The Portuguese in the Sea of Oman

_ 210 _ Having despatched his wives one night Khwaja Safar loaded his household goods saying he was sending them to Terassarin. He made the nao lie at an anchor outside the Bar ready to go and then took off for his refuge on the 26th of April 1538. This sudden departure caused great surprise in the city, especially among the loyal people who said that Khwaja Safar was only going away in order to make war on the Portuguese. Thus, it seemed also to Antonio da Silveira, who knowing that he was in Surat wrote to him many times, saying that if his going was because of grievances, he should declare them to him and he would set matters right. He appealed to him to return to Dui but he never replied. From this Antonio da Silveira feared war was coming and he put great effort into finishing the bastion and system. Then one Sunday after Khwaja Safar's departure something happened which seemed like an omen that war would be made that year by the Turks on the fortress. It was that the young captives, both Christians and Moors had formed themselves into two groups as if amusing themselves they fought each other with sticks. When the young Christians won a victory the young Moorish boys were so aggrieved that they sought to avenge themselves and a week later they returned to fight in ernest. Each group carried fireworks,

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