_ 212 _ de Albuquerque and made him carry it out all the sooner. His prudence, shrewdness and captain’s authority were a help as was the gentle manner in which he persuaded the men to come to the fortress, smoothing over the irritation caused by the necessity of obeying. As well as having prepared free quarters, he ordered that there should be, within the walls of the fortress, a market full of all sorts of commodities, including butchers. Here, goods were to be more plentiful and available at lower prices than in the city. As has been said earlier, the price of water often increases excessively in Ormuz, because of the necessity of transporting it from the mainland by sea which at times they refused to navigate. He made sure that it was available in great quantities all the year round from the tanks which were always kept full of fresh water. The soldiers were supplied, therefore, both with abundant fare and water. The first group whom he succeeded in placing within the walls of the fortress with so much difficulty were so content that those who remained outside came to seek places there. Matias de Albuquerque set a precedent, which is still a custom to this day. It was a deed worthy of great praise, which should only be accorded to those worthy of it. Having worked hard to restore the fortress to its former state he felt that nothing could be more pleasing to him
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