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Two of them died upon the rack, and other two they threw overboard; but the remaining couple, either more mortified with their torments, or less resolute, being separated from each other, began at last to open: And told the same things apart; both where the Achenois were lying, and that their number was above ten thousand, reckoning into it the mariners, which were of more consideration than the soldiers; that the king of the country, where now they lay, had been constrained to avoid a shameful death, by flight; that having massacred two thousand of the natives, and made as many captives, they were building a citadel, on the passage which the ships ordinarily make from Bengal to Malacca; and that their design was not only to block up that road, but to murder all the Christians who should fall into their hands.

They stopped the boat, and the fishermen being examined, told them, "That the Achenois were not far distant; that they had been six weeks in the river; that they had plundered all the lowlands, and were now building a fortress."

But seeing a month was now expired, without any intelligence from the fleet, they believed it was either swallowed by the waves, or defeated by the Achenois, and that none had escaped to bring the news.

Seeing the town now bare of soldiers, and hearing that the Achenois had beaten the Portuguese, he put to sea, with three hundred sail, and put in at the river of Muar, within six leagues of Malacca, towards the west.

This port is of great importance to shut up the passage of the Indies to the Turks and Saracens, who go thither by the Red Sea; and from this consideration it was, that Albuquerque the Great endeavoured to have mastered it in the year 1513, but the vigorous resistance of the Achenois forced him to forsake the siege.

He upbraids the governor with his diffidence. He foretels what is suddenly accomplished. The Portuguese fleet goes in search of the enemy. Troubles in Malacca concerning their fleet. A new cause of consternation. The true condition of the fleet. The soldiers are encouraged by their general to fight. The naval fight betwixt the Portuguese and the Achenois. The Achenois defeated.

The Achenois no sooner were informed by their brigantine of the Portuguese navy, than they put themselves into a condition of attacking it.

The fright and the disorder of the enemy was redoubled, at the sight of this slaughter, and at the thundering of the guns, which did such dreadful execution; insomuch, that the Achenois leaped into the river of their own accord, chusing rather to die in that manner, than by the hands of the Christians.

At the same time, the Saracens reported confidently, they had it from good hands, that the fleets had met, that the Achenois had cut in pieces all the Portuguese, and had sent the heads of their commanders as a present to their king. This bruit was spread through all the town, and was daily strengthened after the rate of false rumours, which are full of tragical events.