South India and her Muhammadan Invaders c15.s7.2

c15.s7.2

In the meanwhile, some of the inhabitants of the island went to the vizier Abd Allah and announced my arrival to him. He questioned me regarding my position and the persons who had accompanied me. I then informed him that I had come in order to fetch my son, aged about two years. The mother of the child went to the vizier to complain to him about my intention; but he said to her: ‘I will not prevent him from taking his son.’ He forced me to go to the island (of Mahal) and lodged me in a house opposite the tower of his palace in order to know all about me. He sent me a full robe, betel, and rose water according to their custom. I took him two pieces of silk in order to throw them before him the moment I saluted him. They were accepted and the vizier did not come to entertain me that day. They introduced my son to me and it struck me that his stay with the islanders had done him much good. I then sent him back again to them and remained five days in the island. It seemed to me I ought to hasten my departure and I asked leave to do so. The vizier having called me, I went to him. They brought me the two pieces of stuff they had taken from me, and I threw them down while saluting the vizier as is the custom. He made me sit beside him and put me questions regarding myself. I ate in his company and washed my hands in the same basin with him—this is what he does with nobody. Afterwards betel was brought and I returned. The vizier sent me cotton drawers and hundreds of thousands of cowries, and behaved perfectly.