_ 301 _ whom he had picked up had told him that merchants travelling through those lands reported that galleys were patrolling the entrance to the Strait and allowing nothing to pass through. As our fleet was driven by a strong wind, we risked passing through it early one morning, trusting in the speed of our ships, which the galleys would be unable to cause trouble even if they bumped into us. Immediately after leaving, some ships were sighted sailing from the port of the [Malemos], in the direction of Persia. Against the wishes of his men, Captain Gonçalo Vaz delayed moving forward until he had confirmed whether they were galleys or ocean-going ships. If they were galleys and it was observed that they were approaching with evil intent, he even considered opening fire on them and then withdrawing without risk, since his speed gave him so much advantage. He did not change direction until he clearly saw that they were seven very well equipped galleys. On sighting our foists, they made straight for them. In no time at all, they came so close that the captain, realizing that he was no match for them, and also to calm the protests and appeals of his men, used sail and oar to station himself so far to their windward that he was safe.
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