_ 291 _ If, when the caturs return, they tell you that there are a small number of ships close to Aden, and that you are able to fight them, you are to go there, always keeping ahead of you a few light vessels which will watch the land, the headlands and the inlets. When you approach the city, you are to find out about the enemy fleet, and if it is of a kind with which you can fight, you are to do so, keeping all your ships together and giving orders that during the battle the men are to call upon St. James and St. Thomas; and if Our Lord gives us victory, you are to go into the port and do what is set forth above. Item: Each time you have to take a new course or there is an opportunity to fight, you are to take counsel and opinion with all the captains and fidalgos sailing with the fleet. Although it may appear to you as clear as the midday sun, you are not to fail to take the opinion of all, and of what they agree in this manner you will draw up an agreement, which all are to sign. Item: Whenever the King has signed and sworn the agreements, you are to give orders to the fighting men who are to remain in his service in the city, and that will be up to one hundred and fifty lascars, and D Paio de Noronha is to remain as their captain. If he has some objection to this, you are to insist that he stay with these men. If he refuses to do so, you are to insist, and if none of these men wishes
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