Page 109 - Early English Adventurers in the Middle East_Neat

A GALLANT BUT UNFORTUNATE COMMANDER 109

bragged that be was governor by land as Middleton was by
sea, bis government bad been sucb as to discredit bim and
before long bis crimes would cost bim bis bead, “ If,”
proceeded tbe infuriated commander, “ I sboot at tlie town
he saith be will requite me with tbe like, which be cannot
do as you well know, because bis ordnance is far inferior
to mine. Whereas be saith for any barm I do amends must
be made, amends is already made for any barm I do them.
Though I should fire tbe town and beat it smooth about
their ears, whether it be pleasing or displeasing to tbe
Grand Seignor, I care not. I am out of reach of bis long
sword, and for tbe treasonable wrongs that Rejib Aga and
tbe Basba have done me be doeth well to bring tbe Grand
Seignor as a party therein : let tbe Basba and Rejib Aga
likewise consider that tbe King of England will not take
well tbe betraying, robbing and murdering of bis subjects
to tbe great dishonour of tbe Grand Seignor and their
nation.”
This spirited letter was promptly followed up by tbe
seizure of one of tbe largest of tbe Indian ships in port.
Rejib Aga now began to “ sing a new song,” as one of tbe
Engbsb factors tersely put it in a letter. He sent on board
some personal belongings of tbe captives, together with a
present of oxen and other fresh supplies. At tbe same time
be wrote suggesting that tbe questions at issue should be
submitted to tbe Grand Seignor at Constantinople and that
they should part friends. Apparently tbe bearer of the
missive, was also entrusted with some Arabic charm which
was intended to be a symbol of tbe era of amity that it
was hoped would now open. Middleton bad been fooled
too often to be influenced by these belated manifestations
of friendship. In reply be wrote—»