ABSTRACT
On the day following that on which Afonso Dalboquerque had returned to the ships, he sent word to João da Nova and Francisco de Tavora that he had news that a caravan coming from Persia towards Ormuz with supplies and other merchandise had arrived at the port of Nabandé, and they were to make ready with their men to go thither, but first to come on board his ship, that he might give them instructions in what they were to do. Francisco de Tavora, on receiving the message, made ready at once, and came on board the flagship at the appointed time; and as it was late, and João da Nova did not come, Afonso Dalboquerque sent to ask why he delayed, for Francisco de Tavora had been waiting many hours for him there; and João da Nova sent word to say that the delay was owing to the fact that the men of his ship would not accompany him, and he would not go by himself. Afonso Dalboquerque, being already annoyed at what he had done during his absence at the Island of Queixome, and enraged still further at this reply, went into his boat with João Estão, scrivener to the fleet, 186and a few men, and proceeded at this late hour of the night to João da Nova’s ship; and on entering it, as he saw the men in an uproarious state, and an attitude of defiance, he dissembled, and bade João da Nova to cause them to embark in the boats, while he (João) went to the flagship. But he (as a man not altogether free from the blame) would not do so, and told him these men were unwilling to go and fight on land, for they were not under any obligation to do so, and if he desired them to go there, he ought to order that they should receive their share of the twenty thousand xerafins which the King of Ormuz had paid as tribute.
