_ 226 _ blockade the mouth of the Red Sea and to patrol the neigbouring coastline. His squadrons and those of the captains sailing along the Indian coast prevent ship movements in those seas without a safe-conduct. Thus, the inhabitants of Malabar depend for their food on the licence issued by the Viceroy. Tristan da Cunha captured many Moorish ships at the mouth of the Red Sea. So many riches and spices were taken that those items that could not be accommodated on our ships, such as rolls of Cambay cloth used for clothing by the Moors in that part of Arabia, were dumped overboard. When Tristan da Cunha left Portugal, he visited the island of Madagascar and created havoc among the Moors. This island, opposite the port of Sofala, is rich in ginger and cloves. The adjacent islands are also renowned for their spices. What is more important is that the return voyage is much shorter than the round trip to India. On Tristan da Cunha’s departure, the Viceroy attacked an important port near Calicut called Ponani. He burned seventeen or eighteen ships sheltering there and fought the Moors on land, killing many but a number of this men were wounded. Twelve captains of the Samorin of Calicut also died. It was claimed that before the fight the Moors had voted in their mosque to defend themselves or die. They fought well and kept their promise.
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