PORTUGUESE HISTORY OF MALACCA. 129 



forced him to flee for refuge in the woods, after many of his 

 men were slain. A considerable quantity of artillery and am- 

 munition was found in that part of the ground, after being 

 plundered of much riches. Having received succour from 

 Java, and from Mahmud, the expelled king of Malacca, ( i ) 

 Quitir erected another fort in a convenient place at some 

 distance from the city, where he became powerful by sea and 

 land, being in hopes of usurping the sovereignty of Malacca. 

 Perez went out against him, but, though he fought as valiantly 

 as before, he was forced to retreat after losing three captains 

 and four soldiers. ( 2 ) At this time Lacsamaxa, an officer be- 

 longing to Mahmud, entered the river of Malacca with a great 

 number of men and many cannon on board several vessels. 

 Perez attacked him with three ships, and a furious battle took 

 place, which lasted for three hours, with much advantage on 

 the side of the Portuguese ; but night obliged the combatants 

 to desist, and Perez took a position to prevent, as he thought, 

 the Malayans from escaping out of the river during the dark- 

 ness. But Lacsamaxa threw up an intrenchment of such 

 respectable appearance during the night, that it was thought 

 too dangerous to attempt an attack, and Perez retired to the 

 fort. At this time three ships entered the port from India, 

 bringing a supply of ammunition and a reinforcement of 150 

 soldiers ; but Lacsamana had established himself so advantage- 

 ously that he intercepted all the vessels carrying provisions 

 for Malacca, which was reduced to such straits that many fell 

 down in the streets from famine. The same plague attended 

 Pate Quitir in his quarters. When the season became fit for 



( 1 ) The Commentaries state that Sultan Mahmud died of grief 

 shortly after his arrival in Pahang, whence he despatched an uncle 

 of his, Tuan Nacem Mudaltar, with an embassy to China to ask for 

 help in recovering his kingdom ; which was unsuccessful, the emperor 

 having heard of the favourable treatment Chinese traders at Malacca 

 had received at the hands of Albuquerque. Tuan Nacem Mu- 

 daliar died of chagrin on his way back. 



( 2 ) The Commentaries state that, after being driven out of his 

 stockade the first time, he obtained a safe-conduct from Albuquer- 

 que, but would not remain in Malacca. 



