Page 160 - Early English Adventurers in the Middle East_Neat

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160 EARLY ENGLISH ADVENTURERS IN THE EAST
never denying me access; and his pride is such as may
teach Lucifer; which made me answer roundly I was not
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his slave, but a free ambassador of a king, and that I
would never more visit him or attend him. He had refused
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me justice, but at night I would see him with the King,
to whom only I would address myself, and so departed.”
Bold words these even for an ambassador to utter to a
man of Prince Khurrum’s status, especially in his hour of
favour. But Roe at the time had in reserve a weapon
which he knew he could use with telling effect in any subse­
quent phase of the dispute. He had heard the previous
day of the arrival at Swally of a new fleet, bringing with it,
of course, a fresh batch of presents. Jehangir’s almost
childish craving for novelties might be relied on, he no
doubt thought, to smooth matters for him in the prince’s
direction.
Not, we may imagine, without a twinkle of triumph in
his eye, Roe attended the imperial durbar that evening.
As he passed the prince he saluted him respectfully, but
Khurrum treated him with disdainful indifference. Then
turning to the Emperor, Roe told him of the fleet’s arrival
! and asked his commands in regard to the presents. All
n eagerness at the news, Jehangir demanded what had been
brought. He was given a list of the articles, and was so
pleased, especially with some arras which had been im­
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ported for him, that he promised Roe all favours and privi­
* leges that he might desire. The coup was so far successful,
but Roe did not intend to trust over-much to his imperial
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patron’s sense of honour. For the time being he determined
to have the presents kept in safe custody at Surat, the only
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exception being some rather remarkable pearls—one being
" shaped like a pear, very large, beautiful and orient,”—

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