sarmento to come forward to translate. the jesuit suddenly looked very old and very uneasy as he adjusted his peaked black hat and took the paper. hawksworth shoved closer, and for the first time arangbar seemed to notice him. the moghul's eyes darkened and he started to say something in hawksworth's direction, but sarmento had already begun the translation into turki. "his excellency, miguel vaijantes, sends this message of his high regard and everlasting friendship for his most high majesty, the great moghul of india. he bows before you and hopes you will honor him by accepting these few small tokens of his admiration." sarmento shifted and cleared his throat. arangbar's eyes had fluttered partially closed and his head seemed to nod sleepily at the conventional flattery. "his excellency asks your majesty's indulgence of a grievous misdeed last week by a captain of one of our patrol vessels. he assures your majesty that the captain will be stripped of all rank and returned in chains to goa within the month." arangbar's eyes had again opened and he shifted slightly on the throne. "what 'misdeed' is referred to?" sarmento looked at the emissary, who quickly replied in portuguese. the jesuit turned again to arangbar. "your majesty will doubtless receive a dispatch from surat within a short time describing an unfortunate incident. his excellency wants you to understand in advance that it was a mistaken order, undertaken entirely without his knowledge or approval." arangbar was fully awake now and staring down at the two portuguese. "what order? did the viceroy order something he now wishes to disown? what was it?" "it's the unfortunate matter of the _fatima_, your majesty." sarmento turned helplessly toward the portuguese emissary, as though he too were searching for an explanation. "what about the _fatima_? she's my largest cargo vessel. she's due in surat in two days, with goods from persia." arangbar's face was sober now. "her highness, maryam zamani, had eighty _lakhs _of rupees . . ." "the _fatima_ is safe, your majesty. she has only been detained at sea, on a mistaken interpretation of his excellency's orders." sarmento seemed to be blurting out the words. "but he wishes to assure you . . ." "impossible!" arangbar's voice was suddenly a roar. "he would not dare! he knows the cargo was under my seal. i have a copy of the cartaz sent to goa." "it was a grievous mistake, majesty. his excellency sends his deepest apologies and offers to . . ." "it was done on _someone's _order! it had to be his. how can it be a 'mistake'!" arangbar's face had gone purple. "why was it ordered in the first place?" sarmento stood speechless while the envoy spoke rapidly into his ear. then he looked back at arangbar. "mistakes are always possible, majesty. his excellency wishes to assure you the vessel and all cargo will be released within two weeks." "i demand it be released immediately! and damages equal the value of the cargo brought to me personally." arangbar's face was livid. "or he will never again have a _pice _of trade in an indian port." sarmento turned and translated quickly to the emissary. the portuguese's face dropped over his moustache and he hesitantly spoke something to sarmento. "we regret we have no power at this time to authorize a payment for damages, majesty. but we assure you his excellency will . . ." "then 'his excellency' will have no more trade in india." arangbar turned, his face overflowing with rage, and shouted to the guards standing behind him. as they ran to his side he drew his sword and waved it drunkenly at the emissary, whose face had gone white. "take him away." as the guards seized the terrified portuguese by the arms, sending his hat tumbling onto the carpet, he looked imploringly at nadir sharif. but the prime minister's face was a mask. then arangbar turned on father sarmento. "if his excellency has anything else to say to me, he will say it himself, or he will send someone with the authority to answer me. i do not receive his _peons_." sarmento flinched at the insulting goan slang for dockhand. "your majesty, again i assure you . . ." " you will never again assure me of anything. i've listened to your assurances for years, largely on matters about which you have only belief, never proof. you assured me of the power of the christian god, but never once would you accept the challenge of the islamic mullahs to cast a bible and the quran into a fire together, to show once and for all which held sacred truth. but their test is no longer needed. your christian lies are over." arangbar rose unsteadily from his throne, his brow harrowed by his fury. "i order your stipend terminated and your church in agra closed. and your mission in lahore. there will never again be a christian church in india. never." "your majesty, there are many christians in india." sarmento's voice was pleading. "they must have a priest, to minister the holy sacrament." "then do it in your lodgings. you no longer have a church." arangbar settled back on the throne, his anger seeming to overwhelm him. "never see me again unless you bring news the ship is released, and my demands met. never." sarmento watched in horror as arangbar dismissed him with a gesture of his arm. the old jesuit turned and moved trembling into the crowd that had pushed around the sides of the pavilion. as he passed by hawksworth, he suddenly stopped. "this was all because of you." his voice quivered. "i learned of this only today from my foolish prodigal, pinheiro. may god have mercy on you, heretic. you and your accomplices have destroyed all his work in india." as hawksworth tried to find an answer he heard a drunken shout. "inglish! what are you doing here? come forward and explain yourself." he looked up to see arangbar motioning at him. "are you deaf? come forward." arangbar glared mischievously. "why are you still in agra? we were told we sent you away, almost a week ago. i think i may decide to have you and every other christian in india hanged." "may it please your majesty, i came to request an audience." hawksworth moved quickly forward, past the confused guards, carrying the package he had brought. "and what have you stolen of ours, inglish? have you come now to tell us it was all a mistake, before i order your hand cut off?" "englishmen are not portugals, your majesty. we do not take what is not our own. what have i ever taken that your majesty did not freely give?" "it's true what you say, inglish. you are not a portuguese." arangbar suddenly beamed as a thought flashed through his eyes. "tell me, inglish, will your king destroy their fleets for me now?" "why would he do so, your majesty? you have denied him the right to trade; you have refused to grant the _firman _he requested." "not if he will rout the portuguese infidels from our seas, inglish. they are a pestilence, a plague, that sickens all it touches." arangbar waved in the direction of a eunuch, ordering wine for himself. "you deceived me once, inglish, but you did not rob me. perhaps we will have you stay here a few days longer." "i have already made preparations to depart, your majesty, on your orders." "you cannot travel without our permission, inglish. we still rule india, despite what the portuguese viceroy may think." arangbar paused and drank thirstily from the glass of wine. "so why did you want an audience, inglish, if you were planning to leave?" hawksworth paused, thinking of the decision he had made, wondering again if there was a chance. "i've come to make a trifling request of your majesty." he moved forward and bowed, presenting his parcel, the obligatory gift. "what's this have you brought us, inglish?" "may it please your majesty, after settling my accounts in agra, i have no money remaining to purchase gifts worthy of your majesty. i have only this remaining. i offer it to your majesty, in hopes you will understand its unworthiness in your eyes is matched only by its unequaled value to me. it is my treasure. i have had it by my side for over twenty years, at sea and on land." arangbar accepted the parcel with curiosity and flipped aside the velvet wrap. an english lute sparkled against the sunshine. "what is this, inglish?" arangbar turned it in his hand, examining the polished cedar staves that curved to form its melon-shaped back. "an instrument of england, your majesty, which we hold in the same esteem you grant your indian sitar." "this is a curious toy, inglish. it has so few strings." he examined it a moment longer, then turned to hawksworth. "do you yourself play this instrument?" "i do, your majesty." "then we will hear it." arangbar passed the lute back to hawksworth, while the nobles around them buzzed in astonishment. hawksworth cradled it against him. the feel of its body flooded him with sadness as he realized he would never play it again. memories of london, tunis, gibraltar, a dozen cabins and lodgings, flooded over him. he inhaled deeply and began a short suite by dowland. it was the one he had played for shirin that afternoon so long ago in the observatory in surat. the clear notes flooded the canopied pavilion with their rich full voice, then drifted outward into the square, settling silence in their path. the suite was melancholy, a lament of lost love and beauty, and hawksworth found his own eyes misting as he played. when he reached the end, the last crisp note died into a void that seemed to be his own heart. he held the lute a moment longer, then turned to pass it back to arangbar. the moghul's eyes seemed to be misting as well. "i have never heard anything quite like it, inglish. it has a sadness we never hear in a raga. why have you never played for us before?" "your majesty has musicians of your own." "but no instrument like this, inglish. will you have your king send us one?" "but i have given you mine, majesty." arangbar examined the lute once more, then looked at hawksworth and smiled. "but if i keep this instrument now, inglish, i will most probably forget by tomorrow where i have put it." he winked at hawksworth and handed back the lute. "have your king send us one, inglish, and a teacher to instruct our musicians." hawksworth could not believe what he was hearing. "i humbly thank your majesty. i . . ." "now what was it you came to ask of us, inglish?" arangbar continued to study the lute as he sipped from his wine. "ask it quickly." "merely a trifling indulgence of your majesty." "then tell us what it is, inglish." arangbar turned and searched the square with his eyes, as though monitoring the state of preparations. hawksworth cleared his throat and tried to still his pulse. "your majesty's release of the persian woman shirin, who is guilty of no crime against your majesty." arangbar's smile faded as he turned back to hawksworth. "we have not yet decided her fate, inglish. she does not concern you." "may it please your majesty, she concerns me very much. i come to ask your majesty's permission to make her my wife, and to take her back to england with me, if your majesty will release her. she will be gone from india soon, and will trouble your majesty no further." "but we just told you you are not returning, inglish. not until we permit it." he grinned. "you must stay and play this instrument for us more." "then i beg that her life be spared until the time i am allowed to leave." arangbar studied hawksworth and a grudging smile played on his lips. "you are an excellent judge of women, inglish. perhaps too much so. i suspected it the first time i saw you." "she wishes no ill toward your majesty. there is no purpose in taking her life." "how do you know what she wishes for us, inglish? i think we know better than you." arangbar paused to sip again from his wine cup. "but we will spare her for now, if your king will agree to send warships to drive the infidel portuguese from our shores. and if you will agree to play more for me." "will your majesty order her release?" "i will move her to my _zenana_ for now, inglish. until matters are settled, i will order her brought with us to fatehpur. that is my part of the bargain. what will you do about yours?" "i will inform my king of your majesty's wishes." "and he will comply, if he wants to trade in india." arangbar turned to nadir sharif. "order a horse for the inglish. he will ride with us today. and have the woman shirin sent to the _zenana_." nadir sharif bowed and edged next to arangbar, adopting a confidential tone. "if i may be allowed, your majesty, you are aware the woman shirin would not be entirely welcome in the _zenana _by her majesty, queen janahara." "her majesty is not the moghul of india." arangbar seemed suddenly exhilarated by the absence of the queen. "i have ordered it." "to hear is to obey." nadir sharif bowed low, casting a worried glance toward hawksworth. "but perhaps it would be equally pleasing to your majesty . . . and to her majesty as well . . . to allow the woman to travel to fatehpur under the cognizance of the english ambassador." arangbar glanced toward the palace, and his exhilaration seemed to dissolve as suddenly as it had come. "until fatehpur, then. after that we will decide where she will be kept until the inglish satisfies his part of the bargain." arangbar turned to hawksworth. "agreed, inglish?" "i bow to your majesty's will." "_durbar_ is concluded." arangbar rose by himself and moved to the edge of the tent pavilion. as the trumpets and drums again sounded, the fanning eunuchs scurried to stay beside him. he stepped into the sunshine, stared about the square for a moment, then turned to nadir sharif. "order everyone cleared and the women brought. i am suddenly growing weary of agra." nadir sharif bowed again and spoke quickly to the captain of the guard. as the order was circulated, he quietly moved next to hawksworth. "so it seems your luck changed after all, ambassador. for now. but i fear it may not last. as a friend i suggest you make the most of it." chapter twenty-six the dark sky had begun to show pale in the east, heralding the first traces of day. hawksworth stood in the shadows of his tent, at the edge of the vast imperial camp, and pulled his frayed leather jerkin tighter against the cold. he watched as the elephants filed past, bulky silhouettes against the dawn. they were being led from the temporary stables on the hill behind him toward the valley below, where cauldrons of water were being stoked for their morning bath. heating the water for the elephant baths had become routine during the reign of akman, who had noticed his elephants shivering from their baths on chilly mornings and decreed their bath water warmed henceforth. as he watched the line of giant animals winding their way through the camp, waving their trunks in the morning air, he realized they were not docile female _zenana _elephants, but male war elephants, first and second rank. first-ranked war elephants, called "full blood," were selected from young males who had demonstrated the endurance and even temper essential in battle; those granted second rank, called "tiger-seizing," were slightly smaller, but with the same temperament and strength. each elephant had five keepers and was placed under the training of a special military superintendent--whose responsibility was to school the animal in boldness amid artillery fire. the keepers were monitored monthly by imperial inspectors, who fined them a month's wages if their elephant had noticeably lost weight. should an elephant lose a tusk through its keepers' inattention to an infection, they were fined one eighth the value of the animal, and if an elephant died in their care, they received a penalty of three months' wages and a year's suspension. but the position of elephant keeper was a coveted place of great responsibility. a well-trained war elephant could be valued at a hundred thousand rupees, a full _lakh_, and experienced commanders had been known to declare one good elephant worth five hundred horses in a battle. hawksworth studied the elephants, admiring their disciplined stride and easy footing, and wondered again why the army had stationed its stables so near the imperial camp. did arangbar somehow feel he needed protection? "they're magnificent, don't you think?" shirin emerged from her tent to join him, absently running her hand across the back of his jerkin. it had been six days since they had left agra, and it seemed to hawksworth she had grown more beautiful each day, more loving each night. the nightmare of the past weeks had already faded to a distant memory. she was fully dressed now, with a transparent scarf pinned to her dark hair by a band of pearls, thick gold bracelets, flowered trousers beneath a translucent skirt, and dark _kohl _highlighting her eyes and eyebrows. he watched, enthralled as she pulled a light cloak over her shoulders. "especially in the morning. they say akman used to train his royal elephants to dance to music, and to shoot a bow." "i don't think i'll ever get used to elephants." hawksworth admired her a moment longer in the dawn light, then looked back at the immense forms lumbering past, trying to push aside the uneasy feeling their presence gave him. "you'd be very amused to hear what people in london think they're like. nobody there has ever seen an elephant, but there are lots of fables about them. it's said elephants won't ford a clear stream during the day, because they're afraid of their reflection, so they only cross streams at night." shirin laughed out loud and reached to kiss him quickly on the cheek. "i never know whether to believe your stories of england." "i swear it." "and the horse-drawn coaches you told me about. describe one again." "it has four wheels, instead of two like your carts have, and it really is pulled by horses, usually two but sometimes four. it's enclosed and inside there are seats and cushions . . . almost like a palanquin." "does that mean your king's _zenana _women all ride in these strange coaches, instead of on elephants?" "in the first place, king james has no _zenana_. i don't think he'd know what to do with that many women. and there are absolutely no elephants in england. not even one." "can you possibly understand how hard it is for me to imagine a place without elephants and _zenanas_?" she looked at him and smiled. "and no camels either?" "no camels. but we have lots of stories about camels too. tell me, is it true that if you're poisoned, you can be put inside a newly slain camel and it will draw out the poison?" shirin laughed again and looked up the hill toward the stables, where pack camels were being fed and massaged with sesame oil. the bells on their chest ropes sounded lightly as their keepers began harnessing them, in strings of five. hawksworth turned to watch as the men began fitting two of the camels to carry a _mihaffa_, a wooden turret suspended between them by heavy wooden poles. all the camels were groaning pitifully and biting at their keepers, their customary response to the prospect of work. "that sounds like some tale you'd hear in the bazaar. why should a dead camel draw out poison?" she turned back to hawksworth. "sometimes you make the english sound awfully naive. tell me what it's really like there." "it is truly beautiful. the fairest land there is, especially in the late spring and early summer, when it's green and cool." hawksworth watched the sun emerge from behind a distant hill, beginning to blaze savagely against the parched winter landscape almost the moment it appeared. thoughts of england suddenly made him long for shade, and he took shirin's arm, leading her around the side of their rise and back into the morning cool. ahead of them lay yet another bleak valley, rocky and sere. "i sometimes wonder how you can survive here in summer. it was already autumn when i made landfall and the heat was still unbearable." "late spring is even worse than summer. at least in summer there's rain. but we're accustomed to the heat. we say no _feringhi _ever gets used to it. i don't think anyone from your england could ever really love or understand india." "don't give up hope yet. i'm starting to like it." he took her chin in his hand and carefully studied her face with a scrutinizing frown, his eyes playing critically from her eyes to her mouth to her vaguely aquiline persian nose. "what part do i like best?" he laughed and kissed the tip of her nose. "i think it's the diamond you wear in your left nostril." "all women wear those!" she bit at him. "so i have to also. but i've never liked it. you'd better think of something else." he slipped his arm around her and held her next to him, wondering if he should tell her of his bargain with arangbar--that she had been released only because he had offered to take her from india forever. for a moment the temptation was powerful, but he resisted. not yet. don't give her a chance to turn headstrong and refuse. "you know, i think you'd like england once you saw it. even with no elephants, and no slaves to fan away the flies. we're not as primitive as you seem to imagine. we have music, and if you'd learn our language, you might discover england has many fine poets." "like the one you once recited for me?" she turned to face him. "what was his name?" "that was john donne. i hear he's a cleric now, so i doubt he's writing his randy poems and songs any more. but there are others. like sir walter raleigh, a staunch adventurer who writes passable verse, and there's also ben jonson, who writes poems, and plays also. in fact, lots of english plays are in verse." "what do you mean by plays?" "english plays. they're like nothing else in the world." he stared wistfully into the parched valley spread out before them. "sometimes i think they're what i miss most about london when i'm away." "well, what are they?" "they're stories that are acted out by players. in playhouses." she laughed. "then perhaps you should begin by explaining a playhouse." "the best one is the globe, which is just across the thames from london, in the bankside edge of southwark, near the bridge. it was built by some merchants and by an actor from stratford-up-on-avon, who also writes their plays. it's three stories high and circular, with high balconies. and there's a covered stage at one side, where the players perform." "do the women in these plays dance, like our _devadasis_?" "actually the players are all men. sometimes they take the roles of women, but i've never seen them dance all that much. there are plays about famous english kings, and sometimes there are stories of thwarted love, usually set in italy. plays are a new thing in england, and there's nothing like them anywhere else." shirin settled against a boulder and watched the shadows cast by the rising sun stretch out across the valley. she sat thoughtfully for a moment and then she laughed. "what would you say if i told you india had dramas about kings and thwarted love over a thousand years ago? they were in sanskrit, and they were written by men named bhavabhuti and bhasa and kalidasa, whose lives are legends now. a pandit, that's the title hindus give their scholars, once told me about a play called the clay cart. it was about a poor king who fell in love with a rich courtesan. but there are no plays here now, unless you count the dance dramas they have in the south. sanskrit is a dead language, and muslims don't really care for plays." "i'll wager you'd like the plays in london. they're exciting, and sometimes the poetry can be very moving." "what's it like to go to see one?" "first, on the day a play is performed they fly a big white banner of silk from a staff atop the globe, and you can see it all over london. the admission is only a penny for old plays and two pence for new ones. that's all you ever have to pay if you're willing to stand in the pit. if you want to pay a little more, you can get a seat in the galleries around the side, up out of the dust and chips, and for a little extra you can get a cushion for the seat. or for sixpence you can enter directly through the stage door and sit in a stall at the side of the stage. just before the play begins there's a trumpet fanfare-- like arangbar has when he enters the _diwan-i-am_--and the doorkeepers pass through the galleries to collect the money." "what do they do with it?" "they put it into a locked box," hawksworth grinned, "which wags have taken to calling the box office, because they're so officious about it. but the money's perfectly safe. plays are in the afternoon, while there's daylight." "but aren't they performed inside this building?" shirin seemed to be only half listening. "the globe has an open roof except over the stage. but if it gets too dull on winter afternoons, they light the stage with torches of burning pitch or tar." "who exactly goes to these playhouses?" "everyone. except maybe the puritans. anybody can afford a penny. and the globe is not that far from the southwark bear gardens, so a lot of people come after they've been to see bearbaiting. the pit is usually full of rowdy tradesmen, who stand around the stage and turn the air blue with tobacco smoke." "so high-caste women and women from good families wouldn't go." "of course women go." hawksworth tried unsuccessfully to suppress a smile. "there are gallants in london who'll tell you the globe is the perfect place to spot a comely wench, or even a woman of fashion looking for some sport while her husband's drunk at a gaming house." "i don't believe such things happen." "well that's the way it is in england." hawksworth settled against the boulder. "you have to understand women there don't let themselves be locked up and hidden behind veils. so if a cavalier spies a comely woman at the globe, he'll find a way to praise her dress, or her figure, and then he'll offer to sit next to her, you know, just to make sure some rude fellow doesn't trod on the hem of her petticoats with muddy boots, and no chips fall in her lap. then after the play begins, he'll buy her a bag of roasted chestnuts, or maybe some oranges from one of the orange-wenches walking through the galleries. and if she carries on with him a bit, he'll offer to squire her home." "i suppose you've done just that?" she examined him in dismay. hawksworth shifted, avoiding her gaze. "i've mainly heard of it." "well, i don't enjoy hearing about it. what about the honor of these women's families? they sound reprehensible, with less dignity than _nautch _girls." "oh no, they're very different." he turned with a wink and tweaked her ear. "they don't dance." "that's even worse. at least most _nautch _girls have some training." "you already think english women are wicked, and you've never even met one. that's not fair. but i think you'd come to love england. if we were in london now, right this minute, we could hire one of those coaches you don't believe exist . . . a coach with two horses and a coachman cost scarcely more than ten shillings a day, if prices haven't gone up . . . and ride out to a country inn. just outside london the country is as green as nadir sharif's palace garden, with fields and hedgerows that look like a great patchwork coverlet sewed by some sotted alewife." hawksworth's chest tightened with homesickness. "if you want to look like an englishwoman, you could powder your breasts with white lead, and rouge your nipples, and maybe paste some beauty stars on your cheeks. i'll dine you on goose and veal and capon and nappy english ale. and english mutton dripping with more fat than any lamb you'll taste in agra." shirin studied him silently for a moment. "you love to talk of england, don't you? but i'd rather you talked about india. i want you to stay. why would you ever want to leave?" "i'm trying to tell you you'd love england if you gave yourself a chance. i'll have the _firman _soon, and when i return the east india company will . . ." "arangbar will never sign a _firman _for the english king to trade. don't you realize queen janahara will never allow it?" "right now i'm less worried about the queen than about jadar. i think he wants to stop the _firman _too, why i don't know, but he's succeeded so far. he almost stopped it permanently with his false rumor about the fleet. he did it deliberately to raise arangbar's hopes and then disappoint him, with the blame falling on me. who knows what he'll think to do next?" "you're so wrong about him. that had nothing to do with you. don't you understand why he had to do that? you never once asked me." hawksworth stared at her. "tell me why." "to divert the portuguese fleet. it's so obvious. he somehow discovered queen janahara had paid the portuguese viceroy to ship cannons to malik ambar. if the marathas had gotten cannon, they could have defended ahmadnagar forever. so he tricked the portuguese into searching for the english fleet that wasn't there. the portuguese are a lot more worried about their trade monopoly than about what happens to prince jadar. he knew they would be." "i know you support him, but for my money he's still a certified bastard." hawksworth studied her for a moment, wondering whether to believe her words. if it were actually true it would all make sense, would fill out a bizarre tapestry of palace deception. but in the end his ruse had done jadar no good. "and for all his scheming, he was still defeated in the south. i hear the rumors too." hawksworth rose and took shirin's arm. she started to reply, then stopped herself. they began to walk slowly back toward his tent. "so he deceived everyone to no purpose." as they rounded the curve of the slope and emerged into the sunshine, hawksworth noted that some of the war elephants had already been led back to their stables and were being harnessed. he looked across the valley toward the tents of the imperial army and thought he sensed a growing urgency in the air, as though men and horse were being quietly mobilized to move out. "but don't you realize? the prince is not retreating." shirin finally seized his arm and stopped him. "no one here yet realizes that malik ambar has . . ." her voice trailed off as she looked ahead. a group of rajput officers was loitering, aimlessly, near the entrance to her tent. "i wish i could tell you now what's happening." her voice grew quieter. "just be ready to ride." hawksworth stared at her, uncomprehending. "ride where?" he reached to touch her hand, but she glanced at the rajputs and quickly pulled it away. "i don't want to ride anywhere. i want to tell you more about england. don't you think you'd like to see it someday?" "i don't know. perhaps." she shifted her gaze away from the rajputs. for an instant hawksworth thought he saw her make a quick movement with her hands urging them to leave. or had she? they casually moved on down the hill, their rhino-hide shields swinging loosely from their shoulder straps. "after . . . after things are settled." "after what? after arangbar signs the _firman_?" "i can't seem to make you understand." she turned to face him squarely. "about prince jadar. even if you got a _firman _it would soon be worthless." "i understand this much. if he's thinking to challenge arangbar, and the queen, then he's god's own fool. haven't you seen the army traveling with us? it's three times the size of jadar's." he turned and continued to walk. "his imperial majesty may be a sot, but he's in no peril from young prince jadar." as they approached the entrance to his tent, she paused for a moment to look at him, her eyes a mixture of longing and apprehension. "i can't stay now. not today." she kissed him quickly and before he could speak she was moving rapidly down the hill, in the direction the rajputs had gone. queen janahara studied allaudin thoughtfully as he strode toward her tent. his floral turban was set rakishly to one side in the latest style, and his purple gauze cloak was too effeminate for anyone but a eunuch or a dandy. she caught a flash from the jewel-handled katar at his waist, too ornamental ever to be used, and suddenly realized that she had never seen him actually hold a knife, or a sword. she had never seen him respond to any crisis. and princess layla had hinted he was not quite the husband she had envisioned, whatever that might imply. suddenly it all mattered. it had only been a week since jadar's demands had been refused, and already he had taken the initiative. now, she sighed, she would have to protect her _nashudani_, her "good-for- nothing" son-in-law. he could never protect himself, not from jadar. "your majesty." allaudin salaamed formally as he dipped below the tapestried portiere of her tent, never forgetting that his new mother- in-law was also the queen. "the princess sends her wishes for your health this morning." "sit down." janahara continued to examine him with her brooding dark eyes. "where is nadir sharif?" "the eunuchs said he would be a few moments late." "he always tries to irritate me." her voice trailed off as she watched allaudin ensconce himself with a wide flourish against a velvet bolster. "tell me, are you content with your bride?" "she is very pleasing to me, majesty." "are you satisfying your obligations as a husband?" "majesty?" allaudin looked up at her as though not comprehending the question. "your duties are not merely to her. or to me. they're also to india. jadar has a male heir now. such things matter in agra, or weren't you aware?" allaudin giggled. "i visit her tent every night, majesty." "but for what purpose? after you're drunk and you've spent yourself with a _nautch _dancer. don't deny it. i know it's true. do you forget she has servants? there are no secrets in this camp. i think you'll sooner sire an heir on a slave girl than on my daughter. i will not have it." "majesty." allaudin twisted uncomfortably and glanced up with relief to see nadir sharif pushing aside the portiere of the tent. as he entered, janahara motioned toward the servants and eunuchs waiting in attendance and in moments they had disappeared through the curtained doorways at the rear. "you're late." "my sincerest apologies, majesty. there are endless matters to attend. you know his majesty still holds morning _darshan _from his tent, and has two _durbar _audiences a day. the difficulties . . ." "your 'difficulties' are only beginning." she was extracting a dispatch from a gilded bamboo tube. "read this." nadir sharif took the document and moved into the light at the entrance. he had always despised the red chintz tents of the imperial family, whose doorways were forever sealed with persian hangings that kept in all the smoke and lamp soot. as he studied the dispatch he moved even closer to the light, astonishment growing in his eyes. he read it through twice before turning back to janahara. "has his majesty seen this yet?" "of course not. but he will have to eventually." "who is it from?" allaudin stared up from the bolster, his voice uneasy. "your brother." janahara studied him with eyes verging on contempt. "jadar has declared he is no longer under the authority of the moghul." she paused to make sure the news had reached allaudin. "do you understand what that means? jadar has rebelled. he's probably marching on agra right now with his army." "that's impossible! as long as his majesty lives . . ." "jadar has declared his majesty is no longer fit to reign. he has offered to assume the 'burden' himself. it's a preposterous affront to legitimate rule." "then he must be brought to agra for trial." allaudin's voice swelled with determination. "obviously." nadir sharif moved toward the door of the tent and stared into the sunshine for a long moment. then he turned to janahara. "we have no choice now but to send the imperial army. your intuition about jadar last week was all too correct." "and now you agree? after a week has been lost." janahara had followed him with her eyes. "now you concede that the army must move." "there's nothing else to be done." nadir sharif seemed to study the parched landscape of the valley below. "although containing jadar may well be more difficult than we first assumed." "why should it be difficult?" allaudin watched nadir sharif in bewilderment. "his forces were very small to begin with. and after his defeat by malik ambar, how many men and cavalry can he have left?" "perhaps you should read the dispatch." nadir sharif tossed the scrolled paper into allaudin's lap. "jadar never engaged malik ambar. instead he forged an alliance. it would appear his 'retreat' north to burhanpur was merely a ruse. he never met the maratha armies in the first place, so he did not lose a single infantryman. instead he intimidated malik ambar and struck a truce with him. there's no knowing how large his army is now, or even where he is. this dispatch came from mandu, so he's already well on his way north. i think he'll probably lay siege to agra within two weeks if he's not stopped." "merciful allah." allaudin's voice was suddenly tremulous. "what do we do?" then he looked imploringly at janahara. "i'll lead the army myself if you want." janahara seemed not to hear him as she rose and walked toward the door of the tent. nadir sharif stepped aside as she shoved back the tapestry and stared out into the valley. "this morning i ordered inayat latif to mobilize and march." "without telling his majesty!" nadir sharif stared at her incredulously. "i ordered it in his name. i suspected something like this might happen, so i had him sign and stamp the order four days ago." "was his majesty entirely sob . . ." nadir sharif hesitated. "was he in full understanding of what he was authorizing?" "that hardly matters now. but you must place the seal you keep on the order also before it's forwarded to the _wazir _to be officially recorded." she did not shift her gaze from the sunlit valley. "it's on the table behind you." nadir sharif turned and stared down at the gold-inlaid stand. the order was there, a single folded piece of paper inside a gilded leather cover. the string which would secure it had not yet been tied. "you were wise to have taken this precaution, majesty." nadir sharif glanced back at janahara, his voice flowing with admiration. "there's no predicting his majesty's mind these days. only yesterday i discovered he had completely forgotten . . ." "have you stamped it?" "my seal is not here, majesty." he paused. "and i was wondering . . . would it be wise to review our strategy briefly with his majesty, lest he become confused later and forget he authorized the order? perhaps even countermand it?" "your seal will be sufficient. it's in the pocket of your cloak where you always carry it, the pocket on the left." "your majesty's memory is astonishing sometimes." nadir sharif quickly extracted the metal case, flipped off the cover, and with a flourish imprinted the black seal of the realm on the top of the order, beneath arangbar's signature and the impression of his royal signet ring. "when will the army be able to move?" "tomorrow. most of the elephants are moving out this morning." janahara turned back and glanced at the paper with satisfaction. "and tomorrow we will all return to agra. the plague is subsiding, and i think his majesty should be in the fort." "i agree entirely. has it been ordered?" "i will order it later today. jadar cannot move his army that rapidly." "i will begin preparations to go with the army." allaudin rose and adjusted the jeweled katar at his belt. "you will be returning to the red fort, with his majesty and with me." janahara did not look at him as she spoke. "but want to face jadar. i insist." he tightened his gauze cloak. "i will demand an audience with his majesty if you refuse." janahara studied him silently for a moment. "i have an even better idea. since jadar has refused to lead the army to defend the fortress at qandahar, how would you like to be appointed in his place?" allaudin's eyes brightened. "what rank would i have?" "i think we can persuade his majesty to raise your personal rank to twelve thousand _zat _and your horse rank to eight thousand _suwar_, twice what you have now." "then i will go." allaudin tightened his cloak, beaming. "i'll drive the safavid king's persian troops back into the desert." "you are as sensible as you are brave. i will speak to his majesty tonight." allaudin grinned a parting salaam, squared his shoulders, and pushed his way through the portiere and into the sunshine. nadir sharif watched without a word until he had disappeared into his own tent. "was that entirely wise, majesty?" "what else do you propose we do? it will keep him in agra. i'll see to that. you don't really think i'd allow him to leave? anyway, it's time his rank was elevated. now all he needs is a son." "i'm sure he'll have one in time, majesty. the hindu astrologers all say princess layla's horoscope is favorable." "the hindu astrologers may have to help him do a husband's work if they want to save their reputation." "give him time, majesty." nadir sharif smiled. "and he'll have more heirs than the holy prophet." "all the prophet's children were daughters." she took the paper, inserted it into the gold case, and began tying the string. "there are times you do not entirely amuse me." "i'm always half distracted by worrying." nadir sharif followed her with his eyes. "even now." "what in particular worries you at the moment?" janahara paused as she was slipping the case into her sleeve. "i'm thinking just now about the imperial army. the loyalty of some of the men." "what do you mean? inayat latif is entirely beholden to his majesty. he would gladly give his life for the moghul. i've heard it from his own lips, and i know it's true." "i've never questioned your commander's loyalty. but now you . . . his majesty will be ordering the men to march against jadar. are you aware that fully a third of the army is under rajput field commanders, officers from the northwest. some of the rajas there still bear ill feelings toward his majesty, because of inayat latifs campaign there ten years ago. these rajputs sometimes have long memories. and who knows what jadar could be promising them? remember his treachery with malik ambar." "what are you suggesting? that the rajput commanders will not fight for his majesty, the legitimate moghul? that's absurd. no one respects authority more than the rajput rajas." "i'm not suggesting it at all. but i do believe the rajputs here should be monitored closely nonetheless. any discontent should be addressed before it grows . . . unwieldy. perhaps their commanders should be placed under a separate authority, someone who could reason with them in his majesty's name if there are signs of unrest. inayat latif is an able general, but he's no diplomat." janahara studied him closely. "do you believe there would be unrest?" "your majesty is perhaps not always fully informed as to the activities of some of the more militant rajput loyalists. i have ordered them watched at all times." "what are you suggesting then? that the rajputs should be placed under a separate top command? some raja whose loyalty is unquestionable?" "i'm suggesting precisely that. if there were extensive defections, it would be demoralizing for the rest of the army, at the very least." "who do you propose?" "there are any number of rajput commanders i would trust. to a point. but it's always difficult to know where their final loyalties lie." nadir sharif paused, lost in thought. "perhaps an alternate solution might be to allow someone of unquestioned loyalty to monitor the rajput field commanders, someone experienced in handling rajput concerns, though not necessarily a general. then the command could remain unified, with orders passing through this other individual, who would ensure compliance." "again, is there someone you would recommend?" "there are several men near his majesty who could serve. it is, of course, essential their loyalty to you be beyond question. in a way it's a pity prince allaudin is not . . . older. blood is always best." "that leaves only you, or father, who is far too old." "my responsibilities here would really make it impossible for me." nadir sharif turned and walked again to the door of the tent, pulling back the portiere. "certainly i could not leave his majesty for an extended campaign." "but if the campaign were short?" "perhaps for a few weeks." janahara studied him silently, her thoughts churning. at times even nadir sharif's loyalty seemed problematical. but now there was a perfect way to test it in advance . . . "i will advise inayat latif you are now in charge of the rajput commanders." "your majesty." nadir sharif bowed lightly. "i'm honored by your confidence." "i'm sure it's well placed." she did not smile. "but before i make the arrangements, there's one other assignment for you. totally confidential." "anything within my power." nadir sharif bowed elegantly. "tonight i want you to order the imperial guards stationed in your compound to execute the englishman and the woman shirin. on your sole authority." "of course." nadir sharifs smile did not flicker. hawksworth finally returned to his compound near midnight, carrying his empty flask of brandy. he had wandered the length of the chaotic tent city searching for shirin. over the past five hours he had combed the wide streets of the bazaar, searched through the half-empty elephant stables, and circled the high chintz border of the imperial enclosure. the periphery of the camp swarmed with infantrymen and their wives gathering supplies for the march, and already there had been numerous fights in the bazaar, where prices had soared after the announcement the army would march. as he neared his tent, he looked up at the stars, brilliant even through the lingering evening smoke from the cooking fires, and mused about jadar. the rebel prince would soon be facing inayat latif, just recalled to agra two months earlier after a brutally successful campaign in bengal extending the imperial frontier against local hindu chieftains. inayat latif was a fifty-five-year-old veteran commander who revered the moghul and would do anything in his power to protect him. although he had made no secret of his dislike of the "persian junta," he shared their common alarm at the threat of jadar's rebellion. it was arangbar he would be fighting to defend, not the queen. the imperial army is invincible now, hawksworth told himself, its cavalry outnumbers jadar's easily three to one, and its officers are at full strength. there are at least a hundred and fifty thousand men ready to march. how many can jadar have? fifty thousand? perhaps less. jadar can never meet them. the most he can possibly do is skirmish and retreat. perhaps, he thought ruefully, it was all just as well. a decisive defeat for jadar would _resolve_ the paralysis at court, and the indecision in shirin's mind. she would realize finally that jadar had attempted to move too fast. the mission might still be saved. with the portuguese resistance neutralized--there were even rumors that arangbar had ordered father sarmento back to goa--there would be no voices in agra to poison arangbar's mind daily against the _firman _for king james. after all, he asked himself, who else could arangbar turn to? england alone has the naval strength to challenge portugal, even if it might require years to break their monopoly completely. he would bargain for a _firman _in exchange for a vague promise of king james's help against the portuguese. it was a bargain england surely could keep. eventually. he slipped through the doorway of his tent and groped for the lamp, an open bronze dish of oil with a wick protruding through the spout. it rested where he had left it, on a stand near his sea chest, and he sparked a flint against the wick. suddenly the striped cotton walls of the tent glowed around him. he removed the sword at his belt and slipped it onto the carpet. then he removed his leather jerkin and dropped against a bolster, still puzzling about shirin. her status during the past few days had been ambiguous. as a divorced muslim woman, she was free to move about as she chose. but everyone knew she was on very uncertain terms with the moghul. after they had arrived outside the western wall of the old city of fatehpur, arangbar had been too preoccupied to remember his threat to move her into the _zenana_. she had remained free, able to move inconspicuously about the camp, mingling with the other muslim women. and each night, after the final watch was announced, hawksworth had been able to slip unnoticed to her tent. once, late one night, he had suggested they try to return to the old palace of akman, inside the walls of fatehpur, but they both finally decided the risk would be too great. he had hoped the days, and nights, at the camp would bring them closer together. and in a way they had, although shirin still seemed to retreat at times into a special realm of mourning she had devised for herself. she could never stop remembering samad and his brutal death. something, he told himself, had to change. he had begun to wonder if he should gamble and tell her of the terms the moghul had demanded for her release. would she then understand she had no choice but to return to england with him? he rose and rummaged through his sea chest, finding another bottle of brandy, almost his last, and to fight his despondency he poured himself a cup. the liquor burned its way down, like a warm soothing salve, and he turned to begin assembling his few belongings for packing in the morning. he had reprimed and loaded his remaining pistol, and now he laid it on the table beside his chest. then he drew his sword from its scabbard to check its edge and the polish on the metal. holding it to the lamp, he spotted a few random flecks of rust, and he found a cloth and burnished them away. his few clothes were already piled haphazardly in the chest, now virtually empty save for his lute. he found his leather purse at the bottom and counted his remaining money. five hundred rupees. he counted them twice, beginning to wonder if he might eventually have to walk all the way back to surat. he searched the floor for any stray items, and came across vasant rao's katar caught between the folds of the carpet. it seemed years now since the rajput aide of jadar had slipped it into his hand in the square of the diwan-i-am, and he had almost forgotten he had it. with a smile of recollection he gingerly slipped it from its brocade sheath and held it in his hand, puzzling how such a curiously constructed weapon could be so lethal. the grip was diagonal to the blade, so that it could only be used to thrust, like a pike head growing out of your fist. rajputs were said to kill tigers with only a katar and a leather shield, but he wasn't sure he believed the stories. he grasped it and made a few trial thrusts, its ten- inch blade shining in the lamplight like a mirror, then tossed it atop his sea chest. it would make a nice memento of the trip; every fighting man in india seemed to carry one. who in london would ever believe such a weapon unless they saw it? out of the corner of his eye he caught a flutter in the portiere of his tent, and he looked up to see shirin standing silently in the doorway. "what . . . ?" he looked up to greet her, unsure whether to betray his relief by taking her immediately in his arms, or to scold and tease her a bit first. she silenced him with a wave of her hand. "are you ready?" her voice was barely above a whisper. "ready for what? where in christ's name have you been? i've been . . ." again she silenced him as she moved inside. "are you ready to ride?" she glanced in dismay at the belongings he had scattered about the tent. "we have to leave now, before dawn." "have you gone mad?" he stared at her. "we're returning to agra day after tomorrow. the moghul has . . ." "we have to leave now, tonight." she examined him in the lamplight, consternation growing in her eyes. "the prince . . ." "jadar is finished." he cut her off. "don't be a sentimental fool. he brought this on himself. you can't help him. nobody can now." they stood, eyes locked together, for a moment that seemed as long as eternity. hawksworth did not move from his place on the carpet. gradually her eyes clouded with sorrow, and he thought he saw her begin to turn. he was on his feet, seizing her arm, pulling her toward him. "i'm not letting you die for jadar. if he's meant to win, he'll do it without either of . . ." he sensed a movement in the portiere behind her, and looked up to see the glint of a sword thrust exactly where she had been standing. she caught his bewildered look and revolved in time to see the sword slash through the fringed cloth. an imperial guard, wearing light chain mail and a red turban, moved through the doorway, weapon in hand. "you son of a whore!" hawksworth reached back for the naked sword lying on the carpet behind him and grabbed his leather jerkin. holding the leather as a shield, he lunged at the attacker. as hawksworth's sword thrust reached him, the guard caught the blade with his own and instinctively parried it aside, throwing hawksworth against a tent pole. as he tried to regain his footing, he heard shirin cry out and turned to see a heavy sword cut through the side of the tent behind them, creating a second opening. a hand ripped away the striped chintz and another imperial guard entered, weapon in hand. "jesus! shirin, get back!" hawksworth shouted in english and shoved her across his sea chest, sending her tumbling away from the second attacker. as she fell, he saw her grab the pocket pistol lying on the table and turn to face the guard approaching her. hawksworth felt a blade rip through the jerkin in his hand and tangle in the leather. he shoved the jerkin and sword aside and cut upward with his own blade, miraculously imbedding it in the exposed neck of the turbaned guard. the man yelled out and dropped his weapon, which slid harmlessly onto the carpet. then he stumbled and fell forward, holding his neck. still incredulous, hawksworth looked up to see two more imperial guards standing in the doorway behind him, both with drawn swords. as he moved to keep them at bay with his own weapon, he turned and saw the guard who had entered through the side of the tent advancing menacingly toward shirin. just as the guard raised his weapon, hawksworth heard a sharp report, followed by a moan, and watched the man crumple and fall directly in front of her smoking pistol. as he fell, two more guards appeared at the opening behind him and began pushing their way through. "shirin, the lamp!" again he shouted in english before realizing she could not understand. without waiting, he grabbed the open oil lamp and flung it against the uniforms of the guards, bathing them in burning oil. their turbans and hair ignited and they pulled back against the side of the tent, slapping at the flames. he turned back to the doorway in time to see the other two guards coming toward him. as he attempted to parry them away, he found his feet tangled in the leather jerkin on the carpet and he stumbled backward, losing his balance long enough for one of the attackers to bring his sword around with a heavy sweep and knock his own weapon spinning into the dark recesses of the tent. as he grabbed a tent pole for balance he suddenly noticed the dark outline of two more men approaching behind the guards at the door. in the shadows he could tell they were shirtless, wearing only dirty loincloths and the gray turbans of servants. they carried no weapons and had been attracted by the uproar. looking quickly around the tent, he noticed the burning outline of his oil-soaked powder horn lying on the carpet near his feet. he kicked it toward the approaching guard and as it struck his leg, the cap jarred free, sending hissing powder flaming through the tent. the man stumbled backward in surprise and lowered his sword. just as he did, hawksworth saw one of the servants standing at the doorway slip a naked katar from his loincloth and seize the guard by the neck. he pulled the attacker around and with a flash of steel gutted him silently with a savage upward thrust. the other imperial guard at the doorway turned just in time to watch the katar drawn by the second servant enter his own throat. hawksworth stared in astonishment, realizing he had never before seen the two servants. even now their faces were largely obscured by the loose ends of their turbans. he revolved to see the other two guards turning back toward the opening that had been cut through the side of the tent, still slapping at the burning oil on their uniforms. as they reached the opening, they seemed to hesitate momentarily, then stumbled backward. as they sprawled across the carpet in front of him, their throats cut, he saw two more grimy servants standing in the opening, holding bloody katars. the burning oil blazed across the fringe of a carpet and suddenly the interior of the tent was crisscrossed with fire. the four alien servants, all still holding katars, seemed to ignore the flames as they advanced on shirin and hawksworth without a word. he watched them for a moment in horror, then reached and groped blindly across the top of his sea chest. it was bare. then he remembered shirin's fall and he felt along the carpet behind the chest, next to where she stood. just as the first man reached the edge of the chest, hawksworth's hand closed around the handle of his katar. jesus, what do they want? did they kill the imperial guards so they could have the pleasure of murdering us themselves? bracing himself against the side of the chest, he swung the blade upward. he still could not see the attacker's face, masked behind the end of his turban. the man stepped deftly to the side and caught hawksworth's wrist in a grip of iron, laughing out loud. "never try to kill a rajput with his own katar, captain hawksworth. he knows its temperament too well." vasant rao flipped back the ragged end of his turban. "what the bloody hell. . . !" "we've been waiting for you by shirin's tent. it would appear your welcome here has run out." he glanced mockingly at shirin. "so much for your famous muslim hospitality." "you know very well who's responsible." her eyes snapped back at him. "i can probably guess." vasant rao released hawksworth's wrist and stared about the burning tent. "are you ready to ride?" "what the hell are you doing here?" "this is hardly the spot for long explanations. the fact is i'm here tonight to lead some of our friends back to the camp of his highness, the prince. and you, if you cared to join us." vasant rao signaled the men around him to move out through the doorway. the smoke was already growing dense. "i'm afraid your fire has made our departure that much more difficult. it wasn't a particularly good idea on your part. now we have to ride quickly." "what about all this?" hawksworth looked about the burning tent. "i have to . . ." "just roll what you need in a carpet. if you're going with us, you'll have to leave now. before the entire imperial army comes to see us off." "but who'd want to kill us?" hawksworth still could not move as he stared through the smoke. "whoever it was, they'll probably succeed if we wait here talking much longer." hawksworth turned on shirin. "you knew!" "i couldn't tell you before. it would have been too dangerous." she quickly grabbed a carpet from the floor, stamping out the burning fringe, then flipped open hawksworth's chest. she grabbed his lute, a handful of clothes, his boots, his books, and his depleted purse. as he watched in a daze, she rolled them in the carpet and shoved it into his hands. he looked around the burning tent one last time and caught the glint of his sword lying behind a tent pole. he grabbed it, scooped up his pistol and jerkin, and took shirin by the arm as they pushed through the smoke toward the entrance, stepping over the bodies of the guards as they emerged into the night air. ahead, beside shirin's tent, waited saddled horses and a group of turbaned riders. as they ran toward the horses, hawksworth recognized several rajputs from arangbar's private guard among the horsemen. "we were ready to ride." vasant rao seized the rein of one of the horses and vaulted into the saddle. "you were out walking or we could have left sooner. shirin demanded we wait. it was well we did. lord krishna still seems to be watching over you, captain." "which way are we headed?" hawksworth helped shirin into a saddle, watching as she uncertainly grabbed the horn for balance, then, still clasping the bundle, pulled himself onto a pawing arabian mare. "west. the rest of the men are already waiting at the end of the valley." vasant rao whipped his horse and led the way as they galloped toward the perimeter of the tent city. "this will be a long ride, my friend." as hawksworth watched the last of the tents recede into the dark, he saw disappearing with them his final chance for a firman. he would never see arangbar again. probably he would never see london again. i've traded it all for a woman. and i still wonder if she's mine. god help me. book five prince jadar chapter twenty-seven hawksworth heard the exultant cheer of the rajputs riding behind him and snapped awake. it was midmorning of the third day and he had been dozing fitfully in the saddle since dawn, fatigue deep in his bones. through the trees ahead the camp of prince jadar lay spread before them, blanketing half the valley. "i told you we'd make the camp in three days' ride." vasant rao smiled wearily at hawksworth and spurred his lathered mount forward. "every man with us is eager to be with the prince." they had covered, it seemed to hawksworth, well over a hundred miles since departing the environs of fatehpur. between five and six hundred rajputs rode behind them, all heavily armed with an array of swords, pikes, clubs, saddle-axes. each man's body armor, a woven network of steel and the quilted garment worn beneath it, was secured behind his saddle, ready to be donned for combat. hanging at the side of each rider was a round leather shield and a large quiver containing his horn bow and arrows. none carried muskets. hawksworth glanced back at shirin, who rode a few paces behind, and they shared a tired smile. she had ridden the distance like a rajput, but now her eyes were glazed with weariness. he had suddenly realized, the morning after they all galloped out of the camp at fatehpur, that he had never before seen a woman in india ride. where had she learned? he had pondered the question for an hour, riding behind her to watch her easy posture in the saddle, and then he had pulled alongside and asked her point-blank. she said nothing, merely smiled and tossed the loose strands of hair back from her face. he understood her well enough to know this meant she had never ridden before . . . and didn't wish vasant rao to know. "this is the moment i've waited for so long." she reined her mount alongside hawksworth's, reached out and touched his hand. "you must help the prince now too." "i'm not so sure i'm eager to die for prince jadar." "you can always go back to agra. and wait to be murdered by janahara's guards. the prince has saved your life, and mine, once already. what makes you think he'll bother with you again?" "to tell the truth, he also saved my life several months ago, the night we made landfall at surat and were ambushed on the tapti river by the portugals." "i know." she spurred her horse ahead. "i received the pigeon from prince jadar ordering it. i passed the message to the shahbandar, mirza nuruddin, who sent his personal rajputs to protect you." hawksworth urged his horse back alongside. "so i was right. you were one of jadar's agents in surat. what did nadir sharif once call them . . . _swanih-nigars_?" "i gathered information for the prince." she smiled in consent. "i kept his accounts and coded his ciphers at the old observatory. then you came along and started combing through it. you made my work that much more difficult. i never knew when you'd decide to go out there. or what you'd find." "why didn't you just tell me? what did i care?" "too much was at risk. the prince once said never to trust a _topiwallah_." hawksworth laughed. "but surely mukarrab khan knew what you were doing?" "i think he probably guessed. but what could he do? he was only the governor, not allah. he finally forbade me to go into the palace grounds alone. when i refused to obey, he thought of sending you to the observatory, just to annoy me." she smoothed the mane of her horse. "so i think he knew i was doing something there. but he was too entangled by his own intrigues for janahara to really care." "mukarrab khan worked for the queen? how?" "two ways. naturally he gathered intelligence for her, mainly about the portuguese. but he also collected her portuguese revenues at the ports of surat and cambay." "her revenues? i thought all duties went to the moghul's imperial treasury." shirin stifled a smile. "that's what arangbar thinks too. and at surat it's mostly true. she collects very little. mirza nuruddin despises her and always finds devious ways to muddle her accounts, probably keeping some of her money for himself. but the shahbandar at the port of cambay, where mukarrab khan used to go every two weeks, would accept bribes from the portuguese to undervalue their goods, and then split the money with mukarrab khan and janahara." she paused to watch a bright-winged bird dart past. "arangbar could never understand why his revenue from cambay was so low. i heard he's thinking about closing the port." she laughed. "if only he knew it's going mostly to janahara." hawksworth rode silently for a moment, thinking. "you know, nadir sharif once proposed the same arrangement for english goods, if i would trade with him personally through the port of cambay. i ignored him. i suspected he planned to find some way to confiscate the goods later on, claiming nonpayment of duty." "no, on that i think nadir sharif would have been very fair. he always honors his agreements, with friend or foe." she looked ahead, her weary eyes brightening as they approached the first jumble of tents and roaming livestock that formed the edge of the camp. servants in soiled _dhotis _were leading camels bearing huge baskets of fodder along the makeshift streets between the tents. "but their swindle will be finished when prince jadar becomes moghul. he despises the portuguese traders and their christian priests." the perimeter of the compound reserved for jadar and his _zenana _was clearly visible now, towering above the center of the camp. it was bordered by a ten-foot-high wall of billowing red chintz, decorated with a white hem at the top and held up with gilded poles spaced no more than two feet apart. spreading out around it were clusters of smaller tents--red and white striped cloth for noblemen, and onesided lean-to shelters ranging from brocade to ragged blankets for their troops. "the prince asked that we all ride directly to the _gulal bar_, his personal compound," vasant rao shouted back over his shoulder at hawksworth. "i think he'll particularly want to see you, captain." cheers erupted as they entered the camp. tents emptied and infantrymen lined the sides of the wide avenue leading to jadar's compound, beating their swords against their leather shields. as hawksworth studied the forest of flying standards spreading out on either side, he suddenly realized that each _mansabdar _nobleman was flying his own insignia above his cluster of tents. ahead, rising upward from the center of jadar's compound, was a pole some fifty feet high with a huge vessel of burning oil secured on its tip. hawksworth examined the flame with astonishment, then drew his horse alongside vasant rao's. "why's there a light in the middle of the camp? it can be seen for miles?" "that's called the _akas-diya_, captain, the light of heaven. it's the great camp light and it's used by everyone to keep their bearings at night. how else could a man find his tent? there are probably fifty thousand men here, with their women and servants. in the evenings, after all the cow-dung fires are lighted for cooking, it's so smoky here you can't see your own tent till you're practically in it." "this camp's a town almost the size of london. how do the people live?" "the camp bazaar travels with us, captain. but you're right. it is a city; merely one that moves." he gestured around them. "the prince of course has his own personal supplies, but everyone else must shift for himself. see those small tents on the street over there, between those two high poles bearing standards. that's one of the bazaars for the _banyas_, hindu merchants who follow the army and sell grain, oil, _ghee_, rice, _dal_, everything you'd find in any town. they feed the men. the horses are fed by sending servants out to gather fodder. they cut grass and bring it back on camels, or baggage ponies, or even on their own head. on a long campaign many of the men bring their women, to cook and carry water. the women have to bring water from any wells or streams nearby." he laughed. "incidentally, i should warn you the prices these _banyas _ask are as inflated as the market will bear." "for once i can't fault the merchants. they may well be out of buyers soon." vasant rao snorted and whipped his horse ahead. they were approaching the entry to jadar's compound, a wide silk awning with the prince's banners flying from atop its posts. on either side stood rows of ornate red tents with yellow fringe along the eaves. as hawksworth rode by, he noticed a high open tent on the left holding caged hunting leopards. next to it stood a massive canopy, surrounded by guards, sheltering light artillery. he squinted against the sun to look inside and caught a glimpse of several dozen small-bore cannon mounted on carriages. he also noticed swivel guns fitted with a harness on their base, obviously intended to be mounted atop elephants or camels. in the center were several stacks of long-barreled indian muskets wrapped in cloth. the last tent on the left, adjacent to the gate, sheltered several gilded palanquins and a row of immaculate bullock carts for jadar's _zenana _women. on the opposite side of the avenue was a row of stables for elephants, camels, and horses. turbaned grooms were busy brushing the animals and fitting harness. next to the stables were quarters for the animals' superintendents. "does all this belong to jadar?" "these are for the prince, his women, and guards. each nobleman also has his own stables and light artillery. the top command is split three ways: with separate field commanders for the rajputs, for the muslims, for the men of moghul descent." vasant rao smiled reflectively. "it's always wisest not to mix. for one thing, each needs its own bazaar; no rajput would eat food handled by an untouchable muslim." their horses drew into the shade of the awning above the entrance to the gulal bar. vasant rao and the other rajputs reined in their mounts and began to dismount. "this is the _naqqara-khana_, captain hawksworth, the entry to his highness' private compound." vasant rao waved toward the red awning. "come. you'll be welcomed warmly by the prince, i promise you. i know he'd hoped you'd join him." hawksworth swung down from his dark mare and stroked her one last time, wiping away the lather around the saddle. then he turned to help shirin alight. she leaned over and dropped into his arms, the sweat of exhaustion mingled with her perfume. grooms from jadar's stables were already waiting. as they took the horses, the leader of the rajput riders shouted staccato orders to them in urdu, the lingua franca of the camp, then turned and dismissed his men, who immediately swaggered into the gathering crowd to embrace old acquaintances. "his highness is expecting you." vasant rao smiled and bowed lightly to the rajput commander, who was tan and beardless save for a small moustache, with a white skirt, a small turban of braided gold cloth, and a velvet-sheathed katar in a red waist sash. the rajput nodded, then adjusted his turban and retrieved a tightly wrapped brocade bundle from behind his saddle. as he led the way through the _naqqara-khana_, vasant rao turned and motioned for hawksworth and shirin to follow. jadar's guards directed them along a pathway of carpets leading through the outer barbican. ahead was another gate, decorated with striped chintz and sealed with a hanging tapestry. as they approached it, the guards swept the tapestry aside and ushered them through. the second compound was floored entirely with carpets and in its center stood an open, satin canopy held aloft by four gilded poles. the canopy shaded a rich persian carpet and a throne fashioned from velvet bolsters. several men with shoulder-high kettledrums and long brass trumpets were waiting nearby. as hawksworth watched, two eunuchs emerged through a curtain at the far gate and lifted it high. while a fanfare of drums and trumpets filled the air, prince jadar strolled jauntily through the entryway, alone. he was dressed formally, with an elaborate silk cloak in pastel blue and a jeweled turban that reminded hawksworth of the one worn by the moghul himself. the brocade sash at his waist held a heavy katar with a ruby on each side of the handle. his beard was close-trimmed, accenting his dark eyes. nothing about him suggested the appearance of a man facing impending defeat. "nimaste, mahdu, my old friend." jadar walked directly to the rajput commander, grasped the man's turban and pressed it to his own breast. "how long since we sat together and ate your udaipur _lapsi _from the same dish?" "the new year's festival of _diwali _two years past, highness. in my brother's palace. and i wore the gold cloak you gave me in honor of the treaty between your armies and his, five years before." "and tonight we will dine together again." he smiled. "if my cooks can find enough cane-juice _gur _in all the bazaars to sweeten your _lapsi_." "seeing you again, highness, sweetens my tongue already." he bowed and produced the brocade bundle. "my brother, the _maharana_, sends this unworthy token, together with his prayers for your victory." a eunuch stepped forward and brought it to jadar. when the prince opened the wrapping, a scabbard holding a jewel-handled sword glistened in the mid morning light. "he does me honor. a rajput blade knows its friends and its foes." jadar smiled as he brushed the sword handle. next he drew out the blade and tested its edge with his finger. the rajput watched as jadar sheathed the sword, then lifted the ruby-studded katar from his own belt. "to honor him, i grant his brother my own katar. may its blade soon be crimson with the blood of his foes." the rajput bowed as he received the knife. jadar admired his new sword a moment longer, then continued. "how many of our friends rode west with you?" "half a thousand, highness. more would have joined us now, but i thought it unwise. your highness will understand why. but those who did come i picked carefully. twenty officers of superior class, and the rest first and second class." "the eunuchs watched your banners enter the camp. i've already heard some of the names." the prince's voice rose. "i think you've gutted the rajput field command in the imperial army." "not entirely, highness." "ah, but i know you did." jadar smiled and leaned forward, dropping his voice again and switching from turki to rajasthani. "the tent poles here can repeat my words." he drew himself erect again and signaled for a tray of pan leaves from the eunuchs. "a tent has been prepared for you. tonight we will dine again from the same dish and you can tell me how many white-necked cranes you bagged on pichola lake last winter." the rajput clasped his hands together and bowed lightly before taking a pan leaf. "tonight, highness." as mahdu marched regally back through the entryway, jadar turned and studied shirin thoughtfully for a moment. then he motioned her forward and smiled toward vasant rao. "and who else did you bring? yet another old friend?" shirin salaamed lightly. "i thank your highness for still remembering me." "i remember you very well. but the last i'd heard, janahara had ordered you imprisoned. i'm astonished to see you still alive." "i was released by arangbar, highness, after samad was executed." she tried unsuccessfully to diguise the fatigue in her voice. "i still do not know why." "perhaps it was his weakness for beauty." jadar smiled. "but just now i think you need rest. mumtaz has asked me to invite you to stay with her in the _zenana_." "shirin stays with me." hawksworth heard his own voice, abruptly rising above his exhaustion. jadar turned and studied him for a moment, then laughed out loud. "suddenly i understand many, many things. mumtaz was right after all. why is it women always seem to see these things so clearly?" his gaze swept hawksworth's tattered jerkin. "well? how are you, captain hawksworth? still alive, i see, just as i foretold. and still the fashionable english ambassador." "there is no other. unfortunately, however, my mission was not a complete success." "first, india must have a just rule. then trade can be conducted with an even hand." jadar leaned back on his bolster. "tell me, captain, have you seen enough of agra and court intrigue to rethink the matter we once discussed?" "i've probably seen all of agra i'll ever see." hawksworth fixed jadar squarely. "but then i'll have much company." jadar sobered and regarded hawksworth a moment in silence. "i see time still has not mellowed you. or taught you very much. do you understand anything at all of land tactics, sea captain hawksworth?" "i've never claimed to. but i can count infantry." jadar laughed again. "you still amuse me, captain. i'll never know why. it saddens me there'll be so few occasions for us to pass the time together during the next few days. but at least let me show you around my compound. you'll see the next moghul of india does not campaign entirely like a destitute arab." "why don't we start with your fortifications?" jadar roared as he lifted nimbly from his bolster throne and walked into the sunshine. then he paused and turned to shirin. "join us if you wish. and by the way, where've you decided to stay?" shirin looked at hawksworth for a moment, and their eyes locked. then he saw a smile flicker across her face. "i'll stay with the english ambassador, highness." "as you wish." jadar's tone was wistful. "i no longer try to reason with the mind of a woman. but just let me caution you. if you stay among the muslims here, their women will spit on you unless you put on a veil. they've never heard of persia." "then we'll stay with the rajputs." shirin tossed her head and followed along as jadar led them through a side exit in the interior chintz wall and into the outer perimeter of the compound. the kettledrums thundered jadar's exit. "this side is for food, captain." jadar gestured toward a row of ornate tents that lined the inside of the chintz walls. "the first is for fruit and melons. no man can campaign without them, particularly if he has a hungry _zenana_. the tent over there is for making _sharbat_, and that one is for keeping betel leaves to make _pan_." jadar smiled. "try denying a woman her betel and you'll have nothing but squabbles." he led them on, pointing, as he walked. "the large tent there is the kitchen, the one beyond it the bakery, and the one past that for grinding spices." hawksworth found himself astonished. who could lead an army amid such extravagance? the tents were all red satin, with gilded poles around the outside, giving them the appearance of luxurious pavilions. some, like the one for fruits and melons, were raised on a platform above the ground, while others were two-story, with an interior stair. as he watched the servants scurry from tent to tent bearing silver trays, he found it difficult to remember a war was looming. "you'll soon discover traveling with women is always burdensome, captain. for example, on the other side of the _gulal bar _i've had to erect a special tent just for their perfumes, another for their tailors, another to hold their wardrobes. then there's a tent for mattresses, one for basins, and one for lamps and oil. these women rule my life. the things i really need--workshops, guardhouses, my arsenal-- i've had to situate back behind the _zenana_, near where the servingwomen stay." jadar paused, his eyes gleaming mischievously. "well, what do you think?" "i think an army camp should have fewer women and more men." jadar laughed and looked pointedly at shirin. "but what is life without women, captain?" "wives don't travel with an army in europe." "then europe could learn something from india." "about fighting or about women?" "before you're through you may learn a few thing about both." jadar turned and started back down the row of tents. "war here is very different from wars on the seas, captain. you should see my men fight before you judge them. but my question now is whether you know how to fight well enough to be of any help. tell me, can you handle a bow?" "armies don't use bows in england any more. i've certainly never used one. i think the last time bows were issued for battle was back around the time of the spanish armada, about thirty years ago. some of the local forces in devonshire equipped eight hundred men with longbows." jadar paused uncertainly. "what do you mean by 'longbow'?" "it's a bow about five feet in length. the best ones are made of yew, but they're also made from ash and elm." "you mean your bows are made entirely from wood?" jadar's voice betrayed his skepticism. "what weight did they pull?" "i don't know exactly, but they were powerful enough. you can draw a longbow all the way back to your ear. during the time of king harry it was forbidden to practice with a longbow using a range less than a full furlong. the english longbow drove the crossbow right out of europe. i've heard it said a longbow can pierce a four-inch-thick oak door." "but you don't use them now?" "we prefer muskets." he seemed to ponder the answer as he led them back into his carpeted reception area. he took his place beneath the canopy, then turned to hawksworth. "we use muskets too. but frankly they're often more trouble than they're worth. they're cumbersome and inaccurate, and while you're reloading and priming your matchlock a rajput archer will put half a dozen arrows through you. infantry here normally is one-third matchlock men and two-thirds archers. if you're going to be any help to us, captain, you'll need to learn to use a bow." jadar stopped and turned to look at shirin. her eyes were fluttering with fatigue. "but i forget my manners. you must have some rest while we teach the _feringhi _how to fight. perhaps the best thing would be to clear a tent for you at the rear of the _gulal bar_, near the workshops. and the english captain can stay there too," jadar laughed. "so i can watch him practice his bow." he glanced back at hawksworth and his eyes froze on the pearl earring. "i see you're a _khan_ now, as well as an ambassador. congratulations. if arangbar can make you a _khan_, i can surely make you an archer." jadar motioned to the eunuchs, who came forward and escorted shirin through the rear doorway of the compound. hawksworth was watching her leave, praying for sleep himself, when jadar's voice brought him back. "let me begin by explaining our indian bow to you, captain. i think it's probably quite different from the english bow you described." jadar turned to vasant rao and motioned toward his quiver, a flat leather case hanging from a strap over one shoulder. it was covered with gold embossing and held both his bow and his arrows. "you know we have a proverb: the sword is better than the katar, the spear is better than the sword; the arrow better than the spear. i've heard muslims claim the bow and arrow were first given to adam by the archangel gabriel." jadar paused while vasant rao took out his bow and passed it over. "now, the first thing you need to learn is how to string this. it's more difficult than you might suppose, since a bow is reflexed, curved back around the opposite way when unstrung. it's stressed against the strung position to give it more weight on the pull." jadar examined the bow for a moment. "in fact, you can tell how much use a bow has had by the way it's bent when unstrung. the original curve in this bow is almost gone, which means it's had a lot of use. here hold it for a moment." hawksworth grasped the bow in his hand. it was some four feet long, shaped in a wide curve with the ends bent back. the grip was velvet, with a gold-embossed design on the inner side. "you say your english bows are made of wood, but i find that difficult to believe. this one is a composite, a mango-wood core with strips of buffalo horn glued over the outside. and the outer curve is lined with catgut to give it even more force. that's why this bow had to be sealed on the outside with leather. we use leather or lacquer to protect the glue from the dampness of the monsoon. the string, by the way, is a silk skein with a crisscross binding at the center." "how do you string it?" jadar grinned as he took back the bow. "it's not easy. if you have to string a bow while riding, you hook one end between the stirrup and the instep of your foot and brace it backward against your knee. but usually we bend it over our back." he took the string in his hand and slipped the bow around his waist. then he flipped it against his back and pulled its free end over his left shoulder, inverting the curve and hooking the string in a single motion. it was done in an instant. "there. but i've made it look easier than it is. you should practice. and it would also be well if you could learn to string a bow and shoot from horseback." "horseback!" "all horsemen use a bow." "how can you possibly hit anything from horseback?" "practice. a good rajput archer can shoot as well from horseback as standing. the uzbeks shoot better." as jadar spoke he was extracting a heavy ring from inside his cloak. one side of the ring was a green emerald, flat and square and half an inch wide. "this is a _zihgir_, a bow ring, to protect your thumb when you draw. it also increases your range." he pushed the emerald ring over his thumb, notched an arrow into the string, and drew it back effortlessly, holding the thin bamboo arrow in position with a touch of his forefinger. the whole sequence had taken less than a second. hawksworth found himself staring in admiration. "by the way," jadar turned to vasant rao, "show him how you shoot under a shield." the rajput turned to one of jadar's guards, whose shield was hanging loosely from a shoulder strap. he took the shield and slipped it onto his wrist. it was circular, a quarter inch thick and about two feet in diameter, and curved like a wide bowl. the front was figured with a silver ensign and in the center were four steel nailheads, which secured the handgrips on the back. "that shield's one of the best. it's made with cured rhino hide and toughened with lacquer. you hold it by those two straps attached inside, there in the center." jadar pointed as vasant rao held out the back of the shield. "notice the straps are large and loose. so when you want to shoot, you can slip your hand through and slide the shield up your wrist, like he's doing now. then your hand extends out beyond the rim and you can hold the grip of the bow. but remember you'll have no protection when shooting, so you'll learn to shoot fast or you won't live long in a battle. here, try the shield." hawksworth took the shield and gripped the leather thongs on the back. "it's light. how much protection does it give?" "a buffalo-hide shield is really only effective against arrows, but a rhino-hide shield like this one will usually deflect musket fire. we'll find a rhino shield for you somewhere." jadar rose to leave. "incidentally, after seeing how you handle that bow, i think i'd better assign you to the guards stationed back with the _zenana_. that should keep you well out of the battle. i don't want my first english ambassador dead just yet." he fingered his long pearl necklace and studied hawksworth. "you may be interested to know my reports say the imperial army will reach us in two days. tomorrow i plan to poison all the tanks and water wells within twenty _kos _east of here, forcing them to attack immediately. i hope you'll be ready." he turned and was gone. hawksworth awoke at noon the following day to discover work had begun on fortification of the camp. he left shirin sleeping and walked to the eastern perimeter, where the heavy cannon were being drawn into position. as he paused to study one of the cannon, he found himself comparing it with the european design. it looked to be a six-inch bore, with a molded iron barrel strengthened by brass hoops shrunk around the outside. it was bolted onto its own carriage, a flat base supported by four solid wooden wheels, and pulled by a team of ten white bullocks yoked in pairs. cotton ropes almost two inches in diameter were tied around the breech, looped beneath the axles and then through a heavy iron ring on the front of the mount, extending forward to hooks on the yokes of the bullocks. while their drivers whipped the animals forward, a crowd of moustachioed infantry in red and green tunics clustered around the gun carriages pushing. a drummer in an orange cloak sat astraddle the breech of the cannon beating cadence for the other men on two large drums strapped along each side of the barrel. a large bull elephant trailed behind, heavy padding on his forehead, and whenever the gun carriage bogged, the elephant would be moved forward to shove the breech with his head. as the cannon were rolled into position, some fifteen feet apart, they were being linked to each other with heavy ropes of twisted bull hide the size and strength of metal chain, to prevent cavalry from riding through and cutting down the gunners. after the hide ropes were camouflaged with brush, a leather screen was placed behind the breech of each gun to protect the gunners when it fired. hawksworth counted approximately three hundred cannon along the camp perimeter. firepots were being stationed behind each gun, together with linstocks and leather barrels of powder. a few bags of dirt had been piled between some of the cannon to provide protection for matchlock men. around the cannon, men were assembling piles of four-sided iron claws, and beyond, diggers with picks and wicker baskets had begun a halfhearted effort to start construction of a trench. he studied the preparations uneasily for a moment, sensing something was wrong, and then he froze. there was no shot. only stacks of iron claws. he whirled and made his way back to the munitions depot, rows of yellow-fringed tents. the shot was there waiting, in gauge ranging from two inch to ten inch, but none had been moved. he moved on to other tents and discovered several hundred more cannon. some were the same gauge as those being deployed, others much larger. all had been fitted with harness, ready to be moved, but now they stood in long rows, waiting. as he moved onto another row of tents, pushing through the swarm of men and bullocks, he discovered a vast cache of smaller cannon, thousands, also mounted on wooden carriages but small enough to be moved by a bullock, or even two men. these too were harnessed and sat untouched. beyond there were other rows of tents, where seven-foot- long muskets-- together with powder, bags of shot, and a wooden prong to rest the barrel on when firing--were now being broken out and distributed to the infantry. the men were being armed, but the camp itself was practically without fortification. hawksworth stood brooding about the preparations, about the rajput horn bow he had only barely learned to use--he was finally able to hit the _todah_, practice target, a mound of earth piled near jadar's officers' tent, but shooting under a shield seemed impossible--and the situation began to overwhelm him. jadar's position was becoming more hopeless by the minute. he stared around the open camp and decided he would try to requisition as many matchlocks as possible, and perhaps also try to teach shirin to shoot in the time remaining. if they had muskets, he told himself, perhaps they could somehow defend themselves when the imperial army swept through the camp. he turned and pushed his way back toward where muskets were being issued. men were walking past him carrying heavy matchlocks, five feet in length with a barrel of rolled steel welded together end to end. the barrel was attached to the stock by a broad steel band, and both were profusely ornamented with embossing and colored enamel. some of the muskets had wooden tripods attached to the end of the barrel. as he approached the munitions tent, he saw vasant rao standing in its center, issuing orders with an easy smile, his moustache and turban as prim as though he were on muster. behind him was a head-high pile of muskets, each wrapped in a roll of green broadcloth. hawksworth stared at him for a moment, then pushed forward. through the shouting mob he finally managed to catch the rajput's arm and pull him toward the rear of the open tent. "why aren't the cannon being deployed?" "but they are, captain." vasant rao stroked his moustache and looked past hawksworth's shoulder toward the next stack of matchlocks. "but only the medium-bore guns, and even those have no shot. nothing else has been moved." "by medium bore i assume you mean the _gau-kash_, the ox-drawn cannon. that's true. but these things all take time." "you're spending what little time you have left deploying medium-bore cannon, and those with no shot! who the hell is in charge?" "prince jadar, of course. the _gau-kash _cannon are the key to his strategy." vasant rao moved past hawksworth and barked orders for the next stack of muskets to be unstrapped. waiting infantrymen in ragged cloaks pushed forward. "take a musket, captain, if you want one. they're probably of some small use. when i'm finished here, i have to check all the harness on the _fil-kash _cannon, the large guns that will be drawn into position by elephants. then i still have to issue the _mardum-kash _guns, the small cannon that are assigned to two-man teams." "where will this other artillery be deployed?" hawksworth shouted toward vasant rao's back. the rajput seemed not to hear, as he paused to speak to one of the men assisting him. then he turned and unwrapped a musket, selected a tripod, and passed both to hawksworth. the other man was bringing a wide velvet belt from the back of the tent, and he handed it to hawksworth. hanging from it were a powder flask, bullet pouch, priming horn, match cord, and flint and steel. "the prince will issue orders for deployment of the _fil-kash _and _mardum-kash _guns after they've all been harnessed." "he'd better issue them soon. it'll start growing dark in a couple of hours, three at most." "i'm sure he's aware of the time, captain." vasant rao turned and disappeared into a circle of bearded rajputs, barking orders. hawksworth watched him disappear, then turned and grabbed two more muskets. holding them ahead of him like a prow he pushed his way back into the milling street. the air was rank with sweat and the crowds seemed more disorganized than ever. women jostled in the streets, haggling with the merchants for clay jars of oil, while grooms moved among them leading prancing horses, each wearing a gold-fringed saddle blanket that glowed like ancient coin in the waning sun. hawksworth studied the crowd, searching vainly for some sense of organization, then turned to begin working his way back toward jadar's compound and his own tent. shirin was still there, asleep. he stood admiring her again, her soft mouth, the olive skin of her high cheeks, her shining dark hair, and realized he loved her more than ever. dear god, we've only just begun to live. jadar is a madman. almost without knowing why, he began to rummage through the remains of his clothing, still rolled in the carpet and lying where he had thrown it. his pulse suddenly quickened when his fingers closed around a hard round object. it was his very last bottle of brandy, miraculously entangled in the remains of his formal doublet. if there was ever a time . . . he ripped away the rotting cork with his teeth and pulled deeply on the brandy, twice. as always, it seemed to work at the knot in his gut. he took one more swallow, then shook shirin. she startled awake and stared at him wildly for a second. then she broke into a smile . . . until she saw the brandy. "do you really need that now?" "i need this and a lot more. how can you sleep? this whole god-cursed camp is going to be leveled by the imperial army in a few hours." he stopped and stared at her. "are you listening? only a fraction of jadar's cannon are deployed. most are still waiting to be pulled into position. it's unbelievable." shirin pulled herself up and leaned against a bolster, examining him with weary eyes. "then why are you here? i thought you'd decided to help prince jadar." "how can anyone help him when he won't help himself?" hawksworth took another burning mouthful of brandy and stared at his bow quiver lying on the carpet. in a fit of disgust he kicked it toward the center of the tent. shirin watched the bow fall and laughed. "have you mastered your rajput bow yet?" "no, and what does it matter? you know jadar is outnumbered three to one." hawksworth pointed toward the muskets he had leaned against a coil of rope by the tent pole. "i've got three weapons for us. do you think you can shoot a matchlock?" "i can shoot a bow." she dismissed the muskets with a glance. "i sincerely hope you've learned enough to shoot one too." a trumpet sounded from the center of the compound. immediately it was answered by others the length of the camp. shirin snapped alert and rose off the bolster, pulling her gauze cloak around her waist. "that's the signal to begin preparing the firewood. come. at least you can help with that." hawksworth examined her aghast. "firewood! what in god's name are you talking about? is jadar planning to light fires? is he worried the imperial army won't find our camp?" he turned and walked to the doorway, rubbing his brow in disbelief. "i think there's damned small risk of that. the red tents of his _zenana _can be seen for miles." shirin laughed and pushed her way ahead of him, past the portiere of the tent. servants had already begun assembling piles of logs along the center of the walkway that ran the length of the compound. hawksworth stood at the doorway and stared in astonishment as clay jars of oil were carried from the kitchen tent and stationed near the logs. as he watched, he noticed the long shadows of dusk beginning to play across the walls of nearby tents. he turned to retrieve the brandy, and when he emerged again from the tent, shirin was lost among the crowd of servants bringing wood. he slipped the bottle into his jerkin and started working his way down the side of the compound, back toward the munitions tent. pairs of elephants had been harnessed to the larger cannon, and now they were being led out of the camp, into the dusk. following these were camels with two-pound swivel guns mounted on their backs, together with infantry pulling the smaller guns after them on two-wheeled carriages. bullock carts heaving with powder and shot came after. pyramids of firewood were scattered among the tents, and already many of the rajputs had assembled by the unlit piles, talking and embracing. some had seated themselves and removed their turbans, chanting verses from the bhagavad-gita as they began to oil and comb their long black hair. hawksworth watched silently as they started passing around inlaid teakwood boxes, taking and eating handfuls of small brown balls. as he stood puzzling, he recognized vasant rao standing among the men. the rajput was somber now, clasping each of the men in what seemed a farewell gesture. he looked up and saw hawksworth and smiled. "captain hawksworth, i'm glad you're here. you're almost a rajput yourself by now. do you want to comb your hair? it's how we prepare for what may happen. who knows which of us will see the morrow?" "i can die just as well with my hair the way it is." "then you're not entirely a rajput after all. but you're still welcome to join us." he held out one of the boxes. hawksworth opened the box and gingerly took out one of the balls. as he rolled it under his nose, it triggered a distant memory of his first night in surat and mukarrab khan's dinner party. suddenly he stopped dead still. it was opium. "jesus christ! have you all gone mad?" he flung the ball to the ground and whirled on vasant rao. "that's the last thing you need if you hope to fight at all. it's like eating death." "affion prepares a rajput for battle, captain. the more we eat, the stronger we become. it gives us the strength of lions." "good jesus help us all." hawksworth pushed his way incredulously back through the milling crowd of infantry and mounted cavalry, feeling as though the world had collapsed. all around him rajputs were eating handfuls of opium, combing their hair, embracing in farewell. many had already put on their _khaftan_, the quilted vest they wore under their armor. he wondered how long it would be before they became drunk with opium and began killing each other. god, we're all going to die. can't jadar stop it? can't he at least stop them from eating opium before we're attacked? and where are they moving the cannon? out of the camp? what the hell is happening? he wheeled and headed for the _naqqara-khana_, the entry to jadar's compound. when he reached it, he realized the guards were gone. amazed, he walked through the entry and discovered all the interior partitions of the gulal bar were also gone. the satin tents that had held the melons, the pan leaves, the kitchen--all were deserted, empty. he made his way on through the deserted gulal bar, feeling like a man lost. in the dark there were no guards, no troops, nothing. ahead he heard the sound of elephants trumpeting and he felt his way forward through the semi-darkness, the ground a mosaic of flickering shadows from the still-burning camp light. his despair absolute, he reached into the pocket of his jerkin for the bottle. a katar was at his throat. "it's forbidden by death to draw a weapon in the _gulal bar_, captain." "i was only . . ." there was an explosion of laughter and he turned to see the shadowed face of jadar. "what . . . what are you doing here?" "thinking, captain hawksworth. do you never think before a battle at sea? surely you must." "i think. and i also keep my gunners sober." hawksworth felt vaguely foolish as he finished extracting the brandy bottle. "do you know half your men are eating handfuls of opium?" "i'm glad to hear it. it means my rajputs will be invincible tomorrow." jadar flipped the katar in his hand and dropped it into is leather sheath. "by the way, i understand you failed to master the bow. but let's talk about something more important. perhaps you can be of help after all. i'm sure you realize. captain, that a commander must always understand two things. he must know his own strengths, and he must know the strengths of those who oppose him. but he can really only know one of these for sure. he can never know exactly what he will meet." jadar paused. "tell me, if you were inayat latif, how would you deploy the imperial army tomorrow?" "what do you mean?" "how would you choose to attack? the position of infantry, cavalry, elephants is never exactly the same in any battle. for example, often the front line is held by rows of infantry. the first row will be men wearing plate armor-- which is much heavier than the usual steel netting--forming a protective wall with special broad shields. they are always excellent archers. behind these will be another row, wearing only helmets and breastplates, and armed with swords and pikes. the third row is infantry with swords, bows, and axes. the fourth carries lances and swords. the rows are segmented, so those behind can see ahead, and cavalry can get through." "that deployment would mean a slow-moving attack, and a very bloody fight." "precisely. that's why many commanders prefer to use their cavalry as the vanguard. horsemen can move faster, and they can more easily avoid defense barricades." hawksworth looked at jadar, wishing he could see his eyes. "but cavalry can be cut to ribbons with small artillery. is it wise to charge with your cavalry if your enemy has heavy gun emplacements?" he heard jadar laugh. "you may make a commander yet. you see, inayat latif will naturally assume our camp is heavily defended. now although it's considered questionable manners to attack a camp at night, your manners become excusable if you attack at early dawn, even though it's still dark. i've known of attacks occurring almost half a _pahar _before dawn. what's that in european measure? an hour, an hour and a half?" "but if it's still dark, how can you see the enemy's lines?" "you can see them if your enemy's camp has been negligent enough to leave a few fires burning." jadar smiled as he paused to let the words sink. "but now let's examine the third possibility. leading the attack with your elephants. elephant armor is steel plate and it can withstand everything except heavy cannon. if you can entice your foe into firing his biggest artillery before you charge, then you can send a wave of war elephants and devastate his gunners before their cannon cool enough to reload. since it can take at least half a _pahar _for a large cannon to cool, large guns are rarely fired more than once in a battle. and never after your cavalry has moved out. leading the vanguard with war elephants always entails danger, since if they panic, they can turn around and trample your own infantry, but in this case it's probably worth the risk." "and you think that's what inayat latif will try to do?" hawksworth absently twirled the brandy bottle in his hand. "i'm asking you." "it sounds the most plausible. he'll position his biggest cannon to fire into the camp, and after he's drawn your fire in return, he'll stampede about a thousand war elephants right through here, crushing everything in their path. including your opium-sotted rajputs and their invincible bows." "you're doing remarkably well so far, captain." jadar took hawksworth's arm and guided him toward the back of the compound. "and then what would you do?" "i'd send an infantry wave right after the war elephants, with lines so thick it would be a wall of death. and behind them i'd have cavalry, with muskets, to contain the camp and meet your own cavalry when it broke through--as it probably would eventually." "cavalrymen wouldn't bother with muskets, just bows, but you're still thinking very clearly. now tell me, from what direction would you attack this particular camp?" they were approaching the tents, where servants were beginning to soak the wood piles with oil. hawksworth found himself astonished that jadar would listen calmly to the strategy spelling his own destruction. "from the east, the way we came in." "and why that particular direction?" "several reasons." hawksworth tried to remember the terrain as they came into the camp. "first, if i'd marched from the east, i'd already have my army deployed there. second, and probably more important, it's the only direction that's really accessible. the other sides are too forested. but from the east there's a wide clearing that funnels down right into the perimeter of the camp." "with a very clear demarcation of forest on each side, which helps keep your army grouped." "correct. and, also, the sun would not be in my men's eyes if i hit you from the east." jadar stopped and looked at him. "so that is precisely what you would do? attack at dawn on the eastern perimeter. and lead with a front line of war elephants?" "with the biggest and best i had." jadar sighed. "you know, it troubles me that a _feringhi _would conclude the same thing i have. but i think it's a classic problem. and that will dictate a classic solution in the mind of inayat latif, whose alleged brilliance does not include a flair for originality. he'll have to mount a conventional attack. what's more, because of the restricted terrain, he'll have no room to split his army into a right wing and a left wing. they'll have to be a single phalanx. that's dangerous if you ever need to retreat, but he'll not even consider that possibility. and you say you also believe he'll hold his cavalry for the third wave." jadar paused. "that's more important here than you probably realize. everything else depends on it. the cavalry must attack last." "it seems best. and his cavalry is mainly rajput. he'll not risk cutting up his finest troops by sending them in the first attack wave, when your artillery is still in place." hawksworth hesitated, then continued bitterly. "or should be." jadar laughed and looked at hawksworth, then at his bottle. "what's that in your hand. captain?" "a bottle of brandy. spanish, i'm ashamed to admit, but it's still the best." "may i try it?" jadar took the bottle and gingerly swallowed a swig. he stood motionless for a moment and then coughed violently. "merciful allah! now i understand why the prophet forbade its use." he shoved back the bottle. "but i wanted to drink once with you, captain. i'm told it's a european custom. you've eased my mind." "eased your mind! i just told you how your camp will be devastated at sunrise." "absolutely. i will regret losing these tents." jadar's tone grew pensive. "you know, some of them have been with me since my first campaign in the deccan, years ago." "how about your rajputs? and your women? will you regret losing them as much as your tents?" "i don't expect to lose them." jadar took hawksworth's arm and led him around the last tent. in the firelight baggage elephants were being loaded with women from the _zenana_. the elephants were covered with _pakhar _armor, steel plates around the sides of their bodies and a special steel casement for their head and trunk. the women were being helped up tall ladders and into their elephants' _howdah_, an octagonal box of heavy boards strengthened with iron plate. "why are you loading the women now?" "but we're leaving, captain." hawksworth stared at him speechlessly for a moment, then noticed shirin walking toward them, carrying a bow and two quivers of arrows. "you're leaving?" "you just predicted this camp would be devastated. i agree with you entirely. in fact i planned it that way. so why should anyone be here when it happens? the camp will be empty by dawn, captain. naturally we had to wait until dark to move out. and continue work on the trenches until the very end. inayat latif undoubtedly has scouts all around. but by dawn there'll only be smoldering fires here. and the troops needed to man our decoy cannon across the eastern perimeter. i've loaded half the cannon with elephant barbs made in my workshops. the other half with nothing. why waste shot? we'll fire the blank cannon to induce them to charge, and after the elephants have come inside cannon range, we'll shoot the barbs in among them. a barb in the foot of an elephant can immobilize it completely. inayat latif will never expect barbs. they haven't been used in india for fifty years. his war elephants should be contained right out there, unable to advance or retreat." "but where will your army be?" "captain. just when i thought you were beginning to understand tactics. my army will be waiting along both sides of the open plain on the east, behind a foliage camouflage we've been erecting over the past two weeks. after the attack force of imperial war elephants has been funneled into the empty camp, we will open fire against them with our biggest cannon. from both sides. the medium-range cannon will fire into the infantry, as will the small artillery. all the guns should be in place just before dawn if i've timed it right." hawksworth turned to see keepers leading an armored elephant forward for him and shirin. only its ears could be seen behind the steel plate. then he looked again at jadar. "but you're still outnumbered in infantry three to one." "all things in time, captain." he turned and embraced shirin lightly. "this was my best _swanih-nigar_. guard her well." shirin examined hawksworth's brandy bottle with her dark eyes and laughed skeptically. "i've brought my own bow." hawksworth cleared his throat as he slipped the bottle back into his jerkin. "i've requisitioned a brace of muskets. it's still the weapon i prefer." "congratulations, captain." jadar's laugh was cynical. "i admire your _feringhi_ initiative. but i don't want to see you harmed. like i told you, i'm sending you with the _zenana_. they'll be moved to that hilltop there west of the camp. so at least you'll be able to watch the battle." he turned to leave. "farewell until tomorrow, captain. may allah ride with you." "and i wish you godspeed. you're a ten times better strategist then i realized, for whatever it may be worth." jadar laughed. "just save some of your foul-tasting _feringhi _brandy for our victory celebration. and perhaps i'll drink with you one more time." his eyes darkened. "if not, then tomorrow we'll be eating lamb side by side in paradise." chapter twenty-eight a drum roll lifted across the dark plain, swelling in intensity like angry, caged thunder. it rose to fill the valley with a foreboding voice of death, then faded slowly to silence, gorged on its own immensity. "that's the imperial army's call to arms. prince jadar was right. inayat latif is attacking now, before dawn." shirin was seated next to hawksworth in the dark _howdah_. she rose to peer over the three-foot- high steel rim, out into the blackness. around them were the shapes of the _zenana _guard elephants, silently swinging their trunks beneath their armor. the _zenana _waited farther back on female baggage elephants, surrounded by hundreds of bullock carts piled with clothing and utensils. "merciful allah, he must have a thousand war drums." "you saw the size of the imperial army mustering at fatehpur." hawksworth rose to stand beside her, grasping the side of the rocking _howdah _and inhaling the cold morning air. "the queen had begun recalling _mansabdars _and their troops from every province." suddenly a chorus of battle horns cut through the dark, followed by the drums again, now a steady pulse that resounded off the wooded hills, swelling in power. "that's the signal for the men and cavalry to deploy themselves in battle array." shirin pointed toward the sound. "the imperial forces are almost ready." below them fires smoldered in jadar's abandoned camp, a thousand specks of winking light. although the east was beginning to hint the first tinges of light, the valley where the imperial army had massed was still shrouded in black. the drums suddenly ceased, mantling the valley in eerie, portentous quiet. hawksworth felt for shirin's hand and noticed it perspiring, even in the cold dawn air. from the eastern edge of jadar's abandoned camp points of cannon fire erupted, tongues of light that divulged the length and location of the camp's defenses. a few moments later--less time than hawksworth would have wished--the sound reached them, dull pops, impotent and hollow. the firing lapsed increasingly sporadic, until the camp's weak perimeter defense seemed to exhaust itself like the last melancholy thrusts of a spent lover. the defense perimeter of the camp had betrayed itself, and in the tense silence that ensued hawksworth knew the imperial guns were being set. suddenly a wall of flame illuminated the center of the plain below, sending rockets of fire plunging toward the empty camp. "jesus, they're launching fireworks with cannon. what are they?" "i don't know. i've heard that cannon in india were once called naphtha-throwers." a second volley followed hard after the first. although this time no fireworks were hurtled, the impact was even more deadly. forty-pound imperial shot ripped wide trenches through the flaming tents of the prince's camp. in moments the _gulal bar_, where they had been standing only hours before, was devastated, an inferno of shredded cloth and billowing flame. a harsh chant began to drift upward from the valley, swelling as voices joined in unison. "allah-o-akbar! allah-o-akbar!" god is great. it was the battle cry of inayat latifs muslim infantry. the plain below had grown tinged with light now, as dawn approached and the fires from jadar's camp spread. as hawksworth watched, nervously gripping the handle of his sword, a force of steel-armored war elephants advanced on the eastern perimeter of the camp, their polished armor plate glowing red in the firelight. those in the vanguard bore steel-shrouded _howdahs_, through which a single heavy cannon protruded . . . probably a ten-pounder, hawksworth told himself. the steel _howdahs_ on the next rows of elephants were almost three feet high and perforated to allow their archers to shoot without rising above the open top. sporadic cannon and matchlock fire from the few hundred men left in the camp pelted the elephants but did nothing to impede their advance. directly behind them the imperial infantry swept in dense, martialed ranks. jadar knew exactly what he was doing when he picked this terrain for the camp, hawksworth told himself. he used it to set the terms for the battle. there's no room to maneuver. when they discover the camp is abandoned, the elephants can't retreat and regroup without crushing their own infantry. he slipped his arm around shirin's waist and held her next to him. they watched as the imperial war elephants crashed through the camp's outer edge, scarcely slowing at the ditch. when the elephants were at point- blank range, the specially loaded cannon along the perimeter opened fire, spraying a rain of steel barbs among them. even from the hilltop he could hear the clang of steel as the barbs ricocheted off their armor. "we'll soon know if jadar's plan has a chance. can he contain the elephants there, or will they obliterate the camp, then regroup, and . . ." the first row of elephants suddenly reared chaotically, lashing out with their armored trunks and dismounting some of the gunners. as barbs caught in their feet, they trumpeted in pain and started to mill randomly in angry confusion, crushing several of the men they had thrown. just as jadar predicted, the deadly carpet of barbs had temporarily disrupted their advance. their ranks were broken and their guns in disarray. behind the elephants the infantry still marched unaware, until the confusion in the elephant ranks began to disrupt their front lines. gradually the order in the infantry ranks completely disintegrated, as the men stopped to eye the milling war elephants ahead of them in growing fear and confusion. by a single cannon salvo jadar's men had robbed the attack of its momentum. "now's jadar's moment." hawksworth watched in growing admiration. "will he use it?" as though in answer, a blare of trumpets from the hills on both sides of the plain suddenly electrified the morning air. as they died away, the woods opened wide with a single chorus, deep and throaty and unforgiving. ram ram. ram ram. ram ram. it was the ancient rajput war cry. a blaze of fire from jadar's camouflaged cannon shredded away the leafy blinds erected along the foot of the hills, sending a rain of forty- pound lead shot into the imperial war elephants. their disordered ranks erupted in tangled steel and blood. seconds later, a volley by jadar's small artillery ripped into the unsuspecting infantry massed behind the elephants, hurtling fragmented bodies and orphaned weapons spinning through the ranks. finally came the fiery streaks of rockets, thin foot-long iron tubes filled with gunpowder and set with a lighted fuse, many with a sword blade attached to the end, which cut in a deadly wave through the imperial troops, slashing and exploding as they flew. a dense roll of jadar's war drums sounded from both hillsides, and the first wave of rajput cavalry, still bellowing their war cry, charged down on the disrupted imperial forces, discharging volleys of arrows with mechanical precision. they wore steel-net cloaks and helmet guards, and their horses were armored with woven steel netting encased in heavy quilting--with a wide frontlet over the chest, a neck-length collar secured to the top of the bridle, and a body shroud over their sides and hindquarters emblazoned with each man's family crest. the startled infantry turned to meet them, and in moments the air darkened with opposing arrows. from the hill above came the din of supporting matchlock fire from jadar's own infantry. the rajput cavalry plowed into the first rows of imperial infantry with their long _nezah _lances held at arm's length high above their heads, thrusting downward as they rode. veins fueled with opium, the rajputs had forgotten all fear. they brushed aside imperial spears and swords and slaughtered with undisguised pleasure, as though each death endowed more honor to their _dharma_. hawksworth's stomach knotted as he watched a thousand men fall in less than a minute. while the rajputs attacked, the prince's division of armored war elephants had emerged from their camouflage and begun advancing across the western edge of the plain, isolating the ragged remainder of the imperial elephants from the battlefield. although jadar had far fewer war elephants, they now were easily able to contain the shattered imperial forces. hawksworth turned to watch as yet another wave of jadar's cavalry bore down on the plain. these rode through the tangle of imperial infantry wielding long curved swords, killing any the first wave had missed. "i'm not sure i believe what i'm seeing." hawksworth peered through the dust and smoke boiling across the plain below. "jadar has already seized the advantage. he's immobilized their war elephants, their major advantage, and he timed the counterattack perfectly." "the battle has only just begun." shirin took his hand for no reason at all and gripped it. "and their major advantage was not elephants, but numbers. i fear for him. look, there." she pointed toward the east, where the red sky now illuminated a vast sea of infantry, poised as reinforcements. "the prince's rajputs cannot stop them all. prince jadar does not have the forces to meet them. i think he will be defeated today, badly." "and if he dies, do we die with him?" "perhaps not you. but they will surely kill me. and probably mumtaz. most certainly they have orders to kill his son." on the field below jadar's cavalry fought as though possessed. rajputs with one, two, even three arrows in their back continued to sound their war cry and take head after bearded head, until they finally slumped unconscious from the saddle. riderless horses, many with their stomachs slashed open, could be seen running wildly through the imperial ranks, unused arrows still rattling in their saddle quivers. waves of jadar's infantry had begun pouring down from the hills, following the cavalry. the men wore heavy leather helmets and a skirt of woven steel. a hood of steel netting hung down from each man's helmet, protecting his face and neck. they advanced firing volley after volley of arrows into the imperial infantry. when they reached the plain, they drew their long curved swords and, waving them above their heads, threw themselves into the forces of inayat latif. the field quickly became a vast arena of hand-to-hand combat, as inevitably happened when two indian armies met, with jadar's forces badly outnumbered. shirin watched the slaughter in silence for a time, as though tallying the dead and dying on both sides, and then she turned her face away. "allah preserve us. prince jadar's rajputs have eaten so much affion i think they can fight even after they die, but their numbers are already shrinking. how long can they protect the prince?" "where's he now?" she turned back and peered through the dust on the field for a long moment. then she pointed. "he's on the field now. there, in the center. do you see him?" she paused. "he's very courageous to take the field so early. it will inspire his men, but it's a very bad omen." hawksworth squinted toward the east. he could barely make out a phalanx of elephants moving across the plains, into the middle of the fiercest fighting. several of the elephants had clusters of two-pound swivel guns mounted on their backs, a few had rocket launchers, but most carried howdahs filled with rajput archers. in the center moved a large black elephant, heavily armored and bearing a steel _howdah _decorated with ornate gilding. standing erect in the howdah, beneath a huge embroidered umbrella, was the figure of prince jadar, loosing arrows in rhythmic succession as the imperial infantry closed around him. "why is it a bad sign?" "it's unwise for the supreme commander of an army to expose himself so early in the battle." shirin was watching jadar, transfixed. "if he's killed, the battle will be over. all his troops will flee." "even his fearless rajputs?" "that's the way in india. if he's lost, what do they have left to fight for? they will melt into the forest. in india a commander must always be visible to his men, standing above the armor of his howdah, so they'll know for certain he's alive." as the circle of elephants surrounding jadar advanced through the field, a triple line of his rajput infantry moved into place around him. he quickly became the focus of the battle, and the imperial infantry massed to encircle him, like the king in a game of chess. his protective buffer of elephants was coming under increasingly heavy attack. the advantage of surprise enjoyed by his original offensive was gone. now he was clearly on the defensive. "i think jadar's starting to be in serious trouble. you were right. i don't know how much longer his circle of elephants can protect him." in the silence he slowly turned to shirin and their eyes met. nothing more was said because no more words were needed. she reached out and touched his lips and a lifetime seemed to flow between them. then he drew his sword and leaned over the edge of the howdah. "yes." with a single stroke he severed the tether rope tying their elephant. their startled mahout turned and stared in disbelief. when hawksworth shouted at him to start, he hesitated for a moment, then flung his barbed iron _ankus _into their _howdah _and plunged for the grass. hawksworth grabbed the _ankus_, but before he could move, the elephant lifted its trunk into the morning air and emitted a long, defiant trumpet. then he plunged past the tethered _zenana _elephants and broke into a gallop, eastward down the hill and directly toward the battle. hawksworth staggered backward and grasped the side of the swaying _howdah_. "how . . . how did he know?" "prince jadar didn't give us a baggage elephant. he gave us one of his personal war elephants. to protect you. he knows where he should be now." in only minutes their elephant reached the edge of the plain and began advancing like a dreadnought through the swarm of imperial infantry, headed directly for jadar. any luckless infantryman caught in his path would be seized in his trunk and flung viciously aside, or simply crushed beneath his feet. "but how could he know jadar's threatened?" "he knows. his whole life is to protect the prince." a steel arrowhead sang off the side of the howdah. then another thudded into one of the wooden beams supporting the armor. hawksworth grabbed shirin and shoved her down, below the steel rim. she fell sprawling and turned to grab their bows. as hawksworth took them and began to notch the string on each one, he noticed for the first time that jadar had given them one of his combat _howdahs_, with firing holes all around the sides. war cries and sounds of steel on steel ranged around them as they advanced, but their elephant seemed oblivious, only beginning to slow when they approached the dense lines of imperial infantry encircling jadar. hawksworth found his bow ring and slipped it awkwardly over his right thumb. then he strung an arrow and took aim through one of the firing holes in the side of the howdah. the arrow sang off his thumb and glanced harmlessly against the steel net cloak of an imperial infantryman. the man looked up, then paused to aim an arrow at the howdah. it was a lethal decision. their elephant turned and seized him as he took aim, flinging him down and crushing him under its foot with a single motion. at once the imperial infantry again started to clear a path in front of them. "jesus, i see why elephants are so feared on a battlefield." "yes, but they cannot fight the entire battle . . ." shirin's voice trailed off as she stared through a hole in the side of the _howdah_. suddenly her eyes flooded with fear. "oh, allah! merciful allah! look!" a close-ranked formation of imperial horsemen, perhaps fifty in number, was advancing toward them from the eastern perimeter of the plain. they wore body armor of black steel and they ignored the infantry battling around them as they charged directly for the circle of jadar's elephants. "who are they?" "i think they're latifs special bundella guards. i've only heard about them. his elephant must be near and he's ordered them to attack. he must realize the prince is vulnerable now. he hopes to kill prince jadar in a quick action and so end the battle." she stared over the side of the steel _howdah _again. "if they fail, then he will send his regular rajput cavalry." "what's so special about bundellas?" "they're from the region of bundelkhand, and their horses are said to be specially trained against elephants. the native bundellas . . ." she ducked down and stared wildly around the howdah as an arrow grazed