Page:History of India Vol 7.djvu/121

Rh exchequer, and prepared the way for the great governor-general who succeeded him.

ADEN. (Copyright by Underwood and Underwood, New York.)

The English Company also armed itself for a life or death struggle. In spite of obstacles the four expeditions of its First Joint Stock (1613-1616) were bringing home rich cargoes, and its shares rose to 207 per cent. in 1617. But much of its property then remained in the Indies, and, owing to losses from the Dutch, had eventually to be sold to the Second Joint Stock at a low valuation. Its accounts could not be finally wound up until 1621, and its whole profits during the eight