ss resolute,
being separated from each other, began at last to open: And told the same
things apart; both where the Achenois were lying, and that their number
was above ten thousand, reckoning into it the mariners, which were of
more consideration than the soldiers; that the king of the country, where
now they lay, had been constrained to avoid a shameful death, by flight;
that having massacred two thousand of the natives, and made as many
captives, they were building a citadel, on the passage which the ships
ordinarily make from Bengal to Malacca; and that their design was not
only to block up that road, but to murder all the Christians who should
fall into their hands.

This report inflamed anew the zeal and courage of the soldiers. The
admiral was not wanting to encourage them to fight. Entering into a
skiff, with his drawn sword, he went from vessel to vessel, exhorting his
men to have Christ crucified before their eyes, while they were in fight,
as Father Francis had enjoined them; and ever to keep in mind the oath
which they had taken; but, above all things, to have an assured hope of
victory, from the intercession of the holy Father, who had promised it.

All unanimously answered, "That they would fight it out to death; and
should be happy to die in defence of their religion." Deza, animated by
this their answer, posted himself advantageously on the river, so as to
be able from thence to fall upon the enemy, without endangering his
little fleet, to be encompassed by their numbers.

The Achenois no sooner were informed by their brigantine of the
Portuguese navy, than they put themselves into a condition of attacking
it. They were not only insolent by reason of their strength, but provoked
also by the late affront they had received in their brigantines; so that,
full of fury, without the least balancing of the matter, they set sail
with all their navy, excepting only two vessels, and two hundred land
soldiers, which were left in guard of two thousand slaves, and all their
booty. Having the wind for them, and coming down the river, they were
carried with such swiftness, that Deza was hardly got aboard the admiral,
when he heard their drums, and their yelling shouts, which re-echoed from
the shores and neighbouring mountains. They were divided into ten
squadrons, and each of them composed of six vessels, excepting only the
first, which consisted but of four, but those the strongest of the fleet.
The admiral, on whi