Storia do Mogor 182.5

182.5

I do not know if it was from carelessness, or from real want of soldiers, that the vessels which were on guard had not more than seven or eight men to each vessel. I know the fact because one night the viceroy invited me to go with him in his boat on his rounds, to see if the officers were doing their duty. We found them nearly all asleep, and instead of challenging us, it was necessary for us to accost them to find out whether there was anyone in the vessel or not. Not aware that it was the viceroy who was passing, they gave us ill-conditioned replies, and we ascertained that there was not a single officer in the ships. But what was my astonishment, on reaching the fort opposite the bar at the entrance to the river, to find we had to beat at the door for a long time, making much noise, without getting any response. Finally came a soldier, who replied to us by stating there were only eleven men. Yet this fort was of the greatest importance, and Sambhā Jī had only to take it to get possession of Goa without any farther difficulty.