Page:Early English adventurers in the East (1917).djvu/161

 Roe replied that he thought not of so mean a matter, and what was in the sender's mind he could not say.

"Well," said the King, "I will keep them and only desire you to help me to a horse of the greatest size: it is all I will expect, and a male and female of mastiffs, and the tall Irish greyhounds and such other dogs as hunt in your land, and if you will promise me these I will give you the word of a King, I will fully recompense you and grant all your desires."

Roe answered that he would promise to procure the animals, but that he could not guarantee their lives.

Upon this Jehangir "gave extraordinary bows, lay'd his hand on his heart and such kinds of gestures as all men will witness he never used to any man, nor such familiarity, nor such freedom, nor profession of love."

Roe altogether was royally cozened, and that he had some suspicion of the fact is shown by the statement which follows the complacent sentences quoted: "This was all my recompense, though he often desired me to be merry, (saying) that what wrong he had done me he would royally requite and send me home to my country with grace and reward like a gentleman."

Of all the presents that he received from England, Jehangir probably most valued the mastiffs. The fighting qualities of these splendid animals appealed to the sporting instincts which were strong in him, and he doubtless appreciated them the more as they contrasted so strikingly with the cowardly disposition of the Indian dog. The two which were sent to Jehangir were the survivors of eight originally shipped. They were despatched up country in little coaches, and on arrival at Mandu were placed each in charge of four attendants. Two of the quartette carried