_ 214 _ Arabian Gulf, with the result that the town of Xer, fearing the destruction which had occurred to its neighbours, paid us annual tribute. Since the first tribute was paid immediately in Venetian coinage, one can conclude that trade with Christians extends as far as that point along the coast of Ethiopia. Next our captain attacked the richest city in that region, called Brava, a place very famous among the neighbouring peoples for its military prowess. There the citizens attacked us outside the gates, in contempt of our men, but the captain overcame them in a remarkable battle. The enemy fled into the town and our men, mingling with them, entered it as well, causing great confusion. It required an extraordinary effort on the part of our men to capture the citadel, on account of the people’s obstinate belief in their own capabilities, and their desperation. When at last the citadel had been taken, everyone to a man had been killed, and the city was set on fire, destroyed and consumed, so that the power of our Saviour might be apparent to all. For such are the methods of our men in those Lands; fire precedes Him and surrounds His enemies with flames. As many as 1,500 of the enemy were killed by the sword. To the silver rings and collars which the horses wear according to local custom, which were valued
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