by. "where ... the matchlocks!" hawksworth quickly pulled up one of the muskets and checked the prime. he passed it to shirin and took a second for himself. as he looked again over the top of the _howdah_, he saw the elephants guarding jadar start turning to face the approaching horsemen. their own elephant had now reached the defense lines and it immediately assumed its normal place in the protective circle. many of the approaching bundellas were already being cut down by the spears of the rajput infantry, but over half managed to penetrate the outer defense perimeter and reach the circle of elephants. the horsemen immediately began firing rockets into jadar's elephants from long bamboo tubes they carried, intending to frighten them and disrupt their ranks. as hawksworth watched, three of jadar's encircling war elephants shied skittishly away from the fireworks, creating a momentary opening in the line. before the opening could be secured, two of the bundella cavalry dashed through the space. once inside the defense perimeter, they parted, one riding toward either side of jadar's elephant. one of the horsemen took careful aim with his bow and shot a barbed arrow connected to a line deep into the steel-net armor of the mahout seated on the neck of jadar's elephant. the horseman quickly whipped the arrow's line around his saddle horn and reined his mount. the horse seemed to know exactly what was expected, as it instantly reared backward, unseating jadar's mahout and toppling him into the dust. as the mahout fell, his steel _ankus _clanged against jadar's _howdah_, momentarily distracting the prince. when he whirled to look for his mahout, the other bundella spurred his stallion alongside the elephant's rump, lifting a heavy spear above his head. but instead of hurtling the spear toward jadar he turned and plunged it deep into the ground beside the elephant. "shirin, what's he doing? how can . . . ?" the horseman twirled his long reins around the shaft in a quick motion, tethering the horse. then he balanced himself atop the saddle, unsheathed his sword, and with an agile leap landed on the armored rump of jadar's elephant. he secured his balance in less than a second, then grabbed the side of jadar's gilded _howdah_. hawksworth stared spellbound as a rain of rajput arrows glanced harmlessly off his black steel body armor. "now!" shirin's voice was almost a scream. as though in a dream, hawksworth leveled the long barrel of his matchlock against the rim of the _howdah _and took aim. the stock felt alien and bulky in his grip, and its lacquer inlay smooth and cold. he saw shirin thrust her own musket alongside his own, struggling to keep its heavy barrel balanced. as the horseman raised his sword to plunge it into jadar's exposed back, hawksworth squeezed the gun's inlaid trigger. the stock kicked into his face and a burst of black smoke momentarily blinded him. shirin's matchlock had discharged at the same moment, and he looked down as she tumbled backward against the padded side of the howdah, still grasping the gun's heavy stock. then he heard a cheer from the rajputs and turned in time to see the bundella spin in a half circle. hawksworth realized one musket ball had caught him directly in the face, the other in the groin. he vainly reached to seize the side of jadar's _howdah _to regain his balance, but his foot skidded and he slipped backward . . . into a forest of rajput spears. the flash of a sword took his head. jadar had never seen him. that settles one debt, you cocky bastard. there were shouts from the other attackers still outside the defense perimeter and two horsemen reined their mounts and charged toward hawksworth and shirin. as they approached, the elephant began revolving to meet them. hawksworth reached down and grabbed the last remaining musket and rose to fire. as he looked up, he stopped in astonishment, for a second refusing to believe what he saw. both bundelkhand horses were advancing on their hind legs, rearing and bounding toward them in high leaps. he watched transfixed as one of the bundellas discharged his bow past the neck of his horse, directly at the _howdah_. the arrow missed shirin's dust-covered hair by only inches. hawksworth lifted his matchlock and leveled it against the rim, wondering for an instant whether to aim for the man or the horse. then the matchlock blazed and he watched the horseman buckle backward in the saddle, toppling into a circle of waiting rajput swords. suddenly the howdah shuddered, throwing him sprawling against the side. as he pulled himself up, he realized the other horse had secured its front feet against the side of their elephant. the bundella was staring directly in his face, pulling an arrow from his saddle quiver. the horseman's bow was already half drawn when hawksworth heard the sing of a bowstring beside him. as he watched, the end of a shaft suddenly appeared in the right cheek of the bundella, buried to the feathers. the horseman's own arrow slammed into the side of the _howdah_, and he reached to claw at his face with his saddle hand, forfeiting his grip. as he slipped backward off the rearing horse, the rajput infantrymen beheaded him in midair. hawksworth turned to see shirin drop her bow onto the floor of the _howdah_. she slumped against the steel side, her eyes glazed with incredulity at what she had done. they watched wordlessly as the perimeter of jadar's elephants was again drawn together and secured. as the other horsemen were driven back, a coherent defense barricade of concentric circles was gradually established around the prince. the outer perimeter was a line of rajput infantry armed with long spears. inside their line were rajput swordsmen, who now had linked together the skirts of their long, steel- mesh cloaks to form a solid barrier. and inside these was the last defense line, the circle of armored war elephants. as their own elephant instinctively rejoined the line protecting jadar, hawksworth reached to touch shirin's hand. as he did, he noticed her thumb was bleeding and realized for the first time she had not been supplied a bow ring. "i think we can hold off the infantry with the elephants. but i don't know how long . . ." her voice trailed off as he looked up at her face. she was leaning against the side of the _howdah_, pointing wordlessly toward the east. he turned to see a vast wave of the imperial rajput horsemen bearing down on their position. they numbered in the thousands. "god almighty." he reached weakly for another arrow, trying to count those remaining in the quiver and asking if he would live long enough to shoot them all. "it's over." their battle cry lifted above the plain as the approaching cavalry neared the edge of the massed imperial infantry engulfing jadar. they began advancing directly through the infantry, not slowing, heading straight for jadar. hawksworth notched an arrow and rose up in the _howdah_ to take aim. he drew back the string and picked the man in the lead for the first arrow. as he sighted the rajput's bearded face down the shaft, he suddenly froze. the rajput had just driven the long point of his spear into an imperial infantryman. hawksworth lowered his bow in disbelief and stared as the approaching imperial cavalry began cutting down their own infantry, taking heads as they rode toward jadar, leaving a carpet of death in their bloody wake. "holy jesus, what's happening? they're attacking their own troops! are they sotted with opium too?" suddenly their chant of "ram ram" was taken up by the rajputs surrounding jadar, and they turned on the imperial infantry nearest them with the ferocity of a wounded tiger. "today allah took on the armor of a rajput." shirin slumped against the side of the howdah and dropped her bow. "i had prayed they would all one day join with the prince, but i never really believed it would happen." jadar's circle of war elephants began to cut their way through the remaining infantry to join the rajput forces, swivel guns blazing from their backs. in what seemed only minutes his entourage merged with the vanguard of rajput cavalry, and together they moved like a steel phalanx against the imperial infantry reserves waiting in the east. hawksworth watched as the imperial lines were cut, separating the infantry fighting on the plain from their reserves. next a corps of rajput horsemen wielding long spears overran the imperial gun emplacements, then grouped to assault the imperial command post. when the elephant bearing the banner of inayat latif started for higher ground, discipline in the imperial ranks evaporated. by late afternoon the outcome was no longer in question. a final attempt by the imperial forces to regroup disintegrated into a rout, with thousands of fleeing imperial infantry falling before the swords and spears of the rajput cavalry. only the merciful descent of dark enabled inayat latif and his imperial commanders to escape death at the hands of pursuing rajput archers. as hawksworth rode with jadar's entourage through the dusty, smoke- shrouded battlefield, headed back for the camp, he felt he was witnessing the gaping mouth of hell. the plain was littered with the bodies of almost forty thousand men and over ten thousand horses. the proud war cries were forgotten. through the dusky twilight came the plaintive moans of dying men and the shrill neighing of shattered horses. rajputs moved among the bodies, plundering the dead enemy, searching for fallen comrades, dispatching with their long swords any lingering men or horses who could not be saved. all because of jadar, hawksworth thought, and his stomach sickened. now what will happen? jadar won the day in this valley, in the middle of nowhere, but the moghul is still in agra, and tonight he still rules india. and i think he'll still rule india, if only in name, till the day he dies. jadar can't march against the red fort in agra, not with this ragtag army. even his division of rajput defectors couldn't storm that fortress. i'm not sure god himself could take the red fort. so what now, noble prince jadar? so far you've merely brought death to half the fighting men in india. the torchbearers marching four abreast at the front of their elephants were now approaching the remains of the camp. through the flickering light emerged the vision of a burned-out ruin. scorched furrows from the first imperial cannonade trailed between, among, through the few remaining tents. small clusters of wounded men, some begging for water and some for death, were being fed opium and their wounds wrapped with the shreds of ripped-apart tents. jadar moved through the camp, acknowledging the triumphant cheers of his men. ahead his servants were already erecting a new chintz wall around the _gulal bar _and replacing the tents for the _zenana_. hawksworth watched as carpets were unrolled from bullock carts and carried inside the compound. jadar's elephant proceeded instinctively to the very entry of the _gulal bar_, where it kneeled for him to dismount. around him rajputs pushed forward to cheer and _teslim_. as he stood acknowledging them, the other elephants also began to kneel. jadar's servants rushed forward to help hawksworth and shirin alight. "this was the most horrible day i've ever known." her arms closed around his neck as her feet touched ground, and she held him for a long moment, tears staining her cheeks. "i've never before seen so much killing. i pray to allah i never see it again." hawksworth returned her embrace, then looked at her sadly. "there'll be a lot more before jadar sees agra, if he ever does. this is just one battle, not the war. i'm not sure we want to be here to find out how it ends." she looked back at him and smiled wistfully in silence. then she turned and performed the _teslim _to jadar. the prince was scarcely recognizable. his helmet had been torn by countless arrows, or matchlock fire, and his haughty face and beard were smeared with dust and smoke. the emerald bow ring was missing from his right thumb, which was now caked with blood. beneath his armor the torn leather of his right sleeve was stained blood-dark, where he had ripped out an arrow. as he lifted his arms to acknowledge the rising cheers, his eyes were shadowed and tired, but they betrayed no pain. hawksworth turned and examined jadar's _howdah_. it was a forest of arrows and broken spear shafts. grooms from the stables had already brought water and sugarcane for his elephant and begun extracting iron arrowheads from its legs and from a section of its right shoulder where its armor had been shot away. as he watched the scene, hawksworth slowly became aware of a pathway being cleared through the camp toward the east. next, the cheers of some of jadar's rajputs began to swell through the smoky air. through the encroaching dark, there slowly emerged the form of another elephant approaching. in the torchlight he could tell it was regal in size and bore a gilded _howdah _shaded by a wide brocade umbrella. there were no arrows in the side of this _howdah_, nor was there more than a trace of dust on the elephant's gilded and enameled armor. with its elaborate decoration of swinging yak tails and tinkling bells, it seemed more suited for a royal procession than for a battlefield. jadar watched impassively as the elephant neared the center of the clearing. while the rajputs around him stood at attention, the elephant performed a small bow, then began to kneel with practiced dignity. several rajputs rushed forward to help the rider alight. the man's jeweled turban and rows of finger rings sparkled in the torchlight. as he moved directly toward jadar, hawksworth suddenly recognized the walk and caught his breath. it was nadir sharif. the prime minister paused a few feet from jadar and salaamed lightly. he did not _teslim_, nor did he speak. as he stood waiting, from out of the darkness of the _gulal bar _the figure of a woman emerged. she was veiled, surrounded by her women, and accompanied by a line of eunuchs wearing sheathed scimitars in their waist sash. she stopped and performed the _teslim _to jadar. then she turned to nadir sharif. he stared at her for a long moment, then said something in persian. without a word she lifted her veil and threw it back. next she turned and gestured to one of the servants standing behind her. the servant stepped forward with a bundle wrapped in a brocade satin blanket and carried it directly to nadir sharif. the prime minister stood for a moment as though unsure whether to take it. finally he reached out and lifted the blanket from the servant and cradled it against one arm. he stared down for a long moment, his eyes seeming to cloud, and then he pushed back part of the blanket to examine its contents more closely. with a withered finger, he reached in and stroked something inside the blanket. then he looked up and smiled and said something to jadar in persian. the prince laughed and strolled to his side, taking the blanket in his own smoke-smeared hands and peering down into it with nadir sharif. they exchanged more words in persian, laughed again, and then nadir sharif walked to the waiting woman, whose dark eyes now brimmed with joy. he stood looking at her for a long moment, then spoke to her in persian and enfolded her in his arms. a cheer went up again from the onlookers, as they pushed forward to watch. hawksworth turned to shirin. "is that who i think it is?" shirin nodded, her eyes misting. "it's mumtaz, the first wife of prince jadar and the only daughter of nadir sharif. he told prince jadar he decided today he wanted to see his grandson, since he wanted to see the face of the child who would be moghul himself one day. then he told mumtaz he will die in peace now, knowing that his blood will someday flow in the veins of the moghul of india." shirin's voice started to choke. "i can't tell you what this moment means. it's the beginning of just rule for india. nadir sharif knew that if prince jadar was defeated today, the child would be murdered by janahara. by defecting with his rajputs, he saved prince jadar, and he saved his grandson." she paused again. "and he saved us too." "when do you think he decided to do this?" "i don't know. i still can't believe it's true." hawksworth stopped for a moment, then whirled and seized her arm. "jadar knew! by jesus, he knew last night! the cavalry. he said the cavalry had to be held to the last. he knew they would turn on the imperial infantry if he began to lose._ he knew all along_." shirin examined him with a curious expression. "i wonder if mumtaz herself planned it. perhaps she convinced nadir sharif to save his grandson." she paused. "this must have been the most closely guarded secret in all of agra. nadir sharif somehow kept even the queen from knowing he would defect with the rajputs or she would have surely killed him." shirin's voice trailed off as she pondered the implications. "he's astonishing. janahara has never entirely trusted him, but somehow he must have convinced her to let him command the rajput cavalry. what did he do to make her finally trust him?" nadir sharif embraced mumtaz once more, then bowed lightly again to jadar and turned to leave. as his glance swept the torchlit crowd, he noticed hawksworth. he stopped for a second, as though not believing what he saw, then broke into a wide smile. "by the beard of the prophet! can it be? my old guest?" he moved toward hawksworth, seeming not to notice shirin. "may allah preserve you, ambassador, everyone at court thinks you've fled india. for your sake i almost wish you had. what in god's name are you doing here?" "someone tried to murder me at fatehpur." hawksworth turned and took shirin's arm. "and shirin. it seemed like a good time to switch sides." "someone actually tried to kill you? i do hope you're jesting with me." "not at all. if vasant rao and his men hadn't appeared in time to help us, we'd both be dead now." nadir sharifs eyes darkened and he looked away for a moment. "i must tell you that shocks even me." he turned back and smiled. "but i'm pleased to see you're still very much alive." hawksworth studied nadir sharif for a moment. "do you have any idea who might have ordered it?" "this world of ours is fraught with evil, ambassador." nadir sharif shook his head in resignation. "i sometimes marvel any of us survive it." then he looked back at hawksworth and beamed. "but then i've always found you to be a man blessed with rare fortune, ambassador. i think allah must truly stand watch over you night and day. you seem to live on coincidences. i was always amazed that just when his majesty ordered you out of agra, the portuguese decided to seize one of his majesty's personal cargo vessels and by that imprudent folly restored you to favor. now i hear you were attacked in the fatehpur camp by some scurrilous hirelings . . . at the very moment the prince's rajputs just happened to be nearby to protect you. i only wish i enjoyed a small portion of your luck." he smiled. "but what will you be doing now? will you be joining with us or will you stay with the prince?" "what do you mean?" "i understand his highness is striking camp tomorrow and marching west for the rajput city of udaipur. the new _maharana _there, a distinguished if somewhat renegade rajput prince named karan singh, apparently has offered his lake palace as a refuge for the prince." "i don't seem to have much choice. i'm probably no more welcome in agra right now than you are." nadir sharif examined him quizzically for a moment. "i'm not sure i understand exactly what you mean." then he broke into laughter. "ambassador, surely you don't assume i had anything to do with the tragedy today. the honest truth is i used every means at my command to dissuade the rajput cavalry from their insidious treachery. they absolutely refused to heed anything i said. in fact, i actually tried to forewarn her majesty something just like this might happen." "what are you talking about!" "their betrayal was astonishing, and i must tell you frankly, entirely unaccountable. i intend to prepare a complete report for her majesty. but this is merely a temporary setback for us, never fear." he turned and bowed lightly to shirin, acknowledging her for the first time. "i really must be leaving for the imperial camp now. we've scheduled a war council tonight to plan our next strategy." he smiled. "i feel i should counsel you once again that you've chosen very unsavory company. prince jadar is a thorough disgrace to the empire." he bowed lightly once more to hawksworth, then to shirin, and turned to remount his elephant. "good night, ambassador. perhaps someday soon we'll drink _sharbat _together again in agra." even as he spoke, his elephant rose and began to move out. his last words were drowned by cheering rajputs. "he'll never get away with it." hawksworth watched incredulously as the elephant began delicately picking its way through the shattered camp. "oh yes he will. you don't know nadir sharif as i do." hawksworth turned to stare in bewilderment at jadar. the prince was standing next to mumtaz, their faces expressionless. as nadir sharif's elephant disappeared into the dark, mumtaz said something in persian and gestured toward shirin. she replied in the same language and they moved together, embracing. "your face is still fresh as the dawn, though your _kohl _is the dust of war." mumtaz's persian was delicate and laced with poetic allusions. she kissed shirin, then looked down and noticed her right hand. "and what happened to your thumb?" "i had no bow ring. you know we aren't supposed to shoot." "or do anything else except bear sons." mumtaz flashed a mock frown in the direction of jadar. "if i would let him, his highness would treat me like some stupid arab wet nurse instead of a persian." she embraced shirin again and kissed her once more. "i also know you learned to fire a matchlock today." "how did you find out?" "some of the rajputs saw you shoot a bundella horseman who had breached their lines and reached his highness' elephant. one of them told my eunuchs." her voice dropped. "he said you saved his highness' life. i want to thank you." "it was my duty." "no, it was your love. i'm sorry i dare not tell his highness what you did. he must never find out. he's already worried about too many obligations. you saw what just happened tonight with father. i think he's very troubled about what price he may be asked to pay someday for what happened today." "i must tell you the english _feringhi _also shot the bundella who had mounted his highness' elephant." "is he the one there?" mumtaz nodded discreetly toward hawksworth, who stood uncomprehending, his haggard face and jerkin smeared with smoke. her voice had risen slightly and now her persian was lilting again. "he's the one." mumtaz scrutinized hawksworth with a quick flick of her eyes, never looking up. "he's interesting. truly as striking as i'd heard." "i love him more than my life. i wish you could know him." shirin's persian was equally as genteel as that of mumtaz. "but is he yet a worthy lover in your bed?" mumtaz's smile was almost hidden. "i sent your message to father about the hindu _devadasi_." shirin smiled and said nothing. "then you must bring him with us to udaipur." "if his highness will have us there." "/ will have you there." she laughed and looked again at hawksworth. "if you'll tell me sometime what it's like to share your pillow with a _feringhi_." "captain hawksworth." jadar's martial voice rose above the assembled crowd of congratulating rajputs. "didn't i notice you on the field today? i thought i had assigned you to guard my _zenana_. are you aware the punishment for disobeying orders in an army in india is immediate beheading? of if you like, i can have you shot from a cannon, as is sometimes done. which would you prefer?" "your cannon were mostly overrun. i guess you'll have to behead me, if you can find anyone left with a sword sharp enough." jadar roared and pulled out his own sword. there was a deep nick in the blade. "by tomorrow i'm sure we can find one. in the meantime i'll have to confine you in the _gulal bar _to prevent your escape." he slipped the sword back into his belt. "tell me, did you manage to hit anything today with your matchlocks?" "possibly. there were so many in the imperial infantry i may have succeeded in hitting someone." jadar laughed again. "from the looks of her thumb, it would seem the woman in your _howdah _did most of the shooting. i'm astounded you'd permit her such liberty." "she has a mind of her own." "like all persians." jadar reached and lowered mumtaz's veil over her face. she let it hang for a moment, then shoved it back again. "allah protect us." he turned and stared a moment into the dark, toward the direction nadir sharif had departed. "yes, allah protect us from all persians and from all persian ambition." then he suddenly remembered himself and glanced back at hawksworth. "so tonight we may eat lamb together after all, if there's one still to be found. but not yet in paradise. for that you will have to wait a few days longer." hawksworth shifted uncomfortably. "what exactly do you mean?" "udaipur, captain, tomorrow we strike camp and march for udaipur. it's a rajput paradise." he turned and beckoned toward the rajput commander who had ridden from fatehpur with them. "it's time you met my friend mahdu singh, brother of his highness, rana karan singh, the maharana of udaipur. the _maharana _has generously offered us his new guest palace, on his island of jagmandir. it's on pichola lake, in the rajput capital of udaipur. he was only just building the palace when i was there before, but i seem to remember it's designed in a very interesting new style." he glanced at mumtaz. "i think her highness will approve." then he continued. "rajputana, captain, is beautiful. what's more, its mountains are impregnable. i led the only moghul army ever to escape defeat by the rajputs who live in those mountains. but today i have many loyal friends there." mahdu singh bowed lightly to hawksworth while jadar watched in satisfaction. "his highness, the maharana, may decide to make a rajput out of you and keep you there, if you seem worth the trouble. who can tell?" he turned and dismissed mumtaz and her eunuchs with a wave. he watched fondly as she disappeared into the _gulal bar_, then turned and joined the waiting rajputs. together they moved out through the camp, embracing and consoling. "did you hear what he said?" hawksworth turned to shirin, who stood waiting, a light smile erasing some of the fatigue in her face. "he's planning to recruit another army of rajputs. this war is only beginning. good christ, when will it end?" "when he's moghul. nothing will stop him now." she took his hand, and together they pushed through the shattered gulal bar toward the remains of their tent. chapter twenty-nine the advance of prince jadar's army west toward the rajput stronghold of udaipur was like nothing brian hawksworth had ever seen. jadar was marching into the heart of ancient rajput country, and the movement of his army suddenly came to resemble a triumphant victory procession. the heavy artillery formed the first contingent, drawn by teams of elephants and bullocks. two thousand infantry moved in front, smoothing the ground with spades. the army's baggage animals followed the artillery, and after this came jadar's personal treasury--camels loaded with gold and silver coin--together with his records and archives. next in the line of march were elephants carrying the _zenana _women's jewels and a collection of ornate swords and daggers that jadar periodically gave to his officers as presents. then came the water camels, and finally jadar's kitchen and provisions. the baggage was followed by the ordinary cavalry, and after them rode jadar and his retinue of nobles. behind him came his _zenana_. the rear of the procession was brought up by women and servants, then elephants, camels, and mules carrying the remainder of the baggage and tents. some of jadar's _zenana _women traveled in gilded _chaudols _carried on the shoulders of four bearers and shaded with netting of colored embroidered silk. others were transported in enclosed palanquins, also covered with silk nets decorated with gold fringe and tassels. still others chose to ride in swaying litters suspended between two elephants or two strong camels. a female slave walked near each litter carrying a peacock tail to brush off dust and keep away flies. jadar's first and favorite wife, mumtaz, seemed to scorn all these comforts, displaying herself regally all day long from atop her own personal elephant, riding in a gold _howdah _shaded by a vast tapestry umbrella. her elephant was festooned with embroideries, yak tails, and large silver bells; and directly behind her, on six smaller elephants, rode the women of her immediate household. her eunuchs rode clustered around her on horses, each carrying a wand signifying his office and sweating profusely beneath his jeweled turban. a vanguard of footmen with bamboo canes walked ahead of mumtaz's elephant clearing a path through the crowds. jadar himself traveled mainly on his favorite arabian horse--except when passing through cities, when he would switch to a conspicuously bedecked elephant--surrounded by the high-ranking nobles. trailing out behind this first circle were the ranks of the lesser _mansabdars_, who rode in full military dress, displaying swords, bows, shields. while this procession inched along at its regal pace, jadar and his nobles frequently paused ostentatiously to bag tiger or chase stripe-eared antelope with the prince's brace of hunting _chitahs_. a complete set of tents for jadar and his _zenana _traveled a day ahead, to ensure that a fully prepared camp always awaited him and his women when, at approximately three in the afternoon, the procession would stop and begin to settle for the night. each of his larger tents could be disassembled into three separate sections, and all of these together required a full fifty baggage elephants for transport. moving the smaller tents required almost a hundred camels. wardrobes and kitchen utensils were carried by some fifty mules, and special porters carried by hand jadar's personal porcelains, his gilt beds, and a few of his silk tents. the procession was a lavish display of all the wealth and arms jadar had remaining. and nothing about it hinted that his was an army on the run . . . which in fact it was. hawksworth puzzled over jadar's extravagant pomp for several days, finding it uncharacteristic, and finally concluded it was a deliberate indian strategy. jadar has to raise another army and quickly. he'll not do it if he has the look of a fugitive and loser about him. he's managed to hold the imperial army at bay for a while, wound them enough to escape entrapment. but he's wounded too, and badly. the imperial army may be shattered for the moment, but jadar's lost half his own men. the winner will be the one who can rebuild first and attack. if jadar doesn't make some alliances and get some men soon, inayat latif and the queen will chase him from one end of india to the other. along the way a few independent rajput chieftains had come to his banner, but not enough. when hawksworth asked shirin what she thought jadar's chances were of raising a rajput army large enough to face inayat latif, she had made no effort to conceal her concern. "the greatest rajput nobles are waiting to see whether maharana karan singh of udaipur will decide to openly support him. he's the leader of the ranas of mewar, which is the name for the lands of rajputana around udaipur, and they're the highest in rank of all the rajput chieftains of india. if maharana karan singh agrees to support him with his own army, the other ranas of mewar may follow, and after them perhaps all of rajputana." "what do you mean? he's providing jadar a place to stay, or at least to hide while he licks his wounds. that looks like support to me." shirin had tried to smile. "permitting prince jadar to camp in udaipur doesn't necessarily imply support. it could also be interpreted merely as traditional rajput hospitality. it's one thing to open your guesthouse to a son of the moghul. it's something quite different to commit your army to aid his rebellion." she drew her horse closer to hawksworth's. "you see, maharana karan singh and his father amar singh before him have had a treaty of peace with arangbar for almost ten years, after many decades of bloody war between mewar and the moghuls. there are many rajput chieftains in mewar who do not want him to renounce that treaty. they're weary of moghul armies invading rajputana and burning their fields and cities. prince jadar will have to negotiate with maharana karan singh if he's to be persuaded to help. the prince will have to offer him something in return for his aid. for the risk he'll be taking should the prince lose. that's why the other rajputs are waiting. everyone here knows the prince has no chance if the maharana withholds his support." a noticeable feeling of relief swept through the long columns of jadar's cavalry the afternoon that maharana karan singh was sighted riding out on his elephant, surrounded by a retinue of his personal guard, to welcome prince jadar at the high stone gate leading through the walls of the mountain city of udaipur. throughout the ranks of jadar's bedraggled army it was seen as a positive omen. the army and the lesser _mansabdars _camped outside the city walls; the highest-ranking nobles were invited to stay in the maharana's city palace, set on a high cliff overlooking pichola lake; and jadar, his _zenana_, and his personal guards were ferried with much pomp across to the new guest palace on jagmandir island, in the center of the lake. as one of arangbar's khans and a foreign ambassador, brian hawksworth was installed by the maharana in a special suite in his city palace reserved for dignitaries. in an even more auspicious gesture, the maharana invited prince jadar to dine with him in the palace that evening. the ancient rajputana tradition of hospitality did not normally require dining with your guests, and the rajput chieftains traveling with jadar were again heartened. late in the afternoon, an invitation also arrived requesting that ambassador hawksworth and shirin, characterized as jadar's personal aide, join the dinner. "why do you think he wants us?" when the maharana's servants had left, hawksworth showed the gilded invitation to shirin. she was on their balcony watching white-necked cranes glide across the surface of pichola lake, spreading out hundreds of feet below them. "perhaps the maharana is curious to meet a _feringhi_. i'm sure he's never seen one before." she hesitated. "or perhaps prince jadar arranged for you to be there. to imply he has the support of the english king's warships." "you know i don't speak for king james on matters of war." "tonight you must appear to do so. i'm sure your king would help prince jadar if he knew him." "he'll support him if he becomes moghul." "then you must help prince jadar tonight. so that he will." shirin had overseen the servants who had been sent to clean and repair hawksworth's doublet and hose. then a bath was brought, accompanied by barbers and manicurists. the maharana sent a vial of musk perfume to shirin, buried in a basket of flowers. by the time they were escorted through the high scalloped archway leading into the palace banquet hall, they both were bathed, perfumed, and refreshed; and hawksworth again looked almost like an ambassador. accustomed to the red sandstone of agra, he was momentarily astounded to see a room fashioned entirely from purest white marble. the hall was long and wide, with two rows of bracketed columns its entire length. maharana karan singh sat at the far end in front of a marble screen, his gold wand of office at his side, reclining against an enormous bolster of gold brocade. he appeared to be jadar's age, with eyes that sparkled mischievously, a long rajput moustache, glistening with wax, which curled upward at the ends, and a turban of gold brocade. he wore a long red and white striped satin skirt beneath a translucent cloak. his necklace and earrings were matching green emeralds. seated around him, on red carpets woven with designs of fighting elephants, were his rajput nobles, each in white with an orange turban and a gold-trimmed brocade sash at his waist. every rajput in the room had a gold-handled katar. jadar saw hawksworth and shirin enter and rose to greet them. the prince was dressed in his finest, with a cloak of gold cloth, pale green trousers, red velvet slippers, a long double string of pearls around his neck, and a pink silk turban crisscrossed with flowered brocade and secured with a large ruby. he led hawksworth before the maharana and introduced him, in rajasthani. jadar then translated the introduction into turki for hawksworth, who was startled to learn that he was a high-ranking member of angrezi--english--royalty. he looked around and realized he was easily the most shabbily attired man in the room, including the servants. after the introduction hawksworth took his place among jadar's own retinue of nobles. shirin was seated on the carpet directly behind him. all the guests sat in a line facing a long gold-threaded cloth spread along the floor. food was brought in on silver trays, which were placed on silver stools directly in front of each diner. hawksworth had scarcely taken his seat before a full wine cup was placed in his hands. it was never allowed to approach dryness. the banquet was lavish, equaling anything he had seen in agra. it was immediately apparent that roast game was the speciality of udaipur, as tray after tray of antelope, venison, hare, and wild duck were placed before him. in its emphasis on roasted meats, the food could almost have been english, save it was all seasoned with spices he had never tasted in london. the centerpiece was an elaborately glazed wild boar the maharana had bagged personally from horseback with a spear. nominal muslim though he was, prince jadar downed a generous portion of the boar and praised the flavor. the trays of meat were accompanied by spiced curds, local yogurts, and baked vegetables swimming in ghee. the meal concluded with dried fruits which had been sugared and perfumed, followed by mouth-freshening _pan_, the betel leaves wrapped around spiced bhang, currants, sweet imported coconut. the final offering, eagerly awaited by all the rajputs, was opium. as they popped down handfuls of the brown balls, hawksworth discreetly signaled for more wine. after the dishes were cleared, several jeweled women in red trousers and thin billowing blouses entered, drank glasses of wine in honor of the maharana, then danced among the guests to the accompaniment of a large sarangi. after the dancers had been dismissed, prince jadar rose and proposed a toast to the maharana. the toast was ceremonial, elaborate, and--it seemed--entirely expected by everyone. "to his highness, the maharana of udaipur: whose line flows directly from the great kusa, son of rama, king of ajodhya and the noble hero of the ramayana. descendant of the royal house of the sun, whose subjects will refuse their food if neither he nor his brother the sun are present to show their face upon it and bless it." the maharana's reply was equally effusive, describing jadar as the greatest moghul warrior in all of history, the equal of his mongol forebears genghis khan and tamerlane, a worthy descendant of the early moghul conquerors babur and humayun, and finally, the one moghul whose martial skills might actually approach those of the fighting rajputs of mewar--an oblique reference to the fact that jadar had led the moghul army that subdued mewar a decade earlier and induced its rajputs to finally acknowledge moghul dominance over northwest india. immoderate praise of one another's armies followed next. then the maharana said something else, and jadar turned suddenly toward hawksworth. "ambassador hawksworth. his highness has asked to speak with you." hawksworth rose from the carpet and moved forward. around him the udaipur rajputs studied him with open curiosity. they had listened to lavish toasts for years, but none had ever before seen a _feringhi _in a doublet. the very concept of such a phenomenon exceeded their imagination. "his highness has asked permission to allow his court painters to make your portrait, so that he may remember your likeness. dressed as you are tonight. do you have any objection?" "please tell his highness i would be honored." hawksworth found himself startled, and unsure what reply was appropriate. "please tell him that my own father was once a painter in england." jadar smiled through his teeth. "you mean i should tell him there are of course many skilled artists in your noble land of england. your own father, as we both know, was a great khan in england, not a lowly craftsman." as hawksworth nodded dully, jadar turned and translated this to the maharana. karan singh's eyes brightened as he replied to jadar. "he asks if your king's painters are expert in ragamala?" "i'm not entirely sure what his highness refers to." hawksworth examined jadar with a puzzled expression. jadar translated and the rajput looked surprised. he turned and quickly said something to one of the servants, who vanished and reappeared moments later with a leatherbound folio. the maharana spoke briefly to jadar, then passed the book. "the maharana politely suggests that possibly your english king's painters have not yet achieved the sophistication required for ragamala. he asks me to show you one of his personal albums." jadar opened the book and handed it to hawksworth. it was filled with vibrant miniature paintings, executed on heavy sheets of paper that had been treated with a white pigment of rice water and lavishly embellished with gold leaf. they showed round-eyed young women with firm breasts and slender wrists lounging in beautifully stylized gardens and courtyards, playing gilded instruments or sensuously embracing their lovers, many surrounded by doves, peacocks, tame deer, and tapestry-covered elephants. in some the blue- faced god krishna played an instrument that looked something like a sitar, to the wistful gaze of longing doe-eyed women whose breasts swelled through their gauze wraps. the paintings imparted to hawksworth a curious world of emotional intensity: a celebration of life, love, and devotion. "each ragamala painting depicts the mood of a specific raga." jadar pointed to one of a jeweled woman feeding a peacock which leaned down from a white marble rooftop, while her lover reached his arms to encircle her. "this is a raga named hindol, a morning raga of love. the ragamala paintings of mewar are a perfect blend of music, poetry, and pure art." jadar winked. "after the maharana has painted you in your native costume, perhaps he will have his artists paint you as the young god krishna, enticing some milkmaids to your leafy bed." the maharana spoke again to jadar. "he asks whether these are anything like the paintings your king's artists create for english ragas?" "tell him we don't have ragas in england. our music is different." jadar tried to mask his discomfort. "perhaps i should merely say your english ragas are in a different style from those we have in india. he will not be impressed to learn that english music is not yet advanced enough to have developed the raga." jadar's reply seemed to satisfy the maharana. he turned and said something to one of the men sitting near him. "his highness has ordered that you be given an album of ragamala paintings to take back to your king, so the painters at his court may try to copy them and begin to learn greatness." "his majesty, king james, will be deeply honored by the rana's gift." hawksworth bowed diplomatically, deciding not to inform the maharana that king james had no painters and little taste. the maharana beamed in satisfaction and dismissed hawksworth with a nod. then the exchange of gifts began. jadar produced a gold cloak for the maharana, a jewel-encrusted sword, a jeweled saddle, and promised to deliver an elephant with a silver howdah. the maharana in turn gave jadar an emerald the size of a large walnut, a gilded shield studded with jewels, and a brace of jeweled katars. each thanked the other extravagantly and set the presents aside. then jadar suddenly stood up and began removing his turban. the room fell silent at this unprecedented act. "tonight, in gratitude for his friendship, for his offer of an abode to one who no longer has any roof save a tent, i offer to his highness, the maharana of udaipur, my own turban, that he may have a lasting token of my gratitude. that in the years ahead when, allah willing, these dark days are past, we will neither of us forget my indebtedness on this night." as jadar stepped forward to present the turban, the maharana's eyes flooded with emotion. before jadar had moved more than a pace, karan singh was on his feet, ripping off his own turban. they met in the center of the room, each reverently placing his own turban on the other's head, then embracing. hawksworth looked around the room and saw rajputs who would gut an enemy without a blink now near to tears. he leaned back toward shirin. "what's the significance of the turbans?" "it's the rarest gift any man could present to another. i've never before heard of a moghul or a rajput giving his turban. the story of this will be told throughout mewar. we have just seen the creation of a legend." then the maharana's voice rose. "mewar, the abode of all that is beautiful in the world, is made even more beautiful by your presence. in years past we have stood shield to shield with you; tonight we embrace you in friendship. we wish you victory over those who would deny you your birthright, which you have earned both by blood and by deed. no other in india is more fit to reign, more just to govern, more honorable to his friends, more feared by his foes. tonight we offer you our hand and our prayers that lord krishna will always stand with you." hawksworth turned to shirin and whispered. "what's he saying?" her eyes were dark. "he's delaying his answer to the prince. offering him prayers to lord krishna. prince jadar doesn't need prayers to krishna. he needs rajputs. thousands of rajputs. but perhaps in time the maharana can be convinced. banquets are not the place for negotiation. they're the place for perfumed talk." jadar was smiling as though he had just been offered the whole of rajputana. he managed to thank the maharana lavishly. the maharana beamed and signaled for _pan _leaves again, signifying the evening was ended. the room emptied in moments. "i think jadar could be in serious trouble." hawksworth turned to shirin as they entered the hallway. "if he fails to get support here, what will he do?" "i don't know. i think he may still manage an alliance before he's through. but it will be costly. otherwise he'll probably have to move south and try to convince malik ambar to commit him his maratha army. but rajputs are better." she moved closer. "i'm suddenly so very, very tired of armies and tents and strategies. i don't know where it will end. time is running out. for him and for us." she brushed him lightly with her body. "will you make love to me tonight as though we'd never heard of rajputs and marathas? we'll look at the lake in the moonlight and forget everything, just for tonight." she opened her hand. inside were several small brown balls. "i took some of the maharana's _affion_. tonight we have no battles to fight." * hawksworth sat beside shirin watching the oarsmen strain against the locks, their orange oars flashing against the ornately gilded boat like the immense gills of some ceremonial fish. a turbaned drummer sat at one end, sounding the beat, and the tillerman stood behind him. they were headed for jagmandir island, on the invitation of prince jadar, in a boat provided by maharana karan singh. three weeks of banquets, hunting, and oaths of lasting friendship seemed to have done little to _resolve_ the question of the maharana's support for jadar's rebellion. time, hawksworth told himself, is starting to work heavily against the prince. the imperial army let us escape because they were too shattered to attack again. but we all know they're rebuilding. jadar has to decide soon how much longer he can afford to stay here and listen to vague promises. behind them the high walls and turrets of the maharana's palace towered above the cliff, reflecting gold in the late afternoon sun. as they neared the island, hawksworth turned back to see the thick stone walls of the city following the curve of the surrounding hilltops and finally angling down to a tall watchtower at the very edge of the lake. he realized the lake itself was actually the city's fourth defense barrier. ahead, the white sandstone palace on jagmandir glistened against the water. at the front a large pavilion surrounded by delicate white pillars jutted out into the lake. its entrance was guarded by a row of life-sized stone elephants rising out of the water, their trunks raised above their heads in silent salute. as their boat neared the arched entryway of the pavilion, hawksworth saw a veiled woman surrounded by eunuchs standing on the marble-paved dock to greet them. "it's her highness, princess mumtaz." shirin's voice was suddenly flooded with surprised delight. then she turned to hawksworth with a laugh. "welcome to the _zenana_, ambassador." "what's she doing here?" hawksworth examined the figure, whose jewels glistened in the afternoon sun, then warily studied the eunuchs. "she's come to meet us." shirin's voice was lilting in anticipation. "i think she's bored to frustration trapped on this island prison." as their boat touched the dock, mumtaz moved forward and immediately embraced shirin. her eyes swept hawksworth as he bowed. "your highness." mumtaz giggled behind her veil and turned to shirin, speaking in persian. "do we have to speak barbarous turki because of him?" "just for this afternoon." "i welcome you in the name of his highness." mumtaz's turki was accented but otherwise flawless. "he asked me to meet you and show you the garden and the palace." she began chattering to shirin in a mixture of persian and turki as they walked into the garden. it soon revealed itself to be a matrix of bubbling fountains and geometrical stone walkways, beside which rows of brightly colored flowers bloomed. ahead of them the small three-story palace rose skyward like a long-stemmed lotus, its top a high dome with a sensuous curve. the ground floor was an open arcade, with light interior columns and a row of connecting quarters off each side for women and servants, screened behind marble grillwork. mumtaz directed them on through the garden and into the cool arcade of the palace. at one side, near the back, a stone stairway spiraled upward to the second floor. mumtaz led the way, motioning them to follow. at the second floor they emerged into a small chamber strewn with bolsters and carpets that seemed to be jadar's reception room. mumtaz ignored it as she started up the next circular staircase. the topmost room was tiny, dazzling white, completely unfurnished. the ornate marble cupola of the dome towered some thirty feet above their heads, and around the sides were carved niches decorated with colored stone. light beamed through the room from a wide doorway leading to a balcony, which was also bare save for an ornately carved sitar leaned against its railing. "his highness has taken a particular fondness for this room and refuses to allow anything to be placed in it. he sits here for hours, and on the balcony there, doing i don't know what." mumtaz gestured toward the doorway. "he wanted me to bring you here to wait for him." she sighed. "i agree with him that this room brings a great feeling of peace. but what good is peace that cannot last? i don't know how much longer we can stay here." mumtaz turned and hugged shirin again. "i so miss agra. and the jamuna. sometimes i wonder if we'll ever see it again." shirin stroked mumtaz's dark hair, then said something to her in persian. mumtaz smiled and turned to hawksworth. "do you really love her?" "more than anything." hawksworth was momentarily startled by her directness. "then take her with you. away from here. away from all the killing and death. how much longer can any of us endure it?" her hard eyes blinked away a hint of a tear. "i've lived most of my life with his highness in tents, bearing children. i'm so weary of it all. and now i wonder if we'll ever have a place just for ourselves." she would have continued, but footsteps sounded on the stone stairs, and jadar emerged beaming from the stairwell, his turban set rakishly on the side of his head. he seemed in buoyant spirits. "you're here! let me welcome you and offer you something to banish the afternoon heat." he gave mumtaz a quick hug. hawksworth sensed this was not the official jadar. this was a prince very much at his ease. "i hope shirin will join me in having some _sharbat_. but for you, captain, i've had a surprise prepared. i think you might even like it better than your foul brandy." he spoke quickly to a eunuch waiting at the top of the stairs, then turned back to hawksworth and shirin. "have you found the maharana's palace to your liking?" "his view of the lake and the mountains is the finest in india." shirin performed a _teslim_. "we so thank your highness." mumtaz embraced shirin once more, said something to her in persian, then bowed to jadar and disappeared down the stairwell. he watched her tenderly until she was gone before he turned back to hawksworth and shirin. "come outside with me." he walked past them through the marble doorway. "have you seen the lake yet from the balcony? this one afternoon we will drink together and watch the sunset. before we all leave udaipur i wanted you to see this place. it's become very special for me. when i sit here in the cool afternoon, i seem to forget all the wounds i've ever felt in battle. for a moment nothing else exists." "i think this palace is almost finer than the one rana karan singh has." hawksworth stroked shirin's thigh as they followed jadar onto the cool balcony, impulsively wanting her in his arms. then he cleared his throat. "i don't remember ever seeing anything quite like it in india." "at times you can be a perceptive man, captain. allah may have showed his wisdom when he sent you here." jadar smiled. "you know, i still remember my first word of your arrival, and your now-famous encounter with the portuguese. i think that morning will someday change the history of both our lands--the morning india and england met." he looked pensively down into the garden below. "it all depends on what happens next." "what do you think will happen, highness?" shirin moved next to jadar at the edge of the balcony. he squinted into the waning sun for a moment, then turned his eyes away. "it's difficult to know. probably the imperial army will be sent against me again, any day now." "will the maharana support you with his cavalry?" jadar fell silent, as though choosing his words carefully. then he shrugged away discretion. "i think he might, but i still don't know. i hear that many of the other ranas of rajputana have warned him not to side with me openly. they still remember the devastation inayat latif wrought here fifteen years ago, when he was sent by arangbar to put down their rebellion. rajputs love to battle, but not amid their own cities and fields. and that's easy to understand. rana karan singh is in a difficult position. he knows if i stand here and fight, the battle could well destroy udaipur." "what will you do?" "i'll probably have to move out soon, and move quickly, farther north into the mountains or back south to burhanpur. i can't stand and fight again, not yet. that's one of the reasons i sent for you." he turned to face hawksworth. "i think it's time you left india. no one in agra except nadir sharif knows you're alive. but it's obvious you can't return there, not under the present circumstances. it's probably best that you return to england, at least until my fortunes are _resolve_d. you must not join me in any more battles. it's not your war." hawksworth felt a sudden chill against his skin. "there's no reason for me to leave. and besides, i have no way to return to england now. the company is supposed to send a voyage this autumn, but . . ." "there's always a way to do anything, captain." jadar stopped and laughed. "well, almost anything. here at udaipur you're only a few days' ride south to our port of cambay. like surat, it's still free of portuguese control. i may have very few friends left in agra, but i do have friends in cambay. i can arrange for your passage on an indian trader as far as the moluccas, where you can doubtless hail a dutch fleet. you can leave india secretly and safely. no one in agra need ever know you helped me." "i am not sure i want to leave now." hawksworth slipped his arm around shirin's waist. jadar looked at him and smiled. "but shirin has to leave with you. her life is no safer here now than yours." he fixed them both squarely. "i hereby command her to accompany you. you can both return to india someday . . . if allah is kind and i succeed. and you'll be first among all my ambassadors, captain, i promise you. you'll receive my first _firman _for trade. but if i die in the days to come, your english king will not be accused someday of aiding a renegade. i hereby order you both to leave, tomorrow." "i don't run from a fight. there's some sea dog left in me." "i know you don't, captain, and that's one of the things i like most about you. but i'm sending you away, ordering you to go. i'll always remember it was against your will." jadar looked up to see a eunuch entering with a tray of cups. "now for your drink. i ordered my kitchen to make _panch _for you--i understand the _topiwallahs _in surat think it's called 'punch.'" "punch? what is it?" "an indian delicacy. a special blend of wine, water, sugar, lemons, and spices. five ingredients. actually, _panch _is just the hindi word for five.' try it." hawksworth tasted the perfumed red mixture, slices of lemon rind floating on its surface. it was so delicious he almost drank it off at one gulp. jadar watched him, smiling, then lifted a cup of _sharbat _from the tray and gestured the eunuch toward shirin. "i gather you find it acceptable." "it's perfect to watch a sunset with." "i thought you'd like it. you know, captain, i've rather enjoyed seeing you grow to understand and love india. that's rare among _feringhi_. that's why i absolutely insist your king send you back as his next ambassador." "nothing would please me more." "i think you mean it. and i want you to believe me when i tell you that nothing would please me more. together we'll rid india of the portuguese scourge forever." jadar lifted his cap in a toast and hawksworth joined him. "and here's to ridding india of one portuguese in particular." jadar paused. "who do you mean?" "the viceroy, miguel vaijantes. i don't think i ever told you he murdered my father in goa, many years ago." jadar listened in silence. "i had no idea." then his eyes grew grim. "i know him all too well. you may or may not be aware he was once planning to arm malik ambar against me. unfortunately there's very little i can do about him just now. but i have a long memory too, and someday, allah willing, i'll put an end to his trade. will that be justice enough for us both?" "i'll drink to it." "and i'll drink with you." jadar took a deep swallow of _sharbat_. "to england and india. and now, for the other reason i asked you both here today. to see what you think about something. it's curious, but living here in this little palace, i've found myself growing obsessed by an idea. i'd like to know if you think it's mad." he drank again, then signaled the waiting eunuch to refill their cups. "if i become moghul one day, i've decided to build something very special for mumtaz, a work of beauty unlike anything india has ever seen. staying here on jagmandir island has given me the idea. but first come inside and let me show you something." jadar rose and strolled back through the columned doorway into the domed room. "did you happen to notice this when you came in?" he pointed to one of the two-foot- high niches in the curved walls. hawksworth realized that each niche was decorated around its top and sides with inlays of semi-precious stones set into the marble. each inlay was a painting of a different flower. "do you see what he's done here?" jadar motioned hawksworth and shirin closer. "this is far more than merely a design. it's actually a painting in rare, colored stone--onyx, carnelian, jasper, agate." jadar paused. "think carefully. have either of you ever seen anything like this in agra?" "i've never seen anything like it before, anywhere." "of course you haven't. this is unique. it's truly astonishing. here on jagmandir island, with the design of this room, rana karan singh has actually invented a new style of art. it's phenomenal. now look up." jadar pointed to the cupola ceiling. "notice the sensuous curve of the dome. like a bud just before it bursts into flower. and at the top you see more inlays of precious stone. i think it's the most magnificent thing i've ever seen. its shape and color and purity move me almost to tears." he paused and looked at hawksworth mischievously. "so can you guess what i've decided to do someday?" "build a room like this in agra?" jadar exploded with laughter. "but this room is so small! what sort of gift would that be for mumtaz? no, captain, if i should eventually find myself ruling india, i've decided to build mumtaz an entire palace like this, a mahal, all of white marble and inlay. i'll surround it with a garden larger and more beautiful than anything india has ever seen. it will be a place of love and of mystery, with the strength of a rajput warrior in the harsh sunshine, the warmth of a persian woman in the moonlight. the outside will be covered with verses from the quran carved in marble, and inside the walls will be a garden of jeweled flowers. minarets will rise at each corner, calling all india to prayer, and its dome will be a cupola with the subtle, sensuous curve of a ripening bud. it will be immense, the most magnificent mahal in the world. and it will be my gift to her." he paused, his eyes glowing. "is the idea completely insane?" "it's beautiful." shirin was beaming. "i think it's magnificent." jadar seemed not to need encouragement, as he drank again from his _sharbat_. "so now you know the other reason i invited you here this afternoon. to tell you what you may see when you return to agra. i haven't decided on the exact location yet, but it will be on the bank of the jamuna, placed so mumtaz can watch the sun set over the water, just as we do here. i wanted to tell you both, for i sense you two are among the few who could really appreciate what a bold idea this is." jadar looked sharply at shirin. "now, you must never, never tell mumtaz, whatever else you two persians may chatter on about. for now let's keep it a secret among us. but someday, someday it will tell all the world how much i love her." he sighed. "you know, at times i worry i'm nothing more than a romantic persian myself, deep inside." he looked about the glistening walls once more, then reluctantly turned and walked out onto the balcony again. "the peace i feel here overwhelms me sometimes. it quiets all the unrest in my soul. perhaps i'm a fool to ever think of agra. but agra is my destiny. the hindus would say it's my _dharma_." he stopped to watch as mumtaz and her women emerged from their quarters and gathered around the fountain in the garden below. the evening air was flooded with the women's rose attar and musk perfume. he inhaled deeply, then turned to hawksworth. "by the way, i've had a small farewell gift made for you, captain. it's there beside you." he pointed to the sitar by the railing. "i understand you've started learning to play it." hawksworth turned, startled, and picked up the instrument. its workmanship was fine art, with ivory inlays along both sides of the body and a neck carved as the head of a swan. he found himself stunned. "i've only just begun to learn, highness. this is much finer than i deserve. it's worthy of an ustad." "then perhaps it will inspire you to become a master yourself someday." he laughed. "and now i want to hear how you play it. the hindus believe the sitar is a window to the soul. that the sound of the first note tells everything there is to know about a man. i want to see if you've actually understood anything since you've been here. what raga have you been studying?" "malkauns." "an ambitious choice. i seem to remember that's a devotional raga. for late evening. but the sun's almost down. we'll pretend it's the moon, just rising. let's go inside, where you can sit." hawksworth carried the sitar and followed numbly as jadar led the way back into the tiny marble room. the apprehension he had momentarily felt on the balcony seemed to dissolve among the bouquets of precious stones in the inlaid walls. he slipped off his shoes and seated himself in the middle of the room. then he quickly tested the tuning on the strings, both the upper and the lower. he could already tell the sound it produced was magnificent, with the resonance of an organ. jadar and shirin seated themselves opposite, speaking persian in low voices as they watched him cradle the round body of the sitar in the curved instep of his left foot. then they both fell expectantly silent. he knew what they were waiting to hear. for the raga malkauns, a master would sound the first note powerfully, yet with a sense of great subtlety--slipping his finger quickly down the string and into the note just as it was struck, then instantly pulling the string across the fret, almost in the same motion, again raising the pitch and giving the feeling the note had merely been tasted, dipped down into and out again as it quavered into existence. but it was much more than mere technique. that was the easiest part. it was a sense. a feeling. it came not from the hand, but from the heart. the note must be felt, not merely sounded. when done with lightness, life seemed to be created, a _prahna _in the music that the player and listener shared as one. but if the player's heart was false, regardless of how skilled he might be, then his music was hollow and dead. he breathed deeply, trying to clear his mind, then slipped the wire plectrum over his finger and gently stroked the lower sympathetic strings once, twice, to establish the mood. the cool air was crisp and flower-scented, and the sound rose gently upward toward the marble cupola above them. as he listened he found himself looking at shirin and jadar, their dark eyes, delicate faces. then his eyes moved beyond them, to the garden of inlaid stones in the marble walls. and for a moment he felt something he had never felt before. this was the india he had, until that moment, only been in. but here, now, he was finally part of it. he took another deep breath and struck. the first note was perfect, encompassing. he felt it. he knew it. he sensed his hand merge with the music, the music with his own life. shirin's eyes seemed to melt, and jadar immediately swung his head from side to side in approval. then he began to alap, the virtuoso first section of the raga, meant to be played solo and without drum accompaniment. he felt the music slowly growing around him as he found and explored note after note of the raga's structure. he found himself wanting to taste and feel each note to its essence, reluctant to move on to the next. but each time he was beckoned forward, until at last nothing but the music mattered. he played on and on, the intensity of the alap growing organically, almost of its own self, until it burst to completion, like a flower that had gloriously escaped the entrapment of its bud. when the final note died into silence, shirin slowly rose and slipped her arms around his neck. jadar sat motionless for a moment longer, then reached out and put his hand on the strings of the sitar. "you have earned it, captain. i've heard what i'd hoped to hear. your music tells me all i want to know about you." he rose and led them back out onto the balcony. "i know now you can understand why i also want to create something of beauty someday. a mahal that will last as long as this music. if we cannot taste love and beauty, our hearts are dead." he smiled at hawksworth. "there is love in your music, captain. your heart is as it should be. and in the end, nothing else really matters. nothing else." he turned and stared pensively into the twilight. "my mahal will have it too. because it is in my own heart." jadar stopped abruptly and gazed toward the darkening shore. through the dimming light a boat could be seen approaching, rowed furiously by lines of red-cloaked oarsmen. sitting in the center on a gilded platform was maharana karan singh, wearing full battle dress. his powerful bow hung loosely from his leather quiver and his rhino-hide shield rested at his side. jadar studied the boat for a moment and concern gathered in his eyes. "he would never come here unannounced. merciful allah, has the imperial army moved against us already? how can it be so soon? my preparations have scarcely begun." jadar watched as the maharana leaped from the boat almost before it touched the marble dock. the women around mumtaz fled the courtyard, and now the eunuchs pressed forward to bow and welcome him. he brushed them aside as he moved quickly through the garden and into the lower arcade of the palace. jadar stood listening expectantly to the quick pad of his footsteps on the stone stairs, then walked inside to greet him. "nimaste, my friend. you've already missed the best part of the sunset, but i'll have more _sharbat _sent." the maharana glanced in surprise at hawksworth and shirin for a second, then turned and bowed quickly to jadar. "the news is very bad, highness." "then we'll sweeten it with _sharbat_." "there is no time, highness." "there's always time for _sharbat_. this has been a special afternoon for me." "highness, i came to tell you arangbar is dead. the moghul of india joined the immortals two days ago." jadar examined him a moment almost as though not comprehending. then he turned and stared out through the balcony doorway, past hawksworth and shirin. "i would not have wished it. i sincerely would not have wished it." he turned back to karan singh. "how did he die? did janahara murder my father, as she's killed so many others?" "no, highness. it almost seems as though he deemed it his time to die. two weeks ago he was hunting and saw a beater stumble and fall over a ledge, killing himself. his majesty grew despondent, saying he had caused the man's death. next he began to declare it an omen of his own death. he refused food and drink. finally even the physicians despaired. he died in his bed. word was given out that he was still hunting, so the news was carefully kept from all of agra until the very end." "how did you learn?" "nadir sharif sent runners. he dared not send a pigeon." jadar walked out onto the balcony and peered down into the darkened garden. after a long moment he spoke. "allah. then it's finished." he turned back to the rajput. "has janahara declared allaudin moghul yet?" "she has announced she will do so, highness." karan singh moved out onto the balcony next to jadar, hesitant to interrupt his thoughts. the cries of water birds flooded the evening air around them. jadar studied the garden again, as though lost in some distant reverie. when he spoke his voice seemed to emanate from a bottomless void. "allaudin will be in the red fort. it can never be taken, not even with a hundred thousand rajputs. he will never come to face me. he will never need to." he turned slowly to karan singh. "i've lost it all, my friend. and i've brought ignominy to your lands by my presence as your guest. for that i am truly sorry." karan singh stared at jadar. "but highness, allaudin may not yet be in agra. you know he wanted queen janahara to appoint him to command the army sent against you. naturally she refused and instead convinced arangbar to appoint him commander of the forces to be sent against the persian safavis threatening the northwest fortress of qandahar. it was obvious to everyone except allaudin that she meant it to be merely a ceremonial appointment, an excuse to elevate his _mansab _rank to equal yours. she had carefully arranged to have him detained in agra. but he decided on his own that he would actually go north, to prove himself a commander. just before the hunting accident, he persuaded arangbar to allow him to march. arangbar was apparently drunk on wine and approved the order before janahara discovered it. allaudin departed agra a week ago with twenty thousand men and a huge train of courtiers. because of their numbers, it's thought he has traveled very slowly. but nadir sharif said as of the day before yesterday he still had not returned to agra. no one knows for sure how near he may actually be." "and where are inayat latif and the imperial army?" jadar's voice quickened. "of that we're not yet certain, highness. they may be in agra by now, holding the red fort for allaudin, but we have no way to know." jadar turned and seized his arm. "then i will ride. tonight. have you told my men?" "two thousand of my men are now in their saddles waiting, highness. by sunup another twenty thousand will be ready to ride." jadar stared at him for a moment, then reached out and touched the turban the rajput was wearing. hawksworth realized it was jadar's gift. "then give me three of your best horses. tonight. i will rotate as i ride." jadar turned and ordered a waiting eunuch to bring his riding cloak, his sword, and his katar. "i will be riding with you too, highness." karan singh stepped forward. this time jadar embraced karan singh for a long moment. then he pulled back. "no. i will not allow it. if i am too late--and the odds are strong against me--no one who rides with me will leave agra alive. no, my friend, this i forbid." jadar silenced karan singh's gesture of protest. "your offer is enough. i want my good friends alive." jadar started for the stairs, then paused and turned back to look one last time at hawksworth and shirin. "so our farewell was more timely than we knew. i regret we did not have longer." he paused to take his riding cloak from the eunuch. then he reached for hawksworth's hand. "remember me, my friend. and remember the mahal. i've told no one else. if i'm still alive when you come again to agra, i'll take you there. if i'm dead, remember what i dreamed." he turned and disappeared down the stairwell. a tear stained shirin's cheek as she watched him move across the courtyard below. when he reached mumtaz, anxiously waiting by the dock, he paused and said something to her, then embraced her closely. as he pulled away, she reached out to stop him. but he was already joining the maharana in the boat. in moments they were swallowed in the dusk. "none of us will ever see him again. you know it's true." shirin's voice was strangely quiet. "what does it matter where allaudin is? prince jadar can never challenge the troops janahara will have holding the red fort. not with two thousand rajputs, not with two hundred thousand rajputs. it's impregnable. he'll never see the inside of the red fort again." she moved next to him and rested her head against his chest. "will you help me remember him from tonight. and the mahal he will never live to build?" "i'll remember it all." he encircled her in his arms, wanting her warmth, and together they watched the last shafts of sun die in the dark waters below. * * * london sir randolph spencer studied the leatherbound packet for a long moment, turning it apprehensively in his hand. then he meticulously untied the wrapping and smoothed the weathered parchment against the top of his desk. around the timbered room the company's secretaries waited nervously, in prim wigs and doublets, watching as he quickly scanned the contents. then he looked up, beamed, and with a loud voice began to read. java, port of bantam the rd of may, george elkington, chief merchant, to the right honorable sir randolph spencer, director of the worshipful company of the east india merchants in london honorable sir, my duty premised, etc. and expecting your worship's favorable perusing of this letter. may it please god, the _discovery_ will be fully laded within the month and ready to sail. in the meanwhile i forward this letter by capt. otterinck of the spiegel, bound this day for amsterdam, to advise you of certain new conditions affecting the company's trade. i have inform'd you by earlier letter of our entertainment provided the portugals in the surat bay, with the two of their vessels set to fire, by which they were all consumed and between four and five hundred men slain, burnt, and drowned, and of ours (god be praised) only two and some few hurt, with all commodity safe. i have reported also the loss of the _resolve_ at surat by lamentable circumstance. yet i maintain great hope that we are like to discover profitable trade with the country of india. i write now to advise you the hollanders have late brought news of a new king of that country. reports have reached the moluccas that the moghul arangbar died suddenly some two months past, to be succeeded by one of his sons, whose pleasure toward england is uncertain. the full events are not clearly known here, but this will doubtless require our new petition for license to trade. as is oft the way in heathen lands, the story of the son's succession is a marvelous convoluted tale. there were said to be two sons in contention, belike both knaves, and the hollanders have deduced that the late arangbar's queen, named janahara, favor'd one son over the other, for reasons known best to her self, and intrigued in his succession. they have concluded thus because the new moghul is said to have promptly rewarded her with a large secluded estate of her own outside of agra, with his personal guards to protect her, something the dutchmen claim has never before been done for a moorish queen in india. the hollanders further deduce that this queen effected the favored son's succession through her prime minister, a subtle rogue called sharif, who, when the moghul arangbar died, secretly arranged the assassination of the other son before he could reach agra and make his own claim for the throne. this said sharif was again appointed prime minister by the new moghul, doubtless a reward for his cunning service. so it is his majesty king james may now desire to dispatch another ambassador to agra, to petition this new moghul to grant english trade. if a petition is to be sent, know that before taking the throne this son was called by the name prince jadar, though doubtless he is now to be addressed formally as the moghul. i have as yet been unable to discover whether the mission of capt. hawksworth to agra, authorized by your worship in your wisdom, met success. (though his mission will no longer assist the company in any instance, since he would not be known to this new moghul, jadar.) however, the hollanders have advised that an english seaman named hawksworth was taken from an indian vessel off malabar one month past, in company with a moorish woman, by a frigate of theirs that later was caught by a storm off the same malabar coast. her mainmast split in that storm, and the vessel was lost sight of soon after, leaving the hollanders to lament it may have sunk or gone aground on the coast, together with over five hundred ton of their malabar pepper. if this was our former captain-general, he is either gone to god or is now again in india (if the vessel haply made landfall and saved the hollanders' pepper). in closing (for the dutchmen advise they are preparing to hoist sail), i am content to report that indian commodity is readily vendable at the port of bantam, particularly fine calicoes and indigo, and i adjudge the company would be well advis'd to dispatch a new voyage to surat upon receipt of this letter. the monopoly of the portugals holds no more, esp. after their humiliation in the late engagement off surat. on condition the company post a gentleman of quality to agra (one less susceptable to moorish ways than capt. hawksworth, and therefore, in my judgement, like to be better respected by the new moghul) our subscribers stand to enjoy great profit in the company's indies trade. so desiring god to add a blessing to all endeavours tending to this business of ours and of all that may succeed us to god's glory and the company's benefit. your worship's faithful servant, geo. elkington * * * afterword for those curious how much of the foregoing tale is "true," perhaps it may be helpful to unmask the original inspiration for several of the characters. the great moghul akman, his son arangbar, and arangbar's primary consort, queen janahara, had real-life counterparts in the great moghul akbar, his successor jahangir, and jahangir's resourceful persian queen, nur jahan. nadir sharif, for all his duplicity, had nothing on jahangir's devious prime minister, asaf khan, the brother of queen nur jahan. similarly, prince jadar was no more ingenious, and no less wronged, than asaf khan's son-in-law, the subsequent moghul and builder of the taj mahal, shah jahan. prince jadar's strategies and intrigues, first with and then against queen janahara, resemble in many ways those of shah jahan as he struggled to thwart the ambitions of nur jahan. the shahbandar and the opium-sotted governor of surat also had counterparts in real individuals, as did jadar's beloved mumtaz, his younger brother prince allaudin, princess layla, malik ambar, and inayat latif. the sufi mystic samad was re-created from the real-life poet sarmad, who was admired by shah jahan and who was executed by a later moghul for precisely the reasons given in the story. of the portuguese, father alvarez sarmento was drawn in some part from the learned father jerome xavier. it should be noted that the unofficial actions of the early jesuits in india are remembered today primarily through the perceptions of english travelers, all of whom were all staunchly anti-catholic. the role of portuguese jesuits in the preceding story was faithful in spirit to the english reports, although today these may seem mildly paranoid in their fear and suspicion. of the english characters, only huyghen and roger symmes are beholden to single, recognizable individuals: being jan van linschoten and ralph fitch, respectively. brian hawksworth is largely a fictional composite, whose experiences recall in part those of william hawkins (in india from to ) and in part those of other seventeenth-century european adventurers. his defeat of the four portuguese galleons was only a slight dramatization of historic victories by severely outnumbered english frigates off surat in and commanded by english captains thomas best and nicholas downton, both sailing for the early east india company. hawksworth's mercurial relationship with the moghul and his experiences at the moghul's court were re-created in part from the letters and diaries of william hawkins and those of his successor, sir thomas roe. as did brian hawksworth, william hawkins adopted the indian style of life in dress and diet, much to the astonishment of his european contemporaries. brian hawksworth's love affair with shirin was suggested by william hawkins' marriage to an indian women of noble descent, possibly a member of the moghul's court, on the encouragement of jahangir, who suspected the jesuits of attempting to poison him and wanted his food monitored. hawkins' wife later journeyed to london, where she caused the east india company considerable disruption over their responsibilities toward her, and eventually she returned to india. although most of the early englishmen in india resembled our george elkington far more than they did brian hawksworth, there was one early traveler, thomas coryat, whose cultural and human sensibilities would not have clashed greatly with those of brian hawksworth at the end of his story. the sudden appearance of the bubonic plague in india was taken from the court history of the moghul jahangir. similarly, the capture of the moghul's trading vessel by the portuguese, intended to intimidate him and forestall an english trade agreement, and his retaliatory closure of jesuit missions happened essentially as described. the jesuits were allowed to reopen their missions a few years later, but the damage was done. there seems evidence that the portuguese did conspire to assist the forces opposing the succession of shah jahan, whom they justifiably feared. the rebellion of shah jahan extended over several years, and did include at one point a stay on the udaipur island of jagmandir, where some historians now believe he first saw inlay work of the type that later became a distinguishing feature of his crowning creation, the taj mahal. for those who may wish to gain more familiarity with moghul india, various sources can be recommended. lively historical works on the moghul period include waldemar hansen's classic panorama the peacock throne and the even more recent cities of mughul india by gavin hambly, to mention two of my favorites. for those still more curious, and adventurous, there are the original writings from the seventeenth century, which will require more digging but are decidedly worth the effort. readers with access to a major library may be able to find reprinted editions of the diaries of several seventeenth-century english and european travelers in india. these are the works, with their trenchant firsthand accounts, that all students of the era find indispensable. perhaps the most easily obtainable is a collection entitled early travels in india, william foster, ed., which contains edited versions of the diaries of william hawkins and several others. following this, the most thorough account of england's early diplomacy in india is contained in the diary entitled the embassy of sir thomas roe ( - ), written by england's first real ambassador to india. many subsequent diaries and letters of seventeenth-century european travelers have been reprinted by the hakluyt society, whose publications comprise a virtual bibliography of the era. the most relevant indian writings, also obtainable in english translation from a fine library, are the memoirs of the great moghul jahangir, entitled the tuzuk-i-jahangiri, and an encyclopedic description of court life in late sixteenth-century india entitled the ain-i-akbari, set down by akbar's chief adviser and close friend, abul fazl. in fashioning a story such as this, a writer must necessarily be indebted far beyond his ability to acknowledge adequately. the scholar who provided the greatest assistance was professor john richards of the duke university department of history, a widely respected authority on moghul (he might prefer it be spelled mughal) india, who graciously consented to review the manuscript in draft and offered many corrections of fact and interpretation. he is, of course, in no way accountable for any liberties that may have remained. thanks are similarly due professor gerald berreman of the university of california at berkeley, a knowledgeable authority on indian caste practices, who agreed to review the relevant portions of the manuscript. i am also indebted to waldemar hansen, who generously provided me with the voluminous notes accumulated for his own history, the peacock throne. historians in india who gave warmly of their time and advice include dr. romila thapar, professor p. m. joshi, and father john correia- alfonso, the preeminent jesuit authority on the early moghul era and a scholar whose characteristic integrity and generosity roundly revise the period depiction of his order in the story. thanks also are due mrs. devila mitra, director-general of the archaeological survey of india, for special permission to study the now-restricted _zenana _quarters beneath the red fort in agra; to nawab mir sultan alam khan of surat, for assistance in locating obscure historical sites in that city; to indrani rehman, the grande dame of indian classical dance, for information on the now-abolished _devadasi _caste; to ustad vilayat khan, one of indian's great sitar masters, for discussions concerning his art; and to my many indian friends in new york, new delhi, and bombay. i am also obliged to miss betty tyres of the indian department of the victoria and albert museum in london, who kindly provided access to the museum's extensive archives of indian miniature paintings, and to the national maritime museum in greenwich for information on early english sailing vessels. finally, i am most indebted to a number of tireless readers who reviewed the manuscript in its various drafts and supplied many insightful suggestions: including my editor, lisa drew, my agent, virginia barber, and my patient friends joyce hawley, susan fainstein, norman fainstein, ronald miller, and gary prideaux. most of all i thank julie hoover, for many years of assistance, encouragement, and enthusiasm. glossary affion--opium aga--concentrated rose oil akas-diya--central camp light alap--opening section of a raga ankus--hook used for guiding an elephant arak--indian liquor areca--betel nut used in making pan art ha--practical, worldly "duty" in hinduism asvina--lunar month of september-october azan--muslim call to prayer bhang--drink made from hemp (marijuana) biryani--rice cooked with meat and spices bols--specific hand strokes on the indian drum cartaz--portuguese trading license charts--cattle sheds chapattis--unleavened fried wheat cakes chapp--seal or stamp charkhi--fireworks used to discipline elephants in combat chaturanga-- chess chaudol--traveling conveyance similar to palanquin chaugan--indian "polo" chauki--weekly guard duty at the red fort chaupar--indian dice game chelas--mercenary troops beholden to single commander chillum--clay tobacco bowl on a hookah chitah--indian leopard dai--midwife nurse dal--lentils darshan--ceremonial dawn appearance of moghul devadasi--temple dancer, a special caste dey--turkish ruler dharma--purpose or duty in life of hindus dhoti--loincloth diwali--indian new year diwan-i-am--hall of public audience diwan-i-khas--hall of private audience durbar--public audience feringhi--foreigner fil-kash--elephant-drawn cannon firman--royal decree frigalla--portuguese frigate gau-kash--ox-drawn cannon ghee--clarified butter ghola--blend of opium and spice gopi--milkmaid gulal bar--royal compound in camp gur--unrefined cane sugar guru--teacher gurz--three-headed club hal--goalposts for chaugan harkara--confidential court reporters hookah--water pipe for smoking tobacco howdah--seat carried on back of elephant jagir--taxable lands granted to a nobleman kama--love, sensual pleasure karwa--indian seaman katar--knife designed for thrusting khabardar--"take heed" khaftan--quilted vest worn under armor kos--approximately two miles kamar-band--ceremonial waist sash lakh--a hundred thousand lapsi--preparation of gur, ghee, and wheat lila--play or sport lor langar--chain attached to elephant's leg lungi--long waist wrap worn by men mahal--palace mahout--elephant driver maidan--public square mansab--rank given a nobleman mansabdar--nobleman granted estates to tax mardum-kash--small cannon masala--blend of spices, "curry powder" mihaffa--wooden turret suspended between two animals mina bazaar--mock bazaar held on persian new year mirdanga--south indian drum mohur--gold coin mudra--hand signs in the indian classical dance musallim--navigator on indian ship mutasaddi--chief port official nakuda--owner-captain of indian trading vessel naqqara-khana--entry to royal compound nashudani--"good-for-nothing" nautch--suggestive dance nezah--lance nilgai--indian deer nim--plant whose root is used for cleaning teeth nimaste--hindi greeting, "hello" pahar--three hours pakhar--steel plate elephant armor palas--wood used for chaugan stick pan--betel leaf rolled around betel nut and spices and chewed panch--wine punch pandit--hindu scholar pice--indian "penny" postibangh--mixture of opium and hemp extract prahna--spirit, life force puranas--hindu scriptures qamargha--hunt using beaters to assemble game qarawals--beaters for hunt qazi--judge qur--hunting enclosure containing game rasa--aesthetic mood rasida--"arrived"; a piece that reaches center in chaupar board game sachaq--marriage present sandali--type of eunuch sarachah-- royal platform sarangi--indian musical instrument, resembling violin sari--woman's wrap sati--immolation of hindu wife with body of her husband sehra-- bridegroom's crown sharbat--lemon and sugar drink shikar--the hunt sitkrita--intake of breath signifying female orgasm strappado--portuguese torture device sum--climax of rhythmic cycle in indian music sutra--hindu scripture suwar--"horse rank" granted noblemen swanih-nigar--special spy tari--species of palm tavaif-- muslim courtesan teslim--prostrate bow to moghul tithi--day in the lunar calendar todah--mound of earth for bow and arrow target practice topiwallah--"man who wears a hat," i.e., a foreigner tundhi--drink made from seeds and juices vama--aryan scriptures wakianavis--public court reporters wallah--man wazir--counselor yogi-- hindu contemplative zat--personal rank given a nobleman zenana--harem zihgir--thumb ring for shooting bow books by thomas hoover nonfiction zen culture the zen experience fiction the moghul caribbee wall street samurai (the samurai strategy) project daedalus project cyclops life blood syndrome all free as e-books at www.thomashoover.info works issued by the hakluyt society. ------ diary of richard cocks. first series. no. lxvii-mdcccxxxiii diary of richard cocks cape-merchant in the english factory in japan - _with correspondence_ edited by edward maunde thompson vol. ii burt franklin, publisher new york, new york published by burt franklin west th street new york , n. y. originally published by the hakluyt society reprinted by permission printed in the u.s.a. diary of richard cocks. . _january ._--i delivered these bills to mr. osterwick this day, viz.:-- bill kyng firandos, figen a came, for _tais_. bill unagenses, for / barill gunpolder : : bill unagenses, for pec. dutts r. _corg._ sould for _tay_ pec., is : : bill kitskin donos, for money lent hym : : bill of guarian ushenusque dono, mony lent : : bill of guenchque or tonomon same, kinges brother : : bill ditto tonomon same, for pec. red zelas : : and i gave hym my writing for my boy tushma, called bicho, bought of jno. japon. we had much adoe with the mareners of our junk about carrying passingers along with them, and som of the officers of junk came ashore, but i sent them back per kinges order. and about midnight i went abord the junck to cochy my selfe, and carid loves bread, a veneson pastie, a peece rosting beefe, and a bottell spanish wyne; and in the way met an offecer of the junk, called tiquan, and caryed hym back againe. mr. eaton had much ado abord, before i came, and turned passingers ashore whom he fownd hid in mareners cabbins. capt. adames rec. _tais_ plate bars in parte of payment for his junk. and i had these newyears giftes following geven me:-- a barill _morofack_ from capt. adames. a _maky_ contor from mr. ric. wickham. a compas for variation from mr. wedmore. a band and a nightcap from jno. cook. a peece black taffety from capt. china. and i gave these newyears giftes following, viz.:-- to capt. adames a nest of _maky_ beakers. to mr. wickham a _wakadash_ and knife geven me per safian dono or chubio dono. to mr. wedmor _maky_ beakers. to jno. cook a pere silk stockinges, ash culler. _january ._--oure junk _sea adventure_ put to sea this mornyng betyme from cochy. i rec. the writing of my boy lawrance from mr. eaton. he cost me _tais_ japon plate. i delivered one hundred _tais_ plate bars to mr. nealson, proceed of thinges of his sould per ric. king at miaco. and ther was a bar plate, containing _ta._ _m._ _co._, geven to the botswains wife of our junk which is gon to syam, per a generall consent, she coming to se her husband. _january ._--the ould man of langasaque being desirous to retorne, although he were sick, mr. osterwick paid hym - / _tais_ plate for his payns coming from langasaque, buying and setteing the trees. and we rec. of the _tono_ of firando one thousand _taies_ plate bars in parte payment of his bill of _tais_, and _tais_ more was paid before in rise and money and tymber. so now restes _tais_ to be paid upon that bill. this _tais_ mr. osterwick receved, and paid it instantly to andrea dittis, china capt., yt being lent to hym and his brother whaw gratis for a yeare, without intrest, to be emploid about procuring trade into china. groby dono ment to play the villen, and thought to have brought me in danger for sale of _pico_ silk unto hym, having made a falce writing, as capt. adames, mr. wickham, our _jurebasso_, and others can witnesse; and procured takamon dono (our enymie) to bring the matter in question, he being cheefe justice in the kingdom of firando. and so he sent men unto me in the name of groby dono to demand performance of sale of _picull_ of silk. but i took such a course that my bad writing proved good, and served hym as he served me, yet nothing but the truth. the king of firando sent unto me to make an end of the processe i have with cazanseque, scrivano of giquans junk, which mr. sayer cam in from syam. _january ._--i began a plito (or processe) this day against cazanseque, the scrivano of giquans junk, and goresano, our quandom _jurebasso_, the coppie wherof, in japons, i keepe in my hand, and sent the princepall to king of firando per mr. sayer and jno. _jurebasso_. we cleared yisterday with king firando for his bill of _tais_, wherof he paid _tais_ in money, in tymber and rise, and this day gave me a bill for the other _tais_ to be paid within monthes. _january ._--i wrot a letter to capt. whaw to langasaque how i had paid the _taies_ to his brother, andrea dittis, tuching our busynes (or entrance) into china, and that my selfe and what else was in my power, was at his comand. also that i hoped our shipp would be ready to departe towardes bantam within few dayes, and was ready to serve hym in what i could, and ment to com to vizet hym at langasaque within few daies, being very sory for the death of his yong sonne, etc. _january ._--semi dono made a new junk, and the mareners danced about towne with whores in their company at semi donos apointment, i not having seene the lyke till now. _january ._--capt. adames being at supper at our howse, and going hom, met toncha samas wife going hom, and on of her slaves strock the lanterne out of capt. adames mans hand. _january ._--i went and advised oyen dono how capt. adams was abuced yisternight, i being an eye wittnes. he tould me i was best to enforme torasemon dono of the matter, and semi dono, yf i thought best, whoe would take order the fello should be punished. niquan came from langasaque to accord with capt. adames to goe pilot for cochinchina. _january ._--i wrot a letter to capt. adames expreesse, at request of china capt., to will hym to goe with the chinas rather then the japons, in respect the honorable comp. adventure with ed. sayer goeth in her, and they offer to geve hym more then any other. the hollandes shipp, called the _galleas_, put to sea from cochy daies past, hearing that the amacau shipp was falne downe and thought to seale away before they were aware. _january ._--we had news this day that the amacou shipp put to sea daies past and of purpose to fight with the holland _gallias_, but i am of opinion, yf they meete, that the amacau ship will goe for bantam or molucos. _january ._--news came from langasaque that the amacau ship put back to langasaque per meanes of contrary wyndes, but sowne after put out to sea againe. _january ._--i rec. a letter from capt. adames, dated in langasaque daies past, in answer of myne sent hym per expres the th currant, and that he meaneth to retorne to firando within or daies, and end with the chinas. the fownders, or mynt men, came againe to melt plate this day. this day newes came that the amacau ship is retorned to facunda, leagues from langasaque, and have sent a pinisse (or barke) to goto, to look out for hollandes shipp, being afeard to put to sea, yf she be out. _january ._--we had much adowe in fending and provinge betwixt the chirurgion of th' _adviz_ and ric. wedmor, the master his mate, the chirurgion saying that wedmor had broken open his chist and taken out bottell of oyle or medsonable stuffe; but the other denid it. yet there was witnes he took them out, but put them in againe. the truth is, the chirurgion is a fowle mouthed fello and on that is two much geven to drinking; and, on the other syid, wedmor is a pivish overwyneing fello. going about to melt plate in _somo_, we found it would stand us in about per cento losse in japon plate bars. so we gave it over, and melted but _tais_ in _fibuk_ or first melting, to send to bantam for a triall. in which plate we lost - / in som, - / in other, and in som more. _january ._--the hollanders broght the junk ashore which they took from the chinas and will trym her on a sudden (as they say) to send for cochinchina. capt. adames retorned from langasaque, haveing byn daies on the way per meanes fowle wether and contrary windes. he sayeth the pilot of the amacou shipp tould hym they had sight of the hollandes shipp, which made them to retorne back into langasaque roade for feare she would have set upon her. the china capt. desyrd to have our _fro_ heated for hym and other chinas; which was donne. _january ._--taffy dono sent us pine trees to set at our dore on the new years day of japon, being _shonguach_, which begyneth on sattarday next, being the th currant. _january ._--mr. nealson in his fustion fumes did beate co jno., our _jurebasso_, about the head with his shewes in the streete, because he came not to hym at his first calle, and yet had a _jurebasso_ of his owne as good a linguist as he. this man still seeketh quarrells against all men, which is no small trowble and greefe unto me, i having much adoe to please all and yet cannot. i gave a bar plate containing _ta._ _m._ _co._ to the _maky_ man in respect he gave me a banketing box. we gave taffi dono a present of - / _tatt._ black bayes and _tatta_ fustion, and the oyleman - / _tatt._ blak bayes: they being our money changers. _january _ (_shonguach _).--i sent the china capt. a present of a _keremon_, a bottell spanish wyne, and a banketing box portingall fartes[ ], diet bread, and other sweet meates; and to niquan the china, his kynsman, a _keremon_; and to matingas father a _kerremon_; and to the women boxes of portingall fartes, etc.; and to china capt. doughter a _keremon_, she coming to vizet me and brought a peece damaske. and many chinas came to vizet me in a troope together, wishing me a good new yeare. and tonomon sama, the kinges brother, passing by, sent his man in his behalfe to wish me a good new yeare, exskewsing his not entring, he being going to his mother. [ ] _farte_, a tart. _january ._--ther was presentes sent as followeth, viz.:--to the king or _tono_ _barsos_ wyne and fyshes; to tonomon sama, his brother, the lyke; to bongo sama, his uncle, the lyke; to sangero sama barilles wyne and fysh; to semy dono, the lyke; to oyen dono, the lyke; to taccamon dono, the lyke; to sugeon dono, the lyke; to his father, the lyke; to torazemon dono, the lyke. and i went and viseted capt. adames and his host and carid hym and thother a bottell spanish wine and a banketing box sweet meates, with little bottells _morofack_. _january ._--we gave the mint man a _tattamy_ and a halfe of bayes for a present, and paid him for melting plate, viz.: for _fibuk_, or once melted, _mas_ per c. _tais_; for bars twise melted, one per cento; they to find coles and we lead; as the hollanders did the like; and yf we melt plate _somo_, to pay - / per cento. the oyle man, our money changer, brought a present of bundelles money paper and a baskit of mustard seed. and the founders brought a bundell japon writing paper containing quire. we sent a present of _barsos_ wyne and fyshes to unagense dono, and sugien donos father came to english howse and brought a present of _muchos_, wyne, and fysh to me, and the like to mr. wickham. _january ._--oyen dono came to vizet me and brought me fans for a present, wishing us a good new yeare. and after dyner torazemon dono sent me word that capt. speck ment to vizet the kyng to wish hym a good new yeare, and gave me councell to doe the lyke, this day being held a happie day, and taken in kynd parte by them which were vizeted. so i went and carid a jar of conservs, not to goe emptie handed. and sowne after came capt. speck with a cheane of gould about his neck, being accompanid with capt. barkhout, mr. albartus, and leonard. and i had mr. nealson and mr. osterwick with me. and i think there were above japons at same tyme to vizet the king. i thought at first they would have called in capt. speck before me, which yf they had, i would have retorned home without seeing the king. but in the end i was called in and my present of _barsos_ wyne, fyshes, and jar conservs present, for which the king gave me thankes with many complementall wordes that he held my visetation that day in much esteem, and so drank to me and to the rest. and, at our going out, capt. speck entred, his present being a barrill wyne and fysh, with a long table or present bord, filled with trenchars, _gocos_, and tobacco boxes, china _maky_ ware. the china capt. sent to borrow a jar conserves of me, which i sent unto hym; and his littell doughter came and brought me a present of _maky_ standing cups and covers, her father being present. the kinges brother, bongo same, semi dono, and torazemon dono thanked me for the presentes sent them; but unagense saw me, not speaking to me. also yasimon dono and the smith came to vizet me, and brought each on a bundell paper and a fan; as divers neighbors brought fans, _nifon cantange_. _january ._--we sent presentes this day:--to gonoske dono, _barsos_ wyne and fysh; and to nobeske dono the like. the scholmaster brought a basket oranges for present. news came from langasaque how the amacau shipp riding at an ancor at faconde, a league from thence, som caffros or slaves of the spaniardes or portugezes went ashore in the night and stole a cow, having kilde her; but before they could get her into their boate, the owner pursued them with other cuntrey people and laid hould on them. but the spaniardes or portingalles came to sucker them, and soe they fell from wordes to blowes, the portingall etc. killing or japons. whereupon the king of umbra sent downe soldiers to take the offenders and would have forced the shipp, except they had deliverd the princepall offenders into his handes, which he caused to be cut in peeces, so many of them as they had kild of japons. _january ._--i wrot a letter to capt. whaw per niquan, and sent him _tais_ plate bars to melt into plate _somo_ per emperours rendadors. unagense dono sent me a present of littell _barsos_ wyne, fyshes, a phasant cock, japon cakes or _muchos_, and certen rootes. and chinas brought a present of sweetmeates, called by the japons _ye by god_, made of barley flower, suger, and other matters. _january ._--the herb woman brought a small _barso_ wyne and string cuttelfish for a present. _january ._--i rec. a letter from jor. durois, dated in langasaque, th february, new stile, wherin he advised me that a laskero, or more, which was a slave in the amacan shipp, had stolne a beefe ashore at faconda, the which coming to the capt. eares, and that there was a man slaine about it, he caused the lascaro to be carid ashore, and hanged. this he sayeth was the brute which hapened at facondo, of which i took notis before. i made up the _maky_ ware for my lady smith this day, for her contor rec. in the _adviz_, rated at mark str., is : : : and packed it up in parcelles in chistes, viz.: _ta._ _m._ _co._ no. , containing nestes trunkes, cost no. , containing case bottelles, cost no. , containing scritorios, cost no. , greate scritorio, cost no. , divers matters, viz.:-- _ta._ _m._ _co._ scritorio, cost basons and spout pots, greate ditto lesser sort, cost standing cups, cost tankardes, cost beakers, cost for chistes silk watta, cotton woll, ropes and mattes to pack them in --------------- som totall cost which i sent in the _adviz_ for bantam, consigned to capt. george bale, to send it for england per first conveance. mr. david watkins, sir tho. smiths man, wrot letters in my lady smiths name, to have the contor, or scritorio, sould, and retorne made in such matters as the company did not deale in; and mr. bale advised it to be in _maky_ ware. _january ._--the chinas at night came to our english howse, and made fyreworkes. _january ._--i gave andrea dittis, china capt., letters testimoniall or of favor, directed to all english ships at sea or others, frendes to his matie of england, on for a junk bound to tonkyn at cochinchina, and the other for junkes bound island formosa, called taccasanga or piscadores. skiamon dono brought a present of a bundell paper and a fan. _january ._--skidayen dono set the mastes of his junk this day, and made a feast, _nifon catange_; and i sent hym a banketing box, sweetmeates, and bottelles _singe_. groby dono came, accompanid with yasimon dono, capt. adames host, and an other merchant of sackay, to make frenship with me before he went back; and offred to deliver me back my bill of sale of silk to croby dono, and to rec. in his delivered to me with the _tais_ i had in hand, and with all desird a letter to croby dono of what past for his owne discharge. i demanded (or desird) of hym to let me have the _taies_ which i had in my handes, and to receave the like som of tozemon dono of sakay; of the which they said they would bethink them selves, and soe departed. _january ._--certen chinas came to vizet me after daylight, and brought fireworkes, which shewed well per night. _january ._--the china capt. had letters from langasaque that they were content to parte the _tiquan_[ ] office of tow, to let capt. adames men have the one halfe to send one or in it, as he would, and for marreners to send or , yf he would. the governor of langasaque, in the abcense of gonrok dono, passed by this place, and sent me a letter his brother had wrot unto me, complementall, for using him kyndly as he passed this way the last yeare. this man is bound to the emperours court, haveing a processe against tuan dono, the rich (as they terme hym), of langasaque, whome this man hath gotten a sentance against, and utterly undon tuan. this man brought me a _chaw_ cup covered with silver for a present, being worth som _tais_. and in his company came a servant of safian dono, and an other of chubio dono; and the first brought me a _barso_ of wine. skidayen dono and his consortes had the feast of baccus for their junk this day, dansing thorow the streetes with _caboques_, or women players, and entred into our english howse in that order, most of their heades being hevier than their heeles, that they could not find way hom without leading. [ ] chinese: _ti-kwan_, local office. _january ._--this day ended the japon feast of , and they took downe the trees sett up first day, and fet their faggotes with rise and wyne, as yearly they doe on this day. ushenusque dono sent me a phaisant cock, exskewsing his not coming per meanes of his emploimentes abroad. and i sent the governor langasaque and safian donos man, eache of them, a quart bottell strong waters, with eache of them a china cup to drink it in. also figen a came, kyng of firando, sent me _barsos_ wyne and a wild boare for a present, wishing me a prosperous new yeare. and ike dono, the cavelero of xaxma, came and vizeted me, with a present of bundelles or reames japon paper, he being lately retorned from xaxma, where he sayeth the king is much affectioned to our english nation. _january ._--groby dono wrot a letter to capt. adames to cochy in bad termes, that i went about to deceave hym, and would force hym to take _tais_ in bad nishew counterfet plate. unto which i retornd answer that all he said was falce, and that i offerd hym no money but the same i receved from hym. this fello is he which would have cozend me with a falce writing, to have brought me in domages for _tais_ for sale of _pico_ silk upon delivery, contrary to my trew meanyng, as capt. adames, mr. wickham, our _jurebasso_, and other japons are witnesse. _february ._--capt. adames fell into extreme termes this day about groby dono, he which falcefied the writing, taking his part against me and all the english. i never saw hym in the lyke humour. we paid this groby dono the _tais_ spoken of before, and receved in my bill of croby dono for sale silke in question before, and deliverd hym in his bill of croby donos geven to me. _february ._--mr. nealson said he had certen monies taken out of his scritorio, the theefe drawing the neales out of boxes, he laying it to the charge of mr. wickhams servant, whome he newly entertayned, mr. nealson haveing put hym away. but mr. wickham held it done of mallice rather then a truth. _february ._--the china capt. went to langasaque, and capt. adames tould hym before he went that he would be as good as his word and goe on the voyage to cochinchina. _february ._--i rec. a letter from botswain of our junk _sea adventure_, dated at tomare[ ] in xaxma dais past: how they put in theare the th day after they went from hence, per meanes w.erly wyndes and hie sea, and ment to put to sea som daies past. the japon slave i saved from the gallous, and gave to mr. wickham, ran away, and, sending after hym, was fownd in a horehouse with or _tais_ plate in his purse, parte wherof he had spent amongst those leawd people, and the reste delivered to a japon to keepe. he confeseth that he had sould certen buttons (as he cald them) to a japon for - / _mas_, they being som in nomber, which he sayeth he stole from mr. wickham; which (as he sayeth) were littell corall beades and som pearle, which he now misseth, looking for them. [ ] tomari, on the coast. _february ._--the china which went to edo to get out _goshons_, or pasports, retorned to firando this day, telling me he staid daies at edo before he could have a dispach, and was dais going from miaco to edo, and as many in retorning, and dais coming from osakay to firando. he sayeth the sonne of safian dono is to succeade his father as governor of langasaque, and that gonrok dono, his cozen, is to com to remeane at langasaque as his deputy. this china brought me a present of _barsos_ wyne and a greate charger of chistnuttes, and departed for langasaque on such a sudden that he was gon before i sent to thank hym, thinking to have sent hym a present. _february ._--the theevishe slave i gave to mr. wickham did accuse his father, mother, and many others, to whome he said he delivered all such matters as he had stolne; but they denid all. and he still accused others; but no proofe. _february ._--extreme cold wether. miguell, our ould _jurebasso_, envited capt. adames and me to breckfast, being recovered of a great sicknesse, wherof our chirurgion had healed hym when he was speechlesse and thought past cure; which he did at my request. _february ._--frost and snow. soyemon dono sent to borow money of me, for that, as he sayeth, he is shortly to goe to the emperours cort with the _tono_ (or king) of firando his master, whoe (as he sayeth) is to marry themperours kynswoman; but my answer was, i had noe money. also semy dono would borow the mast of a small junck we have, to make a foremast for his new junck. i answerd hym, yf he would take junck and mast together at price i paid for her, i was content, but to lend the mast i could not, having occation to employ the junck. _february ._--a hard frost, the lyke i not having seene since i came into japon, it being above an inch thick, the ise frozen this last night. snow all day and parte of night following. there was a howse broken open the night past and or japon _keremons_, or coates, stolne out. but the theefe was fownd, being a carpenter, and put into prison. _february ._--still cold frosty wether. sangero samma and others still send to borow money, which maketh me awery to live amongst them; for lend money i will not to such as i know will never repay it. _february ._--pasquall benita came from langasaque to firando and brought me a present of _coiebos_, _micanas_,[ ] and peares. he tells me the amacan carick will not goe out this yeare for feare of the hollanders, and that the merchantes and capt. major goe to law about it. the capt. would goe out, but the merchantes will not. i think this fello came for an espie to se whether the hollanders and we were ready to goe out. he is an italian borne. [ ] _mikan_, an orange. _february ._--i went to the king, accompanid with capt. adames, mr. wickham, and ed. sayer, to tell hym our ship was ready to goe out towardes bantam, and ed. sayer for cochinchina. soe, yf he pleased to comand my service to bantam, england, or cochinchina, we were ready to doe it; for the which he thanked us. also i demanded justice against cazanzeque and goresano, the which he tould me he would doe me reason in. jno. yossen the hollander came from edo this day. i went to hollandes howse to vizet capt. speck. so i met capt. barkhoot theare, whoe envited me and rest of english abord the _son_ to dyner on sonday next. jor. durois wrot me there were speeches at langasaque that shongo samme themperour was dead; but i esteeme it a lye, jno. yooson coming from edo and saw hym; delivered thordinance to hym which the hollanders sent for a present. _february ._--a cavalero of osakay sent me a present of a banketing box, meate, _nifon catange_ (or japon fation), with a _barso_ of _singe_, because i made hym colation thother day; but i rather think it a preparative to borow money; yet herein he may be deceaved, for i fynd many borowers but non that make repayment. _february ._--we dyned abord the _son_, where capt. barkhout used us kyndly, and drunk healths to the kinges matie of england, and at every cup a gun, rownd about table, being or persons, and was answered the like out of the _adviz_. and at our coming abord gave us peeces ordinance and at our departure; and we had out of the _adviz_. capt. speck came not at feast, as i thinke only of pride, dowbting whether i should syt above him or no. we had news that the junk _sea adventure_ was in xaxma daies past, yet i have no letter from mr. eaton. i gave the coxswayne and company hollandes shipp, for fetching us abord and seting ashore, ii r. of . _february ._--we sent chistes money abord _adviz_, all refyned plate, containing _tais_, which with exchange is : : - / . _february ._--the shipp _adviz_ went out to cochi roade this day and shot affe peeces for a fare well; and the hollanders answerd with from the _son_ and from the howse, and a japon junk ; and we replid with more; and at our departure from cochi back the _adviz_ gave us peeces more. there were som speeches passed betwixt mr. wickham and mr. totton, as also betwixt mr. nealson and mr. totton, which were taken in ill parte on thon parte and other. but in my opinion mr. totton was in the falt. i did what i could to make frenship, and made it betwixt mr. wickham and hym; but mr. nealson would not be frends upon no termes, although mr. totton desird it and before all the company drunk a health to hym, wishing it might never goe thorow hym yf he bare hym any mallice. the hollanders sent out their _foy fone_ to helpe to toe out our shipp, rowed with ores, and we set out _foyfones_, dowbting whether the firandesas would send barkes to helpe us or no, because they fealed in the junck. but they sent out or barkes, which had byn enough, allthough we had no others. _february ._--the hollandes shipp _son_ went out to cochy roade. went out our _foyfone_ with owres to help to toe them out. the kyng sent of his _foyfones_ to helpe them out, besydes the towne boates. i note downe he sent non to us yisterday. i deliverd up my letter and acco. to mr. wickham to be sent for bantam and london. _february ._--som two howers before day we went abord the _adviz_ at cochy, and presently after capt. speck came abord, desyring us the ship might stay an hower or two for hym to write a letter; which i promised hym, in respect we could not be ready no sowner, having forgotten provition behind us at firando. soe about a clock she set seale. god send her a prosperous voyage. and i sent in her these letters following, viz.:-- to sir tho. smith, knight, with copy last yeare. to mr. tho. wilson, with copie of last yeare. to capt. saris, with coppie last yeare. to my brother, walter cocks. ould to mr. fosters wife, enclosed to capt. saris. to wor. company, with coppies of last yeare; with coppie from syam, camboia, and champa. to capt. georg ball, of l th curant. to capt. raphe coppindall, of l th curant. to mr. westby. to worll. company, of th ditto. to my nephew, jno. cocks. _february ._--taccamon dono sent me a wild boare for a present. _february ._--by meanes of contrary wyndes the ship _adviz_ retorned back to cochy; and mr. wickham sent a letter to have a boate sent hym to com ashore, which i sent to hym. so he and mr. totton came ashore after nowne. i wrot a letter to sir tho. smith, how i was enformed mr. ed. willmot, defunct purser of the _adviz_, dying at bantam, left me a legasie of _l._ str., to pay in england. i left a remembrance with mr. nealson and mr. osterwick at my going to langasaque, to look to howse in my abcense. _february ._--we set forwardes towardes langasaque this mornyng, and passing by the ship _adviz_, they shot affe peces ordinance. and we went to bed to setto,[ ] leagues from firando. we paid _tay_ for our lodging and _mas_ for fish. [ ] seto. _february ._--we arived at langasaque at clock after nowne. many chinas, japons, and portingals, and spaniards came to vizet me, knowing of my arivall. yt is said the carick will not goe out this yeare for feare of hollanders. _february ._--we sent presentes this day, viz. to saco dono, riyoyets dono, soyen dono, saquemon dono, and saquise dono, magistrates in langasaque, each one _barsos_ wyne, fyshes. and to capt. whow and his wife, - / _tatta_ sad blew cloth, glasse bottell of annise water. and divers chinas brought me presents, viz., shinquan, boxes marmelad, _cattis_ comfets, egges; ickquam came from cort, _barso_ wyne, egges; yongsham, loves of bread; niquan, barilles wyne, pec. red cheremis, oringes, egges. we had news that the hollandes junck, which went out two months past towardes syam, is put back into the liqueas; and the _gallias_ holland shipp into xaxma, having lost her mast. shiquan, the rich china, owner of the junk ed. sayer goeth in for cochinchina, envited us to dyner to morrow; and capt. whaw the day after. _february ._--we went to shiquan the china to dyner, where we had extraordinary entertaynment and good cheare. and at my retorne, i fownd soca samma sent me a present of _barsos_ wyne, bundelles sea weed; saquamon dono, _barsos_ wyne and cuttell fish, with many complementall words and offer of frendship. also jorge durois sent me mi[n]ced pies and a dishe of oranges. and from niquan, a china, peares and _micanos_. and i sent a present to jor. durois of pec. of callicos, bought of hollanders, at _tay_ pece, and a glasse bottell of annis water, and another of _morofack_; and withall delivered hym dyvers cullers silke to get peare silke stockinges knyt for mr. wm. nealson. we had newes this day that our junk _sea adventur_ is retorned the second tyme into xaxma, and that there grew some broyle theare betwixt som portingals bound out in a junck for camboja and mr. eaton. the reason grew because the portingales picked occation because mr. eaton passed by them without puting affe his hat (he being bound to doe no more to them then they to hym); so that from wordes they fell to blowes, but the portingalles were well beaten and driven abord. soe after, they complayned to the justice that our junck had no _goshon_ nor passe from themperor of japon, but went out on pilfering. whereupon the justice of xaxma demanded of mr. eaton yf he had any passe (or _goshon_) from themperour or noe. to which he answered he had, and shewed it unto them, desyring them to tell hym wherefore they asked such a question, the which they tould them was by reason of the portingalles information. "whie, then," said he, "i pray yow demand whether they have any passe or noe, for it may be they are theeves and would put it upon others." which being brought in question, they were fownd to have no passe. soe they cauced their junck to be brought on shore, and or japons to be laid handes on which went in her. and the kyng of xaxma wrot forthwith to court of japon to know the emperours pleasure, whether they should procead on voyag or noe. _february ._--we were envited to capt. whaw, the china, to dyner, where we were extraordenarely entertayned, with musick at our entry, with the lyke at first, second, and therd course, where there wanted not wyne of all sortes, and each one a dansing beare to serve us, _nifon cantage_. i gave the china capt. letters of favour more to the english shiping they met at sea, with flagges, two new and one ould. _february ._--i delivered bandes and peare cuffes to spanish woman to make. sanquan, a china, sent me egges, _barsos_ wyne, greate fyshes, and _cattis_ diet bread. also sanquishe, the governors brother, brought me egges. i shewed our conyskins, lambskins, and fitchet skyns to china capt. and his brother; but it seemeth they had no stomock to buy them, yet heretofore they said they would buy them all. _marche ._--i gave a flag and a letter favor to a china which goeth to taccasanga. the boteswane of the junk of giquan, wherin ed. sayer came from syam years past, came to me, being ernest to have me geve hym a letter of discharg tuching the sute i have against cazanzeque the purcer. but i denied hym, for i heare the purcer and he are consorts in thefte. _marche ._--i rec. letters this day from mr. eaton out of xaxma, dated in congushma,[ ] the th january, and the other in tomare, the th, th, and th february, in which he wrot me of the kynd usage the kyng of xaxma cauced to be geven to hym and to helpe our junck. also he advised how the portingalles complayned that we were theeves, and came to take their junck, not having the emperours pas; but it proved we had one and they non, by which meanes they fell into danger. i also rec. japan letters from miaco, sakay, osaky, firando, and out of xaxma. a china pilot brought me a present of pound citrons and egges; and capt. adams host, _micanas_ (or oringes), and the boteswains wife of our junk _sea adventure_, rowles of bread. also a china, whoe was hurt in his lip, brought a present of _barsos_ wyne, greate fyshes, and lobstars, with a bar plate to robert hawley, for dressing of his lip. the plate i cauced to be retorned, but the rest robt. hawley took. i went and vizeted ould gorge durons (_sic_) with capt. adames and rest, he using us kyndly. i gave his littell son jonico a riall of . [ ] kagoshima. _marche ._--i retorned answer to mr. eaton per same expres he sent letter by. we dyned at goquan, a chinas, this day, where we were well entertayned. _marche ._--we were envited to dyner to the plate fownder (or mynt man) called gota shozamon dono, where we had good cheare after christion fation, syting at a hie table with cheares. but the good man of howse did not eate with us, which [made] me jelous of poison. but in the end he came and drank with us. i think his abcense was for that he is a papist christion, and now tyme of lent. the china capt. was at dyner with us. i gave this mans two children, each of them, a r. of . _marche ._--i sent presentes as followeth, viz.:-- to fingo shiquan, the rich china, _tatta._ yelo bayes, fowling peec. to goquan, other rich china, _tatta._ yelo bayes, fowling peec. to capt. whow, china capt. brother, fowling peec. these men are emploid about geting trade into china. to goto zhozabra dono, mynt man, _tatta._ yello bayes. to chimpow, capt. junk which ed. sayer goeth in, two _tatta._ yello bayes, _barsos_ wyne, fyshes. and an ould china called shiquan sent me two _barsos_ wyne, egges , oranges , diet bread a platterfull. and from a china which went to kagalion, _barsos_ wyne, bundelles sea weed. and i gave this china an english flag and a letter of favor, at request of china capt. also i sent a present to a china called chimtay. _marche ._--i went to capt. whowes with andrea dittis, the china capt., and capt. adames, where we translated one of the kinges matis. letters into china, dated in westminster pallace, the th january , and th yeare of his matis. rayne of great brittany, france, and ireland; wherof i took coppies in chinas. one was sent to china with the said letter, an other to send for england, and the therd to keepe my selfe. i gave fingo shiquan, the china, a letter of favour and an english flag in his junck. co jnos. kynsman brought me a present of a marchpane made lyke a miter. _marche ._--news came to langasaque that they should make very dilligent search for padres (or pristes) and in whose howse they were fownd, not only to kill all that famely, but allso all the street in which they are fownd. i sent a bar plate, containing _tas_ _mas_, to the china