44 are not strong. As soon as Nuno Alvares learnt of this enemy carrack, he embarked on the galleon “Sao Salvador”, which was the only one that was sea-worthy because the others were careened or in other states of repair, and going out in her, he sighted the carrack and went in pursuit until he lost sight of her, because she was very light. However, the carrack did not return to that coast, and the galleon cruised on guard there until all the ships expected were safely in port, none having been captured since his fleet patrolled these seas. Later, when ten enemy carracks had gathered in Surat and the Viceroy had intelligence of this, he thought that these galleons were no longer safe in Bombay and ordered the Commander to take them to Goa. Nuno Alvares considered that he would lose face by doing so and that it was a waste of time, and it would then be impossible to have a fleet there this year, so he replied to this order by taking on himself the responsibility for the risk to the galleons. He made them strong, placing cannon ashore on an island to ensure their safety and to be able to continue to repair them. The Viceroy approved this, and the galleons were refitted, and the men embarked, obedient and ready to serve the King in everything, without brawls or mutiny (very unusual in those parts); and this is its present state, in accordance with the orders of the Viceroy. When the relief galleons arrive which are due from Goa(1), he will do whatever he is ordered. The fear and anxiety of the enemy are unbelievable, and so is the change in their 1- These galleons were “Sao Sebastiao”, “Sao Jeronimo”, “Reis Magos” (Letter from the Viceroy of 28 February 1626. Livros das Moncoes, 22, fo.117).
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