Storia do Mogor 122.6

122.6

Here I stayed for several days, at the request of a friend of mine who was owner of the village, and he kept me in his house until he had stolen some gold coins I had. Thence I made for Bassaim (Bassain, Wasai), a Portuguese town, there to pass Lent, and I lived outside the town. I was very near losing my life here. A gentleman (fidalgo) asked me about some fidalgos of the Mello family, then living in the Mogul country, who had been banished for putting to death two brothers named Medoncas (? Mendoza), brothers-in-law of the questioner, on the accusation of treason to the Portuguese Crown. I had no idea that he was an enemy of these fugitives, and I replied that they were men of worth and honoured gentlemen. This sufficed to set him plotting against me, and he sent out men to assassinate me. But it was God's pleasure that, when coming out of the town on my horse, I should meet some gentlemen, who requested me to put my horse to speed, which I did most vigorously. With a pleasantry I took my leave of them, and spurred my horse into a gallop, though it was already tired out, getting my sword out of its scabbard ; it was as much as I could do to get hold of it, seeing that my horse would hardly let me. But here we must admire God's providence, who had resolved on saving me. Here was I galloping my horse, sword in hand, when I came up with four men at a corner round which I had to pass. They stood there waiting for me, with naked swords, XVI.