_ 214 _ Portuguese navigators, faithful to the end of the monsoon rendezvous, they would have been even more amazed, in these early years, that they had triumphed over the tempests of two oceans. Besides, the reinforcements that each new squadron brought not only consolidated the Portuguese positions but also the defence of the frontiers of Cochin. Also, the sovereign had gone to welcome Lopo Soares at the gate of the Portuguese fortress. He conferred the accolade on him and took him by the hand to lead him to the audience chamber. In response to the king's protestations of friendship, Lopo Soares did homage on behalf of the fleet that he commanded; then he gave him a letter from Dom Manuel(A) and twenty thousand gold cruzados, which were brought in six silver bowls, along with weapons and costly fabrics(B). The King of Cochin had done his best to ensure that the Portuguese obtained their cargo of spices. He had entrusted the preparations for this to Mamale and Cherian Marakkar who were the two most powerful Mappilla merchants (A) BM Anonymous, p. 121: Castanheda, I/92, p. 195; Barros, I/7-9, p. 291; Gois, I/97, P p. 233-234. A copy of this letter is published. below, doc. 2 [not included in this translation]. (B) Correia, I/2, p. 500.
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