musitions which plaid at capt. whows when we weare at dyner. also i sent the rest of a pece of straw culler baies for a present to a china called lanquin niquan, he coming the other day to vizet me with a present, and is of the place neare unto that we hope to enter for trade. and i paid the china notory for translating the kinges letter x _tais_ iij _mas_. the china capt. went late at night towardes firando, per whome i wrot a letter to mr. nealson and mr. osterwick that i ment to follow within daies. his going was to put money into the junkes afforsaid. _marche ._--ric. hoodson paid georg durons for sope and candelles, viz:-- _ta. m. co._ for cakes sope for tallo candelles _marche ._--i gave the dansing bears _ta._ _m._, and ther servant _mas_. and i paid the shew maker, for peare clampes and peare pumps, _ta._ _m._ ric. hudson paid _tay_ _mas_ for a vyne tree to be carid to firando. _marche ._--niquans junk departed towardes tonkyn this day. i gave jorges doughter _mas_, her father (capt. adams host) sending me a hare. _marche ._--sanquishe dono, the governors brother, sent me a banketing box, meates, fish, and other matters, _nifon cantange_, with bottels wyne, with many complementall wordes. the dansing beares came againe, and i gave them a bar plate of - / _tais_. _marche ._--tozayemon dono deliverd ed. sayer _picull_ _cattis_ _ta._ goco copper, which he laden abord fingo shiquans junck for voyag to cochinchina, at _mas picull_. a china, which was capt. of junck which goeth to cagellon, died on the sudden this day, as they think being blasted. _marche ._--a portugez called garçia machado, a portugez of amacau, came to me at such tyme as a japon was about to sell me a rapier and dagger, which he laid cleame to, as being stolne from hym per a silvere smith with _tais_ of plate he had deliverd hym to plate the sword and dagger. the dagger hilt was plated, but not the rapier. soe he rec. it out of the japons owne handes, and gave me a recept to save me harmlesse, yf in case it were brought in question. there was an extreme storme or tuffon this day, which drove one of the china junckes on shore; and, had it not byn for good helpe, she had byn cast away. wynd vering to n.w. _marche ._--i delivered iij c. _tais_ plate bars to the china capt. to goe in adventure for tacca sanga or isla fermosa, and mr. osterwick paid hym iij c. _tais_ more at firando, in all vj c. _tais_, and goeth for accompt of right honble. and worll. company, our emploiers, to be disbursed for silke. god send a prosperous voiage. i envited capt. adames, yasimon dono, mr. sayer, and robt. hawley, and had the dansing beares, which cost ij _tais_ plate bars, and two _mas_ small plate geven their boy, all paid my selfe. shoyemon dono, the master of dansing beares, came and brought me a present of _barsos_ wyne and loves bread. ghiquans junck went downe to facondo; soe capt. adames, ed. sayer, and robt. [hawley] took ther leave and went abord. _marche ._--i gave dansing bears one bar plate containing _tais_, and _mas_ to _neremonnears_[ ] brought them. this night about son seting the junck of fingo shiquan put to sea, wherein capt. adames went pilot, and ed. sayer and robt. hawley for worll. company, chimpow a china being capten. tachemon our cooke had - / small plate, which he paid to jor. durons to reedeme his son, and the money goeth on his wagis. [ ] the bearers of the sedan chairs or _neremons_. _marche ._--i delivered _tais_ plate bars to andrea dittis, china capt., for our diet since we came to langasaque; but he would have taken nothing, it being in a howse of his slave where we la. also i ment to have geven the good wife a bar plate of _ta._ _m._, and an other bar to servantes of _ta._ _m._ _co._, and a therd to the children, containing _ta._ _m._ _co._; but he would not suffer me to geve nothing to wife nor servantes, but the _ta._ _m._ _co._ to the children. albartus the hollander came to langasaque this day and came to vizet me, and tould me he ment to have sent or _tais_ plate in the junck where capt. adames went, yf she had not departed from hence before he came. so now he menes to send it in the junck of barnardo. _marche ._--i rec. letters from mr. osterwick and mr. nealson, dated in firando, le th currant, sent per a japon, advising of the needfull, namely, how the king of firando had geven a streete of above howses joyning to their howse, to pull it downe and build their howse larger with new warehowses (or gadongs). i wish we had our howse at langasaque, and then let the hollanders domener at firando, for out of dowbt they pay for it. phesemon dono, a kinsman of sugian dono of umbra, came to vizet me, being an inhabitant of langasaque, and had built a howse (second to our lodging), reared but dais past, offering me greate frendship, enviting me to his howse, he having maried a frend of gonrok donos, governor of this place, she being a christian, whoe urged me much to know our principles of religion, and whether we had churches in our cuntrey. unto all which i answered in particular that we had both archbushopps, bushops, and other sortes of church men, but not mas pristes which said service in lattin, but in our owne language, etc. palle the _bozes_ father, called yoshiemon, came and brought me a present, fyshes; and i gave his littell doughter he brought with hyme a peece of two single rialls. _marche ._--i bought a _catabra_ for tango dono, cost in plate bars _tais_. _marche ._--we departed from langasaque towardes firando in the after nowne, and the dansing beares with mr. saris host were in the way in boates with severall bankits; unto whom i gave a bar plate _ta._ _m._ to make mery at retourne. the china capt., albartus, and tozeyamon dono went with us and went to setto this night, lying abord bark. _marche ._--we arived at firando after dyner this day, and tozayemon dono and other merchants of sackay envited them selves to our _fro_. _marche ._--three of the kynges soldiers being in drink (as it is said) fell out, and two of them drue their _cattans_ and kild the therd, and after thought to flie in to the mountans, but were instantly followed by oyen dono and cut in peeces with his owne handes, telling them they were villens and cowards, not worthie the name of soldiers, that, having kild a man, did run away and not kill them selves according to order of japon. _marche ._--i envited the king of firando to dyner for sonday next, with such noble men and others as it pleased hym to bring with hym; which he tooke in good parte, and named these persons, besides hym selfe, to accompany hym, viz. tonomon samma, bongo samma, sangero samma, taccamon dono, shesque dono, gonosque dono, sofo samma, sichsaymon dono, jubio dono, oyen dono, torozemon dono. ther was but one of the soldiers kild outright, but two wownded, the one his arme and shoulder halfe cut offe, and the other all the side of his cheeke and one eye, but both soe sore wounded that nether lyke to escape it. he which did it (and is dead) was brother to shosque dono, whoe lately cut his bellie, as i noted heretofore. the quarrell was about a woman whoe this shosque was in love withall, and, as it should seeme, jolose, did use the other two as afforsaid, leveing them for dead, and then went into the chamber where the woman was, calling her aparte, and cut her throate and put her into a chist, and after came and knockt at dore where the kyng was, having two _cattans_ drawne, as it is thought, to have kild the king in reveng of his brothers death. the king hym selfe openyng the dore, thinking it had byn his brother, tonomon samma, which knockt, but seeing the other armed in that sort, and having his _cattan_ drawne before, hearing the nois was made, did strike shosque a deadly bloe over the bellie, and was seconded with oyen dono with a _langenack_ and one of his pagis with a lance, whoe made an end of hym and cut affe his head. ould synemon dono sent his yong doughter of months ould, with her nurce, and brought me a _barso_ of wyne and egges for a present. and i gave the child a silk coate, and the nurce _mas_ in small plate. _marche ._--the king of firando sent me a doe or veneson for a present, with many complementall words. _marche ._--capt. speck sent me an other bottell spanish wyne, with offer of any other matter in the duch howse, knowing we had envited the kyng. _marche ._--the kinge and rest of noble men _ut supra_ came to dyner and, as they said, were entertayned to theire owne content, and had the dansing beares to fill them wyne, _nifon catange_ (or japon fation), with a blind fidler to singe, ditto. and in respect the king is going up to edo, yt was agreed to geve hym a present of peeces of stuffe, viz. damask, velvet, and grogren, severall cullers, bought of china capt. at _tais_ per peece. _marche ._--sent a bar plate of _ta._ _mas_ to dansing bears; and to skyamon dono and the kinges cook, each of them, _tatta._ fustion, to make them breeches; and to yasimon dono, a _bose_, and to the gilder, each of them, a _barsoe_ of wyne and fyshes; and to an ould cook _mas_; and to other carvers, - / _mas_ per peec., and to the blind fidler. _marche ._--i wrot another letter to jor. durons, to langasaque, and sent hym - / _gantas_ of _jurialin_, cost me _mas_ _condrin_, and wrot hym to send me som gardin seed, espetially carret seed, called in japon _ningin_. i lent the china capt., andrea dittis, fyve silk _keremons_ with silk watta, of them geven me at japon cort. the occation he borrowed them is for that he sendes his doughter to langasaque to be betrothed to goquans son, and geves her _keremons_, with other matters amounting to above _tais_, as china manor is. _aprill ._--skiemon dono took the bar plate that should have gone to _cabokes_ (or dansing beares), being _ta._ _m._, and sent them but _tais_ small plate. soe he kept _tais_ wanting _condrins_ to hym selfe. which coming to my knowledg, i caused restetution. there was _tais_ small plate with _cattis_ gunpolder geven to two chinas for making fireworkes. we bought fagottes of wood, every faggot being / a _tatta_ in the band, and fagg. for a _mas_. _aprill ._--our host of the china howse at langasaque came to vizet me, and brought me a present of a live phaisant cock and loves of bread. the china capt. whow wrot me he understood our junckes were arived at goto, wherin capt. adames and others went; but that is a tale, etc. also here is speeches that shongo samme, themperour of japon, is dead; but this is japon newes, etc. _aprill ._--i rec. a letter from ed. sayer, dated at narra in goto, the th ultimo, how they put in there with the junk the th ditto, and, the grownd being bad, were driven upon the rockes, lost their ruther, and split the sterne post it was hanged at, and were in danger to have lost all; yet, per the pleasure of god, got her affe, recoverd the rother, and mended that which was amis, and put to sea againe the th ultimo. he writes me that another junk of shiquan, a china, bownd for manillas, put into an other roade of gota, and was driven agrownd, yet saved in the end, and hope to goe on their voyage. he also wrot how all the junkes which put out of langasaque of late, with the went out of firando, are all driven ether into goto or xaxma. god send them a good voyage. _aprill ._--jno. japon paid the carpenters and labourers, and for tymber and other matters, for building an old china howse, whose kay we use contynewally to trym and calke our boates, the sum of _ta._ _aprill ._--the china capt. sent me a peece blew tuft taffety, with barrills wyne, for a present at this feast of easter. and i gave the china capt. doughters for a present, whom he sent to vizet me, pec. black wroght satten and pec. blew damask, and lent hym pec. stuffs more. he also sent me a present of a _caw_ box of china, gilt and varnished, being in peces. we envited of our neighbours and the china capt. to dyner. _aprill ._--the king sent oyen dono to entreate me to let hym have one of my golden fyshes of china, i having geven hym and his brother of same sort before, and now much against my will gave hym one other, and sent it per michell, our _jurebasso_, which it seemed he took in good parte. sangero samma sent to borrow our _foyfone_ to accompany the kyng on the way, whoe is thought will departe towardes edo to morrow. so i lent yt hym with ores. news came to towne that the king of umbras brother is dead (whoe is uncle to king of firando). so it is thought it will stay his voyag som dayes. i went and vizeted capt. speck, whoe was sick, and fownd hym looking on the ruens of a hill or mountayne fallne downe against their howse; the reason being the pulling downe of a ston wall made before to keep it up, which being taken downe to buld it better, all the hill slipt downe and fell upon a banketing howse and other buldinges, spoiling them, etc. _aprill ._--cushcron dono, our neighbour, bult and reared his new howse this day; and i sent hym _barsos singe_ and fyshes for a present, as he did to us at our buildinge, and each neighbour doth the lyke according to japon fation (or _nifon catange_). _aprill ._--cushcron dono envited me with mr. nealson and osterwick to a colation, with all rest of neighbours that sent presentes, where there wanted no drinking, japons being well seene in that facultie. _aprill ._--i wrot a letter to king of firando, to have justice against cazanseque and goresano. the cause i did it was for that i sent formerly to hym about same matter, and spoake my selfe lykwais to hym to same effect, and wrot a former letter last yeare to lyke effect, but can get no remedy, only he answerd he would geve order to taccamon dono to doe me right. soe this day i sent mr. osterwick to taccamon dono, to know his pleasure herein. his answer was, the king had not spoaken to hym thereof, and without order from hym he would not meddell therein. which is the occation i have now wrot this letter, and sent it per mr. osterwick, because the king is now ready to take bark to goe for edo, etc. the coppie of this letter i keepe by me, in japon languadg, written on the back side what it is, etc. the king retorned me word he would geve such order as i should have justice; but nothing but wordes have i fownd hitherto. _aprill ._--sugean dono of umbra envited the kyng to dyner this day, and sent to borrow _bubes_, swetmeates, and other matters: a singular uuse they have in japon (_nifon cantange_). also his yonger brother sent to borrow _tais_, for that he was to goe up with the king, and, yf we had no money (as i had non to lend hym), then to trust hym with the vallue in merchandiz. but i lyked not such mens payment, having fownd it per experience, etc. _aprill ._--i sent to capt. speck to have had peeces lynen to make me sherts of, and sent money to pay for it. but he retornd me answer, it was all sould, when i knew to the contrary they had thousands of peeces of that sort taken from chinas lying by them. i had bought before of same sort for _tay_ _mas_ peece, which made me sherts. the kinges brother, tonoman samma, sent to beg or buy an english hat. soe i sent him one which i had of mr. nealson. _aprill ._--a yong man of sakay, walking out at towns end of firando, met with a villen whoe cut his throte and took _tais_ or shillings str. of money which he had in his purce, and soe escaped. yet the man was fownd alive and soe brought into towne, i seeing hym carid by all bloody. he said he had seene the man before which did it, but knew not his name. yt is thought he cannot live. _aprill ._--the partie which had his throte cut yisterday is said to have donne it hym selfe, because he had spent his masters money upon whores, and soe wounded hym selfe (but not deadly) to make the world beleeve theeves had taken it from hym. _aprill ._--there were rymes cast abrode and song up and downe towne against matinga and other english mens women. wherupon matters being brong in question to put them all away, noe proofes could be fownd against them, but a mater donne of spyte by their evell willers, all the neighbours coming to speake in their behalves, affermyng all was lies and that they would take such order that handes should be laid upon such as were heard to sing it hereafter and punishment inflicted upon the offenders. i imagen they were set on by the hollanders, songs haveing byn made against them to lyke effect before, but not against us. _aprill ._--this day most of the inhabitantes of firando, marid men and their wives, went a gossiping to tabola, over to an other iland, many boates being filled with them. geffrey the boy wanting or daies, we thought he had byn lost, yet was fownd at a kinsmans house. soe i sent hym hom, except his parents would geve a writing he should serve the company for terme of yeares. _aprill ._--kytskin dono made me a bill in japons languadge, wherin he gave me jeffrey the boy for to dispose of hym hereafter as i would my selfe, to cary hym into england or otherwais. and taffy dono was wittnes unto it, in presence of jno. _jurebasso_, mr. nealson, and mr. osterwick, and our japon vintner whome we buy our wyne of. _aprill ._--jeffrey, the boy geven me the othe day, broke up a chist of co jnos. and took out some thinges, and upon his examenation hath confest he had stolne dyvers thinges before. soe i determen to retorne hym to them which gave hym to me. _aprill ._--i sent both jeffrey and the writing back to kitskin dono, whoe gave hym me. mr. nealson tould me this day that mr. osterwick reported to hym that he thought i kept _tais_ in my handes of the companies, to make my private benefite thereof. which being brought in question, he said he thought the china capt. owed me _taies_ more then i had put to acco. to which i replied, it had byn better he had told me therof then to speake such matters to others; but that, to burthen me with keeping money of the companies i took in ill part, and for the china capt. i esteemed hym such a man as would deale well with me and hym both. _aprill ._--i brought the matter in question this day with the china capt. tuching the _taies_ that jno. osterwick spoke of, noted by me yisterday, and som wordes were about a parcell of money delivered, namely of _taies_, at one tyme, which in the end the china capt. said he thought niquan his kinsman had receved. i stand in dowbt of _taies_ more, noted downe in my booke the th december, , but blotted out by my selfe this day to bring the rest to rightes. god grant jno. osterwick deceave me not. capt. speck sent a man with peece china lynen, with complementall wordes that they had non to sell, but sent them of his owne provition he kept to make hym shertes. i retorned hym thankes per hym which brought them, and bad hym tell capt. speck i would send hym money for them, which i did sowne after. but he retorned the money and sent me word he gave them as a present, wishing they were better. the china capt. tould me, betwixt hym and me, that jno. osterwick reported (or tould to hym) this day that he was out of purce _taies_, he knew not how, which he had paid out, he knew not how, not having written it downe. _aprill ._--i rec. a letter from capt. adames per way of langasaque, dated in goto, le th of marche last, in the rode (or haven) of narra, in which he wrot me of the extremety they passed in loosing of their rudder. _aprill ._--the china capt. went to langasaque with his doughter to vizet his brother whow, she never having byn there before, as also to contract a marriadge betwixt her and the sonne of an other rich china called goquan. yt is now reported that the _tono_ (or kinge) of firando will not goe to edo this yeare. soe he hath geven leave to his hostes son of osakay to goe his way, whoe a long tyme hath staid to goe along with hym. _aprill ._--there was a silver spoone lost at supper, and non in the howse but our owne folkes. so som of them went to a wisszard to know whoe had taken it. he wished them to look presently out for it, and they should come to knowledg whoe had it, but, yf they let midnight passe, it would never be knowne. wherupon they made a privie serche, and went about to heate a ston red hott, and take it in their hands, it being dailie proved that those which are giltlesse goe free and the giltie burne. whereupon bycho (the boy i gave mr. osterwick) willed them to desist, and he would tell them where the spoone was, but carid them to divers places, they not finding it; and in the end tould them he had cast it into the sea, willing them to let it alone and say nothing, and he would bring it back or pay for it, etc. _aprill ._--i brought bicho to disepline (or whiping cheare). soe at first he stoutly denied what he of hym selfe had formerly confessed; but in the end he yilded, and said he had stolne it at supper tyme, and delivered it to the servant of a japon. soe i sent to that mans howse, but his servant was working at hollandes howse, he sending for hym and bicho acknowledging he had receved it from his handes, we being at supper, he being without, looking on a munkie or ape. but that fello denid it, and his master used many thretning words, that he would kill bicho for sclandring of his servant. yet the boy still stood to his word that the said fello had it. whereupon i sent mr. osterwick, with our _jurebasso_, to taccamon dono, to seek justis against that fello; but he was gon to the kinges howse before they came. _aprill ._--i sent mr. osterwick to taccamon dono, cheefe justice, to demand restetution of the silver spoone of the recever, although he denid the recept thereof, otherwais to proceed against hym by order of justice. he retorned answer, he would do me justice. _may ._--gonosco dono envited us to dyner to morrow. mr. nealson and mr. osterwick went to tabola with their women to make merry; but nealson entred into humours at his retorne, being in potum. _may ._--i canot forget to note how mr. nealson roze this night, three howers before day, and called me up to drink, etc., and fell into termes with me because the neighbours went not out to meet hym with a banket, laying the falt in me; and, not contented with that, caused the porter to open the dore to let hym out, as though he went to walk (as ordenarely he seemeth to doe). but i, wondering he went out soe tymely, roze up to have geven hym councell to take heed how he went out at such an hower, but fownd he was gon over the way to mr. osterwickes lodging, to tell hym (in my hearing) that i used them as slaves and not as merchantes, with stamping and swearing upon it, and that it was not to be sufferd. i have much adoe with this man in his drunken humours, he seeking (when he is most soberest) to set me at odds with all men. god defend my just cause. we were well entertayned at gonosco donos at dyner, and had much talk about the hollanders and english, being by hym urged thereunto, and, as i think, set on by the king or _tono_ of firando. but, as it should seeme, they esteemed much more of our nation then of the hollanders, esteeming them as theeves and we true men. _may ._--there is some murmering speeches geven out that these sotherne _tonos_ (or kinges) draw back whoe should set forward first to goe up to themperour, and he of umbra sent this of firando word that he might exskews the matter in respect of his infermity (or sicknesse), and the rather because no other is about to goe as yet, except it were frushma tay, whose cuntrey is neare cyaw (or miaco). this frushma tay is as greate a man as he of xaxma, and of more revenews, and loved and esteemed at miaco more then any other prince in japon; and he only is gon to miaco, and no ferther; and what will ensue is uncerten. yet out of dowbt, yf miaco, that is to say cyaw, osakay, and sackay waver from themperour, and that xaxma, frushma tay, and the rest of sotherne lordes take part against hym, he will hardly preveale. for out of dowbt all the northerne lordes are not sure, no not his owne nephewes, etc. _may ._--a brute was geven out the _tono_ (or king) of this place firando would set forward towardes themperours court, and all the boates ready to accompany hym. but it proved but a falce allarom, as divers other tymes hath byn the lyke; only to make a shew he is a going, for out of dowbt themperour is not without spies in this and all other places. _may ._--i sent our _jurebasso_ to taccamon dono, and bicho the boy with hym to certefye that he delivered the spoone to that other felloe; but still taccamon dono puts me affe with the kinges going out, yet that in the end he will doe me justice. before nowne the king of firando went out on his voyage towardes miaco, or to themperours court. the hollanders shot affe peeces ordinance at their howse, as the boates passed by; but one recoyled and strouck up earth and stoanes, and hurt a hollander very sore which gave fire. there were many barkes went out to accompany hym out of the harbor, and amongst the rest both us and the hollanders. i carid hym pottell glasse bottelles of very good strong annis water, stilled by my selfe heare, and the hollanders carid a stick or peece of _ginco callamback_ (or lignum allois) which i think could not be a _li_. he seemed to be merry, and drunk to us both, with many others. _may ._--taccamon dono and rest of nobles retorned from accompanying the king onward on his journey to miaco; and soe i sent our _jurebasso_ againe to hym, to procead in justice about the stolne silver spoone. he retorned answer that he was content i should proceade to my owne content (or as i would), only their triall was by fire, so that, yf he i burthened proved to have it, it was to my honor, otherwais, yf i accused hym wrongfully, the contrary. soe he wished me to be well advised before i proceaded therein. _may ._--the china capt. retorned from langasaque and brought word how the junck wherin capt. adams went is retorned back to langasaque (as all the rest which went out are the lyke), and that our junck _sea adventure_ is at liqueas and lost her voyag for syam. also that the juncke of billang ruis (which should have gon for phillipinas and went out a month before capt. adames) hath also lost her voyag and retorned back, haveing in stormes (or tuffons) cast most part of her lading overboard, to lighten her. i rec. letters from langasaque, viz. from gota shoyamon dono, the mint man, and from shoyemon dono, master _caboques_. _may ._--this mornyng calme raynie wether, but after, a stiff gale, northerly, all fore nowne, but after vered southerly. much rayne all day and like per night following, with lightnyng and thunder; and in the evenyng, towardes night, was a mighty cracking or rustlyng in the aire or fermament, as though it had byn the flying of a thunderboult, and yet no lightning nor thonder at that tyme. i took notis of it as a fearfull thing, and many spoake of it afterwardes. _may ._--the china capt. sent me china golden fyshes, and his doughter a peec. silk borall, or taffety mad borall fation. _may ._--capt. adames, with ed. sayer and robt. hawley, arived this day from langasaque, the junck having lost her voyag for cochinchina. so ed. sayer brought back the goodes and monies sent in that voyag. _may ._--i rec. the letter ed. sayer wrot me from langasaque, dated the th present, with coppis letters in it, one written from liqueas to me, and other to mr. eaton, whoe is in an other iland of same liqueas, and hath lost his voyag or monson, yet, as it seemed, ment to stay theare till begining next monson and then procead on her voyag. but he advized mr. eaton his opinion to lade her with wheate and retorne to japon, which course i formerly advised hym to take yf he lost his monson. god grant he take it. _may ._--this day the king firandos bark retorned from miaco, which carid up his horse, and they report that the emperour hath sent downe order to miaco that all the _tonos_ of japon shall stay theare, and not goe forward to edo. soe it is thought the emperour is dead, or else he standeth in fear that the northerne _tonos_, or kinges, meane to joyne with them of the south and rize against hym. once it is thought somthing will happen. _may ._--mr. nealson went to the bath at ishew to recover his health, being much out of temper. comissioners, or rather survears, came to firando this day, sent with order from themperour to survay all the cuntrey at their pleasure. what is their entent is not well knowne, yt not having byn donne in these partes heretofore. _may ._--this day was the feast of the resorection of the greate profet of japon, or rather a god, as they take hym, for som hould no other god but he. they deck all the forefront or eves of their howses betymes in the mornyng with greene bowes, in remembrance of his resurrection.[ ] we sent _tay_ small plate, with a barell of wyne and a bondell sea weed, to the _boz_, our landlord, for a years rent of a garden hired at present of hym. [ ] marginal note: "feast of shacka". _may ._--the gunfownders did borow all our copper, to deliver as much same sort within months, and left on fardell for a sample. _may ._--we set men to bale out water and make cleane our small junck, to bring her agrownd and calfret or mend her, to serve to carin our shiping, as the hollanders doe the lyke with an ould junck of theires. the china capt. being sick of the headache extremly, i gave hym a glas bottell roze vinegar i brought with me out of england. _may ._--cushcron dono, our neighbour, haveing made his new howse, envited his kindred and other neighbours japons to heate his howse (as they terme it), where they drunk themselves drunk for company, with howling and singing after a strang manner, yet ordenary in japon. i paid vii- / _mas_ small plate to matinga for covering or shingling the howse. i receved a letter from mr. nealson from bath at ishew, dated daies past, wherin he writes to have robt. hawley, the chirurgion, to com to hym to let hym blood and purg hym. _may ._--news is now com to towne that themperour will retire hym selfe into the ould howse his father kept at edo, and that his sonn (a littell boy of or yeares ould) shall remeane in the cheefe fortresse with the councell to adminester justice. which reportes doe conferme men in opinion that themperour is dead. _june ._--we had this day ship carpenters and laborers about tyying our littell juncke to serve to caryn shiping. mr. osterwick is falne sick on a sudden with much paine in head and boanes. _june ._--this day was carpenters, cawkers, and laborers about junck; and laborers wrought all night to have stuffe in the mornyng for carpenters. _june ._--this day carpenters, cowkers, and laborers for junck. capt. speck came to english howse to vizet me, and is much affeard of the junck which went owt this yeare, in respect the others are retornd and lost their voyage. he tould me he howrly expected shiping from the molucos. _june ._--i rec. a letter from jor. durons, dated in langasaque, le th of this month, new stile, wherin he wrot me how feze dono had accused twan dono for murthering or japons without law or justice, and amongst rest a famely, because the parents would not consent to let hym have their doughter, and the maid her selfe passed the same way. but the councell tould feze dono they would have hym to take in hand matters of leeveing and not dead people. soe then he apeached twan and his children as christians and maintayners of jesuistes and fryres whoe were enemies to the state, and hath cauced or to be taken. so that it is thought greate persecution will ensue at langasaque. _june ._--robt. hawley went to ishew to mr. nealson to geve hym phisick and let hym blood, as he required. and i wrot mr. nealson a letter, and sent hym a barell of skarbeare and loves bread and a barell japon wyne for their provition. we had news towardes night that there was shipps without, and in the end said to be hollanders. soe capt. speck sent out a boate to see. _june ._--early in the mornyng the domene (or prist) of the holland shipp _son_ came to vizet me, and tould me how our ship _adviz_ departed from them the second day after they went from hence, or rather they sayled from her, and since they know not what is becom of her. the domene tould me they sent the small ship _gallias_ to cochinchina, where they had not staid daies but there entred china junckes, all which they took and brought them away; and that it is not a month past that this shipp took china junckes more. soe i sent ed. sayer to capt. speck to use complement of their ships safe retorne; and he exskewsed hym selfe he had not sent me word thereof before. he tould ed. sayer how they had not medled with any junck which was bound for cochinchina, only they had taken junckes which were bound for the manillas; and were on the cost of phillippinas, where they burned a spanish ship, all the people being gon ashore. also they say the _gallias_ was in the rode of amacau, where they rode at an ancor serten daies, and the chinas came abord of them with provition and silk stocking and other matters, using them kyndly. i went out to meete the holland shipp _sonn_ at cochy, and carid capt. barkhowt _barso_ wyne, of skarbeare, a hogg, and hense; but he was on the way, and entred the same tide into the harbor of firando without casting ancor. he used much speeches to me of his proceadinges, and that he had taken chinas twise, i meane them which the _gallias_ had taken before, and after tould me they were of them they had taken at manillas the yeare past. once it is certen they have taken junckes which were bound from china to cochinchina, and yet deny it, saying now it is vj wickes since they saw the _gallias_, and that they had put , _tais_ plate into her to goe to cochinchina to trade, and what they have donne since they know not. so yt is easie to be seene by the wordes the domene tould me all is falce. mr. nealson and robt. hawley retornd from ishew. _june ._--yt is serten that the hollanders have taken more riches this yeare from the chinas then they did the last, and each marrener hath his cabben full of silk stuffes and musk. _june ._--towardes night the duch shipp _gallias_ arived at the rode of cochy in firando. but, as they say, it is allmost a month past that they left company of junckes they brought in company with them, per meanes of stormy wether, they haveng put or hollanders into each of them, which they now think the chinas have cut throtes of and carid the junckes away. they report the wether was soe extreme when they took those junckes (and others) that they could not discharg the goodes out of them, because the sea went soe hie, only brought them along with them, expecting calme wether, but lost them, as afforsaid. they say that, having taken most parte of goodes out of junck, and seeing her reddy to sink, they put chinas in to her, and bad them shift for them selves, etc. capt. adames did also retorne this day per land because the sea went hie. all these people begin to murmor against the hollanders for taking all junckes they meete, whether they trade into japon or no, and doe all under the name of english. soe god knoweth what will com of it. a quarter master of duch ship _son_ gave me muskcods. _june ._--the hollanders were in councell to have sent back the ship _gallias_ to have looked out for the juncks which they put their men into. yet in the end they were of an other mynd, in respect it is above xx daies they lost sight of them, etc. _june ._--the _gallyasse_ came into the harbor at firando, and i sent out our _foyfone_ to helpe to tow her in. cornelius scott, pilot of the _son_, gave me a littell gold ring with a garnett ston set in it. _june ._--many chinas and japons came from langasaque to firando with r. of , to buy stuffes of duch marreners, and wanted not store of falce r. of . jno. yossen bought good store of stuffes of them for reddy money at deare rates, as their damasks, grograns, and sattens ordenaris, at _tas_ peec. _june ._--i gave mr. nelsons woman the out side of a _keremon_, silk, for that shee made me halfe a dozen shertes and would take no payment. the capt. of the _gallyasse_ sent me a _barrico_ of spanish wyne for a present, and, after, capt. barkhout, accompanied with hym, came to thenglish howse, where i entertayned them in the best sort i could. _june ._--this day capt. speck sett at liberty or chinas of the princepall in the junck, and gave each of them a bar of plate. they went and lodged at howse of andrea dittis, china capt. yt was held base to geve them no more, being such men as they were, and is thought that the emperour will bring matters in question, because these ij shipps went out of purpose to rob and for nothing else, making by this meanes his cuntrey a receptacle of theeves, to his great dishonor and their owne inriching. yt is thought both spaniardes, portingales, and chinas will goe to cort, and cry out with open mouth against them tuching that matter, and the rather because themperour will not suffer his owne vassalles of japon to doe the lyke. _june ._--they decked all the eves of their howses this mornyng with flagges and mugwort, in honer of the great feast which is held to morrow, being the th day of the th month. all the chinas which are sett at liberty out of the junck came this day to thenglish howse to vizet me, and said they fownd per experience the english nation were honorable people, and soe would report when they retorned into their cuntrey, and made no dowbt but we should have entrance for trade. they complained much of the hard usage of the hollanders. _june ._--i went and vizeted the hollanders at their howse, whoe used me very frendly, and shewed me all their new workes, which truly is greate, in enlarging the mantion howse with a new hall, divers fayre chambers for merchants, two new gedonges (or warehouses), with a gatehowse and duffcote, a strong howse made of lyme and ston to put gunpowder in, many lodgings for sick folkes and for other uses, beside ston work for walles and wharfe, etc. _june ._--i receaved a letter from tozayemon dono, our host of sackay, wherin he wrot that silck is risen to _taies pico_, per meanes that the junckes have lost their voyages this yeare. _june ._--we sent a present to an ambassador of xaxma that is now com to towne, viz. _tatta_ fustion to make hym a vest, and tablebooks. _june ._--jorge durons writes me the amacan shipp is safely arived at home, as they are advized per a junck of camboja which went thither. the ambassador of xaxma came to thenglish howse and brought me a present of a barell wyne and vj fyshes, offring to send me a letter for liqueas, or any other matter i would demand. a mad gentellman (as it is said), having byn pocessed with the devill more then a yeare past, was this day at a banket with his father, brother, wife, and kyndred, they perswading hym to be better advized and leave affe such cources. but on a sudden, before it could be prevented, he start up and drue out a _cattan_ and cut affe his brothers head, wounded his father, allmost cutting affe his arme, and cut his wife behind her sholder on her back, that her entrills appeared, wounded divers others, and slue out right his steward (or cheefe man). and yet it is thought nothing will be said to hym, they which he hath kild being his kindred and servantes, he being a gentelman. also news came to towne that theevs are on the way betwixt this and langasaque, or vessells, to robb such as com to buy merchandiz of the hollanders; and took on boate, killing men and women; which others escaping made knowne to the justice of firando, whoe sett out or vessells, armed with munition and solders, to seek them out; and the hollanders armed out a bark with small ordinance, to accompany them in the action. the china capt. had letters this day per way of xaxma out of a junk arived theare (which should have com for langasaque, and forced per them of xaxma to stay theare), that the letters i sent are receved by the noble men in china in good parte, and a mandarin, or _loytea_,[ ] apointed to com for japon, to speake with the chinas and me about the matter, and withall to goe to themperour of japon about the receving the hollanders into his domynions which robb the chinas. yt is above months past that he was apointed, and now howrly expected. [ ] chinese: _lao-ye_, a title of respect. _june ._--i wrot letters to mr. eaton, willing hym, at sight of any of them, to retorne for firando with the junck laden with wheate, and not to procead forward from thence for syam in begining of wynter, it being dangerouse. these letters i sent per ambassador of xaxma, whoe departed from hence this mornyng. this gentellman had iij _tattamis_ yello broad cloth, xi _taies tattam._, and icadono, the gentelman remayning heare, gave his bill for payment thereof at demand. i am enformed that chinas and japons have byn at miaco before ingo dono, lord cheefe justice of japon, to complaine of the theevery of the hollanders; and he asked them whether the english did not the lyke, which they said no. "well," said he, "the emperour will take order for these matters shortly." _june ._--there came news that shiping was entred into the rode of cochy and shott affe ordinance; and albaro munos sent his man to me to tell me he heard or greate peeces shott affe. i know not wherefore these people doe this but to mock at us, because we have no shipping com in as hollanders have, and urge us to send out boates and men to look for nifells,[ ] that they might laugh at us the better afterwardes. truly, i think it is not without instigation of hollanders, who, although they speake us faire, love us not. yet i dowbt not before it be long to see them fall into the trap they provide for others. [ ] trifles. _june ._--the barkes that went out to look for the theevs retorned without fynding any thing. out of dowbt, they were advized from hence of what was pretended against them, and soe prevented the danger. for here is such a company of pedlers which goe up and downe the streete crying wares, that the lyke i have not seene till now, and after such a redickalus manner that it is to be noted. and amongst the rest, one counterfetted the blind-man, and was fownd out, and then fell a laughing, and was let goe without saying any thing to hym. i saw this my selfe. _june ._--there is flying news that they of goto have taken ij boates of the theevs; but i think it will prove a lie. _june ._--i wrot ij letters, j to capt. whow in answer of his rec., with _barsos quash_,[ ] or sweetmeates, as also of differance in acco. betwixt andrea dittis and me (as he saith), by reason niquan his kinsman rec. money in his name and made him not accoynted therwithall. [ ] kuwashi. _june ._--the hollanders sett all the rest of the chinas att libertie, and gave them their aparell and other luggadge. it is thought som frend put them in mynd to doe it, understanding complaint was made to themperour of their proceadinges, and that they did more then the japons them selves durst doe, not only to take the chinas goodes, but to keepe their bodies captives, making japon the store howse or receptacle for their theeverie, much to the dishonor of themperour to suffer it. it is to be thought it are papistecall christians which doe it, for they put themperour and councell in mynd that it was to be considered that these hollanders, fyew years past, were naturall vassals to the king of spaine, and by open rebellion cast hym affe. soe that, yf themperour gave entrance to them, it would geve discontent to the king of spaine, whoe was helde to be the powerfullest prince in christendom; and besides, it might breed som alteration in the hartes of his owne vassales to doe as the hollanders had donne with the spaniardes, and it may be by provocation of the hollanders to make others as they them selves are, to the overthrow of the state of japon. this was i secretly enformed of per a china, thinking i was an enemy to the hollanders. but my opinion is, yf the hollanders be driven out of japon, thenglish must not stay behind; for the spaniardes and portingales geve it out that thenglish were they which gave them meanes to stand out against their naturall prince, and held their cheefest fortresses in their power, and was to be thought (as som have tould me) that they and we were all on in effect, allthough different in our proceadinges. _june ._--towardes night news came that the junck of yasimon dono of langasaque (which went for syam) is safely retorned to langasaque, and hath brought word that the hollandes junck and an other of langasaque came out with hym, and were at sea altogether, and cannot want to be on this cost. and within night capt. adams sent me word that the small junck of jno. yoosen which went from cochinchina for camboja the last yeare is now arived in a harbor neare languay in crates. _june ._--late towardes night the hollandes junck from syam arived in the roade of cochy, a league from the towne of firando; and jno. yossens at tasquey, a league or ij on thother side firando. _june ._--about nowne the junck of jno. yoosen entred, which came from camboia. they report that one of thenglishmen of the ij is theare, namely, mr. savidge (as they think), fell into a madd humour and ment to have kild hym selfe with a pistoll charged with ij bullettes, and shot hym selfe, but after was cured.[ ] the other englishman is called facie. these men say that we have somthing com in the other junck of yosen, but they know not what it is, nether have those englishmen wrot i word by this junck. they say also that thenglish have built a junck, and sent her for pattania with such merchandiz as they had bought in camboja, and that the king of the cuntrey is a greate frend to thenglish, but a mortall enemy to the portingalles and spaniardes. and i sent mr. sayer abord the junck of jno. yosen with a barill wyne and hense, to bid the master welcome and know whether we had any letters com in them. and jubio dono, servant to king of crates, came to vizet me and brought a barrill _morofack_; and an other gentelman of that place came in company with hym, and he envited me and the rest of thenglish to dynner ij daies hence. and within night capt. speck sent me a packet of letters which came in their junck from syam. wherin one richard pittes writes of the death of jno. johnson that was in place before hym, and sent an other letter which he receved from mr. adam denton, dated in meslapotama, the th august, , wherin he writes mr. gurney died betwixt bantam and that place, coming to have byn agent for the cost; and that generall josephe met with a portingale carick bound from portingall to goa, and fought with them ij daies about the iland of comora, beating her mastes overboard; soe in the end they fired her them selves, and, as it seemed, escaped ashore at camora, bengamyn josephe hym selfe having byn slayne at first with a peece of ordinance, and capt. pepwell suckceaded in his place. also he adviseth that the king of callecut detayneth all in his handes that capt. keeling left theare, so that the _unicorne_ going thether carid away all our men. and that from suratt we have setled a new factory in the kingdom of pertia, not far from ormus, to the greate hartbreach of the portingales of that place. mr. pitt hath sent in the hollandes junck from syam, viz.:-- _cat. tale. m._ silck - / _cattis_, cost _callemback_, - / _cattis_, severall sortes; iij fardelles _lifas_, or fish skins, cost with charges of all, cost [ ] a marginal addition runs as follows: "the pilot of yosens shipp told me it was an untruth that mr. savidg would have kild hym selfe, but rather, going a burding his peece would not goe afe at first, but, turnyng the mouth towardes hym, it went afe, etc." _june ._--i receved a letter from miaco from gonrok dono, to keepe all the lead and gunpoulder we have for themperour when our shiping cometh, and the lyk he wrot to the hollanders. the hollandes junck entred into port of firando, and i sent out our _foyfone_ to helpe to toe them in. the junck wantes parte of her lading; soe, yf ours had gon, yt is thought she had had but a bad voyag. i wish mr. eaton had followed my comition and laden her with wheate, having lost their monson, and so might he have made (it may be) a saveing, if not a better voyag, for the worll. company. _july ._--we went to dyner to jubio dono of crates, viz. capt. adams, ed. sayer, mr. nelson, mr. osterwick, and my selfe, where we were kindly used; and i sent hym before a quart of anise water of my owne with boxes of suger cakes, of them capt. whow sent me. a hollander, a quarter master, gave me a peece black taffetie and vij musk cods for a present. he tould me that mr. nealson had geven hym a crosse staffe gratis, whether he would or no, he offering to have geven hym either money or stuffes for it, but he would not take any thing, but bad hym take it away with hym. but the duch man desired hym to let it ly in his chamber untill he had made a new chist to keepe both it and other matters in. but in the mean tyme mr. nealson sould it unto an other hollander, wherat this man took exceptions, having geven it hym before. of the which i tould mr. nealson aparte, in frendly sort; but he took pepper in the nose, calling the holland ill names, and misusing hym in vild termes, although ric. king, our butler, were _jurebasso_ betwixt them when he gave hym the staffe, he geving hym as bad wordes as the rest only because he said it was marvell the hollander would speake of such a matter, yf he had not geven it hym. in fine he called the hollander, dogg, and thenglish as bad, in my hearing, telling me to my face i sett them all one to misuse hym, espetially ed. sayer, my viz-regent, when god is my judg i have byn taxed with all thenglish in the cuntrey for suffering mr. nealson to abuze all men as he daylie doth. thus much i thought good to note downe, whether i live or dye, that truth may be knowne. i gave hym back his dager this day, he telling me that cornelius the duchman offred hym _pezos_, or r. , for it and his rapier; but he had not had it an hower by his syde but he fell into this frenzy, madd, or at best drunken, humour, and in my hearing rapt out an othe, by the blood of god, that let thenglish stand cleare of hym, for, yf they used hym in such sort, he would speed som of them. _july ._--i receved a letter from alvaro munos, dated in langasaque, th july, new stile, wherin he writes that news is com from new spaine that don juan de fashardo, sonne to don lues de fachardo, is ordayned governor of the manillias, with soldiers and mareners, in gallions and galles coming from new spaine. also, that the fleet in manillas, which fought with the spaniardes the last yeare, is all cast away per stormy wether, many mores, chinas, and spaniard being drowned in it; and that their is new gallions built theare in place thereof. for the gallions, i esteem it a lie, that on such a sudden they canot be made. also, that the frenche have sett out gallions, or men of warr, to aide the spaniardes in their affares. and that the king of spaine had ordayned a fleete of gallions to have com by cape bona speranza, to have joyned with them at manillas, to have gon for the molucas; but had staid them to make warrs against the duke of savoy. miguell, the _jurebasso_, reared his howse this day, and i sent hym ij _taies_ in small plate, and a barill wyne, the plate on my owne acco. also mr. nealson, sayer, and osterwick sent each of them a _tay_, all for capt. adams sake, whose servant he was in tyme past. so, matias, the hollander capt. of junk which came from syam, came to vizet me this day. he tells me that mr. pittes the englishman envited one james peterson, thenglish umper, to a banket at syam, and after, upon what occation he knew not, fell out with hym, and went with iij japons to bynd hym and take hym prisoner. but peterson laid soe about hym that he kild ij of the japons, and made pittes and the other to run away. this peterson is in greate favour with the king of syam, and therefor i marvell mr. pittes would take this cours; but mr. mattias saieth it was doone in drink. _july ._--we had news that jno. yoosens other junck which came from camboja is entred into langasaque, in which i esteem we have letters and somthing else; but no letter came in the other. our nation is over slo in writing; the labour is not greate. _july ._--news came from langasaque that a frigatt or ij are entred theare which came from amacau, and that or more are a coming after, and that they bring store of silk and peeces of silk, for that the carik will com no more. they report that these frigattes (or galliasses) met with a hollander or english shipp at sea, and sunck her; but out of douwbt that is a lyie, only they may have wronged our junck _sea adventure_; but if it com to knowledg they may pay deare for it, she going under themperours _goshon_, and with japon marreners. _july ._--i wrot to antony biscaino, pilot of jno. joosens junk which is com from camboia, to will hym to send me my letters the english have wrot, as i understand they have. we opened the ij chistes which came from syam with _callamback_ and silk, and waid it out. news came from a japon of langasaque to capt. speck that of a certen or frigattes of portugezes of amacau did meete with a small hollandes shipp at sea, and after fight a long tyme the holland shipp was sunk with ij or of the friggotes, and the rest soe ill handled that non proceaded forward but , which is this lately arived at langasaque, the capt. or cheefe wherof was lykwais slaine and many others hurt. capt. speck sent me word hereof, esteeming it rather our shipp _adviz_ then a hollander; but i hope it will prove contrary. _july ._--i sent a letter to alvaro munos desiring hym to writ me the truth of the newes of the sinking of a duch or english shipp per the friggattes. there came news this day that the shipp which the portingales took was a hollander, and that they sunk her, and have brought prisoners to langasaque. and after came a japon whoe said he was in the portingall frigattes when they laid her aboard, being iiij in all, ij on thone syd, and ij on thother, but that in the end the hollanders, seeing they could keepe their shipp no longer, set their powder on fire, and blew the ship in peeces, fyring on of the sayles of one penisse, wherin above xx men were lost in going about to quench the fire. this fello sayeth he was abord when the ship was fired, and called to them in the japon tong that, yf any japons were in her, they should come out and save them selves, and that one japon was saved only out of her, and no hollander. but i doe not beleeve that this fello could escape so free, yf he had byn abord when she was fired, nether that a japon could be saved out of her but som hollanders would have donne the lyke. in fine, there is so many talles that a man knoweth not which to beleeve. the umpras father came to vizet me, and brought me a _barso_ of wyne and a cuttell fish. _july ._--the china capt. with other chinas went this day to langasaque to look out for retorne of ther junckes from taccasanga and other partes; for as yet non are com; which puteth them in feare the hollanders have mett with them. god keepe them out of their walke. here news came this day that the hollandes shipp which fought with the portingale frigottes is at tushma, with many hurt men in her. others say it is the portingall frigot which is wanting, being one of the iiij which boarded her and was fired. once here is soe many tales that a man knoweth not which to beleeve. _july ._--bongo samma came to thenglish howse to vizet me, and said he was glad it was a hollander and not an english shipp which was spoild by the portingales. he said they were ij holland shipps, and that the bigger ran away and left the lesser to be spoiled; but that i esteem a fable. _july ._--i rec. iij japon letters this day, i from capt. adams wife, from edo, an other from croby dono, capt. adams host at osakay, and the therd from tozayemon dono, our host at sackay, all complemental, tozayemon dono advising that silk was risen to _tais pico_ at miaco. and this day came a bark from tushma, and passed by to goe to langasaque to adviz the governor of the arivall of a portingall frigat was there arived with many wounded and hurt men in her, for that they desired barkes to toe them from thence to langasaque. this is on of them which fought with the hollanders. the other are allready arived at langasaque. _july ._--ther came a company of players (or _caboques_) with apes and babons sent from the _tono_ (or king) to play at our house, unto whome was geven iij _taies_ in small plate. they were also at the hollandes howse in same sort, and had ij barrs plate, is _tais_ vj _mas_. _july ._--i receved a letter from andrea dittis, china capt., from langasaque, of a junck arived from tacca sanga with som hides and sappon wood, but no silk at all, non coming thether this year from china. and i rec. an other letter from alvaro munos from langasaque, wherin he writes ther was but iiij portingals slayne in synking the holland shipp, wherin were xxx hollanders and japons, all being dead but one japon which escaped, who telleth the news, and that she came from bantam laden with cloth and som rialles of , with cheese and other matters; and that the junckes which the hollanders put their men into at sea are retorned to canton with all the goodes, having kild all the hollanders. _july ._--harnando ximenes came this mornyng to firando in a small bark or friggot which came from macasar and thought to have gon for the phillipinas, but was cast on the cost of corea, and all the men dead but before they could get [to] tushma; and is shee nomenated before, which we thought had byn on of them which fought with the hollander which is sunck. he bringeth word that capt. copendall is dead, and that the hollanders misuse our english men in vild sort and take them presoners in all places where they can lay handes on them. he is not now servant of the company, as he saith, and complayneth much of mr. lucas antonison, of his going away, and that by his meanes he was trayned abord, and shipped away for macosar, and his chist, aparell, and other matters detayned from hym. so from thence he got hither. he also sayeth that marten prin cometh generall of a fleet of good shipps this yeare for surat and soe for bantam. also he saith (to my greefe) that my nephew jno. cocks is dead at bantam, and that he did not hear of the _advices_ arivall at bantam, although it were late before he departed from thence. this spanish vessell arived at tushma is a shipp of som or tonns, and, as i understand, was sent from manillas the last yeare laden with victuelles, to have gon for the molucas, but never went thether at all, but rather for macasar, geving it out that they were at molucos and had in chase by ij holland shipps, and forced to save them selves at macasar. but being theare, they took councell together, and agreed to provid them selves of the needfull and to retorne for the cost of manilla, there to attend the coming out of the china junck with their money, and soe to stripp them of it, thinking they might easely doe it, and all passe under the name of hollanders. but now, all their people being dead, they are driven to this extremetye and send this scots man, called john portis, to the spaniardes at nangasaque, to excuse the matter that they were driven into these partes by meanes of fowle wether, not having any merchandiz in the shipp, and therefore needlesse to com to nangasaque, and to this effect carry a _bongew_ of the king of tushma with them to certefie as much, thinking (as is should seeme) to provide them selves of men at tushma and to goe out againe upon their former pretence of boothaling. this much harnando ximenes, being drunk, did discloze. _july ._--this night past a howse was set on fire, but by good helpe sowne quenched; yet many barkes of other places being in the harbour, the men went ashore, knocking at other mens dores, calling for buckettes, and the dores being opened they rushed in and carid away all they could lay handes on, and undid divers pore men. but whether serch will be made after them, it is not knowne, this justice, taccamon dono, being a simple felloe. _july ._--jor. durons writes me that yt is a holland shipp that the portingall frigottes burned. also that the conde redondo is com for viz roy of goa (or india), and that all in generall have complained against don jeronimo de silva for his covetousnesse, desyring to have hym sent away and an other sent to phillippinas in his place. he writes also how the king of spaine maketh sharp warrs against the duke of savoy, and that the venetians and the turk take the savoyans part. allso that prince charles of england hath maried or is made sure to the king of spaines doughter. _july ._--yasemon dono, capt. adames host, came out of xaxma, and hath bought store of planke and tymber secretly underhand for the hollanders; otherwaies the king of xaxma would not let them have any, being noe frend to the hollanders. yt is said the hollanders meane to make a galley of parte of this tymber to set out against the portingale frigotes. _july ._--i rec. a letter from jor. durons, wherin he writes me that it is of a certen that the shipp the portingalles sunck is a hollander and no englishman, and that they have saved many letters of the hollanders, which it should goe hard but he would get som of them and send to me to put me out of dowbt of the matter. also he writes that ther was above _pezos_ or r. of sunck in her, which were sent to buy tymber in xaxma, to make or vj gallis or friggates to set out against the portingalles and spaniardes, espetially them which com from amacou. the other ij letters were from capt. andrea dittis and capt. whow, his brother, that the junckes which went to taccasanga, wherin the worll. company had _tais_ adventure, are all retorned to langasaque without silk, non being permitted to com out of china, and that they had sent much money into china to buy silk (from taccasanga), but had noe newes what was becom of men nor money. i forgot to note downe how georg durons advized me that the cheefe hollander in the indies is sunk in the shipp that was coming from bantam by the portingales, and that the holland shipp had taken ij china junckes, which the portingales reskewed, and retorned them to china. _july ._--a china brought me a present of a cup of _abado_[ ] (or black unecorns horne), with suger cakes. [ ] span.: _abada_, the female rhinoceros. _july ._--jno. portis the scotsman gave me a peare white silke stockinges with ij greene stoones lyke esmeralles, but i know not whether they be right or counterfett, etc. four noblemen of crates came to see thenglish howse, viz. the cheefe justis, the secretary, and ij other princepall men, whome i enterteyned in the best sort i could. _july ._--capt. adames tould me this day that capt. speck and the hollanders sent to desire hym to goe up with capt. barkhout for edo, to carry their present to themperour, for that jno. yoosen, their countreyman, was out of favour with themperour and other princes by meanes of his fowle tong. so this day the kinges brother hath lent them a bark to carry them up. jorge durons writes me of a miraculosse matter happened in england which, allthough i know to be a stark lye, yet i thought good to sett downe verbatum, viz.:-- yt is here reported (or spoken) for certen that in england apeared in the fermament a very greate cros, with the crowne of thorne and nailes, such as our saviour christ suffered his passion withall; and that the kinges matie. of england and all his nobilletye saw it and fell downe and worshipped it; only one prist (a bad christian) tould the king and the rest it was no miracle, but a fantesie. wherupon at an instant both the pristes eyes flew out of his head, and he died imediatly in the sight of all men. whereupon the king of england sent presently to the pope of rome to have a learned bushope to com into england to treate of these miraculos causes.[ ] [ ] cocks, as a thorough-going protestant, marks this last sentence with a marginal note: "o monstroze lye". _july ._--i wrot these letters following to send per capt. adames, he being now bound up with the hollanders, viz. to figien a came, king of firando; to gonrok dono; to tozayemon dono of sakay; to amanuo crobio dono of osakay; to neamon dono of edo; to magazemon dono of miaco; to cuemon dono, our host osakay; to cocozayemon dono, secretary to oyen dono, at edo; to capt. adames wife and children, at edo; to skengero dono, hostes sonne of miaco; to sebeoye dono, hostes sonne of osakay. _july ._--the hollanders had a bark lent them per the king to goe for osakay, and soe forward per land to edo to vizet themperour. _july ._--i rec. a letter from jor. durons, dated in langasaque, the th of august, new stile, wherin he writes me much news how gon rock dono is brought in question with one lues tanares, for taking up much goodes of the chinas at a loe rate in themperours name, and forthwith sould them to other merchantes at greate prices, whereby gonrok dono gayned _tais_, and tanares . for which they are now brought in question by the merchantes which bought the goodes of them, whoe put up a pitition thereof all together to themperour. he also writes that a greate _bongew_ is coming downe to lay handes on or padres, and to cut affe the heades of x or xij guardians, or officers of langasaque, etc. the _barso_ of wyne from magozemon dono, our host of miaco, with iij jars of _caw_, the wyne for my selfe, and _caw_ for mr. wickham, i rec. this day. capt. adams was envited to dyner abord holland shipp, and much ordinance shot affe. _july ._--sugean dono of umbra sent me a present of millons, and came hym selfe to vizet me, using many complementall wordes, and tould me the king of figen was dead, and he ordayned to goe to his funerall in place of the king of this place, as sent from hym. he saith he was a pagon, and that it is ordayned a new grove shall be erected where his body is to be burned, and a pagod built in it, where devine servis or worship must be donne in memory of hym as a _came_,[ ] or saint, or rather more then a saint, for the _camis_ are helde in greate esteeme. [ ] _kami_, the sintoo deities. _july ._--i rec. a packet of letters from mr. eaton, containing letters, dated at naffa in the grand liquea, le th, th, and th of aprill last past, wherin he wrot me of the danger the junk _sea adventure_ passed after their departure from xaxma, being driven agrownd at liqueas ij or tymes, and out of hope at last to get her affe, being / partes full of water, he having carid the money and other cheefe matters ashore at an islend called .[ ] yet in the end she floted of her owne accord, and soe they got her (not without greate danger) to the cheefe iland of the grand liqueas, to the port of naffa. but he writes, when the kinges _bongews_ (or governors of the ilandes) understood it was an english junck, they sent them boates with men and all other helpe possible, to save her, by which meanes under god they escaped; and after sent them word to look out thorow all his woodes and forist for tymber, plank, or what else we stood in need of, for all was at service of thenglish nation. but this must needes be by meanes of the king of xaxma, whose vassale the king of the liqueas is, whoe had formerly geven them charge soe to doe, as mr. eaton thinketh. in fine, he meanes to repare the junck theare, and to proceed on his voyag for syam, yf i sent hym not word to the contrary. but i hope my letters are with hym before now, to com away forthwith, at sight thereof, for firando. i also rec. ij japon letters from liqueas, i from the botswaine of the junck, and the other from co domingo, and a therd from antony, the negro. [ ] blank in ms. _july ._--i set small potata rootes in a garden. mr. eaton sent me them from liques. _july ._--the hollanders departed towardes miaco this day before nowne, and capt. adams with them, and had peeces ordinance shot affe out of the ij shippes, and from the howse. capt. yarmans, capt. of the _gallyasse_, and sr. matias are they which went. i wrot a letter to _bongew_ of xaxma which sent the man with the letters unto me which came from mr. eaton from liqueas, to geve hym thankes, and an other letter to boteswaines wyfe at langasaque, and gave her sonne which carid it _mas_. and the man which brought the letters had geven hym for his paynes, viz. _tais_ plate bars, to defray his charges hither and back againe, with bar plate containing _ta._ _ma._, and ij _tatta._ fustian to make hym a peare breeches. _august ._--our hostis of bingana tomo and her sonne came to vizet me, and brought me ij _barsos_ wyne, and bundels of japon paper. there came ij gentlemen in company with her sonne, one of them the cheefe _bongew_ under frushma tay, king of the cuntrey, whoe is a man of greater revenues then the king of xaxma. _august ._--i rec. ij letters from langasaque, from andrea dittis with water millons, and the other from alvaro munos with a sword and dagger for ed. sayer. we bought _gantos_ fysh oyle of our hostice of bingana tomo for a _mas ganto_. _august ._--jno. portus, the scotsman, envited us to dynner this day: i mean all thenglish. _august ._--this night past came news that the china capt. junck which went for tonkin is cast away at that place by neglegence of the pilot; but all the people saved. som say the japons did muten, and carid away the money, but how trew it is i know not. also it is reported that both the junckes of kitskin dono and semi dono are arived at cochinchina, and they of the junk of semi dono are cozened of _taies_ of their money, being waid out to pay for silke was stolne from them, as that was from edmond sayer the yeare past. _august ._--i receved a letter from andrea dittis, from langasaque, wherin he conferms the newes of casting away capt. whaws junck, not knowing whether the people were saved or no. also he writes me how gonsalvas junck is arived from manillas, in whome his sonne is com from manillas, i meane andrea dittis sonne, and that jno. yossens junck is lykwais arived at langasaque. he writes also that iij shipps are arived from new spaine at manillas which bring a new governor. we had ij _pico_ suger from holland factory, i browne and thother candie, to pay as rest is sould. _august ._--there came news that a shipp is without, yf not ij, but what they are is not knowne. _august ._--about midnight i had news brought me that the ship without is a hollander, and com from molucos, and that her mast is cut over board, and the ship much broaken. so i sent ed. sayer in the morning to the duch howse to know the certen news, and sent out our _foy fone_ to helpe to toe her in, shee being but a littell distance without and the wether calme. and presently after a french man, chirurgion of the _son_, came to me in secret, and tould me that this shipp without was an english shipp, and one of iiij which the hollanders have lately taken at molucos, not without slaughter of many men, and the rest taken prisoners, and sent this small shipp to bring news hither of it, i think of spite to scorne thenglish nation. and, as they say, an other great holland shipp, called the _black lyon_, is without, and com from bantam. yt is to be esteemed they have taken our shipp which should come from bantam, and dowbtfull they did the like the last yeare by the _adviz_ which mr. wickham went in. after nowne our _foy fone_ retorned from the dutch capt. speck, telling our _jurebasso_ co jno. that yt was an english shipp they had taken by order of war, and therefore had noe need of our helpe to bring her in. and this tyme co jno. tould me that out of dowbt it was the ship _adviz_ that mr. wickham went from hence in the last yeare, and that he saw som negros in her which were heare the last yeare. soe herupon i went to oyen dono, the kinges governor, and tould hym what past, desiring hym to speake to tonomon samma, the kinges brother, to let me have a _bongew_ to goe abord this shipp betyme to morrow, to take notis what she is, and whether the hollanders take them selves enemies of thenglish or no, and in what manner they have taken this shipp, to thentent i might goe to themperour to have justice. _august ._--i sent an expresse to langasaque with letters to andrea dittis and jor. durons, that i am to goe to edo to aske justice aganst the hollanders, and that yf the chinas will goe up about that matter i will assist them in all i may. the hollanders brought in our shipp in a bravado, and shot affe many guns out of her, and out of their other two. but i had forgotten to note downe how i went to tonomon samma, the kinges brother, to desyre hym to let me have a _bongew_ to goe abord thenglish shipp which the hollanders had taken, to be a witnesse before themperour what answer they made. but he would let me have no man, saying as yet no shipp was com in, nether had he heard any thing of the matter till now. soe i retorned and sent out mr. osterwick, with mr. nealson and others, to look upon her, to see yf they could know her or no. but they mett her coming into the roade, and soe returned; only they spoake unto them and bad them welcom, and much good might she doe them. but sowne after (two severall tymes) capt. speck sent his _jurebasso_ unto me to certefie me he was sorry for what had happened, and that the shipp and goodes were at my devotion. i both tymes retorned hym thankes: they had pocession, and therefore might make their benefite. soe in the end he came to thenglish howse, accompanied with capt. barkhout and sr. albartus, using many complementall wordes, offring the shipp and what was in her at my comand. but yow must understand they had well emptied her befor, having byn ij nightes and a day abord of her before. i made them answer, i was sory for that which was happened, and wished it had not byn soe, and that yt had byn enoffe for them to have taken our shipp and goodes without bringing in of the shipps in such a scornfull sort. he made me answer, they were not in the falt, but them which sent the shipp, nether they in falte, for that they did nothing but what their masters comanded them. "why then", said i, "yt seemes your mastars comand yow to be comune theevs, to robbe english, spanish, portingalles, chinas, javas, and all others whatsover, without respect, and to synk a french shipp going thorow the straites of sonday, becauce they should not carry news into france of the abuce yow had offered them." these speeche did somthing move them; soe they answered me that hitherto they had held frendshipp with us, and still would do, till their comanders gave them order to the contrary, and then they would doe as they thought good. unto which i answered they might showe them selves frendes to thenglish, yf they pleased, ether now or hereafter, but for my parte i did not care a halfe peny whether they did or noe. and soe they departed. _august ._--we had a councell this day, wherat assisted me ed. sayer, wm. nealson, and jno. osterwick, where it was debated whether it were fiting to send up to themperour, to complaine against the insolentie of the hollanders in presuming not only to take our shipps, but openly to bring them in to our disgrace. wherupon it was concluded that i my selfe should take that long and troblesom voyag in hand, and that mr. wm. nealson should accompany me, as well to look out and cleare debtes above, and bring reste downe, as also to carry up with us such matters as the factory afforded, and to buy stuffes to geve presentes to themperour and his nobles (at least, yf they would take them), or els to make sals therof, yf they were refuced. also it was ordayned to send away a post, both by water and land, after capt. adams, to enforme hym of the theevery of the hollanders, to the entent he should retyre hym selfe from them and stay my coming, and not goe with them before the emperour. soe we dispached a swift bark of ores away, not dowbting but they will sowne overtake them, for that our host tozayemon dono of sackay arived heare this day, and left hym at shimonaseak two daies past, and i make acco. our bark will be at shiminaseak. oyen dono came to vizet me in the name of tonomon samma, offering me all assistance against the hollanders, and wishing me to make hast, not dowbting but the hollanders would be driven out of japon, yf i made my complaint in due forme against them. also yt is tould me how the hollanders have made a greate _pancado_,[ ] or sale of silk to divers japons, and the silk waid out and sealed up, but coming to payment there is _taies_ in a _pico_ difference in the price, which amounteth to above _tais_. so that much adow is lyke to be about it. oyen dono being gon, sugian dono of umbra came unto me (as from tonomon samma) and wished me to make good enformations against the hollanders, wherin he would assist me, and made no dowbt but they would be banishid out of the cuntrey. i desired hym that he would assist me in the matter, and that i might be quickly dispached, to goe up to the emperour. soe he went from me to the _tono_, telling me he would use such dilligence i should be dispached to morrow. [ ] span.: _pancada_, contract for sale in gross. _august ._--i went to tonomon samma, or rather he sent for me, to know whether i ment to goe to themperour or no, to complaine against the hollanders. and i answered hym, yea. "but", said he, "do yow pretend to comence any processe against them?" to which i answered, noe, for that i would seek justice against them in england; only my pretence was to geve themperor to understand they were comune theeves and sea rovers and took all men they met withall, without exception, were they frendes or foes; and that his matie. might doe well to embarg their shipps and goodes till he better understood the truth thereof, and not suffer them to carry out victuelles and munition and money as they did, and to keepe two or shipp to goe a roveing as they did this last yeare, to take chinas and all others they mett withall under culler of them; which they could not doe, had they not this receptacle. yt seemed he lyked my answer well, and wished me to proceed therin formally, and that he for his parte would [geve] assistance in what he could, and write to the king his brother at large thereof, whome he knew would take my parte against them, as not haveing yet forgotten the complaint they made against hym to themperour the last yeare; and that i needed not to carry any _bongew_ up with me, in respect the kynge hym selfe was theare, whoe he knew would assist me in person to goe to themperour and his councell. we agreed with a bark this day to cary us to osakay for lx _tais_ plate bars. there was som which came and tould me this day that tonomon samma, the kinges brother, and others asked the hollanders wherefore they tooke englishmen and their shipping in this sort; unto which capt. speck answered, it was because we brought shott, powder, lead, and other munition, and sould it to their enemies. "why", said the other, "are the englishmen your vasselles that they are bound to observe what yow would have them, and may not they doe as they please with that which is their owne to any one they esteem their frendes? as", said he, "they bring lead and such other matters as themperour hath need of yearly, which now it seemeth yow have taken, that non is lyke to com this yeare. soe that", said he, "this will make much against yow." whereunto capt. speck has littell to replie. i gave matinga a silke _keremon_, a _catabra_ of same, and an upper garment of fine white casho. _august ._--i wrot a letter to capt. adames to same effect as the former, and sent it per our hostice of bingana tomo to send it from thence expres. _august ._--tonomon samma, the kinges brother, sent for me to come and speake with hym; which i did, and fownd that the portingalles had againe made complaint against harnando ximines and jno. portus, saying they were murtherers of their capt., with many other falce reportes of them, desyring to have them deliverd into their handes. unto which i answerd, that, yf the portingales had anything to doe with them, they should goe before themperour, wheare i would answer for them, and to their shame prove their reportes falce. _august ._--i put into one chist to carry up, viz.:-- pece yello shag. peec. ruch wrought velvett. pott musk, containing coddes. box currall. peec. red cherenis. peec. black and green grogran. pec. red damask. pec. ruch figerd satten. peec. corse damask. pec. black ruch taffety. pec. fyne white china taffety. peec. japon taffetie. pec. yello satten. peec. ordinary taffeties. pec. white satten lymis. peces damask. peec. satten, capt. china. peec. orreng culler shagg. pec. oreng culler velvett. pec. ordenary taffeties. pec. ruch taffeties. pictures. pec. ordenary taffety. also capt. whow sent me a letter with many frendly speeches, that he and what he had was at service of me and thenglish nation during life, for that, till now, they stood dowbtfull that thenglish and the hollanders were all one, but now were fully resolved to the contrary; and that in all hast they would send word to china of what was past, to the entent to put them out of dowbt. gonosko dono, an ould gentelman, our frend, dyed this evenyng. he was father in law to ushanusque dono, our _bongew_, and the only souldier esteemed of by foyne samme, thould king. _august ._--we went to tonomon samme, the kinges brother, and carid hym a present, i being reddy to goe to themperour, viz.:-- - / _tattamy_ straw culler cloth. _tatta._ straw culler bayes. russia hide. _cattis ginco_ that came from cochinchina. ij greate gallipottes. ij small gally pottes. ij duch jugges. ij green tuns. and i desird his letter of faver to the king, his brother. also taccamon dono, cheefe justis, sent me a _baroso_ of wyne and a drid salmon. and sowne after i sent mr. nealson and our _jurebasso_ with a present of j peece of damask and ij cattis _ginco_, which he took in good part, and offerd us all frenship he could doe our nation. there passed a bark by, which came from cocora[ ] with banished christians, to goe for langasaque. there came som of them to see thenglish howse, amongst whome were or women. they say the king of cocora hath crusefied xxxvij men and women, wherof men were crusefied with their heades downeward. [ ] kokura, at the extreme north of the island of kiushiu. _august ._--i wrott ij letters, i to bantam, directed to capt. balle, and thother to camboja, directed to mr. georg savidg, with the former in it rec. back from nicholas marin. and these letters i deliverd to andrea dittis, who gave conveance to them per way of china. capt. speck sent for mr. osterwick to com and speake with hym, of which he tould me, and i bad hym goe and knowe what was the matter. soe at his retorne he said the cheefe occation was for that i spoke ill of their comanders or generalls of the indies, wishing me to refrayne my tong, or else to take heed of my selfe. also he said he sat still in his howse and said nothing tuching thenglish, as also that there could nothing be done in thenglish howse but that he knew it within xxiiij howers after; and that he held me for a furious and hastie man which misused all thenglishmen in the howse, and did all thinges on my owne head and spleene without taking councell. the first point of these speeches jno. osterwick made knowne unto me, and the rest tould unto other englishmen which gave me to understand therof. i dowbt this jno. osterwick, because his father was a duchman, and it may be he dealeth dubly. soe, being tuched soe neare by this prating duchman, i took occation to write hym a letter in spanish, the coppie wherof i have extant, in which i advized that i marveld much he medled in my howsehould affares, braging that nothing could be donne but he knew it within xxiiij howrs after, esteeming me a hasty, furious, and he might as well have said, a madd man, doing all thinges on spleene without councell. unto which i answerd that i desyred to know my accusers, which yf he did not manifest, and that yf any man went upon spleene or ill will to geve out or speake such ill and falce reportes of me, that he or they lied in their throtes. and whereas he said he sat still in his howse and said nothing tuching thenglish nation, my answer was, they hadd not geven hym nor them any occation hitherto, nether in taking of shipping, killing of men, and robing them of their goodes. and, yf i spoke ill of their generall, i did it upon a good grownd, holding hym as an enemy to my soverigne lord the kinges matie. of england and his estate in taking of shiping, killing his matis. subjectes, and bereving them of their goodes. and as tuching his thretnyng speeches, i did not well understand his meanyng, but gave hym to understand i did nether feare his wordes nor weapons. he also sent me word that i might make what hast i would to themperour to make complaint, and that he would follow after at his leasure, and that i could doe nothing till he came. unto which i answerd in my letter that i went not up to themperour to demand restetution of shipp nor goodes, for i was assured to have satisfaction in england, and therefore he was deceaved in that matter, and might ether goe up or tarry at home yf he list. _august ._--i receved a letter from capt. adams dated the th present, at a place leagues beyond camyna seke, wherin he writes me of the wrack of many barkes, and that the governors bark of provition is all cast over bord but one peece of ordinance. and that touan dono hath lost his processe, all his goodes confiscat, and his lyfe at emperours pleasure. also that a china bark or junk arived in xaxma with much silk, which he had taken from other chinas and sould it at miaco for _tais_ the _pico_; but themperour, coming to know they are theeves, hath geven them into the handes of other chinas, to have the goods retorned to whome they belong, and execution to be donne upon the offenders. and this day news is com from capt. whow that it is not niquans junk which is cast away, but an other, smaller, of not halfe themportance, but belonging to same owners. alexander, a scotsman in the duch shipps, gave me china picturs of saynts and our lady, paynted upon bras leaves. _august ._--icana came came to vizet me and take leave as he said, i being ready to goe up, and wished me to take good councell in my proceadinges against the hollanders, and that he knew the king of firando would assist me therin in all he could. _august ._--tonomon samma, the kinges brother, sent me his letter for the king his brother. and divers others came to vizet me and wish me a good voyage. _august ._--we set forward on our voyag towardes edo this mornyng about a clock in the mornynge, and at night came to an anker at languay, the farther towne, leagues from firando. _august ._--we departed from languay about midnight, and at nowne this day came to an ancor at the iland of anushma[ ] in faccatay, and there remayned all the rest of day and night following, wind being a stiff gale at n.e., the sea going hie. we la on shore all night, and gave to the howse xij _mas_, having made hitherto leagues. [ ] aishima. _august ._--we departed in the mornying from anushma to a port on the maine of faccata, called chuiasaquy,[ ] leagues from anushma, and to short of shimnaseaque. here we understood of a small china junck which was entred into a port of faccatay, leagues hence, called ginushma, being driven thither per contrary windes, but bound for firando, laden with suger, purselon, and other matters. but the _tono_ of faccata will not let her goe for firando, but discharg and sell her goodes there. [ ] tsuyasaki. in the margin is also added the name, wattary. _august ._--i was enformed this day that the china junk which was at ginushma, leagues hence, was one of the which the hollanders took and put their men into. these chinas, having lost the sight of the holland shippe, made the hollanders drunk that were put into the junk, and then cut their throtes; but, the wind being contrary, they could not retorne for china, but passed by firando and soe put into faccatay, where they staid not longe but put to sea againe, thinking them selves to neare firando, where the hollanders are; and are gone, as the report is, to a harbor on the north part of japan, called quitamare. some are of opinion that the junk which put into the back side of xaxma or bongo, whome went to miaco to sell their silke, was lykwais one of them, although it were geven out they were theeves and had stolne that silk and goodes from their owne cuntremen. _august ._--this day being a festivall day, our host of wattary (we lying ashore) envited us to dynner at his owne charge. _august ._--the _bongew_ of faccata envited us to dyner, and sent me word he was sorry he was out of the place when we arived, otherwais that we should have lodged in his howse. soe with thadviz of mr. nelson we sent hym a present of a peece of damask and a bottell of annise water. and within night, the wind coming sotherly, we waid ancor and put to sea from watary, and paid out in howse where we la these dais, viz.:-- bar plate to good man howse and peece green taffety and to his wife, in small plate and to his littell child and to his servantes _august ._--we arived at shimenasek this day, about a clock in thafter nowne, having made leagues. here our host tould me that leon overtook capt. adames before he arived at osakay, and that the bark leon went in retorned back per this place daies past, and is gon for firando, and that the marrenars tould hym capt. adames ment to stay for me at miaco, which god grant. our host tould me that, before the hollanders went from this place, there were japons which brought hym newes how the hollanders had taken english shipps, of which they had brought into firando without any englishmen in her, unto which capt. adames said littell, nether tould the hollanders what the others said unto hym; but that was all one, for one of the hollanders spoke the japon tonge. _september ._--i receved a letter from capt. adames, in answer of myne sent hym per leon thexpres, whome he retorned back unto me with such an unsezonable and unresonable letter as i littell suspected he would have done, saying he was non of the companies servant, and is, as it seemeth, altogether holandized, perswading me not to goe up about this matter. _september ._--we departed from shimina seak this day in the mornyng, and paid out to our host, viz.:-- for charg of diet, our selves and servantes for wyne for bark for rice for bark, our provition for herbes and onyons and redesh geven the servantes more, i gave to our hostis musk cods, and to her doughter musk cod, and to _caboques_ musk cods. and at son rising in the mornyng we arived at a place called yew,[ ] under a hill, without howses, having made this day and night past leagues. [ ] yu, in suwo. _september ._--we made this day, till night we came to an ancor neare miwarry,[ ] leagues, being leagues short of bingana tomo. [ ] mihara, in bingo. _september ._--with much adoe we got this day to bingana tomo, having made leagues, rowing in raynie wether against the wind. certen chinas came to vizet me heare and sent letters by me for edo, telling me that now they knew well hollanders theevs and englishmen trew men and ther frendes. _september ._--the wind being contrary, i sent away an expres, leon, with letters to capt. adames, as mr. nealson did the lyke, to perswade hym from the accompanying the hollanders, yf it be possible. i also sent other letters in japons to the king of firando and cacayemon dono, secretary to oyen samma. we departed from bingana tomo against the wind, and rowed it up to an iland leagues offe, where we came to an ancor, the wind encreasing. iland called sherais. we paid at bingana tomo, viz.:-- to the howse for charges to the servantes for wyne for wyne for leon and i gave ochora our hostis a picture and musk coddes; her doughter in law a pictur and musk cod; her doughter a musk codd; to her doughter in laws father a picktur and ij musk coddes. and i paid _tais_ _mas_ to _caboques_. _september ._--we departed from sheraish and made this day till son rising next day leagues. _september ._--we came to an ancor towardes night at a towne called moro, leages short of miaco, and stayed the tide; and soe put to sea againe and made leagues till mornyng at son rising. there was barkes at moro alltogether put to sea towardes miaco, som of them having staid there daies for a wynd. _september ._--we arived at osakay late at night, having made this day leagues. at my coming to this place i fownd leon, the expres i sent from bingana tomo, not yet departed, nether had grubstreet our host sent away my other letter which came from firando per conveance of our hostis at bingana tono; which gave me small content. yet in the end i perceved per grubstreet that capt. adames had tould hym i had no reason to complaine against the hollanders as i did, which was the occation he sent not that letter after hym. soe here i wrot an other letter to capt. adames, and sent both it and the rest per post after capt. adames. _september ._--tozoyemon donos wife of sakay sent me a _sesto_[ ] (or basket) of japon figges and peares, and an other _sesto_ of lyke to mr. nealson. [ ] span.: _cesta_. _september ._--i forgot to note downe that yisterday mr. nelson went to croby dono, capt. adames host, and took a note of all the goodes capt. adams wife or neamon dono had sent from edo, to thentent we might better recon with them at our coming to edo. _september ._--we went to the governor of osakay, shemash dono, with a present, as also with another to his secretary, viz.:-- fowling peece, damasked. _tatta._ strawculler brodcloth. peeces silk damask, at _tais_ peece. muskovie hide. and to the secretary:-- ij peces damask, at _tais_ peece. and j pec. rich taffety, as good as the rest. but going to the castell to deliver it, we had answer that the governor slept and the secretary was biden out to a banket. so we retorned without doing anything. i am of opinion our host grubstreet doth play the gemeny, and per instigation of capt. adames, both taking the hollanders partes for lucar. yf it be proved soe, god reward them according to their deservinges, and god deliver us from frendly secret fowes. _september ._--we set forwardes towardes miaco this morning. i gave our hostis ij pickturs and ij musk coddes; and to woman dono pickture, musk cod; to the nurce musk cod; to the anymall musk cods; and to them in plate bars - / _tais_, of which was to the humerus of mr. nealson; _tay_ to their _casero_;[ ] _tay_ to shisque dono, and musk cod; _mas_ to their maid; _mas_ for sowing my bedd. so this night we arived at fushamy[ ] at supper tyme; but our hostes sonne of miaco met me per the way with a banket. [ ] span.: _casero_, landlord. [ ] fushimi. _september ._--we departed this mornyng towardes miaco. _september ._--we set mr. jehan the scribe awork to write out an information against the hollanders, to deliver up to the emperour, the coppie whereof i have both in english and japons. we went to vizet the antient monumentes of japon, and amongst the rest the pagod, or monument, erected in remembrance of ogosho samma, the last emperour, which, in my opinion, is the most magnificent peece of work which i have seene in japon, both for the greatenesse and workmanship. and their is _boze_ (or pagon pristes) have alowance and mentaynance for eaver to pray for his sole, in the same sort as munkes and fryres use to doe amongst the roman papistes, and have their lodginges and buildinges about it in most sumtuouse sort, with a square cloister and other _futtakies_ (or chappels) within the said compas. all which is seated on the side of a mountayne among a greate wood of pine trees, most pleasant to behould. the great _dibattes_, or pagod, standeth in length due north and south, with pillars on a rowe in length and in breadth, the greate idoll or imag standing in the midst of the pagod, looking with his face w.ward. there is pillars in a rank on eache side with lantarns in them go downe to the gate howse w.ward, with on pillar or grete lantarne before the pagod dore. and the other pagod with the images standeth due s.ward from the said pagod. our hostes sonne accompanid us and provided bankettes for us in or places in the way. _september ._--we went and vizeted inga dono, the lord cheefe justis of japon, and carid him a present, viz.:-- fowling peece. _tattamis_ black cloth. russia hide. cakes wax. peeces damaske, cost _tais_ peece. peare specktacles. and to his secretary:-- peeces damask, cost _tas_ peece. pece ruch taffety. and withall i shewed hym the coppie of the information i ment to put up against the hollanders, wherat he marveled. i said they were theeves, for that allwais till now the hollanders reported our nation to be the comune theevs of all the world. "but", said he, "yow doe well to make the truth knowne, and your writing is well framed. soe yow need not dowbt but themperours councell will geve eare unto yow." he gave me a writing to all places where i came, to lett me have horses at ordenary rate, and to all hostes to use me and the rest in my company respectively. the _mackey_ man envited us to supper, where we were well entertayned with dansing beares, and i gave them a bar plate, ill bestowed. _september ._--i gave our hostis at miaco pictures and musk cods; and sent musk coddes to inga samas secretary; and gave our hostis little doughter musk cod. and i cut a peece white satten lyn to make mattinga a _keremon_, and gave the rest to our hostis littell doughter, and left the _keremon_ with our hostis to be wrought with silk and gould. cuemon dono envited us to supper, where we had kynd entertaynment with dansing beares, to whom i gave a bar plate. _september ._--this mornyng lowring, calme, droping wether, but, after littell, wind northerly. raynie wether all day, but much more by night, with an earthquake, etc. we set forward from miaco towardes edo, and dyned at fushamy, whither divers frendes accompanid us with dansing beares (or _caboques_). so we paid out _ichebos_ of _ta._ _m._ - / _co._ peec. for dyner; _ichebos_ to _caboques_; _ichebo_ to other women; _gins_ to servantes in howse; _gins_ geven in a howse per way, where our host of miaco provided a banket. nota, that our _rockshackes_, of them to carry me to edo and back againe, were agreed withall for _tais_ _mas_ per peece, we to fynd them victuelles. and horses to cary our provition and presentes, at _tais_ _mas_ per horse; and _tais_ for a horse for mr. nealson, to cary things to edo and then to be free, and pay their owne and horse charges themselves. also mr. nealson paid the horsemasters _tais_ on acco., and _tais_ to the _rockshackes_. about midnight or sowne after was an exceeding greate earthquake, which endured halfe a quarter of an hower. it happened at a towne called cussattes,[ ] leagues from otes,[ ] whither we went this day to supper, having made this day leagues. soe betyme in the mornyng we departed from cusattes; and paid out to the howse, for expenses, _ta._, and to the servantes _cash_. [ ] kusatsu. [ ] otsu. _september ._--a kinsman of our host at miaco mett us in the way with a banket, having com xx milles; unto whome was geven an _ichebo_. we went to dyner to a towne called ishebe,[ ] where we were constraned to stay all night because the waters were up, that we could not passe by reason of much rayne which happened. we paid for our diet at ishebe _ta._, and to the servantes _cash_. [ ] ishibe. _september ._--we dyned this day at a towne called suchiama,[ ] and paid for our diet : : - / , and to the servantes _cashe_. and went to supper to a towne called sheque no jeso;[ ] and paid for our diet with brekfast : : , and to the servantes _cash_. [ ] tsuchiyama. [ ] seki. _september ._--we went to dyner to a towne called ishaquish;[ ] and paid for our diet : : , and to servantes _cash_. and we went to supper to quanno,[ ] where we were at our arivall (servantes and all) envited to supper by the governor or _tono_, where i have not had better entertaynment since i came into japon. i had laid out a present of a peece damask, a bottell spanish wyne, and an other of annis water, to have geven hym, with musk coddes; but he refuced it, saying he would not take any thing till i retorned from themperour, his master, offering me barkes for nothing to carry me and all the rest over the water to mia, leagues; which i thanked hym for, having hired others before. and soe per night we departed from quano per water; and gave our host, for use of his howse and _rackshackes_ diet, _ichebo_. [ ] ishiyukushi. [ ] kuwana. _september ._--som howers before day we arived at mia,[ ] at fox my hosts, where we brok fast and laded our horses, being . and paid for our diet and travell : : - / , and gave the servantes c. of _cash_ or _gins_. and we went to dyner to cheru;[ ] and paid diet : : , and to servantes c. _gins_. here we met themperours eldest sister with a greate trayne after her. and sowne after we met the portingalls retorned from the court at edo, it being daies past since they departed from thence. they say the hollanders delivered their present and had audience the same day. soe we went to occa sackey[ ] to bed, having made this day but leagues; and paid for diet night and mornyng _ichebos_, : : , and to servantes ij c. _gins_. this towne ogosho sama was borne in. [ ] miya. [ ] chiriu. [ ] okazaki. _september ._--we dyned at acca sackey[ ] and paid diet : : , and to servantes j c. _gins_. we mett this day in the way soyemon dono and semi dono, of firando, going downe from edo to firando, but about what busynes i could not learne. soyemon dono tould me that themperour knew of the hollanders theft and that i was coming up to the cort. and after, when i mett semi dono, he wonderd at the matter, and said nether themperour nor king of firando knew nothing thereof; but i think he dealeth dubly, etc. we went this night to bed to yoshenda,[ ] having made this day but leagues; and paid for diet night and morning : : , and to servantes c. _cash_, and to his sonne for a barill wyne c. _cash_. [ ] akasawa. [ ] yoshida. _september ._--we went to dyner to famma mattes;[ ] paid diet i _icheboes_, and to servantes c. _cash_ or _gins_. and soe we went to mitsque[ ] to supper, having made this day leagues; and gave for diet night and morning : : , and to servantes c. _gins_. i forgot to note downe that, passing a river, the boatmen misused our servantes and would not let our horses passe, but gave them blowes. soe i showed them a passport or comand from the great justis of japon, inga dono, wherin he comanded them to geve us free passag without molestation; which seeing they cried pecavie and followed after me leagues to aske pardon, many other neighbours accompanyng them to speak in their behalfe, for they knew full well, yf i had made complaint, it had cost them their lives. [ ] hamamatsu. [ ] mitske. _september ._--we went to dyner to cagingaua,[ ] a towne wherin themperours unckle dwelleth; and paid diet : : , and to servantes c. _cash_. and met a servant of semi donos by the way, lame, unto whome, he asking for god sake, we gave _gins_, etc. also i met gonrok dono, the _bungew_ of langasaque, going downe from edo, whoe took knowledg of me before i knew hym, and offerd me much kyndnes in wordes, etc. soe we went to bed to cainagh,[ ] having made this day leagues. at this place i met a china coming from edo, per whome i wrot to andrea dittis, china capt., and to ed. sayer and jno. osterwick, of my arivall in this place. we paid for diet here : : , and to servantes c. _gins_. [ ] kakegawa. [ ] kanaya. _september ._--raynie wether; per night a very storme or tuffon. we passed the great river[ ] and went to dyner to a towne called fugieda;[ ] and paid diet : : , and to servantes c. _gins_. and paid men, to helpe us over the deepe river without bridg, _gins_. and went to bed at shrongo,[ ] having made this day leagues, to get over the rivers before they did rize per meanes of this rayne. [ ] oi-gawa. [ ] fujieta. [ ] suruga. _september ._--we staid all this day at shrongo by meanes of the raynie wether, and departed from thence the morowe mornyng; and paid for diet all the tyme _ichebos_, is : : , and to servantes c. _gins_. and i gave our hostis a picture and a musk codd. _september ._--we made this day leagues, going to bed at a place called cambara,[ ] and could goe no farther, the way being fowle and no place of lodging neare. and paid for meales : : , and to servantes c. _gins_. [ ] kambara. _september ._--we went to dyner to yoishwarra.[ ] paid to the howse for diet and to servantes _gins_, is : : . and went to supper to mishma,[ ] at foot of the great mountayne, wherin above howses were burned few daies past. soe we had but pore lodging, yet paid for diet night and mornyng : : , and to servantes howses c. _gins_. [ ] yoshiwara. [ ] mishima. _october ._--we went to dyner to a place called facony,[ ] on the top of the mountayne with the greate lake, and paid diet and howse c. _cash_. and we went to bed to wodowrey,[ ] at the other foote of the mountayne, a greate towne all burned the last yeare but one howse. so we made this day leagues. the towne standes by the sea side called wodowra; from whence i wrot capt. adames an other letter per expres that to morrow i ment (god permiting) to be at edo. and i wrot letters to king firando and torazemon dono to same effect. and we paid for diet at wodowra _ichebos_, is : : , and to servantes c. _cash_, and to a screvener to writ letters c. _cash_. [ ] hakone. [ ] odawara. _october ._--we went to dyner to woiso,[ ] where our hostes howse was taken up per the king of figen. so we dyned at an other place, where i was taken on a sudden with such an extrem wind collick and stoping of my water that i verely thought i should have died. so i sent an other letter to capt. adames of my stay per meanes of sicknes. our new host, seing me sick, would not let me stay in his howse; soe our ould sent for me, when the king of figen was gon. we paid for our dyner an _ichebo_, is : : - / , and to servantes c. _cash_. [ ] oiso. _october ._--we departed from woiso and paid howse ij _ichebos_, : : , and to servantes _gins_, is : : - / ; and i gave children, in silver, : : , and to a maid servant that attended me and warmed clothes all night _ichebo_, and to goodwife of howse a pece rich taffety. this day we met the hollanders retorned from edo, leagues short of edo, hollanders besides japon servantes. there was small greeting betwixt us; and so they passed. we went to bed at a place called todska. _october ._--betyme this mornyng, at break of day, we met capt. adams, whoe came to meete me leagues from edo. and sowne after we met horses sent from king of firando to meete me, attended on by men. and soe we went to dyner to a place called caningawa;[ ] and paid _ichebo_ and c. _gins_ for howse, and to servantes c. _gins_, and for charges kinges horses _gins_, and for colation at shiningawa[ ] _gins_. and sowne after we met on of the king of firandos gentelmen sent to meete me, with pikes carid before hym, to accompany me into the towne; and sowne after yada dono and capt. adames his children with a banket, before our entrance into the cittie. soe i gave the king of firandos men which came with the horses _gins_, and sent them away. and sent mr. nealson with our _jurebasso_ to king of firando, to thank hym for the honor he had done me, and that i was so weary now after my sicknes i could not com my selfe, but ment to vizet hym to morrow. [ ] kanagawa. [ ] shinagawa. _october ._--i went to vizet the king of firando, and delivered hym the letters i brought from his brother, and carid hym a present, viz. _tatta._ of murrey cloth, muskovie hide, peeces damask; and to his brother peeces of damask. and i shewed the information to the _tono_ of firando that i ment to put up to the emperour against the hollanders, which he read over with silence, and then called torazemon dono to see it; whoe having read it over, looked somthing sowerly on the matter, for he was allwais a great frend to hollanders. _october ._--capt. adames with torazemon dono and our _jurebasso_ went to the court to know when we might have audience of themperour and deliver our present, but they fownd so many noble men geving presentes to themperour, it being the th day of the moone (and a festivall day), that they could have noe answer, and soe were put affe till to morow. the king of firando sent me a present of a barill wine, and a table of cuttell fish drid. _october ._--i wrot a letter to firando to ed. sayer and jno. osterwick, with others to china capt. and matinga. in that to china capt. i wrot for my _goshon_. these letters sent per horsmen. codgskin dono sent me a present of greate peares, of spans about one peare. also i rec. a letter from semi dono, dated in miaco, as he also wrot an other to capt. adames to same effect, to gett hym out a _goshon_ for cochinchina. soe this night torazemon dono came and brought me the letter with the ould _goshon_, and caqemon dono came in company with hym and an other gentellman of king of firando. they used many speeches to perswade me from putting up this writing which i have made against the hollanders, which i esteme is torazemon donos doing, for that he hath allwais byn a frend to hollanders. _october ._--capt. adames was sent for to the court, soe that i thought we should have delivered our present to themperour this day. but he remayned there from nowne till night, and had not one word spoaken to hym. _october _ (_conguach_ th).--capt. adames sent his man to firando and soe for languasakey with a _goshon_ for fingo shiquan, per whome i sent the letters for firando. and gave hym an _ichebo_ to spend per way. this day we went and delivered our present to themperour, viz.:-- fowling peeces. de. cloth, black. de. sadd blew. peeces damask and satten. _cattis_ wax. _cattis callamback_. _cattis_ silke. _october ._--capt. adames went to cort with our _jurebasso_, and it was ordayned to morow we should vizet the prince with a present, i meane themperours eldest sonne. _october ._--we carid a present to the prince wacange samme:-- fowling peece. _tatta._ black clo. _tatta._ primeroz. peece damaskes or stuffes. cake wax. peec. _calemback_. bundelles silk. we attended a greate while to have entrance to the prince after our present was carrid in, and in the end were put affe till to morrow, i doe think by instigation of som from the _tono_ of firando, who enformed them we came to make processe against the hollanders. once we retorned back, and left the present behind. _october ._--this day we carid the present to the prince wacange samme, or rather delivered it to hym, yt being well accepted of; and the emperours factor went with us. _october ._--we carid our presentes to oyen dono, and to his secretary; and to codgskin dono, and to his secretary. more presentes geven to emperours councell, viz. to oto dono, tushma dono, itame genuske dono, and their secretaries. _october ._--we carid presentes to chana shogero dono; to the two admeralles; and to sonne fongo samma. the admerall sent a bark for us, to carry us to a howse of pleasure where he was, and entertayned us very kyndly. so at our retorne we gave an _ichebo_ to the barkemen. the singing man and sugien donos brother came to vizet me, and brought a barken [baken ?] box of meate for a present. _october ._--a littell before son rising there happened an earthquake at edo, but of small contynewance. the king of firando sent a man to me with a letter which he rec. from oto dono, advising hym of the present we gave hym, willing hym to geve us thankes for it. also gensero samma, the kinges brother, sent to envite me to dynner daies hence; but i retorned answer that as yet we had not donne any thing for dispach of our busynes at cort, but howrly attended the councells answer; but, having ended, i would com and kisse his lordshipps handes, etc. _october ._--we went to see the sepulcre of ogosho samma, now new made. a wonderfull peece of work it is, and farr before that of ticus samma at miaco; and neare unto it is an other monument of sada dono, father to codgskin dono, and a pogo[d] of heathen pristes, with a monument of noble men which kild them selves to accompany ogosho samma in an other world, as they think. a servant of oyen dono, who kept the monument, made us a colation, and showed us all the singularreties of the place; unto whome we gave an _ichebo_. _october ._--this day was the great feast of shecco, all the japon kinges (or _tonos_) viseting themperour with presentes. soe we could doe nothing at cort. _october ._--capt. adams went to cort remayning there all thafter nowne; but themperour went a fowling, soe nothing was donne for our dispach. i sould this day _tay_ wight of corall for _tais_. _october ._--i forgot to set downe how cakeyamon dono came to vizet me, telling me he came new out of cuntrey from the funerall of oyen donos wife. he also advized me that i should not think ill of hym, yf he ware forward in wordes to speake in the hollanders behalfe in presence of the king of firandos people, for that he did it of purpose. this is a craftie fello. i sent hym a present this day, viz. pece fugered satten, cost _tais_; branch corall, containing _mas_ _condrins_. the king of firando sent one of his gentellmen to vizet me, with many complementall wordes and offers of greate frenshipp, and that he wanted not to labour to get our dispach. i retorned his highnes many thankes; but rather imagin he standeth in dowbt we goe about to get lycense to send our shiping to langasaque, in respect we desire to be apart from the hollanders, and in that he is not deceaved. but whether it will take effect or no, i know not, only the emperours factor sent me word per capt. adames it would. _october ._--we went and vizeted oyen dono, the secretary, but had but one word with hym, he only biding us wellcom and so went to cort. i thought to have delivered hym the writing i had made against the hollanders; but he went away without it, although he saw me have it in my hand. so i gave it to his secretary, cacakayemon dono, whoe of hym self promised me to deliver it to hym at his retorne. i also went and vizeted the king firando, and carid hym branches corall, containing _mas_, and a bottell of strong water; and to his brother a branch of corall containing _mas_ _condrin_. the king i fownd in company with certen caveleros whoe went lyk wais to vizet hym, he being very weake and full of the french disease, soe i think he will not live longe. _october ._--i went and vizeted the emperours merchant or factor, and carid hym a present of branches corall, containing _mas_, with a bottell hoot distild water. i receved _tais_ for _mas_ wight corall of my owne, and _tais_ for a landshast of companis, sould per capt. adams. we were envited to dyner to yada dono, where we were kyndly entertayned. _october ._--i sould _mas_ _condrin_ wight of corall at per one silver, is _tais_ _mas_, trusted. capt. adames was all day at cort, expecting answer for our dispach, but did nothing, most of the councell being gon to honer a pagod where ogosho samas was bured, daies journey hence, the seremony being to be observed the th day of this moone after japon stile, which was the day of this buriall. _october ._--capt. adames was all day at cort to get our dispach, but retorned without doing of any thing. _october ._--not having busynes to doe by meanes the councell were abcent about seremones of the ould emperours mortuary, we went and vizeted the pagod of otongo, which these people hould to be the god of darknes (or hell), as the antientes called pluto. it standes on the topp of a hill which overlooketh all edo, and the idoll (or picture) of otongo is made in forme lyke a devill, with a hooked nose and feete lyke a griffon, and riding upon a wild boare. he was painted after severall formes, but allwais monted upon a wild boare, which the people say was his blason or armes. and for that entent there is a greate wild boare alive kept in a cage (or frank) at the foote of the hill, which i saw at my entrance. and there goeth an upright peare of [s]ton staie[r]s of stepps, of a lardg breadth, leading directly up to the pagod; but an easier way is to goe compas about the hill. there was many people went to vizet that place, and their use is to goe tymes rownd about the pagod mumbling out serten prayers. this i marked of dyvers. from thence we went to an other pagod, where the eldest sonne of ogosho samma (a valient man) lyeth bured in a stately monument. this pagod is the seate of the greate or high bushopp of japon, next after the _deyre_. his people used us very kyndly, and opened the dores of the monument, and let us enter in, and opened the secret place where the idoll of the dececed was placed, whereat all the japons fell prostrate and adored it. and from thence they led us into the bushops chappell or oratory, all sett out with idolls and lamps, nether more nor lesse then in the papist churches, before which idolls the japons did likewais fall downe and worship. this pagod (or monestery) was erected to the honor of amida, a greate saint of china, equaled with shacca. and i gave an _ichebo_ to them which shewed us these matters, and so retorned hom. _october ._--fongo dono, the ould admerall, sent me a present of frute with a letter from his manor howse, leagues hence. capt. adames was all day at cort to get our dispach; but had nothing from the councell but a nod and smiling countenance. _october ._--mr. nealson did but ask capt. adames for shire maps without frames, which per his acco. he hath resting in his handes; but he fell into such a chafe about that matter, telling them which were about hym, in the japon tong, that this was not the first tyme we had charged hym with falce accomptes and after reconynges. truly i was ashamed to heare hym in such a humor; yet, after, yt seemed he recanted, for he came to me and asked me yf i know of any such matter. and i answerd hym, it apered by mr. eatons accompt that he had them, wherof i know yow (_sic_) have a coppie under his owne hand. so he went away, and said nothing to the contrary. matabio oye dono, our host of oisa,[ ] sent me a letter with a present of greate fyshes, to know whether i were in health or no, for that i was sick in his howse, and not heard any news whether i were recoverd or noe. he sent this man leagues with this present only to see how i did. so i gave his man an _ichebo_ of gould to pay for his horshier and wrot a letter to his master. we went this day to vizet a greate temple of yemia fachman, the god of war, with an other god, as they take it, joyned with hym, which every th day of eache moone the people goe on pilgremage to offer to the shrines; and this was the th day, which made me the more willing to goe to see it being accomplished, with capt. adames, mr. nealson, and others. and i doe verely thinke there were above , people, men, women, and children, which went this day upon devotion to that place, and in many places in the way were comodies (or plaies) to be seene, and other showes; and before the temple the sorserars or witches stood dansing, with knottes or bunches of hawcks belles made fast to sticks, which they held in their hands, mumbling over sertayne prayers. but that which i tooke most note of was of the liberaletie and devotion of these heathen people, whoe thronged into the pagod in multetudes, one after an other, to cast money into a littell chapell before the idalles, most parte, or rather all which i could see, being _gins_ or bras money, whereof of them may vallie som _d._ str., and are about the bignes of a _d._ english money; which coyne (or brasse money) they cast in by handfulles, and then came out of the temple, delivered a writing to one that sat within the dore, who piled them one on the top of the other. and so the pilgrams turned on the left hand of the entry of the pagod, and in a gallery went tymes about it, and soe departed away. there was many of gentellmen which went on horsback to doe these devotions in the forme as afforsaid. and soe, as we retorned, we went into a _vento_[ ] or tavarne, where we dyned of presentes and bankets which were brought us; and gave to the howse _gins_, and the servantes ditto. cacayemon dono came to vizet me, and tould me many matters, how his master and all the rest of the councell were offended against the hollanders, etc. [ ] oiso. [ ] span. _venta_, a roadside inn. _october ._--capt. adams went to cort about our busynes, and there saw jno. yoosen, the hollander, delivering up a present to themperour and getting out a _goshon_. mr. nealson envited cacayemon dono and torazemon dono to supper this night, and had the dansing beares. this day at clock after nowne an earthquak. _october ._--chauno shrogero dono, emperours factor, sent me a letter of his retorne to edo; and i retorned hym answer, desiring his frendship to procure us emperours _goshon_ to carry our shiping to langasaque. capt. adams went againe to cort, to gett our dispach, but retorned only with a nodd from the counsellors, with a smile. also he understood that for daies space jno. yoosens present is not yet deliverd, although he tendered it each day. and i had forgotten to note downe that caquemon dono, secretary of oyen dono, tould me that the said yoosen brought a present to his master, which he asked hym whether it were stolne goodes or noe, for that, said he, the hollanders are now well knowne to be comune theevs, etc. also, capt. adams being at cort, oyen dono asked hym wherefore he came; whereunto he answered that he came for the dispach of thenglish capt. "whie," said he, "is he not gon? it is almost a month past since i thought he had byn gon." this he spoake in hearing of jno. yoosen, and soe went away laughing, for what event i know not, only capt. adames thought it was in mocking ye hollanders. _october ._--capt. adames went to castell to have gotten our dispach, but retorned without doing any thing, the emperour being gon to looke on them which shott at blank with hand guns or kalivers. also he saw jno. yoosen, the hollander, still with his present unreceaved, attending their pleasures. capt. adames went to cort to get our dispache, and the councell gave hym order to com to them to morow morning, for that they would talke with hym. the emperour went this day a fowling, and with his owne handes kild elkes (or wild swans), which coming out to send them abroad to his brothers and frendes (after his retorne to his pallace or castell), he saw jno. yoosen stand in a corner with his present, and asked what he was; and, being knowne, he went away asking whether he were a hollander, and yt was answersd hym yea. "whie," said he, "it is reported this fellow is much indebted and will not pay his creditors." unto which a frend of his answered, it was to the hollanders, his cuntremen, and to noe others; wherin his frend lied, for he oweth to divers others. yet upon this report his present was receaved. _october ._--i went and vizeted chawno shrogero dono, and desird hym to be a meanes to get our dispach; and he tould me he would, and for our going to langasaque with our shiping, we might doe it yf we would, as well as to firando, for that it was all one to this emperour, soe we might doe it. capt. adames went to cort, as the councell did bid hym, but attended most parte of the day, and then retorned without geting out our dispache. _november ._--this day we reconed with yadeo dono, partner with neamon dono; but much trowble we had with hym, for he would have put lodghier, incomiendo, and servantes wages to acco. for goodes sould, and yet have kept all the profit to them selves, over and above the bare prise left with them, they having, upon my knowledg, sould it for much more. also he would have put som thinges sould at a lower price then it was left at, with other unreasonable matters. soe i referd all to capt. adames to make an end of it, without going to law, where i am ashewered we should have fownd small right, as i have known per experience. _november ._--jno. yoosen came to vizet me, and brought me a present of sweet meates, enviting me hom to his howse, etc. yt seemed by his speeches he was not well pleaced with the hollanders liberallety towardes hym, considering the paynes he had taken for them, for which he hath the ill will of the _tono_ of firando and divers others. capt. adames went to cort to get our dispache, but themperour was gon out a hawking and the councell a feasting; soe nothing was donne. _november ._--i receved three letters per expres, viz.:-- from ed. sayer and jno. osterwick, dated in firando, th october; from capt. whaw, china capt., at langasaque; from jno. _jurebasso_ at firando--all to sett out _goshons_ for chinas, yf i can, one for tonkin, and other for taccasanga. capt. adames went to cort to get our dispach, but retorned without doing anything. only oyen dono asked hym whether i were gon or no. unto whome he answerd, how i could goe without lycence of themperour. so he tould hym i did well, and that we should forthwith be dispached. there was japons of langasaque with presentes to get out _goshons_ for cochinchina; but they and their presentes were sent away without any answer, but that they might com an other tyme, viz. capt. barnardo, cutarro or gotarro, manuel gonzalves man. _november ._--i went to oyen dono, accompanid with capt. adams and mr. nealson, and by good fortune met hym in the street at his owne dore, desyring his lordshipp to get us our dispach from themperour, which he promised to procure forthwith, being ashamed (as he said) we staid soe longe, and with all tellinge me he was beholden to me. _november ._--yisternight at a clock was an earthquake, which for a good while shooke very much. capt. adames went to cort to get our dispache, and was answerd we should be dispached to morow. the japons presentes, which came for _goshons_, were receved. _november ._--the emperour sent me silk _keremons_ (or coates) for a present, wherof i gave to capt. adames, to mr. nealson, and to our host of miaco, magazemon dono. _november ._--i forgot to note downe that there was a comett (or blasing star) which hath appeared this or daies som hower before day, easterly, a littell to the southwards; but it is so neare the sunne that we could see nothing but the teale, yt being of a hudg leangth, and doth, by littell and littell, draw to the westward, sotherly. also this day i went and took my leave of all the lordes of the councell, but spoake with none but oyen dono. and, as we retorned, about a clock, hapned a greate earthquake, which caused many people to run out of their howses. and about the lyke hower the night following hapned an other, this cuntrey being much subject to them. and that which is comunely marked, they allwais hapen at a hie water (or full sea); so it is thought it chanseth per reazon is much wind blowen into hollow caves under grownd at a loe water, and the sea flowing in after, and stoping the passage out, causeth these earthquakes, to fynd passage or vent for the wind shut up. _november ._--we dyned at king of firandos brothers, where we were kindly entertayned, and i carid him a _barso_ of wyne and a fresh salmon for a present. the people in this place did talke much about this comett seene, that it did prognosticate som greate matter of warr, and many did ask me whether such matters did happen in our cuntrey, and whether i knew what it did meane or would ensue therof; unto which i answerd that such many tymes have byn seene in our partes of the world, but the meanyng therof god did know and not i. _november ._--capt. adams was sent for to cort about our _goshon_ of last yeare, to know what junk it went in to cochinchina, and, as it is thought, andrea dittis, the china capt., hath deceaved me, and delivered my _goshon_ to seme dono at firando and served his turne in his junck, which now is com out. these matters are com to light per meanes of seeking out the truth of sturrs which happened in cochinchina with japons against chinas, whereof the king of cochinchina advized themperour of their unrulynesse; soe that it is thought noe _goshons_ will be geven out for that place this yeare. the comet apered this mornynge greater then any tyme before. _november ._--i went to chawna shogero dono this morning to desire hym to get out our _goshon_, which he promised me he would, and desird to buy som corall of me, yf i had any. soe i sent hym that which i had, out of which he took _mas_ _condrin_ wight, and would have sent me money for it; but i gave it hym. towardes night torazemon dono and an other gentellman came to vizet me from king of firando, unto whome i made knowne how semy dono had used me about my _goshon_, which was thoccation i was staied heare soe long tyme without my dispach from themperour. _november ._--i went and tooke leave of king of firando, i being ready to retorne to morrow for miaco, and fownd him very weake and sick; yet he gave me very kind entertaynment, and wrott letters (as he tould me) to his brother and semy dono, to pay me the rest of money he oweth to the company and to doe me justice against gorezano and all others. and before night torazemon dono and wrot me a joynt letter to deliver them my _goshon_ for use of semi dono; which i denyed, and wrot them answer therof. _november ._--i went to cawno shogero dono about the report geven out of selling my _goshon_, and he tould me that the capt. of semi donos junck is com up and witnesseth that semi dono sould hym my _goshon_ for _taies_; so that, yf the matter should com in question before the emperour, it would cost som men their lives. yet, for his parte, he would doe the best he could to amend all, and said it was better i stayd here or daies to se all ended, for, yf i went away, nothing would be donne. _november ._--the comet doth contynew still till this day, drawing towardes w. southerly. about a clock at night a fyer began in the north parte of the citty of edo; but it was calme wether; otherwais much hurt had byn donne. yet ther were a few howses of pristes (or _boses_) servantes with pagon temples burned in divers places a greate distance one from an other, many merchantes howses and tradesmens howses betwixt, and yet it passed over all them without doing harme, and only burned downe the other, as aforsaid; which many esteeme a handy work of god. _november ._--i forgot to note downe how the night past, when the fire was neare to the king of firandos howse and cakayemon donos, i sent or men to have holpen them, yf need required; but the streetes were so stopped that non could passe but one as a messenger, to tell them of my good meanyng, which they took in good part. _november ._--there was presentes geven to andrea and maddalyna, his wife, mrs. adams sister, in repect they had sent us presentes of _barsos_ wyne, frute, and a fresh salmon, and came from orengaua, daies journey, to vizet us, viz. peece velvett, pece damask, and _mas_ wight corall. mr. nealson fell sick on a sudden of a fever with a bloody flux, in greate extremety; so we sent for one of kinges chirurgions, to take his councell, mr. nealson being very ernest to be lett blood; but he councelled the contrary, saying it was nothing but an extreme cold he had taken which drove hym into this excesse or fever, which, out of dowbt, was his syting in his shert and a gowne or howrs together on the topp of the howse, to look at the fyre when the pagods were burned nightes past. _november ._--yisternight about a clock was an other fyre. _november ._--we went to see the emperours eldest brothers howse, called shrongo samma, being envited to doe it per the ould emperours cook, who sent me a present at shrongo and came hither and vizeted me or tymes since with presentes, besides this frenship. so i sent hym a peece of damask for a present. this howse we saw cost the workmanshipp, besides the tymber and all other stuffe, bars of oban gould at _l._ _s._ str. per bar. and his yonger brothers have made other howses adjoynying unto yt, not much inferior to the others. and it is to be considered that all these buildinges are of tymber, covering and all, but soe guilded over with gould, both within and without, that it sheweth most gloriouse to the eye, but endureth but or yeares, and then build an other new; which they accompt a greate glory and take it a base thing to dwell in a howse builded by his predecessors. capt. adames went to court againe to get our dispach, but did nothing. soe he talked with chawno shogero dono about my departure from hence to morrow, i having busynes at miaco and else where, and that capt. adames, havyng busynes to stay heare or daies after me, might bring it with hym. _november ._--we departed from edo this day, after nowne, and gave presentes as followeth:--to capt. adames _tatta_ black cloth, and one peece damask; and to mrs. adames peece cushen velvett, peece damaske, and _mas_ wight corall; and to mrs. adames sonne josephe pec. velvet; and to his doughter susanna pec. damask; and to his wives mother pec. damask; and to tome dono, _jurebasso_, pec. taffety; and to jacobe dono, his clark, pec. taffety. and geven to servantes in house _gins_; and paid for our diet _tais_. and so we went to bed to sheningaua, leagues from edo; and paid charges, supper and breckfast, : : , and to servantes _gins_. _november ._--an hower before day we saw an other comet (or blasing starr) rising just east, in the constellation of scorpio. it is a mighty comet, and, in my opinion, bigger then that which was seene when sebastian, king of portingall, was slayne in barberry.