ABSTRACT
All this being over, the great Afonso Dalboquerque summoned all the captains from their ships, and told them they all knew the civilities which he had interchanged with the 77rulers of that city of Mascate, and he was truly concerned at their unwillingness to adhere to the agreement he had made with them; and the principal reason that induced him to make this agreement was that the place was very well supplied with necessaries, and had a harbour excellently adapted to the protection of the ships passing that way on their voyage from India to Ormuz; and in case any need arose while they were in Ormuz, they could from this town obtain what supply was required; and for all that the place appeared strong, as they all might see, and populous, yet he was determined to attack and destroy it, for the rebellion they had made against him, relying on the power of our Lord, who was greater than all, and he begged they would tell him their opinion. The captains replied that in a matter so completely agreed upon and determined, there was nothing to advise about; he might do as he liked and they would follow him. Although Afonso Dalboquerque gathered from this reply that they did not think it advisable to attack the place, because its fortifications appeared very different to those of other towns which they had attacked, yet for all this he dissembled with them, and sent them back to their ships to prepare themselves, and ordered them to come on board his ship with all their men at the sound of his drum.
