Storia do Mogor 189.4

189.4

Augustin, and most urgently entreated him to see Rustam Rao and procure leave to remove to Machhlipatanam a brother of his called Augustinho, who had fallen ill. I furnished him with this name so that, if asked for his invalid brother's name, he should be in no perplexity, and thereby avoid suspicion of there being some deceit. The arrangement succeeded perfectly, for the permit was obtained. I got into a palanquin and feigned to be unwell; and praise be to God! the spies never discovered me. Thus did I make my journey without the envoy of Shah 'Alam being aware of my departure. I went on until I arrived at Madrasta (Madras) or Fort St. George, which belongs to the English, and there I was free of all danger. My escape from Gulkandah was the cause of some discomfort to the king, for Shah 'Alam made great complaint of his want of energy in arresting me; but he knew quite well that by that time I was no longer in Gulkandah. Still, he made various searches, and in the end sent Rustam Rao as a prisoner into the fortress because he had issued the permit for my departure. The prisoner was forced to pay fifty thousand rupees, which were forwarded to Shah 'Alam as a present to procure pardon for the fault of the king's officer [235].