Storia do Mogor 102.2

102.2

When they learnt this, the Portuguese were all amazed that I with a few words had secured what they could not obtain for five thousand rupees. This thing caused them to seek every mode of keeping me in Hughli, they supposing that, as I had managed so easily such a difficult affair, I would prove of benefit to the Portuguese should I take up my residence there. They found that I was not willing; on the contrary, I wanted to go back to Mogul territory [66] to practise the science of medicine, of which I had begun to learn the elements, and was continuing my studies. I knew from experience that Frank physicians are held in esteem by the Mahomedans. Then they thought to detain me by a marriage to a young lady, with the promise of thirty thousand rupees and two pataxos loaded with salt, making in the whole one hundred thousand rupees, also a house furnished with everything necessary for a newly-married couple. I was really anxious that this contract should be carried through; all the same, I made a show of not caring a rap, pretending, on the contrary, that I was absolutely determined to return to the Mogul country. The Jesuit fathers were never tired of trying to get a 'Yes' from me, but though in reality desirous in my heart of assenting, I made a show of refusal, so that they might not fancy they were conferring any benefit on me; nor, if afterwards there chanced to be any quarrel, could they throw in my face the benefit they had done me.