_ 85 _ So when he left, several of the king's men accompanied him, and when they arrived at the house in Calicut where the merchandise was kept, sentries were placed inside to stand guard over our men, so as to prevent them leaving. At the same time, immediate instructions were issued to announce that no boat was to approach the ships. So when our men saw that they were prisoners, they sent a black youth, who was with them, along the coast to see if he could find someone to take him to the ships, to inform them that they had been detained, on the king's orders. He went to the outskirts of the city, where some fishermen lived, and for three fanões one of them took him. This was because night was drawing in and they could not be seen from the city. Thus, as soon as he had put the negro on board, he left without delay. This happened on Monday, 13 August. We were all sad at this news, because of seeing ourselves men consigned to the hands of the enemy, and also because of the great difficulties that this created for our departure. Moreover, we were mortified that a Christian king, whom was considered one of our own, could play such dirty tricks on us. On the other hand, as might be expected, we did not blame him completely, because we were convinced that the Moors who were here and were merchants from
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTg0NzAy