were openly antagonistic; while in the background loomed menacingly the Portuguese, who understood only too well that the triumph of the English would presage the downfall of their own power. In the circumstances, Middleton's departure seemed to close the entire chapter of English endeavour in this region. But as has often happened in the strange, eventful history of British domination in the East, when the hour of national destiny was at its darkest there was a dramatic transformation of the situation in a favourable sense.
In this crisis in the affairs of the English at Surat the determining factor was the arrival in Indian waters at the close of 1612 of two of the Company's ships, the Red Dragon and the Osiander, commanded by Thomas Best. It was an insignificant squadron, measured even by the standard of that day. The Red Dragon's tonnage was only 600 and the Osiander was a mere pinnace. Altogether, the crews of these vessels did not exceed 250 in number. But if the "fleet" was weak in numbers, it had the supreme advantage of being commanded by a man of exceptional ability and force of character, who was able to inspire the crews with some of that spirit of lofty idealism which has done so much in all times to build up the British Empire.
Best in his younger days had accompanied Frobisher on his Arctic voyages, and by that experience had qualified himself as a skilled navigator. He is revealed later as a merchant of some standing residing in Ratcliff and Limehouse. The combination of mariner and trader doubtless recommended him for the responsible position of commander of the Red Dragon. Nor can we suppose that the Company's directorate, in which there was a strong leaven of Puritanism, was otherwise than favourably influenced by
