_ 152 _ If he really wished to obey the king’s command he had five cargo-ships in Cochin, as well as the “Belem” (which had come in the previous year and weighed 400 tons), which he could safely take back to Portugal, along with other ships whilst he, Afonso de Albuquerque, would go and fight the Sultan’s fleet and avenge the death of his son. In spite of these arguments, the Viceroy replied that he would not leave before the “St John” arrived, for he wished to know exactly what the king’s orders were. Afonso de Albuquerque replied that he had already said everything he had to say and took his letter back telling Antonio de Sintra to write down what he had requested the Viceroy to do. This was done, and he wished to waste no more time on it for he could see it would be of no use. Nonetheless he offered the Viceroy his services for the expedition. But the Viceroy rejected his offer, saying that he must be very tired and would do well to rest in Cannanore, where he could stay at the fortress, for Lourenco de Brito, (the fortress commander) would be happy to follow him to Diu, or else, he could stay in Cochin, Afonso de Albuquerque replied that since he could not go with His Lordship, he would rather stay in Cochin.
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