_ 10 _ two days and two nights without cease, until they started running out of gunpowder and many guns lost their grease, and the gun carriages, which were very old, began to break up, and the tools were worn out. The Captain-in-Chief knew that all the ships were leaking, and from necessity he ordered the ships to move away and cease fire, because the ships were also damaged by firing the cannon. After talking to the Captains, the Captain-in-Chief decided to blockade the city so that nothing could reach it by sea, especially water, which was the worst that could happen. Because of the many inhabitants in the city, terradas from the island of Kishm brought more than a thousand barrels of water every day, as he knew well, and this was the main supply to cut off and the worst harm they could do. Everyone thought this was a good idea, and so it was agreed. Then he sent Manuel Telles to collect a large quantity of rice and sugar, and trusses of dates, and dried fish, and sacks and jars of dried fruits which he had ordered the quartermaster to buy, and to take it all to Socotra, which he knew was in great need of those things; and if he came across any ships, as might happen, he was to require them, with a document signed by the Captain-in-Chief, to come and help them in this war in which they found themselves in such straits.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTg0NzAy