The Portugues Asia, or, The history of the discovery and conquest of India by the Portugues containing all their discoveries from the coast of Africk, to the farthest parts of China and Japan, all their battels by sea and land, sieges and other memorable actions, a description of those countries, and many particulars of the religion, government and customs of the natives, &c. : in three tomes / written in Spanish by Manuel de Faria y Sousa ... ; translated into English by Cap. John Stevens.

CHAP. II.

Continues the Government of D. Francis de Gama Count de Vidigueyra.

1. ZAmori was now sufficiently incensed against Cunnale, who called himself King of the M•…•…labar Moors, and Lord of the Indian Sea. It was not these Titles, or his Pride, or the Complaints of the Portugueses, that provoked Zamori, but that Cunnale had caused the Tail of one of his Elephants to be cut off, as also the Privy Parts of a Nayre, which were also fastened to his Mouth.

2. The Portugueses laying hold of this op∣portunity, offered their Assistance against that common Enemy, and blew the Coals of Za∣mori's Anger they saw already lighted. The Viceroy instantly fitted out some light Ves∣sels, ordering D. Ferdinand de Noronna to lie with them before the Mouth of the Port o•…•… Cunnale, till a greater force could be sent to joyn, in order to assist Zamori, who was marching to besiege that place with 20000 Men, and some Cannon.

3. That which is properly called the Coast of Malabar, runs from Cananor to Cochim the space of 42 Leagues. Two to the little Island Tremapatan, opposite to which is the mouth of a good River, thence half a League to the River Sal, thence one and a half to that of Maim, one to the Town of Comen∣na, at a small distance those of Motangue, Curiare, and Baregare; then the River Pude∣patan; two Leagues farther, the Town of Tiracole, two Leagues from Cotulete, a League from this the River Capocate, one farther Pu∣diangare, one thence to Calecut, two to the River Cale, two to the City Pananor, two thence to Tanor, and two more to Paranora, one more to the famous River Panane, thence nine to Paliporto, four to the River of Granganor, and five more to Cochim. At the mouth of the River Pudepatan is the Fort of Cunnale, seated in a square Penin∣sula, the length of the Sides about a Can∣non Shot. Just within the Bar a Creek turns towards the South, good Vessels can go about half way up it, beyond that only

Almadies or Boats; the great River runs first towards the North-East, then turning to the South forms that Peninsula. Upon that turn of the River the Fort is built. The I•…•…mus is secured by a strong Wall about a Musket-Shot in length from the Creek to the River, which there opens and forms the little Island Pinale. We have al∣ready spoke particularly of the Fort, in general it was large, strong, well Manned, and stored with Cannon.

4. Cunnale was well provided, and had distributed the Posts to 1500 choice Moors well armed. Our small Vessels at the mouth of the River battered the Fort to keep the Defendants in action, that they might not be any hindrance to Zamori who was on the other side, taking up the Ground for his Army.

5. D. Ferdinand scoured the Coast, and taking some of the Pirats, hindred the re∣sort of Provisions to the Fort. Now comes our Squadron commanded by D. Luis de Gama, Brother to the Viceroy, both unfor∣tunate, the one in choosing, the other in being chose.

6. D. Luis his Squadron consisted of 4 Gal∣leys, and 35 smaller Vessels, 10 more brought by private Gentlemen at their own charge, three full of Men and Ammunition sent by the City of Cochim. Besides, there were two large Barques with heavy Cannon to batter the Fort.

7. The King of Cochim fearing that great Power that was falling upon Cunnale might be his Ruin, by entirely uniting Zamori and the Portugueses, gave out, That Zamori had agreed with Cunnale to cut off all our Men at one stroke when they should be deepest ingaged in the Assault. D. F. Alexius de Me∣neses Archbishop of Goa, who was there on his way to the Mountains of St. Thomas, at first was fearful, imagining this might be a faithful Discovery; but considering better, perceived it was the Politick Product of the King's Jealousie, answered the King mo∣destly, diverting him from any other designs seeing this fail. He assured the City their Ships might safely set sail, yet sent Advice to proceed with Caution. All our Fleet now joyned, they found Cunnale had added to the former Works a Line of Galiots on the edge of the Water under the Fort, ima∣gining he might be attacked that way.

8. It was resolved in Council to enter the River, and draw up the Ships in a Line, with their Stems to the Shore, that they might cover the Men who attacked the Fort. This Resolution was sent to Goa, and approved of by the Viceroy, who ordered his Brother to put it in execution! He over∣perswaded by some Gentlemen that sought his Disgrace, disobeyed, and carried the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 by th•…•… side of Ariole, believing the 〈◊◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊◊〉 might be fatal, and his 〈◊〉〈◊〉 lay 〈◊〉〈◊〉 not •…•…g it.

