_ 531 _ Although it seemed to His Highness that this work should already be well advanced, according to the urgency that Garcia de Sá said that he had given it, nevertheless, because it was of such importance to the State of India, he commanded and strongly recommended to D. Antonio that he should attempt to consolidate what he had found started, and if he considered that by wintering there he would not put other matters of greater importance in jeopardy, he should do so, in order to continue the work better, but mainly to go to the relief of Diu. As the salary and upkeep of 4,000 men could be paid from the income of the fortress, it would always be possible to keep them there for whatever would serve his interests. After the Turks took over Basra, which is a city at the mouth of the River Euphrates very near Ormuz, the King took more interest in the affairs of India because here was a neighbor to cultivate seriously, as this was an ideal place for harbouring galleys and oared ships of every kind and with timber for building them. Moreover, Turkish aid was near at hand, without any need for it to be sent by way of foreign countries. For that reason and many others the King, having reflected on the importance of this matter, decided to seek the advice of our men about it, as they would be able to
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