the town. At this time likewise a son of Utimuti Râjah came on board under pretence of a visit to Lopez, and finding him engaged at draughts, requested him to continue his game, that he might have the better opportunity of assassinating him unobserved; and in fact he frequently put his hand to his dagger for the purpose, but waited till the other branches of the intended treachery should begin. At this time, a seaman on one of the tops, who was on the look-out, seeing a throng in the town and hearing a considerable noise, called out 'Treachery! treachery! they kill our men!' Lopez instantly threw away the draught-board, calling out Arms, and the son of Utimuti, perceiving the treacherous designs discovered, leapt into his boat with his attendants in great consternation. The fleet of boats now came round the point and attacked the Portuguese, who exerted themselves as well as possible in their defence, considering the suddenness of the attack; and sinking many of the enemy's boats, forced the rest to retire.
Not having a sufficient force to take vengeance for this treachery, Lopez was under the necessity of quitting Malacca, where he left sixty of his men in slavery, who were made prisoners on shore, and having eight slain. On his way back he took two Moorish ships bound for Malacca; and having arrived at Cape Comorin, he sent on Teixeyra and Souza with their ships to Cochin, resolving, though ill-provided, to return alone to Portugal, being afraid of Albuquerque, as he had sided with Almeyda in the late disputes respecting the Government of India. He reached the island of Tercera with much difficulty, and from thence proceeded to Lisbon.
We now come to Albuquerque, who had sailed from Portugal under Almeyda. But having been very successful in all the sieges and battles he had undertaken, and being of a bold and enterprising spirit, he assumed the Government of India in opposition[1] to Almeyda. Having been informed of the fate of Sequeira's expedition, he resolved to go and
- ↑ As he had proper credentials from the king, the expression is odd. Almeida certainly opposed him.
