_ 101 _ I think they will not meddle with pepper or sulphur in my time. Your Lordship must believe that the power I have here is very effective. According to a [custom] here a fourth part of everything that was seized in the terrada goes to the captain of the foist and the Lascars; and that if it is taken on land it is given to the person who seizes it. His Majesty is left out. The pepper and ginger and steel which came in this terrada was worth over two thousand pardaus. In addition to this this Gomes Eanes had a ship of two [gaujas] and a carrack from Cairo, and this, together with what came in the terrada is worth about four thousand pardaus. The captain of the catur and the lascars are asking me to give them something, as they took it, and Diogo Espinel says that he found this out and has half of everything that came in the terrada, and the Lascars and the captain of the catur. Your Lordship can send orders here to give the reward you think fit to the captain and the Lascars. The Portuguese of Ormuz say that I too might deserve something. If Your Lordship thinks that this fortress should be made very strong, as it seems right that it, and that of Diu, should be impregnable, I see two things that could be done in this fortress to strengthen it. The fortress is situated right up against the sea, with the water washing
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