_ 11 _ Khwaja Bequin answered that that very year three naus had arrived from Mecca and entered Calicut, where they were at present. They brought three letters: one for the King of Calicut, one for Sadin and another for Khwaja Semesadin. The text of the letters was as follows: “Since my misfortune was that my ships were destroyed, I have, in truth, built fifty ships that I am going to send to fight the Franks [Europeans], so be advised not to make peace with the captains of the King of Portugal”. And the said Moors brought news that sixteen ships had already been built but they did not know when they were going to arrive. Item: The said Captain General further stated that Goa was only as strong as the Sabato, and he knew for certain through Khwaja Bequin and the Moore that the Sabaio was dead; that his son was hopeless as a captain and was afraid we would attack Goa. There were two reasons why we should not attack the city: one was that once we captured Goa, we would have to defend her. This was impossible because we were barely passing through. Secondly, the son now was afraid we would attack him. When we had replenished the naus with money and provisions and whatever was necessary and we were well fed we would take Goa when Duarte arrived.
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