PERO D'ANHAYA 21 



Lisbon in command of a small squadron of six 

 ships, which had been specially laden with all the 

 necessaries for the construction of a fortress, as well 

 as merchandise for the "ransom," or purchase of 

 the gold which the country hereabout was confi- 

 dently believed to contain. Arrived, therefore, at 

 Sofala about the end of the year, no time was lost 

 in carrying out the important object of his voyage. 

 Pero d'Anhaya's difficulties were many. He had 

 first of all to gain the confidence of the ruling 

 Sheik Issuf, who during a long and eventful life 

 had held the reins of the port's destinies in his 

 crafty hands. At length, after much delicate 

 negotiation, ' the necessary permission was given 

 to erect a fortress and general d^pot, of which 

 d'Anhaya lost no time in availing himself Re- 

 pentance, however, seems to have quickly followed 

 on the heels of this permission, for we are told that 

 Issuf, taking advantage of a moment when the 

 numbers of the Portuguese were greatly reduced 

 by fever, violently and treacherously attacked them. 

 The Arabs with their native levies were beaten off, 

 and, after several days of desultory fighting, it is 

 said that d'Anhaya sallied forth under cover of 

 darkness, and delivered a well-timed counter-attack 

 on the Sheik's dwelling. This he forcibly entered, 

 only to be wounded by a spear which, though half- 

 blind with age. Sheik Issuf flung at him ; im- 

 mediately afterwards, one of the Portuguese, who 

 pressed forward behind his captain, struck Issuf s 

 head from his body with a single sweep of his 

 sword. 



The death of the Mohammedan ruler effectually 



