_ 37 _ Since it is so important that you should not commit any disobedience and do only what your Captain-in-Chief commands, I require you in the name of the King our Lord and charge you to obey my commands in everything, all of you. You, João da Nova, did not come from Portugal under my flag, but I am willing that you should join it and come under my command to serve the King in the conquest that, as you know, I have come to make. Now I am worried that you might go away without my permission and leave me in this war in which you see me engaged, which is so important for the King’s service. You wish to go with your ship, which is the strongest of them all and is most use full to me. In this you have towards the King in this matter. So, I order you on his behalf to give me your right hand. João da Nova gave it to him, with his cap in his hand, and gave him an undertaking that he would not leave his company without his permission. He ordered that a document should be drawn up by the notary of the fleet, which João da Nova signed. When that was done João da Nova said to him “Sir, I did not bind myself to go in your company except by my own wish. Tristan da Cunha sent me so that when the time comes, I should go to India and to Portugal to tell the King of your deeds; and so I am very offended at your binding
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