_ 96 _ captain to send these two men along with them, because a short distance away they had a lot of dry cinnamon that they could go and see and bring back a sample. After we had taken on water, we returned on board and they promised that they would come to our ships the next day and bring a present of cows, pigs and chickens for the captain. Early the following day, we caught sight of two barges close to land about two leagues from us, which we took no notice of. While we were waiting for the tide so as to enter the river and take on water, we went ashore to collect firewood. When we were engaged in cutting the wood, it struck the captain that these vessels were bigger than they at first appeared. He gave orders for all of us to pile into the longboats to go and eat. As soon as we had finished, we were to go in these boats to see whether they were Moors or Christians. When the captain returned to his carrack, he ordered a sailor to the crow's nest to see if there were any ships in sight. The sailor spied eight ships, becalmed, about six leagues out to sea. Accordingly, the captain gave immediate orders for these ships to be sunk. When the wind reached them, they luffed as best they could and when they were abreast of us (they were only about two leagues away) thinking that they could see us,
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