Mocha, but his successor not unworthily upheld his traditions. Immediately the English ships appeared the old treacherous game began. A present sent by Middleton to the governor brought in return a gift of "two Barbary sheep with broad rumps, and small tails, and some plantains and other fruit." Deceived by the "fair words" of the officials Middleton decided to leave the Peppercorn to trade at Aden while he went on to Mocha with the other two ships, the Trade's Increase and the Darling. After his departure it became speedily evident that the governor's intentions were the reverse of amiable. When he found that in accordance with instructions Middleton left behind that no cargo was to be landed, he schemed to get some of the Englishmen into his power.
Downton, who was now in charge, was asked to send the merchants to him to discuss the question of trade. Without any suspicion of what was at the back of the request the English commander despatched two factors to the governor's residence. They had no sooner reached the house than they were made prisoners with the intimation that they would be detained until an extortionate demand in respect of anchorage dues had been satisfied. Downton utterly declined to allow himself to be blackmailed in this fashion. Nor was he intimidated by a threat which reached him later that if the demand was not satisfied the factors would be hanged on the beach in full view of the Peppercorn. But he found as the days slipped by without any sign of the governor relenting that he would either have to sacrifice the valuable lives of the captives or submit to the extortion. Cargo to the value of the amount demanded was accordingly landed under conditions which secured the release of the Company's representatives.
