Storia do Mogor 265.16.7

265.16.7

In the city of Goa there was a well-born man, well known among the nobles; his name was Ignacio Sarmento de Carvalho. He was governor of Cochim (Cochin) when the Dutch took that place, of whom I have already spoken (II. 110). This man married one of his daughters to a well-born Portuguese — I will not give his name — who claimed to be of high quality. At the end of some years he became a widower, but was all the same well treated and housed by his father-in-law. The confidence accorded him was such that he was guilty of something dishonest in the house, which involved discredit to the person of Ignacio Sarmento. The son-in-law, fearing that it might come to Sarmento's ears, plotted to take his life. To this intent, he selected and equipped twenty soldiers to carry out his plot at an opportune moment. He waited until his victim had confessed and taken the sacrament, which took place on Palm Sunday. At seven o'clock in the evening the soldiers entered the house all of a sudden, ten taking post at the door, while the other ten made haste to mount the stairs, drawn sword in hand. Ignacio Sarmento was seated with some accounts in his hands. Seeing the men, he perceived that treachery was to the fore, and endeavoured to seize his arms. He was unable to do so, and was forthwith dispatched by sword-thrusts.