_ 345 _ fleet and not have to spend money. If we had not been sent to wait in India, it seems to me that it was in the service of Our Lord for at least two of us to go with Don Pedro, and when we reached the port of Jeddah,(A) we could have gone by land until we reached the court of Prester John, for with the help of Our Lord we could at least have prepared the way. But since, with my sins, I fear that I should hinder more than I am certain of helping, I will not speak of this and will remain prepared to do all which obedience orders. Perhaps fate will send me to do this through the possibilities which are offered here, for if Don Pedro goes to Aden, it is clear that he will ask for some priests, and in India there is no-one who can offer himself except those of us who have come from Portugal.(B) May Our Lord give us the greatest glory and aid. (A) The port, which is now called Jeddah, is in the Red Sea, from where one approaches the city of Mecca. (B) He says that there were few members in India because of many going to the East in 1555.
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