_ 277 _ When Piri Reis saw how determined the Portuguese were, he was doubtful about taking the fort by force and as time was slipping away, he decided to find out what terms they would agree to. He thus sent João da Barca, a renegade Portuguese whom he had brought with him, to contact them. Having come within hailing distance of those inside, he informed them: “Piri Reis sends word to the captain that if he grants him permission he will send a man to talk with him about very important matters”. João de Lisboa discussed what he should do with everyone and it was agreed that he should be heard. It was the same João da Barca who passed on his message, telling the captain: “The Pasha does not wish to proceed further with his argument as he well understands the plight that the captain is in, but if he surrendered to him, he would spare all their lives and ships for them to cross over to India”. The renegade João da Barca added many things to this about the greatness and liberality of Piri Reis, stating that he would not go back on his promises, but if the captain did not accept his terms, he should rest assured that the Pasha would not lift the siege from that fortress without entering it and that not a single person would be spared.”
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