Travels in India. 



Part. II. 



the one from the other , lin'd with a Mat made of the Rhind of a certain Tree, 

 fo thin that it looks like a piece of Linnen, which neither Fleas nor Punies will 

 come near. The Roof was cover d with Coco-Branches. Not far off, under 

 another Roof fupported with four great Pillars, he had fixteen Elephants, the 

 nobleft of all thole that are in the Kings lervice : for he has a far greater num- 

 ber train'd up for war, that are not afraid of wild-fire. For his Guard he might 

 have about two thoufand men, that were drawn up in Companies under the 

 (hade of the next Trees. They are good Souldiers as well by Sea as by Land ; 

 great Mahometans, and ftand not at all in fear of death. Ffis Haram, or the 

 Womens Apartment, was certainly a very fmall place. For when he had view'd 

 what I brought him, he fent for two old women, to whom he gave fome of the 

 Jewels, to go and (hew them to his Wives. The two women return'd back through 

 a little* pitiful door ; the enclofure being nothing but a kind of Wall made up of 

 Earth and Cow-dung mix'd together. Whatever he fent to the Women, they 

 never return'd any thing again. Which made me believe they would bear a 

 good price ; and indeed whatever I fold to him, I fold to good profit, arid had 

 my Money well paid me. After this we took our leaves 5 but the King oblig'd 

 us to come next day in the evening, becaufe he had a defire to fhew us a 

 Turk) Dagger, the Haft whereof, being thin of Diamonds, he had a mind to 

 enrich with more Stones. Coming to the EngUJh Houfe with our Money, they 

 wonder'd that the King had laid out twenty thoulànd Roupies, telling me, they 

 believ'd it was the beft part of his treafure. 



The next day my Brother and I went to wait upon him at the appointed 

 hour, and we found him fitting in the fame place where he fate before. There 

 was a MoMa then read to him, who feem'd to interpret to him fomething of 

 the Alcoran m the Arabick, Language. The Lefture being ended, they both 

 role and went to prayers ; which being concluded, the King fent for the Dag- 

 ger and the Haft which was of Gold. The top of the Handle was already 

 fet with Diamonds^ and upon the upper part of the crofs Bar was cut in Fa- 

 cets, which could not be left worth than fifteen or fixteen thoulànd Crowns. 1 

 The King told me, it was prefented to him by the Queen of Borneo 3 and that 

 it was cut at Goa -, but that he put a far higher value upon it than I efteem'd 

 It to be worth. The Dagger, as well as the Sheath was full of Beazils, or 

 Collets, in very good order } but the King had neither Diamond, Ruby, nor 

 any other Stone to fet in the Collets ; and therefore defir'd me to help him 

 to fome that might come at an eafie rate. I told him it was impoffible ta 

 find Stones that would fit the Beazils ; and therefore that it was better, when he 

 had got Stones enough, to fix other Beazils according to the proportion of the 

 Stones. To which purpofe he was firft to range all his Stones in Wax -, which 

 I (hew'd him how to do at the fame time ; but that was above his skill. And 

 therefore do what I could to excufe my felf to the contrary, he would needs 

 oblige me to carry the Dagger to Batavia j whereupon I took my leave of 

 the King, and departed. 



CHAP, 