9. Zamori, who was battering the Town, desired some Portugueses might be sent him; D. Luis being suspicious of him de•…•…ed Hostag•…•…s, which were presently sent, being 6 principal Men, and among them the Prin∣ces of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Chale, 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and the chief Judge of his Kingdom. The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ta∣ken, 300 Portugueses were sent to him under the command of Belchior Ferreyra. On the 3d of May, at night, our Men began to land, Luis de Silva led the van with 600 Men, and among them the Major D. Antony de Leyv•…•…. The Sign for both Armies to fall on, was a burning Lance. Before this was lighted, there appeared one in the Air, which run∣ning along swiftly, at last va•…•…ed in Sparks.

10. The Besieged took this for a good Omen, as the Besiegers for a bad. Belchior Ca•…•…aca, who was to give the Sign with the Lance, mistaking the hour gave it too soon, and all began to be in confusion. For Fer∣reyra, who was in Zamori's Army waiting the Signal, as soon as he saw the Flame, fell on with his Portugueses and 5000 Nayres, and assaulting the Works, lost at the first onset 28 Men.

11. But Luis de Silva, though he was rea∣dy, seeing it was not past midnight stirred not then, which proved of ill consequence to the others, the Enemy not being diverted on this side. Towards morning he passed the Creek of Balyçupe in 60 Almadies or Boats with 500 Men. Benedict Correa was the first that Landed, and was killed. Luis

de Silva, as soon as ashore, was slain by a Musket Shot. The Ensign Antony Dias con∣cealed his Death, by stripping the Co∣lours off the Staff, and covering him there∣with.

12. Thus they landed without Colours or Commander. D. Francis Pereyra, who succeeded D. Luis in the Command, followed him also in Death. The next was the fa∣mous Major Leyva, and he seeing all lost, chose rather to die, than stain his Honour by flight; and having performed incredible Feats, was slain with many other Gentlemen that stuck by him.

13. F. Francis Baptista a Capuchin, who en∣couraged the Men, holding up a Crucifix till it was shot to pieces; after moistening it with Tears, bathed it with his Blood, being killed with it in his Arms. So Luis Cardoso, who getting from under a Vessel that over∣set, upon the Keel defended his Companions that were swimming from the Moors.

14. Whilst those mentioned and many other Gentlemen died honourably, perfor∣ming Actions beyond all belief, about 150 shamefully fled, many of them meeting Death, where they sought an Inglorious Life, no Perswasions being of force to bring them back. Doubtless these were some condemned Malefactors who were pardon'd on account to serve in this Expedition, for none are greater Cowards than infamous wicked Men. Our Commander in chief, who had left the Fleet to D. Vasco, and had po∣sted himself on the other side the River,

opposite to the Fort, running into the Wa∣ter up to the Waste spent himself, calling upon and incouraging the Men, but could send no Relief for want of Boats. So this proved the greatest Disgrace the Portugueses received in Asia, (next to that of Ruy Gon∣zales de Camera at Ormuz.) Three hundred Men were lost, the greatest part drowned, the others piercing up to the Fort, had burnt the Mosque, and part of the Town, and killed 500 Moors and Malabars, well reven∣ging their Deaths. Among the Enemies Dead there was above 40 of Note.

15. The Commander in chief, D. Luis, resolved to retire to Cochim, and leave some∣body to guard the entrance of the River, but no body would accept of that Post ex∣cept D. Francis de Sousa, who perceiving some of his Men intended to forsake him and swim away, ordered a Boat to be brought to the side of the Galley for them, and said, He would keep none by force, nor have them go away with danger. This made them ashamed, and they all stayed, and he more by Policy than Force hindred the Ves∣sels resorting with Provision to the Fort. D. Francis perswaded Zamori to assault the Town, believing the late Slaughter had so weakened the Defendants, it might be easily carried; and he, desiring to have all the Booty he supposed was within to himself, gave the assault with 20000 Men, but was repulsed.

16. This bad News being carried to Goa, Orders were sent to D. Luis for him to •…•…e∣turn

to Cunnale, and there settle a Peace with Zamori to his content, that he might not raise the Siege that Winter, but lie till our Fleet could return the beginning of Sum∣mer and take the Town. He returned, and D. Ferdinand de Noronna went to swear the Peace to the liking of Zamori.

The first Article was, That he should permit the Faith to be preached in his Kingdom and Churches erected.

The Peace concluded, the same D. Ferdinand was left there with 12 Ships.

17. D. Luis de Gama returning to Goa, re∣freshed the ill-will all Men bore him and his Brother, because he was going to be Com∣mander of Ormuz, which they looked upon as a Reward of his ill Success, whereas it was the King's Grant before he came from Portugal, whereof he could not be deprived without being found guilty of some Misde∣meanour. To fix some Crime upon him, he was brought to a Trial, but acquitted.

18. About this time came to the City Mea∣co a Spanish Vessel, commanded by D. Iohn de Samudio, from Manila, he raised a Fort in the Port of Pinal, notwithstanding D. Paul de Portugal, who commanded there, opposed him. He protested against this Proceeding, and made use of Threats, but all to no effect.