[ ] and paid for a colation at caningaua[ ] _gins_. and for dyner at todska[ ] _gins_. and for ferrying over water _gins_. and so we went to bed to oyse;[ ] and paid for supper and breakfast _ichebos_, and to servantes _gins_. [ ] slain in battle in marocco, th august, . [ ] kanagawa. [ ] totska. [ ] oiso. _november ._--we broke fast at wodowra,[ ] and paid _gins_. and dyned at facony,[ ] and paid _gins_. and la all night at mishma;[ ] and paid for supper and breakfast : : , and to servantes _gins_. [ ] odawara. [ ] hakone. [ ] mishima. _november ._--we went to dyner to yoishwarra,[ ] _gins_; and to supper to yegery,[ ] and paid : : , and to servantes _gins_. and paid at passag at fagicaw[ ] _gins_. the first comet was not seene after this night. [ ] yoshiwara. [ ] ejiri. [ ] fujikawa. _november ._--we dyned at shrongo;[ ] and paid : : , and to the servantes _cash_. and soe we went to supper to fugida;[ ] and paid to the howse night and morning : : , being in _ichebos_, and to servantes _gins_. [ ] suruga. [ ] fujieta. _november ._--we dyned at nisakay;[ ] and paid _ichebo_, and to servantes _gins_. and went to supper to meetsque,[ ] and paid for night and mornyng diet _ichebos_ and _gins_, and to servantes _gins_. [ ] missaka. [ ] mitske. _november ._--we went to dyner this day famma mattes,[ ] where, mr. nealson being sick, we staid the rest of the day, and paid for dyner, breckfast, and supper _ichebos_ _gins_; and for passage at a river _gins_; and to _rockshakes_ to cary mr. nealson _gins_. [ ] hamamatsu. _november ._--we dyned at arra,[ ] and paid _ichebo_ and [hundred ?] _gins_; and for passage at a river _gins_; and to _rockshakes_ to cary mr. nealson _gins_ or _ichebo_. and so we went to supper to ushinda,[ ] and paid evenyng and mornyng _ichebos_; and to servantes _cash_ or _gins_; and _ichebo_ for cutt _tattams_ spoiled per our people. the _tattams_ afforsaid were cut by co john and other knaves, as we went up, unknowne to me till capt. adames had receved a letter therof. [ ] arai. [ ] yoshida. _november ._--we dyned this day at acca sackey;[ ] and paid _ichebo_, with _gins_ to the servantes. and went to supper to occa sackey;[ ] and paid _ichebos_ and _gins_, and to servantes _gins_. this day we mett the _dyres_ women going towardes edo to fetch one of themperours doughters to be married to the _daire_. [ ] akasawa. [ ] okazaki. _november ._--we went to dyner to mia,[ ] and paid _ichebo_ and _gins_ to howse and servantes; and passed from mia to quano[ ] per water; paid barkhier _ichebo_ _gins_. and paid for diet at quano, night and morning, _ichebos_ _gins_ to howse and servants. and to our ould host for his pains _ichebo_, and to an other man which brought a present _mas_ _condrin_; they taking paynes to goe to the king of quanno, to whome i ment to have geven a present for his kyndnes as we passed towardes edo, but he was not within; so his secretary exskewsed the receving thereof, with many kynd wordes that he would mak it known to his master. but there was musk cods geven the admerall, borowed of richard king. and in the mornyng, as we were going out of the towne, the street being full of hackneymen and horses, they would not make me way to passe, but fell a quareling with my _neremoners_, and offred me greate abuse, som of the townsmen taking their partes. but, when they saw me about to goe to the _tono_ to complaine, they made frendes to speak unto me, and asked me forgivnes on their knees: they being in danger of lyfe, yf i complained. [ ] miya. [ ] kuwana. _november ._--we dyned at ishaquese,[ ] and paid _ichebo_ _gins_; and went to supper to sheque,[ ] and spent night and morning diet _ichebos_ and _gins_, and to servantes _gins_. [ ] ishiyakushi. [ ] seki. _november ._--we went to dyner to chuchamy,[ ] and paid _ichebo_ and _gins_ for diet and servantes. and to supper to ishebe;[ ] and paid for dyet _ichebos_ and _gins_, and to servantes _gins_. [ ] tsuchiyama. [ ] ishibe. _november ._--in passing by cousattes,[ ] our host sent his sonne to desyre us to enter into his howse, and made us a banket. soe i gave hym an _ichebo_, and _gins_ to servantes. and at setto,[ ] leagues short of oates, our host magamon dono had provided a banket for us. and so we dyned at oates,[ ] and paid _ichebo_ and _gins_ to the howse, and _gins_ to the servantes; and betwixt oattes and miaco skengoro dono and makey dono mett us in severall places with bankettes. soe this night we arived at miaco, haveing made leagues this day. [ ] kusatsu. [ ] zeze. [ ] otsu. _december ._--we were envited to cuemon donos sonne to dyner, where we had very niggardly fare for our selves and worse for our servantes. this fello is grubstretes sonne, and worse then the father, and that needes not. _december ._--our hosts kinsman, dwelling at oates, brought me salted cod fish and mr. nealson for a present. he mett us at a towne beyond oates, leagues, with a banket at our retorne from edo, and with an other as we went. _december ._--i bought and paid for my selfe, viz.:-- duble womens gerdelles, cost duble wo. gerdelles, cost duble gerdell ditto, cost watty of silke for a _keremon_ halfe peece ben silk to lyne a _keremon_ --------- and we bought bundelles writing paper, cost _tais_. _december ._--we were envited to dyner to mackey dono and had kynd entertaynment. and he gave me a pike for a present. and there were presentes geven to shebe dono, grubstreetes sonne; and to magamon donos kinsman at otes. and i paid our hostis for embradoring and making matingas _keremon_ a bar coban, : : . _december ._--our host of miacos brother in law envited us to dyner to a place of pleasure without the cittie, where the dansing beares were, with a greate feste. and there came an antick dance of saters or wild men of other japons, unto whome i gave _gins_, and a bar of plate to goodman of howse, containing : : . soe the dansing beares were sent home after us. _december ._--giffio dono delivered us upon his master tozayemon donos accompt, as not being sould, viz.:-- muscovie or russia hides. peeces stamet bayes, containing - / _tattamis_. remnent black bays, " " remnent strawculler bais " - / " all brod cloth: no. brodcloth strawculler, containing - / _tattamis_. no. ditto strawculler, containing - / _tattamis_. no. murey, containing - / _tattamis_. no. murey " - / " no. popinge " - / " no. popinge " - / " no. sadd blew " - / " and _tatta._ strawculler, no. unknowne. our hostis sent me a present, viz. _keremon_ for a woman, peare _segdas_ or womans shews, codd fish called in japon _tarra_. and she sent mr. nealson the lyke, with codd fish. and the host of the howse where we hadd the banket brought me a present of eating stuff in boxes. and cude dono of firando brought me a _barso_ of wine and a banket, _nifon catange_. i sould skengero dono rest of my corall, containing _ta._ _mas_, for _taies_. _december ._--we went this night to supper to fushamy, and gave presentes to magamon dono, our host of miaco; to skengero dono, his son; and to our hostis. and i gave her littell doughter an _ichebo_ of gold. and there was paid out for diett _tais_, and to the servantes in howse _gins_. _december ._--we went from fushamy to osakay this morning, and gave presentes: to our host _tatta_ black bayes; and to his wife one peece ordenary taffety; to his doughter a gerdell, cost _mas_; to ric. cocks, his sonne, a coate, a gerdell, and shews, cost : : ; to wickham, his sonne, a gerdell and shews, cost : : . and to servantes in howse _gins_, and for dyett _tais_. and i gave a bar plate to maky donos sonne, containing _tais_, he bringing hym to me to geve hym the name of richard cocks. i gave also _tay_ to mr. nealsons boyes syster; and _ichebos_ to dansing beares which followd us to fraccata. _december ._--i forgott to note downe, the th day of this month, after goodes receved of giffio dono, that there wanted or rested yet to rec. for his master toz. do. acco. goodes left with him. no. , halfe brod cloth strawculler, containing - / _tatta._ no. , halfe " " " - / " no. , halfe " " " - / " more bayes black wantes " and bayes straw " and in money due per salles and lent hym at firando ----------------- _december ._--capt. adams arived at osakay, but brought not the _goshon_ with hym, but left his man to bring it after, non yet being geven out per meanes of the brute betwixt the japons and chinas at cochinchina. _december ._--tome dono the _jurebasso_ retornd to miaco with his kinsman, and had geven them for horshier _tais_ plate bars. _december ._--we sould maky dono, in truck of _maky_ ware, viz.:-- brod cloth, no. , hayrculler, containing - / _tat._ brd. cloth, no. , cynemond, " " brd. cloth, no. , strawculler, " " stamet bayes _tatta._ at vj _tay tat._ ------- ------- for which he is to deliver me, upon my owne accompt, within months after date hereof, in _maky_ ware, viz.:-- scritorios, according to measure, at _tas._ combcases, at - / _mas._ peece is beetell boxes for king syam, at _tais_ pec. the rest being _tais_ in other ware or money ------- ------- mr. eatons littell doughter helena came from sackay to vizet me, and brought me a banket for a present, japon fation, brought per her nurce, the mother being sick. and i sent her mother, by her, a bar plate, and gave the nurce _mas_ small plate. and cuemon dono, grubstreet, our host, gave me a present: sleeping silk _kerremon_, codfishes, bundells sea weed drid, _barsos_ of wyne, _barso_ of vinegar; and to mr. nealson silk _catabra_. _december ._--this day we went to sakay to dyner, to meet tozayemon dono, our host, whoe i am enformed is newly arived from firando, and i would cleare acco. with hym. and, being at sackay, i bought for helena, mr. eatons child, these thinges following, viz.:-- silk _kerremons_, at _tais_ peece is peare _tabis_, at _condrins_ peece gerdelles in peece, cost pere shew stringes, cost ------- ------- _december ._--i bought this day _keremons_, outside silk and inside lynen, cost _kerymon_, all silk, cost for my boy larrance. black _kerremons_ for women, of silk also i paid for a scritorio with brass garneture : : . _december ._--we retorned to osakay; and paid for our diet and other bankettes : : , and to servantes : : . ther was theevs taken at osakay and put to deth, being of the consort of roages sworne to robb and spoile all they could, and had a head or master over them. so ther is much looking out after the rest; and were discoverd per a woman. _december ._--i rec. a _cubo_ (or womans box) from maky dono, cost _mas_, which i sent hym by his man; and wrott hym a letter to make me chirurgions boxes and salvatoris to them, _maky_ ware. _december ._--yechere dono, _alius_ cynemon dono, brought me a present of barrilles of wyne. and i bought for woman dono:-- _kerremon_, cost more, for silk watto to put into it more, gerdell, cost more, peare _tabis_, cost more, peare stringes for them, cost and geven her in money to buy oyle bar plate --------- --------- susannas uncle sent me a letter from sakay with pewter bottelles for a present. _december ._--this day at nowne we sett forwardes towardes firando, and gave out presentes to cuemon dono, host at osakay, to his wife, luisa dono, and to their sonne. and for our diet in plate bars : : . and bar plate to gifio dono of sakay for riding up and downe about busynes. and there was _ta._ _ma._ paid per mr. nealson for a barke to carry us aboard. and our hostes sonne and other frendes, with capt. adams, accompanid us to dembo, leagues from osakay, where we road at an ancor all night, the wind being contrary. _december ._--cuemon dono, _alius_ grubstreet, our host, came aboard our bark within night with a banket. and i wrot a letter to capt. adams of our stay this day per meanes of contrary wynd and tide. unto which he retorned answer, and sent me _muchos_ (or loves of bread). _december ._--we set forward from dembo, or rather incobe, at osakay this mornyng, passing the bar of osakay, and arived at fiugo[ ] at nowne. the wind being contrary, we staid at an ancor all night, having mad leagues this day. after this night, the comett, or blasing starr, was seene noe more, and ended under the d starr in chorls wayne or ursa maior. [ ] hôgo. _december ._--we tarryed all day and night at fiungo. _december ._--we gave rice and fish to all our barkmen to dyner this day, with a _barso_ of wine, in respect of christmas day. and meeting with a man of yechero donos, i wrot a letter to capt. adames of our puting into this place per meanes of contrary wind, and that yf he understood tozsayemon dono were arived at sackay, to send me a letter expres per a _tento_, to thend that yf the wind remeaned contrary, i might put back to sackay, or else send mr. nealson, to look out for the _taies_. _december ._--we departed from fiungo, and paid to the host : : , and to his littell sonne : : , and to servantes : : . soe we made leagues this day and night, and came to an ancor at shemuts,[ ] leages short of bingana tomo. [ ] shimotsai. _december ._--the wind being contrary, we staid here all day and night following; and, the wether being cold, we had a fyre made with a few charcoll in my chamber, in a place of purpose for such occation, dawbed about with clea. but it seemeth it was decayed, for, after i was in bedd, it took fyre beloe (not being seene before). and had not som of our servantes byn up late, i had byn burned in my chamber, in such a place that i could not have gotten out. for the fyre began within foote of the place i did lie in upon the mattes; and, when they came in and fownd it, yt flamed up brest hie, but, god be thanked, was sowne quenched without hurt. _december ._--the _tono_ or king of this place is a yong man called mats dayre cunay dono, of som years ould; the cuntrey called bigen[ ] sshmutsa; his revenews esteemed at (as our host his vassall tould me), [ ] _mangocos_ per anno. he is now at edo per themperours comandment; and som yeares past his father builded a greate castell or fortresse in this place, which was pulled downe yeares past, when all (or the most parte of) the fortresses in japon were dismantelled and utterly ruenated. the ruens of this are to be seene very large at my being heare. we departed from shemuttes, and arived at bingana tomo within night, having made leagues. sent a bark to miwarry[ ] to buy _barsos morofack_ to carry to firando. [ ] bizen. [ ] blank in ms. [ ] mihara, in bingo. _december ._--i bought and paid for peare _shegdas_, or womans shews, _mas_. _december ._--the wind being contrary, we could not departe; but receved barilles _morofack_ from miwarra, cost : : . _january , / ._--we departed from bingana tomo, although the wind were contrary, and paid out for diet : : , for barkhier and a man to fetch wine from miwarra : : , to servantes : : . and we gave to our hostis of bingana tomo for a present one salmon and codd fysh, and to her doughter a pikture of christ and two musk codds. soe we made this day and night following leagues. _january ._--raine and heale per night, a very storme or tuffon. so we went but leagues this day, and ancored under an iland or rock. _january ._--we wayed ancor, and with much adoe gott to an other iland to a roade, the village called sua, having made this day leagues, but, wind serving after, we gott to camyna seak[ ] by break of day, having made per night leagues. [ ] kaminoseki. _january ._--we gott this day and night following from camina seake to chimina seake[ ] by break of day, having mad leagues. but som or leagues short of shimina seak our boate ran against a rock in the water, that it was a woonder she was not split in peeces, but being a strong new boate shee had noe hurt. god be praised for it. [ ] shimonoseki. _january ._--our host at chimina seak came abord of us, and brought me a _barsoe_ of wine and a bundell of drid cuttell fish for a present, but, the wind being good, we did not stay, but put to sea. the wind being contrary, we were forced to put back leagues which we had gotten, and to enter into a port in faccata called ashia[ ] (or asha), where we staid all night, and went ashore; and paid to howse : : , and to servantes : : , and for fresh fish bought to carry abord. and so we made this day leagues. [ ] ashiya. _january ._--we departed this mornyng at sunne rising from ayshia, and the morow morning, at lyke hower, arived at langway[ ] in crates, having made per day and night leagues. i forgott to note downe that the towne of ashia was sett on fire some daies past by drinking of tobaco, where their were above howses burned, and of the ruchest men in the towne burned in adventuring over far to save their monies and goods. amongest the rest a mynt man was one of them, whome was noted above all others for a badd covetous man and one that had gotten his goodes uncontionably. [ ] nagoya. _january ._--we departed from languay at sunne rising, and about a clock were forced by a tempest (or tuffon) of wynd and rayne to put into a harbor of firando, called awoe, leagues short of firando, the sea being so overgrowne that we could not keepe it out to gett to firando. soe we made leagues this day. _january ._--we arived at firando this day about nowne, having made leagues this day. the _tono_ and all the caveleros sent messengers to bid me wellcom home, and all the neighbours and other frendes came in person to doe the lyke. and at our passing by the english shipp which the hollanders had taken, they shott affe peeces of ordinance to wellcom me, which i tooke rather in scorne then otherwaies. _january ._--i sent presentes as followeth, viz.:-- to tonomon samma _barsos morofack_ and salmons. to bongo sama _barso morofack_ and salmon. to taccamon dono the lyke. to oyen dono the lyke. to andrea dittis, china capt., _barsos morofack_, and salmons, with one silk _kerremon_ geven me per emperour; and an other silk _keremon_ same to his sonne augustine; and a silke gerdell, a pere _morofak tabis_ and string, with a perfumed fan to capt. chinas wife; and a box or littell trunk _maky_ ware, and a silverd fanne to his eldest doughter, with a pere _tabis_ and stringes; with an other silverd fan to his yongest doughter. to ed. sayer a silk _kerremon_ geven me per emperour. to jno. osterwick the lyke. to mr. wickhams woman a silke gerdell, a perfumed fan, a pere _morofak tabis_ and stringes; with the lyke to mr. eatons and mr. sayers women; and allso to mr. nealsons and mr. osterwicks women. and to jno. portus, robert hawley, and jno. cooke, eache of them a peare of lether buskins; and to each of their women a peare _tabis_ and stringes, with a silverd fanne. and to matinga ruch _kerremons_, with gerdelles to them, a womans box, a box to put gerdelles in, a peare _tabis morofak_ with peare stringes, and peare small _beaubes_. and to susanna a box with a gerdell, a peare of _tabis_ and stringes. and to otto, matingas mad, a gerdell, _tabis_ and stringes. and to gynne, littell otto, and besse, each one a pere _tabis_ and stringes. and to littell wm. eaton a gerdell, _tabis_, stringes, and silverd fan. and to my boy larrance, to geve his mother, a gerdell. also yoskes father sent me a pigg for a present. _january ._--i understand that in my abcense at emperours cort that the hollanders misused me in speeches, which som frendes hearing reproved them for it, and they made answer, a t---- for me and them to. and after, mr. sayer and jno. portus going along the streete, the hollanders cast a cup of wyne in the faces of them. where upon they grew into wordes, and fell together per the eares; in which broyle jno. portus broke a hollanders pate with his dagger. i doe know that speck, the holland capt., sett them on, otherwais they durst not have donne it. soe herupon jno. osterwick and jno. portus went to the hollandes howse to know what their meanyng was to use us in such sort, and withall to tell hym that yf it were by his instigation, to challeng hym and his second into the feeld to answer ed. sayer and jno. portus, or any other the prowdest hollanders he would apoint, yf he durst not doe it hym selfe; that they were base people in respect of thenglish, and i a better man then hym selfe or any hollander in these partes. capt. speck exskewsed hym selfe, and said it was unknowne to hym (yet a lie), and soe put them affe. yet, after, they did not attempt such matters noe more. tozayemon dono, being now ready to retorne for sackay, wanteth and odd _tais_ of the somo plate lent hym before my going up. and soe i dowbt he will play the gemeny with us, and that it will not come in tyme to send it for cochinchina, as it is ordayned. yet he sayeth he will pay duble yf it com not in tyme. we have now no remedy but patience. we were envited this day to dynner to andrea dittis, the china capt., (all thenglish), where we hadd good cheare. and in the ende he brought me his littell doughter of an yeare ould, called ingasha, willing me to geve her a christian name, and esteeme her as my doughter. soe i gave her the name of elizabeth. and he gave me a present with her, as followeth, viz:-- _ta. ma. co._ silver candell stickes, poz. silver branches, gouldsmiths work peeces grogran, which i esteem at _ta._ peece peeces cheremis, or silk sipers, estemed at as much ------------ ------------ with _barsos_ wyne and fyshes. capt. whow sent me pound sitrons for a present. _january ._--heale and snowe all day, and lyke per night following. divers caveleros sent me frute and other eatable presents, and came to bidd me wellcom home. i cut a peece of green damask, and made _keremons_ of it for helena, mr. nealsons gerle, and mr. wickhams gerle, and lyned them with a peece japon taffete. also i gave susanna a _keremon_ of them i had of tozayemon dono, and lyned it with a peece redd taffetie. _january ._--cold, frosty, snowie wether, wind northerly, and soe remayned all day and night following. soe this is the deepest snowe i sawe since i came into japon. mr. sayer and mr. osterwick wrot letters to syam to send in the holland junck in my abcense, capt. speck assuring them conveance. but this day he sent them back againe, saying that they fownd them under albartus bed, whoe had forgotten them and left them behind hym. but this is one of specks tricks, whoe, out of dowbt, had opened them before. but the worst is, ed. sayer and jno. osterwick were soe unadvized that they noted in their letter how i sent others per same conveance, which i did per a japon unknowne to the hollanders, which i dowbt now will be intercepted: which angereth me not a littell. _january ._--this mornyng still cold, snowey wether, with much wind northerly, and soe remayned all day and the lyke per night following, with a hard frost. [_here there is a gap in the ms._] _december _ (_shimutsque _), .--i receved a letter from cuemon dono, of nangasaque, that he hath beeves lying by hym, and our men will not take them, for that they are leane; and therefore he would have us to take of the best and leave the rest, and would send them by boate for firando at his owne charges. but i retorned answer that, yf his beefes hadd byn fatt and com in tyme, we had took all, and now hadd taken pork of hym in place thereof, for that i could not meddell in this matter to keepe leane beevs all winter, having neither hayestack nor pasture. _december _ (_shimutsque _).--mr. wilkyn, a purcers mate of the _james royall_, having byn sick of a consumption a long tyme, departed out of this world this night past, and was buried this day in our ordenary buriall place. capt. pring, capt. adames, and many other accompanied the corps to grave; and mr. copland, the preacher, made a speech out of the chapter read in the buriall. the king of firando sent word he was lame of a legg, and therefore could not goe abord the _james royall_ to see her, as he desired, and therfore thanked capt. pring for his love, wishing hym a prosperouse voyage. also capt. pring, capt. adames, capt. lennis, with the ij preachers, [mr.] browne, and my selfe, dyned abord the _bull_, and had peces ordinance at our departure. and i deliverd mr. robinson five r. of to pay, when in england, to my brother walter cocks. _december _ (_shimutsque _).--the _james royall_ went out to cochie roade this day, but, waying ancor too sowne, was put to the northward of foynes iland, and lost an ancor of c. wight; and, yf she had not quickly let fall an other, had byn in greate danger, the currant driving her to windward, against the seyles and above boates which toed her to leeward. yet, god be praised, the second ancor held and staid her till tide turned. the duch sent barks to toe her out, and i the lyke; and capt. spek and others came abord to bidd capt. pring fare well. _december _ (_shimutsque _).--the duch shippe _trowe_ went out to cochie road this day; and i sent out barkes to helpe to toe her, as they did the like to the _james royall_ yistarday. we bought the howse oque dono our overthwart neighbor, for c. x _tais_, viz. _tais_ to hym selfe, for princepall, and _tais_ to his wife in respeck our bakers made an oven and baked bread in the yard, and our maltman made malt and lodged all in the howse this monson. mr. eaton put to acco. lj _tais_ vj- / _mas_ rec. of mr. henry smith, purser of _james_, for lovs bread of flower which should have gon in the junck _godspeed_. _december _ (_shimutsque _).--i rec. letters from nangasaque, viz. from mr. chapman, of the th and th present, and from mr. badworth, of the th present, of thinges sent for firando in barkes, one of which is cast away, wherin mr. white of the _bull_ was. _december _ (_shimutsque _).--i rec. a letter from gonrok dono at langasaque, per his man yasimon dono, to sent price of our lead, and that he was ready to rec. it. and capt. speck rec. another to same effect. this yasimon dono offerd us - / _condrins_ for a _cattie_, which is - / _tais_ per _pico_, not the money it cost in england. and som speeches are geven out that our men above, at edo, are kept presoners. but i think it is a lie. yet there weare the like reportes the other day; which was occation i gave capt. pring councell to get out into cochie road, and will make as much hast as we can to gett out the _moone_ and _bull_. god send us good luck. and we sent presentes to the king of firando and his brother, tonomon samma, and to semi dono, as followeth. capt. speck, the duch comander, jno. johnson, and mr. leonard for hollanders, and capt. pring, capt. adames, and my selfe for english. for figien a camma, king of firando:-- _cattis_ white silke, viz. skeanes white, and twisted bunds., containing _tatt._ _tatta._ stamet brod cloth. pec. stuff, viz. branch sattin, with rozes, blak sattin, with gold, blak, with gold flowers. pec. redd sais, viz. greate, small. pec. white saies. pec. damaskes, greate. _pico._ of lead. _pico._ peper, with bagges of damask. for tonomon samma:-- _cattis_ white silke. _tatta._ stamet broad cloth. pec. redd sayes. pec. white sayes. pec. canton damasks. _pico._ lead. _cattis_ pepper, with a damask bagg. for semi dono:-- _cattis_ white silke. _tatta._ stamet brod cloth. pec. redd sayes. pec. white sayes. pec. canton damasks. _pico._ pepper and china basons. _pico._ of lead. _december _ (_shimutsque _).--andrea dittis, china capt., retorned this morning from nangasaque, and tells me he mett mr. sayer going ashore yistarday, as he was coming from thence. he sent capt. pring and me, each of us, a jar of _markasotes_, or sweet bred, and one to capt. adames. also i rec. a letter from mr. sayer, dated in nangasaque yistarday, wherin he writ that one faccata soka dono will lend us or _tais_ at intrest, yf we will. this day, at english howse, both we and the hollanders sett our fermes to books (one english, thother duch) containing the presentes geven the king of firando, tonomon samma his brother, bongo samma their greate uncle, and semi dono. yazemon dono of faccata hath lent us this day two thousand _tais_ plate of barrs at intrest, to pay ij per cento per month, is forty _tais_ per month. i wrot a letter to the _bongews_ of umbra to thank them for releeving our men cast away in the bark. and towardes night bonomon dono came from tonomon samma his master, and brought a pike and _langenatt_ for presentes to capt. pring and capt. adames. and presently after came semi dono with japon guns and _barsos morowfack_ for capt. pring and capt. adames, and brought a bankett after japon fation, to drink with them and take his leave, because he had no tyme to envite them to dynner. also the king sent men to put us in mynd that he hadd ordayned them serchers, to look out we carid no japons in our shiping. and i made answer we ment to carry out non but such we would formerly geve his highnesse notis of, but were loth to consent to a new custom to serch our shipps, never used hertofore, it being against our preveleges granted us per themperour. _december _ (_shimutsque _).--we supped all at duch howse, both capt. pring, capt. adames, and all the masters of the shipps and merchantes ashore, where we had greate cheare and no skarsety of wyne, with many guns shott affe for healthes all the night long. _december _ (_shimutsque _).--i went downe to cochie abord the _royall james_ to seale up my letters, capt. pring soe desiringe me. and the dutch mett us there at supper. and before i departed from firando i sent our _jurebasso_ to tell the new serchers apointed that i made acco. the _royall james_ would goe out to morow morning before day, soe that, yf they would vizet her, it were good they went downe this night. i did it because they should take noe advantage against me, being lardg tonged felloes as they are. _december _ (_shiwas _).--i delivered all my letters to capt. pring for bantam and england, viz.:-- joynt letter to mr. tho. brockedon and capt. augustin spalding, to bantam. privat letter to capt. spalding, with _maky_ skritorios to sell for me. to mr. adam denton in answer of his, and sale of a cloak for hym. to jno. beamond, with a _cattan_ from jno. _jurebasso_. to right worll. company, of shipping arived this yeare. to sr. tho. smith, in answer of recept of of his, with peare tables. to mr. wm. harrison, treasurer, with a peare _macky_ tables. to mr. mouris abbot, deputie, with a peare pleing tables. to my brother walter cocks, with xxiij _ll._ xv _sh._ to mr. totton. to christofor lanman. to capt. jno. saris. to mr. jno. barker. to andrew charlton. to tho. antony. to sr. tho. wilson. to mrs. mary adams. leger expedition from mr. robt. price. _december _ (_shiwas _).--i went downe to cochie againe, and wrot these letters for bantam and england:-- to mr. brokedon and mr. spalding at bantam. to mr. jno. ferrers at bantam. to mr. tho. ferrers at london, to pay _l._ to my brother walter cocks. to my brother walter cocks to receve it for acco. jno. ferrers. _december _ (_shiwas _).--capt. cleavenger, mr. cockram, and the hollanders did arive this day from themperours court, with busynes to their owne content, the lead being put at five _tais_ the _pico_, and the prize referred to the king of firando of the padres and friggat. i rec. these letters from edo and miaco, viz.:-- from oyen dono, themperours secretary, to capt. speck and my self with many good words in it, and how our men were gratiously rec. per themperour. from gentero dono, king of firandos brother, complementall, that he is glad of tharivall of soe many english ships this yeare, etc. [and others.] and i wrote these letters for england and bantam, viz.:-- to honble. company, of arivall of our men from edo. to mr. tho. brokedon and mr. augustin spalding, to same effect. to capt. spalding, with a nest of tronks for mr. denton. to mr. adam denton, to same effect. and i carid oyen donos letter to the duch howse, because it was directed to capt. speck as well as unto me, and it emported as much as i noted before, as also of the recept of the cheane of gould and presentes sent hym from honble. company. and capt. speck shewed me an other letter which came from codgsque dono, directed both to hym and me, and one to same effect as that from oyen dono. _december _ (_shiwas _).--the _james royall_ put to sea out of cochie roade this day before nowne with a good wind. god send her a prosperous voyadge. _december _ (_shiwas _).--i paid unto one of the smiths of the _moone_, a staffordshire man, for a fowling peece, fyve rialles of eight in spanish plate, is xx_s._ str. and there was brought ashore out of the shipp _elizabeth_ xvj canestars of silk, and xv bales black china stuffes, cotton woll, and hhds. of china rootes, all of prize goodes taken in the friggatt. the china blak stuffes somthing rotten. and i lent xij r. of to ij staffordshire men, to pay me _s._ per r. of yf they retorne to japon months hence; yf not, to pay x_s._ for r. of in england. the name of thone is smith, cook of the _moone_; the others name is asberry, a marrenar in the _bull_. _december _ (_shiwas _).--i forgot to note downe how yistarday a japon did beate an english man, and hald hym into his howse for r. ; but abraham smart met that japons man in our howse and put hym into the stocks, unknown to me. but i let out the japon, and put smart into his roome, although the japon hadd sett the other into bilbous--i meane the english man--wherof i complained to semi dono, and he caused thenglishman to be retorned, and bad me chuse whether i would pay the money to the japon or no. mr. sayer arived from nangasaque this day, and brought a letter from pheze dono of _tais_ plate barrs taken up of a merchant for months at ij per cento per month; also iij m. v c. _tais_ ditto more, taken up of soka dono of faccata at same term and intrest. _december _ (_shiwas _).--capt. speck and my selfe sent a letter to gonrok dono to nangasaque per mr. osterwick, co jno. our _jurebasso_ accompanyng hym, to deliver the councells letter to hym from edo to take all our lead at _condrins_ the _catty_, and make us ready payment. _december _ (_shiwas _).--the shipp _moone_ went out of firando to cochi roade this day at nowne; and the hollanders shott affe pec. ordinance at duch howse and out of the greate junck; and the _bull_ shott affe more; and the _moone_ answered with peces to them, and gave us at retorninge ashore. the hollanders sent out barks to helpe to toe her out, and i . _december _ (_shiwas _).--the shipp _bull_ went out this day, and i sent boates, and the hollanders , but the sea _bongews_ sent non. _december _ (_shiwas _).--we had a duble councell this day at english howse, first viz. amongst ourselves, thenglish, capt. adames, capt. clevenger, capt. lennis, and mr. munden, mr. cockram, mr. eaton, and my selfe assisting, viz.:-- . yt was agreed mr. ed. sayer shall goe merchant in the shipp _bull_, and robt. hawley and ric. king and harry dodsworth to goe in other shipping, duch or english, as shall be thought fitt. . allso that the coates or _kerremons_ geven per themperor should be prised, it being referred to mr. eaton and mr. cockram to doe it, and then to be destributed per the amerall and his councell to whome they pleased; they being coates of two sortes, one rated at vj _tais_ per peece, and thother at _tais_ peec.; and they which receve them to be bound to pay the money in england, yf the company like not of the geveing. the other was a generall councell both of us and hollanders:-- . wherin was sould a cheane of gould, poz. vj _tais_ nyne _mas_, which i richard cocks bought for c. x r. of , ready paid downe, the one halfe being deliverd to the english admerall, capt. adames, and the other to jno. johnson, the duch comander. but first there was xxiij r. of taken out and geven to capt. morgan, which he had formerly disbursed. so rest neate delivered to each one - / r. of . . and in this councell was agreed that the shipp _swan_ shall goe for manillas with the fleete at halfe charges betwixt the hollanders and us, i meane betwixt the ij compans. of england and holland, they first to geve in a trew acco. what it coms to. . also it was ordayned that ij english men shall goe in each duch shipp, and ij duch in each english shipp. . there was presentes sett downe to be geven to men in firando. _december _ (_shiwas _).--i gave out my bill for iij m. v c. _tais_ unto faccata soka dono, taken up at intrest for months at per cento per month, the bill being dated from the th of the japon _shiwas_, is daies past. also certen miaco men brought _tais_ more, telling me feze dono took it up att same rate for months, but they desiring a bill of my hand and our lead bownd for payment therof, with a letter to same effect to gonrok dono, i denid it, ofering them ether to take my bill or my letter, whether they would, or my bill without mentioning the lead and the letter to mention it. but they would not, but carid away their money. _december _ (_shiwas _).--we shott affe chambers and peces of ordinance this morning, it being christmas day. i gave _tay_ to mall nubery, the _caboques_ coming to vizet us. the _elizabeths_ company mutened, and ment to have stured up the _palsgraves_ company to the like, but capt. cleavenger clapt the messengers into the bilbos till the admerall determened of it. but a multetude of the _elizabeths_ men came to reskew them, and mr. browne, master of the _palsgrave_, sent them packing with broaken pates and kept the presoners; for which the muteners sware by flesh and fell they will kill them. one james littell, a scotsman, is verey forward in the muteny as a turbulent felloe. and capt. edmond lennis, capt. of the _elizabeth_, went ashore, not reproving those felloes for it. these felloes abovsaid in generall demanded in mutenose sort the fift parte of the merchandiz taken in the friggot, as also for other matters taken before, aledging capt. keeling did the like for priz goodes taken before. also it is said capt. lennis hath secretly detayned a cheane of gould taken in the friggot. _december _ (_shiwas _).--we envited the hollanders to supper this night in the name of capt. adams, admeralls name, as they before envited us in their comander capt. johnsons name; and we made them cheare to content. _december _ (_shiwas _).--mr. osterwick retorned from nangasaque and brought answer from gonrok dono that it was referd to his discretion whether he would take our lead at _condrins_ or no; soe he thought it too deare at that rate and ment to com to an other price. and one jacob littell, a scotsman, was taken prisoner for writing idell lynes to make the _elizabeths_ company to muteny, he being of that shipps company, and wrot those lynes to the _palsgraves_ company to have made them doe the like, but could not effect it per reason of capt. cleavengar and mr. browne prevented them. and this littell, being taken and sent to firando to be heard, broake out of the bilboes and sled (_sic_) we know not whither. _december _ (_shiwas _).--we went (with the duch) to vizet the king; and the admerall and vizadmerall gave hym to understand shipps were ready to departe, and therefore came to take leave of hym, which he accepted of in good parte, and thanked the admerall for the _baricas_ spanish wine he sent to hym the other day. we took up vj m. _tais_ plate barrs of souchio dono and cofio dono of miaco at intrest for months, at ij per cento per month. and i paid the shewmakers for xj peare slippers and shewes - / r. of in spanish money, viz.:-- r. . peare blak slippers for my selfe - / pear red slippers for my selfe peare shewes for mr. hely, the soulder - / peare shews for barnardo peare shews for malt man - / peare shews for the brewer - / peare for jno. forster the trumpeter - / _december _ (_shiwas _).--capt. speck came to the english howse to talke about going to nangasaque to gonrok dono, to settell the price of the lead. soe it was agreed capt. speck should goe for both partes to doe his endevour. and mr. eaton rec. xxv _tais_ of mr. cockram for peces stuffes, at _tais_ pece, to make aparell for servantes which went to cort. _december _ (_shiwas _).--yt was thought fytt and brought in question by the hollanders to trym up a china _sampan_[ ] to goe with the fleete, but she was fownd unservesable, and rather thought to proceade from the hollanders to protract tyme till capt. speck retorne from nangasaque, to see yf he can procure license from gonrok dono for men to goe out in their junck for bantam; yf not, then must they keepe hollanders, although they want them in the fleete. capt. speck went this day to nangasaque about the busynes spetified yisterday, and carid bottells spanish wine from hollanders and as many from us to present to gonrok dono. [ ] _san-pan_: literally, three planks. _december _ (_shiwas _).--i paid threeskore and rialles of eight, spanish money, to mr. joseph cockram upon a peare of gould masse beades waying _ta._ _ma._ _co._, to sell for hym in his abcense and make hym what other profitt i can. and i gave or paid for susan xvij- / _mas_, viz.:-- _ta. ma. co._ for a gerdell for a lyning for coate for flowers to dye _january _ (_shiwas _), / ._--i went to cochie to take my leave of the admerall and rest of our frendes, and remeaned theare all night. _january _ (_shiwas _).--there was a sea councell held this day abord the shipp _moone_, admerall, both of the english and duch, where it was debated what course they ment to take when they went out, being now ready to sett seale. and i gave all the cheefe comanders in our shipps each one a remembrance of my opinion tuching this pretended voyage for manillias, and that i understood there is xxiiij china junckes bound this yeare for manillias, and the course they ment to take as apereth per coopie of that remembrance dated in firando yistarday, being the th of january , curant. and i carid a butt of rack of pie abord thadmerall to parte it with thother shipps in respect of a butt of spanish wine geaven into the factory. and i sent xx. jarrs bisket abord the _moone_. _january _ (_shiwas _).--this morning betymes all our fleete, both english and hollands, being seale, put to sea towardes the manillias. god send them good speed. and capt. speck retorned from nangasaque, but did nothing with gonrok dono, for he will not take our lead at _tais pico_, although the emperors councell tould our men at edo they hadd wrott hym to doe it. _january _ (_shiwas _).--i went to the duch howse to see the laying out of the presentes to geve to noblemen, as per councell ordayned. and at that instant the king of firando departed towards miaco and soe for edo, the hollanders shooting affe store of chambers and ordinance. and i went after in a bark with capt. speck, and we carid hym jarrs concerves, i c. vj. _cattis_ grose tare, wherof _cattis_ grosse weare of myne, rest of hollanders. and unagense dono accompanying hym, we gave hym a present of pec. red says and pec. cheremis and - / _cattis_ silk. and i sent richard hudson to cochie to take notis of thinges left in our howses, and delivered them to shinso dono, greate domingos father, and weare as followeth, viz.:-- long shething plankes. shorte ditto. square tymbers. ladders. dores for gedonges, and dore lost out of littell howse. windoes to shutt. shipp boates or skiffes, without ores. and for the mattes, our marreners brutishly tore and cutt them in peeces, and carid such part they thought good away with them, in spite of them i lefte to keepe them, and would have wrong out staples and all iron work out of windoes and dores. and cuemon dono, our fleshman at nangasaque, retorned this day thither, and would not end accomptes with me, except i would alow hym i c. _taies_ plate of barrs put to acco. and paid hym per mr. ed. sayer, as apereth per cuemons owne hand writing; yet he will not alow thereof, but went away in a fustian fume. _january _ (_shiwas _).--i paid the japon glover for a peare pomps ij _mas_ small plate. and we went with the hollanders and carid presents this day to bongo dono, sangero dono, stremon dono, nagen or unagense dono, cacamon dono, oyen dono, jeamon dono, jensamon dono, taccomon dono, weamon dono.[ ] [ ] the presents comprised sayes, canton damask, silk, cheremis, lankin silk, and lead. _january _ (_shiwas _).--capt. speck, capt. leonard, albartus, and mattias envited themselves to our _fro_ and supped at english howse. _january _ (_shiwas _).--we envited our neighbours to supper on tewsday next, which provided thinges for our shipping, with the gunfounders, master carpenters, and smiths. _january _ (_shiwas _).--the china capt. delivered me ij small cheanes of gould, sent me in present out of china, viz. from chisian ducuco and from ticham shofno, ij of the emperor of chinas councell; but the last from ticham shofnos sonne, his father being slaine in the tartarian warr; they sending me word that we may have free trade into china, and the rather for that the ould king hath delivered up the goverment of china to his sonne. all our neighbours that weare envited on sunday last came to dyner this day, and had the _fro_ heate[d], and a play of _caboques_, unto whome i sent two bars of plate containing viij _taies_ vj _mas_. capt. speck came to me late to desire me to look out for capt. adames _goshon_ to get japons goe in his junck for bantam, he standing in dowbt that andreas, capt. adams woamans brother in law, is gone to nangasaque to make it away to others. _january _ (_shiwas _).--i wrott letters into china per conveance of andrea dittis, to chisian dicuco and to ticham shofno, of recept chenes gould, with other complementall matters. i lent my _goshon_ to andrea dittis, china capt., and itamia migell dono, to make a voyadge for tonkin or cochinchina, and to retorne it to me, voyadg enden, under a recept geven me in japons, fermed per both. _january _ (_shiwas _).--i was suretie for china capt. for _tais_ plate barrs, taken up at intrest at per cento per month from first of later moone of _shiwas_, being the th of this month of january, antedated daies, for month space; which is to be sent into china with _taies_ more from china capt. to procure free trade into china; which not taking effect, the china capt. is to repay the _tais_ back, with the intrest, for honble. companis use. _january _ (_shiwas _).--we sent our _jurebasso_, tome dono, with the hollands _jurebasso_, to nangasaque, with a letter to gonrok dono, with good wordes once more to desire his lordshipp to take the lead as the councell sett price. _january _ (_second shiwas _).--andrea dono, capt. addames brother in law at edo, arived heare this day, and brought the _goshon_ of capt. adams from themperour, which capt. speck soe much desireth to make use of to sett out their junck for bantam, otherwais she will loose her voyag this year (as she did the last). soe i made it knowne to andrea, who tould me he dowbted to doe it, in respeck of the badd tong of jno. yoosen that kept such a bawling at emperours court against it. soe he thought nether capt. speck nor i would be an occation to disgrace the children of the deceased capt. adams, whome we weare bound rather to favour then otherwais. and that which was more, he had, in the childrens behalfe, bought the halfe of a junck at nangasaque, wherin he ment to goe hym selfe and make use of the _goshon_ lawfully. unto whome i answered that he might make acco. that nether capt. speck nor my selfe ment not to doe any thing prejuditiall to our deceased frendes children in any sort whatsoever, but yf he had bought halfe that junck, that capt. speck should take and quit hym of that losse and all other dangers that might ensue; and that upon necessitie it was as fitt our frendes should make use of it as a china or any other stranger. soe we agreed to morow morning to goe to capt. speck and take councell about it. _january _ (_shiwas _).--i went to the holland howse about the _goshon_, and cald andreas thither, to perswade hym to deliver it to me and lett the hollanders make use thereof to the most benefite of capt. adams children. but he answerd me he hadd sent it overland from shimena seak to nangasaque by one of mrs. adams men. yet, before, he tould me it was heare at firando, but that he could not let me nor noe other have it, in respect he had promised it to one goquan, a china, and had bought the one halfe of his junck. and then i asked hym whoe gave hym authoretie to dispose of this _goshon_, i sending it up to be renewed, without taking my councell herein. unto which he could make noe answer. soe i required a writing at his hand of sending the _goshon_ from ximina seak, and therin he promised me to use meanes to retorne it to me, and would goe to morow with me to nangasaque to performe it. _january _ (_shiwas _).--i was enformed andreas sent away a boate at midnight past to nangasaque, to adviz his consortes of my demand for the _goshon_. soe this day at nowne i went towards nangasaque about that matter and our leade, and desird andrea to goe with me as he promised, and went to his lodging with my bark to call for hym; and he sent me word he would com after in a bark of his owne. soe we went this night leagues on our way, and came to an ancor. _january _ (_shiwas _).--we arived at nangasaque this day at a clock in the after nowne, but andrea was not com. and i fownd tome dono, our _jurebasso_, whoe hadd spoaken with gonrok dono about my plito with cuemon dono of nangasaque for the bords and tymber; and he tould hym he would refer it till he came to firando or dais hence, and then end it before tonomon samma, the king's brother, whome had spoaken about the matter before. also i sent to jenquese dono, mrs. adams frend, to adviz hym of my being heare and wherabout i came; yet he came not to me. and at night itamia migell dono came to vizet me with hollands ost and divers others, and brought me a banket with ij _barsos_ wyne and ij wilduckes; and palus (? pauls) father a basket orenges and small lobstars. _january _ (_shiwas _).--i sent to gonrok dono and feze dono of my arivall and that i would vizet them to morow or next day. but gonrok made a feast to princepall in this place. andrea arived heare and sent me word he was aweary, yet ment sowne after to com and speak with me. many presentes were sent unto me. _january _ (_shiwas _).--andrea of edo came to me after nowne and tould me he could not nor would not deliver the _goshons_ unto me, telling me he did that which he did by order from capt. adams woman. unto which i answered that that woaman had nothing to doe with it, but her children, whom i had charg over and not shee. and then he answerd me, she (or he for her) had taken all the paines and disburced the money to buy presentes to get out the _goshons_. but, at same instant, tozayemon dono standing by answerd that he had delivered iij c. and odd _taies_ to jenquese, capt. adames man, he demanding it for that purpose, this plate belonging to the deceased capt. adames. soe i then demanded of andrea whoe disburced this plate, he or i? unto which he could answer nothing; but tozayemon dono desired me to refer the matter to hym till to morow, and he would end it to both our contentes. and this day we went to dyner to itamia migell dono, where we had kind entertaynment and great cheare with _caboques_. and i sent my packes of letters to firando, to goe in the hollandes junckes for bantam and syam. _january _ (_shiwas _).--we were envited to dyner to kitskin donos howse, and hadd good entertaynment. _january _ (_shiwas _).--a portugez called augustino de fiquira came to me and desyred a letter to capt. speck to retorne hym a slave of his which was in cure of the ---- in the duch howse, as he understood, his name being francisco mallabar. of the which i gave hym a letter with the slaves name, with my opinion the keeping of such a slave would doe us nether creddit nor profitt. and we were envited to dynner to groby dono, the hollandes host at this place, where we had greate cheare, with the dansing beares. and at last cast tozayemon dono sent me word, now i have staid dais at his request, that andrea and the rest will doe nothing. _january _ (_shiwas _).--i went to gonrok dono to demand justice against andrea, jenquese, and wyamon, for the _goshons_ of capt. adams and the money they have receaved without lycense from me. and he gave me faire wordes, and willed me to retorne to hym to morrow after nowne, for that he was envited out to a frendes howse to a banket and at instant ready to departe. and we were envited to supper to paulo dono, our gunpouder man, where we had good cheare, and many chambers and guns shott affe. _january _ (_shiwas _).--i went againe to gonrok dono about my plito with andrea of edo for the _goshons_ of capt. adames children. but he sent for the said andrea, and, in my hearing, tould us both he would not meddell in the matter, he being of edo and i of firando. soe i think gonrok was grezed in the fist before hand. also cuemon of nangasaque came before hym about our processe with ed. sayer for the _tais_ he saieth he had not receved, although we have his hand to shew for it. soe gonrock dono entreated me to geve hym _tais_, because he was a pore man, and the matter in question both before the king of firando and hym selfe. i answerd i would be ruled herin per his lordshipp, but first desired the acco. might be perused betwix the china capt., for me, and let hym apoint an other for hym selfe. _january _ (_shiwas _).--i went and vizeted feze dono, the justis, and carid hym bottelles of strong waters, bottelles and all, which he took in good parte and gave me greate thankes for it. alsoe i sent other two of same to gonrok dono, which he kindly accepted of. and i gave the water of other to alvaro gonsalves and alferes twerto. also i took up iij m. _tais_ in plate of barrs this day of tozayemon dono, our host of sackay, at ij per cento per month, or else at his coming to firando to geve hym silke or other comodety in payment to his content, or keepe the money for months at intrest. this day hollands junck departed from firando towardes syam. _january _ (_shiwas _).--the china capt. sent away china marrens to capt. speck. i left a letter with alvaro gonsalves for to deliver to emanuel rodrigos when he returneth from xaxma, of my coming hither only to make plito against capt. adames men for delivering the two _goshons_ without making me privie to it; and that jenque hath receved above _tais_ of capt. adams money without making me privie to it nor how it is disburced; and wyamon dono, an other of the deceased capt. adams men, hath taken up _tais_ worth merchandiz of me, and meneth to goe capt. of the _goshon_ in his junck without making me payment; and torosacka, an other of capt. adams men, oweth mr. eaton _ta_, and meneth to goe offecer in his junck without making payment, which i desire non of them may. as also that mr. eaton hath certen fyne corse lynen, which he meanes to send to manillias. the china capt. junck arived from firando. i receved a writing of itamia migel dono to retorne me my _goshon_ at retorne of juncke _willing mind_. and i reconed with paule for these thinges bought, viz.:-- _ta. m. co._ for a chist for baskittes to put oringes in for halfe a beefe for an emptie jarr to put bread in for roles biskett bread for neales to neale money chistes for reddish rootes to spend at sea, with other hearbs and rootes for hense for sea for fish at sea to eate for xx loves bread for sea for candelles for howse provition and geven for a present to china capt. junck, viz.:-- for emptie barilles for _gocos singe_ for ij _tay_ fishes more roles of bread aforsaid. and i sent mr. osterwick to gonrok dono with a coppie of my processe i ment to begyn with capt. adames servantes about the _goshons_, for the childrens right. _january _ (_shiwas _).--i reconed with paule for these thinges following, viz.:-- _ta. m. co._ for _gocos_ of _singe_ for sea for bunch of carrotes for _gocos_ of vinager for sea for sack salt for sea for a jarr to putt egges in for ij mattes to make up money chist for sacks of coles mor for sacks rise for marrenars and sack geven the pore and for provition for sea i retorned towardes firando after nowne; and we paid out for diett in the howse _ta._, and to the servantes bar plate, is : : . and i gave peeces black satten, the one to capt. chinas wife, and the other to his sonne augustins wife. and paulo dono, our gunpouder man, went out to meete us with a banket leagues on our way, and placed chambars on a rock and shott affe or tymes. so we arived at setto at night. _january _ (_shiwas _).--we departed from setto, and paid in howse, viz. for howse rowme : : , for fish geven us : : . soe, the wind rising, we put into woamon docka. _january _ (_shiwas _).--about midnight we departed from woamon docka, and arived at firando about a clock this day in the affore nowne. we paid at woamon doka, for howserowme : : , and for fish at one draught : : , and for other tay fish : : , and for live fresh fish : : . and at my coming to firando i found that man the companis slave, bought the last yeare at nangasaque to goe in our junck for a cawker, was run away, and hath stolne plate and other matters. this fello hath byn a secret theefe ever since he came into the howse, and hath stolne dyvers silver cupps, spoones, and forkes, with other matters, both of the companis and others. i sent all the orenges, rownd biskit cakes, and sweete bread to our neighbors wives whoe lent us money and furnished us with our tymber, mastes, biskit, etc. _january _ (_shiwas _).--i paid out myselfe in plate barrs vij _tais_ for the outsides of _kerremons_ for mr. eatons sonne wm., his hostes daughter, and china capt. doughter. capt. leonard campes came to thenglish howse, and tould me he knew not where the negros weare which came from nangasaque, which alvaro gonsalves and others wrot for; nether thought he it was fitt to retorne them, although he did know where they weare. unto which i answerd that yf it were my case, as it was his, i would retorne them both, but espetially the one which was our frends slave. but it semeth he will not, nether take hym at r. of , as he cost alvaro gonsalves. _january _ (_shiwas _).--i wrot letters to nangasaque about man, the companies slave which is run away, viz. to skidayen dono, secretary to gonrok dono, to paule the gunpoulder man, to yoshemon dono, pauls father, to look out for hym; laying to his charge the stealing of silver cupps, spoons, and forks, with other matters; and they to seek hym out and send hym back in bonds. also i wrot to alvaro gonsalves i canot procure his servant out of the hollanders handes. the hollandes junck for bantam went out to cochie roade this day, and shott affe peces ordnance and had the chambers and other ordnance shott out of hollandes howse. and i sent the capt. of her a barill of _skar_ beare and an other to hollandes howse. _january _ (_shiwas _).--i paid to the hatmaker china teliar, for making aparell, in small plate ij _ta._ vij _mas_. more for a _kerremon_ geven a child, small plate xv _mas_. _january _ (_shiwas _).--i delivered iij chistes of plate of barrs to mr. eaton, the same i receved of tozayemon dono at nangasaque, to accompt with cushcron dono, our neighbors and others about provition of our fleete; and paid per him _tais_. and i carid my packet of letters to the hollands howse, to send for bantam in the junck, per capt. albartus, being coppies of them sent per the _royal james_ both to the honble. company in england and precedent at bantam, with others of th present and this day, as appereth per coppies. and in these letters i sent the coppie of taxation of _swan_ per hollanders and other charges about her in comune, she going with fleete for the manillias; as also a note of charges laid out for james littell, sent presoner in the junck for bantam, in said junck: amont unto, in all, _ta._ _m._ - / _co._ and mr. eaton paid iij _tais_ in small plate unto tome of nangasaque, who staid heare daies to prune, cutt, and sett our trees in orchards and garden. and the cutlar came to make cleane my weoapons this day. also this day a carpenter was cutt in peeces for a muteny he and other xj made, to enter a pedlars house and cutt certen wooden shewes in peeces, they esteeming to have preveledg to make such matters. all xij had died for it, yf the queene mother had not begged their lives. _february _ (_shiwas _).--i sent ij _taies_ to the dansing beares, in small plate, they coming to our garden with a banket when we planted our trees. and we began our work to wall in our howse, newly bought to make a gadong in. _february _ (_shiwas _).--i paid out xiij _tais_ plate of barrs my selfe unto the founders for a peace of a cheane of gould, and sent the money per luarance my boy. also i paid out, in small plate, for divers thinges for susan, viz.:-- for ij gerdelles for servantes in howse for i bundell of paper, for selfe for / _catty_ tobaco, ditto for woamans oyle, ditto for _chaw_, ditto for i peare wooden clamps, ditto more paid out to larrance, my servant, to buy hym a coate or _kerremon_ of silke, in small plate, _ta._ and i went to oyen dono, kinges secretary, to vizet hym, and carid hym a bottell spanish wine and a greate fish, and took his councell about buying our three neighbours houses, and to aske leave to make our wharfe or kay _tattamis_ further out into the sea. he tould me he would make it knowne to tonomon samme and taccamon dono, and then would advize me when it was tyme to goe my selfe. and i rec. an other letter frem alvaro gonsalves about his caffro, and he sent the like to hollandes capt., but they will deliver no caffro. _febrary _ (_shiwas _).--i receved ij letters from nangasaque in answer of myne, from palue (_sic_) dono, the gunpoulder man, from yoshemon dono, palus father, tuching man the slave. they write me how skidayen dono, gonrok donos secretary, having receved my letter, went to feze dono and shewed it to hym. soe they made a comune serche throwe the towne for the theefe man, and, not finding him, comitted his father, mother, and brother to preson, with an other, his master which sould hym, whoe the ten of the streete are bound to answer for his forth coming, and, in fallt of fynding out the theefe, must answer with their lives or geve us content for what is stolne. and i retorned answer of my ij letters rec. this day from nangasaque, thanking them for their paines taken to find out the fugetive theefe man, and that we could not find hym out heare, desiring them to look out theare to his sureties to retorne hym to me, and i would use hym noe worse then he deserved. these ij letters i retorned per paule the gunpowder man his man, whome he sent expres to me to adviz what hadd past. and i gave hym _mas_, to pay for his boate hier, and a silke coate or _doboque_,[ ] an upper garment or japon cloake. and i paid the spanish telier five r. of , as followeth viz.:-- for buttons and loopes for a black bay coate, being r. for making the said bay coate r. for buttons for the sleeves - / r. for buttons and loopes for a portingall cap, or _galtera_[ ] - / r. for making the said _galtera_ or capp, _mas_ is - / r. which money i paid in spanish r. my selfe, being tymes more then was reason; and so an end, etc. we lent andrea dittis, china capt., viz. murthering peeces, or fowlers, with vj chambers, wherof bras; hargabushes of crockes[ ]; and japon calivers or guns. and the gouldsmith came to work this day. [ ] _d[=o]-buku._ [ ] port.: _gualteira_. [ ] probably the "crook", or rest, for the harquebus. _febrary _ (_shiwas _).--this morninge cold wether, with a hard frost, with snowe. hard frost all day, and the like per night following. _febrary _ (_shiwas _).--capt. leonard and capt. albartus and wm. cuiper went to the kinges brother to take leave of hym, to departe with the junck towardes bantam; albartus going capt. and wm. cuiper master. and, after, came to english howse for like occation. and this day one catsso dono, the kinges kinsman, caused a master carpenter, his servant, to cut his bellie, which was master to the carpenter kild the other day. soe it is thought he meaneth to pick a quarrell with taccamon dono for killing his other slave the last day; and verely thought sett on per others of the greatest sort; for tonoman samme and the queene mother labourd to have had the matter left till the king hadd retorned, but taccamon dono would not. _febrary _ (_shiwas _).--tyamon dono our master carpenter came and borrowed xx _taies_ to redeeme the other xj carpenters freed the other day, they being taxed at iij _taies_ per head, forfeted to the king. and i paid out money as followeth, viz.:-- for a _kerremon_ outside, lyning and dying, for williams nurse for a silk gerdell for tassak and in plate bars, for ij pec. lyning for williams coate, with the gerls coates, is ij _tais_ _mas_ bars and i paid in small plate to the glover sumaker, viz. for iij peare of pumps, at ij _mas_ peare for making iij peare of sue rozes at _con._ _febrary _ (_shiwas _).--i went to hollandes howse, and took leave of sr. albartus, whoe i understand was ready to goe downe abord their junck to cochi roade. and gonrok dono, governor of nangasaque, arived at firando, and sent me ij silk _kerremons_ for a present, with many frendly words of salutation. and we agreed with fezemon dono of firando, in presence of tayamon dono, the carpenter, for tymber and boardes to make a new gedonge. all which amontes unto iiij c. xxxj _tais_ vij _mas_ plate barrs, _ta._ _m._ _c._; wherof he is to have thon halfe in hand and the other at full delivery of all tymber, as by particulers. _febrary _ (_shiwas _).--the hollanders and we went to vizet gonrok dono, and carid hym ij _tatta._ of stamet cloth for a present. and, after, tonoman samme sent for us and the hollanders to bring the fryres before hym and gonrok dono, which we did, he examenynge them what they weare, they denying to be pristes, although we shewed their letters to verefie it. soe gonrok would have made a new processe of it; but we answerd the processe was made before the king of firando, which we could not alter, yet would geve his lordshipp a coppie therof, yf he pleased, and was the same we had also delivered to themperours councell. soe he was contented with it. _ta._ _m._ _co._ and i paid the cutler for skowring weapons and for making skabard for _cattan_, redd and to the gouldsmith for daies work _febrary _ (_shiwas _).--gonrok dono came to vizet our english howse and desired to see our lead, which i shewed unto hym; which he took in good part, as also the entertaynment he hadd; and did promise to doe his best to bring the price of the leade to _tais pico_, yet, because he had written to the contrary, could not now on the sudden doe it. and he being ready to departe towardes themperours court, i sent hym ij glasse bottelles of a pottell a peece filled with spanish wine, to drink in the way; which he took in very kind parte. and the hollandes junck being ready to departe, i went to cochie, and toke leave of capt. albertus, and carid hym a barill skarbeare and a bankett, _nifon catange_, or japon fation. and wrot ij other letters, viz.:-- to honble. company, enclozed to precedent. to precedent of bantam, tho. bockedon, and capt. augustyn spalding. and, after, i wrot an other letter to the worll. tho. brokedon and capt. augustin spalding, sent per james littell, the scotsman, of the duble dealing of capt. jacobo especk to sett our leade at - / _tais pico_, without asking councell of me. soe now he will geve but - / _tais_ per _pico_, and not pay for it till mo. hence, or it may be more, when he pleaseth to send money from edo or miaco. i wrot ij letters to the woamon of deceased capt. adames and to shongo samma, the admerall, about the knavery of andrea and jenquese. _febrary _ (_shiwas _).--i paid the barber for laurance, my servant, for tryming hym the yeare past, iij _mas_. and capt. leonard campes came to me to aske me whether i hadd consented to lett the lead goe at - / _tais pico_, as gonrok dono had certefied hym. unto whome i answerd that gonrok had sent to me to demand whether i would lett our leade passe at - / as he had ended with the hollanders; unto whome i retorned answer that, yf the hollanders had soe agreed with hym, i would know of them, and would not obstenately replie noe. so it seemed this gonrok plaid on both partes, thinking his faire wordes would make fooles faine; for he tould me he esteemed our parcell of lead much better then the hollanders, and to the hollanders said he esteemed theirs much better then ours. divers neighbors sent wyne and fish for presentes. _febrary _ (_shonguach _).--i sent the china capt., andrea dittis, a present, this being their new years day, for a new years gift, viz.:-- silk _kerremon_ of them gonrok dono gave me. pece redd silk cheremis to his eldest doughter. damask _kerremon_ to his youngest doughter. bottell spanish wine to hym selfe. more, i sent to niquan, his kinsman, silke _kerremon_, which gonrok sent me. these presents i sent to hould frendshipp, hoping to get traffick into china, this niquan being emploied therein. and i gave to our servantes in the howse, viz. to jno. _jurebasso_, tome _jurebasso_, coa jno. _jurebasso_, fachemon and sangero, cookes, and porter, to each one a silk cloake or _doboque_. i sent ric. hudson to fetch back my letter which i wrot to the precedent at bantam, dated the th present, and sent per james littell, the scotchman, which letter i instantly, at recept thereof, shewed unto mr. eaton and jno. osterwick, for that by their countenances i perceved they thought i hadd written somthing against them, which i had not donne, but only tuching capt. speck, how he did thinges of his owne head, not making us of councell in doing thereof. which letter i had noe sowner shewed to jno. osterwick but he forthwith went to the hollandes howse, and there i fownd hym talking with the hollanders, and, as i surmised, tould them what i hadd wrott tuching capt. speck, for he blusht at my entrance, mr. eaton accompanyinge me, to speake with capt. leonard to determen what to send the _tono_ to morow, and he to accompanie me in doing of it in halves, as he thought it fitt to doe the like to taccamon dono, lord cheefe justis. _febrary _ (_shonguach _).--we went with the hollanders to vizet tonomon samma and wish hym a good new yeare, and carid presentes, viz.:-- all presented in name of both. from our selves _barsos_ japon wine great fyshes from the hollanders bottell strong water of spanish wine platter of fritters platter mange royall and to taccamon dono:-- presented in both names. from english _barsos_ japon wine fishes, great from hollanders bottell strong water bottell spanish wine and we sent presentes to others, viz. _barsos_ wyne and fishes to bongo samma, oyen dono, sugen umbra dono, his father, sesque dono, semi donos sonne, and sangero samma--all from english. and we receved presentes from our neighbours. _febrary _ (_shonguach _).--we sent these presentes following, viz. _barsos_ wyne and great fishes to ucana came of xaxma, minema soyemon dono, geemon dono kinges man, cakemon dono kinges man, lezeamon dono sea _bongew_, sheroyemon dono his brother, and yasimon dono. and we receved presentes. _febrary _ (_shonguach _).--we gave these presentes following, viz. [wine and fish] to chozamon dono, oyen donos sonne, to tobioye dono, garden _bongew_, [and others]. _febrary _ (_shonguach _).--the hollands junck departed from cochie roade this day in the morning towardes jaccatra or bantam. god send her a prosperous voyage. and within night gonrok dono sent his man to know whether we would lett our lead goe at - / _taies_ the _pico_ or noe, he being determened to departe towardes miaco at midnight. and i sent answer, as the hollanders did the like, that under _taies_ the _pico_ we could not sell it, it being the price sett downe per the emperour. soe, after, tonomon samma sent me word, likwais within night, that both we and the hollanders should com to hym in the morning to confer about price of the leade, and that gonrok dono would be theare about it. _febrary _ (_shonguach _).--tonomon samma sent againe for me to com to hym about price of the leade; and i sent to the hollanders to know when they ment to goe about it. but capt. speck came to the english howse and tould me gonrok had sent for hym and asked him whether we ment to lett the price of the leade goe at - / _tais pico_ or noe; which he tould hym, yf he had ready money heare to pay for it, he would take councell with us. unto which he answerd, yf we sett the price, he would use his best endeavours to get money from nangasaque or miaco within or months. soe hereupon they broke affe, capt. speck denying it; and gonrok dono departed away towardes miaco; and tonomon samma sent word we needed not to com unto hym. _febrary _ (_shonguach _).--we made agreement this day with seezamon dono, our wood or tymbar man, for matters following, viz.:-- for great mastes or trees containing japon _tatta._ in length, and - / _tatta_. rownd at greate end, and at the lesser end inches diametar, at _tais_ plate bars _ta._ per mast for smaller mastes, viz.:-- all of one bignes, viz. at great end _tatta._ rownd, and at small end xi inches diametar: of xj _tattamis_ long of x _tatta._ long of ix _tatta._ long at _taies_ the tree (or mast), bar plate, is more, for shething boardes or plankes, containing _tatt._ long and xij japon inches broad, but the thicknesse / of an inch, at iij _mas_ iij _condrins_ per bord, barr plate, is more, square tymbers (or _cakis_) hard wood (or oake) containing - / _tatta._ in length and vj japon inches square every way, at vij _mas._, barr plate, per peece is more, ditto lesser, same hard wood, containing _tatt._ long per peec., inches square, at _mas_, bar plate, pec. to be delivered all within the space of v or vj monethes after the date hereof, all amonting to _febrary _ (_shonguach _).--the hollanders, viz. capt. speck, capt. leonard camps, matias vander brook, and william, came to english house, where we had councell about sending up after gonrok dono for price of the lead, and about the friggat to get it for prize. soe it was concluded to send an expres only with letters directed to the king of firando, with others to themperours councell, written in good sorte; and to send presentes, viz.:-- _tattamis_ fine damask tabling to oyen dono. _ditto_ to codskin dono. pec. fine parcullas to king of firando. _febrary _ (_shonguach _).--taccamon dono sent to desire me to lett hym have the favour to serve us with gunpolder and match, and would be bound to deliver it at as loe a price and as good as any other should doe, unto whome he sent, they being our neighbours and his secretary. i made answer that his lordshipps request was reasonable, and therefore i was content, but must stay till our fleete came, to know the quantety of each sort; and for the gunpolder i desired that paule dono, our gunpolder man of nangasaque, might have the oversight of the work, which it seemeth taccamon dono had pretended before, as his man tould me. capt. adames childe in firando was brought to me per the mother, unto whome i gave ij _tais_ in small plate, and offerd her to pay for the bringing of it up to schoole, yf she would deliver it to thenglish nations protection. _febrary _ (_shonguach _).--i agreed with uquese dono the tylor to make tilles for our new godong and other building at _mas_ the tiles of all sortes, one with an other. _febrary _ (_shonguach _).--we went and measured the buriall place, and had _tattamis_ square alowed us. and semi dono retorned from miaco, unto which place he accompanied the king when he went up. _febrary _ (_shonguach _).--we and the hollanders went to vizet semi dono, and we carid hym a bottell of strong water and an other of spanish wine, with a great box (or _bandeja_[ ]) of sweet bread; and the hollanders ij bottelles of spanishe wine and one of strong water--which he tooke in kind parte, and sowne after sent us ij _barsos_ of wine and a salmon. [ ] span.: _bandeja_, a sideboard or waiter. _febrary _ (_shonguach _).--yochemon dono and the gunpolder mans servant broght the theefe mon back from nangasaque, with iiij letters from feze dono and skidayen dono and ichemon dono and paule dono, the gunpoulder man. _febrary _ (_shonguach _).--i wrot iiij letters to nangasaque in answer of the others i receved yisterday, geving them thankes for their pains taken about finding out the theefe. and i bought xij stringes of silke of som fathom long a peece, to make pointes of; cost xij _mas_, barr plate. _febrary _ (_shonguach _).--we consorted this day with yazemon dono, the master sea carpenter, for tymbers, to be deliverd before the end of the japon _singuach_. also we agreed with trebioye dono, the _bongew_ of the filde where the buriall place is, to make a ston wall about it of _tatt._ square, for the som of _tais_ plate of barrs, or, yf it be larger, to pay for overplus per rato. and there was ij _tattamis_ black bayes cut out this day and geven, the one to yoshemon dono, pauls father, and the other to paulo dono, the gunpoulder man, for their labour in finding out mon, the theefe, and bringing hym from nangasaque, with other former paynes taken. and i was enformed that gonrok dono hath promised the capt. moro at nangasaque to procure the emperours passe or _goshon_ that the carick of amacou shall trade freely into japon to nangasaque yearly, in despite both of us and the hollanders. _febrary _ (_shonguach _).--semi dono sent me a sholder of venison, and withall sent me word that he had conferred with tonomon samma about our demand of the ij howses next unto us, and to enlardge our wharfe or bridg _tatta._ lardger into sea; which he thought would be granted unto us. and sowne after tonomon samma sent me word of the like conferrence with semi dono. and i paid trebioye dono, the _bongew_ of buriall place, fiftie _taies_ in plate of barrs, upon acco., to build the ston walle, agreed upon price yisterday. coa jno. our _jurebasso_ had a yong sonne borne this day. _febrary _ (_shonguach _).--this day we began to build our gadong on the w. side, and took labourers to break downe ould building and cleare the place and make roome for ston wall. _marche _ (_shonguach _).--capt. speck and capt. leonard came to english howse to have our letters sent to court read over. _marche _ (_shonguach _).--i sent coa jno. _jurebasso_, to his child feast, barr of plate with ij _barsos_ of _singe_. i sett otto, matingas slave, at liberty, she discovering her mrs. villany, and that she had abused her selfe with vj or persons, as apereth under witnesses. _marche _ (_shonguach _).--i paid out to zazabra dono, our neighbor on the north side, for his howse, foure skore _taies_ in plate of barrs, wherof liiij _taies_ was paid unto cushcron dono for a chinas howse deliverd unto the said zazabra dono, is : : , and xxvj _taies_ to zazabra hym selfe. _marche _ (_shonguach _).--we had barkes laden of stones brought this day. and i receved letters from nangasaque, viz. from andrea dittis, china capt., that he will not goe to the iland of taccasanga this yeare as lyers report; from harnando ximenes, to like effect; from pasquall bonita. also harnando ximenes writes me that the portingale ambassador is retorned back to edo per councell of gonrok dono, as it seemeth, to get out a _goshon_, as also to plite against us for the friggat taken. _marche _ (_shonguach _).--i gave bore pigges and ij sow piges of thenglish race, ij to tonomon samme and the other ij to the hollanders. _marche _ (_shonguach _).--oyen dono came to thenglish howse and tould me how semi dono staid only for taccamon dono to make an end about our demand both for howses and kaye seaward. so i sent tome dono, our _jurebasso_, to taccamon dono, leagues hence, to desire his lordshipp to hasten the matter, tyme passing on, and the shipps would be heare shortly, and then could we doe nothing. _marche _ (_shonguach _).--we had xxviij barkes lading of stones. and tome dono, our _jurebasso_, retorned from taccamon dono with answer that, yf we had the one howse at _taies_, he knew no reason but we might have the other at same price; and for the kay or wharfe, he thought we might have it, and would write thereof to semi dono per his man, hym selfe being busie about building his owne howse in the cuntrey, as our _jurebasso_ saw, he having above ijc. men at work, and, as it is thought, determeneth to retire hym selfe to dwel in the cuntrey and leave all to seme dono, whoe will be domenus factotum. taccamon dono wrot me a letter he was content we should have both howses and kay. _marche _ (_shonguach _).--upon taccamon donos answer i wrot a letter to semi dono that all but he were content we should have both howses and key. and there was labourers and xj carpenters this day, with xviij boates lading of stones. and semi dono sent for our _jurebasso_ and tould hym he was content to let us have the howses and wharfe as well as other men; but as yet we have nothing but wordes. yet, as i perceve, the hollanders stood out in it that it was unfitt we should build soe far out into sea; yet they have donne much more. yet they will not be knowne to deale in this matter; only capt. leonard tould me, yf men did fyll up the end of the bay with building, then ther would be no place to grownd junckes or small shiping to trym them upon. yet ther is place enough besides, as i tould hym. mr. eaton departed this day for nangasaque, and i sent per hym letters of adviz, to goe for manillias to our fleete, being all one verbatum: one to goe in emanuell rodrigos junck, the other two in the china capt. junck for caggalion and pangasinan. also i sent per hym letters of favour or pasportes for china capt., dated the th ultimo, for taccasanga or isla fermosa, and ij for manillias, as abovesaid, and i wrote other letters to nangasaque, viz.:-- in spanish. to emmanuel rodrigos to alvaro gonsalves to harnando ximenes in japons. to itamia migel dono to pasquall bonita to china capten and we had xviij barkes of flatt stones this day. _marche _ (_shonguach _).--we had carpenters xv- / , with c. xxv laborers all this day. _marche _ (_shonguach _).--we had carpenters and laborers this day. the hollanders hadd the _caboques_ this day, and sent for me and mr. osterwick, and soe had a play. we had iij barkes lading flat stones. _marche _ (_shonguach _).--i wrot an other letter to nangasaque to itamia migell dono in favour of cujero dono which goeth in his junck, as also to desire hym to have a care he goeth to the place apointed per my _goshon_ and to no other. and i wrot an other to mr. eaton to same entent, to writt per cujero dono and send my letter ther inclozed to deliver to first english or holland ship he meetes withall, to thentent, yf itamia migel dono goe for amacan and lade portingals goodes, to seaz upon it and bring yt for japon, and then after geve rezon for it. _marche _ (_shonguach _).--semi dono and taccamon dono sent each of them a man to tell me they came to deliver the kay towards the sea unto me, but it should be but ij _tattamis_; unto whome i made answer that, yf it weare not iij, i would not take it but rather rest as we weare and not breake our howse and spend ij or iij c. _taies_ for nothing. and withall i sent our _jurebasso_ to tell them that, yf they gave us vj _tattamis_ it weare far better for the harbor, as i would prove, yf they pleased to understand me. but i know it is the hollow harted hollanders geve councell for dispite to disgrace us, as tyme will try it. i rec. a letter from andrea dittis, china capt., to same effect as that from his son augustyn, that he ment to send hym and niquan on the voyage. and we had c. xxx laborers and xviij carpenters and a cane man wrought all this day. _marche _ (_ninguach _).--taccamon dono sent for our _jurebasso_ and tould hym he hadd donne as a frend in our demand for the iij _tatta._ to be alowed for our key into the sea, but others stood out, although he and the whole streete took our part. so that, yf i would geve a writing under my hand to stand for the kings award at his retorne, he would deliver it; which i performed. _marche _ (_ninguach _).--we had this day xviij carpenters and j c. lx laborers all day, with iij tilors halfe a day, and caneman all day; and we rec. viij barkes flatt stoones this day. and i receved the box of specktacles at the handes of mr. osterwick: dozon and peare specktacles in all. and i bargened this day with yasimon dono for these tymbers and boardes following, to be delivered at ij moneths, viz.:-- _ta. m. co._ small boardes, viz. _tarakis_ or spars _nukes_ or rayles _ficamons_ or beames _marakis_ or rownd tymber ------------ ------------ _marche _ (_ninguach _).--we had carpenters and laborers and caneman, tilors; but laborers all day, and laborers at iiij _condrins_ pece per day. and we hadd barkes lading flatt stoones this day. also itamia migell dono sent me _barsos_ wine and stringes drid cuttell, desiring me to send hym a pasport or letter of favor, yf he chansed to meet with any english or hollandes shipps at sea. _marche _ (_ninguach _).--i rec. xxix _tais_ viij _mas_ iiij _condrins_ plate barrs for merchandize sould unto shushro dono of firando. and we had this day carpenters, laborers, one plasterer, iij tilors, and one caneman. also we had this day xix barkes stones. _marche _ (_ninguach _).--we had carpenters, laborers, plasterer, and caneman. capt. leonard camps, with sr. matias and jacob swager went to nangasaque; matias and swager to goe on a voyage for cochinchina in a japon junck. and i wrot letters to nangasaque: to mr. eaton, with a pasport enclozed for itamia migell dono, yf he would geve sureties that the junck shall goe for cochinchina and not for amacon. _marche _ (_ninguach _).--we had this day - / carpenters, laborers, and cane man. also we had barks lading of flatt stones. and being driven affe from day to day per semi dono and taccamon dono about geving us licence for _tatta._ out to sea to enlardg our kay or wharfe, they, having hetherto promised it, did now send me word they must shorten it. wherupon i wrot a letter to them both, how i knew they had geven tymes more to the hollanders and howrly augmented it with all the howses they demanded to be puld downe, and shortned thenglish in all they demanded, contrary to the kinges promis at his departure to let us have all we demanded, soe that now i did but expect answer whether they would let me have that promised per themselves or no, and soe would rest satisfied. we sould silk of divers sortes to tozamon dono of sackay for : : . _marche _ (_ninguach _).--we had carpenters, laborers, plasterer, and caneman, all this day. we had x barkes lading rownd stones. _marche _ (_ninguach _).--we had carpenters, laborers, plasterers, and caneman. _marche _ (_ninguach _).--we had xiiij laborers this day to sift white lyme and make it, with other matters. and we envited tozemon dono and other merchants to dyner, and heat the _fro_ for them, they enviting themselves thereunto; and had the dansing beares sent for, _nifon catange_ or japon fation. _marche _ (_ninguach _).--i wrot letters in japons to nangasaque, viz. to itamia migell dono; to andrea dittis, china capt.; to skidayen dono, gonroks secretary, desiring hym not to let ita. junk goe out till he gave surtis to goe for cochinchina, and warning itamia migel dono hym selfe to se it performed, as he would answer it before the emperour; and the china capt. to se it performed, he being suretie to me. we had xxx carpenters, c. l. laborers, ij plasterars, and iij tilars, all this day. and we receved five hundred tilles this day, viz., iij rownd ends, and ij c. pointed endes; as also boates lading rownd stones. _marche _ (_ninguach _).--we had carpenters, laborers, iij tilors, ij plasters, all this day. semi dono sent to comand me i should make noe bargen nore buy nothing of any other japonnars for provition of building of howse or shiping or victuling, but only of them of firando. unto whome i retorned answer that he should pardon me in that matter, for i would buy wheare i could find best cheape, either at firando, nangasaque, miaco, or else wheare; but as yet i had bought all of them of firando, and soe would doe the like hereafter, yf they would lett me have it as good and as good cheape as others. unto which he answerd he would take care for that, but would have me promisse to take it all of firando men and no other, or else he would geve comand that noe carpenters nor laborers should work any more on our work. and i answerd, he might doe herein as he pleased, for to doe as he would have me was against the preveleges themperour and his councell had granted our nation. so forthwith he gave comand to carpenters and all other laborars that none should labor; and soe our work standes at a stay. and we had gutter tiles this day. _marche _ (_ninguach _).--i sent our _jurebasso_ to taccamon dono to know whether he hadd geven comandment our work should stay and not goe forward. but he sent me word he medled not in the matter, it belonging unto semi dono and not to hym. soe, after, i sent for capt. speck to goe with me to speake to semi dono, to know wherefore he staid our worken. but semi dono sent us word he was busy about matters of justis, soe that we might com towardes night; but in the meane tyme capt. speck sent hym a letter which pasefied his proud humor. _marche _ (_ninguach _).--we hadd our wharfe into the sea deliverd us this day to content. but semi dono sayd, as he passed by our dore, it was by his apointment, lighting affe his horse, telling me he was sory i was angry with hym. unto whome i replied, i was sory his lordship was angry against me, whoe was ready to doe his lordshipp the best service i could; and soe he departed. but taccamon dono sent me word that it was he and others stood out for us, semi dono desiring it should have staid till the kinges retorne, and not have byn deliverd. we receved this tymber following for the buriall place, viz. of tymon dono:-- _marrokis_ or rownd tymbers, at ij per _mas_. _cakis_ or square tymbers, at j _mas_ per pec. boardes of _tatt._ long, at per _mas_. _tarrakis_, at - / per _mas_. greate _marokis_ for the dore, at _mas_ pec. great _caky_ for dore, at - / _mas_. duble _caky_ for dore, at _mas_. _marche _ (_ninguach _).--we had carpenters, laborers, tylors, and ij plasterers, all this day. we rec. yisterday of tayemon dono tymber, viz. _nuquis_, or rayeles, at per _mas_, for gedong, and _shemottes_, or rownd small poles, for gedong, at per _mas_. and i sent a barr of plate to the _caboques_, due for playing the night when tozemon dono and others weare envited for sale of our silke. also we had carpenters and laborers this day for our work at buriall place. _marche _ (_ninguach _).--we had carpenters, laborers, tilors, and plasterers, all this day. and we receved iij c. tiles this day from tilar of tabilo. and capt. speck and my selfe wrot letters to nangasaque about the busynes of the _goshon_ lent to itamia migell dono, viz. to skidayen dono, the chefe justis, under my owne ferme, to desire hym to comand migell dono not to goe for amacon; to itamia migell dono, with the fermes of capt. speck, capt. leonard champes, and my selfe, to same effect; to skidayen dono, with our fermes, to same effect. _marche _ (_ninguach _).--we had carpenters, laborers, plasterers, and caneman, for the howse; and, for buriall place, carpenters, laborers, all day. semi dono, taccamon dono, and others, went this day to ishew to vizet tonomon samma, whoe is gon thither to hawk and hunt or daies past. _marche _ (_ninguach _).--we had carpenters, laborers, ij plasterers, and cane man, for the howse, all this day; and for the buriall place, carpenters, laborers. and we receved tymbers, ij barkes lading this day, viz. great _caquis_, or square tymber, and great _nuqins_, for gedong; also _marakis_ for the buriall place. capt. leonard camps retorned from nangasaque, and sent me word that mr. eaton would be heare this night or to morrow, and that all the junckes weare gon out and sr. matias in that of jno. yoosen. _marche _ (_ninguach _).--we had carpenters, laborers, plasterers for / day, for howse, and laborers, halfe day, and laborers, whole day, for howse; and carpenters and laborers all day for buriall place. _marche _ (_ninguach _).--we had carpenters, and laborers, for howse, and, for buriall place, carpenters and laborers, all day. _aprill _ (_ninguach _).--we had carpenters, laborers, for howse, and, for buriall place, carpenters, laborers, all day. mr. eaton retorned this night from nangasaque. _aprill _ (_ninguach _).--we had carpenters, laborers, plasterar / day, and one cane man / day, the rest all day, for the howse, with carpenters and laborers for the buriall place. and mr. eaton delivered these papers in japons unto me, viz.:-- recept of ichemon dono. bill of cuemon dono. coppie of a writing sent to cochinchina per mr. eaton per capt. chimpan, to recover in what he can, the one halfe of which he is to have for hymselfe, and thother for the company, of all he can gett ether of that lost per mr. peacock or mr. sayer; for beter somthing then nothing. writing in japons, fermed per itamia migell dono named ziemon, soude giemon, his boteswaine, and shobioye dono, his purser or scrivano, wherin they are bound upon payne of livse and goodes not to tuch at amacon nether going out nor retorning home, but to goe directly for cochinchina, and noe place else. yt is reported that the king of goto hath cutt his belly at miaco by comand of themperour, by reason he put away his wife, which was of the blood royall (he being made king by marying of her), and took an other woaman of basse degree in her place. this is the generall report, yet som say he is not yet dead, but in greate danger to die, the matter having been in plito the space of or yeares. _aprill _ (_ninguach _).--we had carpenters, laborers, and caneman, for howse, and ij carpenters and iiij laborers for buriall place. i gave coa jno. _jurebassos_ wife a bar plate with a _barso_ of wyne and box sweet bread, she going to a new howse, and brought her child to me to geve it a name, which i did call coa jno., as his father. tonomon samma, taccamon dono, and semi dono did retorne from ishew, where they were to take pleasure. soe i sent our _jurebasso_ to bid them well home in my name, and to offer them my service. but taccamon dono (before the _jurebasso_ spoake with hym) sent a man to tell me of his retorne, offring me all frenship wherin we had occation to employ hym, either toward tonomon samma or else where. _aprill _ (_ninguach _).--we had carpenters, laborers, and caneman, for the howse and gadonge. _aprill _ (_ninguach _).--we had carpenters, laborers, and cane man, for howse, with iiij laborers for buriall place. we bought tymber this day, viz. _cakis_ and duble _cakis_, pyne tree. _aprill _ (_ninguach _).--we had carpenters, laborers, and caneman, for howse, and laborers for buriall place. we whipped man, our empresoned theefe, and he hath confessed he stole the silver cup, lost when the _caboques_ weare heare a yeare past; also that he stole the greate silver tankar at our going to nangasaque, and, as he saith, sould them at nangasaque to portingalles which went in the friggattes. _aprill _ (_ninguach _).--we had carpenters, laborers, for the howse, and laborers for the buriall place. ther was speeches geven out per a lying profitt or pagon prist that this day all the iland and towne of firando should be overwhelmed with water, and many stood in dowbt thereof; yet it proved a lye. _aprill _ (_ninguach _).--we had carpenters, laborers, and plaster, for the howse, and carpenters, laborers for buriall place. _aprill _ (_ninguach _).--we had carpenters, laborers, and plastrars, for the howse. i deliverd c. _tais_ plate barrs to jno. _jurebasso_ upon acco. of building. the china capt. retorned to firando, and saith all the junckes are departed on their voyages, but only two small ons which goe directly for china. ther is greate seeking after place to make howses at cochie, the king having geven order, as they say, to erect above new howses to putt inhabitantes into. soe capt. leonard camps and mr. eaton went thether to look to the measuring out of our grownd, geven us per the king, others begining to encroche upon us, especially to get xj _tatta._, which lieth betwixt us and the hollanders. also we determen to make out our kay there into sea vj _tattamis_ in bredth, we having _tatta._ in length, and the hollanders _tattamis_, besides the xj _tatta._ betwixt us which we pretend to demand of the king yf he will geve it us. and japons went to esteemate what the making out our kayes (or wharfes) might amont unto, and esteemed it at _taies_ for us and the hollanders. we receved tilles this day from tabula, viz. ordinary broat or flatt, and rownd or hollo tilles--all at _mas_ per j m. _aprill _ (_sanguach _).--we had carpenters and laborers for the howse, and rec. tilles from tabilo this day. harnando ximenes retorned to firando this day from goto, having geven over his voyage in the capt. chinas junck, falling out with a china about a whore and beating of hym. _aprill _ (_sanguach _).--this day being a great pagon feast called _sanguach sanch_, or the therd day of the therd moone, non would work upon it, the pagons upon their ordinary superstition, and the christians for feare to be noted to be christians. soe noe work was donne this day. yet on the sonday all will work, both christians and pagons of japon, and the papistes in japon will more strictly observe and keepe any other blind hollyday of fayned saintes (made knowne unto them per jesuistes and frires) then the sabath day. this is daylie seene per experience. harnando ximenes saith he was enformed per a china which spoake spanish how the other chinas, which went in the junck of china capt., laid a plot to kill hym, saying, yf they did it, whoe would bring them in question for it at their retorne. but the china capt. saieth it was about a whore, and noe such matter ment. but harnando saith he esteemeth that ould harry shanks, the scotsman, whoe is gon with them, will never retorne, but be murthered by them; which the end will prove. _aprill _ (_sanguach _).--we had carpenters and laborers, for howse; and we receved tiles. _aprill _ (_sanguach _).--we had carpenters and laborers, with plasterers and tylers; and we receved tyles, with ij mark and ij head tiles, from enquese dono, the tilor at tabilo. and i paid ij _tais_ j _mas_ for peces japon taffety to lyne capt. adams and coa jnos. childrens coates. _aprill _ (_sanguach _).--we had carpenters, laborers, plasterers, and tillors, for howse; and carpenters and laborers for the buriall place. and we receved ij m. iij c. xliiij tils ordenary from imory; and vj c. ditto from tabilo, with lyons, mark tilles, head tilles. and we receved tymber this day from shezemon dono, from umbra: _nuqus_, _caquis_, rownd tree or _maraky_, _naccabassas_ or great rownd trees, etc. _aprill _ (_sanguach _).--we had carpenters, laborers, plasterars, and tylors, for howse; and laborers for the buriall place. and i reconed with tobio dono for ston wall made about buriall place, it being ended this day, i having paid hym formerly _tais_ : : and now, in plate bars, as the lyke before : : and geven hym in plate of bar gratis : : -------- : : -------- _aprill _ (_sanguach _).--we had carpenters, laborers, and plasters, for the howse; and for the buriall place, carpenters, laborers, and iij tilors. and we receved tymbers; and iij m. tiles from tabola, for buriall place. _aprill _ (_sanguach _).--we had carpenters, laborers, all day, and laborers halfe day, with ij plasterars all day, for howse; and iij tilars / the day, and laborers for buriall place / a day. and we receved tiles, with viij barkes lading of flatt stons and one of rownd. _aprill _ (_sanguach _).--we had carpenters and laborers for the howse; and laborers at buriall place. also we had barkes lading rownd stones and barkes lading gravill or sand. and we rec. j m. vij c. xx tiles ordenary from imorey. _aprill _ (_sanguach _).--we had carpenters, laborers, and plasterers, for howse; and xxxiiij laborers for buriall place. _aprill _ (_sanguach _).--we had carpenters, laborers, and ij plasterers, for howse; and tillars and xxv laborers for buriall place. and there was ij m. c. liij ordenary tiles rec. from imory; and one barkes lading of rownd stones. and i went to cochie this day with mr. eaton to measure our grownd geven us per the _tono_ to build upon, and find it to be l. _tatta._ long and - / _tatta._ deepe to seaward, to make a wharfe of ston _tatta._ broad and the whole length. soe i esteemd it at _tatt._ in all and did offer them i c. l. _taies_ to doe it, they demanding iij c. _tais_. and soe we broake affe; for they had agreed with the hollanders before to make their key xxxiij _tatta._ long and viij broad at one end and vj at thother, and ij _tatta._ deepe to seaward for most parte, which i did esteem as much work as ours. _aprill _ (_sanguach _).--we had carpenters and laborers for the howse. capt. leonard came this day and tould me that tonomon samma and semi dono had advized hym that themperour had sent greate men for _bongews_ into gonto, to enquire about that plito betwixt the king and queene; and that from thence they ment to com to firando; and in the meane tyme semi dono ment to goe to meete them at goto, and advized us it weare expedient we sent som one to doe the like on our behalves with a letter from us. soe we agreed to send our _jurebasso_ with the hollanders to that entent, with som present of sweetmeates and wine. faccata soco dono, which lent us _tais_ at intrest, came to see our english howse, offring us, yf we needed xx or _tais_ at intrest at any time, he hadd it ready for us, wishing us to take non of any others. soe we envited hym to our _fro_ tomorrow, with v or vj others to beare hym company, viz. faccata yayemon dono, andrea dittis, china capt., cushcron dono, synemon dono, and yasimon dono; with paulo dono, gunpouder man, shoyemon dono, palus father, and chubio dono, our host of bingana tomo. _aprill _ (_sanguach _).--we had carpenters and laborers for the howse. i paid lues, the spanish telior, i _tay_ small plate for a _carapesa_[ ] of wrought velvett, black laid on with silver lace. semi dono departed towardes goto to meete themperours _bongews_; and the hollanders and we made ready our presentes to send to morrow morning per our _jurebasso_, viz.:-- for thenglish. jar conserved ginger, poiz nett, _cattis_ great bottell of ij gallons, strong water for the hollanders. jar conservd nutmegges of like bignesse bottell of allegant or tynt wyne [ ] span., _carapuza_ or _caperuza_, a hood. _aprill _ (_sanguach _).--we had carpenters, laborers, and i plasterer, for howse, with tylors and laborers for buriall place. alsoe we receved ij m. j c. xl ordenary tilles from imory. and i sent a bar plate to _caboques_ for bringing a banket and coming per water to cochie, when wee went to measure grownd. i rec. r. of of capt. speck, delivered hym on a wager before. _aprill _ (_sanguach _).--we had carpenters, laborers, plasterer, caneman, for howse, and tillors and laborers for buriall place. and there was tyles ordenary rec. from tabola. the china capt. envited both us and the hollanders to dyner this day, where we had greate cheare with dansing beares. _aprill _ (_sanguach _).--we had carpenters, laborers, plasterar, and i caneman, for howse all day; and for buriall place, tylors and laborers for halfe a day. and i paid unto chubio dono, our host of bingana tomo, for _pico_ _cattis_ shething neales at _tais pico_, : : ; and for xx _barsos morofack_, at _tay barso_, : : . and advanced upon a bargen of _pico_ neals more, : : . and gave a peece black satten to chubio dono upon bargen. _may _ (_sanguach _).--we had carpenters, laborers, and caneman, for howse: and plasterer and laborers for buriall place. i bargened this day of tobio dono to make a ston walle at cochie before our howsing, of _tatta_ long, vj _tatta_ broad, and - / _tatta_ deepe towardes sea, to be greate stonnes / a _tatta._ to seaward and at end, and the rest small, to have ij c. _tais_ in money, and one peece black satten. this night, within night, the king of xaxma passed by this place, retorning from themperours court. soe we and the hollanders went out to meete hym, and carid a present as from both companies, viz.:-- guilt lether skin, containing skins. faggott of steele. peeces white percallas. _tatta._ fyne damask tabling. and to his secretary, peeces redd cheremis. peeces white percallas. but he was sick, that he could not be spoaken withall, nether by tonomon samma the kinges brother, whoe went out to meete hym with a present, nether by us. soe we left the present with the secretary, whoe at first made diffecultie to receve it, yet in the king his masters name promised all assistance to our shiping, yf in case any putt into his dominions. _may _ (_sanguach _).--we had carpenters, laborers, and j plasterar, for howse; and plasterer and laborers for the buriall place. and our _jurebasso_ retorned from goto with answers from thembassadors, who tooke in good parte the present sent to them from us and hollanders. _may _ (_sanguach _).--we had carpenters and laborers, for the howse. and there was delivered to bonga sammas man, for acco. of his master, _cattis_ _tay_ wight wax. and presently after he sent a ram gote to thenglish house for a present, which i make acco. is in payment of the wax. _may _ (_sanguach _).--we had carpenters, laborers, plasters, and caneman, for howse. also we receved ij barkes lading of small stones, cost xvi _condrins_; and square hewed stones for steares from languay. _may _ (_singuach _).--we began to set up or reare our new howse to sea ward. _may _ (_singuach _).--we had carpenters and laborers, for the howse. and there was tymber rec. from goto, of shezemon dono. _may _ (_singuach _).--we had carpenters, laborers, and tilors, for the howse. and there was tilles receved, viz. tilles in barkes from imory, and bark containing tilles from tabola. also there was iij barkes lading gravill or small stons of _con. pico_. _may _ (_singuach _).--we had carpenters, laborers, and tilors, and ij masons, for the howse. and we rec. x great free stons from languay for to make the steares, wheron the masons now work. also we rec. tilles ordenary from tabola. we went this day to cochie to look on our work; and the hollandes capt. and china capt. met us theare; and all the dansing beares weare theare before us. _may _ (_singuach _).--we had carpenters, laborers, tilors, and masons, for the howse. also we rec. tilles ordinary from tabola. capt. speck and capt. camps came to english howse, and we went together to vizet china capt., he sending for dansing beares. _may _ (_singuach _).--we had carpenters, laborers, and masons, for the howse. this day, being the th of singuach, or th japon moone, is the feast of the resorection of their great profitt shacka, as they fondly beleeve, and soe deck all the eaves of their howses with green bowes, and goe on pilgremadg to ther pagodes. i sent ij bars plate, containing : : , to the ij companis dansing beares, for going to cochie and, after, to china capt., for duble _fannas_.[ ] tonomon samma and semi dono sent for spanish wine and conservs, in respect of the coming of the emperors ambassadors, which are looked for this night. soe i sent eather of them a pottell bottell of wyne and conservs to tonomon, and a bottell strong water to semi dono. and there was iij c. xx bundelles of shingelles rec. from nangasaque. [ ] _hana_, a present to an actor or dancing-girl. _may _ (_singuach _).--we had carpenters, laborers, and masons, for howse. and i rec. ij letters, viz. from shongo samma, admerall of japon, at edo, in answer of myne, and that he had geven warning to capt. adames woaman to let me have the disposing of the _goshons_ for her childrens use; and thother from uquese dono of miaco. _may _ (_singuach _).--we had carpenters, laborers, and masons, for howse. this evenyng the king of arima, named bongo samma, arived at firando, and lodged in semi donos howse, much preparation being made to receve hym, and all the streetes made cleane. he is in greate favor with themperor, whoe gave hym that kingdom few yeares past, and per som suspected that themperor meaneth to shift the king of this place to arima, and set the other heare. the last yeare he sent one of his noblemen to vizet the king of firando, and gave hym charge to com to thenglish howse, and in his name to offer us any servize or favor his kingdom afforded, or, yf we stood in need of money, he had or _taies_ allwais ready at our service. soe i now sent our _jurebasso_ to bid his hignesse welcom to firando; which he took in very kind parte. also i sent to the holland capt. to know yf they ment to vizet hym to morow with som small present. and they sent me word, they had noe accoyntance with hym and therfore ment not to goe to hym. _may _ (_singuach _).--we had carpenters, laborers, and mason, for howse. and we began to reare or set up our new gedonge this day. and we had barkes lading stones for to make the steares. and we supped at hollandes howse, where the china capt., andrea dittis, was also envited; and we had greate cheare. _may _ (_singuach _).--we hadd carpenters and laborers, for the howse. the emperors ambassadors arived at firando, retorned from goto with the king of arima, whoe went from hence to fetch them. _may _ (_singuach _).--we had carpenters, laborers, caneman, and masons, for the howse, the masons tide work. the hollanders and we went to vizet the _bongewes_ or ambassadors from themperor, and carid them for presentes as followeth, viz.:-- hollanders. peces cushen velvet of hollanders peces or duble velvet cushin, ditto english. peces cheremis, ours peces canton damask, ours faggottes bar steele, ours and we rec. ij m. v c. tilles ordinary from imory; and i m. iij c. ditto from tabola. _may _ (_singuach _).--we had carpenters, laborers, caneman, and masons. we went with the hollanders to vizet the king of arima, and carid hym a present betwixt us, viz.:-- peces damaskes lankin, of hollanders. of english acco. peces canton damask peces parcallas, white fagot stille and we had j m. iij c. v tilles ordinary from tabola. the emperours ambassadours, with tonomon samma and others, came to se our english howse, whome we entertayned in the best sort we could. _may _ (_singuach _).--we had carpenters, laborers, masons, and caneman, for the howse. also we receved i m. ij c. ordinary tilles from tabola. and our rearing of the gedong being ended, we made a feast to the carpenters, and gave these presentes, viz. to tayemon dono, pec. blak satten and ij _barsos_ wine and fishes; to synemon dono pec. blak satten, he being kinges carpenter; to two other master carpenters pec. white lyns; to other master carpenters pec. canton damask; to yong carpenters, each one one _mas_ in paper. and cushcron dono, yosemon dono, shezemon dono, sent each one a _barso_ of wine and fishes. tonomon samma envited the emperors ambassadors to a hunting, and provided a banket for them and persons more in the woodes (or forest), where they went to hunt; but the ambassadors retorned back in the mid way and tasted not of the banket; the reason i know not. _may _ (_singuach _).--we had carpenters, laborers, masons, and caneman, for the howse. and we receved ij m. v c. lx ordinary tilles from imory, and vj c. ditto from tabola. this day themperours embassadors departed from firando, and semi dono accompanid them to languai. the x japon coates or _kerremons_, sent from the emperours councell to capt. camps and my selfe for a present, came this day, and we tooke each of us . and i gave of myne to mr. eaton, mr. osterwick, and ric. hundson. these came per the expres we sent up about procuring price of our lead; but noe answer of any price or any end to be made consernyng our prize goodes taken in the friggott. _may _ (_singuach _).--we had carpenters, laborers, plasters, and tilors, for the howse. and the hollanders and we agreed to send an other expres to edo with letter, to procure the dispach of price of our lead and ending prize goodes, viz. to oyen dono, to codgskin dono, to itamia quenusque dono, to matsin dayre yemon, of themperours councell; to figen a came, king of firando; to torazemon dono, his secretary. these letters we sent expres per a foote post, because we have no finall answer of our former; and pay the post _tais_ for his voyadge. and we rec. iij m. x tilles ordinary from imory, and j m. j c. from tabola. also a barke with xj free stoones from nangoya. _may _ (_singuach _).--we had carpenters, laborers, plasterers, tilors, for the howse. and we rec. ij m. v c. iiij xx ordinary tilles from imory, and iij c. xx from tabola. _may _ (_singuach _).--we had carpenters, laborers, plasters, tilors, masons, for the howse. _june _ (_singuach _).--we had carpenters, laborers, plasters, and mason. _june _ (_singuach _).--we had carpenters, laborers, plastarars, and masons. _june _ (_singuach _).--we had carpenters, laborers, plasterers, and masons. the china capt. reportes that the newes at nangasaque is that a gallion and a junck which went from nangasaque the last yeare or monson for the manillias are cast away on the islandes of liqueas, and very few or non of the people saved. the junck, they say, belongeth to bongo dono, the king of arrima; and the friggat is ether that which went out first, wherin our runawaies were fownd, or else that wherin alvaro munos went afterwardes. as we sat at supper at night, there entred a japon gentellman into our howse, with or men attending on hym, and came into our halle before we saw hym. soe i desird hym to sitt downe and take parte of such fare as we had; which he did, and seemed to take it in very kind parte. and sowne after he sent me a jarr of _nipa_, or rack of _pi_, for a present, per one of his gentelmen, per whome i understood his masters name was ismo dono, a greate man of xaxma, whome the king of that place sendes up to edo to kisse themperours handes and geve hym thankes for the greate presentes and good entertaynment themperour gave hym at his being at edo. soe, after his man was departed, i sent ric. hudson with tome, our _jurebasso_, abord his bark (for he passeth secretly, and lodgeth not ashore) to crave pardon of his lordshipp, yf i had not geven hym such entertaynment as his worth deserved, being ignorant of his greatnesse and abashed at the honour he did me in sending me a present. and withall i sent hym a bottell of strong water which, as it seemed, he took in very kynde part. ric. hudson and the _jurebasso_ said he had a very great bark with a faire cabben in it, hanged all about with ruch damask, and attended on with many men, both ould and yong, with greate reverence and silence, their heads bowed downe to the grownd, soe that they judged hym a man of greate qualletie; yet he seemed not to be above xxx yeares of adge. _june _ (_singuach _).--we had carpenters, laborers, and plasterers, for the howse. and we went to cochie this day, to look on our wharfe or ston wall newly made, it being well don. _june _ (_singuach _).--we had carpenters, laborers and plasterars. and we dined at semi donos, where we had great cheare and kind entertaynment; and the hollanders are to dyne theare to morrow. _june _ (_singuach _).--we had carpenters, laborers, and plasterars. andrea, the boateswaine, retorned from nangasaque, and brought us a new boate or _foyfone_, cost xxx _taies_. and he bringeth certen news that the king of arimas junck is cast away at liqueas, and the people saved and retornd to arima per nangasaque, who bring the news; and also that the galliot wherin alvaro munos went is cast away, and not a man saved; and an other junck, the mast apering above the water, but not a man saved; soe they know not what junk it is, but dowbt it is jno. yoosens junk. _june _ (_singuach _).--we had carpenters, laborers, and plasterars, for the howse. and i paid j c. _taies_ plate barrs to tobio dono, in full payment of making the ston wall at cochie, he having rec. j c. _tais_ more before. and we gave him a peece black satten gratis, as we promised at bargen making; the wall being _tattamis_ long and vj _tatt._ broade and - / deepe at water side, as per agreement, but it is spans broader then bargen. the hollanders refused to goe to dynner to semi dono, because he envited us before them; which semi dono took in very ill parte. _june _ (_singuach _).--we had carpenters, laborers, plasterars. _june _ (_singuach _).--we had carpenters, laborers, plasterars, and tilors. and i paid i c. xix _tais_ more unto cosio dono, in full payment for making our kay or wharfe to sea wardes at firando, viz:-- _ta. m. co._ in r. of . at _mas._ per r. i c. r. is, in plate of bars in i c. l _tais_ paid hym before is ----------- _june _ (_gonguach _).--we had carpenters, laborers, and plasterars. the hollands capt. sent us sackes of barly for a present, in respect we have furnished them with skarbeare from tyme to tyme. alsoe they sent us greate _barsos_ of _morofack_, in place of littell ons lent them. _june _ (_gonguach _).--we had carpenters, laborers, and plasterars, and mason. and there was square stones for steares rec. this day from nanguay. _june _ (_gonguach _).--we had carpenters, laborers, plasterars, and masons. _june _ (_gonguach _).--we had carpenters, laborers, plasterars, and masons. and we receved tymber. _june _ (_gonguach _).--this day is a great feast, called _gonguach guench_, or the th day of the th moone called _gonguach_. having ended our new building, and tonomon samma being to goe to edo, we thought good to envite hym to dyner with other noble men daies hence. _june _ (_gonguach _).--we had carpenters, laborers, plastrars, and mason, for the howse. here was speeches geven out that both english and holland shipping ware without, wherupon above j c. barkes went out to meet them, with wyne, frutes, bread, hennse, and other matter. the reason was for that or englishmen and hollanders went to passe the tyme at cochie, and retorning back on horsback in hast, the people thought there was shiping entred, they english and hollanders telling them it was true. _june _ (_gonguach _).--we had laborers and plasterars, for the howse. there came to dyner this day, viz. tonomon samma, now called canzemon samma, kinges brother; sangero samma, now called matzera crodze samma; semi dono, more then the king; taccamon dono, lord cheefe justice of firando; ito stizemon dono, the poet or singer, a good drinker; morano cofioze, a gentelman, singer; sofo dono, a doctor of phisik, japon fation or _nifon cantange_; showan dono, doctor of phisik, eidem; ishon dono, doctor, eidem; shofan dono, doctor, eidem. all our neighbors came unsent for, to assist us in the making ready the dynner for the nobles, which, as it seemed was much to their content. and i had presentes geven me, as followeth:-- from tonemon samma. _langenatt_ lynen _catabras_ from sangero samma. silke _catabra_ lynen _catabra_ from semi dono. silk _catabra_ lynen ditto from taccamon dono. silk _catabra_ lynen ditto _june _ (_gonguach _).--we had carpenters, laborers, plasterars, and masons, for the house. palo dono, the gunpoulder man, bringeth news that a portingale galliot arived ij dais past at nangasaque, com from amacau; and some say j more is coming after, others say or . also the portingales report that junckes and friggattes which went from japon to manillas this yeare are cast away upon that coast, and that they saw non of our shiping nor hollanders upon the coast of manillas this yeare; but that may very well be, they keeping upon that parte called cagalion, and this news came from luson to amacow. _june _ (_gonguach _).--we had carpenters, laborers, plasters, and two masons, for the howse. we envited our neighbors and frendes to dyner this day, after the japon fation, with _caboques_, viz. coyemon dono, cofio dono, tobio dono, lisomon dono, genemon dono, sannemon dono, jenquero dono, yoyemon dono, faccata, yayemon dono, carpenter, shezemon dono, taffio dono, fioyemon dono, yoyemon, oylman, cuze dono, cuzemon dono, seyemon dono, yoiemon dono, nicolas martin, gembio, founder, ficobioy, founder, china capten, sinemon, carpenter, tayemon, carpenter, yoyemon, smith, cuemon, plasterer, zazabra dono, cushcron dono, mr. eaton, mr. ostarwk., my selfe. and we hadd the dansing beares, unto whom the gesse gave aboue xx _taies_ for a larges. _june _ (_gonguach _).--we had laborers for the howse. i receved a letter from goresak dono, dated in nangasaque dais past, wherein he writes me of the arivall of the portingall friggat or galliota from amacou, and that, as they report, vj more are gon from thence to luson in the manillias. and that they report an english shipp was cast away on the coast of china the last monson, and that of the men are in the portingalles hands at amacou. soe i dowbt it is the _unicorne_, or else it may be the english ship called the _hope_, or a small penisse which was sett out from pattania in company of the _royale james_ the last yeare. also others have letters that our fleete at manillas have taken china junckes; others report more, and that they have taken a portingall galliota. _june _ (_gonguach _).--i sent ij barrs plate to the ij companis of dansing beares or _caboques_. _june _ (_gonguach _).--we had carpenters, laborers, plasterars, and masons, and tilors, for the howse. we dyned at tayemon donos, the master carpenter, where we had good entertaynment, with dansing beares. _june _ (_gonguach _).--we had carpenters, laborers, plasterars, and masons, for the howse. i receved a letter from pasquall benito, dated in nangasaque yisterday, accompanid with a duch letter directed to capt. leonard campes, which came from camboja, wherin he is advized that the news theare is that seale of shipps came the last yeare out of england and holland for the indies, to passe by cape bona speranza, and that seale were prepared to com out of spaine same way. also a small galliota is arived at nangasaque which came from manillias, and is com emptie. soe it is thought she is a theefe run away from spaniard to seek purchases. and we receved tymber at cochie. _june _ (_gonguach _).--we had laborers, plasterars, and i mason, for howse. we fownd the greate ancor, lost when the _james royall_ went out; and paid for finding it bars plate. and bonga samma sent me a leane pork for a present. _june _ (_gonguach _).--we had carpenters, laborers, plasters, and i mason, for the howse. and we have news that itamia migell donos junck is retorned to nangasaque, and hath lost her voyage. _june _ (_gonguach _).--we had news that the china capt. junck is arived from tonkyn, which staid theare the last monson, now arivd at nangasaque. _june _ (_gonguach _).--we had carpenters and laborers. i rec. a letter from itamia migell deno, dated in nangasaque the th of _gonguach_, wherein he writes me of the losse of his voyadg, and that he will come hym selfe and bring me my _goshon_ before it be longe. and oyen dono, with an other cavelero, cam to thenglish howse, sent from tonomon samma, semi dono, and taccamon dono, to warne us, when our shiping came in, that our marenars walked not ashore with weapons or _catanes_. _june _ (_gonguach _).--i receved a letter from china capt., dated in nangasaque th _gonguach_, of his arivall theare and of the junck com from tonkyn, but that his factor he sent is left behind, and a new small junck retornd in place of ould. also that he understandes our shipps are arived in the bay of manillias, and have taken ij china junkes, and that few adventure now to that parte for feare of us and the hollanders; and that the ould emperor of china and his sonne are dead, and thempire com to a yong man, his sonns sonne. _june _ (_gonguach _).--i rec. a letter from pasquali, dated in nangasaque daies past, wherin he writes me that the admerall of thenglish hath cut affe the head of an english capt. in the manillias, and hanged other english men; and that the _unecorne_ was cast away upon the coast of china, and that furbeshar, the carpenter, his wife, and maid, are prisoners at amacow. these news the friggat or galliota, which cometh from the manillias, hath brought. and that the galliota of the capt. more, which went for manillias, is cast away, but alvaro munos arived in safetie; and that they are making ready a good fleete of shipps and gallis at manillias. but i esteem it all fables of puting to death of a capt. and others at manillias. about nowne there came one runing from the hollands howse, and brought news that shipps, english and hollanders, weare arived on this coast, neare to cochie roade. soe mr. eaton and mr. osterwick went out on horsback by land to see what it was; and sowne after capt. specks and capt. camps followed. god send us good and profitable news. and sowne after came news that ij english and i duch shipp weare arived and at an ancor in cochie; whereof i sent word to tonomon samma, bonga samma, semi dono, and taccamon dono, per our _jurebasso_. and soone after arived ashore mr. cockram and mr. tubervill, and brought news all the fleete of shipps, both english and duch, were arived at chochie, and that they had taken china junckes in all. _june _ (_gonguach _).--i went abord the shipps, where, after my arivall, there fell debate ashore betwixt english and duch marrenars. soe one hollander was slane and divers others hurt, both english and duch, espetially englishmen. so the admerell called a councell, where it was determined to seek out the murtherers or strife makers on both partes, and to punish them with death or otherwais, according to desert. alsoe it was ordayned to begyn to unlade our shipps on munday, mr. cockram to be at hollandes house to take acco. of all landed, and mr. balke at english howse, to like effect; and duble lock to be put on dores till the goodes be vallued and parted. _july _ (_gonguach _).--notwithstanding the orders taken by councell that nether english nor hollander should goe ashore with weopens, to prevent quarreling, yet the hollanders flocked on shore with swordes and _cattans_ and sett upon our unarmed men and slew one and hurt divers others; and, as it is said, are alowed and sett one per comander jonson, vizadmerall. _july _ (_gonguach _).