The Portuguese in the Sea of Oman

_ 156 _ After Afonso de Albuquerque had been waiting for more than an hour for someone to call on him, he got tired of waiting, so he sent his skiff with a message to the great nao of Cambay as because of its splendour it appeared to be the flagship. His message was so forceful that it produced immediate results. Afonso de Albuquerque’s skiff was escorted back with another from the Moorish nao with its captain and another six men, all of good appearance. As Afonso de Albuquerque liked to do things with great solemnity and style he waited for the Moor seated under an awning in the middle of his nao, on a highchair covered in silk resting on rich carpets. He wore a breastplate trimmed with brocade and other armour and helmet on his head decorated with gold. On his left side was a page with a fine rapier and on his right was another who held his dagger. All the noblemen and most important people were armed and formed an alleyway for those wishing to come and speak to him. On the deck all the men were armed with spears, malberds, muskets, crossbows and other weapons that were thought necessary to defend him. The Moor was handsome and elegant and he came as if he wanted to show he was a gentleman. On his head he had a turban made of silk and gold. His unic was of crimson satin adorned with gold, and embroidered with

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