ot long afterwards, while sitting
drunk beside his wife, and no other person near, he had the same
misfortune to tumble into the water, at which time she might easily have
saved him, but did not. Being afterwards asked why she had not, she said
she knew not but she likewise might have had her hands cut off for her
reward.

The 10th we removed one coss beyond Oojain; and on the 11th, the king
rode to that city, to speak with a dervise, or holy man, who dwelt upon
a hill, and was reported to be 300 years old, but I did not think this
miracle worth my examination. At noon this day, I received news by a
foot-post, that the prince, notwithstanding all the firmauns and
commands of his father, had intercepted the presents and goods on their
way up, to satisfy his own base and greedy inclinations; and no
entreaty, gifts, or persuasions, that Mr Terry could offer, who had the
charge of them, could prevail on him to part with them, and he compelled
them by force to follow him towards Burhanpoor. Yet he forbore to break
open the packages, but pressed the English to consent, which they
refused by my orders, and he thought to win them to his purpose by
vexatious usage. For it is the custom in this country, for the great men
to see all merchant goods before even the king, that they may chuse
first; but I resolved, if possible, to break that bad custom, in our
behalf.

That he might satisfy his own cupidity, the prince sent up a courier to
the king, before I could get intelligence, giving notice of having
detained the goods, but without mentioning that they were presents, and
requested his authority to have them opened, that he might purchase what
he fancied. This faithless proceeding of the prince, contrary to his
promise and his own written orders, satisfied me that I was justifiable
in the eyes of all, if I carried my complaint directly to the king,
having used every possible means to procure favour from the prince, and
having already suffered beyond the patience of a free-born man; so that
I must now be blameless by using rougher means, having already
fruitlessly proved all smoother expedients. I therefore resolved to
appeal for justice, by complaint to the king in person, yet as calmly
and warily as possible. I feared to go to Asaph Khan on this occasion,
lest he might oppose my purpose, yet thought my neglect of him might be
displeasing; wherefore, if I sent to acquaint him that I proposed to
visit the king at the guzalcan, I