_ 208 _ refuge in a sanctuary from the end of the month of June, observing the custom which held that sovereigns went into retreat when they had lost the confidence of their peoples. He had delegated his powers to his brother Nambiadari who had always wished to become reconciled with the Portuguese authorities. The allies of the Samorin had struck camp, some had even made an alliance with Duarte Pacheco. Famine threatened, foreign merchants were fleeing towards Kollam and Cannanore(A). While some members of the Islamic community were sent to the king's hermitage to beg him to return(B), the royal family decided to make contact with the new commander-in-chief. It also made sure of the complicity of the Portuguese prisoners who had escaped the massacre of 1500 by promising them to put an end to their captivity if they succeeded in convincing Lopo Soares not to pursue hostilities. The cabin-boy whom they had sent to Cannanore was the bearer of a collective letter, in which the prisoners begged the commander-in-chief to welcome with goodwill (A) Castanheda, I/86, p.184, 87, p.185, 91, p.194; Góis, 1/92, p. 220. (B) Correia I/2, p.497.
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