_ 497 _ Lords of Balagate(A). Because the amount was large, I sought guidence from the controller of finances, noblemen and captains who could advise me well in this matter. All told me that, in the interests of Your Highness, it was essential not to offend (Sheikh Ismael) in anything, but to try and retain his friendship and keep him happy, because he could inflict a great deal of war and hardship on Ormuz. The losses and damage that had already been inflicted by him because the captains of Ormuz had not satisfied him in a number of matters of this kind that he had requested of them, were becoming apparent. Because of this, and since it seemed right to everyone, I granted him the permits. With these his ambassador returned very happy and content. P. 227 On 10th March I sent Antonio de Souto Maior with four fustas to the coast of Arabia and I gave him instructions not to enter ports within the Straits but along the Berbera and Zeila coast. He was to take an interpreter and endeavour to learn where the Mamluks were and the state of their affairs. (A) The horses from Arabia and Persia were much sought after by the lords of Balagate. They were imported from Ormuz into Goa, where the duties they paid constituted one of the main sources of income for the Portuguese crown.
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