_ 179 _ loses a very good son and all of us a good kinsman because his life and health have been made uncertain by the fevers of Bahrain, which is very serious sickness. It seemed best to us, and to the captain Lufs Falcão, that we should send Rais Rukn al-Din, his younger brother, who also returned sick from El Katiff but is much more prepared for everything which brings honour. Among us Moors of our standing one is as good as another, and when in the future His Highness wants another person or persons like my uncle, any of his sons and kinsmen will do, because we are all subjects of His Highness. The young man is making himself ready and will leave here when the present Ramadan is over, which is in thirteen or fourteen days time. Then, provided he has recovered from his illness, he can embark in carrack where he can be treated as befits his status. Your Lordship will rejoice when you see his aptitude and manner, for he is by no means unworthy of Rais Nur al-Din. My uncle Rais Sharafa has not written to tell me what conditions and obligations he undertook in Portugal, but here the people say that they are very considerable, and there is ill-feeling in the country because so much time has passed. Your Lordship must help him to fulfill them,
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