As soon as the Hidalcão had pitched his camp, it occurred to him that when the great Afonso Dalboquerque knew the power of the army which he had raised, he would surrender Goa to him without any more armed opposition; in order, therefore, to sound his intentions, he sent him a message by means of a Portuguese and a Venetian, who were with him, having turned Moors. These men came up by night in an almadia to the pass of Agacij, whereof D. Jeronymo was the captain, and declared to him that they were the bearers of a message from the Hidalcão to the Captain General of India, and they had been desired to demand a safe conduct for both of them, and a man who should remain in the camp as a hostage, in order that they might go and speak with his Lordship; and it might so turn out, they said, that their mission would prove very advantageous to all.