war is the envy he has conceived at seeing
me benefited by the trade which he has lost through his own misconduct,
and because he believes in his pride that I am unable to withstand. But I
trust in God and the justness of my cause, that with your assistance, I
shall obtain the victory, and shall be able to protect the Christians,
and preserve my honour inviolate." This speech had great effect upon the
assembled naires, who were astonished at the constancy and resolution of
the rajah. They all therefore craved pardon for the fears they had
entertained, and promised to live and die in his service. The rajah
immediately called the factor and the rest of the Portuguese into his
presence, to whom he gave an account of all that had taken place between
him and the naires; and named before them the prince _Naramuhin_[3], his
brother and next heir, as general of the army which was destined to act
against the forces of the zamorin, commanding every one to obey him in
every respect as if he were himself present. Naramuhin accordingly
marched with 5500 naires, and entrenched himself at the ford which forms
the only entry by land into the island of Cochin, and which is only knee-
deep at low water.

When the zamorin received notice of the army of Cochin having taken post
at this ford, he was somewhat afraid, more especially as he knew
Naramuhin was considered to be the bravest and most fortunate warrior in
Malabar. He therefore made a fresh attempt to induce the rajah of Cochin
to accede to his demands, of delivering up the Portuguese and their goods,
otherwise threatening to conquer his dominions, and to put all the
inhabitants to the sword. Although the rajah of Cochin was quite sensible
of the inferiority of his military force, and was convinced what the
zamorin threatened might readily happen, he yet determined to remain firm
to his engagements, and sent the following answer:

"If you had required with civility what you have proudly commanded me, I
should not have esteemed your valour lessened by your courtesy: For with
men of wisdom and power there is no need for insolent vaunts. I have not
as yet so sinned against God, that I should humble myself to vain
boasting, or think that he should grant you the victory over me and those
brave men who fight on my side. In spite of all your pride, I trust even
with the small number I have to defend me in my just quarrel, that I
shall be enabled to overcome you and all my enemies. However