_ 560 _ because they could not avoid the diseases of Massawa, and hunger. Because of all this they were going to help this Christian King, since the Moorish infidels had taken away his kingdom. They took their leave in front of the crucifix, saying loudly that they were going to fight for their faith. From there they went to where all the small vessels were beached. Manuel da Gama did not dare go ashore but was on the sea in boats full of armed soldiers, so the lascars, some two hundred or more all armed with muskets and harquebuses and lances, went to the foists, but found them all dismantled, with no rudders or oars. They found one small foist in order and pulled it into the sea and embarked in it, but as it was small there was not enough room for more than ninety-six of them. They crossed to the mainland, and Manuel da Gama went after them in the boats, but in vain. The foist crossed to the mainland without danger, and Manuel da Gama returned to the galleons(A). These ninety-six Portuguese walked throughout the night, taking with them an Abyssinian to show them the (A) Correia says that Manuel da Gama ordered bercos and muskets to be fired at them, but as his men sympathised with the rebels they fired unwillingly and all missed.
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