Storia do Mogor 338.20.1

338.20.1

The isle of Goa is supplied by provisions brought from territories in the province of Canara. For this purpose a number of small vessels were sent once under the convoy of a 34-gun frigate, they being afraid of the Malabar pirates. It is the practice, when the vessels have arrived in safety at their destination, for the frigate to anchor near the shore in some arm of the sea. On the following day a Dutch ship appeared which was on a voyage [205], but, detained by contrary winds, it had been forced to anchor near the frigate referred to. The Portuguese, believing it must be an Arab ship, said to the soldiers, ' Turn about, by God!' They threw their arms into the sea, and, getting into their men escaped to the shore, first setting fire to the ship. The Dutch, who were close by, hurried to the spot in their boats, hoping to rescue some of the people. They found there was not a soul on board. On getting closer to shore they asked from the vessels lying there what was the cause of all the disturbance. They replied it was because an Arab flying the Dutch flag wanted to deceive the Portuguese ship and take it. This is the way these gentlemen behave.