_ 74 _ We have sighted their galleys and [166v] there is news that sixty sail are coming, some say thirty. In fact, we do not know what will happen. From the moment of my arrival in this country up till now, the King’s confidants have not let me talk to him. It is a sign that the devil is afraid, since the King is guarded so closely, I trust that, when the fullness of time comes(A), God will send His son who will illuminate what is hidden in darkness(B), since the King’s heart is in the hand of the Lord(C). I have decided, since I cannot talk to him, to negotiate with him secretly through letters, to see if once again he lets himself be moved by Our Lord. I have written a letter and given it to his interpreter(D). This has not yet been delivered to him, but is waiting for these wars to leave Ormuz. While writing this, news arrived that 30 Mamluk galleys had entered the Straits. We do not know if they will stop in Ormuz or carry on to Basra. They put us in a great (A) Cf. Galatians 4, 4. (B) Cf. 1 Corinthians 4, 5. (C) Cf. Proverbs 21, 1. (D) Garcia de la Peña, who acted as interpreter for the King from 1541 to his death (about 1565) (cf. SCHURHAMMER Q 836 1909-1920: Torre do Tombo, Corpo Chronológico 1-107-80).
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