As you have heard, the people were remarkably worried about their safety and the defence of the country; therefore, even though the Master made excuses, arguing that he could not remain in the kingdom, nevertheless, the people persisted in following him about, pleading with him daily not to abandon them.

As it was widely rumoured that the Master was going to England, and when Rui Pereira saw the large number of people who gathered round him, all crying out that they wanted him to be their lord, he countered the Master's arguments with one of his own:

‘Shall I tell you something, my lord? They’re saying that you’re going to England, yet it's my view that this place is as good as London.’

Then a gentleman squire, Álvaro Vasques de Góis by name, called the Master to one side and said, ‘They say, my lord, that you’re planning to leave here and go to another country. Is this true?’ The Master answered that it was.

‘What is your reason for leaving us in this way?’ he asked.

The Master said: ‘My reason is the coming of the King of Castile, for he's certainly heading this way. There is also the fact that all the nobles are on the queen's side and that she bears me a deadly grudge arising from the death of Count Juan Fernández. I’m convinced that she intends to inflict as much harm and disgrace upon me as she possibly can.’

‘So, where are you heading for, once you leave?’ asked the squire.

‘I intend to go to England’, said the Master.

‘What sort of life do you plan to lead there?’ asked Álvaro Vasques.

‘I aim to serve the King of England in any war against his enemies’, answered the Master, ‘and to win the honour and fame that all honourable men love to pursue.

‘So, where are you heading for, once you leave?’ asked the squire.

‘I intend to go to England’, said the Master.

‘What sort of life do you plan to lead there?’ asked Álvaro Vasques.

‘I aim to serve the King of England in any war against his enemies’, answered the Master, ‘and to win the honour and fame that all honourable men love to pursue.’