_ 82 _ to land because the nest hostages were actions. He was to send at once a hundred thousand xerafins, which the King had spent on the fleet and the men he brought. He was to promise obedience to the King of Portugal as his vassal, flying his flag above his palace; and then they would discuss what else he must do. He sent the hostages back to land with this message to show that he was confident in his power, and that if the King did wrong, he would take revenge on the city. So, he had no need of hostages, and he dismissed them with honour. They returned to the King who heard the message in the presence of the Regents and his counsellors. Some of them said that he should not send so much money because the Captain-in-Chief would then ask him for even more. As the Armenian was speaking to Khwaja Attar, Rais Nuruddin said to him “Remember that at first they were entreating you, and now you are entreating them”. The hostages said to Khwaja Attar. “You are the only one who gives good advice to the King, and now it is more necessary than eve; so much damage has been done at sea, take care that more is not done on land.” Khwaja Attar was pleased to hear the hostages say this, and he told the King, “Sir, order that the hundred thousand xerafins the Captain-in-Chief asks be sent at once; you would rejoice if you had already given another hundred
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