_ 222 _ him that, as he wished to take certain criminals prisoner and feared that they might take refuge in the palace, he was to station himself with fifty soldiers as soon as it was right at a certain place from where he would come to assist in what might happen. On the same pretext, he ordered the Ouvidor to wait in another place. He also sent for the interpreter, Simao Ferreira, a man of great authority and repute among all the nations to wait in another place, and after making him party to the secret as necessary, told him how to proceed to keep the Guazil’s gate, through which Bifatima would pass, open, until a certain action had taken place. They discussed and agreed that Simao Ferreira should go to the Guazil on behalf of the Captain, and order him to negotiate with certain merchants who had arrived from Persia, and this would mean that the gates would have to remain open. He [the Captain] warned him (Simao Ferreira) that if some disturbance were heard, he should tell the Guazil on behalf of the Captain that there should be no disturbance on pain of his being blamed for an uprising. They agreed on this, and artillery and soldiers from the fortress were put in place. They then sent an order to the Alcaide-mor telling him what action to take in whatever events might take place. The Captain left at the onset of the night, lightly armed, taking with him the Vicar and the youth who served as a
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