_ 213 _ that I am practiced in war, and I am such a person that they advise your Viceroy to take me in his galleon to meet the Turks. Simão Botelho, who is going to the Kingdom is witness of this and regarding my person and service all those who went away from here, because I am known, and I shall say what I understand. For myself I hold that insofar as the Turks would not know that we have 20 light galeotas without awnings or gangways such as we are accustomed to, so that we can rush to the place where they are attacking us, they would not fail to scorn us, for with these and twenty fustas one would hold off an armade from coming to attack, because the galleons would be far from each other and in a calm they can only aid and defend with difficulty, which one is forced to do. These twenty galeotas and twenty caravels must be kept on their keels, never to serve except against the Turks or in extreme necessity. These ten true galleys will serve for a fight or what is to be done. When the ships are laid on their keels much will be saved. One can make war on Suez and we shall be secure and Your Highness can rest. For the said twenty galeotas and twenty caravels in any case you must order that they soon make some money from
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