The Portuguese in the Sea of Oman

_ 172 _ He became a Christian with great pomp and ceremony, to the bewilderment of the heathens. These drank the water in which he washed like a relic and kissed his feet. We returned through the centre of town, holding aloft a large cross to place in his monastery. The Moors were stricken with fear, because they held him in great veneration. We immediately demolished his idols and built a church. I set myself up in the same monastery, which, at the request of the people, I ordered to be converted into a college of our Company, because it seemed more important here, to meet the needs of these Moors, Jews and heathens, than in the rest of India. It is a building capable of accommodating up to forty people. It is near the town in the best spot there is on the island. Praise the Lord, the donations given for work were substantial. Some donated 900 pardaus, others 500. One of them offered and sent me 3,600 pardaus while others gave me all they possessed for the college, as will be seen in a letter, a copy of which I am sending there by a very pious Father(A). However, Dom Manuel de Lima, (A) Biminel: “…at the request of the people, I ordered a college of our Company to be built there, to lodge 20 (XX) students permanently,

RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTg0NzAy