No. 60. — 1908.] bakros : HISTORY of CEYLON.^ 



79 



strait in which he was, since he was vassal to the king of 

 Portugal ; and he sent another to Martim Afonso de Sousa, 

 who he learnt was in Cochij, praying him that with the 

 armada victorious from the emprise of Repelim he would 

 come and deliver him from those common enemies. Madune 

 meanwhile continued the siege, delivering great assaults, 

 and attempting the passes many times, which were defended 

 against him with much valour, the few Portuguese that were 

 there being the first in dangers, from which they emerged many 

 times wounded, whom the king commanded to tend with 

 great care, because in them he had his greatest defence, and 

 thus the siege went dragging on for the space of three months. 



The envoy who went to the governor arrived at Cochij, 

 where he found Martim Afonso de Sousa, to whom he gave the 

 letter from the king and another from Nuno Freire, and re- 

 presented the strait in which the king was. Martim Afonso, 

 recognizing the obligation that lay upon him of succouring that 

 king, vassal of the crown of Portugal, got ready with dili- 

 gence ; and leaving the galleys of his armada on the coast of 

 Malavar in guard of it, with the foists rounded Cape Comorij, 

 having passed which, and running along the coast as far as 

 the shoals of Manar, from them crossed over to Ceilam, and 

 arrived at Columbo, whence when he arrived the Mala vares were 

 already gone ; because having advice of the departure from 

 Cochij of our armada, and fearing to lose their ships, they 

 took leave of Madune Pandar, and having embarked, went 

 over to the opposite coast, and Madune likewise raised the 

 siege of the city before Martim Afonso should arrive, and made 

 terms with the king his brother. 



Martim Afonso, seeing that without his drawing the sword 

 the enemy had raised the siege against the king, thought it 

 proper and a due courtesy to visit him : wherefore disembark- 

 ing he set out for Cota, where the king received him with 

 great demonstrations of gratitude for that succour. Martim 

 Afonso offered it to him on behalf of the king of Portugal and 

 of his governor of India whenever he should need it, at which 

 the king was much gratified, understanding how certain was 

 the favour of the Portuguese, and recognizing the willingness 

 and diligence with which they had hastened to his defence. 



Martim Afonso took leave of the king, having no occasion 

 for further detention there, and having embarked went over 

 to the opposite coast, and in a few days reached Malavar, 

 where he learnt that the pardos of Ali Abrahem had not yet 

 returned 



