ABSTRACT
The end of April was now come, when Francisco de Tavora arrived at the Cape of Guardafum, where the great Afonso Dalboquerque was stationed, and brought with him in his 202company Diogo de Melo and Martim Coelho, whom he found at Melinde, having come from Portugal; and while all three were in the latitude of Magadaxo, they captured a ship of Cambaya, laden with clothing, and after having stripped her of all she carried, they set her on fire. Afonso Dalboquerque was highly delighted at the arrival of Diogo de Melo and Martin Coelho, and divided with them the spoils of the prize ship; and after conversing upon the news from Portugal, Francisco de Tavora told him that at Melinde he had met the commander, Ruy Soarez, and had requested him to accompany him, for he was under an obligation to do so, and the other captains had gone their way to India, and in addition to this he had made him many other requisitions through his scrivener, but all the answer he got was that he was desirous of proceeding to the viceroy. He said, too, that he had also brought with him Fernão Gomez and the Moor whom Tristão da Cunha had left there under charge of the captain of Melinde, that they might be forwarded to Cape Guardafum, and thence proceed on the journey assigned them by the king; and Fernão Gomez had requested him to carry them with him since the captain had not put into execution what Tristão da Cunha had left with him to do so long ago.
