The Portuguese in the Sea of Oman

_ 451 _ now anchored out at sea. The Turks, thinking that they were Dom Paio’s, made ready two galleys and three galliots that night and rowed out to sea. It was already broad daylight, so when our men saw the five ships rowing towards them, they also began to row, leaving them behind because of their superior stroke. So, when Dom João realised that any time he needed to, he could pull away from them without danger, he approached one of the galleys and hung about near its stern. The other foists did the same with an interchange of numerous musket volleys. One of these hits and wounded a man on Gomes da Silva’s foist who, while taking shelter under a tarpaulin, did not realise that he was carrying a lighted fuse in his hand. This touched the powder which had spilt from the gun chambers were being filled and the fire spread to another that was below in the hold. This hurled the tarpaulin into the air, and three Portuguese with some rowers were burnt. As a result, the foist was unrigged, which prompted a Turkish galley to row immediately and with great speed to capture it. However, Antonio de Veiga, who was nearby, came to its aid. He shared out his rowers with it and they began to make their way out to sea. But as both the foists were inadequately equipped, the galleys began to overhaul

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