This indeed is the custom of the Persian merchants, who bring all to the king, as I have often seen.  He first takes his own choice, and delivers the rest among his nobles, his scribes writing down the names of all to whom they are delivered, and the sums, another officer settling the prices.  After which a copy is given to the merchant, who goes to their houses for his money; and if they do not pay, there is a particular officer who has orders to enforce payment.  It was then told to my interpreter that Arad Khan was to call the debtors before him, and cause them to pay.  This did not satisfy our merchants, but it seemed to me a just and gracious answer, and better than private persons usually get from great princes.

Hearing that I had been sick and was in want of wine, the king ordered me to have five bottles, and when these were done that I should send for five more, and so from time to time as I needed.  He sent me also the fattest wild-hog I ever saw, which had been sent from Goa by Mucrob Khan.  This was sent to me at midnight by a huddy, with this message, that it had eaten nothing but sugar and butter since it came to the king.  I accepted this as a sign of great favour, which, in this court, I know to be a great one.  He then sent for the book of maps, saying, that he had shewed it to his mulahs, and not one of them could read a word of it, wherefore I might have it again.  To this I answered, that his majesty in this would use his pleasure; and so it was returned.

The 26th, a rajah of the Rajpoots being in rebellion in the hills, not above twenty cosses from the leskar, the king sent out two Omrahs with a party of horse to fetch him in a prisoner.  But he stood on his defence, slew one of the omrahs and twelve maansipdares, [munsubdars] and about 500 men, sending an insulting message to the king to send his son against him, as he was no prey to be subdued by ordinary forces.

The 2d September, Sultan Churrum made his entry into Mundu, accompanied by all the great men, in wonderous triumph.  Contrary to all our expectations, the king received him as if he had been an only son.  All the great men and the queen-mother[214] went to meet him at the distance of five cosses from the town.  I had sent to Asaph Khan to excuse me not meeting him, for I was not able to stir from sickness, and besides, had no presents to give.  I also sent some of my servants with my just excuse to the prince, to which he, in his pride, only answered by a nod.

[Footnote 214:  Both in the Pilgrims and in Churchill’s Collection this personage is termed the king’s mother; but it is more probable she was the mother of Sultan Churrum.—­E.]