_ 294 _ These most obvious of reasons were not enough to make our obstinate captain put a stop to this. Rather, in as short a time as possible, he ordered the entire fleet to leave port at once. Once it had arrived at the land inhabited by the Niquelus it was discovered that everything was just as Avelar had predicted. And, since he too had gone, he persuaded the captain of the fleet(A)4 to hold back until he had sent to Ormuz to discover what the captain of the fortress wanted should be done. He also stated that all the soldiers and captains should make for land as it would be most foolish to attack four fishermen, and that if the men of Ormuz (speaking through Avelar) were afraid they would want to show the advantage they had over soldiers who had embarked who idly protected fortresses. A message was thus sent to Ormuz, to which the captain replied (since it would be fatal to allow anyone to die there) that they should disembark at once with no delay. The general of the fleet (who had remained in the fortress enjoying himself) wrote on the subject to the man he had made his lieutenant. He wrote in words more immoderate than was necessary since he was guessing at the danger, -as he was not there to witness it and these words caused no little mistrust. He concluded the letter by saying that (A) Pedro Honen Pereira was captain here. Couto.
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