_ 448 _ When all was quiet and still, on the first night that was dark enough and suitable for carrying out this decision, Dom Paio and all the Portuguese left with their weapons. He explained to those in the fortress that he was going to do the round of the guards and when everyone was briefed, they all embarked, except for one soldier named João Alvares, who was in a distant observation post. They then sailed along the coast as far as the small islands of Canequim thirty leagues from Aden, to wait for the foist that Dom Paio had sent from India. On the morning of the next day the king learned that our men had gone, and he was very hurt and frightened because he did not know the reason. He had João Alvares brought before him, whom he knew had remained alone on guard and, with a great outpouring of words, complained to him about his companions. João Alvares tried to excuse them with arguments based on service and the greater security of the king himself. However, the latter was dissatisfied with these reasons and became extremely worried about losing the city because he lacked the support of the Portuguese. He looked at the only one that was left to him with so much regard that he handed the defence of the fortress over to him. This, he accepted willingly and attended to everything that was
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