The Portuguese in the Sea of Oman

_ 400 _ without them they could not inflict any harm nor handle them as he place was so restricted. Whilst in his dangerous place, where Afonso de Albuquerque had already come round from the other side, God ordained that a shot was fired from a berco in the boats in which they intended to embark. It hit the captain at the archers who were harassing our men. He was on horseback on a hill, fine looking man, well dressed and armed, and a captain who know how to order his men. The shot was so successful that it hit him in the thigh and caused the horse to drag him along it also being wounded. Behind him were the archers, and when they saw their captain knocked down this gave the opportunity for our men slowly to embark. The king felt deeply the death of this captain, as he was his tax collector as I said. Having finished the deed for that day Afonso de Albuquerque took refuge in the ships, however he was in some way blamed by the captains for risking his person with the flower of that armada on something which was not so important in the service of the king. Nevertheless he returned to order the three captains Manuel Tells, Afonso Lopes da Costa and Antonio do Campo

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