_ 475 _ if anything happens you should be told. Your judgment should well understand that what happens here may affect everyone. The tyranny and plunder inflicted by those evil people, the Turks, is notorious. They came first to Zakkiya, and there they set up a base. I attacked them twice, and Our Lord, thanks be to Him, did not give me victory because of the fortress they have. Now Zakkiya is much stronger and equipped with many supplies and artillery and everything necessary. Men without number have come there, and great quantities of artillery. Their purpose was to take Basra and its people overland, and they have already gone and agreed to assemble their men in [Corna], to leave together overland and by the river. They will attack Basra and will go on to Ormuz. Their intention is to prevent the Portuguese from sailing those seas. I am sending the letter they sent to me. They wish to persuade me with great assurances and promises of riches to share their fighting-men. You should have no doubt whatsoever what you should do in this situation, which is to make ready and send to me the aid you can and come without delay to Basra so that I and the King of Basra can fight them. You
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