_ 177 _ two months to reach us. If I have not answered you, it is because I have received no letters from you. In this one, I will only say the following. The Captain General left here on the 18th of February and returned on the 20th of September. During this time, we have done nothing but fortify this island and its fortress and we have exchanged letters and presents daily with the Sabaio and Turks so as to befriend them. When we go to the mainland, we exchange goods and money with them and thus obtain all we need from them. Now that the Captain General is here, we hope by the grace of God, to make some necessary repairs. Last year, five ships laden with horses were forced to land here from Ormuz. We paid our respects to these merchants, welcomed and entertained them and lent them money. They sold their horses at very good prices and returned to Ormuz. My calculations are that these five ships with the horses alone brought you a profit of five thousand pardaos. Your Highness can see what you will gain in prestige and wealth when every ship calls here. Apart from bringing you a lot of money, they will bring you many other merchants as there are great many horses sold and
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