by the jesuit, who
understood the language.

Sec.5. _Continuation of Occurrences at Court, till leaving Agimere, in
November_, 1616.

The 20th of October I received the prince's letter to send to Sarat,
with orders for the governor of that city to sit along with the judge
of the custom-house, to take care that no wrong was done to the English.
The clause about sending up the presents sealed and unsearched to me,
was so obscure and unintelligible, that it was susceptible of various
constructions, which I believed was done designedly, that they might
come into the hands of the prince, so as to become his own. I sent it
back therefore to his secretary to be altered; and getting it returned
still more intricate than at first, I went to the prince on the 21st,
and desired to have that clause of his letter explained, at which he
stuck a little, and I perceived he was as hollow as I had imagined. He
plainly asked, How then he should have his presents, or see such
curiosities as came up? and proposed to accompany me to where they were.
I answered, that I could not do this till I had delivered my master's
message and presents to the king, after which I should wait upon his
highness with his presents, and that every rarity that came to me should
be sent after him. He pressed me to pass my word for the performance of
this, which I did, and then I had the letter for Surat made out to my
content.

At this interview the prince observed a white feather in my hat, and
asked if I would give it to him. I answered, that I could not presume to
offer any thing I had worn; but if he were pleased to command it, that
or any thing else in my power was at his service. He then asked if I had
any more; to which I answered, that I had three or four others of
different colours. He desired to have them all, as he was to shew his
horses and servants to the king within two days, and wanted some, being
rare in these parts. I therefore promised to bring all I had next day,
when his highness might take what pleased him.

This day Abdalla Khan waited on the prince with a gallant equipage,
himself and servants being anticly apparelled, yet soldier-like,
according to their fashion. On this occasion he made a present to the
prince of a handsome white horse, full of spirit and high mettled, the
saddle and furniture all ornamented with enamelled gold. The prince
returned him a plain sword with a leathern belt. Many other swords were
brought before him, th