When Sylveira Saw The Turkish Fleet Weigh Anchor And Depart He Thought
It Was Merely A Feint Preparatory For Another Assault, For Which Reason
He Posted The Forty Men Who Still Remained Of His Garrison, Determined
To Resist To The Last Man.
He even made some of the wounded men be
brought to the walls, on purpose to make a shew of a greater number than
he really had.
Many even who were so badly wounded as to be unable to
rise, made themselves be carried in their beds to the walls, saying that
it was best to die in an honourable place. Several even of the women
armed themselves and appeared on the walls. The whole night was spent in
anxiously waiting for the enemy; but the morning gave comfort to the
afflicted garrison, as Solyman was seen in full sail, and had no
thoughts of returning. Fear did much on this occasion, yet Zofar did
more towards inducing Solyman to go away. Zofar was weary of the
insupportable pride of the Turks, and had even received orders from the
king of Guzerat, in case it appeared that the Turks meant to keep the
city and fort of Diu, rather to endeavour that it might remain in the
hands of the Portuguese. Zofar accordingly framed a letter which fell
into the hands of Solyman, saying that the viceroy of India would be at
Diu next day with a vast fleet; on reading which letter Solyman thought
proper to hasten his departure.
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