_ 403 _ Arabia and the south of the red sea against the ships from Mecca which were entering and leaving there in the spice trade. Instead of this he as permitting himself to be there building a fortress. On one side of that island there were the Moors on the coast of Persia and on the other those of Arabia, the most noble people in all the east, who in two days after Afonso de Albuquerque left there could take the fortress into their hands. This was even more true with the city itself, being so populous without help being sent that fortress being far from Inda and from the passage of the ships from the kingdom of Portugal, who could offer some assistance, they could take it over. This request was disapproved of by Afonso de Albuquerque and taking it in his hands he said that he would reply to it. When they turned away he gave the paper to a stonemason who was finishing the gateway of the fortress. He told him to use it as the keystone and cover it well with stone and time, which serve as his reply. He wanted to see who would be so bold as to pull down the gateway of the fortress of his lord the king to see how he replied to such requests. This was something which much offended all those who had signed the paper. Something else had occurred with which the captains and leading nobles were very displeased. Each of them
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