The sixth armada reaches Mozambique Island on…

The sixth armada reaches Mozambique Island on June 25.

Here, Lopo Soares finds the testimonial letter left behind by Pêro de Ataíde, the former captain of the India patrol, who had died there in February.

From this missive, Lopo Soares learns of the debacle of the coastal patrol of Vicente Sodré and Calicut's attack on Cochin the previous spring.

Ataide's letter gives Lopo Soares the news of India up until February, 1504.

What Lopo Soares does not know (but probably can guess) is that at this very moment there is a desperate battle going on in Cochin.