The Portuguese in the Sea of Oman

_ 56 _ proud and had done wrong. Only in Sohar had he found a captain who was a good and wise man, who with good understanding had saved his town and his people and had agreed peace with him, and they were friends. When he thought he would find good people at Khor Fakan, he found them worse, so again he did the damage they deserved. Because all towns and cities which have seaports and shipping, and dues from the traders who sail the seas, are obliged to obey the flag of the King of Portugal which was now flying from his topmast. It was with this intention that he came to seek peace and amity forever, provided that the king would pay each year a reasonable part of the great wealth which came to him by the sea, as tribute to the King of Portugal. He should be glad to do this without more ado; because if he did not take good advice in this matter and did not wish to promise obedience he would see so much destruction in his city and his ports and in the ships that were in port and those that were at sea, that all would be turned to fire and blood. His loss would be so great that in a few years he would be destitute. And he must send his reply at once. When the King saw the message he was very troubled and afraid, because he was a young man. He spoke with

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