_ 228 _ He then showed the council members the letter which His Highness had written to him that year and added that he knew for certain that the King of Ormuz had arcepted Sheikh Ishmael's cap and prayer, and that among the Arabs it was said that Ormuz was to be given to Sheikh Ishmael (Ambassador Nicolau Ferreira knew of this). And since the king had pressed him to capture Ormuz in his letter, the governor wished to know their opinions about this question, and whether they thought it would be better for them to keep Ormuz from falling into the hands of Sheikh Ishmael, or to attack. Aden and sail up the Red Sea. Each of the captains expressed his opinion and signed his declaration they agreed with the governor that it would be much more in the king's interests to go to Ormuz than to any other place; and that once Ormuz was secure it would be easier to capture Aden and enter the Red Sea, than if this attack were to have its base in India. This matter was settled with the knowledge of only those who had taken part in the council meeting, and afterwards the governor left for Ormuz. The date of his departure was the 21st of February 1515 which was Ash-Wednesday. He arrived at Ormuz harbour just before sunset on the 26th of March.
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