"We set sail first thing tomorrow morning?... Uh, this... isn't that too rushed?... Boss... I already made an agreement with that chief... 200 gold Ducats..."
"Ahem! Esteemed Scholar Martin, your suggestion is indeed very reasonable!... We really have stayed here too long, and it is far too dangerous... It's just that the fleet still needs to replenish some food. With only one last day, the chances of something going wrong shouldn't be great... How about this: tomorrow, the fleet trades with the natives one final time, then we don't spend the night. Once the trade is finished in the afternoon, we leave?..."
"Captain Bruno, since you've already made up your mind, and the boatswain has stated his position as well... it wouldn't be right for me to say anything more, and I dare not say anything more!... It's just that, for safety's sake, before nightfall today, shouldn't we anchor somewhere else? Sail farther out into deep water, then extinguish all the torches... If we're a little more cautious, everyone's lives will have a little more protection!..."
"Lord bless us! You're right! Then we'll turn due west and head 1.5 leagues (14.4 kilometers) out to sea... At night, not only will we put out the torches, we'll set double sentries too, taking turns keeping watch!..."
"Mm, everything is for you to decide, Captain... May the Lord bless us!..."
The lure of gold was right before their eyes, like an invisible whirlpool, making it hard for the Portuguese fleet to leave decisively. But the scholar had reminded them of the danger, so Bruno became all the more cautious.
On one hand, he informed the sailors of the decision to return the next day, reiterating the fleet's discipline and forbidding any sailor from leaving the ship without permission. On the other, he rearranged