_ 389 _ Then he began to question the Moors, asking where they had come from, and what news there was from India. They replied that they had come from Diu, and that twelve ships had arrived there from Portugal with Lopo Soares in command. This news was confirmed in two letters which the Moors delivered to him contained in these was certain intelligence that they themselves could not impart to his lordship, because one was from Cid Ali, his humble servant, and the other from Sheikh Ishmael's Ambassador who was in Kambaye. In the letter from Cid Ali, not only was Lopo Soares appointed commandant and Governor of India but the captains of the ships and of the fortresses, and other notables were also given positions. When Afonso de Albuquerque had read this letter, he began to fear that this intelligence could affect the arrangements he had left in Ormuz, where the ship was bound. He took from these men the letters they had brought from Diu; end it was for this reason that he made them take the oath. He also gave them a letter for his nephew, Fero d' Albuquerque, telling him how to act. He thanked the Moors for what they had done and sent then away, remaining alone with Diogo Fernandes
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