--we receved ashore this day ij boates lading of prize goodes, being fardelles and chistes, great and small, but i know not what is in them; and put duble lockes on the dore of the gedonge, both of ours and the hollanders. allsoe we receved iij boates ladinges priz goodes, landed at hollandes howse out of their shiping, and put into their gedong under double lock likewais, being fardels and chistes, whereof ij boates lading came out of the ship _bantam_. and towardes night capt. adams, capt. clevengar, and capt. lennis came ashore to english howse, and comander johnson to hollandes howse, to seek out all the marrenars, english and duch, and to send them abord, to keepe them from brawling. _july _ (_gonguach _).--we receved prize goodes ashore out of the duch shipp _bantam_. _july _ (_gonguach _).--we rec. prize goodes out of _moone_ and _bantam_. _july _ (_gonguach _).--an englishman of the _elizabeths_ company, being drunk, much abused hym selfe and drue his _cattan_ against the japons, but they took it from hym and drubd hym sore, and i think had kild hym, yf i had not taken hym out of their handes and sent hym abord. _july _ (_gonguach _).--i sent ij drunken englishmen abord the _moone_, the one called gray, a calker, for misusing the admerell in ill termes, as many witnesses heard. mr. henry smith, purcer of the _royal james_, had a child by a japon woamon, and was christned this day per mr. arthur hatch, prechar, per the name of henry; mr. joseph cockram and mr. wm. eaton, godfathers, and maria, mr. sayers woaman, godmother. _july _ (_gonguach _).--the admerall, capt. robt. adames, with the rest of the english comanders, came ashore to thenglish howse at firando and satt in councell about the murthering of a hollander by an english man, called john peterson: viz. robert adames, charles clevenger, edmond lennis, jno. munden, arnold browne, seamen; joseph cockram, wm. eaton, edmond sayer, jno. osterwick, ric. cocks, english merchantes; with mr. vaux, a hollander, whoe spoke english, to be enterpreter or heare what duchmen aledged against john roane, the murtherer of jno. peterson, whoe all with viva voce accused the said roan to doe the acte in their sight, and stabed hym into the leaft brest and soe to the hart (with a knife), that he never spoke word but fell downe dead, the wound after being seene and serched by mr. owen and mr. eaton, chirurgions, whoe saw the corps taken out of growne daies after it was buried. the jurie empaneled weare named as followeth, viz.:-- _eliza._ robert turbervill, foreman, wm. morgon, john goulding, _bull._ ric. wattes, wm. legg, _palsgrave._ jno. humphrey, ed. bates, tho. harod, bartholomew ale, _moone._ galliard, guner, phillip okebank, roger burdok, and the names of men witnessing against rone, viz. jno. ive, an englishman; derick harmonson, duchman; evert lubbertson, duchman; jno. johnson, duchman; jno. henrikson, duchman; joyemon dono, a japon, in whose howse it was donne, at cochie. _july _ (_gonguach _).--the shipp _elizabeth_ entred the harbor of firando this day, without any helpe of boates, and without order ether from the admerell or capt., and came agrowne, not without greate danger, yet got afe againe. _july _ (_roquenguach _).--this day jno. roan of bristoll, marrenar, was condemned by the xij men before nomenated, for killing of jno. peterson, a duchman, and hanged at the yard arme abord the shipp _elizabeth_. he confessed before his death that he kild the said man, being in drink and not knowing what he did, wishing all the shipps company to take example by hym, and to beware of woamen and wine, which had brought hym to that untymely death. he died very resolutely, and receved the sacrament by mr. arthur hatch befor he went to execution. capt. robt. adames was forced to put the roape about his neck with his owne handes, for non of the shipps company would doe it, yf he should hang them, and soe tould hym to his face. and we rec. prize goodes out of _bantam_ and _hope_. _july _ (_roquenguach _).--we rec. prize goodes ashore out of the dutch shipp _hope_. _july _ (_roquenguach _).--we rec. prize goodes ashore out of duch _hope_, and out of ship _palsgrove_. _july _ (_roquengach _).--tonomon samma and semi dono sent to us and the hollanders, in the kinges name, to desire us to lend hym xx m. _taies_ in plate, for a tyme, for that he had marid the emperors kinswoaman the of last moone, and will bring her to firando shortly. _july _ (_roquenguach _).--the admerall, capt. adames, came to firando to confer about vizeting the prince and semi dono to morrow. soe we and the hollanders did conclude to vizet them to morrow, viz:-- for tonomon samma. barell spanish wine china bason full ginger conserv, poz. _cattis_ china bason full nutmeg conserv china bason with peper, poz. _cattis_ for semi dono. barell wine ditto china bason conserv ginger, poz. _cattis_ ditto with peper, poz. _cattis_ _july _ (_roquenguach _).--we went and deliverd our presentes as before named, and had very frendly entertaynment and taken in good parte. and the prince caused a helth to be drunk rownd for the good news of the kinges his brothers marriadg with themperours kinswoaman, and an other for the safe arivall of our shipps. _july _ (_roquenguach _).--the _tono_ sent word unto us and the hollanders that we must carry back our shipps to cochie, themperour and his councell soe comanding. unto whome we answerd, that we brought them into firando at their request, not without greate danger, and, the wind being contrary, could not carry them back againe; and that within a few daies we ment to goe to themperours court to kisse his handes, and in the meane tyme, or at least till the king retorned to firando, to let them rest as they weare; which they seemed not to be unwilling to permitt. also semi dono sent againe both to us and the hollanders to know whether we would lend the king , _taies_, as he formerly requested. unto which we retorned answer that first we must pay the debtes we owed, and then furnish our shiping with the needfull, and afterwardes, yf we had an overplus, we weare ready to serve his highnesse in what with reason we might doe. _july _ (_roquenguach _).--the _tono_ sent againe both to us and the hollanders, to know whether we would lend the king , _taies_. unto whome we made answer, as formerly, that, our debtes being paid and shipps furnished of the needfull, we then would doe his highnesse any lawfull servis we could. _july _ (_roquenguach _).--i went to cochie to vizet thadmerall, as also to look upon the new building and to take acco. of tymber. and i fownd there had byn a broyle there betwixt the japons and hollanders, as the like was at firando daies past, where a hollander stabed or hurt japons, for which they drubed hym well and took hym presoner, and keepe hym in durance till this hower, the _tono_ sending the hollanders word that he would not suffer hym to be delivered into their handes, except they would promis before hand to put hym to death; which the hollanders answered they could not doe, because he had kild no japon, but they would wound hym or cut hym as bad or worse then he had hurt the japons. and soe the matter restes till this day. _july _ (_roquenguach _).--i wrot a letter to capt. adams, admerall, to cochie, per tobio dono, to take measure and make the steares at key. the unruly marrenars of the hollandes shipps, being drunk, did ride over children in the streetes, and slasht and cutt japons. whereupon the justis took two of them presoners, and without any more adoe cut affe their heades. and i heard of a scotsman which ment to run away to nangasaque, called james lester. soe i sent a boate and brought hym back. _july _ (_roquenguach _).--i wrot a letter to capt. robt. adames, and sent hym lester, the runaway, to cochie. and matias, the hollander, and swagger did arive this day at firando from cochinchina, in a junk which brought them to nangasaque; and bring word they met with an english shipp neare amacou, called the _pepercorne_, wherin came merchant mr. bugims, that was purcer in the _unecorne_ the last yeare, when she was cast away neare amacou, and now is bound for this place in the _pepercorne_, and, as matias saeth, is to stay upon the coast of amacou till the middell of august, before she com for japon, to look for bootie. god send her well in. only i note it neglegence that they wrot us not word how we should prepare our selves for busynes to succeade. _july _ (_roquenguach _).--capt. camps and my selfe receved letters this day from themperours court in answer of ours sent per expres, viz. from codgsque dono, that priz frigot was not ended; from king firando to same effect, and that price of lead was not made; from torazemon dono, lardg, how that emperour had comanded we nor hollanders should carry no munition out of the cuntrey, nether any japons in our shipp, and that much ill was reported to the emperour and his councell against us and the hollanders, as he could not write it per letter, but would relate it per word of mouth shortly at his arivall at firando. and towardes night we had newes the shipp _pepercorne_ was arived at cochie roade in firando. so i sent mr. ed. sayer, mr. jno. osterwick, and hary dodsworth abord with a barill _morofack_, loves fresh bread, a hogg, hense, fisantes, with redish, cowcomber, and millons. but presently after mr. morton, the master, with mr. bogins, the merchant, and georg christmas, purcer, came ashore and brought me these letters following, viz.:-- dated th aprill in jaccatra, from the precedent mr. ric. fursland from mr. tho. brockedon with a note of instructions for orderly keping acco., and broad cloths, no. and , and a bill lading thereof fermed per georg cristmas. letters from pattania, of th and th june, verbatum, from mr. jno. jourdaine. from sr. tho. wilson, dated in london, th november, . _july _ (_roquenguach _).--i receved chistes r. ashore out of the shipp _pepercorne_, from jaccatra, from precedent fursland, per the handes of georg christmas, purcer, should contain , r. , for which i gave a recept of my hand, with ij broad cloathes. and heare arived a hollandes ship, called the _muyen_ or _mugon_, from jaccatra, wherin sr. albartus the hollander retorned and brought me these letters following, viz. copie of former rec. per _pepercorne_, from precedent mr. ric. fursland, dated th june, with a relation, dated the th ditto, from the councell of defence, that our fleete shall retorne back this yeare for manillias, and wm. johnson goe for admerall, and capt. robt. adames vizadmerall. _july _ (_roquenguach _).--jno. avery, pursers mate of the ship _elizabeth_, died this morning of a wound he receved from a fleming called jno. johnson van hamborg. _july _ (_roquenguach _).--we opened chist no. , which came in the _pepercorne_, in presence of mr. bogens, mr. eaton, mr. sayer, mr. osterwick, ric. king, and my selfe, and did both tell and way it over, and ther wanted - / r. of in it short of , r. . the duch envited admerall adames and rest of thenglish to dyner this day to hollandes howse. _july _ (_roquenguach _).--we changed this day r. for plate barrs, viz.:-- _ta. m. co._ r. to cushcron dono, is - / r. to pasquall, is r. to jno. portis and harnando r. to mr. hatch, is bars _august _ (_roquenguach _).--we had a councell or speches about geving the xvj parte of priz goodes to the marrenars, and that the admerall and comanders of fleet should geve in securety under their ferme that the shipps companis would not goe to manillias this second tyme without it. _august _ (_roquenguach _).--i delivered j c. _tais_ small plate to capt. robt. adams, admerall, to pay unto x japons which went in our fleet for manillias, each one x _taies_ per man; their names as followeth, viz.:-- in the _moone_. jenza sanshero cuishti in _bull_. cusa matias goresak in _elizabeth_. tuestro shengro cugero gibatch _august _ (_roquenguach _).--we sould all our silke which came in the manillia fleet unto tozayemon dono of sackay, as followeth, viz.:-- fine white pole silke, at _tais pico._ second sort pole silke, at " " kense or oylie silke, at " " sleze silke, at " " white twisted silke, at " " blak pole silke, at " " cullered pole silke, at " " but sowne after came news that or galliotas weare arived at nangasaque from amacon and had brought much silk and stuffes, and soe he said he would goe from his bargen, notwithstanding he had geven us a bill under his hand writing for performance. the bill of tozemon donos to take our silk was made in such sort that he might take but i _pico_ of a sort, yf he would, for no quantety was set downe, nether that he should take all. this was donne per neglegence of mr. eaton, that trusted his boy and would not call for a _jurebasso_. _august _ (_roquenguach _).--jno. yossen came to thenglish howse to begg the life of the hollander condemned for killing mr. avery, but could not preveale. _august _ (_roquenguach _).--this day, before nowne, the hollanders did behead jno. johnson van hamborg, for killing mr. avery, or english men standing by at doing theirof; they having first made the man soe drunk that he could scarse stand on his legges, and soe cutt affe his head within their owne howse. we had news for certen this day that galliotas were arived at nangasaque from amacou, with silk and stuffes, and others yet without to enter. also mr. christofer bogans had a letter from a portugez at nangasaque, wherin he wrot hym a long cercomstance how well the men (espetially the woamen) weare used that escaped out of the shipp _unicorne_ in china, when she was cast away; and with what pompe the woamen weare receaved; with many other portingall lies. others also wrot that china juncks, portingall friggottes, arived at manillias after our fleete was departed from thence, soe that now both silk wares and all other provition of munition and victuell[ ] [ ] the sentence unfinished. _august _ (_roquenguach _).--the _bulls_ company wholy mutyned, and of them came to firando and deliverd a writing unto me, wherin they demanded their th parte of priz goods. and, after, capt. adames, admerall, wrote me to take one james martin, a scotsman, yf he came to firando, and lay hym in irons. this scott is he which stured up the _bulls_ men to muteny, promising to perswade the _moons_ men to doe the like and to follow them, "because" (said he) "they sell away the goods, and, yf yow suffer them to carry them away, yow shall never have any thing". _august _ (_sitinguach _).--we had a jenerall counsell this day at the english howse, both of english and hollanders, where it was ordayned that the duch should carry the flag in the meane topp, as admerall, this second voyage for manillias, and the english as vizadmerall. but capt. robt. adams, admerall the former voyadg, aledged he was free per meanes of a letter he brought out of england, and soe ment to resigne his place to capt. chorles cleavenger and retorne for jaccatra. unto whome it was objected that, yf he shronke, it was a bad precedent to make all the rest doe the like. unto which he replied that, rather then that should happen, he would goe meanest man in the fleete; yet that he would not put out the flagg in the fore topp for or daies space, and in the meane tyme would take adviz what was best to doe. and soe jno. jonson was ordayned admerall, to put out his flagg in the meane top to morrow; and that the councell of defences ordenances should be read abord all the fleete to morow; and a muster taken how many men their were, and soe to know each mans opinion, what he would replie against these proceadinges. also it was brought in question at the same councell, tuching the abuse of one , master of the shipp _swan_ and on of the councell of war, how he per force did enter per night into the th junck taken, with som or men with weopens and close lantarns, and, after the beating and misusing of the englishmen which had pocession, did pilledg and sett the junk on fire, leaveing the english men in her to be burned, yf they hadd nott byn releeved. unto which jno. johnson, the admerall, replied that our men had used other abuses to his men. which, in the end, was remitted till they came to the councell of defence at jaccatra. _august _ (_sitinguach _).--this day jno. johnson was made admerall both of duch and english, and proclemation made abord each shipp, both duch and english, and all presoners sett at libertie for any muteny hertofore, the duch at request of capt. adams and the english at request of jno. johnson, admerall. china capt. went to nangasaque, and andreas with hym, to bring about the china capt. junck, to carine our shipps by. _august _ (_sitinguach _).--gonrok dono passed by this place to nangasaque, and capt. leonard camps and my selfe went to hym about priz of our leade, and he, being ready to departe, willed us to follow hym to nangasaque. _august _ (_sitinguach _).--capt. robt. adames, our late admerall of the english and duch fleete to the manillias, now made vizadmerall, called a councell of these following, viz.: capt. chorles cleavengar, capt. edmond lennis, mr. jno. munden, mr. arnold browne, seamen; joseph cockram, wm. eaton, ric. cocks, merchantes--wherein he desired to be dismissed from going vizadmerall this second tyme to manillas, shewing a discharg from our right honble. company in england, being permitted to retorne for england per first shipp which came; yet, in respect the councell of defence had now made a second chose of hym (he striving to put it to capt. chorles clevengar), yet we all in generall put it upon hym, which he in the end condecended unto, to put out his flagg in the fore tope to morrow morning. yt was agreed per us and the hollanders that to morow morning capt. speck and another hollander, with mr. cockram and my selfe, should goe for nangasaque to morow, to make an end about price of our lead, as also to provide any thing wanting to geve to the emperour and councell for presentes. _august _ (_sitinguach _).--we agreed with cushcron dono and the oyleman for these parcelles following, viz:-- _pico_ biskit, at _ta._ _ma._ _co._ per _pico_. sackes fyne rize of _gantas_, as duch pay. _pico_ hempe, at _ta._ _m._ _co._ _pico_. for ships provition, to be deliverd within mo. after date. also agreed with nicolas martin for these parcels, viz.:-- _pico_ biskit, at price abovesaid. buttes rack, containing , _gantes_, at _gantes mas_ bar. and i paid j c. _tais_ to yoshozemon dono, our beefe man, upon acco. of beeves, whereof he paid unto gennemon dono, the other beefe man, _tais_ for beeves, at _tais_ beefe. _august _ (_sitinguach _).--i paid out in barr plate to purcers, viz.:-- _ta. m. c._ j c. _tais_ to mr. neve, purcer of _moone_ j c. _tais_ to mr. watts, purcer of _bull_ l. _taies_ to danill white, purcer of _palsgrove_ l. _taies_ to christmas, purcer of _pepercorne_ and i paid the glover shewmaker, for peare of pompes at ij _mas_ per peare, _m._; more to hym for a _cattan_ handell red lether, _m._ _august _ (_sitinguach _).--i embarked this morning, in company of mr. cockram and ric. king, to goe towardes nangasaque, as capt. camps and mr. vaux did the like, to speake with gonrok dono about receving money for our lead. but, at our first seting out, fell much rayn; soe we, being in an open bark, retorned back againe. we agreed or bargened for these provitions following for manillia fleete, viz. with the gunfounders, for , _gantas_ ordnary _rak_, at ij _gantas_ per _mas_, to be delivered within monthes; with oyen dono and his sonne, for , _gantas_ redd _garvanse_, at - / _gantas_ per _mas_. _august _ (_sitinguach _).--we set forwardes towardes nangasaque this morning after sun rising, and arived theare the same day howres before sunne seting, and fownd capt. camps and the duch arived theare at midnight before. _august _ (_sitinguach _).--we and the hollanders sent our _jurebassos_ to gonrok dono and feze dono, to tell them of our arivall heare, and that we desired to com and kisse their handes when they weare at leasure. and we laid out presentes, viz.:-- for gourok dono, governor. _tattamis_ stamet cloth _cattis_ white raw pole silk peces diaper tabling _cattis_ of pepper peces sleze land for feze dono, major. _tattamy_ stamet cloth _cattis_ white pole silk pec. diaper napkening for skidayen dono, secretary. _tatta._ stamet cloth peces diaper napkening pec. wroght sattins, cullers for yasimon dono. peces cullard taffeties peces ordenary damasks and i wrot a letter to mr. eaton, to firando, per andrea dono in china capt. junck, with vj peeces iron ordinance and carages for them, and how i paid xxv _tais_ plate barrs to hym. within night lansman the duchman came to vizet me, for by day he durst not, for feare of the excomunecation, telling me it was defended that noe roman catholick might open their mouth to speak to us. _august _ (_sitinguach _).--we went to vizet gonrok dono with the present nomenated yistarday, and he of hymselfe began to speake about the price of the leade, telling us that the councell thought iiij _taies_ per _pico_ enough, and therefore he durst not presume to geve more. unto which we answered that themperour might take it for nothing, yf he pleased, yet we knew it was in his lordshipps handes to sett what price he pleased; and, seeing ogosha samma of famos memory sett the price at vj _taies_ per _pico_, to take all which came at that price, and shongo samma his sonne, the emperour that now is, did conferme it, we hoped his lordshipp would have consideration thereof, and the rather, for that we hadd now byn driven affe a yeare and a halfe, and could not make benefite of our good nor monies, but weare forced to take up money at interest. and, to conclud, we tould him he hym selfe did offer - / _taies_ per _pico_ the yeare past; yet it seemed he did not remember the same. and soe, being late, we departed and left it to his lordshipps consideration till to morrow to think better thereof. and soe we went to skidayen dono, his secretary, and carid hym the present nomenated before, desyring hym to put his master in mind to end the acco. of lead. within night nicolas marin, an italian and pilot to the portugezes, came to vizet me, because he durst nott doe it per day, and tould me how all weare excomunecated that did ether buy or sell with thenglish or hollanders, or had any conversation with them, or did soe much as put affe their hattes or salute them in the streetes. _august _ (_sitinguach _).--i wrot a letter to mr. eaton, and sent it per mangusque, zazabra donos servant, advizing how gonrok offerd us now but _tais pico._ for our lead, as also of the difference betwixt gonrok with the japon merchantes against the portugezes, about the quantety of silk com in the friggates, and how he makes _pancado_ of stuffes now as well as of silke. and i wished mr. eaton to sell away our silk, yf possibly he could, for it is said there is neare j m. _pico._ com in these friggots. and we carid our presentes to feze dono and yasimon dono, as is noted downe the th present, and desired them to be a meanes to gonrok dono to make an end of the price of the leade, or to tell as what we should trust unto. the hollanders supped with us at china capt. and have envited us to dynner to their lodging to morow. _august _ (_sitinguach _).--we sent to gonrok dono to know his answer at what price he would set our leade. soe he replied he would geve us - / _taies_, upon condition we would geve hym a bill of our handes that, yf the emperour and councell weare not content to geve so much, we should let it goe for lesse. unto which both the hollanders and we answerd that we would com to a sett price, were it at - / or otherwais; the which he took in such snuffe as he sent our present back againe to hollandes lodging. and i delivered an other letter to yasobro, tayemon donos wives brothers servant, advising how gonrok dono had retorned a flatt answer he would geve but _taies_ per _pico_ for lead, as also of arivall of the junck from manillia wherein wyamon dono went capt., and that all was lies of junckes and friggats which arived after our fleete came away. this after nowne the junck, wherein wyamon dono went for manillia with capt. adams _goshon_, is now retorned to faconda roade, and migell com ashore with news they have made a very badd voyage, and that they were badly used per the spaniardes, miscalling them because they were frendes to the english and duch. they also report that, after our fleete came from manillias, noe junckes entred theare [with exception] of only emptie ons which our fleet set at libertie, haveing rifeled them; as also ij friggates arived theare and went in on the back side of manillias for feare of our fleete. _august _ (_sitinguach _).--this day entred an other galliota from amacou, which was daies in way, and bringeth silke, silk stuffes, and black clo., or matta of cotton. _august _ (_sitinguach _).--i wrot a letter to mr. eaton and rest, how we could not agree with gonrok dono about our lead, with other occurrantes; but, after, we came to agreement at - / _cattis pico_ lead. manillia junck of wyamon dono arived at nangasaque; and they report that all japons must be banished out of manillias and non traffick theare hearafter. _august _ (_sitinguach _).--the hollanders and we went to take our leaves of gonrok dono and would have left the present with skidayen dono, his secretary, but he would not receve it, telling us gonrok would be at firando before it weare long, and then might we better present it theare. also gonrok tould us he would send men to firando to way out the lead and pay our money theare forthwith. and soe, towardes night, the hollanders departed towardes firando on a sudden, we having formerly agreed to goe togeather to morow morning. and i receved a letter from mr. eaton at firando, howe he had sould _cattis_ white twisted silke more to tozemon dono, at _mas catty_ is also deare skins to tobio dono, best sort, at _tais_ per cento, is and delivered russia hides to feze dono, at _tais_ hide, is _august _ (_sitinguach _).--i receved letters from firando, viz., from mr. osterwick, from mr. eaton, with a coppie of ij letters from molucos from thenglish agent. _august _ (_sitinguach _).--we departed this morning towardes firando, and paid out for diett whilst we were theare to the goodwife for howsroome to the servantes and stuffes given for presentes, viz. pec. black chaul taffety to capt. whows sonne, pec. ditto to china capt. doughter, pec. ditto to augustyns sonne. and we went to setto to bed, wind being contrary, and staid all night; and paid charges _ta._, and to his ij childron that brought present of fish and pompians _mas_. _august _ (_sitinguach _).--about midnight we arived at firando, where we found a duch shipp _amsterdam_ entred, she coming in on the north side of the iland, and was driven to nanguay in crates; and there the hollanders falling at debate with the japons of crates, they fell together by the eares on shore, and hollander was kild and divers others hurt, and the japons went not skot free. _august _ (_sitinguach _).--the king of firando arived heare this day at nowne from the cort of edo; and we went out in a boate and met hym, as the duch did the like, and they shott affe store of ordinance both from howse and abord shipps; but all our ordinance weare ashore, the shipps being on carine, soe i sent mr. cockram with a _jurebasso_ to bidd his highnesse welcom, and to exckews the not shouting ordinance, which he took in good parte as well as yf we had shott. _august _ (_sitinguach _).--i receved a bill from tozemon dono for i c. xxviij pec. canton damask of deceased capt. adams acco., at ij _tais_ per peec., to be paid in bar plate at demand, is ij c. lvj _tais_. and i rec. a letter from the domine of the duch ship _amsterdam_, dated at mallayo in molucas the th july last past, sent from mr. wm. nicolas, agent; wherin he doth write of the indirect dealing of the hollanders against our honble. emploiers. and there was iiij c. peeces manta, or cotton clo., delivered to mr. jno. neve, purcer of the shipp _moone_, for shipps use, viz. peces browne cangas, peces light blews. _august _ (_sitinguach _).--we went to vizet the king of firando, both we and the hollanders, and carid hym a present of ij _barricos_ of spanish wine, / a _pico_ of cloves, and / a _pico_ of peper. the wine he took, but the rest he refused. he urged very much to have capt. speck to goe to edo this yeare, in respect he was well knowne to themperour and his councell, as also thenglish had need to send one that knew the orders of japan, for that we had many enemis at court per means of the portingales and spaniardes and their well willars which weare many. unto which we answerd that we would take councell about the matter and have in remembrance what his highnesse had made knowne unto us. we envited the hollanders admerall, merchantes, and all the rest of princepalles to dyner after to morow, being sattarday; but the admerall, wm. johnson, denied. _august _ (_sitinguach _).--tonoman samma, the kinges brother, sent for capt. camps and me in all hast, to speake with hym; which we did; and was to put us in mynd both from the king his brother as also of hymselfe that, at any hand, we should keep capt. speck heare this yeare to goe up to edo to themperour, as also to be a meanes to end other [things]. _september _ (_sitinguach _).--wm. johnson, thadmerall, with all the cheefe of the hollanders, came to dynner this day, and supped with us likewies. and we hadd the _caboques_ after dynner. and unagense dono sent me ij _catabras_ for a present, i of silke, and the other lynen cloth. also the justis, taccamon dono, sent us word to geve over making _gallegalle_[ ] in our howse we hired of china capt., because the white lyme did trowble the player or singing man, next neighbour. soe we were forced to doe it, notwithstanding it cost us xx _taies_ to build that howse, and soe to make and hier a new one in an other place. the report is that bonga dono is dead, and that he died the day before the kinges arivall; and yett it is not published till the feasting be past for joy of the kinges marriadg and his safe retorne. [ ] hindustani: _galgal_, mortar made of lime and linseed oil. _september _ (_sitinguach _).--the king sent to semi dono to signefie unto hym my answer tuching capt. speck, that i agreed with hym that it was fitting he should stay this yeare, and goe for edo about these busynes. soe semi dono sent me word to contynew in that opinion, for that it was good and profitable to both companis. _september _ (_sitinguach _).--a portugez, called ranelles, came from nangasaque, offering his service to goe in our fleete, telling me that lopas sermiente caravalle, the new capt. more, had misused hym without occation; yet i suspect him to be a spie sent to see what we doe. _september _ (_sitinguach _).--we went to the king, being sent for, both the hollanders and us, where he made known to us a writing sent from themperor and his councell, that no stranger should buy any slaves, ether men or woamen, to send them out of the cuntrey, nether carry out any armor, _cattans_, lances, _langanantes_, poulder or shott, or guns; nether any japon marrenars to goe in our shipping. and we were envited to dyner abord the duch shipp _amsterdam_, where we wanted no drink. _september _ (_sitinguach _).--i sent our _jurebasso_ to cochie to know wherefore the kinges _bongew_ would not permitt our tymber and boardes to be landed at our howse, as also what he ment to take ij of our men presoners upon no occation. and he retorned me answer, he did not forbid the landing of our tymber, but only gave his men charge (per order from the king) to serch all the barks which came into cochie, for to see whether they brought any armor, weapons, or munition (thinges defended per the emperour), which might be brought in boates under tymber or boardes as well as otherwais. and tuching our two men, the one being charged with stealing of a knife, as he confesseth, but the japans burthen hym with stealing of money, and the other for the bad handling of a woaman great with child, whereby she cast her child; "yet", said he, "i make acco., yf yow speake but one word to semi dono, he will sett them free". also oure marenars of the shipp _pepercorne_ through their neglegence sett a hodd of stuffe or pitch on fire, which had like to have burned all our howsing and the towne of cochie, and burned us som trees or rownd tymbers of , , and _tais_ per peece. and i sent the _caboques_ ij barrs plate, containing vij _taies_, for playing when the hollanders weare heare. _september _ (_fatinguach _).--i paid to the _maky_ man, canzemon dono of miaco, i c. xxxvj- / _tais_ plate bars for these parcells _maky_, viz.:-- _ta. m. co._ _maky_ basons and ewers japon fation, at _tais_ pees ditto with ewer, with duble handell, at _macky_ posset pottes (or boles) with covers, at _tais_ peare playing tables with men, at _tais_ peare black basons and ewers japon fation, at - / _tais_ pes ditto with ewer and duble handell, at black posset bolles with covers, at _tay_ pe. _september _ (_fatchinguach _).--i went to semi dono, mr. cockram and mr. bogens accompanying me, to desire hym our ij englishmen might be sett at libertie, which they comanded us to keepe in preson, we having greate occation to use them in our shiping this faire wether, and that they were accused of mier mallice, becase a japon was taking of suspition for killing an englishman; but, for that japon, we left it to his lo. pleasure to make ferther proofe, as he pleaced, for that we could say noe more then we hadd donne. also i desired that we might be discharged of the japon theefe we tooke stealing the hoopes of iron affe our cask; unto which he answered we weare best to make the matter knowne unto tonomon dono, unto whome he was ready then to goe, and to sett all downe in writing; which we did. the one side of the _palsgrove_ was wholie sheathed this day from the keele to the bend. _september _ (_fatchinguach _).--i rec. a letter from gonrok dono to way out the lead to his men per whome he sent the letter. i delivered into the factory, for presentes for themperour, _cattis_ white twisted silk at _tais pico_, : : ; _cattis_ white pole or lankin silk at _ta. pico_, : : . gonrok donos men, with the king of firandos _bongews_, came to look on our lead; and on munday morning will begin to way. _september _ (_fatchinguach _).--at nowne the king sent for me in all hast to com to hym; which i did, accompanied with mr. edward sayer; where we fownd he had prepared a _jurebasso_ which spoake spanish. the reason he tould me was, for that he dowbted our other _jurebassos_ did not well understand what he had formerly said, in respeckt we had not resolved hym in all this tyme whether we determened to keepe capt. speck this yeare to goe for edo with others of our nation which knew the order of japon and were knowne to themperour and his councell, but to the contrary lett the spaniardes and portingales goe before us, whoe were our enemies, as all the merchants of nangasaque and miaco were the like, soe that we had no frend soe sure in japon to trust unto as he was; and, yf we would not beleeve his councell, we might doe as we list, for the falt was not in hym. unto which i made answer his highnes had reason, but that i was not in falt; and that he might know, yf it pleaced hym to let his _jurebasso_ goe with me to the hollandes howse to heare their answer. which he was contented, and withall bad me tell the duch admerall, with capt. camps and capt. speck, that, yf capt. speck staid not heare, he held them all for enemies to the english and hollands affares. the which i made knowne to the admerall johnson, capt. camps, capt. speck, and the rest; but it seemed they former made light of it, yet answerd they would call a generall councell to morow and speak of that and other matters. the which i certefid the king of per the said _jurebasso_, nicolas martin. also our ij men which were in preson were now sett at libertie. yet thadmerall, capt. adames, sent them abord the ship _moone_, to geve them exemplary punishment, because they might remember it another tyme; for out of dowbt som abuse their was, otherwais the japons would not have laid handes on them. _september _ (_fatchinguach _).--we had a generall councell this day at duch howse, where it was concluded that shipps this yeare shall procead againe to the manillias, to be ready to departe by the xxth of november next, ould stile. but that ij of them shall goe out before, within this or daies, viz. the _bull_ and the _moyen_, to stay upon the coast of china to look out for junckes, till the other com after to the place apointed them to stay; but yf, in the meane tyme, stormie wether drive them away, then to meete them at manillias, at a place apointed and tyme. also it was debated to have capt. speck stay this yeare and goe for edo as the king desired. but the duch admerall, capt. camps, capt. lefevre, and the rest would not consent thereunto, saying it la not in their power to doe it, he being sent for by their presedent and generall at jaccatra; but capt. speck spoke openly that the hollanders gave it out that this was a formed matter made betwixt the king of firando, capt. speck, and my selfe, to have hym stay heare an other yeare, without any occation or need at all. which for my parte i protest before god they doe bely me; for i did speake to have hym to stay heare only to content the king of firando, and for nothing else, because he was soe important with me and others about it. soe there was nothing donne about going up to themperour. of the which i advized the king of firando what the hollanders answer was, which gave hym small content, for he answerd that we should find his wordes true, that he gave us good councell, and that it would be to late hereafter to amend it, and therefore we should not empute the falt his. _september _ (_fatchinguach _).--we began to way out our lead this day per single _piculls_, and geve in each _pico._ a _catty_. and it should seeme the king being discontent because capt. speck stayeth not in japon this yeare, for he sent to the hollandes howse to seeke for pikes that were made ready to send for jaccatra and weare carid abord a shipp. but the king comanded they should be brought ashore againe, although capt. camps aledged they were bought the yeare past, before themperours edict came out; yet that would not serve, but they must be unladed againe. also it seemed he was angry with us, for he gave order that our laborers, which wrought about carining our shipps, should geve over work, and banished a japon of nangasaque which we had entertayned to be overseer of the work. but at my request our laborars were permitted to work as before. and we waied out _pico._ lead this day to themperours _bongews_. _september _ (_fatchinguach _).--one of the _eliza._ men, called gabrell , a plot maker, being drunk, fell overbord and was drowned. the king sent torazemon dono and other ij of his noble men to tell me he was enformed that, at my being at nangasaque, i had bought a greate quantety of gunpouder, to be secretly conved abord our shipps at cochie, under culler of other matters. unto which i answered, i had bought non, nether did ever speake word to any man about it, as before god i did not. soe it seemed they were content with my answer, and promised me to relate the truth to the king and to get jacobe dono, our boteswaine, released, he being banished, per order from the king, by the spitfull dealinges of the _bongews_ at cochie. i went to the duch howse with mr. cochram to know wherefore they were noe forwarder in sending up to themperour; and capt. camps tould me the comander johnson held matters back. _september _ (_fatchinguach _).--we had much a doe with the _bongews_ which waid out our lead, we having waid out above _pico._ these daies past, they leving it still in our howse, not carying any away, soe that now all our void howsroome was full; and they would have me emptie our shipp provition out of our store roome to geve them place, which i tould them i would not doe. _september _ (_fatchinguach _).--we had a generall councell this day, wherin we protested against wm. johnson, admerall, yf he sent away capt. speck, the king of firando being soe ernest to stay hym heare to goe to edo, in default whereof wee all protested against hym and his partakers, yf in case any hinderance or domage did happen to either company, and sent it to the duch howse per mr. eaton, joseph cockram, mr. ed. sayer, and mr. nicolas bogens, who heard it read in presence of the said wm. johnson, admerall, capt. lefevre, and capt. camps, with others; but jonsons answer was that it was ordayned per a generall councell that capt. speck must goe for jaccatra in the _sunne_, and goe he should. _september _ (_fatchinguach _).--i went to the king, accompanied with mr. eaton and mr. cockram, to signefie the protest we had made against the duch admerall, wm. johnson, for not staying capt. speck this yeare in firando; the which the king said was well donne and desired a coppie thereof and tould us, seeing the hollanders made soe light a reconyng therof, he would perforce stay capt. speck heare till he had order from the emperours court (or councell) whether he should stay or goe, and would forthwith send an expres to know their honors pleasure therein; and in the meane tyme wished us to send up som others with the present to themperour and councell, and that i should stay heare with capt. speck to take councell about the disposing of the friggat when gonrok dono came. and soone after the king sent for capt. camps, asking hym, as he did me, what was concluded about capt. speck staying. unto which he made answer that he and the rest of the merchant[s] had donne what they could, but that the comander, wm. johnson, would not permit it; and that now capt. speck answerd he would not stay upon any termes, but procead for jaccatra, and soe he sent word to the king. soe he, perceving how matters went, tould capt. camps he could not goe up to themperour till he had made an end about the friggat and we proved the jesuistes to be padres or mas pristes, as they terme them, and that could not be donne till gonrok dono came from nangasaque; yet in the meane tyme we might embale up our presentes and send ij yong men before with them to shew our obedience to themperour, and i and capt. camps follow after when the other busynes was donne. and albartus came after to the english howse and tould me that in generall councells amongst them selves the most voyces had confermed capt. jacob specks to stay in japon this yeare, but johnson, the comander, bakt all. _september _ (_fatchinguach _).--we had a comunion this day at english howse adminestered per mr. arthur hatch, prechar of the ship _palsgrove_. also an englishman, one of the _pepercorns_ companie, named wm. barker, having layne on shore wicks, never going abord to look to ships busines, and being drunk yistarday in a carpentars howse would have layne with a woaman per force, and against her will took rings of silvar of her fingars, and drunk _mas_ or xij _d._ in wine, and in the end would have gon away and pay nothing and carry the rings along with hym; and, because the good wife of the howse laid handes on hym, he did beate her. whereupon the neighbors coming upon hym did bynd hym, and sent me word therof; and i, going to the howse, fownd the rings in his pocket, which i restored back againe and made hym pay the ij _mas_, and brought hym to thenglish howse, where, at the whiping post, he had first lashes with a whipp, and then washed in brine, and, after, more lashes. and after nowne one beedam, a master mate of the shipp _elizabeth_, being drunk, did fall out of the shipps sterne over the reales, fathom hie, and fell into a junck at her side, where he broke his skull, and is meamed in one legg and an arme and in danger to die. _september _ (_fatchinguach _).--i sould mr. munden a rapiar and daggar for r. , with gerdell and hangers all plated over with silver. the hollandes shipp, called the _new sealand_, arived at firando in cochie roade toward night. and we waid out _pico._ of lead this day. and mr. eaton, mr. osterwick, and my selfe went to the duch howse, and, with capt. camps, sett downe the presentes to be geven to themperour and his nobillety, littell more or lesse then it was the last yeare; as also we had speeches whether it weare fitting to geve themperours sonne a present, he being at mans estate, and we by frendes at court put in mynd thereof. soe we concluded to put in japon writing the presentes we ment to geve this yeare, and to ask the king of firandos councell whether he thought good to have us to add or deminish any thing therein, as also whether we should geve a present to the yong prince, themperours sonne, or any other his highnesse thought fitting. we rec. _taies_ in bar plate, per gonrok donos apointment, for lead. _september _ (_fatchinguach _).--i gave a letter of favor to vincent roman, allius lansman, for camboja, dated this day. he is a duch man, our frend. the king sent to tell me that gonrok dono had sent a letter in favor of the capt. more of the portingales for laskaros which were run away and abord the hollanders or us, to have them retorne againe. unto which i answerd i knew nothing of any such matter, for i had non in thenglish howse, yet i would enquere yf ther weare any abord shipp, and send his highnesse word. also there was a councell to know whether peter wadden should goe for jaccatra or remeane in the fleet. _september _ (_fatchinguach _).--i paid j m. j c. _tais_ plate bars unto cushcron dono, wherof _ta._ _m._ _co._ is in full payment of the fleetes provition the last yeare. ould nobisane, called bongo dono, died ij daies past, which was said to dy before the king arived. _september _ (_fatchinguach _).--the king sent order that we and the hollanders should meete this day at torazemon donos to confer about going up to edo, and that the admerall johnson should com with us; but he denid to goe and drove it affe till night, yet then sent word he would goe in the mornyng. _september _ (_fatchinguach _).--wm. johnson, the duch admerall, with capt. camps, mr. ballok, duchmen, and capt. robt. adams, our admerall, mr. osterwick, and my selfe went to the howse of torazemon dono, where we fownd or more of the kinges councell, whoe tould us we had need to look well to our witnesses to prove the frires in preson at holands howse to be padres; otherwaies our processe of the friggat would be lost, for that gonrok dono took their partes against us, soe that we must have other witnesses then our selves; for allthough all our fleet said it was soe, yet our owne witnesse would not be taken. also they tould us we ought to enlardg our presentes to the emperor and councell, having such intricate matters in hand, and that, for a present to the yong prince (themperours sonne), we might take councell when we weare above whether it weare fytt to doe it or noe, according as we saw our busynes goe forward. also they said the king desired that the next yeare, when our shiping came, that we would lett all stay at cochie and non enter into firando. unto which we made answer that, seeing our howsing was made at firando, we desired that or shipps might each yeare enter into firando. unto which they replied that then we ought to cleare the harbor of the wreck cast away the other yeare, otherwais, yf any other should miscarry, it would quite spoile his harbor that noe bark nor shiping could ever enter into it. so they left us to consider of the matter, the hollanders saying that their shipp was cast away by falling fowle of the _james royalls_ cable, and therefore that it was reason we paid halfe. also they shewed a letter from gonrok dono, wherin he wrot the _tono_ of firando to stay capt. speck till the processe of the friggot was ended; but the admerall johnson nor capt. speck would not consent to it. and i receved a letter from the molucas from mr. wm. nicoles, dated in mallayo the th of august, and sent per the shipp _sealand_. _september _ (_fatchinguach _).--this night our gunpouder howse, where we dryd our pouder, was beset with men to have donne som mischeefe, as we thought; but, being espied, they fled and had a boate ready to convay them away. there was of them seene neare unto the howse, and one of our men which were at watch thrust at one of them with a short pike, which the other caught by the iron head, and it being badly nealed he puld it affe and carid it away with hym, and soe fled with the rest, as afore said. soe we esteeme they were sett on by the spaniardes and portingales to have blowne up all our gunpouder, to have overthrowne our voyadge, knowing themperour will suffer us to by nor carry out non. _september _ (_fatchinguach _).--there was _pico._ lead waid out this day. i went to torazemon dono, the kinges secretary, and tould hym of the pretence of blowing up our gunpouder howse, which i and the rest suspected was per instigation of spaniard and portingales; the which he wondered at, and tould me he would make it knowne to the king. and, after, we were enformed that lues martin and other portingales departed from firando late yisternight, after daylight donne, and went with their boate into the cod of the bay neare to our gunpouder howse, to have seene the sport of blowing up the howse; but, the matter being discovered, they made hast away, and the villens set on to doe it did escape in an other boate for firando, som of which we hope to find out. this night, after midnight, the dead corps of bongo samma was carid to be burned, or rather a peece of wood in place, for he was thought to be a christian. all the nobilletye with a multetude of other people did follow the hearce. the cheefe mornar was a woaman, all in white, with her haire hanging downe her back and her face covered, and a strange attire upon her head like a rownd stoole. all the _boses_ (or pagon pristes) went before the herse with great lightes, and the nobillety followed after, all in generall with such silence that noe words weare spoaken; and they kneeled downe in divers places, as though they had praid, but not one word heard what they said. and in many places they threw abrod _cashes_ (or brasse money) in great quantety, and in the end most of all at the place where he was burned, that the people might take it, as they did allso much white lynen cloth which compased in a fowre square place where the herse was burned. and there was one _bose_, or prist, hanged hym selfe in a tree hard by the place of funerall, to accompany hym in an other world, for _boses_ may not cutt their bellies, but hang them selves they may. and other of the dead mans servantes would have cut their bellies, to have accompanid hym to serve hym in an other world, as they stidfastly beleeve they might have donne; but the king would not suffer them to doe it. many others, his frendes, cut affe the foremost joyntes of their littell fingers and threw them into the fire to be burned with the corps, thinking it a greate honor to them selves and the least service they could doe to hym, soe deare a frend and greate a personage, for he was brother to foyne samma, grandfather to the king figen a came, that now is. and he hath adopted gentero samma, the kinges brother, for his lawfull sonne, becase he had no children of his owne, and hath left all he hath to hym, he being the kinges pledg at edo. _september _ (_fatchinguach _).--i went to torazemon dono, the kinges secretary, and tould hym we had found out the theefe which pulled affe the pike head and other of his consortes, desiring hym to speake to the king that we might have justice against them, and that they might be constrayned to tell whoe sett them on to have blowne up our gunpouder; the which he promised me to do. but first he would examen our witnesses that had brought to light those men, which were the _bongew_ and neighbors of the villadge neare the gunpouder howse, whoe fownd them out and made it knowne unto me and others. also semi dono sent for our _jurebasso_ and the holland _jurebasso_ and bid them tell us (as from the kinge) that both we and the hollanders should geve in our answer to morrow at nowne tuching the geting the wrackt shipp out of the harbour, for that the king would not suffer any of our shiping to enter till that weare taken out of the roade. also, the _bull_ riding by the _pepercorns_ side, to helpe to carine her, as she had donne the like to the _bull_ before, and a planke going from one shipp to the other, as mr. munden was going over, a leawd fello of the _pepercorns_ company hive up the plank with his shoulder and threw hym affe betwixt the shipps, which lying soe close together, he could not falle into the sea, which yf he had, he had byn drowned without remedy; yet he was sore brused with the falle. _september _ (_fatchinguach _).--we had a generall councell of english and duch at hollandes howse about taxing or prising the shipps _pepercorns_ and _muyon_, but could not agree upon prise of the shipps hulls, mastes, and tackling, we seting the _pepercorne_ at tons, and the tonne at _l._, is _l._ str.; and the duch would have rated the _muyon_ at _l._ str., being a lesser shipp then ours, they alledging she was newer. soe that is referd to the councell of defence at jaccatra. also it was spoaken of to have us to joyne with the hollanders in purce, to help to gett the shipp that was wracked the last yeare out of the harbour of firando, the king comanding us so to doe. unto which we answered that she belonged to the duch and was non of the shipps of defence, and therefore we had noe reason to be at charg of money to get her out. yet we offerd them before, when we had leasure, since the arivall of the fleete, to lett or of our men helpe them to get her out; but then they made light of it. yet, notwithstanding, to geve the king of firando content, i said that, yf the duch would agree with the japons to rydd the havon of her, i was content to sett my hand to a writing to be contributary to som part of the charge, with condition it should be left to the precedentes at jaccatra to determen whether it was fitt we should pay any thing or noe; and, in the meane tyme, the duch to disburse all the charges. we are geven to understand that ric. short and other englishmen are run away to the enemy at nangasaque. _september _ (_fatchinguach _).--i wrote letters to nangasaque, one to yasimon dono, gonrok donos clark, and the other to andrea dittis, china capt., to use their best endevour to seek out for ric. short and the rest of the english runawaies, espetially short that is a witnesse against the frires in the duch howse and hath seene one of them say mas at nangasaque, and was enticed or daies past per francisco lopas and portingall frires to run away. the king of firando sent a man of his with letters to gonrok dono to same effect. _september _ (_fatchinguach _).--we went to holland howse to supper, all us, to capt. speckes foy[ ] or farewell, where we were kindly entertayned. and i sealed up my letters for jaccatra and england:-- to jaccatra per ship _swan_ and per capt. speck. to mr. ric. furland, precedent. to mr. tho. brakedon. to mr. james wrine, prechar. journalles and ballances, c. and d. a book presentes. a book purcers acco. last yeare. inventories prx. goodes, fleet and _pepercorne_. a protest against admerall wm. johnson. recept of shipper of _swan_, for thing sent in the _swan_. letter of myne from mr. wm. nicolles, agent. to london, per ship _swan_ and per capt. speck. to sr. tho. smith, governor. to governor and committis. to sr. tho. willson, knight. to mrs. mary adames. to capt. jno. saris. to my brother, walter cocks. to capt. pring. to mr. harry smith. [ ] foy: a merry-making generally given at parting, or on entering into some situation.--halliwell, _arch. dict._ _october _ (_fatchinguach _).--alvaro munos came to firando and tells me ric. short was staied at nangasaque, at his first arivall, for a padre, but after released, when they knew whoe he was. capt. lafevre was beaten and drubed per the rascall japon laborers of firando, because he landed at kinges steares; but, as it is said, the king hath taken the doers thereof and will put som of them to death; but i doe not beleeve it. _october _ (_fatchinguach _).--i paid xxiiij _tais_ plate barrs to jno. portus for a gould hat band sett with redd peru stones. i wrot iij letters to nangasaque about our run awayes, these englishmen following: ric. short, master mate in the _moone_, harris, botswane of the _pepercorne_, with ij others of said ships company, and alexander hix, luke anderwicke, and wm. harris, of the _bulls_ company. and the shipp _bull_ was set on fire per a lampe in the steward roome, but quenched in good tyme. _october _ (_fatchinguach _).--a bark of japons, being sent after the runawais with speed, overtook them and kept them from proceading forward, till mr. sayer came after. soe they brought back vj men runawais, viz:-- of _pepercornes_ men. edward harris thomas gilbert christopher butbee of the _bulles_ men. alexander hix luke underwick wm. harris and the master of the bark which carid them away is taken presoner, with an other japon of nangasaque that entised them to run away; and the king of firando will put them both to death, as it is reported. and i deliverd my letters to capt. speck this day to carry for jaccatra and england. _october _ (_fatchinguach _).--i wrot letters by the shipp _swan_, viz.:-- sent per philipe garland. to the precedent mr. fursland at jaccatra. to the governor and company in england. i went and took my leave of capt. speck and the rest of duch merchantes which goe in the _swan_; and carid capt. speck a gallon bottell annis water, and to sr. matias and albartus each one a bottell of a pottell, geving the glasse bottelles and all. _october _ (_conguach _).--the _tono_ sent to have us and the hollanders geve hym a writing of our handes, each aparte, how many _pico_ lead was waid out for the emperour, and that gonrok ordayned we should pay for the iron wedges and smiths labour for cutting the lead. unto which we answerd, his _bongews_ had the just acco. of the _pico._ waid out; and for the iron wedges (as we formerly promised) we were content to pay, they being left to us when the work was finished; but for the laborers which wroght, gonrok was to pay them. _october _ (_conguach _).--the shipp _swan_ put to sea this day in the after nowne, and i went abord with the rest of the merchantes to bidd hym farewell; and, as it seemed, the admerall johnson did geve hym a churlish farewell, according to his borishe condition. _october _ (_conguach _).--i delivered or gave a recept to king of firando for _pico._ lead waid out for themperour of japon, and receved, per order from gonrok dono, in full payment of _pico._ lead, _tais_, and _tas._ was receved the th ultimo, is all _tais_, at - / _tais pico._, sould to shongo samma, emperour of japon. _october _ (_conguach _).--this day weare arayned vj english runawais, most of them being duble runawais and som fellons, and therefore, by generall consent, according to marshall law, condemned all to be hanged, of them being of the _bulles_ men and the other of the _pepercorns_ men, as doth apere the th day of this mo. of october, when they weare retorned. and one james martyn, accused by som to be the author of this mischeefe, he being a scotsman, and fownd to be a cheefe bellows blower or sterrer up of all mutanies heretofore. soe the admerall, robt. adames, sent a comition out to aprehend hym and bring hym ashore and soe put hym in preson to answer for hym selfe. _october _ (_conguach _).--yistarnight i was enformed that francisco lopas and a semenary prist were com to towne, and lodged in the howse of the capt. of the friggot taken the last yeare; of which i advised torezemon dono to tell the king thereof by coa jno., our _jurebasso_, it being late, and to geve order noe strangers should passe out. and this morning i sent the same _jurebasso_ to torezemon dono secretary, to know the kinges answere; which was, i might speake of these matters when gonrok dono came. unto which i sent answer, it might be that then these pristes would be gon, and then it was to late to speake. yet, for all this, there was noe eare nor respect geven to my speeches. the admerall capt. adames, with all the comanders and merchants, saving my selfe and mr. osterwick, went to cochie to see the execution of the condemd men. and of them were executed, viz. edward harris, boteswaine.[ ] [ ] the names of the others are not given. _october _ (_conguach _).--alvaro munois went away this day without satisfying me for my serne of mase. this villen did lye heare to entice our men to run away; but now per the _tono_ is comanded out of towne. _october _ (_conguach _).--taccamon dono sent for me, he being accompanid with torazemon dono, and mr. osterwick with me. they enquered of me about the padres i said were in the capt. of the friggates lodging, and sent for his host to know whether any such people were in the howse; which he denied. yet asked me whether i did know them for padres, yf i did see them. unto whome i answered that, yf he brought them out, i had wittnesses which knew them well. _october _ (_conguach _).--yasimon dono, gonrok donos clark, being ready to goe up to miaco and soe for edo with the lead for themperour, i went and vizeted hym, and carid hym a pottell of strong annis water distilled with musk, which he took in good parte, and lefte the company where he was and came into an other roome with me; which som others took in dogen and used som wordes about it. but this was a fello, a spie sent per the fathers to pick quarrells against us. yet i said littell to it, but gave place, the others saying they staid for yasimon. and this day, in the after nowne, the admerall johnson, with capt. speck and capt. lafevere, came to our howse to know whether our shipp _pepercorne_ were ready to goe out or noe, as theirs was; for that tyme passed and our enemies were ready to gett tyme upon us, and that their shipp, the _muyon_, was ready according to composition. unto which our comander, robt. addams, with the rest of us, answerd that our shipp was as ready as theirs, and that on twesday next should be ready to set seale. _october _ (_conguach _).--i advized mr. sayer, at nangasaque, to look out for short, costa que costa, and to speake to [contractors] to send all away per first, for that our fleet would all be ready to departe within daies after date hereof, and that the _pepercorne_ and _muyon_ were now ready to departe; as also to send noe more barly at above _gantas_ per _mas_. _october _ (_conguach _).--mr. sayer wrot me that, a friggat going out, they serched her to the verry keele and opened all chistes, to have fownd ric. short, but could not be fownd. [they fownd] above pikes, _langenott_, and _cattans_, and brought them back, and would have staid the pilot; but the capt. more standes bound to answer for all which is taken. _october _ (_conguach _).--i wrot out remembrances for mr. christopher bogens and mr. mathew moreton, cape merchant and master of the shipp _pepercorne_, she being ready to proceed on a voyage to manillias, she and the shipp _moyon_ in her company, they going before the rest of the fleete; the coppie of which remembrances i keepe by me. gonrok dono wrot to the king of firando in the behalf of the portingall capt. moore, to have the ould portingall which i kept in howse sent to hym; of which the king sent me word with the letter of gonrok. unto which i answered, i did keepe that portugez per his highnesse leave and lycense formerly geven me, and soe desired to doe till ric. short with our other english runawaies were retorned. unto which it seemed the king was content, for i heard nothing afterward. _october _ (_conguach _).--the shipps, _pepercorne_ and _moyen_, put to sea this day in the after nowne; and went abord both of them at cochie, and [carid] mr. moreton, mr. bogens, and the capt. and cape merchant of the _moyen_, mr houlden and ,[ ] each of them a bottell of annis water, and bottelles to hary dodsworth and abraham smart. mr. thomas harod departed out of this worlde this day, towardes night, after he had made his will. [ ] blank in ms. _october _ (_conguach _).--mr. harod was buryed this day, and left per his will his wages in england due per company, with his howses at blackwall, to his doughter, and to his wife groates or pence starling, for that she should cleame noe parte of his goods in respect she marryed in his abcense. also he gave to me a gerdell and hangers of velvet with silver buckelles and hooks, and also x _taies_ bar plate to make me a ring; and j c. rialles of betwixt mr. edmond sayer and his yong doughter joan, to part eaven, with his great chist and bible to mr. ed. sayer ditto. _october _ (_conguach _).--the king of firando went on hunting yistarday, accompanied with above men, into the mountayns, and this day retorned with or fallo deare and as many wild boares or pigges. and the king sent me a fallo deare, skyn, guttes and all, and semidone a wild swine or pigg. _october _ (_conguach _).--capt. leonard camps and my selfe went to the king to geve him to understand that tyme passed away and gonrok dono came not, soe that it was expedient we departed forthwith to the emperours court to doe our dutie and carry our presentes, for that now winter came on and, yf we went not presently, it was to late to goe this yeare; soe that we were better to loose the friggatt and all the goodes in her than encur the emperours displeasure; yet, if his highnesse would, we cout at this instant produce witnesses suffitient to prove the men, in the hollanders howse presoners, to be frires or padres. but the king answered he could do nothing without gonrok; soe that this night he would send to hym per expres, to see whether he would com or noe, and soe, upon his answere, we might departe. also capt. camps desired to have justis executed against them which did beate capt. lafevre. unto which the king replied, what justis he would have, for the doars thereof weare yet in preson. capt. camps replied that he did not desire their lives, nether, yf it had byn offered against hym selfe, would he speake any more about it, only in respect of the abusse offerd against such a man as comander lafevre was, he desired the same parties which offerd the abuse might be brought to the place where they did it and be beaten with cudgells. at which the king smiled and said it could not be, but, yf he would have them cutt in peeces, he would doe it. but capt. camps said he desired not their lives, yet that he would certifie admerall johnson and capt. lafevre what he said. _october _ (_conguach _).--i rec. of mr. arthur hatch, precher, geven for the making of the buriall place _ta._ _m._; more, bar plate of mr. chapman, _ta._ cuschcron dono and jenqueze dono came to me and tould me the hollanders had lent iij m. _tais_ to the _tono_ (or king) of this place, and that he expected the like from us. unto whome i answerd that they know the booty which the hollanders had brought into this place, which we had noe parte of, and therefore might doe that which we could not doe, having hitherto spent and geven away treble more then we have gott; yet i would take councell with the rest of the merchantes and se what might be donne and then geve them answer, for it was against reason for us to take up money at intrest and lend to others for nothing, and, besides, many other noble men sent to borow money, we having non to lend, as they themselves did know as well as we. unto which they answerd, it was true, yet, notwithstanding, it was fyt to lend to the king, he now standing in need, although we lent non to the rest; for soe it behoved us, being strangers, yf we esteemed our owne good. and we sould all our small deare skins at _tais_ per cento, of them which came in the _pepercorne_. _october _ (_conguach _).--i receved a quittance from capt. robt. adams, admerall, for r. of , at _s._ str. per r. of , for the xvjth parte of priz goodes, to be geven in the fleete, for which capt. adames is bound to make it good, yf the honble. company think it not fyt to pay it. and soe the capt. of other shipps gave quittances to capt. adams in like sort, to be answerable for that they rec. for their shipps proporsion; and each comander took the like securety from their shipps companies, that their wages should be answerable for it, yf it were not alowed per the honble. company in england. yet som refuced to receve any money upon that termes, but the most parte did accept of it. god grant those scabbed sheepe doe not in the end spoile the whole flock. _october _ (_conguach _).--this day is the feast of hors-runing with archars on horseback to shoute at a mark with bowes and arowes, the horse runing his full carer. mr. sayer retorned from nangasaque within night, and brought news that the _pepercorne_ and _moyen_ have taken a portingall junck which went out of nangasaque and bound for amacou. _october _ (_conguach _).--we and the hollanders paid _tais_ plate barrs to the king of firando for the _pico._ lead geven hym in his present the last yeare. _october _ (_conguach _).--the _bongews_ at cochie did lay handes upon our english men and (as the admerall, capt. adames, doth tell me) have taken above , and sent hym word it was per order from the king. _october _ (_conguach _).--mr. cockram envited all the princepall, both of english and duch, abord the _elizabeth_, to dyner this day, where we had good entertaynment and good cheare with healthes of guns shott affe in good sort. this night was very stormy wether, like to a tuffon, in which the _palsgrove_ broke a cable, and the _elizabeth_ a cable and a hawser. we complayned to the justis how our men were taken presoners per the japons without reason, they fordging debtes upon them which they owd not, striping our men naked and taking from them all they had, when they owed them nothing. unto which, answer was made the king knew nothing thereof. _october _ (_conguach _).--capt. camps and myselfe went to torazemon dono to desire hym to speake to the king that we might go to themperour with our presentes; and that we might deliver our presentes to the king before we went up, because the shipps weare now ready to departe. also we made knowne unto hym the takeing and keeping our men presoners, both english and duch. unto all which he answered, that the king desired us to stay till the last of this moone _conguach_, for that the th day (which is daies hence) he expected gonrok dono to come to firando, for soe had he promised hym without fayle to doe. and for the present to be deliverd unto hym before we deliverd our present to themperour, it was not fitt, and therefore best to lett it rest till we retorned from the court. and for our men taken presoners, the kinge knew nothing thereof, but now he would make it knowne unto hym and retorne us his answer. _october _ (_conguach _).--i was enformed this day per capt. lennis, mr. barrns being the man which tould it, that mr. arnold brown, master of the shipp _palsgrove_, hath stolne fardelles of silke of priz goodes and stowed them under his cabben, whereof mr. trumpeter of _palsgrove_ is witnesse; of the which i enformed mr. eaton, mr. cockram, mr. sayer, and mr. ostarwick, and all together made it knowne to the admerall, capt. robt. adames, and mr. jno. munden. soe it was agreed to serch his cabben to morow; but mr. arthur hatch, preacher in the same shipp (whose cabben is next to mr. brownes) tould us that out of dowbt we should now find nothing theare, it being formerly removed before shipp was upon a carin, yet that he did see or bales brought in by others at sea and stowed theare. soe hereupon we staid the serch. _october _ (_conguach _).--we went abord the shipp _palsgrove_ to dyner, where all the duch were envited likwaies. and capt. camps came to thenglish house, where we agreed to sett forward towardes themperours court on munday mornyng, yf the king of this place did not stay us perforce, which a long time he hath perswaded us unto. _november _ (_conguach _).--we dyned this day at china capt., where we had good entertaynment, both sea men and merchantes, with the dansing beares. and towardes night we had news that of our howses at cochie were burned, being sett on fire by a retchlesse fello that did seeth the kettell to neare the howse walle. all the howsing was quite burned to the grownd, with som barilles of tunny fish and or muskittes and swordes; but our seales and other matters of worth were saved by the industry of our men with the helpe of the hollanders and som japons. yt is said most parte of the fish which was thought to be burned was stole away per japons, as also som muskettes and som swordes. _november _ (_conguach _).--i went to cochie to see what hurt the fire had donne, and fownd it as i before discribed, only many of our truck plankes, with bordes and other tymbers, were much burned or scubered, but quenched in good tyme. and the king sent to me to know my answer whether i would pay the debtes our marrenars owed, that were per the japons taken presoners. unto which i answerd, no, for that they had trusted them contrary to his highnesse proclemation to trust non but such as broght money; and besides they taxed our men to owe them tymes more then was due unto them, beating them and striking them naked, and per force taking all the money from other men which owed them nothing; of the which i ment to demand justis from his highnesse, and that our men might be sett free, for that the emperour would suffer us to carry noe japons in our shiping, and therefore no reason to keepe our men per force, which they might do yf they pleased, but i would never consent to pay a peny of that the japons demanded. unto which they answerd that the king would not keepe our men. _november _ (_conguach _).--i sent the _caboques_ _tais_ small plate for _fannos_ at china capt. howse. i wrot a peticion this day to the king, making knowne the taking our men presoners with other abuses offerd to our nation, requiring our men to be sett at libertie. _november _ (_junguach _).--gonrok dono and feze dono arived at firando this day; and gonrok dono sent me a present of silk _kerremons_, and feze dono sent me egges, hense, and drid netes tonges. _november _ (_junguach _).--i paid in small plate as followeth, viz.:-- to the glover or shewmaker, jenchero dono, for-- _ta. m. co._ peare pumps at _mas_ pear peare gloves, at _mas_ peare peare garters and roses, making more, paid the gouldsmith-- for making a silver cover for mack jack[ ] for making furneture of a gerdell, silver for making a head of silver or cap for staffe more, paid to cooper for susanna, viz.-- for tubbs to wash bodies in for bucketts to cary water for a tub to put rise in for small buckettes or tubbs and we and the hollanders were called before the king, where we found gonrok dono, feze dono, and others, which caused the padres, presoners in the hollands howse, to be brought before them, with the capt. of the friggatt and others, where all our papers were perused, and amongst the rest a letter or ordinance from the bushopp of manillia, authoresing frire pedro de sunega to be prior and vicker generall over all christians in all provinces of japon, with other letters to conferme it. yet this frire did utterly deny it, and that he was a merchant and noe frire. soe then we produced witnesses, the one a portugez, called ravelles, and the other an inhabitant of the manillias; both which confessed they knew frire pedro de sunega to be a padre of the order of st. augustin, and ravelles said he had seene hym say mas in the howse of alvaro munios at nangasaque, and that harnando ximenes did see the like. soe for this tyme the king and gonrok dono did dismis us, and gave noe sentence, but willed us to produce more witnesses. unto which we answerd we could produce noe more, and willed them to make an end of it, as god should put it into their mind, to thentent we might procead on our voyage to vizet the emperour. but they replied they would call us to morow or next day and make an end yf they could. [ ] perhaps a jack, or large flagon, of _makiye_ or lacquer. _november _ (_junguach _).--we and the hollanders went to the pallace, being called per the king to dispute our matter about the frigatt; where we found gonrok dono, feze dono, and the rest, of nangasaque, and shewed other writeinges to prove this pedro de suniga to be a father and prior and vicar generall of all the cbristians in japon. and the king sent for harnando ximenes and lues the telor to reade over the letters in spanish, but nether the one nor other would doe it. and soe late we retorned; it being ordayned to make an end to morow. but the king, with semi dono and others, sent us word secretly to stand to that which we had spoaken, and then we needed not to feare to get our processe, for that of ten had allready geven their voices on our sides. _november _ (_junguach _).--we and the duch made our selves ready to have gon to the pallace, to have made an end of our processe of the frigat; but after nowne word was sent us to stay till to morow, for that feze dono was sick. but the matter was, for that they were envited to the china capt., andrea dittis, to dyner. and the china capt. tould me that the king of firando sent for hym in secret, and asked hym whether he knew this pedro de sunega to be a padre or no. unto which he answered he knew hym to be a padre, as his sonne augustin did the like, being at manillas; yet, in respect he lived at nangasaque, and that gonrok dono was his frend, he did not desire to be seene in the matter. and towardes night torazemon dono went to hollands howse and sent for me thether, and tould us that of which were of the councell proving them fathars, weare on our side, and the rest could stand upon nothing but to ask us what was the occation that these two denied themselves to be fathers, all the rest confessing them to be such at first demand; to the which we should take councell how to answer, when we were to com before the king and gonrok dono. also, at same tyme, the japon _jurebassos_, which came with gonrok dono from nangasaque, came to hollands howse to demand lycense to have private conferrence with the fryres, presoners; but the king sent us secret adviz not to consent unto it. soe answer was made unto them that they should not com to speech of them except it were in presence of the king and gonrok dono and the rest of the justices. _november _ (_junguach _).--the king with gonrok dono went a fishing this day; soe we had noe audience about our plito. yet the king sent us word to stand to that we formerly proposed, and to answer to certen demandes as he gave us the forme how to doe, and not to think any ill, yf he were sharpe in speeches against us, which he would doe of purpose to blind our enemis. _november _ (_junguach _).--i paid in plate of barrs to jno. japon: for susannas slave ita, : : ; for a sett of _gocas_ for her, : : . the china capt. gave me a silver tastar and a silver dish to sett it upon, poiz both _ta._ _ma._[ ] the shipp _palsgrove_ went out this day to cochie roade. i staid all this day attending to goe to court about our plito; but, as i am enformed, gonrok desireth the king we should stay till som men com from nangasaque, which he hath sent for. and, as it is said, this gonrok dono did report in themperours court that we and the hollanders did of mallice accuse these spaniardes to be fathers, which he knewe were non such, and that upon payne of his life he would prove it to be soe. but now, finding our testemony to be such as it is and canot be denied, he knoweth not what to doe, but useth all _trampas_[ ] and fetches he can to delay tyme and bring it to nothing per all meanes he may. [ ] in the margin called a "silver cupp and sawser". [ ] span., traps, tricks. _november _ (_junguach _).--gonrok dono and others sent both us and the hollanders word that they would send to call padres or frires which were presoners at umbra, and that we should make choise of any or of them to be wittnesses whether the prisoners at hollandes howse were fathers or no. but we retorned answer that we knew not whether those men they spake of were fathers or noe; nether would we have to doe with them nor put the matter to their discretion, which we had soe manifestly proved allready. _november _ (_junguach _).--i went to torazemon dono to tell hym againe of the abuses daylie offered to our english marrenars, at cochie espetially, desiring to have redresse; and that i would send one of our _jurebassos_ to the admerall, capt. adames, at cochie, to look out in all howses where our men were thus abused and to take true notis hereof, as his highnesse (the king) had ordayned. the which he answered me was well donne, and that this day he would put the king againe in mind therof and tell hym what i said. but sowne after he sent his man unto me to tell me the king would take order that our men should all be set at libertie, whether they owed money or noe. _november _ (_junguach _).--the duch shipp _trowe_ went to cochie road, and i sent barkes to helpe to toe her out. and i parted the _coshon_ money of tozemon dono, being _tais_ _mas_, amongst our servantes as followeth, viz.:-- _ta. m. co._ to ould jno. _jurebasso_ to greate tome _jurebasso_ to coa jno. _jurebasso_ to migell, corean _jurebasso_ to coa domingo to lawrance to paule to littell tome _jurebasso_ to ould domingo _november _ (_junguach _).--capt. camps and my selfe having made a writing in the japon languadg, per councell of the king of this place, directed to gonrok dono and the king, wherin we advized that, our proves against the padres being made, we would say noe more in that matter, but left it to their discresions to doe therein what they pleased, we attesting we took them as our enemies, and did not know they weare padres till they confessed it themselves; nether would we have to doe with any padres they brought from umbra or nangasaque to be judges in our affares tuching that matter, nor would not beleeve nether them nor any other spaniardes nor portingales they should produce in that matter, houlding them parsiall and our enemies in that matter. soe we desired leave to departe towardes themperours court to doe our duties; and sent this writing per our _jurebassos_ to gonrok dono. and he caused them to cary it to the king of firando, accompanied with one of his owne men. and the ambassadors of the king of syam, which are now retorned from themperours court, where they were royally receved, did com to vizet our english howse, accompanied with capt. yasimon dono of nangasaque and a man which themperour sent with them from edo to accompany them to nangasaque. the ambassador gave me a barrill of wyne for a present, and the japon which accompanid hym from edo an other. and the ambassador requested me to geve hym a letter of favour with an english flagg, yf in case they met with any english or hollandes shipps at sea; and capt. yasimon dono did desire the like: which i promised to them both to performe. and i sent a pottell glasse bottell of annise water for a present to the ambassador, which he took in very good part. _november _ (_junguach _).--we were sent for to the court to make an end of our processe with the padres, where we found padres of the presoners of umbra, one being a japon, as also lues martin, balthazar martin, alvaro munios, pinta a woaman, with divers others, brought in by gonrok dono to doe what in them la to witnesse against us; where many speeches passed, but non would confesse they knew them to be padres, but our two witnesses stood still to their word, although foule mouthed munios did revile them. and so we were remitted till to morow. yet i was secretly advized it would goe on our side, and that the capt. of the friggat was to suffer death with others; but yochian dies, the capt., desired that i or capt. camps might suffer death with hym, according to the use of japon, that he which causeth an other man to die must goe the same way hym selfe. _november _ (_junguach _).--i sent domingo _jurebasso_, with the boteswaine and pursers mate of the shipp _moone_, to look out in every japons howse at cochie where they kept our englishmen presoners, where they fownd som with boultes and shakelles, others with cheanes, others bownd and pineoned with ropes, som owing nothing to the japons, and others tormented because they would not confesse they owed or times more to japons then was due to them. all which i put up in a writing and delivered it to the king of firandos councell to have redresse. and oyen dono came and tould me that we were sure to get our processe of the friggat; and cushcron dono tould me the like, and that he thought divers others weare like to suffer death about it. _november _ (_junguach _).--within night the hollanders and we were sent for to the court about our plito with the padres (or frires) which also were sent for. and we remeaned theare till or a clock, and came not to sight of the king, and then had leave to departe; only in that tyme they sent for letters directed to frier padre tomas, a japon padre, presoner at umbra, and now brought to firando, as i noted heretofore. and, as we are secretly enformed, this frire hath confessed that the presoners at hollands howse are padres, for he was all day in company with the king and gonrok dono in secret conference, and, as it is said, will turne gentell againe, or at least renege his pristhood, to save his life. and, as som say, gonrok dono is suspected to be a christian. _november _ (_junguach _).--the shipp _elizabeth_ went out of firando to cochie. and the king of firando sent for the hollanders and us to make an end of the plito of the padres; where we fownd above xx japon christians renegados, whome gonrok dono had brought from nangasaque to see yf they knew whether these two fathers were padres or no. among whome was a blind man, bad to see another, yet by his voice he tould the king of firando that he knew hym to be fraire pedoro de sunega; yet, as i understood, the king of firando will not admit hym for a witnesse, because he is of firando; but i know not whether he doe it as a frend, knowing we have other witnesses enow, or else to bring us to other trialles. once the end will try all. and in the end the king hym selfe came out and asked capt. camps and me whether we had other matter to say or no against the fathers. unto whome we answerd noe, desiring to have lycense to departe towardes themperours court, for that tyme passed. unto which the king made answer that he would permitt us to departe when he pleased. _november _ (_junguach _).--we are enformed that gonrok dono would have had the king of firando joyne with hym to refer the plito about the friggatt before themperours councell at edo, but the king tould hym he would now end it heare, we having soe manifest testemony as we have on our side to prove the presoners padres. _november _ (_junguach _).--i receved ij c. _tais_ plate barrs of tozamon dono, our host of osackay, in parte of payment of _tais_ due for peces canton damasks of the deceased capt. wm. adames. and the king sent ruch sleeping _kerremons_ of silke in present to thadmerall, capt. adams, to be disposed of as i should adviz hym. they were worth j c. _tais_ barr plate. and the king and gonrok dono sent for me and the hollandes capt. to bring gonsalo ravello, our witnesse against alvaro munois; which we did, and he stood still to his first speeches how he saw frire pedro de sunega say mas in his howse; yet the frire denied it. and i think munois was hanged by the purse and soe cleared. and the capt. of the friggot, yochin dies, with others, are bound and put into preson, we geting our plito of frigot. _november _ (_junguach _).--the duch admerall, wm. johnson, and capt. adames, our admerall, retorned to firando; and we, with capt. camps, capt. lafevre, and others, went to vizet the king and carid hym a present of _barricas_ spanish sack, j _barrica_ of tent, and jarrs of sweet meate, and gave hym thankes for the presentes of _kerremons_; and soe took leave for the fleet to goe out to morow. and capt. adames left the sleeping silk coates with me till his retorne from manillias. _november _ (_junguach _).--our fleet of shipps, english and duch, went to sea this morning on their second voyage for manillias. god send them good speed. viz.:-- english shipps. the _moone_ the _palsgrove_ the _elizabeth_ the _bull_ duch shipps. the _bantam_ the _trow_ the _harlam_ the _hope_ _november _ (_junguach _).--this morning the fleet put to sea, but, as i am enformed from capt. adams, thadmerall, want of our men, and mr. cockram writes me want , all kept presoners per japons ashore, contrary to the kinges comand; and yet capt. adames sent a boate of porpose ashore with r. of to have redeemed them, but they asked above r. of more. soe capt. adams wrot me that yf they were retorned after his departure, to put them all out of wagis, as villans and traitors to their prince and cuntrey, and soe to send them in cheanes for jaccatra, in the duch shipp _new zeland_, when she goeth. ther is hollanders alsoe kept presoners ashore. and the _bongews_ took _cattans_ from mr. sayer, from capt. adams, and from capt. cleavengar, and from mr. mourton. mr. sayer hath had his above yeares, and capt. adames brought his out of england, and mr. morton bought his in sumatra at janbee. _november _ (_junguach _).--mr. eaton retorned from our fleete, shipps departed, and brought me divers letters from capt. adames, mr. cockram, capt. lennis, and others, wherin they wrot me of the detayning of our men on shore, as i noted before. of the which i went and conferred with capt. camps; and he is of opinion with us not to pay any thinge, seeing they have detayned our men till shipps be gon. alsoe he was very ernest with me to stay or dayes to dispach busynes for his two shipps which are heare, and, as i am enformed, hath envited the king to dynner daies hence, yet tould me nothing thereof, for that he would get the start of us to envite the king, leveing us noe tyme to doe the like, or else stay us longer to doe his busynes. _november _ (_junguach _).--i went to torazemon dono and semi dono to thank them for their paines taken about our busynes, telling them that it was now tyme to goe to themperours court, our shipps being gone. and they tould me i had reason, as alsoe the hollanders, soe to doe, for that cacazemon dono, secretary to oyen dono, themperours cheefe councellar, had wrot the king of firando a letter that the spaniardes and portingales had ended their busynes and we and the hollanders had noe care to com to prevent them in their proceadinges, which he marveled at. _november _ (_junguach _).--i went to hollandes howse to confer about our going up to court; and capt. camps tould me that to morow the king came to dyner, sending hym word he would have my company theare or else he would not come, and soe after to morow we might departe towardes edo. and in the meane tyme the kyng sent stroyemon dono before us to the court, to be theare before gonrok dono, whoe departed from hence daies past secretly to goe to edo. also our presoners at cochie wrot a letter how they are almost famished; yet too good a diet for such villens. and francis irland wrot me aparte that he is in for an other mans debt. and capt. camps came to our howse to talke about our busynes; and we, having made ready som xj peces ordinance to have shott off at gonroks departure, gave them hym for a farewell; and the duch answered with . _november _ (_junguach _).--the king dyned at duch howse with all his nobilletie, i being sent for and sett second at table on his right hand, whether i would or noe; where we had great cheare with musick, after our cuntrey fation, singing and dansing, with ordinance shott affe at every tyme the king drunk, per the duch, and answered with per thenglish; and, when the king went away, xj peces from the duch and as many from thenglish for a farewell, and peces for semi dono as he passed per water per english howse. _november _ (_junguach _). we went to the king, the hollanders and us, to take our leave to goe to themperours court; and he told us the sowner the better; also that he had sent stroyemon dono, his _bongew_, before, to be theare before gonrok dono, to prevent falce reportes till we came. and the _bongew_ of cochie came to our howse, and said yf we would not pay the money for the men presoners, that they would cary them to crates, chicongo,[ ] nangasaque, and sell them, or make their best endevours to recover the money they owed japons. unto whome i answerd, to take heed what he did, as he would answer it with his life before the emperour of japon, whoe had geven order we should cary noe japons out of his cuntrey in our shiping, and, therefore, noe reason they should detayne our englishmen and father falce debtes upon them when they owed nothing. [ ] shikoku. _november _ (_junguach _).--i delivered plate for the table, of my owne, to pale, as followeth, viz.:-- silver salts, one silver and guilt, with covers. silver cups, one guilt all over, other white. taster and sawser of silver and guilt. taster of silver, white. white: silver spones forks and out of factory, viz.:-- silver spout pott. sillver standing cup and cover, all guilt. my owne. and china ewer of coconutt case of knives all my owne. more, tobaco pipes all silver head and foote selver littell silver cupp to drink strong water to goe on our voyage for edo. towardes night the king sent to me to know what i would have donne with the englishmen presoners at cochie, and whether i would pay the money they weare kept for, for that they weare subjectes to the kings of xasma, crates, chicongo, and other places, and would, yf i paid not the money, carry them away. unto which i answerd that it weare men of firando which detayned them, and, namely, one cuze dono, our next neighbour, and others, contrary to the kinges comand that non should trust them except they brought money; and, yf they weare of other kingdoms which detayned them, i knew noe reason they should have more preveleges then them of firando, in regard the emperour had comanded that we should carry noe japons out in our shipps, it was noe reason that japons should detayne englishmen per force and fayne debtes upon them which they owed not, as these japons did, and took men and kept them presoners which owed them nothing. and for me to pay money for their releasment, i could not, they being sea men, and the english admerall having geven me order to the contrary, he first having sent r. of to have redemed them, and r. more was offered, but all refused, and our men detained per force against all reason. soe i could say nothing till the fleete retorned; but in the meane tyme willed them take heed how they sent them to be disposed of per our enemies, as they would answer it to themperor. _november _ (_junguach _).--we and the hollanders sett forwardes towardes edo, but, the wind being n.erly with rayne, we went into an iland of firando called onshma, leagues from firando. but, before we went out, the japons of cochie came to our english howse, bawling and crying out for payment of the money thenglishmen owed them, or else they would cary them away and make their best of them. i answerd i would not consent they should cary them away, nether would pay them any thing, for that they weare villens and had imagened falce debtes, saying english men owed them money when they owed them non; and that, yf i weare not now ready to set my foote into the bark to departe towardes themperours court, i would have laid them all by the heeles till our men were set at liberty. also the king sent men, our enemis, after me, to tell me the hollanders had lent hym , _taies_, and i denied to lend any, and bad them tell me he had noe need of any money, and therefore sent them to tell me soe much. but i sent his highnesse word that i had left order with mr. eaton to lett hym have silk with mantas or lynen cloth and other matters to the vallue of _tais_, at same price the hollanders lett his highnesse have theirs; but, for money, i had non, as many in firando knew it well, and, to take up money at intrest and lend it out for nothing, i knew not how to geve our honble. employers acco. of it; yet, yf his highnesse would needes have it soe, it must be soe. but the _jurebasso_, nicolas martyn, sent from the king, tould me that the _tais_ i offerd was well, and would be taken in as good part as of the hollanders, and that the other two which came (would not com abord) were our enemies, and had enformed the king of untruthes. the dansing beares came out after us, and i gave them a bar of plate containing _ta._ _ma._, and capt. camps as much. _december _ (_junguach _).--after midnight we departed from onushma, and went to ginushma before the wind turned, haveing made leagues. _december _ (_junguach _).--this morning, after sunne rising, we departed from ginushma, and wind at w.n.w., and soe contynewd all day and night following. soe at a clock after nowne we arived at ximina seak,[ ] and fownd the hollanders departed from thence howers before, capt. camps having left me a letter, and stroyemon dono another that gonrok dono departed from thence yistarday; soe they took councell to follow hym, that stroyemon dono might be at edo before him. soe i left a letter with our host at ximina seak to send to mr. eaton, dated this day of our arivall at this place, and that he should lett the king of firando have all the kense (?) silk and bleu lynen at as loe a rate as the hollanders sould theirs, as also the money which the peces broad cloth weare sould for, and, yf any thing wanted to make up _taies_, to let hym have it in money or comodities. soe this day and night we got leagues, leagues short of camina seak,[ ] at sun rising. [ ] shimonoseki. [ ] kaminoseki. _december _ (_shimutsque _).--this day till night we made leagues to a villadge called ewe,[ ] leagues past camina seak, where we overtook the hollanders, and rod at an ancor all night. [ ] yu. _december _ (_shimutsque _).--we staid heare all day per meanes of contrary wind and an overgrowen sea, and the hollanders and _bongews_ came to dyner abord our bark. _december _ (_shimutsque _).--we departed from ewe and rowed leagues to a place called zewa; and in the way saw a bark cast away, and sent out our and the hollanders small boates, whoe saved the men. _december _ (_shimutsque _).--at night we departed from zewa, it being calme, and rowed it xiij leagues before we came to an ancor. we paid xv. _mas_ to howse and for oringes at zewa, and gave a sack of rise to the men which we saved out of the wreck, they being of bongo. _december _ (_shimutsque _).--we arived within night at bingana tomo, wheare i went ashore and made consort for [neales, spikes, and iron hoopes]. soe we made this day leagues till night. _december _ (_shimutsque _).--we departed from bingana tomo at midnight past, and got this day to moro before sunne seting, having made leagues, with such extreame wynde that we weare not able to beare but very littell seale. the hollanders bark went out howers before us, yet we overtook her and out went her leagues before we weare aware, yet went into moro together. and here we understood gonrok dono went from hence daies past. _december _ (_shimutsque _).--we departed from moro at xj a clock before nowne, and arived at fiongo[ ] within night, having made xvij leagues this day, not without danger, seeing a greate bark, laden with rise, cast away in passing the straits at fiongo. [ ] hôgo. _december _ (_shimutsque _).--we departed this morning from fiongo, having laden barkes first with our merchandiz, to lighten our bark, she drawing much water, and now nepe tides. and the hollanders did the like. yet, as we passed the flattes of osackay, we were on grownd divers tymes; yet, god be praised, we gott well affe againe, and arived at osackay at a clock in thafter nowne; but at same place saw one bark cast away, laden with stones for the making of the castell, but all the people saved. _december _ (_shimutsque _).--our host, cuemon dono, the night past sent for whole company of _caboques_, and made a play with good cheare; and we gave them barrs plate, is : : . soe we departed towardes miaco, and arived theare this evening at night, and, passing by fushamy, mett with gonrok donos clark, whoe tould us his master was theare and ment not to departe from miaco of or daies. _december _ (_shimutsque _).--this night at sun seting capt. camps arived at miaco. _december _ (_shimutsque _).--i wrot letters to osackay, viz. to tozamon dono that i left order at bingana tomo to pay _tais_ plate bars to our hostis, also to provide great pottes and small of white salt against my retorne from edo; to the mother of helena, that i had order from mr. eaton to have spoaken with her about their doughter, but could not stay till my retorne from edo. and we made ready these presentes and delivered them, viz.:-- to suga dono, cheefe justis, _cattis_ raw silk. _tatta._ stamet cloth. peces ordnary damasks. peces redd sayes. peces ord. taffeties. in velvet bags. _cattis_ cloves _cattis_ pepper to inga dono, his father, _cattis_ cloves, in velvet bag. peces blak chauul taffeties. peces ordnary taffeties. to channo shozero dono, _cattis_ raw silk. _tatta._ stamet cloth. peces black cawul taffety. peces redd sayes. _cattis_ cloves, in a velvet bagg. _december _ (_shimutsque _).--our host at cousattes[ ] sent his man with a present of chistnuttes leagues to bid me wellcom, and i gave the fello _mas_ which brought them. this day we got out our letters of favor from the justis of miaco and chawno shozero dono. [ ] kusatsu. _december _ (_shimutsque _).--we departed from miaco this day, and went to cousates to bed, having made this day leagues. and in the way followed us companies with bankettes japon fation, viz. from ostes servantes, from tome donos brother, from kinsman of our host, from maky shozemon dono; unto which mr. osterwick gave _ichebos_ of gould. soe we got to cousattes this night, our hostes name yoichero dono; and paid for supper and breckfast _ichebos_, and c. _gins_ to the servantes of howse. _december _ (_shimutsque _).--we went to dyner to minna cochie,[ ] our hostes name ishia dono; and paid i _ichebo_ to howse and ij c. _gins_ to servantes. soe went to bedd to shequenogize, the hostes name ichezayemon dono, having made xiij leagues this day. [ ] minakuchi. _december _ (_shimutsque _).--we dyned this day at youkaich, leagues, our hostes name called ishiais taffio dono; and went to bed to quanno,[ ] leagues more. [ ] kuwana. _december _ (_shimutsque _).--we went to mia[ ] from quanno, leagues per sea, and dyned at fox, my hostes. and from thence went to bed to cherew,[ ] host called sangusque dono, and made leagues. [ ] miya. [ ] chiriu. _december _ (_shimutsque _).--we went to dyner to fugecaw,[ ] - / leagues, the hostes name crozemon dono, and from thence went to yoshenda,[ ] - / leagues, the hostes name yamanda sinimon dono, to bedd. here was a howse set on fire neare our lodging, yet sowne quenched, otherwais we had our horses redy to depart. [ ] fujikawa. [ ] yoshida. _december _ (_shimutsque _).--we went to dyner to array,[ ] leagues; and went to hammamach[ ] to supper, leagues mor; the hostes name sozero dono, at arrais, and heare at hamamach, ummea ichazemon dono. [ ] arai. [ ] hamamatsu. _december _ (_shimutsque _).--we went to dyner to cagingaua,[ ] leagues, and to supper to canayea;[ ] the host at cagengaua called yasozemon dono, and at canayea, soyemon dono. [ ] kakegawa. [ ] kanaya. _december _ (_shimutsque _).--we went to dyner at ocaby,[ ] leagues, and to soper to egery,[ ] leagues; the hostes name at [ocaby] groboye dono, and at thother, ficobuye dono. [ ] okabe. [ ] ejiri. _december _ (_shimutsque _).--we went to dyner to ishwary,[ ] leagues, and to supper to mishma,[ ] leagues; the name of the host at ishwary skozemon dono, and other seden. here we kept christmas. [ ] yoshiwara. [ ] mishima. _december _ (_shimutsque _).--we went to dyner to odoro,[ ] leagues, the hostes name nacafaroya genimon dono; and to soper to oyesso,[ ] leagues, host named matobio dono. [ ] odawara. [ ] oiso. _december _ (_shimutsque _).--we went to dyner to todsque,[ ] leagues, the hostes name cutero dono; and to supper to caninggaw,[ ] leagues, the hostes name ginemon dono. at caningaw i receved letters from edo, viz. from cacazezemon dono, from stroyemon dono, from capt. adames sonne isack, and from sobioye dono, secretary to gentero dono. [ ] totska. [ ] kanagawa. _december _ (_shimutsque _).--we stoped at a pleace leagues short of edo, called suningaua,[ ] the hostes name gembio dono, where capt. adames children mett us with a present of _muchas_ and rosted hens and a _baroso_ wyne; as also gentero dono sent us horses and other two for the hollanders, with a _bongew_ to bidd us wellcom, as the admerall shungo donos sonne sent his man to bid us wellcom. soe we arived this day after nowne at edo. and the king of firando's brother sent me a present of _muchas_, and withall to tell me i was wellcom. and cacazemon dono envited the hollanders and us to super, where we had great cheare, with many good wordes, and amongst the rest tould us that the portingalles came not to sight of the emperour, nether would he let them have _goshons_ for their shiping from amacon to traffick to japan. [ ] shinagawa. _december _ (_shimutsque _).--i rec. a letter from shongo dono, with hens for a present. and i deliverd the _cattans_ and _wacadash_ of capt. adames, left per will to his sonne joseph; where were teares shedd at delivery. _december _ (_shimutsque _).--we went to vizet gentero dono, the king of firandos brother, and carid hym a present as followeth:-- _tatta._ stamet cloth. _cattis_ white silke. _cattis_ cloves, in a velvet sack. peces redd sayes. peces ord. taffetis. pec. ordnary damaskes. from us and the hollanders; which he took in good parte, and gave us kynd entertaynment. _december _ (_shimutsque _).--we carid and delivered presentes this day, viz.:-- _cattis_ raw whit silk. _tatta_ stamet cloth. peces rich crimson damaskes. peces ordenary damaskes. peces redd silk sayes. to otto dono. and the like to itania quenusque dono. and to the secretary of otto dono:-- pec. ordenery damask. peces ordnary taffetis. to quenosque donos secretary:-- pec. ordnary damask. pec. ordnary taffite. _january , - / _ (_shimutsque _).--we made ready our present bordes this day; and had order to vizet a nobellman to morow. _january _ (_shiwas _).--the king of firandos brother, jentero dono, came to my lodging to vizet me, as capt. camps did the like; unto whome i gave the best entertaynment i could, and soe they departed. but capt. camps came first, and soe we sett downe the quantety of presentes to be geven, viz. to the prince, themperours sonne; to the cheefe justices of edo, per adviz from king firando. also we understand themperour will be heare within dayes. _january _ (_shiwas _).--cacazemon dono sent me word that themperour will be at edo this night, but that oyen dono, his master, will not be heare till two daies after, yet wisheth us to make all thinges ready, which we will geve in presentes, as also to put in writing our petision what we demand, because we may be dispached before the japon new yeare, which is the first day of next moone. towardes night chawno shozero donos brother sent me word themperour was arived; and capt. camps sent me word it was best to vizet the justices at edo to morow with presentes. _january _ (_shiwas _).--there were presentes geven this day, as followeth:-- to matzera dayre jemon dono. to caffia dono, _goshon_ seale keeper. to enoquena cambo dono, a _mackey bongew_. to gentero donos secretary. to his man brought us horses on the way. to maczera dayres secretary. to caffia donos secretary. to _mache bongews_ secretary. and itamia quenusque dono, on of themperours councell, sent me wild geese for a present, and withall advized me that we weare to goe vizet themperour with our present the xvth day of this moone, which is x dayes hence. this morning, howrs before day, was an earthquake. _january _ (_shiwas _).--cacayemon dono came to vizet me, and tould me his master, oyen dono, would be heare to night, and gave me councell what we should say to his master when our plito about the friggat was broght in question, and that i should mak as much knowne to the hollanders; he now thinking it could not goe against us, we having fownd and proved the presoners to be padres or frires. _january _ (_shiwas _).--cacayemon dono sent me word his master, oyen dono, retorned yisternight. soe i send our _jurebasso_ with the hollandars theirs to kiss his lo. handes on our behalfe, and to tell hym of our arivall heare, and to know his pleasure when we should com to speech with hym. _january _ (_shiwas _).--about a clock this day was an earthquake, which shooke a good while severall tymes. we envited the hollanders to dyner with cacazemon dono, stroyemon dono, and jentero donos secretary; and had the dansing beares. _january _ (_shiwas _).--we carid our present to oyen dono as followeth, viz.:-- _cattis_ white twisted silke. _cattis_ white raw silke. _tatta._ stamet broad cloth. peces ordnary damaskes. peces red cheremis. peces white cheremis. peces ruch crimson damaskes. in velvet bagges. _cattis_ cloves _cattis_ peper he took it in very good parte, and gave us frendly speeches and made us colation. _january _ (_shiwas _).--we dyned at holland howse, where we had good cheare, with the _caboques_. _january _ (_shiwas _).--jentero donos secretary sent me halfe a beefe, and the other halfe to capt. camps; but it was kild in the night, for non may be kild heare per themperors comand. _january _ (_shiwas _).--we went this day, and deliverd our present to cacazemon dono, both capt. camps and my selfe, to oyen donos secretary, our espetiall frend. _january _ (_shiwas _).--we and the hollanders carid our present to codgskin dono, who came hither but yistarnight, although it was said he arived heare daies past. and i rec. a letter from firando from mr. eaton, dated the th and kept till the th ultimo, wherin he writes that the king of firando or his offecars have let the japons cary of our men to nangasaque to sell them to the spaniardes; and that the japons are kept presoners in our howse still; and that torazamon dono sent hym word he should geve them meate and drink, which he retorned answer i had left order to the contrary. _january _ (_shiwas _).--we and the hollanders carid our present to themperour, viz.:-- _cattis_ white raw silk. _cattis_ white pole silk. _cattis_ white twisted silke. peces stamet clo., containing _tatta._ peces rich crimson damask. peces ruch blak sattins. peces redd cheremis. peces white cheremis. peces damask tabling. peces sleze lawnds. faggottes of steele. _cattis_ of cloves. _january _ (_shiwas _).--i wrot to mr. eaton not to lett our men goe with jno. jossens junck, nor geve meate to the japon presoners in our howse. _january _ (_shiwas _).--we carid our presentes to themperours sonne and his governor:-- _cattis_ white raw silk. _cattis_ cloves, in velvet bagg. _tattamis_ stamet brod clo. peces ruch crimson damaskes. peces ruch wroght black sattin. peces damask tabling. peces damask napkening. to dayeynanga samma, the emperours sonne. _cattis_ pepper, in velvett bagg. _cattis_ white raw silke. peces ordnary taffeties. _tattamy_ stamet broad clo. to sacky bingo dono, his governor or secretary. _january _ (_shiwas _).--capt. camps came to me to tell me the _bongews_ put hym in mynd to geve a present to the father of the king of firandos queene, as well as to her; but he was of opinion (as i the like) that we ment not to geve any to the doughter but for the husbandes sake, nether to her yf the king had byn heare; only this is in respeckt she is queene of firando and now greate with childe, and we the first which came to edo after the mariadge, the king being absent, and never to be looked for hereafter. but, yf we should now geve a present to her father, it must allwais contynew hereafter, for the japons still encroche, and aske but geve nothing, nether to say the truth we have geaven away all allready, that nothing of worth restes to geve. _january _ (_shiwas _).--i went to capt. camps to take councell what we were best to doe about delivering our petition to the emperours councell to have our oulde preveleges confermed to cary out men and munition our shipps in payment for it, as we have donne in tymes past. but cacazemon dono, oyen donos secretary, sent us word we were best to stay till the councell advized us to make knowne unto them yf we were greved in any thinge and we should be remedied, and then we might mak our case knowne; otherwais, yf we went about to doe it before that tyme, it would be throwne by, and noe respect had unto it. soe we aledged we dowbted then we should be detayned here over long; but they promised the contrary. _january _ (_shiwas _).--i sent our _jurebasso_ to the court to procure out our _goshon_ (or dispach); but he retorned without doing any thing. _january _ (_shiwas _).--we and the hollanders went to dyner to the king of firandos howse, being envited per jentero dono, his brother, and were very well entertayned; and carid a present to the queene of firando as followeth:-- _cattis_ white raw silke. _tatta_ stamet cloth. peces ruch crimson damaskes. peces of redd sayes. we did this in respect she is queene of firando and now greate with childe, and within short tyme to goe from hence for firando, she not having byn theare as yett. _january _ (_shiwas _).--i sent our _jurebasso_ to thank the prince of firando for our kynd entertaynment yistarday; and, after, i sent hym to the court to procure our dispach, but could effect nothing. _january _ (_shiwas _).--i sent our _jurebasso_ againe to the court to procure our dispach; but he retorned without doing any thing. only the councell gave hym fare wordes, and bad hym com againe to morrow. and towardes night stroyemon dono and cacazemon dono sent me word we should have our dispach before the new moone; which god grant. _january _ (_shiwas _).--the king of firandos brother accompanid with other noble men of themperours followers, one of _mangocas_, and the other of per anno, came to vizet me and to heare som musick, unto whome i gave the best entertaynment i could; and from hence they went to the hollands howse to vizet capt. camps. also i sent our _jurebasso_ to the court to procure our dispach; but retorned without doing any thing. and our _bongew_, stroyemon dono, and cacazemon dono tell us now we must of force stay heare till after the feast, before we can have our dispach. also they say gonrok dono will be heare this night. _january _ (_shiwas _).--the queene of firando sent me a present per her secretary, with the like to capt. camps, viz.:-- silk coates or _kerremons_ with watta. barills of wyne of japon. wild geese. _january _ (_shiwas _).--cacazemon dono and stroyemon dono came to vizet me, and tould me that oyen dono said that themperour did esteeme of our nations more then ever, by meanes we had soe well defended our selves in our plito against the padres, and that we should be dispached shortly to our content. also they tould me that the sonne of masseamon dono would com to vizet both us and the hollanders to morow, which we agreed should be at hollanders lodging, it being more comodious than ours. also our _jurebasso_ was at court all day, and procured nothing. _january _ (_shiwas _).--the hollanders and we kept within dores all this day, attending the coming of massamone his sonne, hoe sent word he would com and see us and take accoyntance with us; but came not. nether could we doe any thing for our dispach, being now answerd we must attend days more till the cheefe of the feast be past. _january _ (_shiwas _).--we went and deliverd our presentes to the admerall shongo dono, and his ould father fiongo dono. we were very kyndly entertayned at both howses, espetially at shongo donos, with a bankett of _chaw_, spanish wyne, and other matters extraordenary. and soe we went to hollanders to dyner, and they came to us to supper, we having in thafter nowne vizeted the pagod of ottongo fachemon, the god of war, which out of dowbt is the devill, for his pickture sheweth it, made in forme as they paint the devill, and mounted upon a wild bore without bridell or saddell, and hath wings on his shoulders, as mercury is paynted to have. _february _ (_shonguach _).--we gave presentes this japon new years day, viz.:-- pec. ordnary damask to mrs. adams. pec. ordnary taffety to her sonne joseph. pec. ditto to her doughter susanna. pec. ditto to jenquese dono, her good man. and i gave iij m. _gins_ to the dansing bears. and i sent capt. camps, viz.:-- gamon bacon. pec. martelmas beefe. drid netestonges. duble peper botrago.[ ] bolonia sausages. [ ] span., _botarga_, a kind of sausage. _february _ (_shonguach _).--the _bongews_ sent us word we could not goe to vizet the emperour nor his councell till the th of this moone at least; but tould us it were good we sent our _jurebassos_ to vizet jentero samma, the king of firandos brother, and cacazemon dono, with each a present of bundelles paper of fyve, , or _mas_ per bundell, and bundelles dito to jentero donos secretary. _february _ (_shonguach _).--capt. camps and we went to see the cytty and a great pagod called assackxa, dedicated to a japon saint (or rather deavill) called quannow. we gave _gins_ to the _bose_ to shew it us, and _ichebos_ to an other _bos_ where we banqueted. _february _ (_shonguach _).--i went with capt. camps to the howse of oyen dono, themperours secretary, to have delivered hym a present of a peece of currall containing - / _taies_, and a _catty_ wight rich campher, and to wish hym a good new yeare; but he was gon out to vizet the prince, themperours sonne. and cacazemon dono and stroyemon dono came to vizet me, the first bringing me a present of wallnuttes and a salt salmon. _february _ (_shonguach _).--we dyned all at hollandes lodging this day, where we fownd stroyemon dono and gentero donos secretary. and, as we weare at dyner, came word torazemon dono was arived. soe capt. camps and i sent our _jurebasso_ to bid hym wellcom. _february _ (_shonguach _).--torazemon dono sent me a present of _barsos_ wine, wilduckes, and a great fresh barbell. and i rec. by hym a letter from mr. eaton, dated in firando the th december, with others from tome _jurebasso_ and jno. _jurebasso_, how they have delivered _taies_ in merchandiz and money to king of firando, lent to hym, and that the japons have sent our english men to nangasaque to sell them to spaniardes. _february _ (_shonguach _).--mr. eaton wrot me in his letter how the japons at cochie had beate the hollanders pilot and an other marrenar at cochie, that they left them for dead; and the reason was because they would not deliver them back our english men which weare fled abord for releefe; and that they used both us and the hollanders soe villanosly that it was insufferable. _february _ (_shonguach _).--we sent mr. osterwick with our _jurebassos_ for thenglish and duch, to deliver our petition to otto dono, the kinges councellor; but he would not receve it, but bad them com againe to morrow and deliver it before the whole councell, for that he hym selfe would not receve it. _february _ (_shonguach _).--capt. camps and i went vizet torazemon dono, and carid a present because of the new year, telling hym we did not present it for a present, but for a custom of the new yeare, not to goe emptie handed to a man of his qualletye and our espetiall frend. and at same tyme came jentero donos secretary with shroyemon dono, the _bongew_, and cacazemon dono, with an other of themperours men, which i esteemed to be an espie sent of purpose to heare what we said. for torazemon dono was somthing forward in his speeches, saying mr. eaton had refused to geve meate to the japon presoners left in our english howse by comandment of the king of firando and gonrok dono. but i answerd that i left order with mr. eaton soe to do, and that we had no processe against those japons, which yf gonrok dono had let hym fynd a preson out of thenglish howse and meate for them.... _february _ (_shonguach _).--there was an earthquake about sunne setting. _february _ (_shonguach _).--there was an other earthquake this morning about an hower after sunne rising, but of small contynewance. _february _ (_shonguach _).--the emperours councell sent us and the duch word that they would geve us noe absolute answer about our petition till the king of firando com hym selfe to edo; but, for the rest, the emperour would geve us leave to departe within or daies. _february _ (_shonguach _).--i took councell with capt. camps to make a demand to torazemon dono about the sending our men to nangasaque to sell them, contrary to his promise and the king his master, at our departure from firando. and torazemon denied that our men were not sent to nangasaque, nor that the king knew nothing thereof. soe then i produced the letters sent from our _jurebassos_, to conferme it. _february _ (_shonguach _).--i sent our _jurebasso_ to court to procure our dispach, but could effect nothing; only they said the feast of the berth of the yong prince (themperours eldest sonne) was celebrated this day, and to morow the anniversary or dying day of ogosho samma is to be celebrated. _february _ (_shonguach _).--i wrot a letter to firando to mr. eaton and mr. hatch, of arival heare of gonrok dono and torazemon dono; and that now we must stay for an answer of our petision till the king of firando com hym selfe; and that torazemon dono denieth that our englishmen are not sent to nangasaque to be sould, neither knoweth the king of firando any such matter; and that, for the rest, we hope to be dispached within or daies, and leve our _jurebassos_ heare for the rest till the king of firando com, which, as we are enformed, is now in the way; and that this day capt. camps and my selfe put in writing our grevanses, to deliver them to torazemon dono and king firandos brother. and capt. camps came and brought the articles which we ment to present to the king of firandos brother and to torazemon dono, wrot in japons, the coppies whereof we keepe; in which we laid open all our grevanses, having remeaned soe many yeares in japon and setled our selves at firando, when we might as well have made choise of any other province in japon, and now to be soe misused to have som of our people kild and others extremly misused; and, lastly, others carid away captives to be sould to our enemies; which yf it were not remedied, there was noe staying for us in japon. unto which torazemon dono answered that all should be amended and our people retorned, and that the king of firando, his master, knew nothing therof. but i dowbt all will prove words, as hitherto we doe finde it. yet torazemon dono sent word he would now procure our dispach to content. _february _ (_shonguach _).--this morning, at break of day, there was an earthquake, which shaked a greate while. capt. camps and the duch dyned with us this day, and envited thenglish to dyner to morow, and, after, to see a play or _caboque_. _february _ (_shonguach _).--capt. camps envited us to dyner this day, and, after, to a japon play or commody, all plaied by men and boyes, and noe woamen; at which was torazemon dono, with jentero donos secretary and stroyemon dono, our _bongew_; and divers others brought bankettes, as capt. camps host, jno. jossens sonne in lawe, and others. and at our retorne we found our hostis sistar, madalina samma, and her husband andrea, come from oringaua; and she brought me a present of wild duckes, with great shelfishes and japon _muches_ as bigg as cheeses. and late at night yasimon dono, gonrok donos clark, came to vizet me, as he said, unknowne to his master, and tould me his master thought much in that we and the hollanders did vizet chawno shozero dono at miaco and came not to hym, his howse being in the same streete, right over against the other, and he, as he thought, in frenshipp with both our nations. unto which i answered that i did not know his lordshipps howse was in that street, nether that he was in miaco; but, to the contrary, was enformed he was at fushamy; and therefore desired pardon yf i had offended therin; and that i ment to vizet his lordshippe before i went from hence, as i made accompt capt. camps would doe the like; only i was ashamed we had noe good thing to present his lordshipp withall, and to goe emptie handed to a personage of his quallety was not good. but he answered me that was all one, whether we carid a present or noe; only he knew we should be welcom and our visetation taken in good parte; but i should not say he came to me. _february _ (_shonguach _).--we could doe nothing at court this day for our dispach, because it is a great feast, all the shops being shut up and an end made of the feast of shonguach. also torazemon dono, with the other gentelmen at play yistarday, envited per capt. camps, did envite them selves for to morow to an other japon play to me, which i could not deny. soe i envited capt. camps and the duch to it, with the hollandes host, and jno. yossens sonne, and the children and others of capt. adams, our host. _february _ (_shonguach _).--we went to the play and, as i passed by the hollanders lodging, i entred in and there found the king of fingo or figen,[ ] a brave yong man, and hath _mangocas_ of rent per anno. he went to see the hollanders because on of the hollanders servantes had served hym before, and, as he tould me, ment to have com to vizet me, had i not com thether. he used me with greate curtesie and offered greate frenshipp to all our nation, yf we came into his cuntrey. [ ] ? hizen, in kiushiu. _february _ (_shonguach _).--the night past a greate noblemans howse was burned near the emperours pallas. his name is catto samma dono, king of io, or eyo.[ ] [ ] iyo, in shikoku. _february _ (_shonguach _).--our hostis envited both us and the hollanders to dyner this day; and we envited the dansing beares at night. _february _ (_shonguach _).--i sent our _jurebasso_ to the court to procure our dispach, but effected nothing. soe capt. camps and my selfe thought to have gon to the councell to have shewed our selves, hoping it would have procured our spidiar dispach, and, to that entent, sent word to torazemon dono and stroyemon dono to desire them to accompanie us. but they retorned answer it were better we staid this day, and they them selves would goe and see what they could doe, which, yf it would not take effect, then we might goe to morrow or the next day. _february _ (_shonguach _).--i sent our _jurebasso_ to the court, to procure our despach, but effected nothing; only otto dono said to our _jurebasso_ that he should write downe the names of the duch and english, and they should have answer to morow, for that he would shew it to the rest of the councell. _february _ (_shonguach _).--i sent our _jurebasso_ againe to the court to gett our dispach; but retorned without doing any thinge, they saying it was a greate hollyday, but i could not understand for what sainte. _march _ (_ninguach _).--capt. camps and i went to the court betyme this morning, and, per meanes of cacazemon dono, spoake with his master oyen dono, desiring to have lycense to departe. and he gave us good wordes and said it was trew we had staid heare a long tyme, but now he would speake to themperour to get our dispach, and to that entent we should send our _jurebassos_ to the court to morow that the rest of the councell might see them, and then he would put them in mynd to dispach us. _march _ (_ninguach _).--the hollanders and we sent our _jurebassos_ to the court to get our dispach. and they were answerd by the councell we should be dispached to morow; but i think it will be after a skervie fation, for nether our _bongew_, shroyemon dono, nor torazemon dono have com at us these or daies, nor soe much as sent to us. soe i think our matters at firando will groe worse and worse, till we be driven out of japon. there was an earthquake this evening about a clock at night, which shook much for a small tyme. _march _ (_ninguach _).--i sent our _jurebasso_ to court, as the duch did the like, to procure our dispach; but had nothing but wordes, saying they were busy in councell about other matters, but would remember us shortly. soe i think (as capt. camps is of same opinion) that they would keepe us heare till the king of firando com, which it may be will not be this monthes. _march _ (_ninguach _).--i wrot letters, viz. one to skengro dono to miaco, to give covart to the other to mr. eaton and mr. hatch at firando. in this letter i advized, yf any of our shiping came into japon before our retorne, to let them stay at cochie and not com into firando, nor put their ordinance nor munision ashore. _march _ (_ninguach _).--capt. camps and i went to the court, and there staid till the councell entred into themperours pallas, and then spoake to them for our dispach, which now they have promised us without feale shall be within or daies. also torazemon dono sent me two wilduckes for a present, and withall advized me our dispach would now be shortly. and, as i am enformed, there will be warrs shortly in japon betwixt themperour and his uncle; for themperour sent to hym to com and doe his obesance, as other subjectes doe, or else he would take his revenews from hym. but he retorned answer he owed hym noe such service, and that yf he went about to take his inheritance from hym, he would defend it by armes. soe that princes are sent to hym to turne his mynd; yf not, then warrs will ensue. _march _ (_ninguach _).