_ 136 _ They drew very close to it but were unable to draw any closer. When the enemy saw them, they immediately hoisted their sails, but when they saw that our ships were unable to reach them, they dropped anchor again. Our men, thinking that they were waiting for us, prepared to attack them, Jorge da Silveira went on board the pinnace with Nuno Vaz, and Jeronimo de Lima went to the “Rei Grande’s” barge, whilst Martim Coelho went to his. They reached the enemy when it was already dark, and the enemy began to row at once and ran away. Our men went after them, until they lost sight of them, owing to the darkness, and also to the fact that the winds and the water were against them. In this way the enemy escaped, and they returned with great difficulty to the place where our ships were anchored. From there they went back to the commander-in-chief and gave him an account of what had happened. After this, our men captured a small terrada at night, close to the city. It carried some archers, of whom the commander-inchief chose four to send to the King of Portugal, as a good example of their profession. He ordered the others, together with the oarsmen, to have half their hands cut off, as well as their noses and ears, and to be thrown ashore.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTg0NzAy