Storia do Mogor 183.5

183.5

During the discussion the king's fleet, which was at the harbour mouth, continued to advance. When a report of this reached the viceroy, I said to Dom Rodrigo da Costa that now was the time for a display of courage and energy. Therefore, without any delay, the fleet ought to be fired upon. He hurried to the spot, where he found that, by the carelessness of the commandant of Aguada [218], some five-and-twenty galliots had already entered, and were close to the Fort of the Kings. When he arrived he ordered at once the discharge of three loaded cannon, to intimidate them and cause their retirement. They replied that they were friends, and had come under protection of the viceroy's promise; they should therefore stop firing, as that was not the way to receive friends. When the Aguada fort became aware that the Fort of the Kings declined to allow a passage, it, too, fired several times, in order to prevent the remainder of the fleet which was following from completing its purpose. Thus was Goa saved this time, for without a doubt it would have been lost had the fleet entered. The twenty-five galliots which were already inside took refuge behind the Fort of the Kings in a river which is called Nelur. Here they remained until the receipt of fresh orders from Shah 'Alam. They plundered along the shore, and carried off any goods and women or girls found there.