--great aboundance of rayne per night, with an earthquake at a clock at night. _march _ (_ninguach _).--a stiffe gale most parte of day and night following, which might be accompted a tuffon or harrecano, with aboundance of rayne all day. we could doe nothing about procuring our dispach this day, per means of the tempestious wether. _march _ (_ninguach _).--the hollanders and we sent our _jurebassos_ to the court to get our dispach, but had nothing but feare wordes, as allwais the like heretofore. soe i went to capt. camps, to take councell with hym what we were best to doe. and in the meane tyme, while i was theare, torazemon dono, and stroyemon dono, our _bongew_, came to our lodging. soe i went and bade them welcom, and they staid supper with me; and, amongst other speches, torazemon dono said it had byn better for us to have followd the king of firandos councell, and kept capt. speck heare, which, by meanes of the comander johnson and others, was refuced, and now we saw how matters went forward. unto whome i answered that thenglish were not in falt that he went away; "but," said i, "what could capt. speck doe heare now (yf he were here) then capt. camps hath donne?" unto which he knew noe other answer but it was true; yet this emperour of japon was not soe easy to be spoaken with as his father was. unto which i answered i knew not that, but for the king firando he ought to heare us, we refusing all other kinges of japon to settel our selves only in his cuntrey, when we might as well have donne it in another. he used som wordes that by meanes of our residence in his cuntrey, he was put to much more charges then heretofore about building fortresses. in fine, i think all will be nought, the king being a yong man and harkning to yong councell, which may deceave hym as it did roboam, king sollomans sonne. once i dowbt this torazemon dono is our secret enemie, and i have the like opinion of coa jno., our _jurebasso_, although he be a very asse, yet he secretly doth what he can against us. _march _ (_ninguach _).--torazemon dono sent for capt. camps and me to com to hym, for that he had something to tell us from oyen dono, themperours secretary. soe we went to his howse, where we mett cacazemon dono, stroyemon dono, and jentero donos secretary. and they tould us that, tuching the priz goodes in the friggot, the japons said it was theirs, and not the spaniardes or portingales, but themperour would not beleeve them, for that we had proved them tretors in bringing padres into japon, contrary to his comandement. yet, notwithstanding, oyen dono desired to have our and the hollanders _jurebassos_ with stroyemon dono, our _bongew_, to com in private to hym to morrow, to shew unto hym the truth, what belonged to the spaniardes and portingals and what to the japons. soe we agreed upon it, and withall tould them we never ment to withould anything from the japons, and, for the fardells of silk and other matters which the japons fathered, there was ticketes in them which shewed to whome they belonged, and their names written in spanish and portugez, all which we made knowne unto them for their better remembrance to morow. soe we had kynd entertaynment and full promis to be dispached within a day or two without faile, with many complementall wordes both from cacazemon dono and the rest. _march _ (_ninguach _).--our pilot of sackay, which brought us from firando to osacky, came to viset me, he coming from sacky by sea in a greate bark laden with salte, and was months in the way; and he sayeth that with the storme few daies past many barkes were cast away coming in company with hym, and all the people lost, his bark not escaping without greate danger; this being the th voyadg he hath made from sacky to this place. the hollanders and we sent our _jurebassos_ to court to get our dispach; but had nothing but fayre wordes as heretofore, only they said that themperours councell receved the king of fingo this day and feasted hym, which hindered our dispach, but to morow they would doe it. _march _ (_ninguach _).--we sent our _jurebassos_ to court to procure our dispach. soe they had answer that our dispach was granted, and to morow themperour would send us his present, and then we might departe when we would. _march _ (_ninguach _).--capt. camps and i apointed to morow to goe to the nobles to take our leave and thank them for our dispach, and soe to dispach our selves out of edo. also this night, about a clock, was an earthquake, but not of much contynewance. and about midnight was a fire in the towne, and much hurleburly. _march _ (_ninguach _).--capt. camps and i, with mr. osterwick, went to torazemon dono to thank hym for the paines he had taken about our busynes heare, and withall did deliver unto hym a writing conserning the abuses offered unto us and our nation at firando, in keeping of our men presoners and sending them to nangasaque to sell them to our enemis, and make our howse a preson for the japons, against whome we had no plito. unto which he answerd we had reason in what we said, and that the king of firando knew nothing thereof, and therfore all should be amended to our content; and that the presoners japons were kept per ordenance of gonrok dono, and not per the king of firando. and as capt. camps and i were about to goe to thank the nobles for our dispach, word was brought us we might departe when we would, and leave som one behind us to receve the present themperour ment to geve us, for that as yet it was not ready; which truly is the greatest wrong or indignety that eaver hitherto was offered to any christians, and i think is donne of purpose per meanes of the king of firando, whose mother is a papisticall jesuist, and he and the rest of his bretheren and sisters papisticall christians. soe that i think it is impossible that we shall eaver have good entertaynment in his cuntrey. god send me and the rest of our nation well out of it. _march _ (_ninguach _).--capt. camps and my selfe went to the emperours councell to take our leave, viz: to oyen dono, codgque dono, otto dono, ita canusque dono, the princepall councellors. and we spoake to oyen dono and ita canusque dono, whoe gave us very good wordes, and said they were ashamed we staid here soe long and that we had not themperours present delivered to us before we went from hence, but, yf we tarid or daies longer, it would be ready, or delivered in our abcense to whome we pleased to receave it, yf we went away before. but codgsque dono and otto dono were not at home, but hadd left order with their secretaries to answer as the former. soe we went from thence to the lodging of gonrok dono, and carid hym a present from us and the hollanders. and itamia canusque dono sent me silke coates or _kerremons_, and the like to the duch. i tould capt. camps i ment to vizet shongo dono, the admirall, and cary hym a present of / a _catty_ of campher and a _tay_ wight of currall, all at my owne coste, in respect of the frenship which was betwixt capt. adames and hym, and to wish hym to contynew his favour to his child, now the father was dead. but capt. camps fell into collerik terms, and tould me i could not goe to hym nor non else without his consent. unto which i replied i might doe with my owne what i list, and that i did not put this to the companis acco. unto which he answerd that i now went about to procure his disgrace, and to get all the thanke to my selfe, in respeckt of a present was geven hym both this yeare as also the last, which had it not byn for thenglish, they would have given him nothing. unto which i replied i knew nothing of that which passed the last yeare, and, for that which was donne this yeare, he might have chosen whether he would have geven it or no. yet there is suffitient witnesse he said he was sory he had not geven more in respect of our good entertaynment. but it seemed capt. camps was angry, for he tould me he had put up more indigneties at my hands then this, which, god is my witnesse, i know not whereby he speaketh it, for he hath contynewally ensulted over me, and thrust hym selfe still before me into presence of themperour and his councell, saying his place was before myne in respect the duch was admerall at sea in the manillias voyage this yeare. yet i suffered all this with pasyence, and let hym take his course; but to be master of my owne and geve it to whome i list, i think i offerd hym no injury. also oyen dono, themperours cheefe secretary, brought me silk coates or _kerremons_ of silk (as i make acco. the hollanders had the like) with many complementall wordes; and out of these coates i gave to mr. osterwick, to robt. jones and to jno. collins at recept therof. also we gave these presentes following in our house:-- _cattis_ white raw silk to capt. adams wyfe. to madelina samma, her sister. _catt._ white raw silk pece redd silk say _catty_ ditto silk to their ould mother. pece red cheremis to susana, capt. adams doughter. halfe pece ruch crimson damask to joseph his sonne. pece ornary damask to andreas their uncle. pece ornary taffete to maria their kinswoman. pece ornary taffety to josephs schole master. pec. ditto to yode dono, their frend. pec. red cheremy to robt. and jnos. hostis. we left order with torazemon dono to rec. our present from themperour both for us and hollanders, as also our petition for themperour; and i left my _goshon_ with andreas to get a new one out and send it to me. _march _ (_ninguach _).--we departed this day from edo towards miaco, and went to bed to canengaua,[ ] leagues. but we overtook captain camps leagues from edo, and he out went us leagues without biding us farewell. we gave _taies_ to our hostis, for diet in our lodging at edo for the tyme we staid there, besids other extraordnary which came to above _taies_ more. soe we wanted _taies_ to cleare all matters, which i promised to send them from miaco, god permiting. and andrea, with capt. adams children, and jenquese dono, accompanied us out of edo, and brought us a duble banket, with our presents bord man. soe we gave the bringers ij _ichebos_ to make a feast, and to the servantes in our hostes howse i _coban_ and i _ichebo_; as also one _ichebo_ to our host at suningaua,[ ] leagues from edo, being there called in by capt. camps, otherwais we had pased alonge; yet he went from us afterward, as above said. [ ] kanagawa. [ ] shinagawa. _march _ (_ninguach _).--we went to oyesso (or oiso) to dyner, leagues, and to supper to odora,[ ] leagues. and per the way we overtook stroyemon dono, our _bongew_, whoe deliverd me xxviij _coban_ barrs of gould, as he did the like nomber to capt. camps, to employ for cacazemon donos sonns best advantage when shiping cometh or otherwais, the _coban_ vallued at _ta._ _m._ _c._ per barr, is _taies_; wherof i send back, per the servant of cacazemon dono, to deliver to our hostis at edo, capt. adames woaman, at rate abovesaid, is _taies_. capt. camps had a letter in japons how cornelius died within daies after he arived from osacky to firando, and that the shipp departed to molucas. [ ] odawara. _march _ (_ninguach _).--we went from odoro to facana yama[ ] to dyner, hostes name jembio dono; and to soper to nomads,[ ] hostes name tozemon dono, having made leagues before dyner and - / after. [ ] hakone. [ ] numadsu. _march _ (_ninguach _).--we went to dyner to cambar,[ ] leagues, the hostes name sayemon dono; and to supper to egery,[ ] - / leagues, to our ould hostes howse as we went up. [ ] kambara. [ ] ejiri. _march _ (_ninguach _).--we went to dyner to ocaby,[ ] leagues; and to supper to canayea,[ ] past the greate river, leagues. [ ] okabe. [ ] kanaya. _march _ (_ninguach _).--we went to dyner to fucore,[ ] leagues, hostes name facherozamon dono; and to supper to hammamach,[ ] leagues. and by the way we met with quiemon dono, our barkman, or _sinde_,[ ] of sackay, whoe brought me letters from mr. eaton, of one date, th of january, and both coppis verbatum, and an other of the th of february; wherein he writes me all the japon presoners which were in our howse are sett at liberty; and that the hollanders sent our english men ashore againe which weare abord their shipp, being compeld by japons. soe they carid them all to nangasaque, and jno. yoosen hath them in his handes and will not deliver them unto us, allthough mr. eaton sent ric. hudson and a _jurebasso_ with hym to demand them, offering to pay all the charges he hath disbursed. but he answered that he would not deliver them, although the king of firando and governor of nangasaque comanded hym, for that he had mad ready his junck and ment to send them to the holland factory at jaccatra, except we would buy his junck and pay hym , _taies_ he had disbursed in provitions to send thither. but the world knoweth that yoosen is not worth , pence. also this day, as we passed over a river, a _bongew_ of the king of faccatais men did misuse our horsmen, after our horses weare entred into the bark, and would have put them out per force, because we weare strangers. whereupon they went together by the eares, and much a doe there was about it. soe that the _bongew_ of faccata sent word it was donne without his consent, and therefore, yf we brought out the parties which did it, were they , , , or , he would put them to death in our sight. but our horsmen weare soe bent because the faccata men had misused them, they being themperours men, that nothing would serve them but the death of the others; which i would not consent unto, but wished them to defer the matter till we came to miaco, and then we would bring it to passe before the justis theare. and stroyemon dono, the king of firandos _bongew_, was of the same opinion; yet our horsmen weare not content. but in the end they agreed among themselves. [ ] fakuroi. [ ] hamamatsu. [ ] _send[=o]_, a boatman. _marche _ (_ninguach _).--this day we went to aray[ ] to dyner, leagues; and to supper to yoshenda,[ ] leagues. heare our _bongew_ and the hollanders sliped from us and went to bed leagues ferther. [ ] arai. [ ] yoshida. appendix. correspondence. richard cocks to the e. i. company.[ ] right worshipfull,-- * * * * * * the th of june we came to an ancor in the haven of firando, in japan, where the kinge of the place receaved us very kyndlie; mr. adams not being theare, but had heard of our coming per meanes of a letter sent from sr. thomas smith, which caused hym to leave order with his host to send a post to hym at our coming, which he did, and our generall wrot hym severall letters, yet he arived not at firando till the th of july. and the th of august our generall departed for the japan court, mr. adams accompanyinge hym. and it was the th november before he did retorne for firando, it provinge a tediouse jorney. yet he obtayned all priveleges that he did demand. god grant the trade may prove as benefitiall as hetherto our succeadinges have byn suckcesfull. the only crose hath byn the runinge away of of our marreners in the abcense of our generall, viz. john bowles, christopher evans, jno. sars, clement lock, and jno. totty, englishe men, and jasper malconty, and one jaques, flemyngs; but bowles and evans were the instigators of the rest. they stole away the skiffe and went for langasaque, and there took sanctuary in the papist churches, and weare secretly convayed away for the phillipinas per the jesuistes; but the skiffe we recovered againe. the flemynges had setled them selves heare or yeares before our arivall, and have built them a howse in this place, which hath cost them allready above _l._ str.; and doe disperce them selves abroade, som on way and som an other, to look out for trade, as we must doe the lyke, for they are close and will let us understande nothinge. they have som small entrance allready into corea, per way of an iland called tushma, which standeth within sight of corea and is frend to the emperor of japan. but the chifest place which as yet they have fownd out is from hence to syam and pattania, from whence they bring silke, brasill wood, and deare skynns, which is all ready money heare. mr. adams is now entertayned into your worships servis for a cupell of yeares, untill news com of the _cloves_ safe arivall in england, he being now at libertie to com for his contrey when he will. he wold not be entertayned under _l._ str. a yeare. the flemynges did what they could to have gotten hym from us, which made hym to stand the more on his pointes. he aledged he was a pore man and that he had spent yeares allready to noe purpose, and now wold be loth to retorne for his contrey a begger, gevinge the worpll. compa. humbly thankes for his libertie, which he doth acknowledge came cheefely by meanes of the coming of this ship with his maties. letters of england. mr. adams is of the opynion that, yf eaver the northeast or northwest passages be fownd out, it must be from these partes, and offreth his best services therein, the emperour promisinge his best fortherance with men or letters of recomendacions to all prinses, and hath entrance allready into an iland called yedzo, which is thought to be rather som parte of the continent of tartaria. mr. adams hath drawne out the plot of japan, with parte of that iland and corea and other bordering places, and sendeth it to your worships per this conveance. yt is certen that the hollanders had taken this discovery in hand before now, but that they have soe many irons in the fyre allready with their wars in the molucas against the spaniardes. i am sory that i canot instantly write your worships of much benefitt to be made in these partes; yet i see both the spaniard, portingale, and duche look out very sharplie about matters of trade. and, yf they doe good, i hope in tyme we shall doe the lyke, in havinge care and usinge dilligence, for out of dowbte heare is greate store of silver in these partes, and, could we gett any greate quantety of broad cloth to vent, it wold prove a greate matter, allthough at low rates; but as yet they are soe adicted to silks, that they doe not enter into consideration of the benefitt of wearinge cloth. but tyme may altar their myndes, and in the meane tyme we must seeke out other matters benefitiall, as i have formerly said other men doe; and, for my owne part, soe long as i stay in these partes (or else where) in your worps. service, i will use my best endevour. * * * * * * at firando in japan, the th november, . your worps. duringe lyfe at comand, ric. cocks. [ ] india office. _original correspondence_, vol. i, no. . ------------------- richard cocks to richard wickham.[ ] january the , [ ], firando in japan. mr. wickham,--it being generally agreed upon (with your owne consent) that yow make a voyage for edow, sherongo, and those partes of japan, with such a cargezon of goods and merchandiz as i should think fyttinge, beinge assisted with capt. adams, for the better dispaching your busynes with the emperour, with whome yow know he hath good entrance and no other employments for hym at present; yet, those matters of the emperour being past, i pray yow detayne hym not theare, but will hym to make as much speede as he can back for firando, where there will be necessary use of hym. and being arived in those partes, my opynion is that yow take up your lodginge in the best merchantes howse in the towne, where yow may have a gadonge fyrefree, to prevent the danger therof, which is not unknowne unto yow this cuntrey is much subject unto. and to live under the roofe of a naturall japan is better then to be in the howse of any stranger, be he duch, spaniard, portingall, or of any other nation whatsoever. and the better mans howse yow lye at, the more creditt it will be for yow, and the more securetie yow will live in what occation soeaver happen. i my selfe speake this per experience, as havinge made proofe thereof. and have an espetiall care not to trust any man with the companies goods without makinge ready payment, for i am informed these cuntrey people are not to be trusted, nether will any marchant of accompt seeke to bye upon creddit. and for others, they are to be refused. and in my opynion it will be your best course to make choise of som one man in those partes, to assiste yow in makinge choise and receavinge of your moneyes, a thinge much to be regarded in these partes per meanes of the greate deceate is used therein. and no dowbt yow may procure such a one for a small matter. and make much of frends, when yow have them, and use these cuntrey people kyndly both in word and deede, for fayre wordes will doe much and as soone are spoaken as fowle, and allwais good will com thereof; for these cuntrey people are not to be used nether with bad wordes nor blowes, no not soe much as servantes entertayned for necessary uses; but rather put them away, yf they be not to your lykinge, and make choise of others. and to use any speeches to perswade yow from gamnynge i thinke it is needlese; for i hold yow no gamster. yet, notwithstandinge, the admonition of a frend is not to be rejected. and, to say the truth, many inconvenyences happen and fall out per meanes of gamnynge, although it be but to passe away the tyme for trifles; and therefore it is not amisse to forsweare gamnynge. yt is good to use both duche, spaniardes, and portingalls kyndly, as also all other strangers; and learne from them what yow can, but make them not partakers of your secretes or pretenses. and for sales or dispach of your comodeties, i know yow will use your best endevour for our employers benefits; and therefore i will sett yow no stynted rate or price, but wishe yow to sell away as tyme shall serve at all prises, to turne all into ready money, before any other shipinge com out of england, that it may not be said we lye still and doe nothinge but eate and drink without takinge care for any thinge. i hope yow will not let the duch goe beyonde yow in this poynt. yow know that as yet we have not sould our english cloth under eight _taies_ the english yard, and cloth of cambaia under fowre for one profitt; but stand yow not upon that matter, but sell away both the one and other as yow can, as also gunpolder, allthough it be under twentie _taies_ the barell, which is loe price. yet yow must consider it is a dangerouse comodetie to be kept, and therfore make dispach. once use your best endevour both for that and the rest, as afforsaid, etc. and for the two parcelles of comodeties left in the custody of andreas, alias gendoque dono, of uringo, and quedoquea stibio dono, att edow and shrongo, yow are to take acco. of it beinge parte of your cargezon. and yf tome same, the yonge kynge of firando, com unto yow with a note or remembrance of my hand, to lend hym one thousand _tais_ or more, as capt. adams will advize yow, i pray yow take in my note and let hym have the money, in gevinge yow a bill of his hand to repay it me heare againe in firando at demand; which capt. adams tells me i need not to stand in dowbt of, for that the duch have doone the lyke heretofore and have receaved good payment. but this must be doone when yow have receaved money of the emperour. and, havinge any overplus of that money lyinge by yow or that is receaved for any other comodetie, use your best endevour to send it to me per first sure conveance (which i think will be per capt. adams), that it may not be dead, but be emploied to the companies use as occation shall be offred. and for your dyet or such as shall be with yow, i will not prescribe yow any rate, because i am unaccoynted with the place; but leave that to your owne discretion, not dowbtinge but yow will use frugallitie, etc. and because yow are to goe overland from osekey to shrongo in company of capt. adams about the emperours busynes, and that it is fytt som one of trust goe in the bark with the rest of the goods per sea for that place, i have thought good to send jno. phebie with it, a man well knowne to capt. adams, whome yow may entertayne theare as the companies servant under yow, yf yow fynde hym capeable or that it be fytinge. and forget not to write me per all conveances what yow doe, and learne out what yow can tuchinge trade into any place we yet know not of. and, god willing, yow shall not want to heare from me soe often as i fynd fit conveance. and it is good yow write contynewally to mr. eaton for osekey, as i have willed hym to doe the lyke to yow; for soe may we from tyme to tyme understand of each others proceadings, and i be ready to supplie your wantes with such comodeties as lye by me, yf in case yow can sell them yow have theare. and for a _jurebasso_, yf he which promised yow com from langasaque, yow shall have hym with yow, otherwais yow must get one at edow or shrongo; and in the meane tyme capt. adams hath promised me that andreas shall helpe yow, and tells me that yow canot want to fynd one there to your content. i know not what else to advize yow of for present, but, yf any thinge com to my remembrance heareafter, yow shall understand thereof per first. and soe the lord send yow a prosperouse voyage and safely to retorne. amen. your lovinge frend, ric. cocks. mr. wickham,--i pray yow have a due care to geve capt. adams content: which yow may easelie doe, yf yow use hym with kynde speeches and fall not into termes with hym upon any argument. i am perswaded i could live with hym yeares before any exstraordenary speeches should happen betwixt us. and the necessary use we have of hym is as well knowne to yow as me. i hope a word will suffice for that matter. ric. cocks. [ ] india office. _original correspondence_, vol. i, no. . ------------------- richard cocks to richard wickham.[ ] firando in japan, the th aprill, . mr. wickham,--by george the portingall (whoe departed from hence the th ultimo) i wrot yow severall letters, advisinge for the present; since which time i have recd. letters from mr. eaton of the th and th ultimo, wherin he hath adviseth me he hath sould all his white baftas at sixteene _mas_ the peece, and certen mattes broad cloth at fyfteene _taies_ the matt. i wish all the rest were gon at same or lyke rate, both that i have here and others else where. he sayeth that som of his comodeties they will not look at, namely, selas, blew byrams, and candequis maweey. once doe what yow can to sell away, allthough somthinge under cento per cento, for it is better to have money by us then comodeties, whatsoever shall happen; for here are many reportes geven out of trubles lyke to ensue in japan. but kepe that to your selfe, and learne out what yow can and advize me thereof per first sure conveance. i make acco. capt. adams will be com away before this com to your handes, otherwaies geve hym counsell to take heed of one pedro guzano, a papist christian, whoe is his hoste at miaco; for a lyinge fryre (or jesuist) tould mr. peacock at langasaque that capt. adams was dead in the howse of the said guzano, which now i know is a lye per letters i receved from mr. eaton, for the said fryre rep[orted] he was dead before the date thereof. once i wold wish capt. adams to looke to hym selfe, for these villanose papisticall rable at langasaque doe geve it out behinde his back that he is a lutrano and one that they make accompt hath incensed the emperoure against them. i wish capt. adams at his being here to looke to hym selfe and take heed of them. and soe would i wish yow to do the lyke. mr. peacock departed from langasaque towardes cochinchina the th ultimo, as he advized me in a letter of that date, written from abord the jonke he goeth in called the _roquan_. we have had much northerly windes since their departure, soe i dowbt not but they will have a spedie passage, which god grant them with a prosperouse voyage. upon som occation i have noted that yow may esteeme i love yow not, or that i beare som secret grudge against yow, which here i doe protest (before god) i doe not, but rather doe esteeme much better of yow since your cominge hether then i did before. and soe shall yow find by proofe, yf it lye in my power to do yow good; for i regard not, but rather have quite put out of my memory, any wordes which have passed betwixt us hereto[fore]. i wish yow could make dispache of your busynese to be here ag[ainst] the syam voyage, and then shall yow see what i will doe. and tru[lye] i wold not wish yow to stay there upon small occations, but rather to leave them with your host or some other good frend that is assured. and in the meane tyme sell away what yow can; stand not upon price, but turne what yow can into money and bringe it alonge with yow. i can say no more nor geve yow no larger comition then i have doone. and soe, with my hartie comendacons to your selfe, sr. andrea, and the rest of our accoyntance, i comyt yow to god, restinge allwais your lovinge frend, ric. cocks. to his lovinge frend, mr. richard wickham, deliver in edow, shrongo, or else where. per way of osekey, inclozed to mr. eaton. [ ] india office. _original correspondence_, vol. ii, no. . ------------------- richard cocks to richard wickham.[ ] firando in japan, the th of may, . mr. wickham,-- * * * * * * ed. sayer arived heare yisternight from faccatay, and brought me such money he had receaved at tushma, which god knoweth is but littell, he not havinge sould one yard of english cloth nether all his pepper. he left john japan with his host at faccatay, to see to the busynes in his abcense. and this mornynge i have sent hym back againe, with order that yf he see no hope of dispache of his comodeties within or daies, that then he shall retorne for firando with the rest of his cargezon. i hope the emperour have taken the ordinance, poulder, and such other comodeties as were sent for hym. only capt. adames hath writ me he refused most parte of the broad cloth was sent, in respeck it was moutheaten. mr. nealson hath hym comended unto yow. he and i are soe busye about our building that we have small pleasure, havinge above men daylie at worke; but i hope it will not last longe. on sunday night last our kitchin was set on fire, and soe burned our new gates and gate howse; but was sowne quenched, god be praised for it. the lose will not be above or _taies_. i daylie expect capt. adames to look out about a jonck. newes we have non but that many souldiers are sent out of firando, and, as it is said, goe for arima, but for what intent i know not. george the portingale retorned for firando the th currant. his wife was brought to bead of a boye the night before he came. well fall (or fare), an ould knocker. and soe, with harty comendacons to your selfe with the rest of our frendes, i remeane your lovinge frend, ric. cocks. to his lovinge frend, mr. ric. wickham, english merchantt, deliver in edo or else where. per sr. duzak skidoyemon dono. [ ] india office. _original correspondence_, vol. ii, no. . ------------------- richard cocks to william adams.[ ] firando in japan, the th of june, . capt. adames,--my last unto yow was of the th ultimo, sent per duzak skidoyemon dono, yasimon donos brother in law; since which tyme your letter, dated in edo the th of aprill, came to my handes in firando the th of may followinge. i was right glad to heare of your good health, but sory to understand of the longe taryinge of our goods. i pray god that the necklegence of that dreamynge fello jno. phebe be not the occation. once it is a greate hinderance to the company our broad cloth was not vented this winter, soe many caveleros beinge at court could not have wanted to have carid all away. and i am afeard that capt. browers cloth he sent hence the last of aprill will com to serve the market at edo before ours; which yf it soe fall out, yow may easely gese what a skandall it will be unto us, ours departinge hence soe many monethes before it. i wold to god ours had gon overland all with yow and mr. wickham; but, for me, i had no insight into tymes and seasons. i am enformed that toba, the place wheare our goods have layne windbownd soe longe, is within or dayes jorney of edo or shrongo per land. i marvell mr. wickham had not put yow in mynd to have convayed our goods overland at first _costa que costa_; but now it is to late, i dowbt to our everlastinge skandall; for yf we stay yeares more in japan, we shall neaver have the lyke tyme to have vented our cloth as at this generall assembly of the nobilletie. ould foyne same is very sick. it is thought he will not escape it, for the phisitions have geven hym over. he tould me it was the emperours mynd that our cullers (or flagg) should be taken downe, because it had a crose in it; and to this day it was not set up againe. i perceave per mr. wickhams letter that tome same and oyen dono are very ernest to have money before we can receave it, and that in place of one thowsand _taies_ i promised to lend them they demand two thowsand. in deed i said i was content to let them have more, yf we could spare it; but i thinke we canot, and therfore they must pardon us. god grant they will be as forward to repay it when it shall be demanded. i have byn much tormented with an agew, which, after, turned into extreame ache in my boanes in all partes of my body, soe that i had thought i should have lost the use of my lymbs and was become a very crippell. but i praise god it is now somthinge aswaged, and i meane (god willinge) or daies hence to goe to the hot bathes at yshew, an iland of nobisanas, whither sr. yasimon dono will accompany me. our howse is now in a good forwardnes, but hath cost caro. and soe, in hast, i rest your ever lovinge frend, ric. cocks. to the worll. his frend, capt. willm. adames, deliver in edo or else wheare. [ ] india office. _original correspondence_, vol. ii, no. . ------------------- richard cocks to richard wickham.[ ] firando in japan, , july the th. mr. wickham,-- * * * * * * with greefe of mynd i write unto yow of the ill hap and death of our frend mr. tempest peacock in cochinchina, where he arived in saffetie, as the duch did the lyke, and sould their goods to the kinge, whoe gave order they should com to his cittie of miaco to receave payment, but forestald them and sett upon them in their retorne and kild all that was in company, both duch, english, and japans their followers. but, as it is reported, walter carwarden was left abord the jonck and soe escaped; yet serche was made there for hym, and whether he be alive or dead, god he knoweth, or what parte of our comodetie was left abord the jonk, for out of dowbt walter was not left there for nothing. and amongst the rest they had a thousand _pezos_ in rialls of , which i am assured was not ashore. their cargezon did amount to above seaven hundred twentie and eight pownd str., as it cost first peny. it is thought that the kynge of cochinchina did this in revenge of som injuries offered hym per the duch certen yeares past. god grant walter may escape, and then i dowbt not but a good parte of our goodes will be retorned. also there is reportes that capt. chongros jonck is cast away in retornyng. and our host at langasaque is retorned from the phillipinas and bringeth newes that aboove seale of hollanders are com thether from the moloucas, amongst whome are or saile of english ships; but i canot beleeve that, except it be the _pearle_ or such lyke. yf this be true, out of dowbt it goeth ill with the spaniardes in the molucas. in my next i will advize yow more hereof. at present we are about preparing a ship or jonck to make a voyage for syam. and seeinge it hath pleased god to take away mr. peacock, of necessitie yow or my cuntreman mr. eaton must be emploied about that voyage. and the shipp will be ready to departe som monethes hence. * * * * * * cornelius, capt. browers kinsman, is slaine with their _jurebasso_; but adrian, beinge sent to an other place, is thought to be escaped. i shall not be quiet till i heare of walter. god grant he be escaped. and soe i rest allwayes your lovinge frend, ric. cocks. to his lovinge frend, mr. richard wickham, merchantt, deliver in edo. per john phebe. [ ] india office. _original correspondence_, vol. ii, no. . ------------------- richard cocks to the e. i. company.[ ] firando in japan, the th november, . right worshipfull,-- * * * * * * mr. wm. adames hath paid me twentie pownd str. your wor. lent his wife in england. he [paid] it presently after the _clove_ was gon. i find the man tractable and willing to doe your wor. the best service he may, and hath taken greate paines about the reparing our jonck called the _sea adventure_, otherwaies she wold not have byn ready to have made the syam voyage this yeare. he ha[th a] great desire to find out the norther passage for england from hence, and thinketh it an easie matter to be donne in respect the emperour of this place offreth his assistance. your wor. shall find me as willing as any man it shall please yow to employ in these partes to second hym. the emperour of japan hath banished all jesuistes, pristes, friers, and nuns out of all his domynions, som being gon for the phillippinas and the rest for amacou in china. yt is thought wars will ensue in japan betwixt the emperour and fidaia same, sonne to ticus same, the deceased emperour. * * * * * * we cannot per any meanes get trade as yet from tushma into corea, nether have them of tushma any other privelege but to enter into one littell towne (or fortresse), and in paine of death not to goe without the walles thereof to the landward; and yet the king of tushma is no subject to the emperour of japan. i am geven to understand that up in the cuntrey of corea they have greate citties and betwixt that and the sea mightie boggs, soe that no man can travell on horseback nor very hardlie on foote. but, for remedie against that, they have invented greate waggons or carts which goe upon broad flat whiles under seale, as shipps doe; soe that, observing monsons, they transport their goodes to and fro in thease sealing waggons. they have damasks, sattens, taffetes, and other silke stuffs made theare as well as in china. it is said that ticus same, otherwaies called quabicondono (the deceased emperour), did pretend to have convayed a greate armie in thease sealing waggons, to have assealed the emperour of china on a sudden in his greate cittie of paquin, where he is ordenarely rezident; but he was prevented by a corean noble man whoe poisoned hym selfe to poison the emperour and other greate men of japan; which is the occation that the japans have lost all that which som yeares past they had gotten pocession of in corea, etc. ric. cocks. [ ] india office. _original correspondence_, vol. ii, no. . ------------------- ralph coppindall to robert larkin and adam denton.[ ] firando in japan, le th of december, . loveing frendes,--wishing your welfare, etc. after a tedious passage and almost out of hope to obtaine my appointed porte (by reason of the latenes of the monsoone), it pleased god (praysed be his name) to bringe me, with men, shipp, and goodes, in safety unto firando upon the th september past, where i found captaine adames returned and his juncke in trimminge a new. he putt not into china, as was reported, but into the iland called leque grande, where he was indifferentlie entreated, but could not be suffered to repayre his junck as he desired, beinge forced onelie to stay for the monsone to bringe him backe againe hither. upon the th september i departed from hence towardes the emperours court with a present (which every shipp or juncke that cometh hither must of force performe), which with charges much surmounteth an indifferent custome, espetially when a shipp cometh with a small capitall, and sales soe base and slacke that nothinge is here to be expected but losse, except a trade be procured into china, the raw silkes of which cuntrey are alwaies here reddy mony and reasonable profitt. ether, i say, we must procure a peaceable trade in china, or elles, as the hollanders doe, to trade with them perforce. and, yf wee sett foote in the moluccoes, this place will be a fitt storehouse from whence we may alwaies have men, munition, and victualles good store and at reasonable rates; for which purpose principally the hollanders doe mentaine this factory. the portingalles are quite out of favour with the emperor. they attended daies at the emperors court to deliver theire present, which at last was recd., but none of them admitted to his presence. it is thought that they will com noe more hither with any greate shippes from amacon. certaine jesuites came out of nova espania in embassage unto the emperor, with a letter and a present from the king of spaine, which, after a moneth or weekes attendance, the emperor recd., but none of the embassadors admitted to his presence. all the answer to their embassage was, to gett them foorth of this cuntry with speede, upon paine of his displeasure. his cuntry is now in peace, for that the old emperor hath made an absolute conquest, haveinge driven the young king quite out of this cuntry and made away most of his principall partakers. * * * * * * capt. cock is of opinion that the ginghams, both white and browne, which yow sent will prove a good commodity in the kinge of shashma his cuntry, who is a kinge of certaine of the most westermost ilandes of japon, a man of greate power and hath conquered the ilandes called the leques, which not long since weare under the governement of china. leque grande yeeldeth greate store of amber greece of the best sorte, and will vent , or , (_sic_) ps. of course cloth, as dutties and such like, per annum. at my being at the emperor, i procured his letters unto the king of shashma, to graunt us as free liberties of trade in the leques and all other his dominions as we had in any other parte of japon; and in february mr. richard wickham is to goe thither, and (priviledges obtained accordinge to the emperors order) to remaine there. * * * * * * thus for present i committ yow and your affaires unto the protection of the almighty. your loveinge frend to commaund, raphe coppindall. yow are to note that the people of this cuntry doe not buy our sortes of india cloth soe much for necessity as for the new and strange fashions and painteinges thereof, being a people desireinge change; for they have greate store of silkes and linnen stuffes made here better and cheaper then we can afford our india cloth. soe that we must strive to procure strange sortes of cloth with strange painteinges every yeare; but such cloth as hath any redd painteinge will not sell here. the hollanders sell english broade cloth for and _tayes_ the _tattamy_, which is - / yardes at the leaste. the devell hawle some of them for theire paines. to his very loveinge frendes, mr. robert larkin and mr. adam denton, english merchantes, deliver in patania. per capt. adams, per way of syam, whom god preserve. [ ] india office. _original correspondence_, vol. iii, no. . ------------------- richard cocks to [john gourney].[ ] firando in japon, le th of december, . worshipfull,-- * * * * * * as i advised in my last the emperor did very gratiously accept of the present capt. coppendall carid up unto hym, as capt. adames can better enforme yow whoe was an eye witnesse, the emperour offring to geve us anything that might be for the benefit or good of our nation, esteeming us above all other christian nations whatsoever. and, as i advised yow, the hollanders took a portingale junck on this cost and brought her into firando. and the emperour hath alowed it for good prize, both men and goods, and that either we or they may take them or spaniardes at sea and make good purchesse thereof, except they have the emperours passe. also yow may understand how a shipp arived at quanto in japon this yeare, which came out of new spaine and brought good quantety of broad cloth, kersies, perpetuanos, and raz de millan, which they offer at a loe rate; but i thinke it is the last that ever will be brought from thence, for it is said the spaniardes made proclemation with drums at aguapulca and other partes that, upon payne of death, their should neaver any more japons com nor trade into new spayne, and that both they and all other strangers of what nation soever should forthwith avoid out of all partes of new spaine. but in requitall hereof the emperour of japon hath made proclemation, in payne of death, that neaver hereafter any japon shall trade or goe into new spaine, and comanded the fryres or padres which came in this shipp should avoid out of his dominions; for the truth is, he is noe frend nether to spaniardes nor portingalles. * * * * * * your loving frend at comand, ric. cocks. [ ] india office. _original correspondence_, vol. iii, no. . ------------------- richard cocks to the e. i. company.[ ] firando in japon, the th february, [ ]. right worshipfull,-- * * * * * * i know not whether it be come to your w[orp. to understand the] conclusion of these greate wars in japon [wherin fidaia] samme, the son of ticus samme, lost [his life, with the] slaughter of above , men which took his [parte. some] report he was burned in his castell, it being fired; others think he escaped and is in shashma or the liqueas. his mother cut her owne belly, and his littell childe was executed by comand from the emperour, as also all others were the lyke which were knowne to take parte with hym. and osakay and sackay, two greate citties, burned to the grownd, not soe much as one howse being saved; your worps. loosing goodes which were burned to the vallu of _ta._ _ma._ _condr._, as apeareth per acco. sent to capt. jno. jourden, your wor. agent at bantam. * * * * * * [and may it plea]se your worps. to understand that the last yeare [it was agreed for a certe]n italion marrener to goe in our junck for syam [whose name is] damian marina, and an other castalliano called jno. [de lievana] went with hym. which coming to the knowledg of the portingales and spaniardes at langasaque, that they had served the english, they laid handes on them and carid them presoners abord the great shipp of amacan. the which being made knowen unto me, i wrot a letter to the capitan major of the ship, willing hym to set them at liberty, for that they were not under his comand nor jurisdiction, but under the english; and to the lyke effect i wrot an other letter to gonrocq dono, cheefe governor at langasaque for the emperour; but had a scornfull answer from the portingale, and nothing but words from the japon. whereupon i got a letter testimoniall from the king of firando to the emperour, how these men were entertayned into service of the english; and mr. wm. adams being above with capt. ralph coppendalle to carry a [present to] the emperour, gave hym to understand of this matter, [and he gave] his command forthwith that the men should be [set at liberty] and all their goodes restored to them. which was [accordingly accomp]lished to the greate harts greefe both of [the spaniardes and port]ingale, they haveing condemned them both [to death] and sent pristes to confesse them and exhibited [articles] against them to gonrock dono, as against traitors [to their owne] cuntry and frendes to the english and hollanders their enemies. which processe the capt. major deliverd both in japons and portugese with his ferme at it; but that in portugese gonrocq dono sent to the king of firando, and he gave it unto me, which here inclozed i send unto your wor., together with his letter written to me, in which is manifested that they hould both english and duch for their enemies. but that which vexeth them the most is that the hollanders tooke a portingale junck on the cost of japon laden with ebony wood, the greatest parte, with tynne and serten bars of gould and much conservs. which junck with all that was in it, men and all, the emperour aloweth for good prize; and is [to] be thought that mr. wm. adames was a cheefe occation to move the emperour thereunto, he first asking mr. adames wherefore [there was] such hatred betwixt the spaniardes and hollanders, for [that it w]as tould hym their princese and governors were [frendes in all] other partes of the world, and that it seemed strange [to hym that they] should be enemies heare. unto which mr. adames answerd that it was true they [had been] frendes of late yeares per meanes of the kinge [of england] and other potentates; but yet, notwithstanding, [the kinge of] spaine did think hym selfe to have more right [in these] partes of the world then any other christian prince, by [reason] of the footing he had gotten in the phillippinas and in other partes of the indies, and therefor per force ment to keepe all other nations from trading into these partes. unto which the emperour replied and said, the spaniard had no reason, and therefore, seeing it was a differance or dispute amongst us which were all strangers, he would not make nor meddell in the matter, but leave it to their princes to decide at home. "but," said he, "what is the occation they take men as well as goods?" "because (said mr. adames) the spaniardes take the hollanders and have or of them presoners in the phillipi[nas, for] which occation the hollanders doe use the lyke [towards] their people, man for man and goodes for goodes." [unto which] the emperour answerd that they had [reason]. * * * * * * [mr. adames tould me that the] emperour gave hym councell not [to seale in japon] joncks on noe voyage, but rather stay in [japon, and that] yf the stipend he had geven hym were not [enough] he would geve hym more. but he answerd his [word was] passed, and therefore, yf he performed not his w[ord, it would] be a dishonor unto hym. yet truly, at his retorne to firando, i offred to have quit hym of his promis and to have sent hym to edo to be neare the emperour upon all occations. yet would he not be perswaded thereunto. but the emperour esteemeth hym much, and he may goe and speake with hym at all tymes, when kyngs and princes are kept out. mr. adames tould me his tyme of serveing your wor. yeares at one hundred powndes or _tais_ per anno. was out before he went towardes syam; yet would he receave no pay till his retorne, willing me to certifie your wor. that he thought _l._ very littell, and would be loth to engage hym selfe any more at that rate, [and] willed me to desyre your wor. to let his wife have [ or powndes] str. to supplie her wantes of her selfe and childe, y[f there were any] need, and he would see it repaid heare againe. * * * * * * [and may it pleas]e your wor. to understand that the emperour [hath commanded] all the _tonos_ (or kinges) of japon to com to his [court and] bring their wives (or queenes) with them, for [to remaine the]are the space of yeares. he will no [char]ges of sonns, doughters, or kynred, but they them selves and their queenes with them, and each one to keepe howse by hym selfe and have a servant of the emperour allwaies neare them to understand what passeth. he aledgeth it is for their goods he doth it, to keepe japon in quiet, which otherwais would still be in broyles. soe now all the kinges and queenes of japon are bound prentis to the emperour for yeares, and this _tono_ of firando departed from hence towardes the court daies past, he being a bachelar, the emperour haveing promised hym to geve hym his brothers doughter to wife. * * * * * * your worshipps most humble at command, ric. cocks. [ ] india office. _original correspondence_, vol. iii, no. . ------------------- richard wickham to richard cocks.[ ] (_extract._) meaco, le th may, . many report that the emperor is dead, but the report from most of credit saye he is recovered and in resonabel good health. he hath bestowed great presents upon the chefe nobylity whome he hath despatched very honorably for theyr contery. shimash dono came yesterday to fuxame, and will be imbarked within this daies at furdest from osacay. frushma tayo dono came to meaco dayes since, having leave to goe for his contery after yeares attendance at the court. he is much honored heare in these parts. shongo sama is departed from serongaue dayes since for eado, and it is said that he will come and visit his douory in meaco in june or july next. during the emperors sicknes he caused his chefe phesition to be cut in peces for telling him, being asked by the emperor why he could not soner cure him, that in regard he was an ould man his medesen could not worke so efectualy upon his body as apon a yong man. wheareupon without saying any more to him commanded cogioodon to cause him to be bound and cut in peces. upon the which ximas dono sent him his phesition, the china, who did him much good, as it is reported; which maketh me thinck that the emperor is living by reason ximas dono his peopell doe report. you may be sure the china would not kepe any such secret from his master ximas dono, yet nether ximas dono nor tozo dono nor any nobel man since the going up hath sene the emperor, nether of his counsell hath any this many dayes bene admited to his presents, there being none but cogi dono, weomen, and phesitions sufered to com in his sight, which maketh many to suspect that he is dead, as they saye it is the maner to conceale the death of the emperor a whole yeare or more before it be knowne publik. [ ] india office. _miscellaneous records_, t. c., no. . ------------------- richard cocks to the e. i. company.[ ] firando in japon, le th january, [ ]. right worshipfull,-- * * * * * * may it please your wors. to understand that, these shipps [the _thomas_ and the _advice_] being arived at firando in japon and mr. jno. baylie being very sick, wherof he shortly after died, it was generally thought fit that i made a journey to the court of the new emperour shungo samme, to renew our privelegese (as the hollanders ment to do the lyke), in which voyage i was monethes and daies before i retorned to firando, and the hollanders are not yet retorned. yet the th day after i arived at court our present was deliverd, and had audience with many favorable wordes, but could not get my dispach in above a month after; so that once i thought we should have lost all our privelegese, for the councell sent unto us i think above twenty tymes to know whether the english nation were christians or no. i answerd we were, and that they knew that before by our kinges maties. letter sent to the emperour his father (and hym selfe), wherein it apeared he was defender of the christian faith. "but", said they, "are not the jesuists and fryres christians two?" unto which i answerd they were, but not such as we were, for that all jesuists and fryres were banished out of england before i was borne, the english nation not houlding with the pope nor his doctryne, whose followers these padres (as they cald them) weare. yt is strang to see how often they sent to me about this matter, and in the end gave us waynyng that we did not comunecate, confesse, nor baptiz with them, for then they should hold us to be all of one sect. unto which i replied that their honours needed not to stand in dowbt of any such matter, for that was not the custom of our nation. soe, in the end, they gave me our new privelegese with the emperours ferme, telling me they were conformable to the former. so herewith i departed, and, being daies journey on my way, met an expres from mr. wickham, wherin he wrot me from miaco that the justice (per the emperours comand) had geven order that all strangers should be sent downe to firando or langasaque, and forthwith departe and carry all their merchandiz with them and not stay to sell any, so that he was forced to keepe within howse, and our hostes durst sell nothing. which news from mr. wickham seemed very strang unto me. whereupon i sought one to read over our privelegise, which with much a do at last i fownd a _boz_ (or pagon prist) which did it, and was that we were restrayned to have our shiping to goe to no other place in japon but firando, and there to make sales. whereupon i retorned back againe to the court, where i staid or daies more, still suing and puting up suplecations to have our privelegese enlarged as before, aledging that yf it were not soe, that my soveraigne lord king james would think it to be our misbehaviours that cauced our privelegese to be taken from us, they having so lately before byn geven us by his matis. father of famous memory, and that it stood me upon as much as my life was worth to get it amended, otherwais i knew not how to shew my face in england. yet, for all this, i could get nothing but wordes. whereupon i desyred to have the ould privelegese retorned and to render back the new, with condition they would geve us yeares respite to write into england and have answer whether our kinges matie. would be content our privelegese should be so shortned or no. yet they would not grant me that. and then i desird we might have leave to sell such merchandiz as we had now at miaco, osakay, sackay, and edo; otherwais i knew not what to do, in respect firando was but a fysher towne, haveing no marchantes dwelling in it, and that it was tyme now to send back our shipps and junckes, and nothing yet sould. yet this i could not have granted nether. so that with much a doe in the end they gave me leave, as i past, to sell my goodes to any one would presently buy it, or else leave it to be sould with any japon i thought good to trust with it. which restrant hath much hindered our sales and put me to my shiftes, the rather for that the order of japon is that no stranger may sell any thing at arivall of their shipps till it be knowne what the emperour will take; so that it is allwais above a month or wickes before a post can run to and fro to have lycence. and at my coming away oyen dono and codsquin dono, the emperours secretarys, tould me that they were sory they could not remedy this matter of our privelegese at present, the reason being for that an emperours edict per act of parliament being soe lately set out could not so sowne be recalled without scandalle, but the next yeare, yf i renewed my sute, my demandes being so substantiated, they did verely think it might be amended, in respect firando was well knowne to be but a fisher towne. so that i aledged the emperour might as well take away all our privelegese and banish us out of japon as to shut us up in such a corner as firando, where no marchantes dwell. but i hope the next yeare, when generall keeling cometh, it may be amended; otherwais i feare me our japon trade will not be worth the looking after. and it is to be noted that at my retorne to miaco, haveing donne such busynes as i had theare, i would have left richard hudson, a boy, your wor. servant, to have learnd to write the japans; but might not be suffered to doe it, the emperour haveing geven order to the contrary. soe we withdrew all our factors from edo, miaco, osakay, and sackay to firando. the fathers which came in the shipp from aguapulca brought a present from the king of spaine to the emperour; but, after he had kept it halfe a yeare, he retorned it back, not reserving any thing, but bad them be gon. and i had allmost forgotten to adviz your wors. of a spaniard, which was at the emperours court at edo when i was theare. he went out of a ship of theirs from xaxma, where greate shipps of theirs arived out of new spaine, bound, as they said, for the phillippinas, but driven into that place per contrary wynd, both shipps being full of souldiers, with greate store of treasure, as it is said, above millions of _pezos_. soe they sent this man to kis the emperours hand; but he never might be suffered to com in his sight, allthough he staid theare above a month; which vexed hym to see we had axcesse to the emperour and he could not. so that he gave it out that our shipps and the hollanders which were at firando had taken and robbed all the china juncks, which was the occation that very few or non came into japon this yeare. and som greate men in the court did not want to aske me the question whether it were true or no, mr. wm. adames being present. which we gave them to understand that, concernynge the englishe, it was most falce. and withall i enformed the two secretaries, oyen dono and codsquin dono, that, yf they lookt out well about these spanish shipps arived in xaxma full of men and treasure, they would fynd that they were sent of purpose by the king of spaine, haveing knowledg of the death of the ould emperour, thinking som papisticall tono might rise and rebell and so draw all the papistes to flock to them and take part, by which meanes they might on a sudden seaz upon som strong place and keepe it till more succors came, they not wanting money nor men for thackomplishing such a strattagim. which speeches of myne wrought so far that the emperour sent to stay them, and, had not the greate shipp cut her cable in the howse so to escape, she had byn arested, yet with her hast she left som of her men behind; and the other shipp being of som tons was cast away in a storme and driven on shore, but all the people saved. so in this sort i crid quittance with the spaniardes for geveing out falce reportes of us, yet since verely thought to be true which i reported of them. also may it please your wors. that, at our being at themperours court, the amerall of the sea was very ernest with mr. wm. adames to have byn pilot of a voyage they pretended to the northward to make conquest of certen ilands, as he said, rich in gould; but mr. adames exskewced hym selfe in that he was in your wors. service and soe put hym afe. and as i am enformed, they verely think that our pretence to discover to the northward is to fynd out som such rich ilandes and not for any passage. yet i tould the admerall to the contrary, and tould hym that my opinion was he might doe better to put it into the emperours mynd to make a conquest of the manillias and drive those small crew of spaniardes from thence, it being so neare unto japon; they haveing conquered the liqueas allready. he was not unwilling to listen heareunto, and said he would comunecate the matter to the emperour. and out of dowbt yt would be an easy matter for the emperour to doe it, yf he take it in hand, and a good occation to set the japons heades awork, to put the remembrance of ticus samme and his sonne fidaia samme, so lately slaine and disinhereted, out of their minds. and tuching my former opinion of procuring trade into china, i am still of the same mynd. and, had it not byn for the greate wars betwixt the tartars and them the last yeare, which cauced the emperour of china to goe into the northermost partes of his kyngdom to withstand them, otherwais we had had news of entrance before now. yet, notwithstanding, the chinas which have the matter in hand have sent an expres about it againe, and caused two letters to be written in china (as from me) with my ferme at them, with two others in english from me to same effect, only for fation sake, because they might see my ferme was all one, the one letter being directed: to the mighty and powrefull lord fiokew, secretary of estate to the high and mightie prince, the emperour of china, manifesting that i had geven two hundred _tais_ to the bearer thereof, his lo. servant, to buy hym necessaries in the way, hoping to receve som good news shortly from his lo. of our entrance into china, with other complementall wordes, as the chinas wisht me put downe. and the other letter was directed: to the greate and powrefull lord ticham shafno, councellor of estate to the high and mighty prince, the emperour of china, also making relasion of ten greate bars oban gould, amonting to _tais_ japon plate, deliverd to the said bearer to carry to hym as a toaken or small remembrance of my good will, hoping to heare som good news from hym, as in the other. but both the bars gould and _tais_ silver are sent from the china capt. to them, yet put downe in my name, as yf it came from me. in fine, these chinas tell me that undowbtedly it will take effect, and the sowner yf the portingales be sent from macau this yeare, as they have adviz they shall. but, howsoever, these men follow the matter hardly, and tell me that the emperour of china hath sent espies into all partes where the spaniardes, portingales, hollanders, and we do trade, in these partes of the world, only to see our behaveours on towardes an other, as also how we behave our selves towardes strangers, especially towardes chinas. and som have byn in this place and brought by our frendes to the english howse, where i used them in the best sort i could, as i have advized to bantam, pattania, and syam to doe the lyke to all chinas. * * * * * * also may it please your worships to understand that, since my retorne from the japon cort, there came a mestisa indian to me, which went to cochinchina from japon in the same junck which mr. peacock and walter carwarden went in, and sayeth the reportes are falce which are geven out against mr. peacockes host, that he set upon hym in the way to slay hym and the duch, but rather that the matter hapned by meare chance, his said host being in the boate with hym when it was overthrowne, and escaped hardly ashore with swyming, being taken up halfe dead and hardly recovered health in a moneth after; and that mr. peacock carid or r. of along with hym in his pocket, which was the occation of his drownyng, as apeard som dayes after when his body was fownd per walter carwarden (this mestisa accompanying hym) whoe fownd the said r. in his pocket, and after gave his body buriall. and that walter carwarden staid in cochinchina above a month after, before he imbarked hym selfe to retorne for japon, the monson being past. so that, mr. peacock being dead and walter carwarden gon without going up to the court to receave the monies which the kyng owed for merchandiz bought, that the kyng took occation to write safian dono, governor at langasaque under the emperour of japon, to signefie unto hym of the death of the one englishman and departure of the other, so that, yf an englishman would com and receve the money he owed, he was ready to pay it. but the junck which brought that letter for safian dono was cast away, as well as that wherin water carwarden came, so that we never heard news of them. the boate wherein mr. peacock and the hollanders were in was overset, or rather steamed, by another bigger boate runing against them on a sudden in turnyng at a corner, the other coming on a sudden upon them from behind a point of land, being under seale and haveing the currant with her; so that they had no meanes to avoid them, but were presently sunck downe and, the currant being swift, very few were saved, his host, a japon, being one. i did what i could at my being at edo to have procured the emperours letter to the kyng of cochinchina in our behalfe, to have had restetution of such marchandiz he had bought, in respect we lived in japon under his protection and that our goodes went in a japon junck under his chape or pase; yet, doe what i could, he denid his letter, saying he would not medell in other mens matters, nether be behoulden to the king of cochinchina for it. but now, coming to knowledg of these matters and seeing capt. adames to have bought a junck, going hym selfe for pilot in her, i have written to safian dono to let us have his letter of favour to the king of cochinchina, to send som small adventure with hym. and edmond sayer is very desirous to goe along with mr. wm. adames; but as yet the adventure is not determined upon. god send it good suckcesse. * * * * * * i receved a box by the _adviz_ with a certen roote in it, which came from cape bona speranza; but it proveth here worth nothing, it being dried that no substance remeaneth in it. herewithall i send your wors. som of it, with an other peece of that which is good and cometh out of corea. it is heare worth the wight in silver, but very littell to be had in comune mens handes, for that all is taken up for the emperour by the kyng of tushma, whome only hath lycense to trade with the coreans, and all the tribute he payeth to the emperour is of this rowte. yt is helde heare for the most pretious thing for phisick that is in the world, and (as they thinke) is suffitient to put lyfe into any man, yf he can but draw breath; yet must be used in measure, or else it is hurtfull. * * * * * * the china captens which labour to get us entrance into china doe tell me that your wors. canot send a more pretiouser thing to present the emperour of china withall then a tree of currall, ether white or red. they say the portingales of macau gave a white corrall tree to the emperour of china many yeares past, which he doth esteem one of the ruchest jewells he hath. also they say that earelings or jewelles to hang in hattes, that are greate pearls and of an orient culler, are esteemed much in china. and som very greate looking glasses and fyne semian chowters and white baftas are good for presentes, with som guns well damasked, but not soe hevie as these are which ordenarely are sent; and som dagges or pistalls, som short and others more longer. the three peeces currall your wors. sent for a triall were disposed of as followeth, viz. branch containing _ta._ _ma._ _co._, and branch containing _ma._ _co._, both geven the emperour in his present; branch containing _ta._ _co._, sould for ten _tais_ two _mas_ plate. but yf much com it will not sell at that rate. the biger the peces or branches are, and of a red culler well polished, are most in esteem; for they make buttens or knots of them to hange their purces at. * * * * * * i know not what else to write, but that my greatest sorrow is i lye in a place which hitherto hath byn chargable and not benefitiall to your wors., by reasons of the presentes contynewally geven, it being the fation of the contrey, or else there is noe staying for us yf we doe not as other strangers doe. and were it not for the hope of trade into china, or for procuring som benefit from syam, pattania, and (it may be) from cochinchina trade, it were noe staying in japon. yet it is certen here is silver enough, and may be carried out at pleasure; but then must we bring them comodeties to ther lyking, as the chinas, portingales, and spaniardes doe, which is raw silke and silke stuffs, with syam sapon and skins; and that is allwais ready money, as price goeth, littell more or lesse. * * * * * * and soe i take my leave, commiting your wors. with your affares to the holy protection of the allmighty, resting allwais your worps. most humble at command, ric. cocks. [ ] india office. _original correspondence_, vol. iii, no. . ------------------- richard cocks to the e. i. company.[ ] firando in japon, le th of january, [ ]. right worll. ser and sers,-- * * * * * * as tuching the discovery to be made from hence to the northward, to seeke for passage into england, there was noe mention thereof made in our former previleges, that the emperour offered (or promised) to assist us therein, nether would they now put in any such matter. so that, to say the truth, yf we goe about to take such a matter in hand, i know not well whether the japons will assist us or no. yet know i nothing to the contrary but they will. the coppie of our previlegese (as we have them now) i send yow here inclozed, i geting them translated my selfe by a learned _boz_, haveing two _juribassos_ with capt. adames to assist me at doeing thereof. * * * * * * your wors. most humble at command, ric. cocks. [ ] india office. _original correspondence_, vol. iv, no. . ------------------- _coppie of the articles (or previleges) granted to the english nation by_ shongo samme, _emperour of japon_.[ ] be yt knowne unto all men that the english nation throughout all japon, in what part thereof soever they arive with their shipping, shall, with all convenyent speed they can, retyre to the towne (and port) of firando, there to make sale of their marchandiz, defending all other places and partes whatsoever in japon not to receave any of their goodes nor merchandiz ashore, but at firando only. . but yf it fortune through contrary wyndes (or bad wether) their shiping arive in any other port in japon, that they shalbe frendly used in paying for what they take (or buy), without exacting any ancoradge, custom, or other extraordenary matters whatsoever. . that yf the emperour needeth any thing their shiping bringeth, that it shall be reserved for hym in paying the worth therof. . that noe man force (or constraine) thenglish to buy nor sell with them, nether thenglish the like with the japons, but that both parties deale the one with the other in frendly sort. . that yf any of the english nation chance to die in any part of japon, that the good, monies, and marchandiz, or whatsoever else is found to be in his custody at the hower of his death shall be helde to be or belong to hym (or them) unto whome the capt. or cape merchant of thenglish nation sayeth it belongeth unto. . that yf there be any difference or controvercy (be it of life and death or otherwais) amongst the english abord their shipps or aland, yt shall be at the disposing of the capt. or cape merchant to make an end thereof, without that any other justice in japon shall tuch them or meddell in the matter. . the conclusion is, to comand all _tonos_ (or kinges), governors, and other offecers in japon whatsoever to se the premesies afforsaid accomplished. [ ] india office. _original correspondence_, vol. iv, no. a. ------------------- richard cocks to william nealson and john osterwick.[ ] fushamy in japon, le th of september, . loving frendes,-- my last unto yow was of the th present from miaco, advising yow of my arivall theare. and yistarday we came from thence to this place of fushamy, to which place capt. adames came to us. the coreans have byn royally receaved in all places wheare they came, by comandment from themperour. and, as we entred into miaco, they took us to be coreans, and therefore in greate hast, as we passed, strawed the streetes with sand and gravill, multetudes of people thrunging in to see us. i stand in greate hope we shall get our priveleges enlarged as before, and all thinges to content. but i canot write yow the truth thereof till i know how it will passe. only this encuradgement i have from oyen donos secretary, whoe heareth how matters are lyke to passe. yf themperour enlarge our privelegese, i will forthwith send for our comodetis, as silk, wood, skins, cloth, quicksilver, etc. the hollandars setting their syam lead at - / , the emperour hath refuced it and will not meddell with it, but take all ours. the hollandars have made a greate complaint against the _tono_ of firando of their bad usage donne by the mouth of jno. yoossen, seting hym at nought, not soe much as going to vizet hym. and, as it seemeth, he stood in dowbt we would have don the like; yet, upon good considerations, i have thought fit to proceead in an other fation, not dowbting but i shall have better justis at firando then heretofore. keepe all these matters to your selfe, and, when i heare more, i will adviz yow from tyme to tyme and retorne with as much speed as possibly i may; and soe in hast comyt yow to god, resting your loving frend, ric. cocks. this day we delivered our present to themperour, which was well accepted of with a cherefull countenance. yt is said that to morrow the _dyrie_ ys to geve the title to themperour which he soe much desyreth. [ ] british museum. _cotton charter_, iii, , f. . ------------------- richard cocks to william nealson and john osterwick.[ ] fushamy in japon, le th of september, . loving frendes,-- many letters have i written since my departure from firando, but never receved any from yow, but them two which yow wrot me daies after i departed from thence of arivall of _sea adventure_ at tushma. soe that, the wynd having byn good ever since, i marvell i have not heard from yow. we have donne what we can both by word of mouth as also with supplecation (or writing) to have had our previlegese enlarged, and the rather by meanes of the kinges maties. letter sent themperour. but in the end are forced to content us with them as they were, that is, only for firando and langasaque. and because i was ernest to have had it otherwais, the councell took the matter in snuffe, esteeming it a presumption in me to aske lardger previlegese then all other strangers had. so then i desird they would write a letter to the kinges matie. of england, for my discharge, to show thoccation wherefore they did it. but that they denid to doe, telling me that we might content our selves with such composition as other men had, or, yf we did not lyke it, might retorne to our cuntrey yf we pleased. so now i stay only to get out our two _goshons_ for syam and cochinchina, and to get a dispach from themperour, which will be or daies before i think it will be ended. and then will i goe for miaco to se yf we can doe any good for sales. and then will i for osakay and sackay and look out for the like, to se if i can procure plate to bring downe with me; otherwais it will be late to send it per the shipp. i think it will be or daies hence before i shall be ready to set from osakay towardes firando. so that, in the meane tyme, use your best endevour to make sales of such merchandiz as are belo; and stand not upon small matters to make ready money. yt were good, yf yow can, to receve the lead money in melted or _somo_ plate, donne by a rendador, with themperours stampe upon it, for then will it passe in saffetie. or yt were better yf yow could get it molten into bars lyke tyn bars, but of halfe the length, and of the just goodnes with rialles of eight; for soe am i advised from bantam. i went thother day to miaco to have vizeted the corean embassadors with a present; but the _tono_ of tushma would not let me have accesse unto them. so i turned back to fushamy. the _tono_ of xaxma, with them of goto and umbra, had leave to retorne to their cuntres or daies past; but the _tono_ of firando cannot be permitted as yet, although he be very ill at ease. the ould _dire_ died som or daies past. but nether he nor his sonne, which now is _daire_, will geve themperour the name or title he soe much desireth; which geveth hym much discontent, as also the death of one of his sisters whoe was marid to a greate man not far from hence and died the other day. the castell of osakay must be new builded, with a pagod neare unto sackay, which weare destroied in these last wars; and all at themperours owne cost. only the westarne _tonos_ must furnish men; but themperour will pay them, and not put any enhabetant to trowble about the doing thereof. themperour hath geven greate presentes to the coreans, as all the greate _tonos_ of japon have donne the like; but for what occation i am not certen. this is all i know for the present; and so comit yow to god, resting allwais your loving frend, ric. cocks. for god sake take heed of fire; and forget not my pigions and fishes. comend me to all our frendes, both hees and howes. to his lovinge frendes, mr. wm. nealson and mr. john osterwick, english merchantes, deliver in firando. from fushamy. pay port. one _mas_ for letter and for other matters, as per adviz. [ ] british museum. _cotton charter_, iii, , f. . ------------------- richard cocks to william nealson and john osterwick.[ ] fushamy in japon, le th of october, . loving frendes,-- yow will not beleeve what a trowble we have had about our previlegese, and with much ado yistarday got langasaque set in as well as firando, and soe sealed per themperour. but, before it could be delivered, som took acceptions thereat, and so langasaque is razed out againe, and matters remeane as before. yet this morning i have sent capt. adames againe to get goto and shashma put in for shiping that, yf in case the _tono_ of firando abuse us, we may have a retiring place, as also to abcent our selves from the hollanders, it not being to our content to live together. but whether they will grant this or no, i know not. once we are put to hodgsons choise[ ] to take such previlegese as they will geve us, or else goe without. my dowbt is, they will drive us affe till the emperour be gon (whoe they say will departe to morrow), so thinking to make us follow them to edo; but truly i will rather leave all and retorne for firando. i doe protest unto yow i am sick to see their proceadinges, and canot eate a bit of meate that doth me good, but cast it up as sowne as i have eaten it. god send me well once out of this cuntrey, yf it be his blessed will. mr. wickham and capt. adames are not halfe currant neather, as also our folkes which came with us have byn sick, except fatchman, richard king haveing had his part. kept till the th ditto. yisternight came your letters dated in firando the th and th ultimo, accompanid with the _goshon_, which came in good tyme (i instantly sending it to the cort where there was much enquiring for it). soe we gott out our _goshons_, but the privelegese as they were the last yeare. warry, warry, warry! your loving frend, ric. cocks. god grant tozayemon dono do not play the jemeny with us in buying much of our merchandiz and stay there till he think i am com from hence, and so i shall nether meete hym heare nor theare, to make acco. with hym. i have the lyke dowbt of neyemon dono. to his lovinge frendes, mr. wm. nealson and mr. jno. osterwick, english merchantes, deliver in firando. from fushamy. [ ] british museum. _cotton charter_, iii, , f. . [ ] this early use of the proverbial "hobson's choice" is almost conclusive against the usual explanation of the phrase, that it was derived from the method adopted by hobson, the cambridge carrier, in serving his customers with horses. hobson was born in and died in . granting that the expression arose during his life-time, it could hardly have begun to pass into common usage before the close of the sixteenth century; and in those days such popular phrases were not communicated so fast as in ours. but here we find cocks using it as early as , after an absence of some years from england; and he would hardly have picked it up abroad. again, cocks was not a young man; and, as a rule, proverbs are learned and become part of our vocabulary in youth. "hobson's choice" (or hodgson's, as cocks writes it) may very well have been an older popular saying which was applied to the cambridge carrier's stable arrangements from the mere accident of his bearing the name he did. ------------------- richard cocks to the e. i. company.[ ] firando in japon, the th of february, [ ]. right worll. ser and sers,-- * * * * * * consernyng attempting trade into cochinchina, yt was generally agreed upon the last yeare, as i advized your wor. in my letter; ed. sayer being sent upon that busynes, and went in a junck of mr. wm. adames, he being both master and owner, and was to pay for fraight and passage as other men did and according to the custom of the cuntrey, and carid a cargezon goodes with hym. * * * * * * edmond sayer retorned ... having donne his best endevour, with the assistance of mr. wm. adames, to learne out the truth of mr. peacockes death. and fynd that he was murthered by a japon, his host, with the consent of one or two of the cheefest men about the kyng, and, as it is said, the yong prince was of their councell, but the ould kyng knoweth nothing thereof but that he was cast away by mere chance or misfortune. these greate men and his host shared all the goodes and money amongst them, as well of the hollanders as thenglish whome were slaine all together in one small boate, it being steamed or oversett with a greater full of armed men. they are enformed that mr. peacockes ill behaveor was partly occation; for at first the king used hym kyndly and gave us larg previlegese to trade in his domynions. and one day a greate man envited hym to dyner, and sent his cheefe page to conduct hym, he being sonne to a greate man. but he coming into the place wheare mr. peacock sate, he gave hym [hard] wordes and bad hym goe out and sit with the boyes. and, as som say, being in drink, he tore the previlegese the king had geven hym for free trade and cast the peeces under his feete. these and other matters (which is reported he did) did much estrang the peoples hartes from hym, and, as it was thought by som whome saw how matters went, was the cheefe occation which caused his death. mr. adames and ed. sayer were very ernest to have had speech with the kyng, which at first that greate nobelman was contented, as it seemed. but, when he knew they would bring in question the murthering of mr. peacock (he being giltie of it), he put them affe from tyme to tyme with delaies, and in the end did flatly gainsay them. and, had they gone, out of dowbt they had byn murthered in the way. * * * * * * i am of your wor. opinion that, except we procure trade into china, it will not quite cost to mentayne a factory in japon.... i have this yeare byn againe at themperours court, in company of mr. wickham and mr. wm. adames, hoping to have got our previlegese enlarged, as codsquin dono and oyen dono did put me in hope the last yeare.... we gave the present to themperour as from his matie., and amongst the rest went a scritorio sent in adventure from my lady smith, esteemed at markes, with the gloves, mittens, looking glasse and other silver implementes in it, with an other present aparte for the shipp, as the japon custom is. which presentes were taken in good sort, with many complementall wordes; but in the end were answered we had as larg prevelegese as any other strangers, wherewith we might rest contented, or, yf we fownd not trade to our content, we might departe when we pleased and seeke better in an other place. so then i desird i might have an answer to the letter he had receved from the kinges matie. of england, wherby he might perceve i had delivered both letter and present. but answer was made me, the letter was sent to his father, ogosho samma, the deceased emperor, and therefore held ominios amongst the japons to answer to dead mens letters. i aledged they needed not to feare that we had any accoyntance with the pristes or padres; but they tould me that was all one, the emperour would have his owne vassales to get the benefite to bring up merchandize rather then strangers. so that now it has com to passe, which before i feared, that a company of rich usurers have gotten this sentence against us, and com downe together every yeare to langasaque and this place, and have allwais byn accustomed to buy by the _pancado_ (as they call it), or whole sale, all the goodes which came in the carick from amacau, the portingales having no prevelegese as we have, but only a monson trade, and therefore must of necessety sell. * * * * * * the chinas of late tyme, within these or yeares, have begun a trade into certen ilandes called by them tacca sanga, and is named in our sea cardes isla fermosa, neare to the cost of china. the place the shiping enters into is called las islas piscadores, but non but small shiping can enter, nether will they suffer any shiping or trade with any people but chinas. it is within leagues (as they say) of the meane of china, soe that they make or voyages in small shipping each monson. andrea dittis and capt. whow, his brother, are the greatest adventurers for that place. they sent small junckes the last yeare, and bought silke for the one halfe they pay ether at cochinchina or bantam. the reason was the greate aboundance which came together this yeare and the littell money that was sent to buy, so that above one halfe was retorned into china for want of money, for they say the people are barbarous and have not the use of silver. * * * * * * i have rec. letters from the kynges matie. to the king of china, sent from bantam by mr. ball, the one in frendly sort and the other som stricter termes. mr. ball writes me that no chinas at bantam dare nether translate them nor carry them when they are translated, upon payne of their lives and even of all their generation. but these our china frendes, dittis and whaw, will not only translate them, but send them by such as will see them delivered. but their opinion is, yt is not good to send the thretnyng letter, for they are assured there will nothing be donne with the king by force. but as we have a good name geven of us of late, that we are peacable people, soe to goe forward still in that sort. * * * * * * i had almost [forgotten to tell your wor. of the coming of the] ambassadors from the kyng of corea to the emperour of japon, having above men attending upon them. they went up at same tyme i went to themperours court, and were, by the emperours comand, royally entertaind by all the _tonos_ (or kinges of japon) thorow whose terretories they passed, and all at the japons charge, they first begyning with the _tono_ of tushma, and next with hym of firando, etc.; and coming to the court the emperour made them to dyne at his owne table, they being served by all the _tonos_ (or kinges) of japon, every one having a head attire of a redish culler with a littell mark of silver lyke a fether in it. mr. adames was in presence and saw it. * * * * * * your wor. most humble at command, ric. cocks. to the right worll. the governor, deputy committies, and generallety of the east india company, deliver in london. [ ] india office. _original correspondence_, vol. v, no. . ------------------- richard cocks to william nealson and john osterwick.[ ] langasaque in japon, this th of february, [ ]. loving frendes,-- we arrived heare yisternight an hower before sunne seting, capt. adames being arived the day before and came out and met us with the china capt., all the china junckes haveing out their flagges and stremars, with st. george amongst the rest, and shott affe above chambers and peeces of ordinance at my arivall. i wish i had had noe _goshon_, for the trowble and vexation it puteth me unto, and know not how to remedy it. yet now it is concluded that our _goshon_ shall goe in that new junck at firando, and capt. adames goeth capt. and pilot in her, for tonkyne. i have much speeches heare betwixt alvaro munos and jorge durons about the caffro; but alvaro munos standeth stiffly to it that it is the same caffro, and jorge durons saieth it is an other. i have delivered mr. nealsons letter to jorge, and in the end the truth will com out. i know not what else to write, but leave yow to the protection of thallmightie, resting your loving frend, ric. cocks. to his loving frendes, mr. wm. nealson and mr. jno. osterwick, english merchantes, deliver in firando. from langasaque. [ ] british museum. _cotton charter_, iii, , f. . ------------------- richard cocks to john osterwick.[ ] nangasaque in japon, the th of february, [ ]. loving frend, mr. osterwick,-- the next day after our departure from firando, being the xvjth currant, we arived at nangasaque, having, the day before, mett with a bark of firando, which brought me a letter from mr. eaton and therinclozed an other from yow. my letter i opened and read over, and afterwardes sent it, with a few allmondes for mr. nealson, and your letter with it, per the same partie and bark which brought it, to the intent yow both might read it over and see the contentes. yet i think it will not prove soe dangerous a matter as at the reading of the letter i suppozed it would have byn, for humors now and then are over much predomenant in som men; but, as the saying is, _nemo sine crimene vivet_. you must pardon me, yf i speak falce latten. yistarday we sett our junckes mastes, and i hope will not now be long before she will be ready. we fynd her to be biggar of stoadg then we formerly expected. i have byn with capt. adames at gonrok dono, and in thend concluded the price of our lead at - / _tais_ the _pico_. but gonrok will first speake with themperours _bongews_ or councellors thereof, and, in the meane tyme, will deliver us eight hundred _taies_ in parte of payment, and will send a man to way out all the lead, and leave it in our howse till order com downe to take it and pay the rest of the money. and, as gonrok tells me, the hollanders have made prise at _taies pico_, and waid it all and delivered it into the handes of the king of firando. but i esteem this but a tale. and so i comit yow to thallmightie, resting your loving frend, ric. cocks. to his loving frend, mr. wm. nealson, english merchant, deliver in firando. from nangasaque. this letter should be derected mr. jno. osterwick, etc. [ ] british museum. _cotton charter_, iii, , f. . ------------------- richard cocks to the e. i. company.[ ] nangasaque in japon, the th of marche, [ ]. right worll. ser and sers,-- after my humble dutie remembred, may it please yow to understand that, by the indirect dealinges and unlooked for proceadinges of the hollanders, this is the therd yeare since we hadd any shipping came from england or bantam to japan. neather in all this tyme have we had any conveance to enforme your worshipps of the manifold abuses offered unto us within these kingdoms of japon, notwithstanding the lardge prevelegese we have from the emperour that the japons them selves may not meddell with us. yet these hollanders have, by sound of trumpet abord all their shipps in the harbour of firando, procleamed open warrs against our english nation, both by sea and land, with fire and sworde, to take our shipps and goods and destroy our persons to the uttermost of their power, as to their mortall enemies. and their cheefe comander which came hither last, called adam westerwood, sett my life at sale, offering r. of to any man that could kill me, and r. for each other englishman they could kill; which their proceadinges could not be soe secretly donne, but i hadd dailie notis thereof by som of their owne people, although they were comanded upon payne of death to the contrary. and because your wors. shall understand all how it hath passed, it is as hereafter followeth, viz.:-- after that the comander (as they call hym), jno. derickson lamb, came hither from the molucos and passed by the manillias, where he took divers china junckes and staid soe long on that cost that the spanish gallions came out against hym and sunck the admerall shipp, called the _new sunne_, wherein derickson lamb hym selfe was, whoe escaped very hardly abord an other shipp, wherein he came to japon. the spaniardes also burned two other of the hollandes fleete, and made all the rest to run away, without losse of any spanish shipp, etc. and jno. derickson lamb, going away, left the _ould sunne_, a great ship with or peeces ordinance in her, with an other shipp, called the _gallias_, of tonns, as they say, with peeces of ordinance in her, and sent them abootehawling one the cost of china, and from thence to the manillias, where they h[ad] the rifling of xvi seale of china junckes, and filled them with such as they liked and sett the rest on fire, and brought the china junckes along with them, being the best and ruchliest laden, puting som or hollanders into each junck; but, by fowle wether at sea, they lost company of the shipps, soe that the chinas, being too strong for the hollanders, cut all their throtes, and carid all the junckes into china, as we hadd certen newes thereof. these shipps, the _sunne_ and _gallias_, arived at firando the th and th day of june, . and the th day of august after heare arived an english shipp, called the _attendance_, which the hollanders sent hither from the molucas, to our greater disgrace, but not an englishman in her. so that, by generall consent, it was thought fitt i went to themperours court to complaine, thinking we might have hadd restetution, considering the lardge preveleges we have in japon. but answer was made that for factes comitted in other places themperor would not meddell with it, but for anything donne in his owne dominions he would see us have right. soe the three forenamed shipps, _sunne_, _gallias_, and _attendance_, were sett out againe, the _sunne_ to carry their most best stuffes and silke, her full lading, to goe for bantam; and the other two to goe for the manillas, to meete an other hollandes fleete, because they had certen news that of the king of spaines gallions were cast away per misfortune at manillas, which was true, soe that the spaniardes hadd no strength to com out against them. soe they took china junckes more, but noe greate wealth in them, only they found such good refreshing that it saved the lives of their hongerstarved men; otherwaies they hadd never lived to see japon. soe now may it please your wors. to understand this last yeare, i meane reckning before christmas, here cam seale of hollanders for this cuntrey of japon and to this towne of firando, viz.:-- . the _bantam_, a shipp of tonns, wherin adam westerwood came. . the _new moone_, a shipp of or tonns, vizadmerall. . the _gallias_ before named, of above tonns. . the _attendance_, thenglish shipp before named. . the _swan_, an other english shipp taken by them at molucas. and out of these shipps englishmen escaped ashore and came to thenglish howse to seeke releefe, telling us they were used more like dogges then men amongst the hollanders. their names are as followeth: john moore, john joones, edward curwin; these men brought presoners in hollandes shipps. the hollanders demanded these men to be retorned back unto them; unto whome i made answer, i would first see their comition how they durst presume to take our english shiping, men, and goodes, as they did. so then they went to the _tono_ (or king) of firando, and demanded that their english _kengos_ (which in japons is sclaves) should be sent back unto them. unto whome the _tono_ made answer that he took not the english to be sclaves to the hollanders, we having such lardge preveleges in japon as we hadd, and therefore willed them to goe to themperour and demand them of hym, and what he ordayned should be performed, etc. also their came a penisse from the molucas, called the _fox_, to bring newes of the fight betwixt thenglish fleete and the hollanders att jaccatra, and that these shipps should make hast to the molucas with powder, shott, victuelles, and other provition, etc. and last of all came an other greate shipp from pattania, called the _angell_, being the admerall of shipps which came together and sent of purpose to take the _samson_ and _hownd_, two other english shipps, wherin capt. jno. jourden, the presedent, came cheefe comander; they hollanders coming upon them on a sudden as they road at an ancor in the roade of pattania, nott dowbting any such matter, where they took both the said shipps, after the death of capt. jourden and others. out of which shipp _angell_ mr. wm. gourden and michell payne escaped ashore, by the assistance of mr. wm. adames; otherwais they hadd byn sent captives (as the duch terme it) to the molucas. mr. gourden was master of the _hownd_, and michell payne carpenter of the _samson_. as also a welchman, named hugh williams, escaped from them and came to the english howse the morrow after. by which men, as also by an open letter which i receved from mr. adam denton from pattania in the duch shipp _angell_, we understand of the proceadinges of the hollanders against our nation; the copie of which letter i send your wors. here inclozed. but to conclud the unruly dealinges of the hollanders: when they saw they could not by any meanes gett back the englishmen which escaped from them, allthough they laid secrett ambushes ashore to have taken them, which being reveled to me by som of their owne people, then they came to outbrave us in the streetes before our owne dores, urging us with vild speeches; soe that from words som of our people and they fell to blowes, where one of the hollanders got a scram, which made the rest soe madd that they came on shore by multetudes, thinking by force to have entred into our howse and cutt all our throates, geveing assaltes in one day. yet the japons took our partes, that they could doe us no harme, although there were v. or vj. c. of them against v. or vj. persons of us. and the next day morning after, when we thought nothing, a company of them entred our howse, armed with piks, swordes, and _cattans_, where they wounded john coaker and an other, thinking they hadd kild one of them at least, as they made their bragges after. soe that we weare constrayned to keepe in our howse a gard of japons, night and day, armed, at meate, drink, and wages, to your wors. greate charge. soe that the king of firando comanded watch and ward to be kept in the streetes, that noe hollanders might be suffered to passe by our dores. but then they went in swarmes by water, shaking their naked swords at us, calling us by a thousand filthie names; which coming to the knowledg of the _tono_, he sent for capt. jacob speck, princepall (or cape merchant) of the hollanders in japon, and caused hym to geve a writing in japons before witnesses, with his ferme at it, that from that tyme forward no hollander should misuse an englishman, nether in word nor deed, and then caused me, richard cocks, to geve an other to the same effect, with my ferme at it, before the same witnesses, that noe englishman should doe the like to any hollanders. yet, before or daies were passed, the hollanders began againe to misuse us; for that edmond sayer, being retorned of a voyage he hadd made for your wors. affares to cochinchina and arived at nangasaque, sentt richard king to firando to advertis me thereof and to bring our _foyfone_ (or bark) with hym to carry the comodetis he hadd brought to firando. but as the said ric. king was going out in the said bark, accompanied with our _jurebasso_, the hollanders armed out five or six barkes or shipp boates after them, full of men, with guns, pikes, swordes, and other weapons, and took hym presoner with the bark and carid hym to the hollands howse, using hym very churlishly. the _tono_ being an eye witnesse and looker on when they did it, mooved hym soe much that he sent out certen boates full of souldiers after them, to have reskewed ric. king; but they came to late, for the hollanders hadd carried hym into their howse before they came. soe the souldiers laid hand on capt. speck hym selfe and carid hym presoner to the _tonos_ howse, where he remeaned most parte of the day, till richard king was sett free. but this matter was noe sowner overpast but our junck arived from syam, wherin mr. eaton came and advized me of their arivall on this coast, and to send them a boate or two to helpe to toe them in, which i did; and ed. sayer, richard kinge, and john coaker went in them with our _jurebasso_. but, passing by the hollandes shipps in this harbor, they bent a peece of ordinance against them, which took falce fire. which they seeing, discharged or muskettes at them with langarell (or cheane) shott; but, by greate fortune, missed the englishmen and kild a japon. which open injuries being offered against us in japon (contrary to the preveleges geven us by the emperour), yt was thought fitt (and agreed upon by a generall councell) that i should goe to the court of the emperour of japon, to make their doinges knowne unto his matie. and to demand justice; which i did, with much labour and greate cost to your wors. and order was geven by the emperours comand and his previe councell to the _tono_ or king of firando to heare both parties and see justis performed. yet, from that tyme till now, there is nothing donne, although i have divers tymes very instantly desired it of the kinge, whose best answer i eaver could gett was, that the hollanders had kild no englishman, but a japonar, his owne vassale, which yf he were content to pardon, what hadd i to doe therwith? and that which is worse, we being makinge cables for our junck in the streetes of firando, the servantes of a gentelman called semi dono picked a quarrell against ed. sayer as he, wm. eaton, and jno. osterwick were looking on the workmen; and, without any reazon came out against them with clubbs and staves, and knockt downe ed. sayer, wounding hym very sore; and the rest escaped not free, but were shrodly beaten, and, hadd they not by good fortune gotten into a howse, they hadd kild them all. for the which abuse i went first to semi dono to complaine, but he would not vouchsaffe to speake to me. soe i complained to the kinge, thinking to have hadd justice; but, to the contrary, he sent me word that by councell he hadd banished two men of semi donos out of his dominions, which were the authors thereof, as he did the like by edmond sayer, telling me that, yf i did not forthwith send hym to nangasaque, he would geve orders to kill hym the first tyme he went out of the dores into the street. unto which i made answer, it was against the preveleges geven us by the emperour, desiring hym to lett me pleade for my selfe, to show my greefes, or else lett the matter be brought before the emperour. but the kinge would not heare me speak any ferther in this matter, but badd me stand to the danger, yf i sent hym not away. yet still i pleaded that the hollanders hadd donne much more, even to the killinge of japons, and yet were not banished nor any thing said to them for it, nether for any other abuses offered against us; and ed. sayer nor no other englishman hadd nether wounded nor hurt any japon for this matter he was banished for, yet he hym selfe being wounded almost to death. but all would not serve, soe that i was constrayned to send ed. sayer to nangasaque, and soe from thence to goe for bantam or any other place where the english fleete is, to geve the precedent and cheefe comanders to understand thereof, etc. for may it please your wors. to understand that, having soe many englishmen lying idly in the factory, with those which were heare before, and noe shipping to carry them away, as well to avoid charg of howse keepinge as also to geve your wors. to understand how matters passe, it was ordayned per a general councell to buy a small _soma_ or vessell of som tonns, to carry these men whose names follow (at their owne ernest request) to seek out the fleete in java, sumatra, or else wheare, to helpe to fight against the commune enemie, as they have procleamed them selves, i meane the hollander, as also to carry gunpowder, shott, beefe, pork, biskitt, tunnie fish, and other provition, soe much as conveniently the vessell can carry. the names of the englishmen which goe are as followeth, viz:--edmond sayer, james burges, thomas harod, wm. gorden, robt. hawley, jno. portes, migell payne, john coaker, john moore, john joones, ed. curwine, jno. yonge, hugh williams, peeter griffine. also there goe japon marrenars with them for their more strengthning, as also because their seals are of mattes, after the japon fation, wherin they are more expert then our english men. and, for their better defence they carry falcons, of brasse and of iron, with long brasse bases, fowlars or murtherers, hargabush of crock, english muskettes, and japon calivers, with good powder and shott suffitient, etc. the junck name is called the _godspeed_, of the burthen of tonns or upwardes, and cost us iiij c. xxx _tais_ first peny, being open behind as all _somas_ are, but we have made her now to steare shipp fation. god prosper her and send them a good voyage. * * * * * * truly to my hartes greefe i am eavery day more then other out of hope of any good to be donne in japon, except trade may be procured into china, which i am not yet out of hope of. although capt. whaw of nangasaque be dead, whoe was a cheefe dealer hearin, yet his brother, capt. andrea dittis of firando, tells me it is concluded upon, and that he expects a kinsman of his to com out of china with the emperours passe, promesing to goe hym selfe with me in person, when we have any shipping com to goe in; for in japon shipping we cannot goe for china. this andrea dittis is now chosen capten and cheefe comander of all the chinas in japon, both at nangasaque, firando, and else wheare, and i trust in god will prove the author in soe happie a matter as to gett trade into china. but of all the merchandiz we have this last yeare, before christmas came, from syam, cochinchina, and tonkyn, as reed wood, lead, deare skins, and silke of severall prices, we cannot make sale of any thing; which maketh me to wonder, for the other yeare before was much greater quantety of all comodetis and yet sould dearer. * * * * * * our lead, which never heretofore lesse then _tais_, now worth _tais_; but none dare buy it for feare of themperour. soe i have set it at - / _tais pico_. but themperours _bongew_ will not take it absolutely at that price, before he have made it knowne to themperours councell, he being now bond up to the court and called thither per themperour, as it is thought to put an other in his place, which god forbid; he being now ruch is better to be dealt withall, but, yf a new hongry fello com, he will gnawe to the very boanes, as others heretofore have fownd by experience, two or three haveing byn changed in my time. but that which cheefly spoileth the japon trade is a company of ruch usurers whoe have gotten all the trade of japon into their owne handes; soe that heretofore by theare meanes we lost our preveleges geven us per ogosho samma themperour, wherin he permitted us to trade into all partes of japon not excepted, and now per this emperour shongo samma we are pend up in firando and nangasaque only, all other places forbidden us. for they have soe charmed themperour and his councell, that it is in vayne to seeke for remedy. and these fellowes are nott content to have all at their owne disposing above, but they com downe to firando and nangasaque, where they joyne together in seting out of junckes for syam, cochinchina, tonkin, camboja, or any other place where they understand that good is to be donne, and soe furnish japon with all sortes of comodeties which any other stranger can bring, and then stand upon their puntos, offering others what they list them selves, knowing no man will buy it but them selves or such as they please to joyne in company with them, nether that any stranger can be suffered to transport it into any other parte of japon. which maketh me alltogether aweary of japon. * * * * * * and for our english broad cloth, i canot find that any greate quantety will be vented in japon. for they use it not in garmentes, except som fewe in an outward cloak or garment now of late. but the greatest use they put it to is for cases or coveringes for armours, pikes, _langenattes_, _cattans_, or sables, with muskettes or guns. and the best cullars are stametes or blackes, with reddes, for venting any quantetie. and the best tyme is against warrs, for then every noble man will have his armours and munition sett out in gallant sort. but clothes of above xxli. str. a whole clo. are too deare for japon, for they doe not respect soe much the fynenesse of the cloth as they do the quantetie of the measure. and the cullers which are best after black and redd are sadd blewes, culler du roy, or mingled cullers neare unto that of culler due roy. * * * * * * so that, to conclude this tediouse and unprofitable discourse, i esteem our japon trade alltogether unprofetable, yf wee procure not trade into china. but, yf it please god that your wors. lay hould or determen to sett foote in the molucas, then japon must be your store howse, as it is the hollanders. for from hence they make their provition in aboundance, viz. great ordinance both of brasse and iron, with powder and shott good cheape; beefe and pork, in greate quantetie; meale and bisquite, as much as they will; garvances, or small peaze or beanes, in abondance; and dried fish lyke a breame, called heare _tay_, in aboundance; tunnie fish salted, in greate quantetie; rack or aquavite, of any sort, in aboundance; rice, in what quantetie they will; with other sortes of japon wine made of rise, what they will; and pilchardes, in greate quantetie, either pickled or otherwais. and for provition of shiping, either tymber or plankes, with mastes, yardes, or what else to make a shipp, with good carpenters to work it, as also rozen or pitch enough, but no tarr. also ther is hempe indifferent to make cables, and them which can resonably well work it. and for iron work, neales, and such lyke, there is noe want, and smiths that can make ancors of hamer work of or c. wight, yf need be; for such have byn made for carickes which came from amacon to nangasaque, etc. * * * * * * also heretofore at severall tymes i have sent my acco. to bantam, according to your wor. order, with coppies thereof, to the precedent or cheefe in that place, the other to be sent for england. yet, as i understand, they have detayned all at bantam and sent non for england; and mr. balle per name hath wrott to some englishmen in this place, whoe loved me not soe littell but they shewed me his letters, wherin he taxed my acco. to be erronios and alltogether falce and fetched about with a trick beyond rule, soe that he wondered they should jumpe soe neare in ballance, being soe notably falce. but yf mr. balle hadd byn soe good a frend unto me as he would make me to beleeve in som lynes of his letters (yet he never gave me roast meate but he did beate me with the spitt)--i beeseeke your wors. to pardon me yf i be too forward of tonge herein--i say, yf mr. balle had ought me soe much good will, yt hadd byn a frendly parte to have amended that which hadd byn amiss, yf such were to be donne, and then to have sent the acco. forward, and not to keepe all back, saying it was falce or erronios.... my greefe is, i lie in a place of much losse and expence to your wors. and no benefitt to my selfe, but losse of tyme in my ould adge, allthough god knoweth my care and paines is as much as yf benefite did come thereby. yet truly, yf the tyme or place, or other occation amend it not, i shall, as i came a pore man out of england, retorne a beggar home, yf your wor. have noe consideration thereof, although your wor. shall never find that i have byn a gamstar or riatouse person which have spent eather your wor. or my owne goodes riatosly or out of order. i beseek your wors. to pardon my overbould speeches hearin. but, yf it hadd pleased god that generall keeling or any other your wors. apointed hadd com to japon to have overseene the affares in this factory, it would have byn a greate comfort unto me and ridd me of a greate deale of care; for most an end for the space of two yeares mr. nealson hath byn very sick, and mr. jno. osterwick littell lesse, and both of them at this instant soe extreame sick that i dowbt much of their recovery, which hath [byn] and is a hinderance to me in the proceadinges of acco. and writing out of coppies, they two being all the helpe i have hadd, others going abroad on voyages for your wor. affares. god of his mercy send them their healthes, for they are soe weake that i esteeme they cannot write by this conveance nether to your wors. nor noe other frendes. and, whereas heretofore i wrott your wors. that shongo samma, the emperour that now is, had shortned our preveleges, that we should trade into noe other partes of japon but only nangasaque and firando, and our shipping to goe only to firando, now he hath permitted us to goe with our shipps for nangasaque as well as firando at our chose. and the harbor at nangasaque is the best in all japon, wheare there may , seale of shipps ride land lockt, and the greatest shipps or carickes in the world may goe in and out at pleasure and ride before the towne within a cables length of the shore in or fathom water at least, yt being a greate cittie and many ruch marchantes dwelling in it, where, to the contrary, firando is a fisher towne and a very small and badd harbor, wherin not above or shipps can ride at a tyme without greate danger to spoile one other in stormy weather; and that which is worst, noe shipping can enter in or out of that harbour, but they must have both tide and winde as also or penisses or barkes to toe them in and out, the currant runeth soe swift that otherwaies they canot escape runing ashore; where, to the contrary, there is no such mattar at nangasaque, yt being one of the fairest and lardgest harbours that eaver i saw, wherinto a man may enter in and goe out with shiping at all tymes, the wind serving, without helpe of boate or penisse. and in nangasaque there is noe king nor noble man, but only the emperours _bongew_ (or governar) of the place; soe that we need not to geve presentes to more then one at any shipps entring. but at firando there is the king hym selfe, with two of his brothers, and or of his uncles, besides many other noble men of his kindred; all which look for presentes, or else it is no living amongst them; and that which is more, they are allwaies borowing and buying, but sildom or neaver make payment, except it be the king hym selfe. so that it maketh me altogether aweary to live amongst them, we not being abell to geve and lend them as the hollanders doe, whoe geve them other mens goods which they neaver paid for. soe that they are accompted better then true men and better used then we, as apeareth by banishing ed. sayer without any occation, which it may be the _tono_ of firando may repent before it be long, and, as som say, wisheth allready it were undon; for i have written to syam, pattania, and bantam, that yf they send any shipping for japon hearafter, that my opinion is, and the rest of the englishmen heare are the lyke, to send them for nangasaque, where the governor offereth to lett us have a plott of ground or to take a house in any place of the cittie where we lyke best. so that now many tyme and often we have wished that your wor. howsing att firando stood at nangasaque, which heretofore was not thought fitt, because then a papist portingale bushopp lived in the towne and ther was or parish churches, besids monestaries, all which are now pulld downe to the grownd this yeare, an end being made thereof; and the places where all such churches and monestaries weare, with the churchyords, are all turned into streetes, and all the dead mens boanes taken out of the grownd and cast forth for their frendes and parentes to bury them where they please. i doe not rejoyce herin, but wish all japon were christians; yet in the tyme of that bushopp heare were soe many prists and jesuists with their partakers, that one could not passe the streetes without being by them called lutranos and herejos, which now we are very quiet and non of them dare open his mouth to speake such a word. and soe, beseeching the god of heaven to blesse and prosper your wors. in all your proceadinges, i humbly take my leave, restinge your wors. most humble servant at command, ric. cocks. to the right wor. the governor, depute committis, and generalletie of the east india company of england deliver in london. per the way of bantam in the juncke _godspeed_, whom god preserve. [ ] india office. _original correspondence_, vol. vii, no. . ------------------- richard cocks to the clothworkers' company.[ ] nangasaque in japon, the th of marche, [ ]. right worll. ser and serrs,-- may it please yow to understand that, since my arivall in japon in these eastarne partes of the world, i wrot yow an other letter by a dutch chirurgion, called mr. abraham blancard, advising your wors. of my long voyadge into these partes, passing by cape bona speranza, the redd sea, bantam in java major, the molucas, and soe to the eastwardes of the phillipinas into these kingdoms of japon, wheare now i have remeaned allmost the space of vij yeares. of the which i thought good to adviz your wors. of the just occation of my abcense, to the entent i fall into noe broake for the neclecting thereof, as i know others have donne. i also wrot your wors. from bayon in france to same effect, many yeares past, by a duchman of middebrogh, called james vrolick. which former letters i make no dowbt came unto your wors. handes, etc. allso, may it please yow to understand that we are much molested in these partes of the world with the unruly hollanders, whoe have procleamed open warrs against our english nation both by sea and land, and to take our shipps and goods and kill our persons as their mortall enemies, wheresoever they find us. and, for better proof thereof, they broght two english shipps this yeare into japon, out of which englishmen escaped and came to our english howse for releefe. the shipps names taken weare, viz. the _swan_ and the _attendance_. they took also two other english shipps this yeare, riding at an ancor in the roade of pattania, not dowbting any such matter, three hollandes shipps coming upon them on the sudden. in which hurly burly capt. john jourden, our precedent of the indies, lost his life, with many others. one of which shipps (which took them) came this yeare to firando in japon, out of whome escaped other englishmen and came to the english howse for releefe, as the former did; by whome we understood the shipps taken weare the _samson_ and the _hownde_; the hollanders at firando takeing their escape in such dudgin that they demanded their captives (as it pleased them to call them) to be deliverd back againe unto them. unto whome i answered that i would first see their comition, how they durst presume to take our shipping, goods, and persons, as they did. unto which they replied nothing, but went to the _tono_ (or king) of firando, demanding of hym that their english slaves (as they termed them) might be retorned back unto them. unto whome he answerd he took not englishmen to be slaves to them, but, yf they pretended any such matter, they might goe to the emperour, and what he ordayned should be performed. soe they, seeing their expectations frustrated, ment to have entred our english howse and cut all our throates; which they wanted but littell to have effected, geving assalts against us in one day, they being of them to englishman; yet god preserved us from them, the japoneses, our neighbours, taking our partes. soe that then their generall or cheefe comander, called adam westarwood, sett my life at sale, promesing rialles of to any one would kill me, and of the like for the life of each other english merchant, with many other stratagems they used against us too long to be repeated. yet god hitherto hath defended us from them all. of the which i thought good to advertis your wors., knowing well that many of yow are of this right honble. and right worll. sosietie or companie which trade into the east indies, of which i my selfe am a pore and unworthie member, as i am the like of the merchantes adventurars and made free of the ould hance. and soe, with my humble dutie remembred, with desire and my prayer unto allmightie god to blesse and prosper your wors. in all your proceadinges, i leave yow to the holy tuition of thallmightie. by an unworthie membar of your right. worll. sosietie, ric. cocks, clothworker. [ ] india office. _original correspondence_, vol. vii, no. . ------------------- richard cocks to the e. i. company.[ ] firando in japon, the th of december, . right worll. ser and sers,-- after my humble dutie remembred. may it please yow to understand that my last letter was dated in nangasaque the th of marche, , sent per a small junck or vessell called the _godspeed_ to seek out our english fleete at bantam or else wheare; but, meeting with stormy wether and contrary windes at sea, lost their voyadge, having their seales blowen from the yardes, and lost all their cables and ancors but one, and with much ado in the end retorned to this port of firando. the said letters i send againe by this conveance; unto the which i refer me. also may it please your wor. to understand that this yeare are arived in japon these shipps following, viz.:-- the _james royall_ came the first, and brought news of the peace made betwixt the two companies. god be praised for it; and god grant the duch may as fermly follow the orders prescribed as i make no dowbt the english will doe, and then their will noe occation of discontent be offered hereafter. the cheefe comander in the _james_ is capt. martyn pring. the _moone_ came next; capt. robt. addames, comander and admerall. the _palsgreve_; charles clevenger, capt. the _elizabeth_; edmond lennis, capt. the _bull_; mr. john munden, master or capt. the _unicorne_ and english _hope_ have lost their monson, soe we know not what is becom of them, except they retorned back to pattania or jaccatra; which god grant. and there are arived heare for the hollanders this yeare:-- all holland shipps. the _new bantam_; jno. johnson, comander, and vizadmerall to capt. adams. the _trowe_; capt. lefevre, comander. the _harlam_; wm. jonson, master. the duch _hope_; henrock valche, capt. the _indraught_, a merchant shipp. both english shipps. the _swan_; mr. howdane, comander the _expedition_, cast away in firando. and the hollanders want a shipp called the _st. michell_, a french shipp, which should have come hether this yeare but hath lost her monson. the _james royall_ and the _moone_ weare both sheathed heare this yeare, and the _bull_ all masted, and the rest repared to content; and all the shiping disposed of as followeth, viz.:-- the _james royall_ fall laden with provition for us and duch for jaccatra, and soe from thence pretended to goe for england. the _indraught_ for the molucos, laden with provition for the hollanders. the _swan_, said to doe the like for jaccatra or bantam. the _expedition_, cast away in this port at an ancor in a greate storme and not to be recovered. all bound for the manillas. english shipps. the _moone_ the _palsgreve_ the _elizabeth_ the _bull_ holland shipps. the _new bantam_ the _trowe_ the _harlam_ the duch _hope_ * * * * * * i doe verely think the furnishing and setting out these shipps afore named will stand your wors. in above ten thousand poundes starling; but i canot justly tell it. nether dare any man buy the lead but themperour only; and his councell sett the price from tyme to tyme as they please. soe this yeare, per generall consent, there weare men sent up to themperours cort with presentes. they departed from hence the last of august, and as yet are not retorned: for thenglish, capt. charles cleavenger mr. joseph cockram for the hollanders, capt. lafebre matias van der brook whome, as we understand per their letters, are frendly entertayned both of themperour and his councell, but stay longer for a dispach then they thought of, by reason of the taking of a friggat which came from manillias, wherin weare both portingals, spaniardes, and japons, and amongst the rest ij semenary pristes (or jesuists), people defended not to com into japon, which maketh the better for us. yet we know not whether themperour will let us have it for good prize or noe, till our men retorne from edo, of the which i will certefie your wor. per my next. i did make full accompt to have retorned for england this yeare, but that mr. thomas brockedon and mr. augusten spalding, presedentes at bantam, wrot me the want of merchantes in the factory as also to send along in these shipps, willing me to furnish their want out of this factory, which, god willing, i will, and wish i might have byn one of them my selfe. but i hope the next yeare som new supplies may be sent for this factory, to thentent i may now retorne for my cuntrey, i having now served your wors. a prentishipp of ten yeares since i departed out of england; and i know there hath not wanted som to geve bad reportes of me to your wors., but i hope to cleare my selfe before your wors., yf god spare my life. * * * * * * also may it please your wors. to understand that mr. wm. nealson departed out of this life in marche last, being wasted away with a consumption, and before divers witnesses gave me all he had both in these partes and else wheare, as i have it under their handes to shew; and yf god had called me to his mercy before mr. nealson, then had he had as much of myne. and our good frend capt. wm. adames, whoe was soe longe before us in japon, departed out of this world the xvjth of may last, and made mr. wm. eaton and my selfe his overseers, geveing the one halfe of his estate to his wife and childe in england and the other halfe to a sonne and a doughter he hath in japon. the coppie of his will with an other of his inventory (or acco. of his estate) i send to his wife and doughter per capt. marten pring, their good frend well knowne to them long tyme past. and i have delivered one hundred poundes starling to divers of the _james royalls_ company, enterd into the purcers book, to pay two for one in england, is two hundred poundes strling, to mrs. adames and her doughter. for yt was not his mind his wife should have all, in regard she might marry an other husband and carry all from his childe, but rather that it should be equally parted betwixt them. of the which i thought good to adviz your wors. and the rest of his debtes and estate being gotten in, i will ether bring or send it per first occation offerd and that may be most for their profett, according as the deceased put his trust in me and his other frend, mr. eaton. i know not what else to write your wors., only, as yet, there is noe order com out of china to let us have trade, for that the hollanders men of warr have shut up their trade that few dare look out. and, besids, the cheenas them selves robb on an other at sea, thinking to lay all the falt on the dutch and english; but som have byn intersepted in som provinces of japon and paid dearly for it. and other china shipping, being sett out of nangasaque by their owne cuntremen to goe for isla formosa (called by them tacca sanga) to trade for silke, are run away for china with all the money and left their cuntremen in japon in the lurch. and for all other matters i refer my selfe to the relation of my worll. frend capt. martine pring, the bringer hereof; and soe leave your wors. with your affares to the holy protection of thallmightie, resting allwais your wors. most humble servant at command, ric. cocks. [ ] india office. _original correspondence_, vol. vii, no. . ------------------- richard cocks to the e. i. company.