_ 70 _ most of the merchandise which was brought there and then would sell it to merchants from the interior and send it to places where they were highly prized. As a result, he made a great deal of money and had a wealthy treasury, of which he spent great quantities paying his soldiers. These he kept permanently and paid handsomely. For this reason, many foreigners came to serve him. He also had a great fleet at sea, consisting of large pinnaces, which are called “Atalayas”, all of them well manned and armed with artillery. He lived with greater pomp than any other ruler in these parts, and in a more refined way. Whenever he paid a visit to the King of Cambay he took 900 men on horseback, 20 horses for himself and 20 more to give to the King of Cambay. After the Portuguese gained control of India and he realized that they were firmly established there, he always desired to be at peace with them, so as to be able to acquire their merchandise, specially copper. It happened many times that he asked a Portuguese “degradado” who had come to Diu from Melinde, to take a message to the Viceroy asking him to send two ships loaded with copper and spices, so that there might be trading relations between him and our people. However, the Portuguese man refused, for he was afraid he was trying to betray them.
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