with several pieces of ordnance. It was proposed
that this castle should be brought Up to grapple with
the caravels, by which the Portuguese might be attacked
on equal terms. On seeing this machine, the zamorin
liberally rewarded Cogeal for his ingenuity, and gave
orders to have other seven constructed of the same
kind. By means of his spies, Pacheco got notice
of the construction of these floating castles, and
likewise that the enemy were preparing certain fireworks
to set the caravels on fire[6]. To keep off the
fireships and floating castles, he constructed a species
of rafts, made of masts or spars eight fathoms long,
and bound together with iron bolts and hoops.
Several of these, which were likewise eight fathoms
broad, were moored with anchors and cables, at the
distance of a stones throw from the caravels.
Likewise, to prevent the caravels from being overlooked
by the floating castles, one Peter Raphael built certain
turrets on the decks of the caravels of spars set upright,
in each of which seven or eight men had room to handle
their arms. At this time the rajah of Cochin
visited Pacheco, whom he earnestly exhorted to provide
well for defence against the zamorin; as he was well
assured his own subjects would desert him, if Pacheco
were defeated. Pacheco upbraided Trimumpara for
his tears, desiring him to call in mind the victories
which the Portuguese had already gained over the enemy;
and requested of him to return to his capital showing
himself confident among his people, and to rest assured
that he and the Portuguese would keep the pass against
every force the zamorin might bring against it.
In expectation of an immediate attack, Lorenco Moreno
returned to the caravels with as many of his people
as could be spared from the factory. Pacheco
made all his people take rest early in the night, that
they might be able for the expected fatigues of the
ensuing day, on which he had intelligence that the
grand attack was to be made. About midnight, his
small force was summoned under arms; when, after confession
and absolution, he made a speech to his men, exhorting
them to behave themselves manfully in the approaching
conflict. They all answered, that they were resolved
to conquer or die. About two in the morning, some
of the most advanced vessels belonging to the Calicut
fleet began to fire off their ordnance, as they approached
towards the pass. The zamorin was himself along
with the land army, which exceeded 30,000 men, accompanied
with many field pieces. Elankol, the lord of Repelim,
who commanded the vanguard, advanced to the point
of Arraul, which in some measure commanded
the ford, at which place he began to throw up some
ramparts or defences of earth. Pacheco landed
secretly at the point with a detachment of his troops,
on purpose to prevent the enemy from throwing up entrenchments,
and a sharp skirmish ensued, in which many of the enemy
were slain. On the appearance of day, Pacheco
retired to his boats, though with no small difficulty,
owing to the vast numbers of the enemy who thronged
around; yet got off with all his people unhurt, having
effectually hindered the proposed intrenchments.