• S98 PORTUGUESE HISTORY were to join at the bridge, which unites the tW3 parts of the town. The principal defences of the enemy were at that bridge. It was fortified by artillery, by a wooden tower, and by ditches. The Portuguese met with little resistance until they ar- rived at this place, which was defended by Aladin the hereditary prince, and by his brother-in-law the king of Pahaiig, The viceroy led one of the divisions in person, stormed and carried the bridge. Don John de Lima commanded the other, and was opposed by Aladin and the king of Pahang in front, while the king of Malacca in person, mounted on an elephant, and supported by others, fell upon his rear. The Portuguese opened their ranks for the elephants, turned round and wounded them with their lances. These* timid animals, as usual, took fright, and becoming unmanageable, trode down the ranks of their own combatants, and threw all into disorder. De Lima, without meeting further re- sistance, then proceeded to join Albuquerque, at the bridge. The action was well-contested, and bloody at least on one side. Albuquerque, although he had gained the bridge, was not in a condition to profit by his success. He had no supply of provisions, and his troops were exhausted with fatigue, heat, and thirst. He, therefore, prudently retired in the course of the night to his fleet, determined to renew the attack under more favourable circumr ,^tanees. Mahomed, as usual with barbaj-ians, 13
