an extreme pride and thorough contempt for all around him.  Yet I could perceive that he was every now and then assailed by some inward trouble, and a kind of distraction and brokenness in his thoughts, as he often answered suitors in a disjointed manner, as if surprised, or not hearing what they had said.  If I can judge, he has left his heart among his father’s women, with whom he is allowed to converse.  The day before, Noormahal went to visit him in the English coach; and, on taking leave of him, she presented him with a robe, all embroidered with diamonds, rubies, and pearls; and, if I do not mistake, she carried away with her all his attentions from other business.

The 6th I had a letter from Mr Brown at Ahmedabad, giving an account of a fray begun by the Portuguese.  Five of them assailed an English boy at Cambay, whose arms they took from him.  On notice of this, John Brown and James Bickeford went to rescue the boy, and were set upon by seven Portuguese, one of whom fired a pistol and wounded Brown in the hand.  They defended themselves bravely and honourably like Englishmen, killed one, wounded some others, and chaced the rest up and down the town like cowards, to the great shame of such villains, and the reputation of our nation.  To revenge this, the Portuguese came ashore in considerable numbers from their frigates, no more English being in the town except the three already mentioned.  The governor, being informed of this affair, sent the cutwall with a guard to our house, and ordered the water port to be shut, expelling the Portuguese from the town, and commanding them, on pain of chastisement, not to meddle with the English, whom he dismissed in safety from Cambay, and they are now returned to Ahmedabad.

The 9th, the prince being to remove, sent one of his guards for me in haste.  I was not prepared for going, but the messenger pressed me, urging that his master waited for me, and he had orders not to return without me.  He added, that the whole court talked of the prince’s favour for me, and it was reported he had asked leave from the king for me to accompany him to the war, and had promised to use me so well that I should be forced to acknowledge his favour to our nation.  I accordingly took horse after dinner; but on my arrival, I found the prince already under march.  I met a Dutchman, the prince’s jeweller, who confirmed every thing the soldier had said, and added so much more in the same strain, that I disbelieved the whole.  I sent word to the prince of my arrival, when he returned for answer, That I should go on before to the tents, and wait his arrival, when he would speak with me.  It was night when he came.  He sat a short while, only giving me a look, and arose to retire among his women.  As he passed, he sent a servant to desire me to wait a little, till he came out to hold his guzalcan, when he should take leave of me.