_ 202 _ They pay tithes to the churches, and these are collected by officials they have for this purpose. These officials take care to keep the churches in the necessary state of repair from these tithes, and the remainder is distributed among the poor. Those who serve in the churches attend them three times a day, namely at the hours of matins, vespers and compline. They greatly venerate the cross, and if someone wears one around his neck, he can go in safety throughout the island without fear of anything, even if he has enemies; and he need not fear justice. In this island there are many dates, and in the same manner as is done here they are transported to other places. Many other supplies and provisions suitable for people travelling by sea as well as for those who live in the island. In this island there are certain highly prized drugs. Tristão da Cunha, our commander, arrived in this island with the fleet accompanying him. This was because he bore our order to erect a wooden building there which he had taken from here so as more easily to be able to make a fortress which we had ordered him to build in the island. We considered it very appropriate and necessary in order to close and impede entry to the Red Sea by the ships of Moors coming from India, as also to the benefit of our other trade in those parts, because they are in my debt.
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