_ 225 _ but also a castle with towers, ramparts, crenallations and embrasures. Inside was the son of the king of an adjacent Arabian kingdom called Ras Fartak, whose subjects were renowned as warriors. The Prince, who was on a two-year tour of garrison duty, commanded a troop of 200 cavalry. These Moorish forces were on the island because it was an honour to Lord it over the Christians and because the island was in a strategic position. When Tristan da Cunha’s troops landed, the Prince left the fort to repulse them on the beach. In the ensuing skirmish the Moors were driven back, the king’s son killed, and the fortress taken by the Portuguese. Since no-one wanted to surrender, the Arabian forces were put to the sword. The imprisoned daughters of the islanders were set free and, to the delight of the Christians, the severed head of the prince was impaled on top of one of the castle towers. The bodies of the dead Moors were burned and those who had escaped were hunted down and slain by vengeful Christians. Afonso de Loronha is remaining behind as commander of the fortress, with sufficient men and arms to defend such a place far from possible assistance. Afonso de Albuquerque, a noble of the royal household, has been appointed commander of the fleet sent from India to
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