Page:Early English adventurers in the East (1917).djvu/114

 "You sent me a foolish paper: what it is I know not, nor care not. In God is my trust and, therefore, respect not what the devil or you can do with your charms."

The uncompromising attitude assumed by the sturdy Commander produced its effect on the wily and cowardly Greek. Before the month was out he had sent off to the ships the captives and restored the impounded pinnace, with certain of the goods which had been landed. Poor Femell, however, did not live to share in the triumph of Middleton's rough diplomacy. He died suddenly on May 28 from some mysterious complaint. Poison was suspected, and a post mortem examination made by the surgeons on the fleet confirmed the accuracy of the surmise. It was afterwards discovered that on the night before his death Femell had been entertained at dinner by Rejib Aga. In the course of the repast, conversation turning on the events of the period, the factor incautiously threatened to make complaint of his wrongs at Constantinople. At parting the Greek, with a sardonic smile, said to his guest—"We shall meet at Stamboula (Constantinople)."

He no doubt took seriously the Englishman's threat and acted on the principle—a favourite one with him—that dead men tell no tales. That he had some reason to fear a representation at headquarters is suggested by the fact that as a consequence of the affair of the English fleet he was afterwards removed from his post.

About the middle of June the shahbunder, or port officer of Mocha, escorted by many of the chief merchants of the town, and accompanied by "divers sorts of music," went in state to Middleton's ship to arrange terms of peace. At the conference which followed a settlement was reached by which it was agreed that 18,000 reals should be paid as