_ 162 _ the others who came to carry out their business. I think that some two hundred other men are remaining here as in past years, and of these it may be that many of them have only a name, being old, sick, blind and labourers, whose concern is to earn enough to eat. Ormuz always needs four or five hundred men permanently stationed her, and an exceptional and respected Fidalgo who will keep a table. Besides, Luis Falcóo is a person who may die, as must all of us here, and if this happened, I do not know any person who could take charge here. Your Lordship must remember that Baghdad is very close, and better supplied than it has ever been with soldiers and everything else; and that Aden is very near Ormuz and from here to there is a journey of six or seven days, and the same from there to here. Although it is said that this cannot be done except with a monsoon, this is a joke, because ships other than warships come and go all summer, even if it takes them longer from there to here. If this is done, what can be done by those who have oars? I, sir, can do no more in these matters than remind you, it is in Your Lordship’s hands to take action. I reminded the captain here that he should not allow Jorge de Sousa to go, and as far as I can see my reminder served for nothing since he is going, and, as I say, all these fighting men. Your Lordship knows everything and will
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