ABSTRACT
The assurances were now all settled on either side, and the tribute-money paid, as I have said; so Afonso Dalboquerque determined to erect a fortress in Ormuz, as without it, it seemed to him that the affairs of the kingdom could not be thoroughly safe. And having decided upon this, he sent word to the king by the factor, that the king, D. Manuel, his lord, had ordered him, in his written instructions, that when he had gained by conquest any place or city in those parts, he was to render it secure with a strong fortress, and bear in mind the treason and evildoings which the Kings of Calicut and Coulão had committed against his captains after an agreement of peace had been made and signed between them. Therefore, because he was desirous of avoiding these inconveniences, as well as of rendering the goods and people of the King of Portugal in the place more secure, he begged he would graciously take this in good part, and advise him where he should build this fortress. The king, being prompted by Cogeatar, replied that he excused his demand, for all belonged to the King of Portugal, and as for advising him whereabouts he might build it, in his opinion it would be best to do so in the island of Queixome or that of Turumbaque; for they were places where there was water. But if he desired to build it for the defence of Ormuz, it would be placed better in the port of Nabandé, 1 which was on the mainland, than in any other place. Now, although it was the intention of Afonso Dalboquerque to build it in Ormuz, where it now stands, yet, to dissemble with Cogeatar, and show him that he did not 139care to build it more in one place than another, he ordered Afonso Lopez da Costa with two armed boats, to survey the port of Nabandé, and gave him many stuffs from Cambaya to present to the principal merchants of the place. So Afonso Lopez da Costa set out, and on arriving at the port all the people of the country came down to receive him, with many earthen jars of water, melons, sweet apples (maçans), and other native fruits.
