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rtuguese enjoy all the trade of those countries。 I informed him of the navigation of that sea； and the situation of its ports； told him which it would be necessary to make ourselves masters of first； that we might upon any unfortunate encounter retreat to them。 I cannot deny that some degree of resentment might appear in my discourse； for； though revenge be prohibited to Christians； I should not have been displeased to have had the Bassa of Suaquem and his brother in my hands； that I might have reproached them with the ill…treatment we had met with from them。 This was the reason of my advising to make the first attack upon Mazna； to drive the Turks from thence； to build a citadel； and garrison it with Portuguese。
The viceroy listened with great attention to all I had to say； gave me a long audience； and asked me many questions。 He was well pleased with the design of sending a fleet into that sea； and； to give a greater reputation to the enterprise； proposed making his son commander…in…chief； but could by no means be brought to think of fixing garrisons and building fortresses there； all he intended was to plunder all they could； and lay the towns in ashes。
I left no art of persuasion untried to convince him that such a resolution would injure the interests of Christianity； that to enter the Red Sea only to ravage the coasts would so enrage the Turks that they would certainly massacre all the Christian captives； and for ever shut the passage into Abyssinia； and hinder all communication with that empire。 It was my opinion that the Portuguese should first establish themselves at Mazna； and that a hundred of them would be sufficient to keep the fort that should be built。 He made an offer of only fifty； and proposed that we should collect those few Portuguese who were scattered over Abyssinia。 These measures I could not approve。
At length； when it appeared that the viceroy had neither forces nor authority sufficient for this undertaking； it was agreed that I should go immediately into Europe； and represent at Rome and Madrid the miserable condition of the missions of Abyssinia。 The viceroy promised that if I could procure any assistance； he would command in person the fleet and forces raised for the expedition； assuring that he thought he could not employ his life better than in a war so holy； and of so great an importance； to the propagation of the Catholic faith。
Encouraged by this discourse of the viceroy； I immediately prepared myself for a voyage to Lisbon； not doubting to obtain upon the least solicitation everything that was necessary to re…establish our mission。
Never had any man a voyage so troublesome as mine； or interrupted with such variety of unhappy accidents； I was shipwrecked on the coast of Natal； I was taken by the Hollanders； and it is not easy to mention the danger which I was exposed to both by land and sea before I arrived at Portugal。
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