CHAPTER XIII - How the ships when laden sailed for Cananor and fell in with the fleet of Calecut, which was routed; and how they arrived at Cananor, and set sail safely for Portugal

Summary

The captain-major having already ordained and concluded all the affairs of the fleet, gave instructions to the factor, Diogo Fernandes Correa, with whom he left much goods which had remained over and above, for him to buy pepper and store it for another cargo; and he left carpenters, caulkers, blacksmiths, turners, and cordage makers, who were to refit the ships which had to remain in Cochym, where they could be beached, and build other new ones if it was necessary; for which a large magazine building was made, where, with the workmen and men-at-arms, there would remain as many as sixty men, to whom the factor was to give their pay, and a cruzado per month for their maintenance, and two to the workmen whilst they were at work; and he provided very fully for everything. Then he went with the captains to take leave of the King; and on taking the letters which the King sent, he said to him: “Sire, I thus leave matters ordained in your country as if I did it in Portugal; but nothing shall be done except with your order, and as may seem best to you, because all is yours, since it belongs to the King your brother, and know for certain that for your service he would expend the whole of his kingdom and his vassals whenever it were necessary; and for your service I leave Vicente Sodré, who is here, with eight caravels and ships and crews, who will do all that you command.”