594 
A Dejcription of the Coajls of 
Sylvcria 
prepares 
for a brave 
Defence. 
Solyman 
lands, and 
attacks 
the Pcr- 
tuguefes. 
Retreats 
to Madra- 
faba. 
Alucan 
leaves 
Diu. 
A Fire-En- 
g'lne of the 
Turks. 
Set a fire 
by the Por- 
GUguefcs. 
join'd by 7 Ships of Cambaja and three 
Moors of Malabar with 3500 Land-men 
aboard them, under the Command of Soly- 
man Bafla of Egyp^thz^ fet fail from Aden^ 
not queftioning but they would foon be 
mailers of the Portuguefe Fort, and confe- 
quently of the Jlland, from whence they 
might extend their Conquefts into the 
Continent of the Indies. Matters being 
concerted beforehand betwixt Solyman 
and Sofar^ the laft went out to meet the 
TurhJJj Squadron about 1 5 Leagues at Sea j 
and Anthonio Syher/a being advertis'd of 
their appoach, took all imaginable Pre- 
caution for his Security, in difpofing 
what Force he had to make a vigorous 
Defence, and at the fame time gave no- 
tice thereof toGoa^to IbiUcite for prompt 
Succours from thence, encouraging his 
Men both by his Examnie and Exhorta- 
tions. By this time Soiyman having caft 
Anchor in the Road of Diu, he order'd 
700 chofen Men to land, and attempt the 
Attack of the Portuguefes Fortrefs, which 
they did accordingly, but were forced to 
retire to Safaris Fort with the lofs of 50 
Janiz^aries kill'd, and a greater number 
wounded ^ the Portuguefes had alfo fix 
Men kill'd, and 20 wounded. 
About the fame time the Turh(h Fleet 
being in great danger of being forc'd 
by a ftrong South Wind upon the Coaft, 
and much expos'd to the Enemy's Shot, 
he retreated to the Harbour of Madra- 
faba five Leagues from Diu \ where ha- 
ving concerted new meafures with Sofar, 
he fent back his Land Forces to renew 
the Siege of Diu. But Alucan one of the 
Tutors of King Mamud having con- 
ceiv'd a jealoufy of the Defign of the 
Turh^ retir'd with his Forces from be- 
fore Diu, and having reprefented their 
ambitious Frojefts to the King, he foon 
obtained of him a Prohibition in all his 
Territories not to furnifli the Turkijh 
Camp with Provifions. 
This provM no fmall difappointment 
to Solyman, who notwithftanding this 
did not lofe Courage, but purfued his 
defign of carrying the place, coft it what 
it would : For this purpofe the Turh con- 
triv'd a very large Firefhip, which under 
favour of the Tide and the fmoak of 
fome burning Wood, they intended to 
fend into the Harbour, and to fix to the 
Fortifications *, and whilfl; the Portuguefes 
were bufied in quenching the Flames, 
they were to attempt the furprifing of 
the Fort on the Land-fide: but whilft 
they were ftaying for the Spring-Tide, 
Francifco Goveano a Portuguefe found 
means to fee it on fire, tho noc without 
great hazard, being oblig'd to pafs twice 
the Enemies fire ^ 20 of the T urks a- 
board the Firefhip leap'd into the Sea, 
and were all flain. The Turks were fo 
incenfed at this difappointment, that they 
exerted all their Fury againfl Rumenjladt, 
the Walls whereof being fo ruin'd as not 
to be maintain'd any longer againfl a vi- 
gorous Attack, Patieco the chief Comman- 
der thereof thought fit to quit it in time. 
The Turks fiufh'd with this Succefs, re- 
newal the Siege of Diu both by Sea and 
Land with more vigor than ever, leaving 
nothing unattempted, with Cannonading, 
Mining, or whatever might be attempted 
to reduce the place ; whilfl the Portu- 
guefes on the other hand with Counter- 
mines, Retrenchments and frequent Sal- 
lies endervour'd to flop their Fury. 
The Turks being at lafl by means of a 
Gallery advanc'd over the Ditch, and en- 
tring the Breach, a mofl furious Combat 
enfuM for four hours fucceffively, the 
Portuguefes defending themfelves like Li- 
ons. Maffaus relates, that a Portuguefe 
having fpent all his Balls, pulfd out one 
of his Teeth and charg'd his Mufquet 
with it. At laft the Turks were ^forced 
to retire with the lofs of 500 Men flain, 
and 1 000 wounded : The Portuguefes alfo 
on their fide had 14 of their belt Officers 
flain, and fo many of their Soldiers ei- 
ther kill'd or wounded, that they had 
fcarce 40 Men left fit for Service. Be- 
fides this they began to be in fuch want 
of Provifions and Ammunition, that they 
were very near reduced to the laft ex- 
tremity. However they did not lofe 
Courage, but incouraged one another ra- 
ther to die upon the fpot, than to fub- 
mit to the mofl fordid llavery , the Wo- 
men and Children were even not back- 
ward in giving all the Afilflance they 
were able. 
In the mean time Nonnitif Acunia being 
fufBciently fenfible of the danger of the 
Fortrefs of Diu, had left no Stone un- 
turn'd for the relief thereof-, but the 
cafe admitting of no delay, he fent 16 
P^jtijc/joj or Yachts thither : thefe coming 
to an Anchor in the night time before 
Madrafraba, had each put four Lanthorns 
on their Sterns, with an intention to ter- 
rify the Enemy. This fucceeded accor- 
dingly j for the Turks having by this time 
loft above 3000 Men, and fearing the 
Succour expedted from Goa might be 
much flronger than really it was, fet fire 
to the City, and leaving 500 wounded 
Men, and moft of their great Cannon 
behind, reimbark'd the firft of November, 
fleering their Coaft towards Arabia ^ and 
Sofaf 
Rumen- 
ftadt left 
by the Por- 
tuguefes. 
The Turks 
renew the 
Siege of 
Diu. 
The Turks 
florm tkc 
i'lace. 
Are repul- 
fed. 
Diu re- 
lievd. ' 
