_ 132 _ confident that they are many, saying that the islands are mainly flooded and that the Turks can do nothing. The five hundred soldiers who are in this place at present are discontented and do not much wish to be here on account of the poor payments so far made to them as wages. They say frankly that they were only awaiting my arrival because they have been sustaining themselves with the prospect for eight months; and that if all that is owed to them is not paid now, they will go and serve the one who sent them here and is giving them nothing. They live very independently; they are given the same here as there. I have found out from many honourable men resident here and from others who are natives that they conceal nothing because they wish great harm to these Turks, to the point where they cannot bear to look at them. They are sovereign in many matters as ever. Although their King or Captain defends them, they do not wish them to do anything else. The intention of these men is not up to the present to wish to come to an agreement to take possession of all these territories which they share with Shah Tahmasp’s men, and also part of their own which they already have
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