After the great Afonso Dalboquerque had been properly established in our fortress, the ambassador of the Xeque Ismael sent word to him, through Miguel Ferreira, that he desired to come and deliver the message which he had brought to him from his lord.

Afonso Dalboquerque sent back word to say to him that he could not see him on that day, for he had certain business that must be dispatched, but on the following day he would attend to his wishes. Then he gave immediate orders to make ready, in front of the fortress (which led directly on to one of the principal streets of the city), a large platform of timber with three stages, all carpeted over with carpets, and adorned round about with quantities of cloth stuff and a canopy of brocade, and some cushions of green velvet placed on the platform, and two chairs of the same colour, fringed with gold.