Page 138 - Early English Adventurers in the Middle East_Neat

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138 EARLY ENGLISH ADVENTURERS IN THE EAST

wards, meeting the ambassador at the durbar, he informed
him that the document was ready for sealing. Roe was
naturally elated at this prompt consideration of his request.
I But his spirits fell as day succeeded day and no treaty was
I forthcoming.
The wheels of diplomacy now began to creak badly.
The trouble was that the necessary lubrication in the
shape of presents was lacking. Roe’s stock, at no time
an extensive one, had by this time given out, and he had
to rely purely upon his persuasive qualities to push his
suit. At the Mogul Court there was never much to be
accomplished on these lines, and unfortunately for Roe
the period of scarcity of material resources coincided
with the outbreak of a fresh crop of difficulties at Surat
arising out of the arbitrary action of the local authorities.
The complaints made by the ambassador in this connec­
tion added fuel to the flames of Prince Khurrum’s resent­
ment at the intrusion of the English and the earlier attitude
I of contemptuous aloofness gave place to a definitely hostile
line of conduct. Roe received a message from Asaf Khan
to the effect that on the complaint of the prince against
him the Emperor had forbidden him to visit the Court.
Simultaneously, a hint was conveyed that some of the
prince’s turbulent following might take revenge for his
open opposition to their chief. The ambassador treated
the veiled threat with scorn and to the prime minister he
replied defiantly that “ he would not give away the Com­
! pany’s money for good looks : the world was wide enough.
Wee gott noe soe much by this trade as wee would buy it
with soe much injury.” He concluded by intimating
that he would wait a little time longer and that if the
treaty were not forthcoming he would depart, and he and

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