Storia do Mogor 265.17.6

265.17.6

On my journey from Surat to Daman, I met on the road a Portuguese who was quitting the territory through fear of the law ; for this man had taken some money on loan, and the creditor being in need of money, sent to ask for the debt. The Portuguese sent back word that it was only in person that the creditor would be paid. In the hope of payment, he went to see his debtor. Instead of paying, the debtor had the creditor bound and his ears cut off, saying that he might thank his stars for getting off alive with only the loss of his ears, which were cut off because of his temerity in asking a gentleman to pay a debt. Once in Goa, being in my house, there suddenly appeared a gentleman of birth, who with much assurance took a seat without uttering any words of politeness. At his back stood four Kaffirs with staves in their hands. He said he was a gentleman of high rank, and occupied an important position in His Majesty's service, but fortune had not been kind to him. He had been wealthy, the lord of many plantations, but to pass the time he had gambled and lost all. Then, raising his eyes, he looked at me and said : ' I have heard that your honour is a merchant, a person of position, and the reputation you enjoy has induced me to visit you.' But he could not stay long, because the viceroy was waiting for his appearance to begin his dinner; and since he was in want of pocket-money, he would borrow a sum from me. I replied that I was a poor soldier, and not a merchant ;