To which Midford replied that he never received nor took any more profit from the soldiers than what other officers did, all through the island of Bombay; with which answer the Council was apparently satisfied.

The real grievance of the men appears to have been that Midford, not being a military officer, was not entitled to make the deduction.

The Directors were careful in enjoining that powder was not to be wasted at exercise; "but sometimes the men must be used to firing, lest in time of action they should start at the noise or the recoil of their arms." To bring such officers and men into the field was to invite disaster.
Soldiers are not made by dressing men in uniform and putting muskets into their hands.
[Illustration: Map] [1] According to the Company's instructions in 1675, writers were to receive no salary at all for the first five years, and after that L10 a year.

In 1699 the Court of Directors settled the salaries of merchants at L60, factors at L40, and writers at L20 per annum (Bruce); but in 1716 the salaries were as above stated.
[2] The London Company and the English East India Company were amalgamated in 1708.
[3] 1674.
[4] It was afterwards re-established, and again abolished in Boone's time.
[5] Bombay was subordinate to the Surat factory till 1685.
[6] Four years after returning to England, Keigwin was given the command of a frigate.

In 1690 he accompanied the expedition against the French in the West Indies, and fell at the head of his men in the assault of Basseterre, St.Christopher's .-- _Dic.