_ 199 _ our men following them inside, although a further 35 of their fellow-soldiers were still outside. The latter despaired of ever being able to escape our men, fled to the palm-trees and were scattered throughout the island, thus being saved. Chapter: 41 Afonso de Albuquerque did not allow his men to pursue the Arabs, for he wished to enter the fortress. Rather, when he saw that their escape had left the gates unguarded on the outside, he approached them with all the noblemen, knights and other people. He wished to break down the gates' little door which was not locked and bolted, as it appears the Arabs meant to try and open it again to let their other companions in. As Afonso de Albuquerque and the others approached the gates many large stones and other objects started to fall on them, which the Arabs threw from a watch-tower built over the gates. They also hurled missiles from the little door and in both these ways succeeded in wounding many of our soldiers. Afonso de Albuquerque was hit on the head by a stone but didn't lose his balance. However, he retreated and ordered his men to retreat, after which he sent for the artillery and for some axes to break down the door, as well as the ladders. The axes and
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