_ 86 _ Chapter: 79 During this battle both the enemy and our men suffered great losses, not only because many were killed and wounded, especially on the enemy side, but. also, because many Vessels were damaged and a great part of the munitions was spent, but as regards our side, Dom Lourenco was wounded and later seized by a fever which made it necessary for him to be bled. The captain met in council and discussed their situation, as well as the arrival of new reinforcement for the enemy. After considering the matter thoroughly they came to the conclusion that it wouldn’t be wise to fight them again, and that they should leave because the ships in Cochin were already loaded. Most of them said that since they were leaving, they should do so at midnight, when the wind would blow from land, so that the enemy might not hear them. However, Pero Barreto, and even more so Pero Cao, were very much against their opinion, saying that they should not flee from the enemy, otherwise the Portuguese would lose the prestige they enjoyed in India. They wanted the Malabar ships to leave the city first, and they would follow them in the morning, so that the enemy might not think that they were abandoning the field in fear. It was agreed that this would be done; the
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