Page 157 - Early English Adventurers in the Middle East_Neat

AN IMPERIAL DESPOT IN DRESS AND UNDRESS 157

Roe replied that he thought not of so mean a matter,
and what was in the sender’s mind he could not say.
"Well,” said the King, "I will keep them and only
desire you to help me to a horse of the greatest size : it i s
all I will expect, and a male and female of mastiffs, and
the tall Irish greyhounds and such other dogs as hunt in
your land, and if you will promise me these I will give you
the word of a King, I will fully recompense you and grant
all your desires.”
Roe answered that he would promise to procure the
animals, but that he could not guarantee their lives.
Upon this Jehangir " gave extraordinary bows, lay’d
his hand on his heart and such kinds of gestures as all men
will witness he never used to any man, nor such familiarity,
nor such freedom, nor profession of love.”
Roe altogether was royally cozened, and that he had some
suspicion of the fact is shown by the statement which
follows the complacent sentences quoted : " This was all
my recompense, though he often desired me to be merry,
(saying) that what wrong he had done me he would royally
requite and send me home to my country with grace and
reward like a gentleman.”
Of all the presents that he received from Englandf
Jehangir probably most valued the mastiffs. The fighting
qualities of these splendid animals appealed to the sporting
instincts which were strong in him, and he doubtless appre­
ciated them the more as they contrasted so strikingly with
the cowardly disposition of the Indian dog. The two
which were sent to Jehangir were the survivors of eight
originally shipped. They were despatched up country in
little coaches, and on arrival at Mandu were placed each in
charge of four attendants. Two of the quartette carried

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