_ 461 _ being ransomed in Cairo, as I have written to you in dispatches brought to you by Bastião Criado and Perto Veloso. This undertaking is an act of mercy. The prisoners are living in misery. They are Portuguese; they were Your Highness’s soldiers and served you in every way. They are owed respect. I am awaiting a reply through Antonio Pinto, the companion of the prisoners, whom I have here with me, which will affect the liberation of them all, in accordance with what I have written to you. From the copy of one of Matias’s letters, it will be learnt that the captain of Mocha has captured one of our three fustas which arrived in the Strait there last year. One of Antonio da Gama’s sons is a prisoner in it. I am keeping the original letter as a reminder to Bicudo and myself. I am writing to Bicudo to ask him to try to save this young man as may be practicable. In this matter, I shall employ all ways and means which appear to me necessary. A man of honour and substance called João Lomelino lives in Messina. Here in the court in Rome he has a brother and relatives of great influence. They are my friends, and through their good offices, he has taken charge of the dispatch of my letters to Cairo and of sending me with great discretion and secrecy letters which come from there, through the correspondents he has in those parts. The
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