_ 69 _ Moreover, they would be more able to spike the guns if they set fire to the ships and the galleon that were anchored in the port, as the enemy would lose the protection of the artillery in the ensuing flames. This settled, the governor spoke secretly with two Christians who had fled from Jidda in the gelva(A), charging them to go and spike the enemy guns while the ships were burning. They doubted being able to do this because of the great vigilance of the Mamelukes. Nevertheless, the governor sent them back there in an almadio(B) accompanied by certain chosen captains who went in other vessels with some men who were to burn the ships and the galleon. All the men of the fleet were restless and eager to make an attack on the city as they assumed that the governor was content with this plan, not knowing that he had ordered the ships to be burnt. But soon they heard that the city would not be attacked, and there was great perturbation in the fleet. They also heard what Salman Rex had said. Although the ships were burnt the two Christians were not able to spike the enemy guns because of the vigilance of the Arabs, and although all this was a secret it was soon known because the Christians (A) Small Arab boat. (B) A small Indian craft.
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