_ 287 _ Socotra, you are to be very circumspect, taking advantage of the weather, a treasure and advantage for wise men, and caution, and by all possible means you are to find out whether or not there is a Turkish fleet in the island, bound for Aden. If it is clear that there is not, you will leave the island and make for the Canacani Islands, where D João de Ataide will be waiting for you. If you hear news on the Arabian coast that the Turks are near Aden, and you do not find D João there, this is a sign that the coast and the city are at peace, and you are to make for Aden, not neglecting to find out at certain points on the coast what is going on. When you arrive within sight of the city, you are to gather your whole fleet together and enter the port in good order and formation, with your ships in line ahead and in battle order, with their banners and standards flying, all of them creating every kind of harsh and violent sound as of battle and conflict with every kind of (musical) instrument. You are then to salute the city with all the arquebuses together, and after that you are to fire the artillery. When night comes you are to fire many rockets from all the ships into the city, so that the King and the Arabs will understand the great pleasure and sense of occasion you feel on arriving in their country.
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