From Thence, He Went Towards Suez With Only Sixteen, Katurs
Or Malabar Barges, And Sent Back The Fleet To Massua Under The Command
Of Lionel De Lima.
On this occasion, there was a great dispute, as every
one strove to go on this expedition; whence the bay got the name of
Angra de los Aggraviadas, or bay of the offended.
Many gentlemen
went in the barges as private soldiers or volunteers, willing to go in
any capacity if only they were admitted. The number of men on this
fruitless expedition was 250. They plundered and burnt Cossier or Al
Kossir; whence crossing to Tor or Al Tur, they took some vessels
belonging to the enemy. At first the Turks opposed their landing; but
some of them being slain, the rest abandoned the city, in which nothing
was found of value. De Gama did not burn this town, in reverence for the
relics of St Catharine and the monastery and religious men there, which
he visited at their request. He was the first European commander who had
taken that city, where he knighted several of his followers, an honour
much prized by those who received it, and which was envied; afterwards
even by the emperor Charles V. From thence De Gama proceeded to Suez;
and after many brave but fruitless attempts to sound the harbour, De
Gama determined to go himself in open day to view the gallies. He
accordingly landed and saw the enemies but endeavouring to force his way
towards them, the enemies shot poured thick from the town, and 2000
Turkish horse broke out from an ambush, by which the Portuguese were
reduced to great straits.
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