"Is that the pilot?" "Yes, but more. Perhaps it is like your first mate. But I am in full charge of navigation for the _nakuda_, the owner. To you he would be captain." "And what was your salary for the voyage?" "I received two hundred rupees for the trip to Aden, and am allowed two extra cabins of goods for personal trade." Hawksworth smiled resignedly to himself, remembering he had unquestioningly delivered to the _nakuda _a bag of Spanish rials of eight equivalent to five hundred Indian rupees to buy out the pilot's contract. Then he spoke. "Tonight, we go upriver to Surat. You're still in my service and you'll be pilot." "I had expected it. I know the river well." "Will there be any Portugal traders on the river?" Hawksworth searched his eyes hoping to monitor their truthfulness. "I would not expect it. Although this year's monsoons are past and the river has returned to normal, there are new sandbanks. Every season they shift, becoming more treacherous. Only those of us who know the river well understand the moods of her sands. I have never seen _topiwallah _traders in Surat this early in the season." Karim paused, following Hawksworth's puzzled expression, then continued, with an air of condescension," _Topiwallah _is our word meaning 'men who wear hats.' We call Christian traders _topiwallahs_." He fixed Hawksworth squarely. "And we have other names for their priests." "Call Christians what you will, but just remember England is not Portugal." Hawksworth's tone stiffened. "England has rid herself of the popery that still rules the Spaniards and Portugals. Along with their fear-mongering Jesuits and their damned Inquisition. It's now treason to practice Catholic rites in England." "I have heard something of your petty European squabbles, your Christian rivalries. Is it your intention now to spread them to India as well?" "All England wants is trade. Nothing else." Hawksworth shifted his leg, leaning forward to tighten the bandage. "I'm here as an ambassador. To convey the friendship of my king, and his offer of free and open trade." "And after you begin this trade, what then? Will you next try to drive the Portuguese from our ports? So that you can steal away shipping from our own merchantmen, as they have done, and demand we pay you for a license to ply our own seas?" "I told you we only want trade. England has no use for sailing licenses, or priests. Our only enemies here are the Portugals. And the damned Hollanders if they start trying to interfere."