as the city of Grand Cairo.  The island of Gizaira, or Jazirat, is formed by the two rivers Tigris and Euphrates, being about 40 leagues in circumference, and is said to contain 40,000 archers.  The river Tigris rises among the Curds in the greater Armenia, and the springs of the Euphrates are in Turkomania.  The king of Basrah received Sousa with much state, and appeared greatly satisfied at his assistance.  Sousa accompanied him on his expedition against the lord of Jazirat, the infantry of Basrah amounting to 5000 men, 600 of whom carried firelocks, were conveyed up the river in 200 dalacs or large boats, accompanied by seven vessels full of Turks with a considerable number of cannon.  The king went along with his infantry by water, while his nephew marched by land at the head of 3000 horse.  The king established his camp on the right or Arabian side of the river, opposite to the encampment of the lord of Jazirat, who was, posted on the island with 12,000 men.  By order of the king of Basrah, Sousa wrote to the lord of Jazirat, saying that he was sent by the Portuguese commander of Ormuz, either to make peace between the contending parties on reasonable terms, or in case of refusal to take part with the king of Basrah.  The king of Jazirat made answer, that as this was the first request of the captain of Ormuz, and as Sousa was the first Portuguese who had come into these parts, he agreed to comply with the terms demanded, which were merely the restoration of certain forts belonging to the king of Basrah which he had taken possession of.  Persons were accordingly appointed on both sides to treat for an accommodation, which was satisfactorily concluded.  But the king of Basrah now refused to perform what he had promised to Sousa for his aid; which was to deliver up the seven Turkish vessels, and not to admit any more of that nation into his dominions, because enemies of the Portuguese.  Enraged at this breach of compact Sousa after embarking with his men, took one of the large barks belonging to Basrah, after which he landed with thirty-six of his men and burnt a town of 300 houses on the Arabian side of the river, and a smaller one on the Persian side.

[Footnote 179:  In Astley, I. 80, this person is named Reis or Raez Ashraf, Wazir or Visier of Ormuz.  The strange title in the text, great guazil, is probably a translation of Alguazil mayor, giving a Portuguese or rather a Spanish denomination to an Arab officer.—­E.]

[Footnote 180:  On a former occasion, the Xerephine was stated as equal in value to 3s. 9d.  Hence the total revenue of Ormuz was only about L.83,750 yearly:  The tribute to Portugal L.11,250; and the fine L.7500.  It is true that the value of money was then much greater than now, and these sums for comparison with our present money of account may perhaps be fairly rated at L.837,500, L.112,500 and L.75,000 respectively, or ten times their numerical amount in 1529.—­E.]