[ ] firando in japon, the th of december, . right worll. ser and serrs,-- * * * * * * i canot but be sorofull for the losse of such a man as capt. wm. adames was, he having byn in such favour with two emperours of japon as never was any christian in these partes of the worlde, and might freely have entred and had speech with themperours, when many japon kinges stood without and could not be permitted. and this emperour hath conformed the lordshipp to his sonne which thother emperour gave to the father. * * * * * * yt is strang to see the changes of merchandizing soe altered since our first arivall in japon; for heretofore yearly white raw silk was sould at , , and _taies_ the _pico._ at least, and now it is fallne to , yea som have sould for _taies_ the _pico._ this yeare, which yeares past was worth _tais pico._ the reason is, a company of ruch men have got all the trade of japon into their handes. soe they agree all together and will not buy but at what price they think good them selves; and is not to be remedied. and it is geven out that themperour will defend that noe more lead shall com into japon till this greate quantety brought by us and the hollanders be spent. for the hollanders brought in their shipping this yeare _pico_. eng. lead and _pico_. from syam in their junck. soe that the hollanders have _pico_. lead com this yeare; but a great part of it is small barrs, such as is com in our shiping this yeare, and i think taken out of our english shipping which they took heretofore. broad cloth, kersies, and perpetuanos i think will prove the best comodetie for japon, and redds and stamettes and blacks best cullers, and, yf they sell not at an instant, yet tyme will vent all. som other mingled cullers, as cullor du roy or such lyke, will not doe amis; but noe more yello nor straw culler, for that proveth the worst culler of all. * * * * * * and tuching that which i wrot your wors. in my last letters sent from nangasaque in the junck _godspeed_, how that a nobellmans men of this place (called semi dono) fell a quarreling with mr. edmond sayer and others, whereupon the king of firando banished both them and mr. sayer, yet now all is revoked per the kinges order and mr. sayer cleared and the others recalled. and soe i leave your wors. with your affares to the holy protection of thallmightie, resting alwais your wors. most humble servant at comande, ric. cocks. to the right worll. the governour, deputie comitties, and generallty of the east india company deliver in london. by capt. martyn pring in the _royall james_, whome god preserve. [ ] india office. _original correspondence_, vol. vii, no. . ------------------- richard cocks to the e. i. company.[ ] firando in japon, the th of january, [ ]. right worll. ser and serrs,-- * * * * * * i am now enformed by a messenger we sent into china that the ould emperour hath resigned the government unto one of his sonns; and that the new emperour hath granted our nation trade into china for two shipps a yeare, and the place apointed near to fuckchew, and that ther wanted but the fermes of ij vizroys of ij provinces to conferme it; and that the _goshon_ or passport will be sent us the next moonson, and had byn heare before now, had it not byn letted per the wars of tartaria. thus much our china frendes tell me, and i hope it will prove true. * * * * * * your wors. humble servant at command, ric. cocks. [ ] india office. _original correspondence_, vol. vii, no. . ------------------- richard cocks to the e. i. company.[ ] firando in japon, the th of september, . right worll. ser and sers,-- * * * * * * the th of june last our whole fleete of shipps, english and duch, arived in saffetie from the manillias, very few of the men being dead, and have taken and pillaged junckes, the duch using much crueltie in killing many chinas after they hadd rendered them selves, and many more had [byn] kild yf the english had not prevented them. * * * * * * the duch did abuse our men in the manillias, and, had it not byn prevented by som, they had gon together by the eares, to the endangering or losse of the whole fleete, as i make acco. others will write at lardg to your wors. therof. and now this yeare, per order of the councell of defence from jaccatra, the same fleet proceadeth againe on the like voyage, the hollanders being admerall this yeare, as the english were the last; only the hollanders send away the shipp _swan_ and put an other shipp called the _muyon_ in her place, and the english joyne the shipp _pepercorne_ to the fleet, to make them up x seale in all, and have determened that within these xv daies the _pepercorne_ and _muyon_ shall departe from hence, to lie upon the coast of china in a certen hight, to keepe back the china junckes which we are enformed will departe for the manillias with the first of the monson, which yf they doe, of necessitie our shipps will meete with them. and the rest of the fleete, being seale, will follow after, and are to departe from hence the th of december, new stile. * * * * * * also may it please your wors. to understand that, by meanes of the governor of nangasaque, gonrok dono, whoe taketh the spaniardes and portingals partes against us, with all the merchantes of that place, miaco, and edo, geving the emperour to understand that both we and the hollanders are pirates and theevs and live upon nothing but the spoile of the chinas and others, which is the utter overthrow of the trade in japon, noe one daring to com hither for feare of us. by which reportes themperour and his councell are much moved against us, as the king of firando doth tell us, whoe is newly retorned from the emperours court, where he hath married the emperours kinswoaman, which hath brought hym into greate creddit, and he is the only stay now which we have in japon. and by his order the hollandes capt., leonard camps, and my selfe are apointed to goe to edo with the presentes to themperour and his councell, to procure redresse, yf we may, and prevent our enemies proceadinges. for the emperour hath sent downe order that we shall carry out noe japons to man our shiping, nether make nor carry out any ordinance, gunpowder, shott, guns, pikes, _langanattes_, _cattans_, nor any other warlike munition. and it was reported we should carry out nether rise, bred, nor wine, nor flesh; but that is not yet donne. but the other is procleamed, and waiters apointed to look out night and day that noe forbidden matters be convaid abord our shipps. soe that, yf we get noe redresse for these matters, it is noe abiding for us in japon, and better to know it at first then last what we may trust unto. * * * * * * and, as i understand by capt. robt. adames, admerall the last yeare of the fleete of defence, that in the last voyage the yeare past to the manillas the hollanders did much abuse our english men, and wm. johnson vizadmerall was cheefe occation therof. soe that they had like to have gon together by the eares in the manillias, to the totall distraction of both fleetes, the enemie being so neare, yet by the discretion of som it was pacefied; as i make acco. capt. adames hath advized your wors. at large, he being now apointed vizadmerall, much against his will, by the councell of defence at jaccatra, he dowbting that yf the last yeare, when he was admerall, they feared not to doe soe, that, now themselves are admerall, they will doe worse. and herinclozed i send your wors. a copie of a letter which i receved from molucas in a shipp of the hollanders, sent from mr. wm. nicolles, agent, wherin your wors. may see the proceadinges of the hollanders in those partes, as i make acco. he hath advized therof hym selfe. truly their proceadinges every wheare are allmost intolerable, and they are generally hated thorowout all the indies, and we much the worse thought of now we are joyned with them. yt is very certen that with little danger our fleet of defence may take and sack amacon in china, which is inhabeted by portingales. for the towne is not fortefied with walls; nether will the king of china suffer them to doe it, nor to make any fortifecations, nor mount noe ordinance upon any plotforme; and / partes of the inhabetantes are chinas. and we are credably enformed that, these last yeares, when they did see but or of our shipp within sight of the place, they weare all ready to run out of the towne, as i have advized the precedent and councell of defence at jaccatra; and, had but small shipps, as the _bull_ and _pepercorne_, entred this yeare, they might easely have burnt and taken seale of galliotas which weare at an ancor, amongst which weare the galliotas which came into japon, being then full laden; and, had they taken this fleet, the portingales hadd byn utterly undon, as they them selves confesse, and, that towne being taken, all the portingalles trade in these partes of the world is quite spoiled, both for manillias, malacca, goa, and else wheare. and the king of china would gladly be ridd of their neighbourhood, as our frendes which procure our entry for trade into china tell me, and doe say that he wished that we could drive them from thence. but this yeare there is kings of china dead, the father and his two sonns, the wives of the two bretheren procuring the poisoning of them both. soe that now a yong man of or yeares ould is com to be king, being the sonne of one of the deceased brothers; which is a stay unto our proceadinges to get trade into china, for that new petision must be made, and our joyning with the hollanders to take china juncks is ill thought of. but the barbarousnesse of the hollanders at manillias the last yeare is much; for, after they had taken the china junkes and that the pore men had rendred them selves, the hollandars did cut many of them in peeces and cast many others into the sea; wherof our men saved and took many of them up into our shipps; and much more distrucktion had byn made of them, had not capt. adames, the admerall, prevented it. * * * * * * notwithstanding the previleges which we and the hollanders have from themperours of japon, that the japons shall not execute any justice upon our people, yet this yeare the justis of this place (but it was in the abcense of the king) did cut offe the heades of ij hollanders which, being drunke, did brable with the japons and drue out their knives, as their custam is, and gave a skram or to som japons, one being a souldier, yet kild noe man; and yet the hollanders were haled out into the filds and their heads cut offe and sent home to the hollands howse, which they refuced to receve, desiring them to leave them with the bodies, which they did, and soe left them in the filds to be eaten by crowes and dogges; which they had byn, had not som englishmen buried them. and as som of our men goe along the streetes, the japons kindly call them in and geve them wine and whores till they be drunk, and then stripp them of all they have (som of them stark naked) and soe turne them out of dores. and som they keepe presoners, forging debtes upon them, which som of our men sweare they owe not; yet it is noe beleeving of all, for som of our men are bad enough; yet out of dowbt the abuse is greate and never seene till the last yeare and this. for the king hath (by our procurement) from the first made an edect that the japons should not trust our men without paying money for what they tooke; for it is an ordenary course for som of our men to leave the shipps and lie ashore in secret a wick, a fortnight, yea a month som of them, and in the end cause their hostes to keepe them presoners, telling us it is by force, yet confesse the debt som of , others of , , and _taies_ per man which they owe, desiring it may be paid and put upon their wages. which course of theirs i withstand in all i may, and make many set free without payment, which they murmur at as a disgrance and discredett to them, swearing, woundes and blood, your wors. are indebted to them in farr greater somms and yet they cannot be masters of their owne; soe that the trowble i have with them heare is much. nether can ther comanders curb them, they rise in such greate multetudes, as for example i advised your wors. the last yeare, and laid violent handes on the admerall, capt. adames; and this yeare the _bulls_ company and most parte of the _moones_ mutened, and all the rest promised them to doe the like, but were prevented, for that som of these weare taken and punished, which caused the others to feare. * * * * * * and for the shipp called the english _hope_ (for the hollanders have one of the same name) is ether cast away or else the company have revolted and run away with the shipp and kild the master or else carid hym away with them perforce, for every on thinketh that the master, mr. carnaby, would never consent thereunto; but they suspect one thorneton and the chirurgion, with other mutenose persons in her, for that this thornton hath a brother which they say is a piratt and entertayned per the duke of florence. soe they imagin, after they have made what purchase they may, that they will direct their course thither with the shipp. this is the opinion of the cheefe in our fleete. * * * * * * your wors. most humble servant at comand, ric. cocks. to the honorble. sr. thomas smith, knight, governor of the east india company, and to the right worll. the comittys deliver in london. per way of jaccatra, in shipp _swan_. [ ] _ibid._, vol. viii, no. . ------------------- richard cocks to the e. i. company.[ ] firando in japon, the th of october, . right worll. ser and sers,-- * * * * * * as yet gonrok dono is not come to firando, and god knoweth when he will; for, as it is said, he stayeth at nangasaque to put to death many japon christians for haboring of papist pristes secretly, and till he com the king of this place will not suffer us to goe to the emperour with our presentes, which maketh us stand in dowbt whether he secretly take part with gonrok dono and the papistes our enemies against us and stayeth us of purpose till the spaniardes and portingales have preveled against us at emperours court. for the kinges mother is a papist christian, and the king hym selfe and all his bretheren are christened. this maketh us to stand in dowbt of the worst. yet, yf it be trew, we canot remedy it; for we canot departe from hence without the kinges leave and one of his men to goe with us, nether dare any bark carry us away without his comition. soe that god he knoweth what our affares in these partes will com to in the end. and that which maketh me more afeard then all the rest is the unreasonablenesse and unrulynesse of our owne people, which i know not how it will be amended, as i have spoaken more at lardge in my other letter, and yet it is every day lyke to be worse then other for ought i can see. god of his goodnesse send me into a place where i may have to doe in merchantes affares and not to meddell with men of warr, yf all be as unruly as these are. and soe, ceasing from trowbling your wors. any ferther, i rest, as allwaies, your wors. most humble servant at comand, ric. cocks. to the right honored knight, sr. thomas smith, governor of the east india company, and to the right worll. the comittis deliver in london. per the shipp _swan_, per way of jaccatra. [ ] india office. _original correspondence_, vol. viii, no. . ------------------- richard cocks to the e. i. company.[ ] firando in japon, the th of september, . right worll. ser and sers,-- * * * * * * our whole manillia fleete of x seale, viz. english and duch, are saffely retorned to this port of firando, having made a farr rucher voyage this yeare then they did the last, as apereth per the coppie of the cargezon sent hereinclozed, the like being sent to jaccatra to the precedent. since which tyme i have receved letters from mr. fursland, the precedent, dated in jaccatra the th of march and th of august last past, wherein he and his councell advized me and the rest of the merchantes in the factory to leave affe our consortshipp of the fleet of defence with the hollanders, and to send our shipps for jaccatra with as much speed as conveniently we could; and that the _palsgrove_ and _moone_ should tuch at jamby to take in their lading of peper; the _pepercorne_ to stay upon the coast of china som tyme to look out according to their former comition geven; and the _elizabeth_ and _bull_ to com directly from hence for jaccatra and bring away all the remeander left in japon in money or merchandiz, except a cargezon of five thousand _taies_ to be left in the handes of mr. jno. osterwick, with one man for a second, and a therd for an assistant, as should be thought fitting; and that my selfe, mr. wm. eaton, and edmond sayer should com alonge in the said shipps for jaccatra, for lessenyng charges in the factory. which directions, god willing, shall be followed soe neare as we can. the hollanders this yeare sent a new fleet of shipps of or seale, greate and small, to have taken amacan; but they had the repulse with the losse, as som say, of , and others say men, and of their shipps burned; the king of china now permitting the portingales to fortefie amacon, which he would never condecend unto till now, and hath geven order to the vizroy of canton to assist them with , men against the hollanders, yf need require. there was of our shipps of the fleete of defence, english and hollanders, plying up and downe before amacon before the hollandes fleete of seale arived there. the english shipps were the _palsgrove_ and the _bull_, whoe, in passing by, hailed them with a noes of trumpetes, but the dutch made them noe answer nether by word of mouth nor otherwaies, but passed in by them with silence; which at first made them stand in dowbt whether they were frendes or noe. but the hollanders made accompt to have taken the towne at first onset without the helpe of our shiping or men, and therefore vouchsafed not to speake to them; yet fayled of their purpose, but since have fortefied them selves in an iland neare to isla fermosa called isla de piscadores, where they report is a very good harbour and water enough for the greatest shipps in the worlde. the hollanders have geven it out to the chinas that they are englishmen, only to bring our nation in disgrace; of the which our china frendes in japon have adviz and have retorned answer per or severall conveances to the contrary, and that we had two english shipps before amacon, when the hollanders gave the attempt against the place, but went for japon without assisting them at all. and the hollanders in japon doe geve it out heare that we are halves with them in the new fortification of piscadores, of the which our precedent writeth me to the contrary. i am afeard that their attempt against amacon will cause both them and us to be driven out of japon, for it hath overthrowne the china trade in these partes. yet our china frendes still tell us we may have trade into china, yf we will, it being granted allready; but by meanes of the warrs of the tartar against them and the death of kinges of china in one or yeares is the cause we have not entred before now; but, for the hollanders, he will never suffer them to enter upon any conditions whatsoever. mr. osterwick and my selfe, with of the cheefe of the hollandes factory, were at edo after the departure of our shipps the last yeare, with presentes for themperour and his councell, hoping to have gott lycense to have carid out men and munition as in tyme past, but could get nothing but feare wordes for the space of months we were forced to stay at edo before we could gett our dispach, they telling us in the end they could conclude nothing untill the arivall of the king of firando, whome they had sent for, but at his coming they would take such order about that which we demanded, as also about the delivering the friggates goods, as should be to both our contentes. and, as we retorned, we mett the king of firando in the way, whoe made us many faire promisses. yet now order is com from edo that themperour will have all the priz goodes of the friggat for hym selfe, leving the rotten hull for us and the hollanders, and, although we have made what resistance we could, yet are we constrayned to deliver it to them, will we or nill we; and, that which is more, they constrayne us to way over all the goodes to them, we being enformed they will make plito against us for much more matters then ever we receved and beleeve the lying reportes of our enemies whoe duble all. and for carying out men and munition as in tyme past, that such a mighty prince as themperour of japon is, having once passed his word to the contrary, would not alter it now at the demand of such people as we are. and this is the best we can find now in japon, and i dowbt wilbe every day worse then other. the fryres or semenary pristes which came in the friggat from manillia are both rosted to death at nangasaque, with yoshen dies, capt. of the friggat, whoe was a japon, put to death with the frires spaniardes; and other japons which were marrenars in the friggat were beheaded in their sight, before the other were executed. as alsoe, since that tyme, above xij other spanish and portingall fryres and jesuistes have byn rosted to death at nangasaque, and above a hundred japons put to death by fire and sword, both men, woamen, and children, for entertayning and harboring of them. also, now of late, a china junck arived at shaxma in japon, which came from caggalion, in the manillias, and brought spaniardes or portingales in her for passingers, they telling the chinas they were merchantes, but are fownd to be pristes and sent presoners to nangasaque, where it is thought they shalbe rosted to death as the former have byn, and the china marenars in danger all to lose their lives, and the goodes seazed upon, which did all belong to andrea dittis, the china capt. (our frend), whoe is forced to send his sonne to the court with great presentes to save his goodes, yf it be possible. the capt. more or major of the portingall gallion or adventures which com from amacon to nangasaque, called jeronimo de figeredo caravallo, with lues martin, jorge bastian, and jarvasias garçis, portugezes, and harnando ximenes, a spaniard, whoe was _jurebasso_ in tyms past at bantam, are brought in question for going about to steale a fryer or padre from the hollands howse the last yeare, and, allthough the padre was brought back (which was one of them which was rosted), yet are they all empresoned and condemned and all their goodes confiscat, and looke howrly when they shall be executed. and one of the hollandes _jurebassos_ and a scrivano, being japons, with the master of the bark which carid hym away, his wife and children, all executed; this emperour, shongo samma, being such a mortall enemie to the name of a christian, espetially of papisticall christians. and heretofore, when i was at the court at edo, the emperours councell did aske me severall tymes whether i were a christian or our english nation soe; which i tould hym yea; and, in the end, askinge me soe often, i tould them they might perceve per the letters the kinges matie. of england sent to themperour of japon whether we were christians or noe, the kinges matie. writing hymselfe defender of the christian faith. and then they asked me whether there were any difference betwixt our religion and the spanish; unto which i answered yea, for that we held nothing of the pope of roome, but next and emediately under god from our kinge: which it seemed in some sort to geve them content. we and the hollanders have had much a doe in standing out for not delivring the priz goodes of the friggat, it belonging to our prince and cuntrey, as taken from their enemies. but that would not serve, the _tono_ or cheefe justis of firando telling us that, yf we would not leave it by feare meanes, they would take it whether we would or noe, and that yf we had not absolutely proved the portingalls to be padres, that themperour ment to have put capt. leonard camps and me to death and to have sezed on all we had in the cuntrey, and, yf any resistance had byn made, to have burned all our shiping and put us all to the sword. god send us well out of japon, for i dowbt it wilbe every day worse then other. yt is also said the emperour will banish all spaniardes and portingall howseholders out of japon, and suffer non to stay but such as com and goe in their shiping, to prevent entertayning of padres. and soe let this suffice for the present state of japon. * * * * * * and soe i leave your wors. with your affares to the holy protection of thallmightie, resting your wors. most humble servant at comand, ric. cocks. this letter was first sent per the _trow_, a hollandes shipp, but, shee and others being retorned back per stormy wether, i send it now per the _bull_. firando in japon, the th of november, . may it please your wors. that the th of september last past there departed hollandes shipps from hence, greate and small, of them for isla de piscadores with provition, and one directly for jaccatra, which was the _trow_. but, by means of extremety of wether, of them retorned back to firando the th of september, viz. the _bantam_, the _trow_, the _muoien_, the _tortola_: all in greate extremety, mastes cutt overbord, and much provition throwne into the sea. and the other penisse called the _santa croix_, wherein were above men, retorned not back; soe they think she is cast away. as alsoe, in the same storme, the hollanders had other shipps cast away in the roade of cochie at firando, the one called the _moone_, a shipp of or tonns, and the other, the _hownd_, an english shipp in tymes past. the xvijth of october the _palsgrove_ and _pepercorne_ put to sea on their pretended voyages, as i formerly nomenated, and duch shipps, the _trow_ and the _harlam_, went out with them; and other holland shipps went from hence after them the xxvjth ditto, viz. the _bantam_, _muoyen_, and _tortolla_, to tuch all at piscadores, to discharge tymber and plankes which they carry to fortefie themselves. the _moone_ is now ready to put to sea to follow the _palsgrove_ to jamby; and we dispach away the _bull_ to goe in company with her; but send nether money nor goodes in the _moone_, nether sent we any in the _palsgrove_, the precedent mr. fursland comanding the contrary in his letters from jaccatra; but we sent a cargezon of money and merchandiz in the _bull_, amonting to , _ta._ _m._ _co._, as yow may see per coppie of the invoiz. the _elizabeth_ we will dispach away as sowne as we can recover in money, for we have sould all our silk and mantas, but noe money receved but that which goeth in the _bull_; soe i dowbt i shall be constrayned to stay here till the next monson, to sett matters right. and edmond sayer and ric. hudson are at this instant ready to departe towardes edo with our presentes for themperour and his councell, as the hollanders are the like, and our frendes geve us councell not to stay behind them. and mr. joseph cockram goeth in the _bull_ for jaccatra. soe mr. jno. osterwick and my selfe of necessety must stay heare to gett in monies to dispach away the _elizabeth_, as i think mr. eaton must doe the like; for it is noe staying a shipp of such greate charges as she is any long tyme upon dowbtfull occations. i know i need not to adviz of the unrulynesse of many of our marrenars and sealers, and som of them not of the meanest sort, whoe daylie lie ashore att tipling howses, wasting their goodes and geving bad insample to others to doe the like; soe that of force many carpentars and others have byn hired to doe the shipps busynes, whiles they did lie loyteringe. i need not to name them, but refer it to the cheefe comanders them selves. i have delivered more monies of the deceased capt. wm. adams unto the purcers of the _moone_, _bull_, and _elizabeth_, to the some of one hundred powndes str., to pay two hundred in england to his widdow mrs. mary adams and her doughter in halves; as the other _l._ i sent in the _royall james_ was the like. and soe i leave your wor. with your affares to the holy protection of thallmighty, resting allwais your wors. humble servant at command, ric. cocks. to the right honored knight, sr. thomas smith, governor, and the right worll. the committies of the east india company, deliver in london. per the shipp _bull_, whome god preserve. [ ] india office. _original correspondence_, vol. ix, no. . ------------------- richard cocks to the e. i. company.[ ] firando in japon, the th of december, . right worll. ser and sers,-- * * * * * * the hollanders have this yeare sould greate store of broad cloth, stamettes, blacks, and other cullars, non being left to sell, and at _tais_ and some above per _tattamy_, and have written for more to jaccatra to be sent in the next shipp which cometh; as i have donne the like to the precedent, yf any be there to send it. the reason of venting broadcloth is the rumor of warrs very likely to have ensued in japon, and god knoweth what will com of it; for, since the writing of my last, there is a greate conspirasie discoverd against the person of the emperour shonga samma by or of the greatest and powrfullest princes in japon, and is thought many others have a hand in it, and his owne bretheren and nearest kinsmen amongst the rest, and the king of this place not free. soe that it is thought the adverse partie is soe stronge that themperour dare not meddell with them, but will wink at the matter and make peace with them. the hollanders have sent greate store of monies and provition to their fortefication at piscadores, thinking to get trade with the chinas by one meanes or other; which i am perswaded will not fall out to their exspectation, except they take the china junckes which trade to isla fermosa, called by them taccasanga, which is within sight of the piscadores. and the emperour of japon hath geven out his passe or _goshon_ to the chinas to trade to taccasanga, and soe from thence into japon; soe, yf they be medled withall, their is noe staying in japon for them which take them. for the th ultimo edmond sayer, with ric. hudson and hollanders, went from hence towardes edo with presentes to themperour and his councell; and we have adviz from them of their arivall at miaco, and that all men speake ill of them and cry out against them. soe god knoweth whether our presentes will be receved or noe; but we deliver ours apart and doe mentayne we have nothing to doe with them in their plantation at piscadores. of which i thought good to adviz your wors. silk at present is not worth soe much as it was at the arivall of our fleete, yet we have made away most of ours which rested, the presentes being geven out, and trusted it out till the next monson; as the hollanders have donne the like. and our frend andrea dittis, the china capt., still mentayneth that our nation may have trade into china, yf they will, but not the hollanders; which god grant may once take effect. i have not what else to adviz your wors. of, matters standing as they doe; but hope the next monson to com towardes england, god sparinge me liffe and health, and soe leave your wors. with your affares to the holy protection of thallmighty, resting your wors. most humble servant at comand, ric. cocks. to the right honored knight, sr. thomas smith, governour of the east india company, and to the right worll. the committies, deliver in london. per the shipp _elizabeth_, whome god preserve. sent per way of jaccatra. [ ] india office. _original correspondence_, vol. ix, no. . ------------------- the council at batavia to richard cocks.[ ] (_copy._) mr. cox and the rest,-- by the _palsgrave_ and the rest of our shipps of defence, contrary to our expectacon and expresse comission, instead of your personall appeerance in this place, wee have received severall letters from your selfe and the rest, which gives us no satisfaccion for the breach of our comission, neither is therein conteyned any reason of validitie to excuse your so greate disobediance. what mooved you hereunto wee knowe not, but so many yeres should have had so much experience as to knowe what it is to infringe his superiors comition, and certaine wee are that you cannot answere this your transgretion, if wee should call you and the rest soe stricktly to accompt as your neglect deserveth. but wee will suppose that those your proceedinges were more through ignorance then out of any setled purpose of contempt towardes us, and will forbeare to censure you at present, in hoape of your conformetie now at last to our second comission, which wee send heerewith by our loving frend mr. joseph cockram, whome wee have and doe appointe cheefe marchant of the _bull_ for the whole voyage. which shipp wee have nowe made reddy, with no small charge to our employers, purposely to send her unto you, to bring awaye boath your selfe and the rest of the factors, with all the compa. estate remayning there in the countrie, as more particulerly wee have declared in our comission to mr. cockram and instructions delivered to him; heereby straightly charging and comanding, in behalfe of the honble. companie our masters, that, uppon sight heereof, you, mr. richard cock, shall deliver over into the handes and custody of mr. joseph cockram all such monnies, goods, debts, etc., as pertaine to the honnorable compa., our imployers; and boath you, mr. richard cock, wm. eaton, edmond sayre, and john osterwick, shall all and every of you come awaye from thence uppon the shipp _bull_ for batavia; hereby charging you and every of you to fulfill our saide order, as you will answere the contrary at your perelles. the debts which were standing out by your last letters we hope you will have cleired and received them in before this shall come to your hands, knowing the last yere that you are to come from thence. but, if any such debts shalbe yett standing out, it concernes you that made them [to receive them] in before the shipp come awaye from thence. the china nocheda hath two long deluded you through your owne simplicitie to give creditt unto him. you have lived long enough in those parts to be better experienced of the fraudulent practizes of those people, and, although the prejudice which the honnorable compa. have suffered by missing of such greate somes of monney so long, which you have delivered unto him, cannot be recompenced by him, yet it will now be respected and required that you procure all satisfaccon from him for all he owes unto the compa. the king of firando his debt wee hoape you have received, boath all somes of such moment as it behooves you to be carefull and dilligent in the recovering in of them; and, in hoape you will herein sattisfie our expectacon, wee desist further to incite you in this matter. having cleered all busines and gotten the companies estate aboard their shipp, which wee desire may be with all speede convenient, you are to take frendly leave of the king and such other officers as you knowe to be meete, and to deliver over the compa. howse and godownes into the kings hands, to appoint some whome hee shall thincke fitting to keepe the same for the honnorable compas. use, untill such tyme as wee shall send theither againe to repossesse the same. and for all such provitions as wee have given order unto mr. cockram to provide for this place, you are to see them furnished in due tyme, that soe the shipp may take the best season of the monsonn to come awaye from thence. alsoe you are to furnish the shipp with all materialls needefull for her tryming, and eache thinge according to our order given for the perforemance of the busines, and lett the flesh that is to be provided be salted in such a tyme as it may keepe to doe us service. if the full quantetie cannot be provided in dew tyme, then furnish what you cann, for wee will that no busines shall hinder the shipps and your coming awaye from thence in dew tyme to performe her voyage unto this port of batavia. and in case there shall be any debts of vallue standing out which cannot be recovered before your lymitted tyme of coming from thence, and that there be certaine hopes to recover in the saide debts afterward, then you shall followe such order as wee have given mr. cockram for the leaving of a mann there to recover such debts as shalbe remayning and cannot be gotten in as aforesaid. the china menn which you sent to refine the silver returne in this shipp. they have refined only one chist of barr plate for triall, and that wee finde so badly donn that we would not lett them proceede any further. they are not suffitient to performe what they have undertaken, for they spoile all they take in hand; so that what you have agreed with them for is meerely cast awaye and lost to the honnorable compa. wee have payde them no wages heere, which you are to take notice of and reccon with them there according as you can agree with them. wee desire no more barr plate; wherefore the rest remayning, lett it be in _soma_, _seda_, and _fabuck_ plate. but, if there be any such dannger in bringing out the latter, wee desire not to stand to such an adventure. the dutch have greate quantities sent, yet make no such dannger as you write of; wherefore, if you cannot gett it as securely as they, wee must take such as may be procured without such hassarde. camphire which the hollanders buy in such quanteties wee knowe no vend for; yett you may provide twenty cases or tenn _peculs_, which may serve for a triall both for england and mu[su]l[i]pa[tam]; but any greater quantitie then prementioned send not. in this shipp we have laden a small parcell of camphire of barouse, being in all _catts_. if the quantetie be over greate, you may keepe it secrett and receive it ashore by small parcells, as you can sell it. wee would have sent more if wee had byn ascertined of its vend there; but, acording to your former advices, this nowe sent may be too much. what part of it you cannot sell bring back with you, or leave it there with him that stays in the factory, if there be occasion to leave a man there; the ordering whereof, with all other busines, wee have referred to mr. cockram, as aforesaide. we expect to have a reformacion in the lavish expences for the shipps companie. it is the honnorable compa. expresse order that in any port, where refreshing may be had good cheape, they shall not have allowance of above foure flesh meales a weeke and three meales with salt fish or such like to eate with their rice. this order you are to take notice of and to perfoarme the same; neither may you feede the saylors both aboard and ashore, which (as wee are informed) hath byn a common costom with you, to the excescive charg of the honnorable companie, our masters. you write the pursers aught not to be allowed the foure per cento which they bring to accompt for losse in monneys, and referr it to us to abate it. this abatement you ought to have made there, knowing it to be unreasonable, and should not send such matters unto us to decide where the pursers want no excuses for themselfes, and wee cannot contradict them but only with your barr (wee cannot see you [how ?] they can loose so much), which is no suffitient reason. wherefore with this purser of the _bull_ now better examine that busines, and, finding it an abuse by the pursers, abate it uppon mr. watts accompt; and, at your arivall heere, wee will take the like course with the rest or so many of them as are heere remayning. and because the last yere, to serve your owne turne, you made what construction you pleased of our comission for your coming from thence, wee doe nowe iterate our comission in the conclusion of our letter, least, having redd itt in the former part thereof, you should forgett it before you come to thend. wee will and comaund in the name and behalfe of the honnorable compa. of marchants of london trading [to] east india, our masters, that you, mr. richard cock, william eaton, edmond sayre, and john osterwick, shall deliver over into the hands of mr. joseph cockram all monneys, goods, and debts perteyning to the honnorable compa. aforesayde, and shall all and every of you aforenamed come away from japon in the shipp _bull_ for this port of battavia. which our order wee require you to performe, as you will answere the contrary at your perill. and soe, hoping of your conformitie unto the premises, wee conclude with our comendations unto you, and committ you with your affayres to gods direction. your loving frends, richard fursland. thomas brockendon. aug. spalding. batavia, le th of may, ao. . [ ] british museum. _cotton charter_, iii. , f. . ------------------- _coppie of a letter to_ fegeno camme, _the kinge or govr. of ferando in japon, sent by our jurobasso_, coe juan, _to the emperours courte now at meacoe_.[ ] maye yt please your highnes, etc. the th instante heare aryved one of our honnourable companies shipps from batavia uppon the coaste, by whome wee have rec. letters from the honnourable our gennerall and councell of india their resident, whearby wee are strictlie charged and commaunded to recover in all such debtes as wee have abroad, and for a tyme to disolve and leave this factorie and to come awaye, everie of us, uppon this shipp with the first of the moonesone, without any excuse or hinderance theirunto. the which commaund from our said gennerall wee maye not, neither to our powers will, any waye infringe, but doe resolve by the prime of november next to departe hence; whearof wee have thought fittinge in tyme to acquainte your highnes. the reasonns endusinge our gennerall heareunto are many; yet not proceedinge out of any unkinde usage heare in his maties. dominions, but rather in respect of theise followeinge, viz.:-- the dannger of the seas betweene this and batavia, haveinge loste within this three yeares two greate and rich shipps bound for this place. alsoe the smale hopes wee have of procuring trade into china, which hetherto our honnourable companie have with greate charges endeavoured to procure, and partelie uppon those hopes have contynewed theire factorie heare thus longe tyme at no smale expence, hopeinge of better profight then thefect hath prodused. and now, lastlie, the losse of one of our honnourable companies shipps in her voyadge from england, whoe was richlie laden with comodities of our cuntrie, such as, for the moste parte, have beine vendible heare in japon; by which meanes wee reste alltogeather unprovided of goods to supplie this factorie, and theirfore not held requisite or entended longer to be contynewed, unless wee could see better hopes to profight. yet, notwithstandinge, if the next yeare shall produce any better encouradgement, maye then returne againe. uppon which hopes and good expectation wee entend not to sell or put off our howses and godonns; but, accordinge to our genneralls order, to leave them to your highnes, intreateinge they may be kepte for us and repocessed by us, if wee shall returne hither againe. of which your highnes shall have due advice everie yeare. wee have likewise written heareof unto the lords of his maties. councell, a coppie whearof wee send your highnes heare inclosed togeither with the princepall, which, if you finde requesite, maye please to cause to be delivered. and thus, intreatinge to excuse the sendinge this messenger and not comeinge our selves in respect of our short tyme of staye and not being furnished with matterialls needfull to present his maties. councell of japon, we humbly take our leaves, ever restinge your highnes servants to comand, joseph cockram. richard cocks. english factory, ferando in japon, the th julie, anno . [ ] india office. _original correspondence_, vol. x, no. . ------------------- _coppie of a consultation or letters to the lords of his maties. councell of japon, sent by our jurobasso_, coe juan, _to the emperours courte at meacoe for the tyme beinge_.[ ] whearas, with the free consente and licence of his matie. the emperour of japon and many favours of you, the lords of his majesties councell, wee have thus longe contynewed our factorie heare in his maties. domynions in ferando without any molestation or injury offred by any of his maties. subjects, wee are theirfore in all humble mannor bound to acknowledg and render all due obedient thanks for the same. and beinge now by our gennerall and councell of india called from hence, with order for a tyme to disolve this factorie and come all awaye for batavia uppon the shipp now aryved and expreslie sent to that purpose, wee have thought fittinge hearof to acquainte your honnours, that, as wee had firste admittance to settle a factorie heare and to remaine in his majesties cuntry, soe likewise wee maye [have] the like favour now for our departure. the reasonns moveinge heareunto are larglie expressed in our letter to the governour of this place, fegeno camme, from whome wee doe acknowledge to have receaved many curtesies. wee would our selves have beine the messengers hearof, but that our occasions are more urgent heare, the tyme of our staye beinge but shorte for cleeringe our selves out of this cuntry; and theirfore doe humbly crave your honnours pardon, and shall ever remaine obliged to your lordshipps, and reste your lordpps. servants to comd., joseph cockram. richard cocks. english factory, ferando in japon, the th julij, anno . [ ] india office. _original correspondence_, vol. x, no. . ------------------- _coppie of a letter to_ fegeno camme, _the kinge or governour of ferando, in japon, sent by_ richard hudson _to the emperours courte at meacoe_.[ ] maye it please your highnes,-- our laste was of the th julie paste, by our _jurobasso_, coe juan, whome wee sent expreslie with letters unto your highnes and the lords of his majesties councell of japon, makeing knowne unto your lordshipps our order, reced. from the honnourable our genneral and councell in india, for disolveinge this factorie and comeinge all awaye with the firste of the moonsone for batavia; which, god willinge, wee entend to performe with all convenientsie. and to this end wee wrote our former letters unto your highnes and the lords of his majesties councell, theirby craveinge our friendlie departure and excusinge the not cominge our selves nor sendinge any english to take our leaves, in respect of our urgent occasions. all which wee hoped would have prevailed. but, contrarie to expectation, wee understand by tonomonsama, your highnes brother, and others your nobillitie heare, that it is found expedient, and by your highnes required, that wee send an englishman in performeance of this busines, which wee well hoped our _jurobasso_ mighte have effected. and nowe, seeinge yt cannot be otherwise, wee doe now send the bearer hearof, richard hudson, whoe carreth with him certaine small presents for his majesties councell, beinge such as the tyme will aford and our abillitie of meanes strech unto; humbly intreateinge your highnes to further the dispach of this messenger, that he maye returne in tyme to further the dispach of this shipp in our departure. wee have alsoe delivered unto this bearer his majesties _goshenn_, which was grannted us for our free traficke heare in japon, beinge theirunto required by tonomonsama and naygensama, as doubtinge by them yt would be demaunded to be delivered upp unto his maties. councell; but, if convenience yt might be granted, wee would intreat the contynewance of yt in our hands, or otherwise in your highnes custody, that, returninge againe, wee maye have the more freer entrance. and thus, intreatinge your highnes favourable assistance in theis our occasions, wee conclude, hopeinge to see you heare before our departure and take a friendlie farwell. in meane tyme we reste your highnes servants to commaund, joseph cockram. richard cocks. english factorie at ferando in japon, the th august, . [ ] india office. _original correspondence_, vol. x, no. . the end. index. abbot, maurice, deputy e.i.c. ii. . achinese. join the dutch against the portuguese, i. , . adams, mrs. (in japan). i. , , , , , , , ; ii. , , , , , , , . adams, isaac, [? error for joseph] son of will. adams. ii. . adams, joseph, son of will. adams. i. , ; ii. , , , . adams, mary (in england), wife of will. adams. ii. , , . adams, capt. robert. ii. , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . adams, susanna, daughter of will. adams. ii. , , . adams, william. _passim_; engaged to the e. i. company, ii. ; voyage to siam, i. ; his estate in japan, i. ; accident to, i. ; voyages to cochinchina, i. , ; ii. , ; his wages, i. , ; ii. ; attacked at sea, i. ; cocks's opinion of him, ii. , ; his influence with the shoguns, ii. , ; death and will, ii. ; goshons belonging to his children, ii. - , ; child at firando, ii. , ; his children, ii. , , ; goods, ii. , , , . adrian, dutchman. i. ; ii, . _advice_, ship. i. , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ; ii. , , , , , . aishima, or anushma, island. i. ; ii. . akasawa. ii. , . albartus, capt., dutchman. i. , , , , , , , , , , , , , ; ii. , , , , , , , , , , , . ale, bartholomew, of the _palsgrave_. ii. . alexander, scotchman in the dutch service. ii. . alferis, the two. i. , . alferis, _tuerto_. i. , ; ii. . amida, saint of china. monastery at yedo. ii. . _amsterdam_, dutch ship. ii. , . amy, bongew of cochinchina. i. . ando tushma dono, nobleman. i. , . andrea, host at nagasaki. i. , , , . andrea, will. adams's japanese brother-in-law. i. , , , , , ; ii. , , , , , , , , , . andrea, boatswain. ii. . _angel_, dutch ship. ii. . _ankewsen_, dutch ship. i. , , , . anthony, servant. i. . anthony, king of firando's caffro. i. , , ; ii. . anthony, biscayan. i. ; ii. . antonison, lucas. i. , , , ; ii. . antony, thomas. ii. . apollonario, franciscan. i. , , . arai. i. , ; ii. , , . arima. i. ; christianity in, i. ; rescue of a friar, i. ; troops for, ii. . arima, king of. ii. , , , , . asakusa, near yedo. temple at, ii. . asberry, ----, of the _bull_. ii. . ashiya. ii. ; fire at, ii. . atkinson, richard. i. . _attendance_, english ship taken by the dutch. ii. , , . ava, king of. conquests by, i. . avery, john, purser's mate of the _elizabeth_. ii. . awoe harbour. ii. . badworth, ----. ii. . ball, george, in bantam. i. , , , ; ii. , , , . balle, the king of firando's dog. i. . ballok, dutchman. ii. . bantam. ships trading with, i. , , ; ii. . _bantam_, dutch ship. ii. , , , , , . _bantam, new_, dutch ship. ii. . barker, john. ii. . barker, william, of the _peppercorn_. ii. . barkhout, capt. i. , , , ; ii. , , , , , , . barnardo, capt. ii. , . barns, ----. ii. . barreda, gil de la. i. . bastian, jorge. ii. . bates, ed., of the _palsgrave_. ii. . baylie, john, merchant. dies in japan, i. , , , , ; ii. . beamont, john, in bantam. i. , ; ii. . beedam, ----, of the _elizabeth_. ii. . benita, or bonita, pascual, of nagasaki. i. , , ; ii. , , , , , . bicho, or tushma, servant-boy. i. , ; ii. , , . bingana tomo. i. , , ; ii. , , , , . bizen. ii. . blackcolles, henry, of the _thomas_. i. . blancard, abraham, dutch surgeon. ii. . bogens, or bugins, nicholas, merchant. ii. , , , , , . bongo, or bungo, province of. earthquake in, i. ; christianity in, i. . bongo, king of. i. . bongo sama, or nobesane, king of firando's great-uncle. i. , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ; ii. , , , , , , , , , , , , , . bongo sama, king of arima. ii. , . bonomon dono, secretary to tonomon sama. ii. . books, japanese. i. . bordeaux. image near, i. . bowles, john. ii. . brockedon, thomas, president of the council of defence. ii. , , , , , ; letter to recall the english from firando. ii. . brook, matthias van der, dutch merchant at firando. i. , , , , , , , , ; ii. , , , , , , , , , . brower, capt. i. ; ii. . browne, ----. ii. . browne, arnold, capt. of the _palsgrave_. ii. , , , . browne, john, at patani. i. , , . buddha. _see_ daiboods. _bull_, ship. ii. , , , , , , , , , , , , , ; mutiny, ii. , . burdock, roger, of the _moon_. ii. . burges, james and robert. i. , , , , , ; ii. . butbee, christopher. ii. . caboques. _passim._ cacazemon, cacayemon, cacayezemon, or cacamon dono, secretary to oyen dono. i. , , , , , , , , , , , , , ; ii. , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . caffia dono, goshon seal-keeper. ii. . calicut. nawab detains english goods. ii. . calsa sama, the shogun's youngest son. i. , , , ; reported death of, i. ; rumour of war with his father, i. ; report of suicide of, i. ; his disgrace, i. ; orders respecting, i. . camangare or caminogari. i. . camboja, or cambodia. portuguese banished from, i. , . camps, capt. leonard, dutch merchant at firando. i. , , ; ii. _passim_. canzemon dono, of miaco, lacquer maker. ii. . canzemon sama: new name of tonomon sama. ii. . caravalle, lopes sermiento, capt. ii. . carnaby, ----, master of the _hope_. ii. . carnero, francisco, porter. i. , . carpenter, ----. i. . carwarden, walter. his uncertain fate, i. , ; ii. , , . casanseque or cazanseque, purser or scrivano. suit against, i. , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ; ii. , , , . caseror. i. . castleton, capt. samuel. i. , , . cata ura. i. . catsso dono, kinsman of the king of firando. ii. . cattadomary. i. . catto sama dono, king of iyo. ii. . chambo, chombo, or chamba dono, bongew of arima. i. , , . champon, in siam. i. , , , . chanchew. i. . chapman. ii. , . charles, prince of wales. report of his marriage, ii. . charlton, andrew. ii. . chase, thomas. i. . chauno shozero dono, the shogun's factor. ii. , , , , , , , , . chaw, or tea. cups, etc., i. , ; ii. , , . chimpan, capt. ii. . chimpow, chinaman. ii. , . chimtay, chinaman. ii. . china. negotiations for trade with, i. , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ; ii. , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ; tartar wars, i. , ; death of the emperor and his son, ii. ; succession of emperors, ii. , ; travelling spies sent to watch europeans, ii. ; letters of james i. to the emperor, ii. ; dutch acts of piracy against chinese, i. , ; ii. , , , , , , ; piracy against chinese punished by taiko sama, i. ; english reported taking junks, ii. ; piracy among chinese, ii. ; junks taken by english and dutch, ii. ; cruelties of the dutch to chinese, ii. , . chinese in japan. tiger play and tumbling, i. ; feast of piro, i. - ; complaint against the dutch, i. , ; ii. ; visits on birth of a child, i. ; losses by fire at nagasaki, i. ; visit at the new year, ii. ; fireworks, ii. , . chiriu. ii. , . chisian ducuco, chinese councillor of state. ii. . chongro, capt. ii. . chozamon dono, son of oyen dono of firando. ii. . christians. persecutions in kokura, ii. ; massacre and persecutions at nagasaki, ii. , . christmas, george, purser of the _peppercorn_. ii. , . christopher, german. i. . chubio dono, official at miako, brother of safian dono and uncle of gonrok dono. i. , , , , , , , , , , . chubio dono, host at bingana tomo. ii. , . cleavenger, charles, capt. of the _palsgrave_. ii. , , , , , , , , , . clothworkers' company. letter of cocks to, ii. . clough, john, gunner. i. , . _clove_, ship. ii. . co domingo. ii. , . co john, or coa john, jurebasso. i. , , , , , ; ii. , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . co john, servant of w. eaton. i. , . co john, of goto. i. . co john, of nagasaki. i. . coaker, john. i. ; ii. , , . cochi, harbour of firando. _passim_; buildings at, ii. ; fires at, ii. , . cochinchina. loss of t. peacock in, i. , , , ; ii. , ; trade and communication with, i. , , , , , , ; ii. , , . cockram, capt. joseph. ii. , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . cocks, john, in staffordshire, brother of r. cocks. i. . cocks, john, in bantam, nephew of r. cocks. ii. , . cocks, richard, head of the english factory at firando. _passim_; journeys to and from yedo, i. - , - ; ii. - , - ; interview with the shogun, i. ; ii. ; journey to and from miako, i. - ; visits to nagasaki, ii, - ; ii. - ; escape from fire, ii. ; correspondence, ii. - ; proposes to return to england, ii. . cocks, richard, son of the host at osaka. i. . cocks, richard, son of maky dono. ii. . cocks, walter, brother of r. cocks. i. , , , , , ; ii. , , , , . cocora, john, cook. i. , , , . codskin dono, secretary to the shogun. i. , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ; ii. , , , , , , , , , , . cofio dono. ii. , , . collins, john. ii. . colston, or coleson, william, purser of the _thomas_. i. , , . comets. ii. , , , , , . comoro isles. action between english and dutch ships at, ii. . cook, john. i. , , , , , ; ii. , . copland, patrick, preacher. ii. . coppindall, ralph, capt. of the _osiander_. i. , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ; ii. , , , ; letter, ii. . coral. highly esteemed in china, ii. . corea. embassy from, i. , , , , , ; ii. , , ; dutch trade with, ii. ; difficulty of trade with, ii. ; sail-carts in, ii. ; medicinal root from, ii. . cornelius: dutchmen so named. ii. , , . couper, barnard. i. . coye, near miako. i. . coyemon dono. ii. . cozucke, sophone. i. . croby dono, of ozaka. i. , , , , , , , , ; ii. , , , , . crozemon dono, of fujikawa. ii. . cude dono. ii. . cuemon, plasterer. ii. . cuemon dono, or grubstreet, host at ozaka. i. , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ; ii. , , , , , , , . cuemon dono, butcher, of nagasaki. ii. , , , , . cugero, japanese sailor. ii. . cuiamon dono, bongew. i. . cuiper, william. ii. . cuishti, japanese sailor. ii. . cujero dono. ii. . cuning, gilbert. i. . curwin, edward. ii. , . cusa, japanese sailor. ii. . cushcron dono. i. , , , , , , , ; ii. , , , , , , , , , , . cutero dono, of totska. ii. . cuze dono. ii. , . cuzemon dono. ii. . cynemon dono, of ozaka. i. . daiboods, or buddha. image at kamakura, i. ; image at miako, i. , ; ii. . dairi or mikado, the. death of goyosei, i. ; ii. ; preparations for his funeral, i. . daravis, salvador. i. , . davies, thomas, carpenter. i. , . dayeynanga sama, the shogun's son. ii. . dead, festival of the. i. . dembo, near ozaka. i. ; ii. . dench, john. i. . denton, adam, chief at patani. i. , , , , ; ii. , , , , . deo dono. his claim to fidaia sama's widow, and death, i. . dickenson, gilbert. i. . dittis, capt. andrea, head of the chinese in japan. _passim._ dittis, augustin, son of a. dittis. ii. , . dittis, ingasha, daughter of a. dittis. ii. . doca, or dono, sama, king of firando. i. , . dodisworth, ed., at surat. i. . dodsworth, harry. ii. , , . domingo: servants and others so named. i. , , , , , , , , , ; ii. , . dorington, george. i. , , , , , . doughtie, ----, quartermaster of the _osiander_. i. . dowriche, george, of devonshire, serving with the dutch. i. , , . driver, john. i. . durois, jonico. ii. . durois, jorge, merchant, of nagasaki. _passim._ dutch, in the east. hostilities with the spaniards, i. , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ii. , , ; hostilities with the portuguese, i. , ; ii. , , , , , , ; attack macao, ii. ; piracy against chinese, i. ; ii. , , , , , , ; cruelties to chinese, ii. , ; piracy under the english name, i. ; hostilities with the english, i. , ; maltreat english, ii. ; capture an english ship, ii. ; fight with the english at sea, ii. - , ; quarrel with the english in the philippine is., ii. , ; trading ships and fleets, i. , , , , , ; ii. , , , , , , , , ; occupy the pescadore is., ii. . dutch, at firando. _passim_; execute a slave, i. ; coin false money, i. ; cast cannon, i. ; build a godown, i. ; extension of warehouses, ii. , ; damage to their shipping, i. ; sailors desert, i. ; unruly behaviour, i. ; chinese complain against, i. ; ii. ; quarrel with the english, ii. , , ; brawl with japanese, ii. , ; execution of a dutchman, ii. ; attack the english, ii. - , ; execution of dutchmen by the japanese, ii. . duzak skidoyemon dono. ii. . earthquakes. in bongo, i. ; at yedo, i. , , , , ; ii. , , , , , , ; at miako, i. ; ii. ; at kusatsu, ii. ; cause of, ii. . east india company. letters to, ii. , , , , , , , , , , , ; treaty with the dutch, ii. . eaton, ----, surgeon. ii. . eaton, helena, daughter of w. eaton. i. , ; ii. , . eaton, william, of the english factory at firando. _passim._ eaton, william, son of w. eaton. ii. . eche dono. i. . echero, or yechero, dono, of ozaka. i. , , , . eclipses of the moon. i. , . ejiri. i. ; ii. , , . elizabeth, princess palatine. news of the birth of her son, i. . _elizabeth_, ship. ii. , , , , , , , , ; mutiny, ii. , . elks, or wild swans. ii. . english, in the east. maltreated by the dutch, ii. ; fight the dutch at jacatra, ii. ; quarrel with the dutch in the philippine is., ii. , ; trade, ii. , , , , , , . english, at firando. _passim_; arrival, ii. ; building, ii. ; prospects and trade, ii. , , , - , , ; colours struck on account of the cross, ii. ; privileges curtailed, ii. , ; withdraw factors from yedo, etc., ii. ; attempt to enlarge privileges, ii. , , , ; privileges extended to nagasaki, ii. ; libellous verses against their friends, ii. ; mutinies on ships, ii. , , , ; fight of dutch and english sailors, ii. ; attacked by the dutch, ii. - , ; build new godown, etc., ii. , , , , - _passim_; attempt on their magazine, ii. ; case of arrests for debt, ii. , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ; fire at cochi, ii. ; recall, ii. ; letters and proceedings on their recall, ii. - . enoquena cambo dono, maky. (lacquer) bongew. ii. . enquese dono, tiler. ii. . essex, countess of. i. . evans, christopher, sailor. ii. . _expedition_, ship. ii. . faccata. english trade with, ii. . faccata, king of. i. , . facheman, servant. i. , ; ii. , . facherozamon dono, of fakuroi. ii. . facie, an englishman at camboja. ii. . facunda, or facondo, near nagasaki. ii. ; fight of portuguese and natives at, ii. . fajardo, don juan de, governor of the philippine is. ii. . fajardo, luis. fight with the dutch, i. . fakuroi. ii. . farnandes, ----. i. . fary, or farie, benjamin, cape-merchant at siam. i. , , , , , . febe or phebe (hémi). will. adams's property, i. , , , . femega, japanese woman. i. . fernandes, diego. i. , . ferrers, john, in siam and bantam. i. , , , , , ; ii. . ferrers, thomas. i. ; ii. . feske dono, host at ozaka. i. . fesque dono, bongew. i. , , . festivals. of the dead, i. , , ; horse-racing and shooting, i. ; ii. ; gonguach guench, i. , ; ii. , ; of sheco, i. ; new-year, i. ; ii. ; of shaka, i. ; ii. , ; of piro, i. - ; for dono sama of firando, i. ; sanguach sanch, ii. ; shonguach, ii. . feze dono, justice at nagasaki. ii. , , , , , , , , , , . fezemon dono. ii. . ficobioy, founder. ii. . ficobuye dono, of ejiri. ii. . fidaia sama (hidéyori), son of taiko sama. defeat and rumours of his fate, i. , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ; ii. , , , ; search for his followers, i. , , ; his son put to death, i. ; slaughter of his followers, i. ; one of his followers racked, i. ; his widow re-married, i. ; his daughter a nun at kamakura, i. . figen or hizen, king of. i. , , ; ii. ; ambassador from, i. . figen a sama, or figeno sama, king of firando. _passim_; his debts, i. , , , , , ; ii. , ; attendance on the shogun, i. , , , , ; ii. , , , ; sickness, i. , , , ; ii. , ; meddles with english trade, i. ; goes to ishew, i. ; angry with w. adams, i. ; offended with cocks, i. ; levies taxes, i. , ; threatens to expel the english and dutch, i. ; cocks remonstrates with him, i. ; attack on him, ii. ; the queen-mother, ii. , ; his marriage, ii. , ; his queen, ii. , , ; christianity in his family, ii. , . figeredo caravallo, jeronimo de, portuguese sea captain. ii. . fingo, or higo, king of. i. , ; ii. , . fingo shiquan, rich chinaman. ii. , , , . fiokew, secretary of state in china. letter to him, i. , . fioyemon dono. ii. . fiquira, augustino de. ii. . firando. _passim_; fires at, i. , ; ii. ; false prophecy of inundation, ii. ; harbour blocked, ii. , ; bad anchorage, ii. . firando, kings of. _see_ doca sama; figen a sama; foyne sama. fishing with cormorants. i. . flood, thomas. i. . _flushing_, dutch ship. i. , , , , , . fongo dono, admiral. i. ; ii. , , , , , , . formosa, or tacca sanga, island. designs on, i. ; expedition against, i. ; loss of twan's men at, i. ; failure of attack on, i. ; trade with, ii. , , , , , . foster, james, master of the _clove_. i. . foster, mrs. ii. . fox, host of miya. ii. , . fox, dutch pinnace. ii. . foyne sama, king of firando. his debts, i. ; his conquests in omura, i. ; sickness, ii. . foyne's island. ii. . frederick, surgeon. i. . freman, ralph. i. . french. their armament to aid the spaniards, ii. ; ships at bantam, i. . frost. ii. . frushma, or tushma, tay, prince. i. ; ii. , , ; report of his burning yedo, i. ; reported slain, i. ; said to be rebuilding ozaka, i. . fuco, or fuca, child or servant. i. , . fujieta. i. , ; ii. , . fujikawa. i. ; ii. , . fujisawa. i. , . fukae. i. . furbeshar, ----, carpenter. ii. . fursland, richard, president at jacatra. ii. , , , , ; letter of recall to the english at firando, ii. . fushimi. i. , , , , , , ; ii. , , , , , . gabriel, ----, seaman. ii. . galliard, ----, gunner of the _moon_. ii. . _gallias_, dutch ship. i. , , , ; ii. , , , , , , . galsworthy, christopher, of the _thomas_. i. . ganquan, chinaman at nagasaki. i. . garcis, jarvasias. ii. . garland, philip. ii. . garrocho de la vega, pablo, capt. i. , , , , , , , , , , , , , . geemon, dono, king of firando's man. ii. . gembio, founder. ii. . gembio dono, of shinagawa. ii. . gendoque dono, of uringo. ii. . genemon dono, admiral at firando. i. . genemon dono. ii. , . genta, genshe, gensero, or gentero, sama, the king of firando's youngest brother, adopted son of bongo sama. i. , , , , , , ; ii. , , , , , , , , , . gerosaque, will. adams's man. i. . gibatch, japanese sailor. ii. . gifio dono, servant of tozayemon dono. i. , ; ii. , . gilbert, thomas. ii. . ginemon dono, of kanagawa. ii. . gingro, will. adams's clerk. i. . ginushma. ii. , . giquan, capt. i. , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ; ii. , , . giquan, chinaman. i. . gizamon dono. i. . goa. new viceroy, i. . goblen, john. i. . _godspeed_, junk. ii. , . gold fish. i. , , ; ii. , . gonguach guench, festival. i. . gonosco, or gonosque, dono, bongew of firando. i. , , , , , , , , , , , ; ii. , , . gonosko dono, father-in-law of ushanusque dono. ii. . gonrock dono, governor of nagasaki. _passim_. gonsalves, alvaro. ii. , , , , . gonsolva, portuguese. i. . goquan, chinaman. ii. , , , , . goresak dono. ii. . goresak, japanese sailor. ii. . goresano, or gorezano, john, jurebasso. i. _passim_; ii. , , . gota shoyamon dono, minter. i. , . gota zazabra dono. i. , , . gotad, chinaman. i. . gotarro. ii. . goto island. i. , , ; ii. , , , , ; chinese goods at, i. ; king of, i. , , , , ; ii. , . goto, town of. burned, i. . goulding, john, of the _elizabeth_. ii. . gourden, william, master of the _hound_. ii. , . gourney, or gurney, john, of siam. i. , , , , , , , , ; ii. , . grant, nicholas. i. . gray, ----, caulker. ii. . green, lawrance. i. . greenwell, william. i. . griffin, peter. ii. . groboye dono, of okabe. ii. . groby dono. ii. , , , , . grubstreet. _see_ cuemon dono. guarian ushenusque dono. ii. . guenche or guenchque. _see_ tonomon sama. guinia, martin de, portuguese captain. i. , . guzano, pedro. ii. . _haarlem_, dutch ship. ii. , , . hachiman, god of war. _see_ otongo. hakone. i. , ; ii. , , . hall, peter. i. . hamamatsu. i. ; ii. , , , . hang-chow. i. . hara. i. . harmonson, derick. ii. . harod, joan. ii. . harod, thomas, of the _palsgrave_. ii. , , . harris, edward, boatswain of the _peppercorn_. hanged, ii. , . harris, william. ii. . harrison, william, treasurer e.i.c. ii. . hatch, arthur, preacher. ii. , , , , , , , . hawley, robert, surgeon. i. , ; ii. , , , , , , , , , . hawtery, john. i. , , , , , . heath, thomas, carpenter's mate. i. , . heath, thomas, gunner of the _advice_. i. , . _hector_, ship. i. . henrikson, john. ii. . henry, prince of wales. i. . hermosa island. i. . hewet, sir thomas. i. . hewet, sir william. i. . hidétada. _see_ shongo sama. hidéyori. _see_ fidaia sama. hidéyoshi. _see_ taiko sama. hirado. _see_ firando. hirakata. i. , . hix, alexander. ii. . hobson's choice. ii. . hôgo. ii. , . hongo, chinaman. i. . _hope_, ship. ii. , , . _hope_, dutch ship. ii. , , , . houlden, ----. ii. . _hound_, ship. taken by the dutch. ii. , , , . howdane, ----, capt. of the _swan_. ii. . _hozeander_. see _osiander_. hudson, richard, of the english factory at firando. i. ; ii. , , , , , , , , , . hughes, hugh, of the _thomas_. i. . humphrey, john, of the _palsgrave_. ii. . hunt, john, master of the _osiander_. i. - _passim_. icana sama. ii. . ichemon dono. ii. , . ichezayemon dono. i. ; ii, . ickquam, chinaman. ii. . ikanoura. i. , , . ike dono, of satsuma. i. ; ii. . ikshiu island. hot baths. i. , ; ii. , , , . imatds. i. , . imory. ii. , , , , . incobe. ii. . _indraught_, dutch ship. ii. . inga dono, chief justice of japan. i. , , , , ; ii. , , . ingoti. i. . ireland, francis. ii. . ishew. _see_ ikshiu. ishia dono, of minakuchi. ii. . ishiais taffio dono. ii. . ishibe. i. ; ii. , . ishiyakushi. ii. , . ishon dono, king of firando's physician. i. , . ismo dono, noble of satsuma. ii. . ita, slave. ii. . itamia migell dono. ii. , , , , , , , , , , . itamia quenusque dono, councillor of the shogun. ii. , , , , . ito stizemon dono, poet or singer. ii. . ito yoguiche dono. i. . ive, john. ii. . iyéyasu. _see_ ogosho sama. iyo, king of. ii. . jacatra, in java. ii. , , , . _jacatra_, dutch ship. i. , , , , . jacob, dutch caulker, who came into japan with will. adams. i. , . jacobe dono, clerk. ii. . jacobe dono, boatswain. ii. . jambi, in sumatra. ii. , . james i. of england. letter and present to the shogun, i. ; his letter translated, i. ; the same unanswered, i. , ; letters to china, ii. , . james, edward, i. , . _james royal_, ship. ii. , , , , , , . japan. _passim_; policy of the shoguns to the tonos, i. , , , ; ii. , , , , , ; natives fond of change, ii. ; dispute with japanese sailors from england, i. ; trading company of native merchants, ii. , ; provisions and products, ii. , . jaques, dutchman. ii. . jaquese, servant. i. , . jeamon dono. ii. . jeffrey, or jeffery, a boy servant. i. , , , ; ii. . jehan, a scribe. i. ; ii. . jembio dono, founder. i. . jembio dono, of hakone. ii. . jenchero, or jenquero, dono, glover and shoemaker. ii. , . jenkese, or jenquese, will. adams's man. i. , ; ii. , , , , , , . jenkyn. i. . jensamon dono. ii. . jenza, japanese sailor. ii. . jesuits and friars. feeling and proclamations against them, i. , , , ; banished, ii. ; search for, ii. , ; embassy of spaniards ordered away, i. ; ii. , ; priests in omura, i. , ; ii. , ; execution in omura, ii. , ; case of prisoners at firando, ii. , , , , , , , , , ; executions at nagasaki, ii. . joco conde dono. i. . john dono. i. , . john japon, jurebasso. i. , , , , , , , , ; ii. , , , , , , , , . johnson, john, in siam. i. , , , , ; ii. . johnson, john, dutchman. ii. . johnson, john, van hamburg. beheaded, ii. , . johnson, piter, master of a junk. i. , . johnson, william, merchant. i. . johnson, william, master of the _jacatra_. i. . johnson [janson], william (sometimes called john), admiral of the dutch trading fleet. ii. , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . johnson, william, master of the _haarlem_. ii. . jones, john. made prisoner by the dutch, ii. , . jones, morris, surgeon. i. , , , . jones, robert. ii. . jorge, a caffro. i. . joseph, general benjamin. slain, ii. . jourdain, or jourden, john, president of the indies, at bantam. i. , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ; ii. , , . jourdain, john, at patani. ii. . joyemon dono. ii. . jubio dono, servant of the king of karatsu. i. , ; ii. , , . kakegawa. i. , ; ii. , . kamakura, ancient city. i. , . kambara. i. , ; ii. , . kameyama. i. . kaminoseki. i. , , ; ii. , . kanagawa. i. ; ii. , , , . kanaya. ii. , , . karatsu, king of. i. , , ; visits firando, i. , , . karatsu, nobles of. ii. . kawasaki. i. . keeling, capt. william. i. , , , , ; ii. , , , . keemon dono. i. . kenuske dono, councillor of the shogun. i. . king, richard. i. , ; ii. , , , , , , , , . kitskin dono. i. , ; ii. , , , . kokura, king of. i. . kokura, persecution of christians in. ii. . kuanon. temple of, at asakusa, ii. . kuanto. ii. . kusatsu. i. ; ii. , ; earthquake at, ii. . kuwana. i. ; ii. , , . ladrone isles. i. , . lake, evan (yewen), of the _advice_. i. . lamb, john derickson, dutch general. i. , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ; ii. . languay. _see_ nagoya. lanman, christopher. i. ; ii. . lansman, or roman, vincent, dutchman. ii. , . larkin, robert. ii. . laurenso. _see_ sanzero. lawrance, w. nealson's boy. i. . lawrance, r. cocks's boy. ii. , , , , . leangu, lengow, or liangowne, a chinaman. i. , , . lefevre, capt., dutchman. ii. , , , , , , , . legg, william, of the _bull_. ii. . lennis, edmund, capt. of the _elizabeth_. ii. , , , , , , , , . leon. ii. , , . lester, james. ii. . lezeamon, dono, sea bongew. ii. . lievana, juan de. made prisoner by the spaniards, i. - _passim_, , , ; ii. , . _lion, black_, dutch ship. i. , , , . _lion, red_, dutch ship. i. , . lisomon dono. ii. . littell, james. ii. , , , . lock, clement, sailor. ii. . loochoo, or liu kiu, islands. i. , , ; ii. , , . lopas, francisco. ii. , . lubbertson, euert. ii. . lues, spanish tailor. ii. , . luis, vilango. i. , , ; ii. . luisa dono, wife of cuemon dono. ii. . macao. portuguese ships from, _passim_; possibility of its capture, ii. ; attack on, by dutch, ii. . macassar. ii. , . machado, garcia, of macao. ii. . magazemon dono, host at miako. i. , , , , , , , , , ; ii. , , , , . magdalena maria, japanese sister-in-law of will. adams. i. , , ; ii. , , . magnafen dono, host at miako. i. . maky (lacquer) dono. i. , , , , , , ; ii. , , , . maky shozemon dono. ii. . malacca. fighting between portuguese and dutch at, i. , . malconty, jasper. ii. . mallabar, francisco. ii. . mangosa dono. i. . mangusque, servant. ii. . manillas. _see_ philippine islands. manners and customs. caboques, _passim_; naming a child, i. ; ii. , ; changing names, i. ; ii. ; chinese house-warming, i. ; japanese house-warming, ii. , ; change of houses, ii. ; fishing, i. , , ; hunting, ii. ; picnicing, ii. ; plays by men and boys, ii. ; selling a debtor, i. ; one causing another's death to die himself, ii. ; law against killing oxen, ii. ; letter to a man who is dead, ominous, ii. ; cutting the hair as a disgrace, i. ; ordeal by fire, ii. , ; burial, i. ; ii. , . _see also_ punishments. mansho, jurebasso. i. . marcus, german. i. . maria, japanese woman. ii. . marin, damian. made prisoner by the portuguese, i. - _passim_; ii. , , . martin, japanese, i. . martin, balthazar. ii. . martin, james. ii. , . martin, luis. i. , , , , , ; ii. , , . martin, nicholas, jurebasso. i. , , ; ii. , , , . massamone, or massamoneda, dono, father-in-law of calsa sama. i. , , , ; ii. , . matabio oye dono, host at oiso. ii. . matasabra dono. i. . matinga, japanese woman. i. _passim_; ii. , , , , , , , , . matobio dono, of oiso. ii. . mats, boy. i. , . mats dayre cunay dono, king of bizen. ii. . matsin, or matzera, dayre yemon dono, councillor of the shogun. ii. , . mattem dono. i. . matzera crodze sama. _see_ sangero sama. medina, capt. i. . mia nots. i. . miako. i , , , ; ii. , ; temples and monuments at, i. - ; ii. ; earthquakes at, i. ; ii. . miako, in cochinchina. ii. . micarna camme sama, the shogun's grandson. i. . middleton, capt. david. i. , . migmoy, or macchiavelli, a japanese trader. i. , , , , , , . miguel, corean jurebasso. i. , , , , , , , ; ii. , , , . miguel, the tico. i. , , . mihara. ii. , , . minakuchi. i. ; ii. . minema soyemon dono. ii. . miracle. i. . misaki. i. . mishima. i. , ; ii. , , . missaka. i. ; ii. . mitske. i. , ; ii. , . miya. i. , ; ii. , , . moluccas, the. reported hostilities between the dutch and spaniards, i. , , , , , . mon, boy. i. , . mon, or man, slave. ii. , , , , , . _moon_, ship. ii. , , , , , , , , , , , . _moon, new_, dutch ship. i. ; ii. . _moon, old_, dutch ship. i. . moore, john. ii. , . morano cofioze, singer. ii. . moreton, matthew, master of the _peppercorn_. ii. , , . morgan, william, of the _elizabeth_. ii. . moro, mouro, or muru. i. , ; ii. , . mortaza ali i. . moure, john, boy. i. . muki. i. . munden, john, capt. of the _bull_. ii. , , , , , , . muños, alvaro. _passim._ musioyen dono, bongew of goto. i. . _muyen_, or _mogen_, dutch ship. ii. , , , , , , , . nacafaroya genimon dono, of odawara. ii. . nafa, in liu kiu islands. ii. . nagasaki. ravages of small-pox at, i. ; christianity in, i. ; blockaded, i. , ; fire at, i. , ; japanese traders at, ii. ; capacity for commerce, ii. , ; destruction of churches and monasteries in, ii. ; massacre of christians, ii. . nagoya, or languay. i. , , , ; ii. , , , , . narami. i. . naygen sama. ii. . nealson, william, of the english factory at firando. _passim._ neve, john, purser of the _moon_. ii. , . _new year's gift_, ship. i. . new spain. japanese expelled from, ii. . _new zealand_, dutch ship. ii. , . neyemon, or neamon, dono, merchant at yedo. i. , , , , , , , , , ; ii. , , . nicoles, or nicolles, william, agent at malaya. ii. , , , . niquan, chinaman. i. , , , , , , , , ; ii. , , , , , , , , , . niquan, of nanking. ii. . nobesane. _see_ bongo sama. nobeske dono. ii. . noise of trumpets. i. ; ii. . nomozaky island. i. . north-west passage from japan. will. adams's views, ii. , , , . nubery, mall. ii. . numadsu. ii. . odawara. i. , ; ii. , , , . offley, robert. i. . ogosho sama (iyéyasu), shogun. born at okazaki, i. ; ii. ; defeats fidaia sama (hidéyori), i. , ; ii. , , ; sues for the title of kwambakku, i. ; rumour of war with his son, i. ; conversation with will. adams on the hatred of spaniards and dutch, ii. , ; report of sickness, i. , ; his treatment of his physician, ii. , ; report of his death, i. , , ; ii. ; his death, i. , ; his shrine at miako, ii. ; his tomb at yedo, ii. ; his anniversary, ii. , ; tomb of his son, ii. . oigawa. ii. . oiso. i. , ; ii. , , , . okabe. ii. , . okazaki. i. ; ii. , . okebank, philip, of the _moon_. ii. . ompera. i. . omura, or umbra, province of. ii. , , , , , ; conquests in, by foyne sama, i. ; christianity in, i. , ; priests seized and executed, i. , , . onshma island. ii. . oque dono. ii. . ordnance. japanese method of casting, i. ; castings, lists, etc., i. , , , , , ; ii. , . orengawa. i. , , , , . _osiander_, or _hozeander_, ship. i. , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . osterwick, john, of the english factory at firando. _passim._ otonagen dono. i. . otongo fachemon (ojin tenno, or hachimon), god of war. temples at yedo, ii. , , . otsu. i. , , ; ii. . otto, matinga's maid. i. , , ; ii. , . otto dono, councillor of the shogun. i. , ; ii. , , , , . owen, ----, surgeon. ii. . oyen dono, secretary to the king of firando. i. , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ; ii. , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . oyen dono, secretary to the shogun. i. , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ; ii. , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . ozaka. i. , , , , , ; ii. , , , , ; captured by iyéyasu, i. , ; ii. ; great slaughter at, i. ; rebuilding of, i. , ; ii. ; fortification of, i. ; trade with, i. ; fire at, i. ; executions at, i. ; explosion at, i. . _palsgrave_, or _palsgrove_, ship. ii. , , , , , , , , , , , , . palle, father of yoshiemon the bonze. ii. . parsons, benjamin, surgeon of the _advice_. i. . patani, in malaya. dutch trade with, ii. . paul, servant. ii. , , , . paul dono, gunpowder man at nagasaki. ii. , , , , , , , , . payne, michael, carpenter of the _samson_. ii. , . peacock, tempest. killed in cochinchina, i. , , , , ; ii. , , , , . pedro, porter. i. , . _peppercorn_, ship. ii. , , , , , , , , . pepwell, capt. henry. ii. . persia. english factory in, ii. . pescadore islands, near formosa. ii. ; occupied by the dutch, ii. , , . petersen, john, dutchman. ii. . peterson, james. ii. . pheby, john. i. , , ; ii. , . phesemon dono. ii. . pheze dono. ii. . philippine islands. english and dutch trade and shipping to, i. , ; ii. , , , , , , ; capture of shibou, i. ; hostilities between the dutch and spanish, i. , , , , , , , , , ; ii. , , ; japanese to be banished from, ii. ; quarrels of the english and dutch, ii. , . pinta, woman. ii. . piro, or pilo, festival of. i. - . pitts, richard, in siam. i. , , , , ; ii. , , . portent in england. ii. . portis, or porteous, john. ii. , , , , , , , , . portuguese, in the east. shipping from macao, i. , , , , , , , , , ; ii. , , , , , , , , , ; hostilities against the english and dutch, i. , , , , ; port. junk taken by the dutch, i. ; ii. , , ; fight with dutch at malacca, i. , ; banished from camboja, i. , ; quarrel with w. eaton in satsuma, ii. , ; fight with dutch ships, ii. , , , ; action of an english with a port. ship, ii. ; port. ship taken by the english and dutch, ii. ; dutch attack on macao, ii. ; restricted trade with japan, ii. , . potatoes. first planting of, in japan, i. ; sent from the liu kiu isles, ii. . priapus, japanese. altar of, i. . price, robert. ii. . pring, martin, captain of the _james royal_. ii. , , , , , , , , , . privileges of the english in japan. curtailed, ii. , ; copy of, ii. ; attempts to enlarge them, i. , , ; ii. , , , , . puchin, st. image of, i. . puloway island. expulsion of english by the dutch, i. , , , . punishments. executions by cutting, i. , , , ; ii. ; crucifixion, i. ; roasting a thief to death, i. ; execution of thieves, ii. ; imprisonment by proxy, ii. ; burning of jesuits, etc., ii. ; a slave executed by the dutch, i. ; dutchmen beheaded by the japanese, ii. , ; a dutchman beheaded for killing an englishman, ii. ; an englishman hanged for killing a dutchman, ii. ; runaway english sailors hanged, ii, ; flogging and salting a slave of the english, i. ; flogging and salting english sailors, ii. . quannow. _see_ kuanon. quanto. _see_ kuanto. quiamo dono. i. . quiemon dono, barkman. ii. . quitamare. ii. . rappado, barber. i. . ravelles, or ravello, gonsalo, portuguese. ii. , , . refwen dono, king of firando's steward. i. . rigote, diego farnando. i. . riyoyets dono. ii. . roane, john. hanged for murder, ii. , . robin, scotchman. i. . robinson, ----. ii. . rocha, bartholomew de la. i. . rodrigos, emanuel. ii. , , . roquan, chinaman. i. . _roquan_, junk. ii. . rowe, richard, master of the _thomas_. i. , , , , , , , , , , . sackay. i. , ; ii. ; destroyed, ii. ; rebuilding of, i. . sacky bingo dono, governor of the shogun's son. ii. . saco dono, magistrate of nagasaki. ii. . sada dono, father of codgkin dono. i. , ; tomb at yedo, ii. . sadaye dono, secretary to the governor of ozaka. i. . sadler, francis. i. , . safian dono, governor of nagasaki. i. , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ; ii. , , . _st. michel_, french ship. ii. . salinas, miguel de. i. , , . sammabash. i. . _samson_, english ship taken by the dutch. ii. , , . sanfort, melchor van. i. , , , . sangero, cook. ii. . sangero sama, son of foyne sama, king of firando. i. , , , , , , , , , , ; ii. , , , , , ; his name changed to matzrea crodze sama, ii. . sangusque dono, of chiriu. ii. . sannemon dono. ii. . sanquan, chinaman. ii. . sanquishe dono. ii. , , . sanshero, japanese sailor. ii. . _santa cruz_, dutch pinnace. ii. . sanzero, or laurenzo, slave of the english. i. . sanzo dono. i. . saquemon dono, magistrate at nagasaki. ii. , . saris, george. i. . saris, capt. john. i. , , , , , ; ii. , , , . sars, john, sailor. ii. . satsuma, province of. prospect of trade with, i. , , ; ii. ; nobles of, i. , ; disturbances by disbanded soldiers, i. ; ambassador from, ii. , ; priests seized in, ii. . satsuma, king of. i. , , , , , , , , ; ii. , ; visits firando, i. , , , , ; detained at court, i. ; war preparations, i. ; rebuilding ozaka, i. ; report of intending war against the shogun, i. ; friendship to the english, i. , , ; ii. , ; favours the chinese, i. . savidge, george, in camboja. i. , ; ii. , . sayemon dono, of kambara. ii. . sayemond, scullion. i. . sayers, edmund, of the english factory at firando. _passim._ scongero dono. i. . scott, cornelius, pilot. ii. . _sea adventure_, junk. i. , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ; ii. , , , , , , , , . sebastian, king of portugal. comet seen at the time of his death, ii. . sebeoye dono, of ozaka. ii. . seden, of mishima. ii. . seezamon dono, timber man. ii. . seki. i. ; ii. , . semi dono, minister of the king of firando. _passim._ sesque dono. ii. . seto. i. ; ii. , , . seyemon dono. ii. . sewall, francis. i. . sewall, william, of coventry. i. . shaka, festival of. i. ; ii. . shanks, henry, gunner. i. , , , ; ii. . sharpe, ----. i. . shashma. _see_ satsuma. shebe dono, son of cuemon dono. ii. . sheco, festival of. i. ; ii. . shemash, or shimash, dono, governor of ozaka and grandson of iyéyasu. i. , , , ; ii. , , . shengro, japanese sailor. ii. . sheningaua. ii. . shepperd, john. i. . shequenogize. ii. . sheraish island. ii. , . sheroyemon dono. ii. . shesque dono. ii. . shezemon dono. ii. , , , . shezero, caboque. i. , . shezque dono, father of sugien dono. i. . shibou, in the philippine islands. capture of, i. . shikoku. envoy from, i. . shimonoseki. i. , , , , ; ii. , , , . shimotsai. ii. . shinagawa. ii. , , . shinso dono. ii. . shippard, john. i. , , . shiquan, chinaman. ii. , , , . shisque, or shiske, dono. i. ; ii. . shobick, capt. i. . shobioye dono. ii. . shoby dono. i. , , , . shofan dono, physician. ii. . shongo dono, admiral. i. , , , , , , , ; ii. , , , . shongo sama (hidétada), shogun. reported death, i. ; succeeds his father, i. , ; receives the english deputation, i. , ; report of his intentions against christians, i. ; goes out hawking, i. ; ii. ; sends presents to the emperor of china, i. ; fails to control the tonos, i. ; offended with the dutch for piracy, i. ; decision on the complaint of the chinese against the dutch, i. ; letter and present to, from james i., i. ; death of his daughter, i. ; visit of his brothers, i. ; presents to cocks and adams, i. ; report of his death, ii. , ; rumour of his retirement, ii. ; his daughter betrothed to the dairi, ii. , ; rumour of wars with his uncles, ii. ; curtails the privileges of the english, ii. , ; copy of privileges granted by him, ii. ; expected title from the dairi, ii. , ; his enmity to christians, ii. , ; conspiracy against him, ii. . shonguach, festival of. ii. . shono. i. . short, richard, master's mate of the _moon_. ii. , , , . shosque dono, king of firando's chamberlain. i. , , , , , , ; ii. . showan dono, physician. ii. . shoyemon dono. ii. . shoyemon dono, master of the caboques. ii. , . shrongo sama, the shogun's eldest brother. his house, ii. . shroyemon dono, of ozaka. i. , , , , , . shushro dono. ii. . siam. shipping and trading with, i. , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ; ii. , , , , , , , , . sichsaymon dono. ii. . sifian dono, bongew. i. , , , , , , , . silva, don jeronimo de, governor of the philippine is. ii. . silva, don juan de, governor of the philippine is. i. , , , , , . simon, jurebasso. i. , , , . sinda dono, of sackay. i. , , , . sinemon, carpenter. ii. . sinemon dono: new name of sinze, barkman. i. . sinzabra, boatman. i. . sinze. _see_ sinemon dono. skengero dono, of miako. i. , ; ii. , , , . skeyo, scullion. i. , , . skiamon dono. i. , , , , ; ii. , . skidayen dono, chief justice at nagasaki. ii. . skidayen dono, secretary to gonrock dono. ii. , , , , , , , . skidayen dono, trader. i. , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ; ii. , . skirako. i. . skite, or skeete. i. , , . skozemon dono, of yoshiwara. ii. . skrayamon dono. i. . slany, humphrey. i. . slaves or apprentices. i. , , , ; ii. , , , , . smart, abraham. ii. , . smith, a staffordshire man, cook of the _moon_. ii. . smith, harry. ii. . smith, henry, purser of the _royal james_. ii. , . smith, sir thomas. i. , , , , , , , , ; ii. , , , , . smith, lady. lacquer ware for, ii. ; trade venture, ii. . snow. heavy fall, ii. . sobioque dono, secretary to gentero dono. ii. . soca sama. ii. . sofa, sofo, or sofy, dono, a bonze. i. , , , . sofo dono, physician. ii. . sofo sama. ii. . soka dono, of faccata. ii. , , , . somner, thomas, of the _thomas_. i. . sonchio dono. ii. . soude giemon. ii. . soyemon dono, king of firando's steward. i. , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ; ii , . soyemon dono, of kanaya. ii. . soyen dono, of nagasaki. ii. . sozero dono, of arai. ii. . spalding, capt. augustine, one of the council of defence. ii. , , , ; letter of recall to the english at firando, ii. . spaniards, in the east. reported embassy to japan, i. ; hostilities with the dutch, i. , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ; ii. , , ; loss of a ship off satsuma, i. , ; ships in satsuma, ii. , ; privateer at tsushima, ii. ; trade with japan, ii. . speck, jacob, head of the dutch in japan. _passim_. starkasse, harry. i. . stibio, or quedoquea stibio, dono, of suruga. i. , ; ii. . sticamon dono, king of firando's jester. i. . stroyemon, or shroyemon, dono, bongew. ii. , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . sua. ii. . suffolk, earl of, lord treasurer. i. . suga dono, chief justice at yedo. ii. . sugian, or sugien, dono, of omura. i. , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ; ii. , , , , , , . _sun_, dutch ship. i. , , , , , , , ; ii. , , , , , . _sun, new_, dutch ship. i. ; ii. . sunega, pedro de. _see_ zuñiga. surat. report of massacre of english at, i. . suruga, or shrongo. i. , ; ii. , . susanna, servant. i. , ; ii. , , , , . swager, jacob. i. , , , , , , ; ii. , . _swan_, english ship taken by the dutch. i. ; ii. , , , , , , , . sweetland, william. i. , , , . syen dono, governor [of firando ?]. i. . synemon dono. i. , ; ii. , , . tabilo, or tabola, island. i. ; ii. , , , , , , , , , , . tacca sackey, or taccasanga. i. , . taccamon dono, chief justice at firando. _passim_. tachemon, cook. ii. . taffian dono, codgkin dono's secretary. i. . taffy, or taffio, dono. ii. , , , . taiko sama (hidéyoshi). his siege of odawara, i. ; punishes piracy, i. ; his tomb at miako, i. , ; designs on china, ii. . tanares, luis. ii. . tangano. i. . tango dono. ii. . tansho sama. i . tasquey. ii. . tayamon dono, master carpenter. i. , ; ii. , , , , . tea. _see_ chaw. _thomas_, ship. i. , , , , , , , ; ii. . thomas, cook. i. . thomas, rowland, purser of the _osiander_. i. , , , , , . thornton, ----. ii. . ticham, or tykam, shafno, councillor of state in china. communication with him, i. , ; ii. , . tiquan, sailor. ii. . toba. ii. . tobacco. order for its destruction, i. . tobio dono. ii. , , , , , . tobioye dono, garden bongew. ii. . tomari. ii. . tomas, jesuit. i. . tomas, japanese padre. ii. . tome, servant or slave. i. , , , . tome, of nagasaki. ii. . tome, or tome dono: jurebassos so named. i. , , , , , ; ii. , , , , , , , , . tome dono, of firando, papist. i. , , , , , , , , , , , . tome dono, jurebasso to massamone dono. i. , . tome dono, barkman. i. . tome sama. another name of figen a sama, king of firando, ii. , . tomu in bingo. _see_ bingana tomo. toncha sama. ii. . tonomon sama, or guenche sama, eldest brother of the king of firando. _passim_; his name changed to canzemon sama, ii. . tonquin. i. ; ii. , , . toraga, or torage. i. , . torazemon dono. i. , , , , , , , , , , , ; ii. - _passim_. torosacka, will. adams's man. ii. . torres, jeronimo de, viceroy of goa. i. . _tortola_, dutch ship. ii. , . totska, or todska. i. ; ii. , , . totton, john, master of the _advice_. i. _passim_; ii. , . totty, john, sailor. ii. . toyamon dono, of yedo. i. . tozayemon dono, host at sackay. i. - _passim_; ii. - _passim_. tozemon dono, of numadsu. ii. . tozo dono. ii. . trebioye dono, bongew. ii. , . trees. i. , , , , , , , ; ii. . _trowe_, dutch ship. ii. , , , , . trumpeter, ----. ii. . tsuchiyama. i. ; ii. , . tsushima island. i. , , , , ; ii. , , . tsushima, king of. i. ; ii. , ; tribute of, a root, ii. . tsuyasaki. ii. . tuestro, japanese sailor. ii. . turbervill, robert, of the _elizabeth_. ii. , . turner, peter, i. , . tushma. _see_ tsushima. tushma, boy. i. . tushma dono, councillor of the shogun. i. , , ; ii. . tushma tay. _see_ frushma tay. twan, tuan, or towan, dono, of nagasaki. i. , , , ; ii. ; expedition by his son against formosa, i. ; privateering on the china coast, i. ; return of his ships from formosa, i. ; accusations against him, ii. ; disgraced, ii. . ucana came, of satsuma. ii. . umbra. _see_ omura. ummea ichazemon dono, of hamamatsu. ii. . unagense dono, captain-general of firando. i. , , , , , , , , , ; ii. , , , , , . uncam, bongew of a junk. i. . underwick, luke. ii. . _unicorn_, ship. ii. , , , , . unquan, chinaman, i. , . uquese dono, tiler, ii. , . ushenusque dono, bongew. i. , , , , , , , , , ; ii. . utsymado. _see_ woshmado. valche, henrock, capt. of the dutch _hope_. ii. . vasconcellos, diego de, viceroy of goa. i. . vaux, ----, dutchman. ii. , . vries, or vryz, derick de. i. , , , . vrolick, james. ii. . wacange sama, the shogun's son. ii. . waddon, or wadden, peter. i. , , ; ii. . watkins, david. ii. . wattary. ii. . wattes, richard, purser of the _bull_. ii. , , . weamon dono. ii. . wedmore, richard, master's mate of the _advice_. i. , ; ii. , . westby, richard, in bantam. i. , ; ii. , . westerwood, adam, dutch commander. ii. , . whaw, or whow, chinese trader at nagasaki. _passim._ white, ----, of the _bull_. ii. . white, daniel, purser of the _palsgrave_. ii. . wickham, son of the host of ozaka. i. ; ii. . wickham, richard, of the english factory at firando. _passim_; letter, ii. . widger, ----, of the _thomas_. i. . wigen a dono, son-in-law of iyéyasu. his death, i. , . wilkyn, purser's mate of the _james royal_. ii. . william, dutchman. ii. . williams, hugh. ii. , . _willing mind_, junk. ii. . wilmot, edmund, purser of the _advice_. i. , , , , , , , , ; ii. . wilson, ----, master's mate of the _thomas_. i. . wilson, nicholas, of the _advice_. i. . wilson, ralph. i. , , , , , , . wilson, sir thomas. ii. , , . wilson, thomas, e.i.c. i. , , , ; ii. . woamon docka. ii. . woman dono. i. , ; ii. , . woshmado, or utsymado. i. , . wotto dono, councillor of the shogun. i. , . wrine, james, preacher. ii. . wyamon dono, will. adams's man. ii. , , , . xaxma. _see_ satsuma. ximenes, hernando. i. , , , , , , ; ii. , , , , , , , . yada, or yode, dono, of yedo. ii. , , . yadeo, or yadayo, dono, partner of neamon dono. i. ; ii. . yamanda sinimon dono, of yoshida. ii. . yarmans, capt. of the _gallias_. ii. . yasamon dono, master of a junk. i. . yasimon dono, or zanzabar. i. - , _passim_, ; ii. , , , , , , , , , , , , , . yasimon dono, clerk to gonrock dono. ii. , . yasobro. ii. . yasozama amanoia dono, host at ozaka. i. . yasozemon dono, of kakegawa. ii. . yayemon dono, king's carpenter at firando. i. , , , , ; ii. , . yayemon dono, of faccata, carpenter. ii. , . yazemon dono, of faccata. ii. . yechere, or yechero, or cynemon dono. ii. , . yedo. earthquakes at, i. , , , , ; ii. , , , , , , ; monuments and buildings, i. , ; ii. , - , ; fires at, ii. , , ; nobleman's house burnt, ii. . yemia fachman, god of war. _see_ otongo. yewkyn dono. i. . yezo island. ii. . yoichero dono, of kusatsu. ii. . yoiemon dono. ii. . yonge, john. ii. . yongsham, chinaman. ii. . yoritomo. i. . yosemon dono. ii. . yoshemon dono, of nagasaki. ii. , , , . yoshida. i. , ; ii. , , , . yoshiwara. ii. , , . yoshozemon dono. ii. . yosio dono, dutch host at miako. i. . yoske, cook. i. . yoskey, servant. i. , ; ii. . yosky, or yosque, king's butler at firando. i. , . yossen, or yoosen, john. i. , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ; ii. , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . youkaich. ii . yoyemon, oilman. ii. . yoyemon dono. ii. . yoyemon dono, smith. ii. . yu. i. ; ii. , , . yui. i. . zamon, pedrogo, will. adams's host at miako. i. . zazabra dono. i. , ; ii. , . zewa. ii. . zezabro dono, of ozaka. i. . zeze. ii. . zuñiga, pedro de, friar. ii. , , . transcriber's note: the author's spelling and hyphenation of words and names is inconsistent, e.g. adams/adames. lower case roman numerals often end with a 'j' instead of an 'i.' page numbers are displayed in the right margin. items in italics are surrounded by underscores, _like this_. macrons over letters are indicated within brackets, e.g. [=o]. footnotes were renumbered sequentially and were moved to the end of the entry for the date (in the diary) or the piece of correspondence (in the appendix) in which the anchor occurs. to accommodate display on narrow screens, where braces were used in the book to group data horizontally across the page, the text was formatted as indented lists instead. the entry on febrary , pg , is a typical example. missing periods were added to ends of sentences, abbreviations, and index entries; missing commas were added to a list entry and between page numbers in the index. use of italics was made consistent. unclear and left as printed: pg , 'uuse' pg , 'the th julij' changes to text: pg , 'is' to 'in' ...in all vj c. _tais_,... pg , removed duplicate 'to' ... now ready to take bark ... pg , 'tal ' to 'talk' ... had much talk about ... pg , 'they' to 'the' ... to take the china goodes,... pg , 'grabstreet' to 'grubstreet' ...our host grubstreet ... pg , 'removed duplicate 'an' ... 'rec. another to same effect.'... pg , 'hollander s' to 'hollanders' in list pg , 'b' added to ' ound' ... they are bound upon ... pg , 'aud' to 'and' ... and that from hence ... pg , removed from list duplicate 'my owne.' pg , 'oyen done' to 'oyen dono' ... same and oyen dono are ... generously made available by the internet archive/american libraries.) a report of major hart's case, of rice-frauds, near seringapatam, _with notes_; and an appendix, addressed to the proprietors of east-india stock. by w. h. inglis, author of the only report not anonymous, of mr. sherson's case and trial at madras, also for rice-frauds. london: published by j. m. richardson, , cornhill, opposite the royal exchange; and j. hatchard, piccadilly. . marchant, printer, ingram-court, london. a report, _&c. &c._ were any apology necessary for this report, a sufficient one would be where major hart says, "when i add that major-general macaulay was my junior officer; that, in consequence of my dismission, he succeeded to the very regiment which, at this hour, i should have otherwise commanded, and became a general officer so much sooner by my dismission; i am satisfied that the honourable court (of directors) will think his conduct a _most material_ feature in the future consideration of my case."--india-house-papers, p. . another instance of major hart's sinister attack is, where major-general macaulay has replied to it, saying, "there remains a farther slanderous insinuation of major hart's, that i think myself bound to notice. he has charged upon me, as a leading motive in the censure of his conduct, a settled design of placing myself in the command of the fortress of palamcottah, and of the forces in the field in tinnevelly, to his exclusion! this strange charge he more than once gave distinct hints of to myself. but he made it directly in the course of his last visit to me, in june , when he behaved so coarsely. it will, i have little doubt, seem somewhat strange, even to your lordship, (harris, the commander-in-chief,) but so it is, that to this hour i do not know to whom i owe that command. _i not only never made application directly or indirectly for it, but the idea of applying for it never once entered my mind._--papers, p. . but major-general macaulay scarce needed this reply, since it is major hart himself who can affirm his own error. the major says, "i shall not however pretend to defend the act _acknowledged_ of my having carried to the field a quantity of private grain.[a] no, my lord, (harris,) most deeply and sensibly do i feel and deplore the _error_ of my conduct.--papers, p. . [a] it will be maintained in the body of this report, that major hart did never carry to the field a quantity of private grain. and yet, notwithstanding this _pretended_ acknowledgment of _real_ error, it is the board of controul which, in order to allow major hart to hold private grain, must set aside the very regulation upon this subject. the th regulation says, "it being the principle of the present system, by liberal and avowed allowances, to place this department upon so respectable a footing as to leave no temptation to seek for unauthorized advantages, the commissary of grain is not on any account, directly or indirectly, to derive any other advantage or emolument from this situation than the _salary_ fixed by government. the strictest economy is, therefore, to be observed in every expense attending this department; and the disbursements and accounts of the commissary are to be attested on honour, as prescribed in the forms annexed to these regulations.--papers, p. . and the mighty board of controul, besides allowing major hart to hold private grain, and therefore to reap the attendant profit on it _with perfect security_, next considers this both as _another question_ and as _not another question_. thus the board having said "whether he (major hart) ought to have derived any profit upon the original price of the rice, so in his possession, is another question," can yet add, "but _suppose he ought not_, when he[b] openly supplied it to our army, and was contented with much less (profit) than he might have obtained with perfect security, we cannot think it a crime of the blackest die.--papers, p. . [b] see in page , and query he or captain macleod; also whether openly or covertly supplied, &c. the board continues "this, and the circumstance of his silence, from the th to the d of april, appear to us the only points of doubt in the whole case, and a conduct doubtful only on two such points does not, in our contemplation, warrant the sentence[c] that has been passed upon it, with the consequences to his fortune and honour to which it has led." papers, p. . [c] the propriety of major hart's dismission, after suspension from the company's service, is, perhaps, self-evident, and might have been a ground of thanks; but who would have thanked the court of directors for being now made to deem correct, what formerly they were pleased to deem incorrect, viz. an act of parliament, and the one cited on what are called the mandamus papers! but, "in our contemplation" of this "whole case," there are yet to be noticed other two grand points of doubt. and first, as lord harris writes, "it was not the loss of rice in the department of the commissary of grain _alone_ that so seriously affected the general store of provision for the army, but," again, secondly, "that infinitely more extensive and entirely unexpected deficiency which was discovered, on the th of april, in the quantity carried by bullocks, hired in the ceded districts, under the authority of lieutenant-colonel read, and of which captain macleod was in the general superintendance." lord harris explains, saying "captain macleod, to whom no report of material loss had been made by the carriers on the d of april, had, on the th, given me a report, of which a copy is enclosed, by which it appeared that rice, the property of government, sufficient for the consumption of , men, at half a seer per day, for six-and-thirty days, was then in camp, independently of nearly an equal quantity reported by the benjarries (bullock-owners) to be in their possession, and which they had been ordered to retain for the public service. no issues had been authorized from this stock, and the belief that it existed prevented my feeling any uneasiness on the subject of provisions, although i knew the amount in _major hart's_ charge was nearly expended. the measurement of the rice on the th of april, in the course of delivery (not by, observe, because) to major hart, produced the first suspicion of this enormous deficiency, and the report of it, when ascertained the succeeding day, the consequent alarm." papers, p. . nor is lord harris here alluding towards the whole, but rather to the close of captain macleod's report, where it is stated that "the private and public rice would feed , men for thirty-three (or, as lord harris says, thirty-six) days, exclusive of major hart's department. it is supposed major hart has bullock-loads, which would be ten seers each to , men. (signed) william macleod, superintendant of supplies." papers, p. . from these several extracts we have now to gather, that if, on the th of april, major hart had ten seers each man, equal to ten days rice, at whole allowance, on the th he would have no bullock-loads, whatever, remaining "in his possession." wherefore, from the th of april to the th of may, (see in page. ,) and, further, from this last date to the th following, (see in page ), the fraud on the rice, "then in camp," must have been, not only "exclusive of major hart's department," but in that of captain macleod, from whose stock "no issues had been authorized." we have now to observe, that the real question becomes, not whether major hart could hold private as well as public grain? but, whether this could be done by captain macleod, and by him after his having returned in his report both classes of grain as "the property of government?" and we presume, once for all, on this nice point, that there will not be urged the existence of one sort of regulation for a commissary of _provisions_, as captain macleod is sometimes called, and another for a commissiary of _grain_, as major hart is always called. contending that he ordered his private grain from madras, less for the army than for his private followers of it, major hart would rest his order upon the affidavit of one of those followers, by name sadashevah moodiliar. but this dubash, or confidential servant, will herein-afterwards be shown, among other of major hart's head people, as tampering with subidar enom beg, during the intervals of this native soldier's examination by the committee of inquiry. to proceed more particularly with captain macleod.--it was he who, having first disclosed to major-general macaulay, (the private instead of public secretary to lord harris,) that major hart had a quantity of private grain to dispose of, and who, next observing the surprise with which his communication was received, does, third, and finally, request major-general macaulay's "permission to inform major hart that he (major hart) must, _in future_, communicate directly with me (major-general macaulay) upon the subject." major-general macaulay subjoins, "to this i assented;" but elsewhere explains, that "with the exception of the conversation that took place with captain macleod, when he delivered the original message, i held no communication with major hart, but _by letter_." papers, pp. and . relative, indeed, to captain macleod the major-general thinks it equally right to explain, saying "captain (now colonel macleod) well knows my sentiments of his character. long as he has been in england, it has not happened to me _once to meet him_. but i retain my former respect for his integrity." papers, p. . it was captain macleod who, having said "by this observation (_a slight of hand_ in receiving and issuing grain by measure), i do not mean _to attempt_ to screen the bullock-contractors;" and added, "who, i am persuaded, _in my own mind_, must have embezzled the greatest proportion of the quantity deficient;" yet does shortly afterwards release from arrest, at the sole desire of the bullock-contractors, of all other men, not indeed a _bullock_, but yet its tantamount, a _flock_ contractor, notwithstanding this, "one of the duffadars, narnapah by name, was detected in having _concealed_ seventy bags of rice in the bazar of the nizam's camp, for the purpose of being sold there;" and, for all that, such seventy bags "were, on _discovery_, removed from the nizam's bazar to the grain depôt, near head-quarters." papers, p. . it was once more captain macleod, who having said, "i impute the deficiencies, generally, to the corruption of sechiram," yet does not confine or arrest this "security for all the contractors,[d] because his holding a jaghire from government, in the baramahl was _supposed to be_ a sufficient hold upon him," or hold, "which would put it _out of his power to elude_ any punishment or penalty that might afterwards be adjudged for his deception." papers, p. . [d] "except those of selum, who appear, by the accompanying statement (part of captain macleod's often-mentioned report,) to have lost or embezzled the _smallest_ proportion." and such is the mode of reasoning subscribed to, rather than implicitly believed in, by lord harris, where his lordship says, "of captain macleod's merits i have already had occasion to speak in terms of the highest praise,[e] and although placed at the head of those persons from whose misconduct the most serious mischief might have proceeded, and which did actually produce considerable inconvenience to the army, i hold it incumbent on me to declare that captain macleod is, _in no degree_, blamable for this unfortunate business," or business, "which _no means in his power to elude_ could possibly prevent." papers, p. . [e] it will be seen, in page , where major-general macaulay has similarly written: "but i retain my former respect for his integrity." we have said,--subscribed to, rather than implicitly believed in,--because lord harris pursues "the principal carriers and benjarries are now in the baramahl, (the very place, observe, of sechiram's jaghire,) and i recommend to the immediate attention of government such measures as it may appear proper to adopt for recovering from them the amount of rice embezzled, and punishing those chiefs of this class of men who stood forward in responsibility, and who certainly knew and connived at the disposal of the rice, _if they were not themselves the managers of the transaction_." we now trust to have amply shown why lord harris thought, st, that "it was not the loss of rice in the department of the commissary of grain alone, that so seriously affected the general store of provision for the army;[f] but, dly, that infinitely more extensive and entirely unexpected deficiency, which was discovered in the quantity carried by bullocks, hired in the ceded districts, under the authority of lieutenant-colonel read, and of which _captain macleod_ was in the general superintendance. [f] in the debate on the mandamus papers, a proprietor of stock asks, "what did lord ellenborough say? did he say, that what was done was conclusive evidence of any bargain having been made, or any price being charged? no; lord ellenborough said,--no; he is ordered to enter it as an item of account; but that does not give it the character of having been purchased for the public. he acquiesces in the direction to enter it; but it ought to be considered as if he had not so entered and as if it stood in its original situation." but we must ask, what would lord ellenborough have said, had his lordship been informed that the fraud was not solely in major hart's grain, but, also, in that of captain macleod, and who, _previously to the discovery of the fraud_, had been ordered, by lord harris, to enter, that is, to retain his benjarries, now called, private grain, for "the _public_ service." of major hart's grain, it can equally be observed, that this had also been publicly returned in captain macleod's report, which report has been stated to close thus: "_it is supposed_ major hart has bullock-loads, which would be ten seers each to , men. (signed) william macleod, superintendant of supplies." upon this second and last of our own two points of grand doubt, we shall offer some further extracts, by which it will be perceived that major hart's head people were ordered back to the ceded districts, in company with captain macleod's benjarries, that is, were ordered back to those districts, not before, but immediately upon the discovery of the fraud, and, as it were, in consequence of it. asked by the committee of inquiry, "under whose charge was your rice brought forward on the march, and placed at the ground of encampment?" major hart replies, "under head people employed by myself, whom i discharged and (though discharged, yet) sent to the carnatic with _general floyd's_ detachment." in like manner, captain macleod states, in one of his letters to government, that "sechiram joined the army at kellamungulum and remained with it till the march of _general floyd's_ division towards caveriporam, when all the public and benjarries cattle, which had at that time survived the campaign, were sent from the army." papers, p. . and under date of th april, lord harris having confirmed that "_major-general floyd_, with all the cavalry and three battalions of native infantry, marches to-morrow morning towards caveriporam to meet colonel read, and escort his benjarries to camp," explains that "their arrival is of the utmost consequence, as, on measuring our bags to ascertain the rice they really contained, they were found so much diminished, by loss or fraud, that eighteen days provisions for the fighting men, at half allowance, is all that remains in camp; our supplies must, therefore, arrive before the th of may, to save us from extreme distress." papers, p. . further beyond this coincidence, captain macleod's second of two reports, dated seringapatam, th june, , says, "n.b. the mercals of rice remained in charge of captain macleod till seringapatam was taken; no part of it was issued before the th may. e.e. (signed) william macleod, _late_ superintendant of supplies." notwithstanding, then, the extreme distress of the army, as just mentioned by lord harris, we here find captain macleod admitting that he was a holder of three days grain for , men, at whole allowance, not before but after the th of may. our inference is, what others have frequently drawn in this case, that there was always a plenty rather than ever any scarcity of grain.[g] [g] n.b. one mercal is twelve seers. finally, we are to produce major hart's dubash, the already mentioned sadashevah moodiliar, as tampering among other of major hart's head people, with subidar enom beg, during the intervals of this native soldier's examination by the committee of inquiry. the committee says, "from the very exact concurrence observed throughout the depositions of the maistries (carriers) and head owners, (of bullocks,) already examined, it appears that a further examination of persons of those descriptions will not tend to afford any new information on the subject under investigation; but as the native commissioned and non-commissioned officers of the details which were employed with the grain-department may, from their observation of the conduct of the maistries and bullock-owners during the service, be able to speak particularly to points connected therewith, the committee call upon subidar enom beg, of the first battalion of the th regiment of native infantry." papers, p. . and having first disproved, in common with other guards during the march, the alleged irruptions of the enemy's horse, as counterpleaded by the benjarries, even in phalanx form, subidar enom beg, "of his own accord," next informs the committee, that, "about eleven o'clock in the forenoon of yesterday, the _head conicopoly_ of the grain-department, by name dunnacody, accompanied by a tindall of lascars attached to the department, came to his tent and told him that he had been directed by major hart to inquire of him the names of the subidars and jemidars, also the number of havildars, naigues, and sepoys, which had been employed with the rice-department; that he (the subidar) told the conicopoly that two of the companies were in seringapatam, and that the company from major tolfrey's battalion, in camp, consisted of such a number of havildars, naigues, and sepoys, together with his own name, and that of the jemidar, all of which the conicopoly took down, in writing, and then went away. that in about half an hour afterwards the conicopoly and tindall returned, and asked the subidar to come to tumboo naik, _one of the principal bullock-owners_ and a dubash, whom he supposed to be major hart's (sadashevah moodiliar, the affidavit-witness,) as they wished to speak to him, and to come without dressing himself. the subidar answered, 'that as he might be wanted for duty, he could not come without his commanding-officer's leave,' to which the conicopoly replied, 'that, as he would probably be sent for by the committee sitting near the general's tent, he desired him to keep favour upon him,' and the subidar answered, 'he was in the company's service and, if sent for, he should tell what he saw, and could not tell any lies.' that the subidar was then sent for by major tolfrey, and ordered to come to the committee, which he did, and that having attended the committee and been ordered by colonel muat (the president) to come again this morning, he was going to his lines when _one of the maistries_ meeting him upon the road, asked, 'what news at the committee?' the subidar answered him, 'you have no right to inquire: i have been to the committee on business which does not concern you; go about your business.'" papers, pp. and . we would observe upon this testimony of enom beg, that the affidavit-dubash of major hart, sadashevah moodiliar, who is wont to describe himself as "a writer in charge of the public servants in the grain-department," is not, in our opinion, so important a personage as major hart's head conicopoly dunnacody, and this because the employment of a head conicopoly is much more _official_ than that of a dubash, however greatly any particular occasion, like the present, for instance, may render the latter's services desirable. but in india it would otherwise appear that the dubash is accounted by far the more important personage of the two, at least if we can judge from mr. sherson's trial at madras, also for rice-frauds; for, on this trial sir john newbolt, as third of three judges, was pleased to argue, saying, 'audy narrain, (the dubash of mr. sherson,) one of the persons offering the bribe, which is _almost tantamount_ to naming mr. sherson himself.' even in this case of major hart there is what is not wholly dissimilar to bribery; namely, where the conicopoly replies, 'that as he (enom beg) would probably be sent for by the committee sitting near the general's tent, he (the conicopoly) desired him to keep favour on him.' the frequent occurrence among native indians of the word _lies_ is to be here regarded as an anglo-orientalism. it is to the probability of enom beg and his fellow-soldiers' testimonies over those of major hart and captain macleod's head people, that attention shall safely be paid. relative to the benjarries and maistries of captain macleod, as well as to major hart's head people, we must differ from the committee of inquiry, where saying that "a _further_ examination of persons of those descriptions will not tend to afford any new information on the subject." our cause of difference is, that neither sadashevah and dunnacody, nor sechiram and narnapah, were _ever_ examined by this committee. major-general macaulay "cannot conceive, under the strong case which appears to be made out, how the government of this country and parliament can, _with a due regard to character_, abstain from a revision of the whole question." neither can we conceive how, in this respect,--not the government (of the board of controul and court of directors,) but--parliament abstains. appendix. _to the proprietors of east-india stock._ major hart, in his advertisement, (_times_, th of april,) says "i fear that i shall have no alternative but to appeal against such daily slander to the laws of my country." in other words, he, who sought to fight a duel with major-gen. macaulay, fears. and may he fear! but major hart dares not appeal to the laws of his country, were he even slandered after the _daily_ manner of his own advertisement. major hart is too old a soldier to have to learn, that he who fights and runs away, lives to fight another day. nor can major hart forget where major-general macaulay states, "report--to which, however, i can scarce give credit--assigns this disgraceful production to the pen of a noted barrister. be that as it may, major hart stands fully (be this as it may, equally fully) responsible." major-general macaulay's _official_ statement is, "major hart addressed a letter to the court of directors, dated the d of last month: that libellous letter has not yet been printed, by order of the court of directors, for the use of the proprietors; but major hart has thought fit to print and widely to send it into circulation. i am sorry that it is not inserted in the papers respecting the _mandamus_; the reason may be, that the court of directors, possibly viewing it in the light i do, could not have thought it proper to make themselves accessaries to the circulation of a defamatory document, unaccompanied by explanations from me. to that letter from major hart is appended a declaration, under the signature of three general officers; gen. sir john floyd (bart. omitted), lieut.-gen. brown, and lieut.-gen. bridges, on what these officers are pleased to term _some important points connected with_ major hart's case. the words in italics are so printed in the original." proprietors!--have you never heard of a "review of _some important passages_ in the administration of sir george barlow, bart. by charles marsh, esq. m.p.?" have you never heard that this "noted barrister" is the probable author of an anonymous report of mr. sherson's case, if not of his trial itself, or will you not hear your own directors? "the two following papers, _although private_, having already appeared in print, are here (the records of the company) inserted for the information of the proprietors; but it _does not_ appear from (here) the records of the company, that they were ever (during long years) _officially_ communicated to the court of directors." the two papers are, "a letter from the right hon. henry dundas to david scott, esq." a deceased director; and an enclosure in the foregoing, signed "william dundas," and "t. wallace;" which last paper has actually been called by some _a report of the board of controul_. on the other hand, the deceased mr. david scott's authority to correspond and correspondence do not appear. so, in mr. sherson's case, there has been published an unsigned or anonymous report of it, by a mr. halhed, one of the clerks in the india-house, whose error "was not his first" of the kind, yet whose report was ordered, it has confidently been asserted, by only some one or two of the whole court of directors. in mr. sherson's case again the board of controul has compelled the erasure, from a despatch of the court of directors, of a paragraph recommendatory of an investigation into the conduct (on this mr. sherson's trial) of no less a person than sir francis macnaghten, the _second_ of three judges, of whom the _third_ is almost as much concerned as sir francis himself. nor let these parallels be thought to beg the question, since they might readily have been extended; and since major hart's case would prove itself in courts of law, whether by artful confessions, or by other and better description of testimony. unhappily, however, the period for this is expired. w. h. inglis. , mincing-lane. the end. marchant, printer, ingram-court, fenchurch-street. transcriber's note: footnotes have been moved from the middle of the text to the end of the paragraph referring to those footnotes. apart from that, no other changes have been made for this e-text version. the letters gracchus on the _east india question_. _london_: printed for j. hatchard, bookseller and publisher, no. , opposite albany, piccadilly. . printed by s. gosnell, little queen street, london. advertisement. the following letters appeared in the morning post, at the dates which are annexed to them. the impartial reader will find in them a strong determination, to uphold the public rights of the country, with respect to the india trade; but he will not discover any evidence of a desire to lower the just, and well-earned honours, of the east india company, nor any symptom of a disposition hostile to their fair pretensions. letters of gracchus. letter i. general view of the east india question. _tuesday, january , ._ the crisis, at which the affairs of the east india company are now arrived, is one which involves the most important interests of the british empire. it would be unnecessary to prove a proposition which is so universally acknowledged and felt. it has happened however, that, in our approaches towards this crisis, the public understanding has been but little addressed upon the subject; so that the appeal which is now suddenly made to their passions and imaginations, finds them unprepared with that knowledge of the true circumstances of the case, which can alone enable them to govern those passions, and control those imaginations. let us then endeavour to recover the time which has been lost, by taking a deliberate view of the circumstances which produce this crisis. the crisis, is the proximity of the term which may conclude the east india company's rights, to the exclusive trade with india and china, and to the powers of government now exercised by them over the indian empire. the rights of the east india company are two-fold; and have long been distinguished as, their _permanent_ rights, and their _temporary_ rights. those rights are derived to them from distinct charters, granted to them at different times by parliament. by the former, they were created a _perpetual_ corporate society of merchants, trading to india[ ]. by the latter, they obtained, for a _limited period of time_, the exclusive right of trading with india and china, and of executing the powers of government over those parts of the indian territory, which were acquired either by conquest or by negotiation. the charter conveying the latter limited rights, is that which will expire in the course of the ensuing year ; on the expiration of which, the exclusive trade to the east will be again open to the british population at large, and the powers of the india government will lapse in course to the supreme government of the british empire, to be provided for as parliament in its wisdom may judge it advisable to determine. the renewal of an _expired_ privilege cannot be pursued upon a ground of _right_. the exclusive charter of the company is _a patent_, and their patent, like every other patent, is limited as to _its duration_. but though the patentee cannot allege a ground of right for the renewal of his patent, he may show such strong pretensions, such good claims in equity, such weighty reasons of expediency for its renewal, as may ensure its attainment. such are the claims and the pretensions of the east india company to a renewal of their charter; and as such they have been promptly and cheerfully received, both by the government and the country at large. but the progress of society, during a long course of years, is of a nature to produce a considerable alteration in the general state of things; the state of things must, therefore, naturally be called into consideration, upon the expiration of the term of years which determines the exclusive charter of the east india company; in order to inquire, whether that charter should be renewed precisely in the same terms, and with the same conditions, as before; or whether the actual state of public affairs demands, that some alteration, some modification, of terms and conditions, should be introduced into the charter or system which is to succeed. the arduous task of this investigation must necessarily fall upon those persons, who chance to be in the administration of the country, at the latest period to which the arrangements for the renewal of the charter can be protracted; and it is hardly possible to imagine a more difficult and perplexing position, for any administration. those persons, if they have any regard for the duties which they owe to the public, will consider themselves as standing _between two interests_; the interest of those who are about to lose an exclusive right, and the interest of those who are about to acquire an open and a common one. they will be disposed to listen, patiently and impartially, to the pretensions of both parties; of those who pray for the renewal of an exclusive privilege, and of those who pray that they may not be again wholly excluded from the right which has reverted. and although they may amply allow the preference which is due to the former petitioners, yet they will endeavour to ascertain, whether the latter may not, with safety to the public interest, receive some enlargement of the benefits, which the opportunity opens to them, and from which they have been so long excluded. while they thus look alternately to each of these interests, and are engaged in striving to establish a reconciliation between the two, it will be neither equitable nor liberal for one of the interested parties to throw out a doubt to the public, whether they do this "from a consciousness of strength, and a desire of increasing their own power and influence, or from a sense of weakness and a wish to strengthen themselves by the adoption of popular measures[ ]." and the author of the doubt may find himself at length obliged to determine it, by an awkward confession, that ministers do not do it "with any view of augmenting their own patronage and power[ ]." it is thus that the ministers of the crown have conducted themselves, in the embarrassing crisis into which they have fallen. fully sensible of the just and honourable pretensions which the east india company have established in the course of their long, important, and distinguished career, they have consented to recommend to parliament, _to leave the whole system of indian government and revenue to the company_, under the provisions of the act of ; together with _the exclusive trade to china_, as they have hitherto possessed them; but, at the same time, considering the present state of the world, and its calamitous effects upon the commercial interest in general, they are of opinion, that some participation in the indian trade, thus reverting, might possibly be conceded, under due regulations, to british merchants not belonging to the east india company; which would not impair the interests either of the public or of the company. in this moderate opinion, they are fully justified, by the consent of the company, to admit the merchants of the out-ports to a share in the indian trade. and thus far, all is amicable. but the out-port merchants having represented to government, that the condition, hitherto annexed to a licensed import trade,--of bringing back their indian cargoes to the port of london, and of disposing of them solely in the company's sales, in leadenhall street,--would defeat the object of the concession; and that the delay, embarrassment, and perplexity, which such an arrangement would create, would destroy the simple plan of their venture; and having therefore desired, that they might be empowered to return with their cargoes to the ports from whence they originally sailed, and to which all their interests are confined; government, being convinced of the justice of the representation, have proposed that the import trade may be yielded to the out-ports, _under proper regulations_, as well as the export trade. to this demand the court of directors peremptorily refuse their consent; and upon this _only point_ the parties are now at issue. this question alone, retards the final arrangements for the renewal of their charter. yet it is this point, which one of the parties interested affirms, to be "a question of the last importance to the safety of the british empire in india, and of the british constitution at home;" and therefore undertakes to resist it, with all the determination which the importance of so great a stake would naturally inspire. but, when we compare the real measure in question with the menacing character which is thus attempted to be attached to it, we at once perceive something so extravagantly hyperbolical, something so disproportionate, that it at once fixes the judgment; and forces upon it a suspicion, that there is more of policy and design, than of truth and sincerity in the assertion. that objections to the measure might arise, capable of distinct statement and exposition, is a thing conceivable; and, these being stated, it would be a subject for consideration, how far they were removable. but to assert, in a round period, that the safety of the empire in europe and asia is fundamentally affected in the requisition, that a ship proceeding from liverpool or bristol to india, might return from india to liverpool or bristol, instead of to the port of london, is calculated rather to shake, than to establish, confidence in those who make the assertion. yet this is the question which the country is now called upon to consider, as one tending to convulse the british constitution. surely, if the foundations of the empire in both hemispheres have nothing more to threaten them, than whether the out-port shipping shall carry their cargoes home to their respective ports, or repair to the dock-yards in the port of london, the most timid politician may dismiss his alarms and resume his confidence. when the east india company, by conceding a regulated export trade, have at once demonstrated the absurdity of all the predictions which foretold, in that trade, the overthrow of the indian empire; we may confidently believe, that the import trade will prove as little destructive, and that its danger will be altogether as chimerical as the former. whether the court of directors endeavour to fix that menacing character upon the proposed import trade, as a bar against any further requisition, is a question which will naturally occur to any dispassionate person, who is not immediately and personally interested in the conditions of the charter; and he will be strongly inclined to the affirmative in that question, when he finds, that the reason which they have alleged for their resistance, is their apprehension of the increased activity which the practice of smuggling would acquire, from the free return of the out-port ships from india to their respective ports. it is not a little extraordinary, that they should so strenuously urge this argument against those persons, who, while they propose the measure, are themselves responsible for the good management and protection of the revenue; and who must therefore be supposed to feel the necessity of providing means and regulations, adapted to the measure which they propose. the ministers of the crown have not failed to inform the court of directors, that, in consequence of the communications which they have had with the commissioners of the customs and excise upon the subject, they find that the directors have greatly over-rated the danger which they profess to entertain; and they acquaint them, that new regulations will be provided to meet the new occasion; and that the out-port ships and cargoes will be subject to forfeiture upon the discovery of any illicit articles on board. yet the court of directors still persist in declaring, that the hazard of _smuggling_ is _the reason_ why they will not grant to the out-ports an import trade; and this, through a fear of compromising "the safety of the british empire in india, and the british constitution at home." a calm and temperate observer, who scrupulously weighs the force and merits of this reasoning, will naturally be forced into so much scepticism as to doubt, whether there may not be some _other reasons_, besides the safety of the empire, which may induce the east india company to stand so firm for the condition of bringing all the import indian trade _into the port of london_? whether there may not be some reasons, of a _narrower_ sphere than those of the interests of the empire? in searching for such reasons, it will occur to him, that the port of london is the seat of the company's immediate and separate interests; and he will shrewdly suspect, that those interests are the _real_, while those of the empire are made the _ostensible_, motive for so vigorous a resistance. when he reflects, _that it is proposed to leave the company in the undisturbed possession of all the power of government over the indian empire, which they have hitherto enjoyed; that they are to remain possessed, as heretofore, of the exclusive trade to china, from whence four-fifths of their commercial profit is derived_; that they themselves have virtually admitted the falsity of the theoretical mischiefs, foretold as the certain results of an out-port trade, by having agreed to concede that trade, to the extent required by government; that they equally allow, an import trade for the merchants of the out-ports; but make their resistance upon the single point, that the import trade should be all brought together into their own warehouses, and should be disposed of in their own sales in leadenhall street: when he combines all these considerations, he will think that he plainly discovers, that the interests of the empire at large are not quite so much involved in the question as they proclaim; and that, if any interests are more pressingly calculated than others, it must be their own, and not the public's. if their interests are to be affected by the measure, let them fairly state it, and show the extent; but let them not endeavour to defend them covertly, under an artful and factious allegation of _the ruin of the british constitution_. and if they really do apprehend that the constitution would be endangered, let them not hazard such consequences by their own proceedings. let them not come forward as advocates for the preservation of the empire, if their rhetoric is to sink into a threat, of "_shutting up the great shop of the india house."