_ 81 _ realize this and answered “Sirs, I know well that we have all prayed to Our Lord, and more than any I prayed to God, that we could have had a reason not to enter the city, because if we had entered it we would have been lost, and of necessity if we did not enter the city we had to return to the boats. I was very anxious about this, and thanks to Our Lord the Armenian angel arrived with the sign of peace, at which my heart rejoiced, and I knew that everyone would rejoice. God has shown us mercy; let us all receive if from His holy hands.” Because he was waiting for a message from land the Captain-in-Chief ordered the quarter-deck to be prepared and arranged, with the Moor Abdullah seated at the end of a bench. The Armenian arrived with four elderly and honoured Moors, very well dressed, who presented themselves to the Captain-in-Chief with deep bows, and he received them well. The Armenian said “Sir, the king sends you these hostages.” May they suffice to prove the truth that he will keep with you, and since he has already promised obedience, give your orders and if there are any he does not carry out, never trust this word again and do with the hostages what you will, Captain-in-Chief, as if angry, told him to say to the King that he did not want hostages; they were to return
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