_ it may be well to call to the recollection of the east india company, that they owe their present state to an assertion of those very rights to open trade which have now been brought forward; for, when the first, or london east india company had experienced certain disappointments and failures, various adventurers came forward with claims similar to those which have been alleged by the merchants of the present day, and obtained an incorporation, to the prejudice of the old company; and although the old, or london east india company, afterwards effected an union with the new, or english east india company, and with them gave origin to the present company, yet the united east india company should not forget, how much the activity of the indian trade was stimulated by the assertion of the rights of their predecessors, _to participate in the trade which had been granted exclusively to a former company_. gracchus. footnotes: [ ] the _rights and pretensions_ of the company are fully considered in the tenth letter. [ ] considerations on the danger of laying open the trade with india and china, p. . [ ] ibid. p. . letter ii. _wednesday, january , ._ it is a distinguishing character appertaining to britons, to express forcibly their feelings, whenever they think they discover any disposition to encroach upon their rights. it is not therefore to be wondered at, that the communication of the papers, on the subject of the east india company's charter, which was made by the directors to the proprietors, on the th instant, should have produced the effect which was then manifested; of an almost unanimous disposition, to support the directors in their resistance of a measure, which, at the time, was regarded as an invasion, on the part of the government, of the established rights of the east india company. but now that the momentary ebullition of that spirit has had time to subside, and to give place to cool and sober reflection, it may not be unacceptable to the proprietors at large to look calmly and attentively into the subject; and to examine its bearings on their own substantial interests. it must be manifest to every man, who will only refer to the accounts which have been published in the reports of the select committee of the house of commons, that, from the magnitude of the company's debt, it would be impossible to calculate the time at which the proprietors could contemplate any augmentation of their present dividends of ½ per cent.; even though the charter, instead of being within one year of its expiration, had an extended period of twenty years to operate. it is equally manifest, from the correspondence of the court of directors with government, that, in agreeing to the proposition of opening the export trade to the out-ports of the united kingdom, they were free from any apprehension, that the continuance of the present dividend could be endangered by their conceding that point. and, therefore, although the proprietors were precluded from entertaining any reasonable expectation of _an increase_ to their dividends, they were perfectly warranted to consider the continuance of that which they now receive, as free from any hazard, in consequence of the extension proposed to be granted to the export trade. whether they may remain in the same confidence, under _all_ existing circumstances, is a question which the proprietors are now earnestly solicited to examine. the point at issue (if i may apply that expression to a case, in which the company are upon the disadvantageous ground of petitioning for the renewal of a privilege, now about to expire) is, whether the ships which shall be permitted to clear out from the out-ports of the united kingdom, ought to be allowed to return to any given description of those ports, or whether they should all be compelled to enter at the port of london? and upon _this point_ is made to hinge a question, which may affect (not the _british empire and constitution_, but) the main interest of the proprietors, namely, _their dividends_. for no man can be so inconsiderately sanguine as to suppose, that the company, under the present pressure of their pecuniary embarrassments, (whatever may have been the causes from whence they have arisen;) embarrassments proceeding from a debt, in india and in england, of _more than forty-two millions_; nearly four millions of which are in accepted bills on england, which will shortly become due, and for the payment of which there are not funds at the india house; no man can be so inconsiderately sanguine as to suppose, that the dividend may not become a little precarious, under such circumstances. it must be evident to the most superficial observer, that the credit of the company with the public can only be sustained by the prompt and liberal aid of parliament; and it will hardly be maintained, that it is a _propitious_ mode of soliciting that aid, to connect with the solicitation an avowed determination to oppose a measure, which government represent it to be their duty to recommend to parliament, for the general benefit of the community; a measure, founded on, and growing out of, the principle of the charter of , which first opened the private trade between india and this country; the provisions respecting which trade have been progressively extended at subsequent periods, and of which trade the public will now call for a further enlargement and participation, as a just and necessary qualification to the proposed renewal of the company's charter. the city of london, indeed, is _now_ an exception, and apparently a very weighty one, to this general call; but it will lose much of that weight with the public, and must fall into the scale of an interested party, when it is recollected, that so long as the question between the company and the public was, whether the commerce with india should remain a strict monopoly, or whether a participation in it should be granted to individuals, under the restriction of importing to london the commercial interest of the metropolis was powerfully incited against the company; and that, to that great commercial interest, supported by the weight of mr. dundas's opinion, and to the more enlarged view which lord wellesley took of the subject, the extension that has hitherto been given to the private trade with india is to be attributed. the experience of twelve years has now proved, that both india and the parent state have greatly benefited by that extension; and it has followed, as a necessary consequence of that experience, that the active and intelligent merchants of the other large ports of the united kingdom, have urged their fair pretensions, to be admitted to a share in the profits of that widely diffused trade; by sending their merchandise from their own ports, and by receiving the returning cargoes into their own warehouses, in those ports. a reference to the printed papers (as has already been signified) will show, that the court of directors were prevailed upon to concede _the first_ of those points, but that they have been immoveable with respect to _the second_; although their own commercial knowledge must have made it evident to them, that the concession of the first, that is, _a free export_, would be nugatory, unless supported by the benefit arising from the _freedom of import_; which is not only in the proportion of four to one in amount to the export, but is requisite to give that unity to the concern, without which great commercial establishments cannot be kept up. such is the state of the question, or, as it has been called, by some strange perversion of ideas, the _negotiation_, between the company, as applicants for a renewal of their charter which is about to expire, and the government, through whose aid it is to be solicited, or at least, without whose concurrence it is certainly very questionable, whether they would be able to obtain it. these are the circumstances, under which the affairs of the east india company must necessarily, and speedily, be brought forward, for the consideration of parliament. can it, then, be considered an exaggerated view of the hazards of such a situation, to suppose, that some guardian of the public purse may deem it requisite to inquire, whether the application for pecuniary aid from parliament ought not to be preceded by a substantial proof, not of concession, for they have in fact nothing to concede, but of something like accommodation on the part of the proprietors? and in that event, might it not be questioned, whether, since the dividend of per cent. was sanctioned upon an assumption, that the revenue of the company yielded a _surplus_ of upwards of a million; now, when instead of a surplus, a _deficit_ is admitted to exist, the dividend ought not to be reduced, not merely to the standard from which it had been raised under the supposed prosperous state of the company's affairs, but to a standard to be regulated by the amount of the ascertained profits upon their own trade, under whatever circumstances it may hereafter be conducted? it is not meant to insinuate, that any condition of the kind alluded to is likely to be imposed, in granting the relief so pressingly required by the present exigencies of the company; but if a necessity for the winding up of their affairs, as an exclusive company, should arrive, and if their own resources, with the profits they may derive from their commerce as a corporate body, should not be adequate to the payment of a dividend of ½ per cent.; could it reasonably be expected, that parliament would, in _all future times_, extend its liberality towards the proprietors of india stock, to the extent of _securing to them_ a continuance of their present dividend? it is to be feared, that those who may have calculated upon such a result, have taken a false measure of their _prospective situation_; and it is on account of this apprehension, that it appears highly important to call the attention of the proprietors to the care of their own substantial interest in the dividend; an interest, which to them is, and must be paramount. gracchus. letter iii. _thursday, january , ._ it is at all times an object equally interesting and instructive, to trace the origin of laws and institutions, and to follow them in the progress of their operation; but this inquiry becomes more powerfully attractive, when the pursuit is stimulated by an anxiety to defend a supposed right, or to acquire an extension of advantages which are already possessed. such an investigation appearing to be a necessary sequel of the subject treated of in a former communication, let us now take a succinct view of those provisions of the act of , by which the east india company, upon the last renewal of their charter for a fixed time, were called upon to relax from the exclusive restrictions of the monopoly which they had so long enjoyed. taking that act as the source and origin from whence the present india question arises, let us briefly follow the subject in its progress, down to the propositions that are now before the public. it is necessary to premise, that the company had, from an early period of their commerce, granted as a favour and indulgence to the captains and officers of their ships, permission to fill a regular portion of tonnage with certain prescribed articles, upon their private account, subject to the condition; that those privileged articles should be lodged in the warehouses of the company, that they should be exposed by them at their sales, and that they should pay from to per cent. to cover the charge of commission and merchandise. the act of , relieved the trade carried on under this indulgence, by reducing the rates of charge to per cent.; which was established as the rate, at which the more enlarged trade, for the first time allowed by that act to private merchants unconnected with the company, should pay to the company; which trade was then limited to tons, the shipping for which was to be provided by the company, who were to be paid freight for such tonnage, and were to have the same control over the goods which might be imported, as they already exercised over the trade of their captains and officers. it was soon found, that the conditions, under which this trade was opened, changed its operations, so as to render the privilege of little value. the residents in india, for whose benefit it was professed to have been principally intended, presented memorials upon the subject to the governments abroad; and the merchants of london represented to the authorities in england, the necessity of an enlargement of the principle, as well as a correction of the regulations. it is not necessary, to go into any detail of the reasons upon which those applications were supported; because mr. dundas, who then presided over the affairs of india, and who had introduced and carried through parliament the bill of , did in the most explicit terms inform the court of directors, in his letter of the d april, , that "he should be uncandid, if he did not fairly acknowledge, that experience had proved it to be inadequate to the purposes for which it was intended--and that therefore he was clear, that the clause in the act ought to be repealed, and in place thereof _a power be given to the governments abroad, to allow the british subjects, resident in india, to bring home their funds to britain on the shipping of the country_;" that is to say, on ships built in india. this letter, of the president of the board of control, was referred by the court of directors to a special committee of their body; who, in a very elaborate report, dated th jan. , that is to say, after the deliberation of eight months, declared that it was impossible for them to acquiesce in the proposition then made by mr. dundas. they supported their opposition by a variety of arguments, from which the following short passage need alone be selected:--"the proposals which have been brought forward by certain descriptions of men, both in india and in england, for the admission of their ships into the trade and navigation between india and europe, _proposals which extend to the establishment of a regular and systematic privilege_ in favour of such ships, appear, when maturely weighed, and followed into all their operations, _to involve principles and effects dangerous to the interests both of the company and of the nation_; that _the adoption of those principles would, immediately and essentially, affect both the system of policy which the legislature has established for maintaining the connexion and communication between this country and british india, and the chartered privileges of the east india company_. and the introduction of any practice of this nature, would tend to widen gradually, and indefinitely, the channel of intercourse between india and britain; to multiply the relations between the two countries; and to pour europeans of the lower sort into india, and indian sailors into this country; to lessen, by both these means, the respect for the european character; _to disturb and shake our government there_; and, in a word, to lead progressively but surely to colonization." the language employed by the court of directors at the present day, in opposition to the proposition for allowing private ships returning from india to import to the places from whence they had sailed upon their outward voyage, is feeble and languid; in comparison with the passage which has been just now recited, from the report of their special committee, made upwards of twelve years ago, upon the proposition then submitted by mr. dundas. that minister, in his reply of the st march, , to the court of directors, observed, "_i have reviewed my own opinions with the most jealous attention, and i have weighed, with the most anxious care, the arguments of those who suppose that the system which i have recommended, is likely to produce any inconvenience or danger to the rights, privileges, and exclusive interests of the east india company: but it is my misfortune to view the subject in an opposite light. if any thing can endanger that monopoly, it is_ an unnecessary adherence to points not essential to its existence." mr. dundas then adverted to a letter of the th september, recently received from the governor-general, marquis wellesley, which, he said, "had with clearness and precision ably detailed and demonstrated the grounds of those opinions." but, the judgment and reasoning of mr. dundas, elucidated by the arguments of marquis wellesley, (which were founded on the knowledge of what, at the time, was passing under the eye of the governor-general,) had not influence upon the court of directors, sufficient to make them adopt the proposition of the president of the board of control; and still less, the enlargement of that proposition, as suggested by lord wellesley; who represented, "the great advantages that would result to the sovereign state, by encouraging the shipping and exportation of india; and, that if the capital of the merchants in india, should not supply funds sufficient for the conduct of the whole private export trade from india to europe, no dangerous consequences could result from applying, to this branch of commerce, capital drawn directly from the british empire in europe:" thereby taking that trade from foreign nations, whose participation in it was become "_alarmingly increasing_." these distinct and concurring opinions, of the president of the board of control and the governor-general, could not prevail upon the court of directors to "alter the opinion they had delivered." they accordingly drew up paragraphs, to be sent to the governments in india, conveying their _final resolutions and instructions_.--"the british residents in india," they said, "aided by those who take up their cause here (_viz._ the king's ministers and the merchants of london), desire to send their own ships to britain, with private merchandise; and the principle of employing british capital in this trade, is also contended for. this trade, although it might for a time be carried on through the existing forms of the company, would at length supersede them; the british commerce with india, instead of being, as it is now, _a regulated monopoly_, would deserve, more properly, the character of a regulated free trade; a title, which it is to be feared would not suit it long." such is the substance of the paragraphs which the directors had prepared, upon the propositions we have been considering; although both the one and the other of those propositions explicitly provided, _that all the private trade with india, export as well as import, should be confined to the port of london_. the board of control, though no longer presided at by mr. dundas, interposed its authority; and, on the d june, , the directors were enjoined not to send those paragraphs to india. the language of the court of directors in , upon the question of the import trade, is, as has been already affirmed, feeble and languid in comparison with that which the same body employed in and , with regard to the admission of india-built ships in the carrying trade between britain and india; but indian-built ships have, from that time to the present, been employed in that trade, and none of the alarming consequences, which the directors had predicted, have resulted from that practice. may it not therefore be reasonably assumed, that the alarm under which they now profess themselves to be, would prove to be equally unfounded; that the direful influence upon the constitution and empire, which the directors tell us is to be apprehended, from any change in the existing system that shall admit private ships returning from india to import at the places whence they had cleared out, would be found to be as little entitled to serious consideration; and that neither the public revenue, nor the immediate interests of the company, would be endangered by an experiment, which the government and the company would be equally bound to watch; and which parliament could at all times control, and if necessary, absolutely bring to a termination? gracchus. letter iv. _saturday, jan. , ._ having hitherto taken a view of those parts of the india question, which more immediately relate, to the commercial interests of this country, and to the proprietors of east india stock; let us now advert to the deportment of the directors towards the ministers of the crown, in their last communication made to the court of proprietors. it appears, from the printed papers, that as long back as the month of april, the president of the board of control put the court of directors in full possession of the _final opinion_ of his majesty's ministers; concerning the privileges of trade which, they conceived, it would be their duty to submit to parliament, as the basis of a charter. early in the month of december, a deputation from the court of directors appears to have been admitted, by special appointment, to a conference; in which it is known to every clerk and messenger about the offices, as well as to every member of that deputation, that the three secretaries of state, the first lord of the treasury, and the chancellor of the exchequer attended. and it is equally notorious, that two subsequent meetings were held, between the same parties. we are warranted to infer, from the letter of lord buckinghamshire, that the discussions which took place at those several conferences, were declared to be open and unreserved; with a view that the members of government, and the members of the deputation, might freely, and without restraint of form, deliver their reasons for the opinions which they respectively held. the impression which the court of directors received, from the conduct of the ministers of the crown, in those conferences, is manifested in the letter from the chairman and deputy chairman to the president of the board of control, of the th december, in which "they return sincere acknowledgments for the attention with which their representations had been listened to, in the various interviews with which they had been honoured by his lordship, and his majesty's ministers, who attended." in conferences of this nature, and between parties thus relatively circumstanced, all that was to be expected from the ministers of the crown was, that they should listen with attention to the representations made to them, and should reply to those representations, so as to command the acknowledgment of the inferior party. if, in the issue, (to use the words of mr. dundas to the same authorities in ,) "after having reviewed their opinions with the most jealous attention, and after having weighed, with the most anxious care, the arguments brought forward, it was still their misfortune to view the subject in an opposite light" to that which presented itself to the judgment of the directors; it was not to be expected, that they should surrender their own judgment to that of the directors, who stood in the anomalous character of defendants and judges in their own cause. at the time that these conferences were terminated, the ministers appear to have entertained an expectation, that the subject would not be further agitated, until an official communication should be made upon it from government. the court of directors, however, met on the th december, and entered something very like a protest, by anticipation, against the measure, which they knew, (from what appears to have passed at the conferences,) would be the subject of that official communication; and they transmitted it to the india board. by the irregularity of this proceeding; which bore upon the face of it the appearance of a design, either of intimidating government from coming to the final decision which they had signified, or of creating a bar against future discussion; they precluded government from going into any detail of argument, and consequently, the reply of the president of the board of control appears to have been principally intended, to convey officially to the court of directors that result, which the members of the deputation were already in possession of; namely, "those conditions, upon which alone, consistently with their public duty, the king's servants could submit a proposition to parliament for the renewal of the charter." to this official communication, the chairman and deputy chairman of the east india company sent a reply, wherein they offer some explanation of the irregularity; but, in their opposition to the ultimate determination of government, they call upon the king's confidential servants, to impart to them all the reasons which had determined them to think, that "the privilege of eastern commerce should be extended to british merchants;" and also, the specific regulations which they may propose to adopt, for giving additional security to the revenue against smuggling. the president of the board of control, thus called upon to step out of his sphere, or to admit the court of directors to _cabinet discussions_, was constrained to acquaint them, that "the duty of ministers had been performed, by communicating to the company the conditions on which they were disposed to submit the business to parliament;" at the same time informing them, that they would find most of the reasons, which had determined the judgment of ministers to yield to the representations of the out-port merchants, stated "in the petitions presented by those merchants to the houses of parliament." and he finally referred them, with confidence, to the "justice and wisdom of parliament, for obtaining a due regard to their interests." if the court of directors did not entertain feelings and views very different from those of the community at large, in consequence of that peculiar position which renders them _defendants, and judges, in their own cause_, they could not fail to contemplate with applause, the temper, patience, and regard to public engagements, which mark the whole proceedings of government on this arduous occasion. but, being at one and the same moment, petitioners and arbitrators, and having their judgments biassed under those clashing characters, they have not always kept themselves within the capacity, in which alone they can consistently treat with the government of the country. in their communications with the servants of the crown, respecting the renewal of their charter, all that they are authorized to pretend to, is to have a distinct knowledge of the conditions, on which the government think they shall be justified in the sight of the country, in proposing to parliament the renewal of their charter; and, in the course of obtaining this information, they have experienced the utmost consideration, and have received the most ample and unreserved communications from his majesty's confidential servants; who have given their attention to every argument urged by those who appeared as representatives of the court of directors, and have put them in possession of all the grounds upon which they differ from them in opinion. after having done this, they have discharged their highly responsible duty to the public; and if "_they have the misfortune to view the subject in an opposite light_," the company's records will show them, that this is not the first time a radical difference of opinion had subsisted, concerning their pretensions, between the king's ministers and the court of directors. such being the true state of the case, it becomes a subject of grave inquiry, why the directors, in the court of proprietors held at the india house on the th instant, took no step whatever for moderating the spirit which was then shown; or for rectifying the false impressions which were there testified, respecting the deportment of his majesty's ministers. it does not appear, that any one of the directors who were parties in those various conferences, in which they acknowledge to the president of the board of control that they experienced so much attention, took any forward step to set right the misrepresentations which were delivered; or to repel the charges, implied or declared, of contempt, neglect, encroachment, &c. which were so freely imputed to the servants of the crown. but they left the spirit which had improperly been excited, to act by the impulse of an erroneous impression; omitting to render to the government that justice, which the frankness of their proceedings strongly called for. a review of the debate at the india house,--with the directors, either silently withholding what they were enabled to impart in justification of the government, or by the rhetoric of some of them tending to blow wider the flames of discord,--would almost authorize a suspicion, that the directors were not displeased at the fever which their silence nourished. it is therefore earnestly to be hoped, for the honour of the east india company, and more especially for the interest of the proprietors, that some director, or other individual, may, at the next general court, strive to efface the memory of the last; who may call upon the deputation, to render to the ministers of the crown whatever justice is due to them, for their conduct in the late discussions; and who may recommend a revision of the statement, in which they represent to those ministers, that the terms on which government have offered to the company a charter, are such as may "_leave their dividend unprovided for_," and "_create a necessity for their going to parliament_!" for, unless they have brought themselves to a state to suppose, that ministers and the public have lost all intelligence, they must know, that both ministers and the public are well aware, that they are actually under _a necessity of going to parliament_ for aid, as soon as parliament shall be assembled; and that, at the present moment, _their dividend_ may, in strictness, be considered as _unprovided for_. gracchus. letter v. _tuesday, january , ._ the writers, who have recently undertaken to defend and justify the opposition of the court of directors to any extension of the import trade from india to the out-ports of the kingdom, have laid a peculiar stress upon an opinion conveyed in that part of mr. dundas's letter of the d of april , in which that minister was considering "the _agents_ to be employed at home; to manage the private trade of individuals from india, and to take care of their interests in the cargoes of the returning ships." he states his opinion, that "there is no use of any interference by the company; that the great interest to be attended to on _the part of the company_, is, that no goods come from india that are not deposited in the company's warehouses; and that the goods, so imported, be exposed at the company's sales, agreeably to the rules prescribed for that purpose." in taking ground upon any principle, it is necessary to ascertain whether it applies to the case in point. that it was a great interest to the east india company to watch and control the trade carrying on under their own licenses, is obvious; and this the company could not effectually do, unless that trade, on its return from india, was brought under their own eye, and collected within the sphere of their own control; which is confined to the port of london. but the case, to which this argument is now applied by the advocates for the company, is so essentially deficient, that the principles appear to be wholly inapplicable. in this _new case_, the extended trade would be carried on, not under _the company's licenses_, but under _the provision of parliament_; and the protection and control of that trade would become the care, not of the company, but of the executive government. here then the determination of that trade would be governed, not by the separate interest of the company (which alone came within the scope of mr. dundas's argument), but by the combined interests of the company and the public at large. to this _combined interest_, mr. dundas's argument was _not_ directed; and it is a fallacy in reasoning, to apply a partial argument to a general case. but, let us grant what these advocates assume; that the opinion here delivered by mr. dundas, does really apply to the case in question. may not that have happened at the present day, which actually did happen with regard to the regulations of the charter of ? might not new light be thrown upon a subject in , which was supposed to have been thoroughly investigated in ? and, as the candour and openness of mr. dundas caused him, in , to avow, that the provisions of were _inadequate_, and prompted him strenuously to recommend the adoption of a _new principle_; is it not possible that, taking into his view all the circumstances which bear upon the question at the present day, he might, had his life been spared, have been convinced, that the extraordinary and unforeseen changes which have taken place in the political and commercial world, might have now rendered it, not only expedient but, necessary to relax, in some degree, upon the point of the import trade from india? at an early period of the present discussion, ministers appear to have entertained the same maxim, of confining the import trade from india to the port of london. they were afterwards led, by a full exposition of all the various interests which remonstrated against that close restriction, to deem it just and expedient to propose (and wise and politic for the east india company to consent), that _such of the principal out-ports as possessed the means whereby smuggling could best be guarded against_, should participate with london in the import trade from india; reserving exclusively to london, the whole of the trade from china. this alteration of their original plan was suggested by them to the court of directors, not as a relaxation of the _existing privileges_ of the company (which was the nature of mr. dundas's proposition in ), but as a qualification to take place under _a new charter_. when mr. dundas suggested to the directors the new principle, of admitting indian-built ships as the vehicle for carrying on the private trade, he was not treating with them concerning _the renewal_ of their charter; for they had then an _unexpired term of fourteen years_, in the privileges conferred upon them by the act of . his proposition, as has been just observed, went to _a relaxation_ of an important part of those _subsisting privileges_; for which he sought to gain their acquiescence; and as his opinion was decided and avowed, "that the ostensible form of government for india, with all its consequent detail of patronage, must remain as it now is, and that the monopoly of that trade ought properly to continue in the hands of the east india company;" it was prudent and seasonable in him to dwell upon that point. have not the ministers of the present day evinced the same opinion? have they not proposed, to leave the patronage of india, and the exclusive profits of the china trade, with the company? does not the china trade ensure the employment of all the large ships in the service of the company; together with the continued engagement, in that line of service, of the commanders and officers of those ships; and also, of every other description of person now connected with that (_the largest_) branch of the company's concerns? have not ministers proposed to confine the private trade with india to ships of four hundred tons and upwards; thereby leaving to the owners of such of the smaller ships now in the service of the company, as by possibility may not be required for their commerce, the advantage (which establishment in any line of business must always give) of finding employment from those who, under the proposed extension, may engage in that trade? have not ministers, in proposing that the _government_ of india should continue to be administered through the organ of the company, proposed to them the continuance of the peculiar and great benefit, of carrying on their _commerce_ by means of _the revenue_ of that government? whereas, the private adventurers must trade upon their own capitals, or at an heavy charge of interest. how is it, then, that we hear so much of the loss which our navy must sustain, from the large ships of the company being withdrawn from the eastern trade; of the distress to which the commanders and officers, and the numerous classes of artificers and others connected with those ships, are to be exposed? why are we told, that the east india docks will be left empty, and the proprietors be reduced to apply to parliament for an indemnification? can it possibly happen, that all these calamities, so heavily denounced, should arise out of a permission to be granted to private ships, returning from india, to proceed to _certain ports to be designated_; more advantageously situated for their trade than the port of london? a permission, which the directors themselves are of opinion will not long be made use of to any great extent; for they have told us, that the adventurers in those private ships will be disappointed in their speculations; and they have adverted to the mass of individual loss, which must ensue from the delusion, as furnishing a strong argument, why government ought not to yield to the importunity of the merchants of the out-ports. from all that has been stated, it would appear, that instead of the exaggerated picture of distress, which the advocates for a close monopoly to the port of london have represented as the necessary consequence of relieving commerce from its present restrictions, we ought to entertain a well-founded expectation; that _every class and description of persons_, who now find employment in the indian trade, will continue to have their industry called into action in the same line of employment, and even to a greater extent, in some instances, than is now experienced. for, unless the _union of interests_, which has so recently taken place between the city of london and the east india company, should have the effect of preventing all competition between the merchants of london (formerly so eager to participate in the trade with india), and the merchants of the out-ports; it cannot fail to happen, from the spirit of enterprise which has uniformly distinguished the metropolis, that the port of london, _to which the whole india trade would be generally open_, will furnish its full proportion of the new adventurers; and thus amply fill up that void, which the east india company affirm would be created in the port of london, by diverting so much of the indian trade to the out-ports: more especially, as all the houses of indian agency, which have been formed since the act of , are established within the metropolis. since this is the just prospect, which the adoption of the conditions proposed by government as the terms for the renewal of the company's charter, opens to our view; since the share which the london merchants may take in the enlargement of the trade, would not fail to supply employment for all that industry, which the court of directors assert will be interrupted and suspended; while, at the same time, the extension of that advantage will create new sources of industry in various parts of the kingdom, without impairing or diminishing that of london; whose will be the awful responsibility, if, by an obstinate rejection of terms capable of yielding consequences so extensively beneficial to the community, the charter of the company should not be renewed; and if the disastrous effect should in consequence be produced, in london and its vicinity, of "a suspended industry, interrupted employment," and all the train of sufferings and calamities which has been drawn out? who will be chargeable, before the country, with "the loss and waste of establishments which have cost upwards of a million sterling--of shipping, to the amount of many millions--of a numerous and respectable class of warehouse-keepers, clerks, and superior servants, joined to three thousand labourers, and their families--of tradesmen of various descriptions, who have incurred a very great expense for the conduct of their business?" who will be chargeable, in fact, with all this destruction? will it be the government, who desire the east india company _to keep their indian empire, and their exclusive china trade_? or will it be the conductors of the east india company, who shall suffer this great machine suddenly to stop its action, _because their limited exclusive privileges are not made perpetual_? gracchus. letter vi. _friday, january , ._ gracchus is charged, by some of the champions of the east india company, with error and a want of candour, because he has represented the directors to have maintained, that opening the import trade from india to the out-ports of the kingdom, involves a question of the last importance to the british empire in india, and to the british constitution at home; and those writers affirm, that the directors do not deduce the danger of those great interests from the question of the out-port trade, but from the question of disturbing the present system of administering the government of india. yet he can discover, neither error nor want of candour in his statement. if those advocates will take the pains to follow the whole argument of the directors, on the present occasion, throughout, they must be sensible, that his statement cannot be controverted. the directors, indeed, avoid expressing their proposition in the fair and distinct form in which it is here drawn out; yet such is the proposition in effect. for, if the whole of it be reduced into a form of syllogism, it is no other than this:-- "whatever shall cause the subversion of the present system of indian government, will cause danger to the empire and constitution. "but, pressing the extension of _an import trade from india to the out-ports_, will cause the subversion of the present system of indian government. "therefore, _pressing the extension of an import trade to the out-ports, will cause danger to the empire and constitution_." if we question the _minor_ proposition, and ask, why, pressing an import trade for the out-ports, should necessarily cause the subversion of the existing system of indian government? the answer of the directors is already given:--because they _will not_ continue to carry on that government, if an import trade from india should be granted to the out-ports. thus, the original statement is demonstrably established; and all the logic of the city cannot overturn it. the directors must permit the words "_will not_;" for, with the record of the east india company's history before us, it is impossible to say they _cannot_. in proof of this assertion, let us take a review of that history, and let us examine, what evil resulted to the company, _during the period that the import trade from india_ was actually _extended to the out-ports of great britain_. when the first, or london east india company, had incurred the forfeiture of their charter in , by the non-payment of a stipulated sum of money, their privileges were immediately restored to them, and confirmed by letters patent, granted by king william iii. upon this express ground:--"considering how highly it imports the honour and welfare of this our kingdom, and our subjects thereof, that a trade and traffic to the east indies should be continued; and being well satisfied that the same may be of great and public advantage; and being also desirous to render the same, as much as in us lies, _more national, general, and extensive, than hitherto it hath been_," &c. this principle, of promoting a more national, general, and extensive trade to india than had subsisted under the then existing company's exclusive charter, gave rise to _a new measure_ in the year , in an act passed in the th and th year of the same king, entitled, _an act for raising a sum not exceeding two millions, &c. and for settling the trade to the east indies_. the parties subscribing towards that loan, were formed into a society, called _the general society of merchants, &c._; and such of them as chose to unite their subscriptions, and to form a joint-stock, were incorporated under the name of _the english east india company, &c._ the general society possessed the privilege of an export and import trade with india, with the power of _bringing their import cargoes from india to the_ out-ports _of the kingdom_, in the same manner as is proposed by government at the present day; with this only difference, that the general society of merchants were not restricted as to the ports at which they should enter, whereas government have _now_ proposed, that merchants _should be restricted to such ports as can best afford the means of guarding against the depredations of smuggling_. the regulations, which were adopted for ships importing from india to the out-ports, are to be found in the act and william iii. c. . s. . and were as follows:-- "provided always, and it is here enacted, that no company, or _particular person or persons_, who shall have a right, in pursuance of this act, to trade to the east indies, or other parts within the limits aforesaid, shall be allowed to trade, until _sufficient security_ shall be first given (which the commissioners of the customs in england, or any three or more of them for the time being, are hereby authorized and required to take, in the name and to the use of his majesty, his heirs and successors), that such company, or _particular persons_, shall cause all the goods, wares, merchandise, and commodities, which shall at any time or times hereafter, during the continuance of this act, be laden by or for them, or _any of them_, or for their, or any of their accounts, in _any ship_ or ships whatsoever, bound from the said east indies, or parts within the limits aforesaid, to be brought (without breaking bulk), to _some port of england or wales_, and _there be unladen and put to land_, &c. and that all goods and merchandises belonging to the company aforesaid, or _any other traders to the east indies_, and which shall be _imported into england or wales_, as aforesaid, pursuant to this act, shall by them be sold openly and publicly, by inch of candle, _upon their respective accounts_, and not otherwise." upon this act of the th and th of william iii. was built, in the following year, that famous charter of the company, upon which they rest the weight of their pretensions; and that very charter, as is here rendered incontestable by the act itself, comprehended the principle, _of an import trade from india to the_ out-ports _of the kingdom_. the form and condition of the security which was to be given by the out-port merchants, will be found in the act, th anne, c. . entitled, "_an act for better securing the duties on east india goods_." by that act, the security to be given was fixed "at the rate of l. sterling for every hundred ton their ships or vessels shall be respectively let for;" and the _only_ restriction imposed upon the import trade from india was, that it should be brought "_to some port in great britain_." thus, then, any man who looks but a little beyond the objects which lie accidentally before his eyes, may see, that the measure now suggested by government, instead of being a wild and airy speculation, a theoretical innovation, a _new_, untried, and dangerous experiment, on which we have no ground to reason from experience (as it has been ignorantly and falsely asserted), is nothing more than reverting to an _ancient_ principle, involved in the company's applauded charter of the th of william the third, and to the practice of our forefathers in the brightest period of our domestic history; a period, in which the british constitution received its last perfection, and from which the present power and greatness of the british empire, in the east and in the west, dates its origin. having sufficiently proved and established this _great fact_, let us next inquire, what history reveals to us, of _the consequences_ of that import trade to the out-ports, that can tend, in any degree, to justify, or give support to, the company, in determining to resort to an alternative which, they acknowledge, will subvert the system of indian government (and thereby shake the constitution at home), rather than _renew the measure_ of a regulated trade to the out-ports. we have not to deduce these consequences from _abstract hypothesis_, but from _historical testimony_; let us, then, observe what that testimony unfolds. no evil, of any kind whatever, resulted to the incorporated, or joint stock company, from the privilege enjoyed by the out ports. on the contrary, that _joint stock company_, issuing out of the general society of merchants (which, as has been above stated, soon became the english east india company), rose above all their competitors, notwithstanding the power of importing, without limitation, to _any of the ports of the kingdom_; and such was the rapidity of their progress, that they overcame the former, or london company; they obtained a surrender of all their rights to st. helena, bombay, and all their other islands and settlements in india; they at length received that ancient company into their own body; and finally became the united east india company of the present day. and so little did the competition and free import of the general merchants tend to obstruct the growth of the united company, even in the age of its _infancy_; and so "superior were the advantages they derived from trading with a joint-stock (to use the words of one of the company's most strenuous champions), that at the time of the union of the two companies, out of the whole loan of two millions, only l. then remained the property of the _separate traders of the general society_; and this sum also was soon absorbed in the united company[ ]." if then the company, starting originally with only a joint stock, against a competition in the out-ports of the kingdom, with a power to import to those out-ports, outstripped and overcame all their competitors; what can they seriously apprehend from a renewal of the same experiment, in the present momentum of their power, and when they are able to unite with their joint-stock, the whole of the revenues of their present empire in the east? but it may be asked, if no better success is likely to attend the commercial speculations of the out-ports, why is so strong an effort made, to admit them to a share in the india trade? the answer is obvious. when mr. dundas, in the year , so forcibly expressed his opinion against any such admission, he did not ground that opinion upon a question of _ports_, but of _commercial capital_. he considered the capital of the company as sufficient for all the advantage which the public, in the aggregate, could derive from the india trade; and he maintained, that the aggregate interest of the public would suffer from any measure, tending "to divert any larger proportion of the commercial capital of the country from a more advantageous and more profitable use." but the circumstances of the world are become materially altered, since the period of . the commercial capital, of which mr. dundas then reasoned, is deprived of that advantageous and profitable employment which his argument supposed, and is therefore without application or direction; from whence it has resulted, that the operation of commerce is interrupted, and its activity suspended. the allowing that capital to be partially directed to the markets of india, would therefore, under present circumstances, have the great national advantage, of recovering the activity and spirit of commerce, and of encouraging an extensive public interest which is at present disappointed, if not dormant; and, whenever a more prosperous state of things should return, the capital so engaged for a time, would, from the nature of commerce, unquestionably recall itself, and seek again a more profitable market, if any such should open. in the mean time, the east india company, adding to their joint-stock all the revenues of india, need hardly know, because they could not _feel_, that they had any competitors in the markets of india. and, as the executive government was able to guard the out-ports against smuggling in the period of _the infancy_ of the company, they might and ought to feel a perfect confidence, that the same authority can guard them equally now, in the present period of _their maturity_. thus, since history renders it indisputable, that an import trade from india to the out-ports of the kingdom has been heretofore exercised under acts of parliament, and that it may be perfectly compatible with the highest prosperity of the east india company; since the executive government can guard it against smuggling at the present day, as well as in the reigns of king william and queen anne; and since a great and urgent national interest reasonably demands it, both from parliament and the company; the present moment furnishes a most fit occasion for the company to consider, mr. dundas's solemn call upon "their wisdom, policy, and liberality," made by him to them in the year ; and also, his weighty admonition, that "_if any thing can endanger their monopoly, it is_ an unnecessary adherence to points not essential to their existence." it has been called _illiberal_, to question the motives of the directors, in refusing their consent to an import trade to the out-ports. but, with the facts of history, which have been here produced, staring us and them in the face, it would be impossible not to question those motives. no man can entertain a higher respect for the east india company, as a body politic and corporate, or contemplate with higher admiration the distinguished career which it has run, than gracchus; but, at the same time, no one is better persuaded of the operation of _policy_, in a body circumstanced as they are. and it is more especially necessary to watch that policy, and to be free to interpret _political motives_, at the present crisis, because, at the eve of the expiration of the company's _last_ charter, in , certain rights were anxiously alleged on their behalf, in a work entitled, "_a short history of the east india company_, &c." rights absolutely unmaintainable, and utterly incompatible with the sovereignty of the empire, and the freedom of the constitution; and the allegations then made, appear now to assume the form of _a practical assertion_. to those alleged rights, therefore, it will be advisable early to call the attention of parliament and of the nation. gracchus. footnote: [ ] a short history of the east india company. letter vii. _wednesday, jan. , ._ there is an irritability manifested at the present moment, by those who are intimately united in interest with the east india company, which appears strongly indicative of an unhealthy case. it is well known, that the revenues of the company, far from being able to contribute to the revenues of the state that augmentation which was made the condition of the company's present charter, have, from causes which the directors could not control, been so deficient, that they have been obliged, at different times, to apply to parliament for pecuniary aid; that they are burdened with a debt of not less than forty-two millions; and that they are _now_ unable to discharge their engagements, without again coming to parliament to obtain the means. yet, "an old proprietor" feels no uneasiness from this state of the company's affairs; and this, we must suppose, proceeds from an opinion, that the dividend he now receives is _secured to him for the time to come_. but parliament has never, directly nor indirectly, made itself a _collateral security_ to the proprietors, for the payment of a dividend of ½ percent. the aids, at different times granted by parliament, have proceeded from a mixed principle, of _equity_ and of _liberal support_. of _equity_, in so far as the embarrassments of the company have been occasioned by political events; of _liberal support_, in so far as those embarrassments may have been caused by disappointment in trade. if the proprietors should not discriminate between these two principles which have actuated parliament, but claim the whole of the succours afforded, upon a ground of _positive right_, they might impose upon parliament the necessity of requiring the east india company to bring their affairs to a final settlement; in order that it may be accurately determined, how far the public are equitably pledged to the proprietors, and how far the proprietors must be left to settle their own accounts with the company alone. and it is possible, that the result might not afford that confidence of a well-secured dividend of ten and a half per cent., which an old proprietor considers it an attack upon private property even to question. such an issue, however, does not appear to be very likely to occur, unless the managers of the east india company's concerns, from any ill-advised determination in their counsels, should take some steps, by which their affairs should be abruptly brought to a settlement: in which event, any disappointment or loss sustained by the proprietors will be chargeable upon those managers, who thus desert their duty to their constituents; and not on the public, or the government. the managers of the east india company, having so clear and responsible a duty binding upon them, ought to be most scrupulous of failing in that duty, through any capricious or speculative "_adherence to points not essential to their existence_;" for, if they should sacrifice the interest of the proprietors by now attempting to convert their _temporary grants_ into a _perpetual right_; although the disappointed proprietors may arraign the public, yet the public at large will, with justice, impeach the managers of the east india company. in order to open the eyes of the proprietors to the simple fact of their actual position, their attention was called by gracchus, on the th inst. to the consideration, whether the company, loaded with a debt of , , l. and being unable to discharge the sum of four millions becoming due, could reasonably expect, that if parliament should now come to their immediate relief, it would engage itself, _in all future time_, for the payment of a dividend of ten and a half per cent.; especially, if, upon any contingent winding up of the company's affairs, called for by their own pertinacity, their remaining resources should be found inadequate to secure that dividend to the proprietors? and the possible case was suggested, of some guardian of the public purse deeming it equitable, that in the event of parliament being disposed to come to the relief of the proprietors, under such circumstances, the latter should be called upon, on their part, to submit to some condition of accommodation. "an old proprietor" discovers in this argument of caution, only _a direct menace_ from the executive government to the purses of the proprietors;--a plain and intelligible _threat_, that payment of their just claims shall be withheld; and he "thanks god, that he lives in a country, where such language will be treated with merited scorn." this old proprietor should have known, that government has never declined to settle any accounts with the east india company, which had been properly authenticated: under present circumstances, it is not to be expected, that government should incur the responsibility of applying the public money to discharge claims which have not been sufficiently investigated. so far, however, is government from having evinced any disposition to throw unnecessary difficulties in the way of the company's pecuniary arrangements, that, in the midst of the present contest with the directors, it has granted to the company a suspension of the payment of between and , l. of tea duties, which the company had actually received from the buyers of the tea. it is perhaps not generally known, that the company formerly paid the duties upon tea upon its being imported and landed; by which means the amount of duties was immediately drawn into the exchequer. to accommodate the company, a change of practice was allowed by government, and the company have been permitted to sell their teas, in the first instance, without the interference of the officers of the customs, upon condition of the company afterwards remitting the gross amount of duties to the board of revenue. thus they actually make their own profits upon the tea, and receive into their own hands the government duties, before they are called upon to pay them. the duties actually so received by the company, amount to the sum above stated; and the _old proprietor_ will probably deem it no slight proof of a wish on the part of government to render an accommodation to the company, that, during the pending discussion, it has made arrangements for allowing the company an extended period, for transferring the very considerable sum of which they have actually received the beneficial use. it should be always remembered, by the company, and by the public, as parties in a great compact, that the privilege of an exclusive trade to india and china has never been granted to the company without reserve; or, as if their possession of that exclusive benefit was, _in itself_, the most advantageous arrangement for the public interest. the grant has always proceeded upon a principle, of bargain and covenant; and on the consideration of a pecuniary, advance, to be made by the company to the public, as the condition for the renewal of _the lease of the public rights in the india trade_. upon this principle alone, has the exclusive trade ever been conceded to the east india company; either under its present form, or under any of its former denominations. to shorten the discussion, however, let the proprietors and the company take the following compressed view, of the probable consequences which would severally result, from a _compliance with_, or _rejection of_, the proposition made by government, as the basis of a new charter; and let them consider, in _which of the two_ they foresee the greatest security for their own future interests. if, upon maturely weighing the case before them, the company should accede to the proposition of government; and if an arrangement, founded upon that proposition, should receive the sanction of parliament; . the company will preserve _the entire china trade_; and this principal sphere of their commercial profit, will remain undisturbed. . they will possess advantages for continuing to carry on the india trade, so far superior to those of all private competitors, from _their territorial and commercial revenues_, that, with a moderate exertion of their activity, they may preserve almost the whole of that trade. . they will possess _the regulation and control of the india trade_, so far as depends upon the indian governments; and as those governments will continue in the exercise of the executive power, all the private merchants, who may repair to the ports and harbours within the extensive limits of their jurisdiction, will of course _be subject to the authority of their government_. . they will retain the whole patronage and expenditure of a revenue of upwards of _fifteen millions_ sterling per annum in india, together with very extensive establishments at home, depending upon that revenue. . the accounts between the public and the company, being brought to no sudden and violent crisis of settlement, may be amicably and leisurely adjusted, with a view to mutual convenience. on the other hand, should the company incautiously drop the _substance_ to pursue the _shadow_, and refuse the proposition of government; and should parliament, upon a full and deliberate consideration of the actual circumstances of the company, deem it more advisable to bring their accounts with the public to a thorough investigation and final settlement, than to admit the company's new pretensions to _a perpetual monopoly_; . the company will lose as much of the china trade as may fall into the hands of the private merchants, who _think_ they shall be able to sell tea per cent. cheaper than the company. . they will lose the control of the india commerce, _and will carry on their traffic in india as subjects_, in common with the private british merchants. . by that loss, voluntarily incurred, they may throw the greatest part of the trade into the hands of the private traders. . they will _lose the patronage of india, and the establishments depending upon it_; which they will thus compel parliament, contrary to the disposition of government, to place under different arrangements. . the accounts between the public and the company must be referred for investigation to commissioners of inquiry, to be finally settled and adjusted. it is now for the proprietors, after well considering these two alternatives, to determine, under _which of the two_ their dividend will be _most secure_. with regard to constitutional objections against taking the government of india out of the hands of the company (upon which objection their confidence in their present pretensions chiefly reposes), it is difficult to conceive that the wisdom of parliament, after the experience of so many years, is unequal to the task of devising a system as good as that of the company, without incurring the evil which those constitutional objections suppose. the company's government, it must be recollected, has been a production of chance, and has grown by the progress of accidental events. it has, indeed, answered far better in practice than could have been expected, if we consider its origin; and therefore, it is not desirable that it should be materially altered; neither is it likely that any such alteration of the system should be contemplated, unless the indiscretion of the company should impose upon parliament the necessity of resorting to that measure. but it certainly does not seem to be a measure insuperably difficult, to preserve whatever is really good in the present system, and even to remedy some of its defects, without departing from the path of experience, and resorting to improvements of theory and experiment. there is one point of view, however, in which such a system would acquire an evident advantage over that which has hitherto obtained: viz. that it would, in every session, be liable to the revision of parliament, and to the immediate correction of every error which might be observed, and to such further continual improvements as experience might direct; _not being embarrassed by the compact of a charter_. gracchus. letter viii. _wednesday, february , ._ it is very observable, that the objections which have been made by the east india company to the admission of ships, returning from india, to import and dispose of their cargoes at any other place than the port of london, are not founded so much upon any statement of the injury which the trade of the company would sustain by admitting them, as upon a provident regard for the adventurers themselves, and a caution held out to them not to entertain an expectation of benefiting by any commercial speculation in india; since the long experience of the company has enabled them to show, that it must be ultimately ruinous to the speculator. the sum of the experience, alleged by those who have come forward to defend this point, is, "_that it is not practicable to extend the consumption of european manufactures generally in india_;" and the facts which they have asserted in support of this experimental argument, and upon which they rest its strength, are these four following: . that the natives of india entertain a strong characteristic aversion, to engage in commercial transactions with foreigners. . that their religious prejudices, customs, habits, and tastes, render it impossible that they should ever become consumers of our manufactures, to any extent. . that their poverty opposes an insuperable bar to such consumption. . that these facts and their consequences are demonstrated in the examples of the portuguese and the dutch, who were not able to carry their export commerce with india to any considerable extent. let us take these several propositions in their order; and examine, how far they possess that force of truth, which the company has supposed to belong to them. . in the infancy of the european intercourse with india, the sole object of those who engaged in its commerce was, to procure the produce and commodities of the east. in this pursuit, so far were the natives from opposing any obstacles to their endeavours, that they were found disposed to afford every facility to a traffic, which brought them _specie_ in exchange for their manufactures, and for the productions of their soil. this fact, which is established by every writer who treated upon the subject of the india commerce during that period, would of itself constitute a complete answer to those who advance the proposition, that the natives of india are averse, through an established prejudice, to engage in commercial transactions with foreigners. when the ingenuity of the french and german artists enabled the speculators in this traffic to introduce _works of fancy_, we learn from tavernier, who made six several journeys, between the years and , from france to india, by various routes, that the rajahs of hindostan and of the deccan, as well as the mahomedan princes of those countries, admitted him into their states; that the articles of manufacture which he introduced were received and purchased with an avidity which encouraged him to continue, for so many years, the pursuit of that commerce; that he found the natives of india, spread over the whole range of country from the indus to the caspian sea, engaged in the active prosecution of foreign traffic; and that the number of _banyans_ (the chief commercial cast of hindoos) at that time established at ispahan, were not less than ten thousand. forster, who, in a more recent period, followed tavernier in one of the routes which he had traversed, informs us, that, in the year , he found banyans established at astrachan, within the russian empire. and we further learn from bruce, that the principal agents of commerce at mocha and jedda, in the red sea, were banyans; and that they had even extended themselves into abyssinia. no stronger evidence, therefore, can be required to make it manifest, that foreign as well as internal trade has been in all ages, and still continues to be at the present day, a common practice, and a favourite pursuit of the hindoos. . with regard to the restrictive operation of the religious prejudices and customs of the hindoos, against the adoption of foreign articles of manufacture; mr. colebrooke, lately a member of the supreme council, and an eminent oriental scholar, has furnished us with information upon this subject, equally important and decisive. in an unpublished work, on the agriculture and commerce of bengal, cited in _the edinburgh review_, for november , that gentleman observes, that, according to the sentiments of the hindoos, "all things come _undefiled_ from _the shop_;" or, in the words of menu, "the hands of an artist employed in his art are always pure; and so is every vendible commodity when exposed to sale: that woollens are purified by a single exposure to air, while water is necessary to purify other clothes." proceeding with these principles, he further informs us, "that the rainy season and winter of india afford real occasion for the use of woollens; that the fabrics of europe are always preferred; and, if the articles were adapted in the manufacture to the indian use, and the price reduced, the consumption would descend from the middle even to the more numerous classes. that the natives of india do not want a taste for porcelaine, and other elegant wares; that they require vast quantities of metallic vessels, and of hardware; that, considering the greatness of the population, and the disposition of the natives to use european manufactures, it cannot be doubted, that a great vend might be found, and that the demand will increase with the restoration of wealth." the authority of mr. colebrooke on this subject would be conclusive, even if it stood alone: but it may be supported by a reference to the opinion of many persons, who have been resident in the great cities of india. those persons would be found to testify, that at delhi, at lucknow, at hydrabad, mysore, and tanjore, in all the capitals, whether hindoo or mahomedan, a taste prevails amongst the natives for a variety of articles of european manufacture. the late nabob of oude, was known to have affected the european dress; as may be seen by the costume of his picture, in the possession of the marquis wellesley. a large assortment of cut glass lustres has been provided by order, for the soubahdar of the deccan; and a person is now proceeding to india, with the license of the company, for the express purpose of arranging them, when they shall have reached his palace of hydrabad. the rajah of mysore (and, in the same manner, many of the serdars of that state), is frequently clothed in scarlet cloth; his servants are generally dressed in woollen of that colour; and he often travels in an english carriage, driven by postillions, who are habited in the english costume. the rajah of tanjore exhibits in his palace a colossal marble statue of himself, wrought by the hand of flaxman; and the monument of his revered mentor, the late celebrated missionary swartz, sculptured by the same eminent artist, was executed and sent to tanjore, at the express and urgent desire of that enlightened prince. we must further observe, that so far are the religious and civil habits of the hindoos from obstructing the intercourse of trade, that their policy has connected trade with religion; and the great festivals of their worship, are at the same time the appointed periods and scenes of their most active commerce. jaggernaut, ramisseram, tripetty, are the most celebrated places of hindoo devotion within the british dominions; and every one who has resided in india must know, that _fairs_ are held at those places at the periods, when the greatest concourse of pilgrims is drawn to them by the celebration of their religious rites and ceremonies. in further illustration of the disposition of the natives to traffic, in every way by which profit can be derived, the following fact may be stated; which can be attested by every officer who served with the army under sir arthur wellesley (now marquis of wellington), against the mahrattas, in . the distant and severe service in which that army had been engaged, had exhausted the store of european necessaries with which it had advanced against the enemy; and the officers arrived at poonah, almost destitute of those comforts and accommodations. but they found the native merchants of that capital provided with the most essential of those several articles, and they were soon supplied, through the agency of those merchants, with every thing for which they had occasion. poonah is the capital of a brahmin government; and, therefore, this single fact would serve to furnish a complete answer to every thing that has been asserted, against the practicability of introducing and extending the manufactures of europe into every part of hindostan. . that the poverty of a large majority of the native subjects of our indian empire is such, as to disable them from acquiring our manufactures, is certainly true; but it is no less true, that a very considerable portion of that population possess the means of indulging in every article of convenience and luxury, both native and european. it has been very generally stated, that there are only _two_ classes of people in india, the very rich and the very poor. but a minute investigation into the society of india, would discover the error of this statement, and would show, that there exists a third and _middle_ class, far removed from the condition of either of the others; greatly exceeding in number the former of these, and falling far short of the latter. this class, as they certainly possess the means, would, if proper steps were taken, materially contribute to the demand and consumption of many of our home manufactures. . with respect to the evidence, attempted to be drawn from the ill success of the portuguese and dutch traders, we are to observe, that the situation of the portuguese and the dutch, during the period when they were in possession of the european trade with india, was so exceedingly different from that of the british nation at the present moment, that it is scarcely possible to draw a sound comparison between them. the native governments were at that time powerful; and the establishments of the portuguese, and afterwards of the dutch, extended but a short distance from the sea-coast; the manufactures of europe were, in a manner, in their infancy; and neither portugal nor holland were manufacturing countries. whereas, the british empire is now established over the richest and most populous regions of india, and its influence is extended even further than its dominion; the manufactures of the united kingdom have attained a degree of perfection, which never has been equalled; they can be fashioned to the tastes, the wants, and the caprices of every nation and climate; and certainly, the interests of the country call for the cultivation of every channel, which can be opened for the enlargement of our commerce. we cannot better conclude these observations, than by applying the circumstantial evidence which they afford, to mr. dundas's letter of the d april ; in which that minister admitted the fact, of a _progressively increasing_ consumption; but, at the same time, conceived, that the _customs of the natives_ would prescribe _limits_ to its extension. "i do not mean to say," says he, "that the exports from this country to india have not been _very considerably increased of late years_; and i make no doubt that, from recent circumstances, _they may be still considerably increased_. but the prospect, _from the causes i have already referred to_, must always be a limited one." what these causes are he thus explains:--"the export trade to india can never be extended to any degree, proportionate to the wealth and population of the indian empire; neither can the returns upon it be very profitable to individuals. those who attend to _the manners_, _the manufactures_, _the food_, _the raiment_, _the moral and religious prejudices of that country_, can be at no loss to trace _the causes_ why this proposition must be _a true one_." the evidence which has been produced demonstrates, that neither the manners, raiments, nor prejudices of hindostan, are of a nature to impede the introduction of articles of european manufacture; and it thus proves, that _the causes_ assigned for the limitation of our export trade, are not calculated to impose any such limitation. what, then, it may be asked, are the causes, why the consumption of the manufactures of europe in india has in no degree kept pace with the extension of our territories, and of their population? the examination of this branch of our subject would carry us to too great a length on the present occasion, and will therefore best be reserved for a separate communication. gracchus. letter ix. _saturday, march , ._ in searching for the _causes_, which have prevented an extensive introduction of the british manufactures into the countries subject to the dominion or influence of the british crown in india, it naturally occurs; that no measure appears ever to have been concerted, for the general purpose of alluring the attention of the natives of india to the articles of european importation. this neglect, has evidently arisen from the opinions which have been so erroneously entertained, concerning the civil and religious prejudices of the hindoos. the evidence of mr. colebrooke has been adduced, to prove that those opinions are wholly unfounded; the following extracts from the travels of forster, in the years - , will further evince, that the hindoos, far from entertaining any indisposition to engage in commercial dealings with strangers, have widely extended themselves in different foreign countries for that express purpose. herat.--"at herat, i found in two karavanseras about one hundred hindoo merchants, who, by the maintenance of a brisk commerce, and by extending a long chain of credit, have become valuable subjects to the government. when the hindoos cross the attock, they usually put on the dress of a northern asiatic, being seldom seen without a long cloth coat, and a high cap[ ]." turshish.--"about one hundred hindoo families, from moultan and jessilmere, are established in this town, which is the extreme limit of their emigration on this side of persia. they occupy a quarter in which no mahomedan is permitted to reside; and i was not a little surprised to see those of the bramin sect distinguished by the appellation of _peerzadah_, a title which the mahomedans usually bestow on the descendants of their prophet. small companies of hindoos are also settled at meschid, yezd, kachin, casbin, and some parts of the caspian shore; and more extensive societies are established in the different parts of the persian gulf, where they maintain a navigable commerce with the western coast of india[ ]." baku.--"a society of moultan hindoos, which has long been established at baku, contributes largely to the circulation of its commerce; and, with the armenians, they may be accounted the principal merchants of shirwan. the hindoos of this quarter usually embark at tatta, a large insular town in the lower tract of the indus; whence they proceed to bassorah, and thence accompany the caravans, which are frequently passing into persia: some also travel inland to the caspian sea, by the road of candahar and herat. i must here mention, that we brought from baku five hindoos; two of them were merchants of moultan, and three were mendicants, a father, his son, and a sunyassee (the name of a religious sect of hindoos, chiefly of the brahmin tribe). the hindoos had supplied the little wants of the latter, and recommended him _to their agents in russia_, whence, he said, he should like to proceed with me to england. the moultanee hindoos were going to astrachan, merely on a commercial adventure[ ]." astrachan.--"the hindoos also enjoy at astrachan every fair indulgence. they are not stationary residents, nor do they keep any of their females in this city; but, after accumulating a certain property, they return to india, and are succeeded by other adventurers. being a mercantile sect of their nation, and occupied in a desultory species of traffic, they have neglected to preserve any record of their first settlement, and subsequent progress, in this quarter of russia; nor is the fact ascertained, with any accuracy, by the natives of astrachan[ ]." having thus seen, that the natives of india are in no respect averse to engage in commercial dealings with strangers, and that no prejudices exist among them of a nature to prevent them from using our manufactures; we cannot but be forcibly struck with the reflection, that no systematic plan has ever been adopted by the east india company, to attract the attention of the hindoos to the various articles of our home manufacture, or to stimulate their speculation in the traffic of them. whereas, in europe, the company have always found it necessary, for the disposal of their indian imports, to take active measures for drawing the attention of the nations of the european continent to their sales in london. the directors, in their letter to lord buckinghamshire, under date of the th of april, , (adverting to their sales in europe,) observe, "that the foreign buyers repose confidence in the regularity and publicity with which the company's sales are conducted; that the particulars of their cargoes are published immediately on the arrival of the ships, and distributed all over the continent. that notices of the quantities to be sold, and periods of sale, are also published for general distribution; and that the sales of each description of goods are made at stated periods, twice in the year." _no measure of this nature has ever been projected for india_; and yet, the predilection of the natives of india, both hindoo and mahomedan, for public shows, scenes of general resort, and exhibitions of every kind, is so well known, that we may confidently affirm, that nothing could have a surer tendency to draw them together, than a display, at periodical fairs, of our various manufactures. fairs of this kind, for the sale of their home manufactures, have been held from time immemorial, in every part of india. the company, therefore, needed only to engraft, upon an established usage of the hindoos, a regular plan of periodical fairs; and, by thus adopting in india a course analogous to that which they have found it necessary to employ in europe, they might generally have arrived at giving to calcutta, madras, and bombay, attractions of curiosity and mercantile interest, which would most probably have drawn to those settlements the wealthy natives from every part of the east; and have rendered the capital cities of british india, what amsterdam, frankfort, and leipsic have long been in europe, the resorts of all descriptions of people, and the repositories of every european article of use and luxury. from these different centres of commerce, the markets of the interior of india, and especially those held at the scenes of religious assembly, might be furnished with supplies; and, under the fostering encouragement of a wise and provident government, the intelligence and enterprise of the natives of india might be called into action, and be stimulated, by a powerful motive, to exert in their own country those commercial talents that have obtained for them the encouragements, which, upon the unimpeachable testimony of mr. forster, they have long received in persia, and in parts of russia. the advantage of collecting together, at stated periods and in established points, the productions of human industry and ingenuity, has been so universally felt by all nations; that there is scarcely a country, advanced to any degree of civilization, in which the practice has not prevailed. to effect this object, with a view to the extension of our export trade in india, _active encouragement_ is alone requisite; but, in order to give it stability, _native agency_ must be called forth into action. the supplies which (as was mentioned on a former occasion) were found at poonah, were obtained from that source alone. the parsee merchants at bombay, are the principal agents of the commanders and officers of the company's ships; such parts of their investments as are not disposed of among the european population, are purchased, and circulated in the interior, by the parsees. the small supplies of european manufactures which find their way into the principal cities of the deccan, proceed from this source: but there is reason to believe, that the articles which arrive at those places are too frequently of an inferior sort, or such as have sustained damage in the transit from europe. to give perfection to the great object here sketched out, it will be indispensably necessary that the local authorities in india should direct their most serious attention to this subject. as _our indian empire is our only security for our indian trade_, so our indian trade must be rendered an object of vigilant concern to those who administer the government of that empire. from the multiplicity and importance of their other avocations, that trade has not hitherto received all the consideration to which its high value is entitled; but, whenever an adequate regard shall be paid to it, it will become a duty of the governments to take active and effectual steps, for _drawing the attention of the natives to our exported commodities_, and for _promoting the dispersion of those commodities_, within the sphere of their influence or power. we now discern _one operative cause_ of the comparatively small demand for, and consumption of, our european articles, in the indian empire; a cause, however, which it is within our capacity to control, or to remove. and, after what has been summarily exposed, in this and in the preceding communication, it can be no difficult point to determine, whether _this cause_, or the alleged _prejudices of the hindoos_, have most contributed to limit the extent of our export trade to india. gracchus. footnotes: [ ] forster's travels, p. - . [ ] p. . [ ] forster's travels, p. . [ ] forster's travels, p. . letter x. the rights and pretensions of the east india company. _monday, march , ._ it is now become a matter of the most solemn importance, that the public attention should be called to a clear and deliberate survey of the rights and pretensions of the east india company; and that the judgment of parliament should be directed to, and its sense declared upon, the subject of those pretensions, which have generated a new constitutional question, and are now carried to an height to affect the supreme sovereignty of the state. to discuss those rights and pretensions at large, would demand a far more extended space than the present occasion can supply; but it would be altogether unnecessary to enter into a more enlarged discussion; because, in order to obtain the end here proposed, of drawing and fixing the attention of parliament and the public upon the subject, little more is required, than to bring those several rights and pretensions into one compressed and distinct point of view; and to leave it to the legislative wisdom to determine finally upon their validity. the rights of the east india company, are usually distinguished into their _temporary_ rights, and their _perpetual_ or _permanent_ rights. i. the temporary rights of the company are: . _a right to the exclusive trade with all the countries lying eastward from the cape of good hope to the straits of magellan._ this right is _a lease_ of all the _public right_ to the trade of those parts of the world; which lease has been renewed to the company, from time to time, in consideration of a varying premium to be paid by them to the public. . _a right to administer the government and revenue of all the territories in india acquired by them during their term in the exclusive trade._ this is a right delegated from the crown, with the assent of parliament; and which can be possessed by the company no longer, than the authority from which it emanates has, or shall prescribe. upon the expiration of these temporary rights, which determine, as the law at present stands, in the ensuing year, , the east india company will remain in possession of whatever _permanent_ rights shall be found to pertain to them. ii. the _perpetual_, or more properly, the _permanent_ rights of the company, must be considered under two distinct heads, viz. _admitted_ and _alleged_. § . the _admitted_ permanent rights are, . _to be a body politic and corporate, with perpetual succession._--this right has been confirmed by various succeeding charters and statutes. but there are some observations, which it is important to make upon this subject. the first charter, granted by queen elizabeth, in , to the first or london east india company, created _both its corporate capacity and its exclusive privilege, to continue for a term of fifteen years_; but it provided, that, in case it should not prove beneficial to the public, the _whole of the grant_ might at any time be determined, upon two years notice given to the company. the succeeding charters of james i. charles ii. james ii. and william and mary, conferred, in the same manner, both the corporate capacity and the exclusive privilege; and though they did not, like the former, fix a term for their duration, yet they rendered the _whole grant_ determinable upon three years notice. no provision is introduced into any of these charters, to make the corporate capacity outlast the exclusive trade. when the principle of "_a more national, general and extensive trade to india_," declared in the charter of the th of william and mary, had been followed by the measure of creating a general society of merchants, and of erecting _a new company_, the advocates for that measure took particular care to show, "that the old company, in reciting their charters, had _forgot_ to mention the _provisos_ therein, viz. that the respective kings of england, who granted them, reserved a discretionary power to _make them void_ on three years warning[ ]." this observation did not apply to their exclusive privilege only, but extended equally to their corporate capacity; both being determinable by the same warning, because both were derived from the same grant, the whole of which grant was made liable to that determination, notwithstanding their corporate capacity was to enjoy "_perpetual succession_." hence it is manifest, that the perpetuity conferred by the charter was not perpetuity of exclusive trade, or political power, but of _corporate succession_. but perpetual succession in a body corporate, does not imply perpetuity of duration, but merely _uninterrupted_ succession of the individuals who compose it; which every corporate body must possess, whatever may be the term of its duration, in order that it may become, and may be able to perform the acts of, _a legal person_. the statute of and , and the charter of william iii. which created _both the corporate capacity and the exclusive privilege_ of the _new_, or english company, followed the example of the former charter, granted to the _old_ company, and rendered the _whole grant_ determinable by the same process. but, in the th year of queen anne, after the two companies had become _united_, they represented the great hazard they should encounter, by engaging in any considerable expenses for securing _the pepper trade_, under the limitation of that clause; in consequence of which representation the clause was repealed, and the limitation was _left open_. the company from thence inferred, that they had acquired a perpetuity of duration, both for their corporate capacity and their exclusive privilege; the continuance of _both_ of which had ever been subjected to the same rule of determination. they soon, however, became sensible that such could not be the true intention of the act, and they "submitted themselves to parliament[ ]" on the subject; in consequence of which a limited term of exclusive trade was assigned them, without any limitation being imposed upon the _negative_ perpetuity of duration, which they had acquired for their corporation by the repeal of the determining clause. but it was not till the year , the third year of the late king, that the company obtained a true and _positive_ perpetuity of duration for their body corporate; at which time an act was passed, empowering them to continue to trade to the east indies, as a company of merchants, although their exclusive right to the trade, and their power of administering the government and revenues of india, should be determined by parliament. from that time only, the incorporation and the exclusive privilege become distinguished. the distinctions here made will be found of material importance, in another part of this statement. . _a right to acquire and possess lands, tenements, and property of every kind; and to dispose of the same, under a common seal._--this right was conferred by the charter of the th of king william; but by stat. g. . c. . § . the company's estates _in great britain_ were limited to the value of , l. per annum. in virtue of this right, the east india company were empowered to settle "_factories and plantations_," within the limits of their exclusive trade. the charter of william, indeed, adds also "_forts_," with the power of "_ruling, ordering, and governing them_;" but that this privilege cannot attach upon their corporate and _permanent_ capacity, will presently be made to appear. fortresses and fortifications cannot, from their nature and use, become absolute private property; being part of the public defences of the empire, they are (to speak with lord hale) "_affected with a public interest_, and therefore _cease to be juris privati only_[ ]." the building a fort is an act done, in its nature, by virtue of a sovereign authority, and is therefore the dereliction of the private right of property for a public and general purpose. in asserting for the company a _private_ right to forts and fortifications, the company's advocates have therefore fallen into an extreme error, from not discriminating between the rights which necessarily belong to their _delegated sovereignty_, and those which can alone be annexed to their _commercial corporation_. and this brings us to the consideration of § . the _alleged_ permanent rights of the company, which require to be considered under _two_ descriptions, viz. rights _alleged for them_ at the expiration of their last exclusive charter, and rights _alleged by them_ at the present moment, with a view to the renewal of their present charter. _these_ are the rights, or more properly the pretensions, which have been pronounced by gracchus, "absolutely unmaintainable, and incompatible with the freedom of british subjects;" and not their true legitimate rights, as the writer of a letter under the signature of probus has chosen to assume. the rights _alleged for them_ were these:-- . _a right to possess in perpetuity certain extensive territories and seaports in india, after their right to the exclusive trade with those places shall cease._ in consequence of different ancient charters, granting to the company an exclusive trade, together with certain powers of government, they have acquired, and actually possess, various islands, seaports, forts, factories, settlements, districts, and territories in india, together with the island of st. helena; either by grants from the crown, by conquest, purchase, or by grants from the native powers in india. the nature and extent of their property in these several possessions, is an important public question. by grants from the crown to the original or london company, and by conveyance from that company, they possess st. helena and bombay. by purchase, conquest, or by indian grants, they possess calcutta and fort william, madras, and fort st. george, and various other important seats of trade; of all of which, for a long course of time; they have enjoyed the exclusive benefit. with respect to the first of these; it is evident, that the old company could only convey the places which they held of the crown as they themselves held them, and subject to the same principles of policy and state under which they themselves had received them. the grants of charles ii., which conceded bombay and st. helena to the first company, refer to the charter of the th of the same reign, which charter refers to, and confirms the preceding charters of elizabeth and james i., making them _the ground_ of the grants. the charter of elizabeth declares its principle to be, "the tendering the honour of the nation, the wealth of the people, the increase of navigation, the advancement of lawful traffic, and the benefit of the commonwealth." the principle declared in the charter of james i. is, "that it will be a very great honour, and in many respects profitable, to the crown and the commonwealth." by a reference to, and confirmation of, these several charters, in the charter of charles ii., and in the grants of st. helena and bombay, these principles are virtually adopted; the _end and purpose of the grants_ is declared; and their ground is proclaimed to be, the honour of the british crown, and the welfare of the british nation. it was those great _public interests_, and not the _separate interests_ of the company, that the crown had in view, in conceding the property of those distant dependencies. by grants from the native powers, the company are in actual possession of many extensive and valuable territories. the doctrine of the law of england, in regard to the operation of these grants, was distinctly and officially declared in the report of the attorney-general mr. pratt, and solicitor-general mr. charles yorke, in the year , viz. that the moment the _right of property_ vested in the company by the indian grants, the _right of sovereignty_ vested necessarily in the crown of england. "the property of the soil (said those eminent lawyers) vested in the company by the indian grants, _subject only_ to your majesty's right of sovereignty over the settlements, and over the inhabitants as british subjects; who carry with them your majesty's laws, wherever they form colonies, and receive your majesty's protection by virtue of your royal charters[ ]." in considering this head of right, the case of _the five northern circars_, to which the company lay claim in their petition, demands a particular attention; because, the advocates of the company's pretensions are under a manifest error, with respect to their tenure of those territories. they maintain, that the circars are held by the company in perpetuity, under _a military service_, as tributaries to the indian power or powers by which they were originally ceded; and that the crown of england has no title to interfere, between them and their supposed indian chief. this pretension renders it absolutely necessary, to take a general view of the situation of the company with respect to the circars. in the year , the french were in the confirmed possession of the five circars, together with the adjoining fort and dependencies of masulipatam; of all of which they declared themselves to have obtained "_the complete sovereignty for ever_," by a grant from the subah of the deccan, a prince nominally dependent on the imperial crown of the mogul. "so that these territories (says mr. orme), rendered the french masters of the greatest dominion, both in extent and value, that had ever been possessed in indostan by europeans, not excepting the portuguese when at the height of their prosperity[ ]." the establishment of the french power in these important provinces, during the war between england and france, excited the most serious alarm in the company, by threatening their settlements and possessions in bengal; and called forth the vigorous and splendid exertions of lord clive, who, in the year , sent a military force against conflans, the french commander, under the command of colonel forde. that gallant officer succeeded in defeating the enemy in a pitched battle at peddipore; and, pursuing him from one extremity of the circars to the other, terminated the campaign by the capture of masulipatam: and thus, by obliging the french to abandon the circars, the right of conquest was made good against the french. for it is not necessary that every part of a conquered country should be acquired by a separate victory, if the enemy is compelled to evacuate his territory in consequence of any decisive operation; and the retention of masulipatam, was the evidence of the triumph of the british arms over the french. that this was _the object_ of the campaign, is distinctly shown in the declaration made by lord clive before the select committee of the house of commons, in the year . lord clive stated to the house, "that soon after his appointment of president of the company's affairs in bengal, in , he took into his most serious consideration the situation of affairs upon the coast of coromandel. monsieur lally was arrived with such a force, as threatened not only the destruction of all the settlements there, but of all the east india company's possessions. that he thought it was his duty to contribute his mite towards the destruction of the french, and therefore projected _the scheme of depriving the french of the northern circars_, contrary to the inclination of his whole council. that _this expedition succeeded completely, for the french were totally driven out by_ col. forde, _with the company's troops_, whose conduct and gallantry upon that occasion was equal, if not superior, to any thing that had happened during the whole course of the war[ ]." this evidence of lord clive proves, that the scheme was _entirely military_, and that the success was _the success of arms_. by the treaty of peace concluded at paris in , (art. ,) "the crown of france renounced all pretensions to those territories," which thus devolved, by an indisputable right of conquest, to the crown of england. the company, indeed, in the same year obtained a grant of masulipatam from the subah of the deccan, which they now set forth in their petition to parliament: but yet, their most strenuous advocates admit, that masulipatam belongs to the crown of england, _by right of conquest over the french_[ ]. and the same argument, that proves a right of conquest to masulipatam, proves also a similar right to the northern circars. in , however, the company being desirous of acquiring _the form of an indian title_ to the circars, against the subah, who might reclaim them, negotiated for a grant of those provinces at delhi, over the head of the subah; which grant they obtained. but the pretensions of the subah, who was close at hand, might disturb them in their attempts to occupy the provinces; they therefore thought it _expedient_, to temporize with the subah, and to enter into a separate negotiation with him, to induce him to surrender them; and they agreed to hold the provinces of him also, under an engagement to supply him with a contingent aid of _military force_, when called upon; and moreover, to pay him annually a tribute in money. by thus confusing their titles (which, instead of confirming, mutually defeated each other), they fully demonstrated the inefficacy and impotency of the mogul's grant, in the present fallen state of that empire. but the company could only engage themselves for _military service_, so far as they possessed the ability; and their ability, is limited by the extent of their _military power_; which, being a part of their _sovereign power_, must necessarily determine with their sovereign capacity: as will be shown in the next article. whenever that capacity ceases, they will be unable to furnish a single soldier, because they will be unable to raise a single soldier for the defence of the provinces. in that event, the crown must of necessity interfere, to maintain and defend the territories; and then, _the original cause_ which led to the acquirement of the circars, namely, the expulsion of the french _by force of arms_, and their exclusion by _the influence of the same arms_ in the treaty of , will be the true ground on which to rest _the question of right_: a right in _the crown of england_, which had existence, prior to _the form_ of the mogul's grant, and prior also to _the expedient_ of the grant from the subah. and here we must keep in mind, that all territories possessed by the company in india, by whatever means they have been acquired, are necessarily incorporated into the british empire, and become subject to its imperial crown; conformably to the resolution of the house of commons, in the year : "_that all acquisitions made under the influence of a military force, or by treaty with foreign princes, do of right belong to the state._" and as the whole fabric of british india grew out of a principle of advancing _the public welfare_, and was not an edifice raised merely for the separate welfare of _the company_, every private interest comprehended in that fabric is, by every acknowledged maxim of state, public right, and consistency, subordinate; and must be determined by the security of the public good. . _a right to retain in perpetuity certain essential rights of sovereignty, after the present delegated sovereignty of the company shall have reverted to the crown._--although this pretension is a contradiction in terms, yet the assertors of it entertained no doubts of its reality. they claimed for the company, in their permanent capacity of a trading body corporate, a right "_to appoint governors, to build and maintain forts, to muster forces by sea and land, to coin money, and to erect courts of judicature_[ ]," even after they shall have lost their power of administering the government of india; and this claim is renewed for the company at the present day[ ]. there is in this pretension so radical an ignorance of _the nature of sovereignty_, that it is inconceivable how it could have been entertained by any one, who had ever given a thought to the subject of law or government. the powers here enumerated, are essential prerogatives of sovereignty; which may indeed be delegated for a time by authority of parliament, but can never be granted in full property by the crown. in order to appoint governors, it is first necessary to be invested with the power of government. the same power is manifestly necessary, in order to be able _legally to raise or muster any force by sea or land_, either for defence, or for any other military service. and it is acknowledged, that _the power of government_ has never been granted to the east india company, _but with limitation_. in the grants of bombay and st. helena, the company is certainly empowered to erect forts, and to raise and employ forces; but by the same grants they are invested with the powers of captain general in order to that end; virtually in the first, and _expressly_ in the second. will it be imagined, that they are to retain the authority of _captain general_, after their powers of _government_ shall cease? and if not, it must be evident, that their authority over forts, and all their military power, must determine, whenever their delegated power of captain general shall determine. it would be an insult to any reader, who has ever cast his eye even on the elementary commentaries of sir william blackstone, to insist upon a truth so obvious and simple. with regard to the _erecting of courts_, no such power is given in any of the charters produced in evidence. the crown erects the court, and the power granted to the company is, and necessarily must be, limited and subordinate. the _true cause_ of that extraordinary error, is plainly this: the charters of king william and queen anne, upon which they rest these pretensions, conferred at one and the same time (as has been already observed), both their corporate capacity and their exclusive privilege. the assertors of those _permanent sovereign rights_, not discriminating, by the principles of things, between the several powers conferred in those charters, have confused the provisions; and have construed all the powers above enumerated, which by their nature could only appertain to them as _delegated sovereigns_, to belong to their capacity of an _incorporated company_. and, under this illusion, they have imagined, that those powers are annexed to that perpetuity of their corporate body which was first enacted in , and confirmed in the d year of the present reign; and that they do not constitute a part of those powers of government, which have been conferred upon them, from time to time, by their exclusive charters. as this construction is entirely arbitrary on the part of the company, and as it is unsupported by the principles either of law or sound reason, it will be best refuted by the authority of parliament. . _a right to exclude all british subjects from the company's indian ports, after their own exclusive privilege shall be expired._--this right has been claimed in the following words:--"although their exclusive right to the trade, and their power of administering the government and revenues of india, were to be determined, they would still remain an incorporated company _in perpetuity_, with the _exclusive_ property and _possession_ of calcutta and fort william, madras and fort st. george, bombay, bencoolen, and st. helena, and various other estates and settlements in india. whether, in the event of the sole trade being determined, individuals would be able to carry on a successful trade to india, _if the company were to debar them the use of their ports and factories_, may require a serious consideration[ ]." this is a claim, not only to a _practical_ exclusive trade, after the right to exclusive trade _expressly granted_ by parliament shall cease and determine, but involves also claims of perpetual sovereignty. it is incomprehensible, how it could be alleged by a writer who, in the preceding page, had pointedly excepted from their powers, that of converting the trade into "a _mischievous_ monopoly[ ];" for, what more _mischievous_ form could monopoly, or an hostile sovereignty, assume, than that of excluding all british individuals from the chief ports and seats of trade in india? by this alleged right, the grants of charters and the provisions of parliament would be reduced to an absurdity. but as this is a claim of _private right_ to cause a _public wrong_, it cannot fail particularly to engage the consideration of parliament. the rights _alleged by the company_ at the present day, are these:-- . _a right to all the ports and territories in india, possessed by the company, of the same kind and extent as the right by which they hold their freeholds in london._--this right has been solemnly asserted for the company, by the chairman and deputy chairman of the court of directors, in these words:--"the company are as much owners of the chief seats of european trade in the indian empire, as they are of their freeholds in london[ ]." this is an open and unreserved declaration of the east india company, renewing and asserting the preceding allegations made on their behalf at the expiration of their last exclusive charter; and the same allegation is now repeated in their petition to parliament, though in terms somewhat more qualified than those which they addressed to the government; viz. "that _no person_ can have a right, except with the consent of the proprietors of india stock, _to use the seats of trade_ which the stockholders _have acquired_." but they must bring an oblivion over all the reasons of state and policy by which _they exist at all_, before they can carry in the face of the nation the proud assertion, that they stand equally circumstanced, in regard of _private right_, with respect to "_the chief seats of european commerce in the indian empire_," and with respect to "_their freeholds in london_." they will assuredly be told by parliament, that they _may not_ exercise the same arbitrary authority over the chief seats of indian commerce, which they may over their freeholds in london. with regard to their freeholds in london, they may exclude all persons from entering them, they may desert them themselves, or they may let them fall to ruin. but it is not so with regard to the chief seats of indian commerce; they will find, that they cannot arbitrarily exclude british subjects from those seats, beyond a limited time; that they cannot _debar_ the nation the beneficial use of them; and that they will not be suffered to render them unavailable, or unprofitable. as soon as the india trade shall be thrown open, the ports of india will necessarily become open; and, if the company should then search for _their private right to close them_, they will find, that it is merged in _the public right to use them_; or, to use the words of lord hale, that "their _jus privatum_ is clothed and superinduced with a _jus publicum_[ ]." . the last right _alleged by the company_ at the present crisis, which forms the climax of their pretensions, and is the _key_ to all their late proceedings, is that of a _perpetual union and incorporation with the supreme government of the indian empire_; so that the indian trade and government must ever continue to be united _in them_, and cannot now be separated, without endangering "_the british empire in india, and the british constitution at home_." this pretension renders the question of a _temporary_ exclusive trade entirely nugatory, because it is the unqualified assertion of a _perpetual_ one; not to be received any more as _a grant_ from parliament, as hitherto it has been, but to be extorted from parliament through fear of the subversion of parliament. this pretension is founded upon the company's interpretation of an observation, made by a late eminent minister to the managers of the company's affairs, in the year ; viz. that "_the government and the trade of india are now so interwoven together_," as to establish an indissoluble "_connexion of government and trade_." this _dictum_, is assumed by the company for an incontestable maxim of state, _as applicable to their own corporation_; and for an eternal principle, connecting that body corporate with all future indian government. this they denominate, "the system, _by which the relations between great britain and the east indies are now regulated_;" and, in their sanguine hopes of gaining _perpetuity_ for their _system_, they already congratulate themselves upon their incorporation into the sovereignty, as a new, and fourth estate of the empire. it is that maxim, evidently embraced for this construction at the present crisis, that has emboldened the conductors of the company's concerns to assume so lofty a demeanour towards the king's servants; and to venture to represent the cautious proceedings of government in a great political question (in which it appears only as _a moderator_ between two conflicting interests), to be an aggression against their indisputable rights. it has been asked in the court of proprietors, "whether the ministers of the present day are become so far exalted above their predecessors, or the company so newly fallen, that adequate communications should not be made to the latter, of the plans and intentions of the former?" it is neither the one nor the other; but it is, that _the company_ are become so elated and intoxicated by the ambitious expectation of being incorporated as a perpetual member of the supreme government, that they conceive they have no longer any measures to keep with the ministers of the crown. and can the british people _now_ fail to open their eyes, and to discern the strait to which the ancient crown and realm of england would be reduced, by submitting to acknowledge this _new estate_ in the empire? greatly as it would be to be lamented that any thing should disturb the present internal tranquillity of our political system, yet, if such should be the necessary result of a resistance to the ambitious views of the east india company, it ought to be manfully and cheerfully encountered; rather than admit, by a temporizing concession, a claim which shall bend parliament to the will of, and degrade the crown to an alliance with, a company of its own subjects; which owes its recent existence to the charters of the crown, and the enactments of parliament, and yet aspires to seat itself for ever, side by side, by its own supreme government. the company have carried too far their confidence in the _constitutional defence_ by which they hoped to ride in triumph over the executive government. their exorbitant pretensions have bred a _new constitutional question_, to which the public mind is now turning. in their solicitude to fortify themselves with _constitutional jealousies_, they have constructed a formidable fortress, which threatens to embarrass the citadel of the state, and must therefore of necessity awaken its jealousy. a change in the administration of the indian government (should the company finally provoke such a change), _need not necessarily_ throw the patronage of india into the hands of the crown; means are to be found, by which that political and constitutional evil may be effectually guarded against. but if, through a precipitate assumption, that no such adequate substitute can be provided for the present system, parliament should, at this critical moment, unguardedly yield to the demands of the company, and give its sanction to their claims to a _perpetuity_ of those privileges which they have hitherto been contented to receive _with limitation_, what difficulties would it not entail upon its own future proceedings? if the _corporate sovereignty_ of the company is once absolutely _engrafted_ upon _the sovereignty of the state_, it cannot be extracted without lacerating the ancient stock, and convulsing the general system. the company would have done wisely, if, instead of resting their case upon pretensions erroneous in fact, inadmissible in law, and derogatory of the authority addressed, they had rested it wholly upon their own endeavours to promote the original purpose of their incorporation: namely, _the honour of the crown_, and _the advantage of the commonwealth_. upon that ground the company might have stood strong; and all that would then have remained for the consideration of parliament, would have been a question, how those great interests could, under existing circumstances, be best advanced; either by continuing the present arrangement without alteration, or by modifying it in such particulars, as parliament in its wisdom might judge to be necessary. but instead of this, they have taken ground upon high pretensions of right, which must necessarily provoke investigation; and we have discovered, in the foregoing inquiry, how far those pretensions are supported. the determination of this great question, however, is now reserved for parliament; and, upon the wisdom of parliament, the country may with confidence rely, for a full consideration of all the public rights, commercial as well as political; and likewise, for the final adoption of such an arrangement for the government and trade of india, as shall appear to be the best calculated to advance the real interests, and to promote the general prosperity of the empire, both in the east and west. gracchus. the end. footnotes: [ ] anderson's hist. of commerce ( ), vol. ii. p. , fol. [ ] a short hist. of the east india company, p. . [ ] de portibus maris, p. . c. . p. . [ ] short hist. of east india company, p. . [ ] history of indostan, vol. i. p. . [ ] journals of the house of commons, vol. xxxiii. p. . [ ] short hist. of the east india company. [ ] short hist. of the east india company, p. . [ ] morning post, jan. , , letter, signed probus. [ ] short history of the east india company, p. . [ ] ibid. p. . [ ] letter to lord buckinghamshire, dec. , . [ ] de portibus maris, p. . c. . p. . s. gosnell, printer, little queen street, london.